The white room was filled with the smell of disinfectant. Inside the ward lay something that was no longer recognizable as human, covered in tubes and tightly wrapped. The numbers and curves on the heart rate monitor were already alarming.
"Special Grade Four severe burns, total burn area exceeding 90%, organ failure."
Outside the ICU special care ward stood a white-robed, white-haired old man. He looked down at the medical report in his hand, his expression grim.
Especially when he saw the last sentence:
"Advise to prepare mentally in advance."
The medical report in the old man's hand spontaneously combusted, quickly turning to ashes in his palm. Clearly, he was furious beyond words.
"Too much! This is simply too much!"
"Beep."
The automatic door behind him opened, and a middle-aged man, dressed in a similar style to the old man, walked in. However, this man had a prominent bump on his forehead and narrowed eyes.
Those familiar with the middle-aged man's identity would never have guessed that this unassuming individual was Sonoda Shigeru, the legal representative of the Star Plasma Cult, currently managing all its affairs.
He spoke respectfully to the old man standing in front of the ward's mirror:
"Cult Leader, sir."
"Sonoda, have you found out who did this to Matsuda Zen'ei?"
The most revered person in the Star Plasma Cult at the moment was this white-haired old man. His voice, like decaying wood, was chillingly cold.
"People from the Four Great Families? Or those few brats?"
He really wanted to know who could pull off such a thing. Heh, that person was truly a talent.
The old man had received resignation letters from all the surviving high-ranking members of the Vessel and Soul Society. At the same time, he had sent people to revisit that branch, and almost two-thirds of the followers expressed that they would never dare to have any further contact with the Star Plasma Cult.
Massive defection of followers and successive resignations of high-ranking members—such an outrageous situation had never occurred in the Star Plasma Cult, which had followed Lord Tengen from the Nara period in Neon until now, boasting such a long history.
"No, none of them."
Sonoda Shigeru was also very angry. He handed the collected information to the Cult Leader, sir.
"It was that brat who was specially commended by the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association for exorcising a Special Grade Cursed Spirit last time. The Jujutsu Sorcerer Association's mission to promote him to Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer was to deal with our Star Plasma Cult."
"That brat?"
Because the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association had produced another promising talent capable of exorcising a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, the old man had heard of him. Damn it, but he never expected to hear that name again in a context that brought trouble to their Star Plasma Cult.
"Kenmyo, formerly known as Kamo Kenmyo."
Logically, Kenmyo is now a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, and all his identity information should be confidential. However, the Star Plasma Cult still managed to find it, indicating they also have their own people within the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association.
The Cult Leader of the Star Plasma Cult looked at the information in his hand and muttered to himself:
"It's actually a defective product abandoned by the Kamo Family years ago."
"Damn Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, sending a greenhorn brat to do this."
Realizing the full story, the Cult Leader of the Star Plasma Cult was furious. He said,
"We've been played this time."
"Sir, should we put a bounty on that brat's head on the underground Cursed Sorcerer website?"
Sonoda Shigeru, the legal representative of the Star Plasma Cult, suggested to the old man.
In the past, whenever a Sorcerer provoked the Star Plasma Cult, they would usually put a bounty on their head on the Cursed Sorcerer assassination website.
Those scoundrels who worked for money were quite useful, so the Star Plasma Cult had always done it that way. To complete the transactions or cover their tracks, they used multi-country international transfers.
Having done many bad deeds of hiring assassins, the experienced Sonoda Shigeru knew that money could circulate around the globe in just eight seconds.
The money would travel from a Neon account to Hong Kong, then to Dubai, to Cyprus, and seven other countries, before passing through Hong Kong again and finally returning to Neon.
It would take him half a minute just to list these countries, but those eight seconds would make it impossible for the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association to trace it even in ten years.
"Not this time."
The Cult Leader of the Star Plasma Cult took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing his inner anger. Reason told him he couldn't do that.
He shook his head and said,
"The bigger picture is more important."
While killing that brat would provide temporary satisfaction, it wasn't a long-term solution.
The situation was far worse than imagined. Due to the old man's relationship with the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association turning icy, he had suffered numerous sanctions from the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association these days.
The Jujutsu Sorcerer Association had imposed blockades on the Star Plasma Cult in terms of economy, manpower, and resources, making the entire operation of the Star Plasma Cult problematic and difficult.
The Star Plasma Cult didn't have much money on its books, and the money needed to be used wisely. Furthermore, the Star Plasma Cult's once-every-500-year major event was about to unfold, so they couldn't afford any more complications now.
The old man cursed again in his heart,
"Damn Jujutsu Sorcerer Association."
If it weren't for them, how could things have turned out like this? The Vessel and Soul Society was completely ruined.
"How much was our original budget for hiring assassins?"
Sonoda Shigeru replied,
"Thirty million."
"Thirty million isn't enough."
The old man of the Star Plasma Cult pondered,
"Increase it to one hundred million."
"But if it's one hundred million, the entire operation of the Star Plasma Cult will face problems."
As a high-ranking official in charge of the Star Plasma Cult's finances, Sonoda Shigeru knew exactly how much liquid capital was on the books.
The Cult Leader's casual mention of a hundred million expenditure would likely paralyze the entire Star Plasma Cult.
"Just one hundred million. Get me a few more people."
The Cult Leader of the Star Plasma Cult made the decision directly, not giving Sonoda Shigeru a chance to object.
"But…"
"No buts. Don't forget, I am the Cult Leader."
The old man interrupted Sonoda Shigeru's words.
"The Jujutsu Sorcerer Association is not acting humanely. How can I possibly swallow this insult?"
"How about this, I will personally donate 18 million. If that's still not enough, the rest of you can chip in."
"I don't know who the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association will send to protect the Star Plasma Vessel, but this time, not only the Star Plasma Vessel, I also want everyone who protects her to die without a burial place."
"Yes."
Since the Cult Leader had said so, what else could Sonoda Shigeru, merely a high-ranking employee, say? He could only agree.
As for how to deal with that little bastard Kenmyo, the old man also had an idea.
"Sonoda, call the Kamo Family Elder for me."
The Cult Leader of the Star Plasma Cult and the Kamo Family Elder were good friends when they were young and still kept in touch.
"Ask him if he knows or not."
"With such a good talent out there, why hasn't he made that brat acknowledge his ancestors sooner?"
The competition among the three great families of the Jujutsu World is fierce. The difference between having one more Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer and one less is significant.
Such a rare talent, who was once an abandoned child of the Kamo Family, they certainly wouldn't let him go.
As for whether he is willing to "return home," that's the Kamo Family's own business.
Young people are hot-headed, and the old man was certain that Kenmyo harbored resentment towards the family that abandoned him. As long as the two clashed, it would be a lot of fun.
"Yes, I understand, Cult Leader, sir."
Upon hearing the order, Sonoda Shigeru glanced at Matsuda Zen'ei in the treatment machine one last time, sighing inwardly,
"This is probably the last time we'll meet, old friend."
Sonoda Shigeru was about to turn and leave, but the Cult Leader called him back again, seemingly feeling it was inappropriate.
"Never mind, Sonoda, you should still be responsible for calling in a few more high-level Cursed Jujutsu Sorcerer."
"I'll personally make a trip to the Kamo Family. It's been a long time since I've seen Kenichiro, that old scoundrel."
While he was at it, he would also try to get some investments or some aid from the Kamo Family. The Star Plasma Cult's days were too hard now.
Completely unaware that his actions had suddenly made a large organization struggle and worsened its situation, Kenmyo was currently drinking.
"Cheers!"
Several full glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.
"Sure enough, iced milk tea is still better than iced beer."
Gojo Satoru finished the milk tea in his glass in one gulp, placed it on the table with a "thwack," and let out a very satisfied sigh.
"Sugar satisfaction achieved."
"Gojo, you're probably the only one who comes to a bar to drink milk tea, right?"
Kenmyo put down his glass and, hearing Gojo Satoru's words, rolled his eyes at him.
Kenmyo was originally tinkering with gadgets at home when Gojo Satoru and Suguru Geto called him, saying they wanted to celebrate his promotion to Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer and go out for a meal.
As a result, Gojo Satoru, this killjoy, came to a bar and didn't even drink. Kenmyo mocked him,
"Can't you drink something adults drink?"
"Look at Geto's performance, he's great. He drank the entire glass of beer in one go."
Suguru Geto, who was pouring wine from a bottle, paused his hand and smiled helplessly.
"It's all because you, Kenmyo, led me astray. I used to be a teetotaler."
"Geto, have you ever heard the saying, 'The master leads you to the door, but the practice is up to the individual'?"
Although Kenmyo said that, he still grabbed a nearby water glass. As soon as he picked it up, the plain water sloshing inside instantly turned into solid ice. Then he poured the ice cubes into Suguru Geto's beer glass.
Beer at room temperature is like horse pee; iced beer is like a national treasure. If it's not iced, it's undrinkable.
"Geto, look at Kenmyo's ability. Isn't it stronger than your Snow Woman?"
Gojo Satoru, seeing this scene, teased Suguru Geto.
Among Suguru Geto's Cursed Spirit Manipulation, there was a Cursed Spirit with ice abilities, similar to Kenmyo's Ryu. It was an imaginary Cursed Spirit, like the Snow Woman in folk myths, and its grade was not low.
Suguru Geto didn't pick up on his friend's banter.
You sure know how to compare, pitting an irrational Cursed Spirit against a Sorcerer who skillfully wields Jujutsu.
"If being a Sorcerer doesn't work out, let's open a shaved ice shop together. It'll definitely be a hit."
"Hahahaha."
Gojo Satoru patted Kenmyo's shoulder and said cheerfully,
"Hmm, I'll devour a huge bowl every day, after all, sugar is the best thing in the world."
"Congratulations again, Kenmyo, you're also a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer now."
"Thanks."
Kenmyo picked up the glass that Suguru Geto had refilled for him, clinked it with Gojo Satoru's glass, took a sip, and then put it down.
"Woah, Kenmyo, what are you doing?"
Gojo Satoru was startled.
"Checking if you've gotten fat from eating so many sweets every day?"
Kenmyo merely poked Gojo Satoru's abdomen with his finger. Was such an exaggerated reaction really necessary?
"You really are infuriating, eating so many sweets and not getting fat."
"That's right! Who do you think I am? I'm Gojo Satoru!"
Gojo Satoru lifted his shirt, revealing his neatly arranged abdominal muscles, all abs.
Because his Limitless is very special and requires a lot of mental calculation, sugar, which provides a lot of energy, is his best partner.
"What's wrong?"
Gojo Satoru suddenly noticed Kenmyo's eyes were unfocused, which was very strange.
"Nothing."
Kenmyo recovered from a momentary trance. Suddenly, many inexplicable fragments appeared in his mind.
Looking at Gojo Satoru's abdomen again, Kenmyo suppressed the incredulity in his heart.
"Was that a premonition?"
A premonition is just a small fragment that appears in the precognitive branch of psychic abilities, similar to an intuition, often foretelling events that might happen in the future.
He never expected that just one glance at Gojo Satoru's waist would trigger a premonition.
So what exactly did Kenmyo see that made him so serious?
So much so that Gojo Satoru inexplicably felt his friend's gaze was fierce, strange. Kenmyo just looking at him felt really creepy.
"Gojo, you still shouldn't rely too much on your Limitless."
Even the most invincible technique has weaknesses.
What determines life and death and victory is often just a small mistake by the opponent, or a small breakthrough by oneself.
Kenmyo's expression was complex. He swirled his wine glass and said,
"Develop more defensive and life-saving techniques, otherwise, I feel that if you encounter a strong enemy, your small arms and legs might be in trouble."
"Oh, Kenmyo, you're exaggerating."
Gojo Satoru didn't take it too seriously.
"Who do you think I am? I'm Gojo Satoru!"
"Besides, don't I have you guys?"
Gojo Satoru grinned as he put his arms around Suguru Geto's and Kenmyo's shoulders, saying cheerfully.
"We are the strongest."
Originally, there were two people who bore the name of the strongest; now there were three.
Gojo Satoru even felt that with these two friends accompanying him, he dared to be an enemy of the entire world.
"Hmm."
Kenmyo would never tell Gojo Satoru that in the scene of the premonition he saw, not only were they not in his future, but he would also die.
In that future without Suguru Geto and Kenmyo, Gojo Satoru faced a powerful enemy alone. The invincible him, with Limitless, suffered a crushing defeat.
The cost of failure was tragic.
Gojo Satoru's heavily wounded body was completely torn in half by the enemy. His legs were still standing, but his torn upper body had completely fallen into a pool of blood, dying in agonizing misery.
Gojo Satoru died in battle.
The so-called strongest met such an end, which was deeply regrettable.
He fought alone to the very end, and not a single teammate came to his rescue.
Recalling that scene, Kenmyo felt a pang in his heart, but thinking such things at his First Grade Sorcerer celebration felt too unlucky.
Last time, Suguru Geto's Honglong took Kenmyo and Gojo Satoru home; this time, it was his turn.
When Kenmyo made Ryu transform into that majestic and sacred ice dragon again, Gojo Satoru's eyes lit up.
"Geto, look at Kenmyo's dragon. Isn't it much more powerful than your Honglong?"
"Gojo, I've tolerated you for the second time."
Kenmyo's strength had improved again. As a friend, Suguru Geto would naturally be happy.
However, he couldn't stand Gojo Satoru using this excuse to mock him every time.
Suguru Geto also gets angry, so the two showed signs of fighting again.
Kenmyo sat on the dragon's head, listening to the restless movements of the two behind him. He smiled helplessly.
"You two don't lack this bit of time, do you?"
After sending the two of them home, Kenmyo finally arrived at his own house.
Drinking with these two was truly exhausting, but now was not the time for sleep.
Kenmyo went to his studio, where a very complex setup of various glass bottles was already installed, including high-temperature scorching, low-temperature cooling towers, centrifuges, and other equipment forming a complete set.
The accumulated liquid condensed in the cooling tube and was constantly dripping down. In a sealed beaker below, about 50 milliliters of red liquid had already accumulated.
These liquids seemed to contain immense vitality, as well as an unknown horror.
The diluted blood of saint giles that Kenmyo had prepared was not much before he left, but now that he was back, there was enough for one dose.
He picked up the beaker and drank it without hesitation.
Gojo Satoru is dead. I feel like the main characters are doomed. Just the Malevolent Shrine of the Old Man is unstoppable.