They all call me Great Master

An unexpected idea caused Arthur to freeze on the spot.

To disguise this strangeness, he almost subconsciously looked up at the towering Death Serpent Banyan—the instincts of a Spirit Medium had long been imprinted deep within his soul.

'My memories are most likely real!

If these memories were fabricated...

That would be interesting!'

In the blink of a thought, Arthur was not panicked in the slightest, instead, he was filled with a thrill that surged from the depths of his soul—assuming, this speculation was true, then he very much wanted to know who was doing this to him.

And why they were doing it?

Furthermore...

From this, was the world before his eyes even real!

'Tsk, it's unclear! Unclear!

Such a terrifying world!

I dare not even think about it!'

Arthur quickly composed himself, pressing these thoughts deep into his heart.

Because, he was well aware that whether it was true or not, he wasn't capable of confronting it now.

Instead of constantly pondering, risking discovery by the possible existent beings.

It was better to suppress it deep within his heart, to slowly explore, to accumulate strength, and then, to take action when the opportunity arose.

A smile appeared on Arthur's face, seen by Marinda.

"What are you scheming now, you little schemer?

Keep it down!

Your smile is chilling to the core!"

Marinda's mouth twitched.

"Of course, it's about those fools who thought I was hurt!

Who else could it be?

Severely injured, I had no choice but to plant a War Tree to protect myself—makes perfect sense, right?"

Arthur bowed his head, his smile lingering.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes!"

Marinda, having at some point picked up one of Arthur's signature phrases, kept repeating it, then she proudly brandished her pipe.

"How's the taste of tobacco fed honey fruit liquor for a year?"

For this lady, matters were just as Arthur said.

The method before his eyes was just to make his 'fact of being injured' more realistic.

As for the 'War Tree'?

Although rare, with the resources of Cat Faction Hei, having one or two already was not surprising for her.

Therefore, compared to these established facts, Marinda was more interested in the tobacco in her pipe.

This was an unexpected success!

Arthur sniffed delicately for a moment.

He indeed detected the sweetness of honey.

And this hint of sweetness nicely offset the sharpness of mint, further bringing out the refreshing scent of apple, suggesting balance so delicate that a bit more would be too much, a bit less would be too little.

"A flavor that's just right!"

Arthur assessed truthfully.

This remark caused the corners of Marinda's mouth to curl upwards as she playfully tapped Arthur on the chest.

But immediately, the lady regretted the action.

The onset of nausea had her gaze at Arthur full of regret.

'Arthur, how perfect it would be if you were a woman!'

Reading the lady's gaze, Arthur gave her the middle finger in response.

The lady, with her pipe in her mouth, threw up two middle fingers in return.

However, before leaving, the lady left Arthur a small bag of tobacco.

About 10 grams.

"Enough for two bowls, you better be grateful!"

With a slight coquettish tone, she disappeared behind the Death Serpent Banyan, vanishing from sight.

Looking at the small beautifully packaged bag of tobacco in his hand, Arthur knew this was something Marinda had prepared especially—akin to a friendly share.

He chose to accept it openly.

Even though he didn't smoke a pipe just yet. Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire

But in the future?

What if he came to like it?

Who knows.

Nobody can be sure of the future, just as even gods can't stop people from eating—feeling his increasingly hollow stomach, Arthur put the small bag of tobacco into Atos's Box and so, in his pajamas, he walked past the Death Serpent Banyan and left No. 2 Cork Street.

"Merlin!"

Arthur shouted towards Dar Alley.

"Coming, sir!"

Merlin, with jet-black hair and a slight build but fair skin, ran to Arthur at top speed, holding today's newspaper and Arthur's first meal—after returning to South Los yesterday, Arthur had settled the remaining wages and decided to continue employing Merlin, noticing his diligence and unique daily routine.

It was still fifty Zeroes a day.

Merlin needed to buy the newspaper for Arthur in the morning, tidy up the courtyard, and also purchase Arthur's first meal.

If needed, he would also purchase a second meal.

Aside from the newspaper, the rest of the expenses were to be accounted for weekly—however, due to Arthur's "good reputation", the nearby shops all agreed that monthly accounting was satisfactory.

Beyond these duties, if there were visitors in the morning, noon, or afternoon, Merlin was also obliged to inform them of the appropriate time to visit and to record the visitors' information.

It was somewhat similar to the second or third manservant in a noble household.

Arthur believed that Merlin would perform these tasks well.

"Sir, may I place these here?"

"Of course!"

Merlin set down the newspapers and the basket containing food at the doorstep of No. 2 Cork Street, and hurried off after Arthur's affirmation.

Though still very polite, Arthur nevertheless noticed something off about Merlin.

That 'offness' was...

Alarm!

The alarm he showed looking towards the Death Serpent Banyan!

'Could it be just a coincidence?' Arthur wondered, as Fujin silently followed him.

He needed to confirm something.

For someone like Merlin, who was 'extremely close' to him, Arthur maintained a more cautious attitude, just as he would towards those 'strangers' who approached him again.

Standing beside the Death Serpent Banyan, Arthur's gaze shifted to the drunk vagabond.

The vagabond's filthy coat material was indiscernible, his hair completely tangled, and his face was so dirt-encrusted it seemed to scab.

The fellow simply stood on Cork Street, staring steadfastly at Arthur.

Arthur also returned the look with a slight smile.

"Do you recognize me?"

The vagabond opened his mouth to reveal a mouthful of yellow teeth.

"Not at all."

Arthur honestly shook his head.

"Then, do you know me?"

The vagabond asked again.

"I do."

Arthur nodded.

Then, the other party started questioning again—

"How do you know?"

"I guessed."

"Your guess wasn't accurate enough."

"Just as you were too late?"

"As long as I have arrived, it's not too late!"

"Hmm, have some tea."

The pair walked into No. 2 Cork Street, exchanging words, and as Arthur waved his hand, a cup of black tea prepared by the Hand of Void appeared on the small parlor table.

"I prefer drinking alcohol to drinking tea."

"The alcohol is too strong."

Arthur picked up his teacup.

"The tea is too cold, gets colder the more you drink."

The vagabond didn't move, just glanced at the teacup.

"That's why I have prepared black tea."

Arthur gestured again, the vagabond stared at the cup and looked again, but shook his head.

"Black tea does not warm the stomach enough."

Though he said this, the vagabond finally picked up the teacup, and like drinking liquor, downed it in one gulp, then bowed courteously—

"Thank you for everything you have done for Cotton and Nicole!"

With these words, the vagabond straightened his back, and bowed again to Arthur.

But this time, it was a military salute—

"Daredevil Team Captain Bob reporting to you!"

Saying so, the member of the Daredevil Team took a box from his chest, opened it towards himself, and then placed it in front of Arthur.

As Arthur clearly saw the contents of the box,

his eyes instantly narrowed.