Chapter 7: Code Names

"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 code names? 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 were 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 situations 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?"