The Eldritch Files

Code 04 [Pale], Code 05 [Arcane Copper], Code 09 [Ghost]!

Han Su slowly turned the pages of the Emperor’s Book, seeing the knowledge that materialized after it had stolen the corresponding Mysterious Powers.

These were the codenames in the Emperor’s Book—as well as some related knowledge—for the three Mysterious Powers he had brought back from the Ancient Castle: Giant’s Power, Copper Will, and Ghost Flame.

However, the amount of knowledge was sparse. It was mostly just a name and the corresponding time the power had appeared in history. Han Su was certain this was related to the magnitude of the Mysterious Power the Emperor’s Book had managed to steal.

Within him, these three Mysterious Powers existed merely as residues left over from contact, which had then been recorded by the Fishing Song. They were essentially just samples, enough for the Emperor’s Book to analyze, but not enough for it to glean much content.

The same was true for the power codenamed Arcane Copper. Although he still possessed the Copper Will, the power was buried too deep within him. ’Letting the Emperor’s Book find and devour it would have too great an impact on me.’

Besides, the copper-colored blood left behind by Bai Shi could be fed directly to the Emperor’s Book. But he still needed that blood to control the Living Copper Puppet and maintain his role as the Heir, so he couldn’t bear to just feed it to the book.

’Of course, this is enough for now. After all, I’m only just starting to study the functions of the Emperor’s Book.’

’If the Emperor’s Book reveals knowledge as soon as it steals a Mysterious Power, then if I give it a large enough quantity, could it fully analyze all the knowledge related to that power?’

’And if a Mysterious Power had no secrets left at all... what would that mean?’

He already knew the answer: having no secrets meant absolute mastery.

Just like Miss Sisi, who could turn black silk to white with just a snap of her fingers.

’The Emperor’s Book steals a Mysterious Power and reveals its knowledge...’

After some experimentation, Han Su came to a realization. ’And every time I use this book, the Divine Material grows stronger. Correspondingly, the pollution I suffer deepens.’

’Then how should I handle a crisis in my normal state?’

...

As he slowly pieced together the relationship between himself, the Emperor’s Book, and the Mysterious Powers, Han Su stumbled upon an answer:

’Zero Sequence?’

...

’I’m unwilling to be assimilated by a Mysterious Power, yet my Spiritual Activity and Divine Material are the only things growing stronger. Does that mean the only Mysterious Power I can actually use is the Zero Sequence Spell?’

’What is this, then?’

’My exploration of Mysterious Powers has officially entered Tier Two.’

’But has my arsenal fallen behind?’

’Of course, if I risk the pollution and use the Emperor’s Book to steal and wield Mysterious Powers, wouldn’t that mean my arsenal has been completely upgraded?’

Han Su found the situation somewhat laughable. Just a short while ago, under Li Moxi’s guidance, he was learning about the Hidden School, the Disaster Management Bureau, and Li Moxi’s personal theories on Mysterious Power, all while trying to decide which path suited him best.

And now, as it turned out, he had them all.

’The essence of life is struggle. So why am I still worrying about all these trivial details?’

Han Su reined in his wandering thoughts and took the pair of glasses and the pocket watch he had brought back from the Ancient Castle out of his briefcase.

On a mystical level, these two items once personally worn by the "Gods" were practically treasures. It was time to feed them to the Emperor’s Book and see what information it would spit out.

...

...

「While Han Su was deliberately exploring the Emperor’s Book」

In the corridor of an abandoned mental asylum, Li Moxi and his men arrived at the interrogation room holding Bai Senmang. Pushing the door open, they saw a single, ghastly white lamp inside.

Beneath the light, Bai Senmang’s face was greasy and his hair was a tangled mess. His mental state looked extremely poor.

This dignitary, who had long held the prestigious position of Qinggang’s Secretary No. 2, had been here for less than two days and was already a broken lunatic. The moment he saw someone enter, he began to shriek reflexively.

"I told you, I don’t have any information! I only knew about the Silence Project and invested in it, that’s all..."

"If you really want to investigate, go after the ones with the seats!"

"I really don’t know! I’ve already told you everything I can! I even told you how many servants I buried in my back garden, just like you asked!"

...

The two personnel beside him glanced over at Li Moxi, their expressions suggesting that there was truly nothing left to say.

Li Moxi, however, simply waved a hand dismissively. He walked up to Bai Senmang and gave a faint smile. "Of course I know you don’t understand much about the overall situation. The information I brought with me is probably more than you know."

"However, everything has its use. I didn’t bring you back for questioning. I have another use for you."

...

"You..."

Bai Senmang’s head jerked up. Just by looking into Li Moxi’s placid eyes, he knew this man had definitely been in contact with the ones who held the seats. No wonder they didn’t care in the slightest that he had fallen into the hands of the man investigating the kidnapping.

Because this Investigator was one of them all along.

In those placid eyes, he saw a terrifying calm. He cried out in a hoarse voice, "You... you..."

Li Moxi gently raised a hand, bringing out the crimson case he had brought with him. He opened it slowly, revealing several special chemical agents and a few delicate instruments inside.