The Secret Code of Monsters.

Chapter 361: Father and Son

"You mean, she took the bait."

James Shelley's residence was different from that of most gentlemen on the market - in a way, he shared the same preferences as "Taylor":
She enjoys decorating her home beautifully, fearing that people will not notice its exquisite beauty and elegance.

For example, use more gold, colored gems, ivory, and lion skins; use exquisite wall carvings that are rarely seen in the world, and oil paintings that have extracted the artist's life-long aura; use the rarest feathers, glowing beads from the deep sea, and wood that has traveled across the ocean.

Extremely extravagant.

Even toothpicks are classified into different categories. When using special delicacies, different toothpicks are coated with different condiments.

It can be said that James Shelley enjoyed every sovereign he earned.

They were stained with the blood of his own kind, and he held them in his mouth and savored them carefully, not missing a single drop of their complex flavor.

"of course."

Little Shelley held the straight pipe in his hand. The tobacco burned gently in the bowl, forming a pile of white ash.

"She doesn't have much brains."

The young man liked the flavor of the grass and couldn't help but taste it twice more before continuing: "...No, I should say that he was a fool who thought he was smart."

Little Shelley commented.

James Shelley, as a father, just listened quietly, the dice in his hand, which was much shorter than his son's, had a downward arc:
If we have to say it is a symbol, it does symbolize something.

The tobacco he loaded had a more peppery flavor, which is what an older guy like him likes.

"Old Terry is anxious to get to the Holy Cross, so he must ask his daughter to find a way. Arbitrator, arbitrator. Look at what this bunch of selfish, fair-minded rubbish has done." Old Shelley said as he exhaled smoke.

He disdained the Church of Justice even more than the Holy Cross.

This group of people do the work of businessmen, but they fly the banner of saints.

It's shameful.

"Mr. Banks wants us to get this thing out quick. John, hurry up, or we'll be in trouble."

"A group of troublemakers are targeting it..."

"You don't want to face them in person, do you?"

John Shelley nodded and held the cigarette holder in the corner of his mouth.

The father and son puffed away smoke and took a sip of red wine from time to time.

Regarding the puzzle box, James Shelley was clearly aware of how troublesome it was - this was inconsistent with his usual way of doing things.

It brings no benefits, only trouble.

Delis's Thirteen Mystery Boxes.

Fuck Delis.

"What does that do?"

Little Shelley was not so lucky as to become a ritualist.

Therefore, he does not understand the "Mystery Box" and cannot participate in the other side of the private alliance.

"A trouble, boy." James Shelley sighed. His handsome face in his youth gave him long-term benefits. Even when he was old, he could still attract many ladies with his appearance: "Attractive trouble."

The old man's voice was tired.

"Banks and other gentlemen tried and paid a heavy price."

He said.

It was a trap that almost broke his neck.

"They took the box from the 'monster', and the only special girl in the alliance - perhaps the only girl in the world - opened it with her own life."

Little Shelley's breathing became rapid: "What's in there?"

The sound slipped into silence.

After a moment, there was only a sigh.

——The girl succeeded and failed.

Her 'bloodline' was not pure enough, and after opening the box, she couldn't hold out for even half a breath.

Before he died, he left behind only two strange words.

'Capitalist sin' and 'illusion'.

This is why, after Hawkins died, the private alliance immediately sent more people to Golden Island and began to collect the ring-raising rituals related to "Fantasy" in private - the person in the box prophecy, or a certain organization, cult...

It is gradually stepping onto the stage of history.

Little Shelley frowned: "They say that the Thirteen Mystery Boxes have the power to rule the world."

James Shelley held his pipe in his mouth, smacked his lips, and looked indifferent. "Oh, really?"

"Father?"

Old Shelley, who had lived for decades, was more sober than his son.

Rule the world?

If they really want to be serious, they can't even control their own lives.

Stop dreaming.

"If collecting all the puzzle boxes can rule the world, believe me, child, the Holy Cross will start a war first." The old man's eyes were filled with shrewdness that showed he knew everything.

Based on the words left by the girl, Banks, or other gentlemen, or even James Shelley himself, could determine what was hidden in the other twelve boxes. It would probably form a history, one or more clear paths, and a secret that would kill many people.

That's it.

It had no effect on the Shelley family.

John Shelley hesitated: "Why don't we keep it? Is it hard to find someone with special blood? Or maybe the Holy Cross can pay a lot of money?"

Seeing his son's behavior, James Shelley sighed inwardly.

Sometimes, giving up is more powerful than greed.

Many people never learn it in their lifetime.

Old Shelley knew one thing very well: if you are incompetent but greedy enough... you will soon die.

"For the box, many high-level ritualists in the alliance were seriously injured in the battle with that 'monster' a few months ago, including Mr. Banks. Some kind of toxin we have never seen before remains in their bodies."

The old man's voice was heavy.

"We can't keep this thing in our hands any longer." He told his son: "The girl's bloodline is sinful. I have lived for so many years and have only seen this one - Banks has taken a huge risk by taking her in..."

Little Shelley's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of sarcasm: "But she also 'sacrificed' her life for the Alliance."

"That's what she should do. We saved her life, and this is what she should repay." The old man glanced at his son, and there was more dissatisfaction in his words: "We will not get involved in the struggle between the royal family, the party and the church. Those savages in the Great Whirlpool are too troublesome. The Golden Scale is a good choice..."

"What's more, there is already a group of dangerous guys eyeing this thing."

'Lost' is obviously a better way to get rid of responsibility than 'traded'.

The mystery box was stolen by the descendants and given to other people - so any problems that arise later will have nothing to do with the private alliance.

What's more, the arbitrator of the Church of Justice is preparing to extend his tentacles into the railway industry.

How can that work.

The cultists are a ready bullet.

"This world has its own rules. Everyone can only eat the portion in front of them. If you insist on stretching your hand across half the table, it is easy for a sword in the dark to chop off your palm... I think those gentlemen who advocate fairness don't understand this simple truth."

"I just thought that thing would fetch a good price," Little Shelley shrugged.

He had no qualifications and failed to become a ritualist, and he had no good feelings towards those guys who possessed "great power" and were pretentious.

Because he knows very well that those who make the rules can also break them.

If the puzzle box can bring great power to mortals...

This is undoubtedly the Shelley family's opportunity.

It's his chance.

However, as a father, James Shelley knew very well what his son was thinking about all day.

"Respect your fate and face your destiny, John."

"If it doesn't allow you to embark on this path, then mortals are the best choice."

John Shelley was silent.

He didn't talk back to his father, but his silence was already a form of resistance.

"You are afraid of dancing with lions, right?" James Shelley held his pipe tightly and narrowed his eyes: "But you also know that most of the people in the alliance are mortals. This world is made up of mortals... If you are afraid of lions, you should look directly at them, try to integrate into the lion group, and find their weaknesses..."

silence.

Old Shelley was a little disappointed.

It doesn’t matter whether his successor is a ritualist or a mortal.

But he must have courage.

The courage to face a lion.

It has nothing to do with being strong or having divine power.

Obviously, John Shelley admired the ritualists, not because they possessed magical powers, nor because he was full of curiosity and yearning for mystery.

He had no desire to explore, and was not willing to pursue the truth behind the fog.

He doesn't even want great power and authority to rule over something...

He was just afraid.

Because of his inner fear and insecurity, he hates and alienates himself from the ritualists in the alliance, and is worried all day long. However, after learning about the mystery box, he greedily wants to take it for himself and use it to gain the power to fight fear.

James Shelley certainly knew that gunpowder could bring power to mortal men.

But he still hopes that his son will have the courage to face the darkness even though he has nothing in his hands.

That is full spiritual armor.

maybe…

He was too anxious.

John was young and had not experienced what he had experienced.

He was born in honey and milk cans, maybe, he needs more time.

"Hand over the box as soon as possible, and then stay away from Thomas Terry's daughter and the Heyman family. There is no need for us to fight with the cultists for a disaster that may never come."

“The Private Alliance is not on any side and is not a savior.”

(End of this chapter)