Believe me, a temptation that can be refused isn't really a temptation.
Such tests often become the prelude to failure.
They can destroy everything about you.
Including your life.
About these things, Lauren Delder is unaware.
He only knows Jason can forgive even the 'old man' who made a mistake.
And he's never made a mistake, so naturally, he has nothing to worry about.
Although the 'old man' and Jason's relationship is unique, as long as he tries hard, he can also become as close as they are.
Thus, Lauren Delder has become more proactive than ever.
And Jason?
Naturally guessed the reason why.
Has his 'information' been eavesdropped on by 'Jing'?
Since it's fake anyway, let them eavesdrop.
It's best if the other side jumps to some wrong conclusions.
As for the 'old man' and Lauren Delder's assumptions?
He's just someone who hasn't even fully walked around the Ring City in the Lower City District of 'Nightless City', how could he be from the Uptown?
Sure enough!
Meeting the 'Cat Hole' special agent, my luck can't be too bad.
Jason thought, with a slight smile on his lips.
Then, he thought of that 'powerful figure'.
What will you do?
'Jing' sat on the sofa, with a bottle of white wine placed in an ice bucket on the coffee table beside him.
Compared to red wine,
'Jing' prefers white wine because he doesn't like the tannic taste but can accept the slightly sour taste. Of course, more so because white wine pairs better with shrimp.
'Jing' loves eating shrimp.
Whether it's traditional shrimp or crawfish,
he likes them both.
Especially spicy and thirteen-spice.
This was a preparation method recorded in a diary he collected unintentionally.
The contents were quite absurd, but some of the cooking methods are really good.
Unfortunately, the scarcity of supplies in the Ring City of the Lower City District of 'Nightless City' is too severe.
Many foods are impossible to taste.
To get those foods, one can only go to the Uptown of 'Nightless City'.
But even he, cannot easily reach the Uptown of 'Nightless City'.
Especially recently.
"'The shadow of war' looms once again."
'Jing' sighed while holding his wine glass.
Then, he couldn't help but recall that 'war' from long ago.
Was it ten years ago?
Fifteen years ago?
Or twenty years ago?
'Jing' rubbed his temples. Although he had been trying hard to maintain himself, the relentless passage of time still made him feel the decline of his physical functions and memory, especially the latter.
Three years ago, or was it four?
He could still clearly remember a small incident from fifty years ago.
And now?
Everything has become blurry.
As he recalled the past, 'Jing' couldn't help but yawn.
He planned to get some more sleep before dawn.
Another downside of aging is the lack of sleep; he can't fall asleep easily.
Also, frequent trips to the bathroom at night.
But often feeling drowsy.
The feeling of being very tired yet unable to sleep is truly tormenting.
But just when 'Jing' lay down, the door sounded again.
'Jing' frowned.
Finally, he sighed with resignation.
"Come in."
Immediately, the door opened.
The tall figure of Newpolitan appeared in 'Jing's view, and seeing his boss's slightly displeased face, Newpolitan felt a nervous chill through his body.
'Jing' is not someone with a good temper.
Or rather, quite brutal.
Especially in recent years, increasingly moody.
Luckily, as one of 'Jing's 'Six Evil Dogs', still as his bodyguard, Newpolitan knows how to soothe his boss's anger.
He promptly spoke quickly and accurately.
"There's new progress with the 'old man' over there."
Newpolitan said, taking out a palm-sized player and pressing the play button.
Listening to the conversation between the 'old man' and Lauren Delder from the device,
'Jing's drowsiness vanished instantly.
Jason is from the Uptown?
'Jing' squinted his eyes.
In his mind, various speculations began to form.
As far as he knows, since that war, people from Uptown rarely enter the Lower City District.
In the past three years, not a single one has.
Not with the usual strutting, but cautiously, closing the door gently.
Jing sat on the bed, raised his hand, and tapped the bedside table.
Silently, a screen descended from the ceiling.
On it was the view outside the corridor.
Tel's departing figure.
Only after watching Tel leave, Jing stood up from the bed.
Why did he trust Tel?
Not because of any verbal loyalty.
But because of actual actions.
A result of countless tests.
And the tests would continue after this.
As long as there was one failure, he would replace Tel.
Just like Tel's predecessor.
The title 'Six Devil Dogs' could be inherited.
No matter what he was called before, once he became one of the 'Six Devil Dogs', he automatically inherits one of the six titles.
Of course, with the corresponding strength.
Light glimmered at Jing's fingertips as he lightly tapped several times in the air following the rhythm in his memory.
Immediately, static appeared on the screen.
After two seconds, a figure appeared on the screen.
The figure seemed to be in a dim room, shadowed entirely, except for the hands on the desk, confirming the presence of a person.
Those hands' skin lacked luster and wasn't pale.
Wrinkled, clearly an old person.
"Jing, you'd better hope what you report is important enough; otherwise, next month's supplies will be cut by thirty percent as compensation for disturbing my good dreams."
"You know, at my age, sleeping soundly is such a rare blessing."
The figure appeared stern but was actually joking.
"Believe me, I'm the same as you."
Jing laughed.
Since becoming the agent of Uptown in Nightless City, the person on the screen had been his contact, also his superior, and their relationship over the years had become extraordinary.
"Alright, quickly, what is it?"
The person on the screen laughed and waved his hand, the voice turning serious.
Jing did the same.
This big player from the Lower City District began to relay the information received.
The person on the screen was silent for a full three seconds.
"I'll notify the 'Enforcement Team' to handle this."
"You don't need to worry about it anymore."
The counterpart said, and Jing nodded, not surprised by this outcome.
Uptown had its rules.
The 'Enforcement Team' was the best guarantee of such rules.
After pausing for a while, the person on the screen continued to ask.
"How's District 30?"