"Goo goo... goo goo..."
Tian Mei’s mouth was torn open, revealing the full form of the sea demon.
It had to be said, it was the ugliest type of sea demon Duan Chen had ever seen.
Its two round, bulbous eyes were positioned on its head and forehead, completely detached from one another. Unlike the typical green scales of other sea demons, it was covered in something smooth and sticky, like moss hanging on a damp wall. It sloshed and chewed inside its large mouth, green saliva dripping to the ground, utterly disgusting.
"Eww, you're so ugly."
Duan Chen never minced his words when it came to insulting sea demons.
"You wretched brat! I'll kill you!"
"Kill?"
Duan Chen chuckled as if he had heard the funniest joke. He glanced at the guests who were currently immobilized around them, then at Xi Er, who was idly observing from a distance.
"Hmm?" She raised her eyes slightly, then lazily lowered them again.
The situation was clear now; there was no need for her to pay further attention.
Duan Chen's expression turned cold.
"It seems the Apostle 05 has given you quite a bit of courage."
His spiritual energy had almost fully recovered.
The ordinary people here had also been controlled. Shadow clones consumed spiritual power, but after Duan Chen became a King Chess piece, his spiritual energy reserves increased rapidly, and this expenditure could be replenished quickly. He didn't care about it.
"A mere sea demon, how laughable. It seems I need to show you the harsh realities of the human world!"
Duan Chen smirked with a wicked charm, putting down the Thousand Illusions Pandora and forming a gun shape with his right index finger.
"Facing death, you still dare to resist!"
The puppet figures suddenly became restless. Clearly, the sea demon was desperate and attempting a last stand.
Duan Chen tilted his head slightly, his attitude nonchalant.
"I've had my fun. It's time to end this."
"Sequence 016: Fairy Law"
Golden light shot from his fingertip, heading straight for the sea demon's forehead.
"You really never learn!"
The sea demon shrieked and manipulated several guest puppets to shield itself.
"Heh..." Duan Chen merely sneered.
The golden stream of light, about to pierce through a guest's head, changed course at the crucial moment. It grazed past the ears of two guests and slammed directly into the sea demon's forehead.
"Bang!"
"Impossible—"
In its dying moments, disbelief still flickered in its eyes. Unfortunately, it was too late.
Duan Chen coolly blew on his finger.
"These people... Huh?" Xi Er's words trailed off as she saw the tumor-like faces slowly detaching from the guests' chests and scurrying everywhere, as if searching for an exit.
Duan Chen frowned slightly. There were many ordinary people here, and it wasn't suitable for him to act.
"Hello, can you hear me?"
"Yes, Captain. I can hear you."
"Begin the cleanup!"
"Yes!"
The siblings guarding the southern main gate of the manor turned pale as they saw faces crawling out of the windows.
"Bang! Bang!"
Yuan Yuan, suppressing his disgust, continuously fired his gun. His elder sister, Yuan Qing Qing, hid behind him, occasionally stuffing food into his mouth to replenish his spiritual energy.
The northern area was remarkably calm. Qin Nan Yuan and Jun Ci were old partners. The former used fire to destroy most of the faces, while Jun Ci stood by, dealing with any stragglers.
Duan Chen remained in the banquet hall, lost in thought.
"This is too weak," the chubby man suddenly jumped into Xi Er's arms, casting a disdainful glance at the sea demon's corpse lying on the ground.
Seeing him make such an expression with Jia Ren Gui’s face, Duan Chen found it unbearable.
"It was too weak. It felt like we barely did anything," Xi Er agreed.
Duan Chen simply sneered.
"Because this thing was just cannon fodder. The Apostle’s true purpose was to inform me."
"Inform you?"
"To tell me he's here, so I can be prepared," Duan Chen said with a dismissive smile.
These Apostles were full of tricks.
"Captain, the southern gate cleanup is complete."
"The north is done too."
"Here as well."
"Good. Everyone, gather in the banquet hall now."
Duan Chen looked at the mess before him, contemplating how he would explain this to the wealthy guests.
When he saw Jun Ci, whose dress was torn and who carried a seductive posture, he almost lost control of his composure.
"Captain, am I beautiful?"
Jun Ci posed provocatively at him.
Duan Chen felt an urge to deliver a flying kick.
"Ahem," Duan Chen cleared his throat, his frivolous expression fading.
"Alright, it's now basically confirmed that there are indeed Apostles behind this mission."
"How can you be sure? It only proves there was a sea demon, doesn't it?" Qin Nan Yuan looked perplexed.
Duan Chen’s face darkened as he slowly pulled out a glass ball from his pocket. It had fallen from the sea demon.
The number "5" was clearly printed on the ball.
"Apostle Number 5?" Jun Ci exclaimed.
"Precisely. Therefore, the deaths of Jia Ren Gui and the others, and the strange completion of the cleanup, do not mean the mission is over. On the contrary, our mission may have just begun."
At this point, everyone’s expression became a little somber. After all, they had never dealt with an Apostle before and were unsure of their strength.
Duan Chen clearly remembered how Gao Tian Kai had died under Gu Sang’s soul-shattering gun.
"Apostles are powerful. We must be cautious in handling any future situations."
"Yes!"
After a while, the guests on the ground slowly woke up. When they discovered themselves lying on the floor with their chests wide open, their anger became uncontrollable, especially the women.
"What kind of party is this! You stopped us from leaving, fine! But why are you tearing off people’s clothes!"
"You pervert! You need to give us an explanation today!"
"Ah! What is this?!"
When everyone saw the sea demon corpse on the ground, dripping green fluid, they promptly shut their mouths.
Several of them even noticed a similar green fluid flowing from their own bodies, their expressions instantly becoming lifeless.
"Ahem, everyone," Duan Chen said, a charming smile on his face, as he slowly walked to the front of the banquet hall. He began to explain with an apologetic tone.
"I apologize for the unpleasant banquet experience. The situation is as follows: our mercenary group received prior information that a sea demon had infiltrated the banquet hall, and we were asked to investigate.
However, as you all know, I later became Miss Jia Mengmeng's fiancé and went downstairs with my future father-in-law to discuss the engagement. Therefore, I was unable to arrive in time, for which I am truly sorry.
When we arrived, we found you all already controlled by the sea demon. Although we eventually succeeded in killing it, I must still apologize to you all. I am sorry that I neglected the mission itself for personal romantic matters.
As for Mr. Jia Ren Gui and the others, please rest assured, they are recuperating in the lounge."
Duan Chen's words were flawless. They explained why the bodyguards had stopped them and also clarified his current status in the Jia family, killing two birds with one stone.
"Someone should give him a little golden man award," the chubby man rolled his eyes.
"Captain, you're amazing!" Yuan Qing Qing's eyes sparkled.