Lord of the Mysteries - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"You can address me as The Fool . "

The simple answer soon emanated through the grand hall and dissipated into the fog . However, the voice kept resonating in Audrey's and Alger's hearts, stirring up one ripple after another .

They never expected such a designation, but they felt that he was deserving of it . The designation perfectly embodied his image as someone mysterious, powerful, and bizarre!

After a few seconds of silence, Audrey stood up, held up her skirt slightly and bent her knees, curtseying to Zhou Mingrui .

"Honorable Mr . Fool, would you please permit me to take the liberty of requesting you to be the witness of our trade?"

"It's nothing . " Zhou Mingrui's mind whirred as he answered in a way that matched his status .

"It's our honor, Mr . Fool . " Alger stood up as well . He bent his back slightly with his right palm over his chest .

Zhou Mingrui lowered his right palm and smiled .

"Continue, the both of you . "

Alger nodded and sat back down before looking at Audrey .

"If you can obtain the Ghost Shark's blood, get someone to send it to the Warrior & Sea Bar at Pelican Street, in the White Rose Borough of Pritz Harbor . Tell the boss, Williams, that it's what the 'Captain' wants .

"Once I acknowledge receipt, will you be giving me an address to mail the potion formula to or do you want me to tell it to you here directly?"

Audrey thought for a moment before saying with a smile, "I will choose the more secure method . Let's do it here, although it's a test of my memory . "

Since Mr . Fool had agreed to bear witness for the trade, it also represented that there would be a similar 'Gathering' the next time .

With this in mind, she suddenly turned her head as she looked at Zhou Mingrui with sparkling eyes . With a tone of interest, she suggested, "Mr . Fool, would you mind making a few more 'attempts' like this?"

Alger listened to her suggestion calmly; he was tempted by the suggestion as well . He hurriedly echoed, "Mr . Fool, don't you find such 'Gatherings' interesting? Although your powers exceed our imaginations, there has to be certain domains that you don't understand or excel in . The person across me is obviously a young lady of lofty stature . I also have my unique set of experiences, insights, mediums, and resources . Perhaps there will come a day when both of us can help you complete something trivial that might be inconvenient for you . "

From his point of view, the fact that he had been pulled into this space without any warning or any means to resist meant that the mysterious Mr . Fool was in control . Participating in the 'Gatherings' was not necessarily something he could refuse . Therefore, it was better to reap the benefits of this encounter as much as he could to make up for his passive and disadvantaged state .

The trio at the long table had different backgrounds, resources, information channels, and comprehension of the mystical domain . If they interacted and enjoyed some limited cooperation, they could produce unpredictable and immeasurable effects!

The resource trade that had just been negotiated was one example . Another example would be if he wished to kill someone . He could easily request the Gathering's members who did not appear to be related to him both on the surface and in reality for help . He could perfectly misdirect any investigators .

A young lady of lofty stature . . . Was my behavior and accent that obvious? Audrey stared blankly, mouth slightly agape, but she soon jolted back to her senses and nodded her head without any hesitation .

"Mr . Fool, I think it's a very good suggestion . As long as this Gathering becomes regular, you can totally leave certain things that are inconvenient for you to us . Of course, it has to be something within our capacities . "

From the moment he heard the suggestion, Zhou Mingrui was already weighing the pros and cons . More gatherings definitely allowed him to gain more knowledge of the secrets of the Beyonders or other mysteries, a boon for his transmigration back . For example, it was likely that the potion formula would appear at the next gathering because of the 'spectators . ' Similarly, the information he gained was bound to be helpful for his present life .

However, more gatherings meant it was easier to expose himself!

Indeed, regardless of the world, there is no such thing as a free lunch . . . Zhou Mingrui extended his right hand again as he rapped the side of the long table with his finger gently .

Considering the fact that he was in control of the gathering's summoning and dismissal, any threat of exposure was within the confines of his control . The pros clearly exceeded the cons, so Zhou Mingrui rapidly made a decision .

He stopped his rapping as he smiled at the anticipative and perturbed gazes of the duo .

"I'm a person who likes a fair and equal exchange .

"Your help will not go unrewarded .

"Every Monday at three in the afternoon, try your best to be alone . After I make a few more attempts and figure out certain things, perhaps you can apply for a leave of absence ahead of time . You will no longer need to worry about being in inappropriate situations . "

This was a form of agreement to Alger's and Audrey's suggestions .

Audrey had just turned seventeen . Having been taken care of her entire life, she had the character of a young girl . Therefore, she could not help but clench her fist and gradually pump it in front of her chest when she heard The Fool's reply .

Without waiting for Alger to say a word, Audrey said in excitement, her eyes glowing, "Then, shall we give ourselves call signs? After all, we can't use our real names for conversation . "

Although I might not be able to deceive Mr . Fool regarding my true identity, the person opposite me poses some danger . I must not let him know who I am!

"Good idea," answered Zhou Mingrui in a simple and relaxed manner .

Audrey's mind immediately began whirring as she aired her thoughts as they came to her .

"You are Mr . Fool which is derived from tarot cards . Then, as a fixed, long-term, and secretive 'Gathering,' we should be uniform in our designations . Yes, I'll also choose one from the tarot cards . "

Her tone slowly turned joyous .

"I've decided . My designation shall be 'Justice!'"

It was one of the twenty-two Major Arcana tarot cards .

"What about you, Mister?" Audrey cheekily smiled at her 'partner' sitting across her .

Alger frowned slightly before relaxing it immediately .

"The Hanged Man . "

It was another Major Arcana card .

"Alright, then we can be considered as the founding members of the Tarot Club!" Audrey was the first to blurt it out happily, only to look fearfully at the fog-concealed Zhou Mingrui . "Will that be alright, Mr . Fool?"

Zhou Mingrui shook his head in amusement .

"You can decide on such trivial matters by yourselves . "

"Thank you!" Audrey was clearly thrilled .

Following that, she looked at Alger .

"Mr . Hanged Man, can you repeat the address again once more? I'm afraid that my memories will fail me . "

"No problem . " Alger was very pleased with Audrey's seriousness as he repeated the address once more .

After repeating it to herself silently thrice, Audrey said again in excitement, "I heard that tarot cards were invented by Emperor Roselle as a game . In fact, doesn't it come equipped with the power to divine the future?"

"No . Most of the time, divination stems from one's self . Everyone has something spiritual about themselves, allowing them to attune to the spiritual world and connect to information about themselves at an even higher level . However, ordinary folks are unable to notice this, much less be able to interpret the 'signs' they receive . This information will present itself with the help of divination tools . Let me raise a simple example, dreams and dream interpreters . " Alger took a glance at Zhou Mingrui and seeing no response from him, he refuted Audrey's claim . "Tarot cards are, in fact, such a tool . It uses more symbolism and more logical elements to help us in conveniently and accurately interpreting the signs . "

Although Zhou Mingrui appeared indifferent, he was actually listening very carefully . It was only at this point that his empty mind slowly became heavy as his head began to feel a throbbing pain .

"Got it . " Audrey nodded in agreement . Following that, she emphasized, "That's not what I meant . I'm not doubting the tarot cards, but I heard that Emperor Roselle had actually created another set of cards, secret and mysterious ones . They were paper cards which symbolized a particular unknown power . There was a total of twenty-two cards that he completed . Later on in life, he referenced them to create the twenty-two Major Arcana tarot cards which are used as a gaming tool . Was what I said correct?"

She looked at Zhou Mingrui as though she was attempting to get an answer from the mysterious Mr . Fool .

All Zhou Mingrui did was smile without saying a word . He cast his gaze at The Hanged Man as though he was putting him to the test .

Alger subconsciously straightened his back and said in a deep voice, "That's right . It is said that Emperor Roselle had seen the Blasphemy Slate and that set of paper cards contain the profound mysteries of the twenty-two paths of the divine . "

"Twenty-two paths of the divine . . . " repeated Audrey with a longing tone .

At that moment, Zhou Mingrui's headache intensified . He felt that his invisible connection with the crimson stars and grayish-white fog was beginning to falter .

"Alright, that will be all for today's gathering," he said in a deep voice after making the decision immediately .

"By your will . " Alger bowed his head respectfully .

"By your will . " Audrey mimicked The Hanged Man .

She still had many questions and thoughts; thus, she was unwilling to have it end so soon .

As Zhou Mingrui severed the connection, he said with a smile, "Let us look forward to the next gathering . "

The 'stars' brightened once more as the crimson light receded like water . Just as Audrey and Alger heard Mr . Fool's words, their figures turned into a blur as they phased away .

In a second, the 'projection' shattered as the gray fog restored its silence .

As for Zhou Mingrui, he felt himself turning heavy rapidly . His surroundings turned fleeting as his eyes met darkness before changing into dazzling sunlight .

He was still standing in the middle of his apartment .

"It was like a dream . . . What the heck was that foggy world . . . Who or what sort of power created the changes that just happened . . . " Zhou Mingrui sighed softly . He was completely puzzled as he walked towards the study desk as though his legs were filled with lead .

He picked up the pocket watch he placed outside to determine how much time had passed .

"Time flowed at the same pace . " Zhou Mingrui made a rough judgment .

After putting down his pocket watch, he found himself unable to endure the splitting headache any further . He sat on the chair and lowered his head, using his left thumb and middle finger to massage his temples .

After a long while, he suddenly let out a sigh and said in Mandarin, "From the looks of it, I won't be able to return any time soon . . . "

Only the clueless could be fearless . After witnessing such a fascinating event and learning the situation regarding Beyonders and the mysterious world, Zhou Mingrui no longer dared to rashly try the luck enhancement ritual using ancient Feysac or Loen language .

Who knew what other kinds of situation would happen . Perhaps, it would be more bizarre, horrifying, or even a living hell!

"At the very least, I should attempt only when I have a deep mastery of mysticism," thought Zhou Mingrui helplessly .

Thankfully, the so-called Gathering could provide him with help .

After another bout of silence, he muttered to himself with a tone of dismay, disappointment, agony, and grief, "From this moment forth, I'm Klein . "

. . .

Klein tried his best to refocus his solutions and plans so as to purge the negative emotions in him .

Perhaps, he could learn the potion formula for 'Spectator' from the side . . .

The 'Gathering' that just happened sure is fascinating . People who reside in different places across the world can reduce hundreds of kilometers to just mere inches and discuss face-to-face while supplying each other's needs . Uh, speaking of which, this does sound a little familiar . . .

Klein was stunned for a few seconds before he burst out in laughter . Pressing against his temple, he jested under his breath, "Wasn't that a social networking platform?"