Chapter 76: Chapter 76: I Like Tradition
Leaving the mayor’s house, Wu Chang headed towards the police station.
As he passed the Great Cathedral, he saw the Spirit Fox sweeping fallen leaves again.
Compared to yesterday, the Spirit Fox seemed a bit more stable emotionally, and not as downcast.
Seeing him, the Spirit Fox visibly brightened and ran towards him.
"You look much better."
The Spirit Fox smiled and said, "Thanks to you, I’ve calmed down. You’re right, as long as we do what we’re supposed to do, everything will get better."
The Spirit Fox’s profession is a nun, and her hidden side mission is to find the Saintess. If the Saintess had ever appeared in Briff, she would definitely have stayed in the Great Cathedral.
Right now, the Spirit Fox seemed unguarded towards him, having an inexplicable trust in him. This was the perfect opportunity to extract information.
Wait a minute, something wasn’t quite right; it seemed like he was supposed to do something else. Forget it, now is not the time to get distracted.
Wu Chang shook his head, pushing the vague feeling of discord out of his mind, and asked:
"How are things going in the Great Cathedral?"
Upon hearing Wu Chang ask about her, a smile appeared on the Spirit Fox’s face.
"Everyone in the Church is very kind, much easier to get along with than those people in the workplace, especially the Priest. After dinner, he leads us in prayers. After praying, the mind becomes much calmer and can increase by 0.5 temporary Will."
Wu Chang was a little surprised. Other professions decrease attributes through work, but how does a nun actually increase them?
He really wanted to ask if the Church needed more people, or if they were hiring part-time.
The Spirit Fox continued, "The only strange part is that the Bishop is a bit odd. He sewed shut his eyes with rough wire, and every time I see him, I always feel like I’m being watched by something dangerous."
Wu Chang nodded, taking note of the Bishop with sewn eyes, then asked, "Why didn’t you tell Sword Star this information last night?"
The Spirit Fox whispered, "I was worried he would ask me to probe the Bishop."
"Then you can tell me with ease?"
"You wouldn’t do that."
Wu Chang shrugged, not considering himself that reliable, not understanding why the Spirit Fox had confidence in him.
"By the way, how have you been?" The Spirit Fox paused for a moment, as if plucking up the courage to ask.
"I’m doing well, just about to deliver a package to the chief." Wu Chang said, waving to the Spirit Fox before continuing towards the police station.
Seeing Wu Chang respond perfunctorily and rushing away after obtaining information, the Spirit Fox showed a disappointed expression, "In such a hurry..."
Halfway through, Wu Chang remembered something. He expected to gain something significant today, perhaps needing knowledge the Spirit Fox had learned from the Church, so he turned back and called:
"I’ll come see you again tomorrow, remember to wait for me."
The Spirit Fox smiled and replied, "Okay!"
Arriving at the police station, Wu Chang didn’t see Morena in the hall, so he asked the Hamster who was mopping the floor:
"Where’s the Chief?"
The Hamster pointed to the tightly closed office of the Chief and whispered:
"The Chief locked herself in her room as soon as she came in today, refusing to open the door no matter who knocks. There’s something strange about her condition, be careful."
"Got it." Wu Chang made an OK gesture and headed towards the Chief’s office.
Knock knock.
"Chief Morena."
A hoarse, trembling voice came from behind the door, "What is it."
Wu Chang: "You have a mail."
"Leave it at the door."
"There’s one more favor to ask, Mayor Harrison gave me a letter of recommendation, I’d like you to sign it."
Cre-aak—
The door to the Chief’s office opened just a crack.
Thinking he had to slide the introduction letter through the crack, as he approached, Morena suddenly pulled him into the room.
Just as the Hamster said, Morena’s status wasn’t good.
She was curled up in the office chair, her normally healthy tannish skin now a ghastly white. Sweat covered her, soaking through her white blouse, revealing the black underwear beneath.
One hand held her leg tightly, trying to stop the trembling of her body. The other hand released Wu Chang, brushing her disheveled red hair aside, then curled her index finger and bit it lightly.
Wu Chang frowned, Morena’s condition seemed very much like some kind of withdrawal symptom.
Biting her finger, Morena looked up at him, "Harrison wants you to join the Town Council?"
"Yes, I’d like you to be my sponsor."
"What a lucky guy, you don’t know what kind of miracle you’re about to enjoy," Morena muttered softly.
Morena seemed to think of something, stood up from the chair, and walked up to Wu Chang.
The two were so close that Wu Chang could feel her breath and catch her scent.
Didn’t they say the sweat of pretty girls smells like strawberries? Why did Morena’s sweat have a faint fishy smell?
Could she have sprayed perfume with a fishy herbal scent?
Morena pressed close to Wu Chang and said, "It’s not impossible to let you join, but it depends on your performance."
Wu Chang forced a smile, "Chief, I perform but don’t sell myself."
Of course, if Morena insisted, holding his nose wouldn’t be impossible.
Morena spoke hungrily, but the content was rather disappointing.
"I don’t want your body, at least not now. Tonight, I want half of whatever you gain, you agree, and I’ll sign!"
Wu Chang asked in confusion, "What will I gain?"
"A miracle!"
"Can a miracle be split in half?"
"Yes!"
Wu Chang shrugged, "Deal then."
He wasn’t about to argue over something not yet in hand with Morena.
If what he gained turned out to be extraordinary, he could always renegotiate later.
With Morena’s signature in hand, only Matty remained.
Following the agreement from the previous night, Wu Chang waited until 4 p.m. After the general store closed, he entered through the back door.
Matty was right, the back door of the store was very secluded, surrounded by weeds and bushes, no one would notice someone entering from there.
Inside the general store, Matty was the only one home. Wu Chang checked with his Spirit Body form, ensuring there was no one else inside.
After scouting, he coughed and shook the bell at the entrance by the back door.
Quickly, heavy footsteps sounded on the wooden floor.
As the footsteps approached, bear-like Matty squeezed through the narrow hallway.
Seeing the package in Wu Chang’s hand, Matty’s face turned red with excitement as he took the package and gave Wu Chang a deathly bear hug.
"Brother Sean, it’s such a regret you didn’t come to town sooner. I swear to the Great Saint Mother, you’re definitely the most professional guy I’ve ever seen."
Wu Chang extricated himself from Matty’s deathly hug, rubbing his sore ribs, then took out the recommendation letter.
"Mr. Matty, I’d like you to be my sponsor."
"No problem! You’ve earned it!"
Matty immediately signed his name on the recommendation letter.
"Brother Sean, you know, since the Town Council was established, the number of Councilors has always remained at twenty-one, never more, never less."
"Your presence has broken this tradition!"
Matty handed the introduction letter, now bearing three signatures, back to Wu Chang.
"Congratulations on becoming the twenty-second Town Councilor. Honestly, I’ve always hated those meaningless traditions. Traditions should be broken for talented people, especially someone as talented as you!"
Wu Chang showed a humble smile, "I’m very happy to receive everyone’s approval, and I will continue to work hard."
Matty: "I have high hopes for you!"
Leaving through the back door, Wu Chang placed the introduction letter into his personal space and turned to look at the general store.
Unlike Matty, he liked traditions, especially those with a sense of ceremony.
He slightly tilted his head, looking towards the chaotic bushes, his Clone dressed in a black robe emerged silently, heading towards the store’s back door.
The Town Council has always had only twenty-one members, what a great tradition.
When a newcomer joins, an old-timer should step down.
Wouldn’t you agree?