Driving back to the city, Neo looked at the coffee shop next to him and said, "I want to drink coffee."

Karun, who was driving, replied, "Captain, I believe in your abilities, but you also need to consider the lady inside."

It was already late at night, and the coffee shop that was still open for business was definitely not a legitimate coffee shop. With Neo's chest almost beaten to a pulp, one could imagine the shock the lady would feel when she opened Neo's clothes to prepare for some intimate service. It would likely leave a professional shadow.

"I just want to drink a cup of coffee. I'm thirsty. Help me buy one."

"There's water in the car."

"I'm bleeding a lot and I want to drink something with flavor. Remember to add extra sugar."

Karun slowed down the car but didn't stop.

"I'll help you modify this car."

The car stopped.

Karun unfastened his seatbelt, got out of the car, and soon returned with a pot of coffee and a coffee cup.

He poured himself a cup first, then handed the coffee pot directly to Neo.

Struggling, Neo held the pot and poured the coffee directly into his mouth.

As Karun drank his coffee, he kept an eye on the car seat, worried that Neo's body would overflow like a shower when he drank the coffee.

"I believe in you, Captain."

"Can I communicate with the Mad Pope?" Neo asked. "Just like how I used to argue with Phileas, now I can only listen to that bloodthirsty demon's nonsense, and it's a bit lonely."

"I don't think it's possible. I think it's just a kind of totem, but it happens to be their own image."

"Okay, so now I'm like you? We have another layer of each other's secrets."

Karun shook his head. "It's not the same."

"What's different?"

"The generation is different."

"Generation?"

"My grandfather behind me and the Mad Pope behind you should be equal in realm and cognition, considered the same generation. Do you agree?"

"Yes, I agree."

"I am my grandfather's grandson, and the Mad Pope has been gone for a thousand years. How many generations are you?"

"Heh." Neo took a sip of coffee. "It seems like I really hurt you tonight."

"There's one more difference."

"Where?"

"My grandfather is still alive, and the Mad Pope has long since fallen."

"What's the difference? Either way, they can't see the light, can they?"

"It's different. After you see the light, you still have to die. After I see the light, I have to go to the Vatican in the Dingge District for special training."

"Hehehe." Neo reached out and touched the coffee dripping from his chest. "Next time, let's find an opportunity to spar again, when I've recovered from my injuries."

"This exchange was very beneficial for me."

Karun wasn't flattering, he was stating a fact. After being organized, he was still fighting in the same way as when he used to run a "department store." Neo taught him the true fighting style.

"So?"

"Okay, we'll continue when you've recovered."

...

As Muri walked out of the academic building, he saw the hearse waiting for him on the side of the road.

He had come quietly. If he had revealed his identity as a member of the "Benda" family, there would definitely be people from the York City District to greet him.

"Muri, I have come to pick you up on the orders of my young master. Your accommodation has been arranged."

"Okay, how should I address you?"

"You can call me Alfred. I am the young master's first manservant. You can directly instruct me for any needs in your daily life."

"Alfred?" Muri pondered for a moment. "You are also a member of our team. I have seen the list."

"Yes, Muri, I am. Being in the team makes it easier for me to serve everyone better."

"No, Karun wouldn't do such boring things. I believe Mr. Alfred is definitely not ordinary."

"I think the most extraordinary thing about me is probably my loyalty."

Muri got into the hearse, and there were many snacks placed in the slot where the coffin was supposed to be.

"I have seen Karun's interview. He said that the hearse represents our roots, right?"

"Yes, the young master has always been a very profound thinker."

"I can feel that."

Neo drove the hearse into the Allen Apartments, where Hilary's mother and two aunts were already waiting.

Alfred came over and asked, "Is the room ready?"

"In response to your question, it's all set up and very clean," Hilary's mother replied respectfully.

Muri opened the door to his room and walked in. It was indeed very clean. Although it wasn't a standalone villa, and there was no beach or sea, it was already very good to have a clean and warm place to stay in a strange place.

Alfred said, "Muri, if you have any living requirements, you can tell her directly."

"Okay, I understand."

"Would you like to rest first? I will come to pick you up for breakfast with my young master tomorrow morning."

"Is Karun resting now?"

"The young master has something to do and has gone out."

"What about the others? Have they arrived?"

"You are the earliest to arrive. Mas and Blanch, who need to come through the teleportation array, will arrive at noon. I will go to meet them. The rest of the team will gather in the afternoon, and there will be a founding banquet for our team in the evening at our funeral home. Originally, the young master planned to personally cook and entertain everyone tonight, but I don't know if he will be able to rest well after a busy night. However, our maid has also learned the young master's cooking skills. I believe that tomorrow night's banquet will leave a deep impression on you, Mr. Muri."

Hilary's mother looked proud.

"Karun can cook?"

"The young master is capable of anything."

Muri blinked and looked at Alfred. "Mr. Alfred, do you and Karun have any special relationship other than being a manservant?"

"None."Hili's mother was a little surprised. She felt that she had found the real reason why the young master didn't touch her daughter.

Alfred smiled and said, "My relationship with the young master is the same as yours with the young master."

Hili's mother looked at Muri. "Are you the same?"

Muri nodded. "I have pledged my loyalty."

Alfred responded, "I have given everything."

"Can you tell me about the composition of the team, if you think it's okay to say, Mr. Alfred?"

"Me, you, and Ventula are the three people least likely to betray the young master."

Muri nodded thoughtfully.

"Rest well."

"You've worked hard."

Alfred closed the door and turned to look at Hili's mother.

"I'm sorry to have you start work so soon. I know you haven't recovered from the shock of that night."

Hili's mother immediately said, "No, no, I'm really grateful to you and the young master. You not only saved us, but also took us in."

Before this, Alfred had already negotiated their treatment. Although the salary was not as high as Hili's, it was double the average in the same industry, not to mention various subsidies.

Hili's mother, two aunts, and aunt were responsible for cleaning and cooking. Hili's father would take care of security with her two uncles and aunt's husband after he recovered.

Of course, they weren't really there to protect anyone, but since the building had been cleared and leased out, there would definitely need to be security patrols to create a comfortable living environment.

"There's one thing I need to remind you of. In terms of work, I don't want any mistakes. I don't like irresponsible employees."

"Yes, we understand, Mr. Alfred. We will definitely work hard."

"Okay, then goodbye."

Alfred walked downstairs and saw Borg and Judia next to the hearse.

As representatives of the Allen Estate, they had come to clear out the apartment building. It was originally a small matter, but Old Anderson was good at arranging things.

"Okay, there's nothing else. You can go back now," Alfred said with a smile.

Judia frowned. "We came all this way. Shouldn't we go see Karun?"

"Smack!"

A clear palm print appeared on Judia's face, and Alfred straightened out the creases in his gloves.

"You should use the proper title and call him 'young master.'"

Judia covered her face and said to Alfred, "You just wanted an excuse to hit me."

"Yes, that's right, because I think you've been breaking the rules for a long time, but I never had the chance before."

"Hehe, can you hit the other side too, for symmetry?"

"Smack!"

Alfred continued to straighten his gloves and asked, "Satisfied?"

Judia nodded and said, "Yes, satisfied, and it feels good too."

...

In the morning, Alfred personally drove to pick up Muri.

Muri, who got off the hearse, felt that even the brightest morning sun looked like dusk when reflected through the hearse window.

"I'll come by myself in the future, Mr. Alfred, you don't have to pick me up."

"Okay, we'll arrange a car and driver for the apartment downstairs."

Muri walked into the funeral home and saw Pike rolling up his bedding.

Alfred introduced, "Call him 'sir.'"

"Yes, sir," Pike saluted Muri.

Alfred instructed Pike, "From this month, you and Dingcom will each be responsible for driving and waiting for orders. Your allowance will be doubled."

"Thank you, Mr. Alfred."

"This way, Mr. Muri." Alfred led Muri into the backyard.

"I really like the layout of this decoration. Did Karun design it?"

"I designed it after understanding the young master's ideas."

"You're really talented, Mr. Alfred."

"Please don't say that. I'm just picking up the shells the young master left behind."

"Muri, from the Benda family?"

Muri turned around and saw a cat riding a dog on the left eaves.

"Yes, I am Muri. Benda."

Puerh smiled and said, "I remember your family is equipped with a sword and shield, right?"

"It's a knife."

"Oh, I remembered it wrong."

"Do you have any connection with my family?" Muri asked respectfully. He didn't think it was strange to have a talking monster in Karun's house.

"Oh no, I don't. I just heard about it. You have to work hard."

"Okay, thank you for your encouragement."

"Go back and slap those old Bendas. Tell them who the real hope of the family is!" Puerh clenched its paw. "Slap their faces hard."

Muri felt Puerh's sincerity and raised his fist. "I will."

"You go to the kitchen. Karun is in the kitchen."

"Okay, thank you."

Alfred stepped forward and asked quietly, "Why didn't you mention that you knew the Benda family before?"

"I don't know them," Puerh looked at Alfred. "I fought with a guy who claimed to be from the Benda family in order to compete for a good relic during an expedition."

"Don't you know each other until you fight?"

"No, he dared to snatch something I was interested in and was burned to ashes by me."

"What did you mean just now?"

"Oh, I just remembered the past, that's all. It's nostalgic."

Puerh spread out its paw, and a crystal-clear fireball floated out.

Kevin shrank his head down.

"Didn't we agree that I can speak openly about the team within the team? Is there a problem?"

"Except for your surname."

"My name was changed by Karun, so why does my surname matter?"

"According to custom, you should take your husband's surname after marriage."

"Are you referring to Unis. Inmerleis?"

"Hehe."

Alfred laughed.

Kevin laughed too.

"Karun is going to cook fish tonight," Puerh said lazily. It only cared about its fish.

"Yes, I've prepared a lot of fish," Alfred said.Puerh licked her lips: "Haven't you noticed? Karun has become lazier and lazier. I really miss the days on Mingke Street when Karun would cook every day."

"I believe the young master also misses that time deeply."

...

"Captain."

"Oh, you're here, take a seat."

"Captain, did you go out last night? Did you rest well?" Murie asked.

"Not bad, except for some aches all over."

Karun served two bowls of wontons, along with three tiers of xiaolongbao, a tier of shumai, and a tier of fire dumplings.

Looking at the food in front of him, Murie said, "I really didn't expect the captain's cooking skills to be so good."

"It's just to suit my own taste. Did you have a smooth journey?"

"Very smooth. My family still has no idea I'm in York City."

"Then, shall you call home later?"

"Sure, I'll go out and use the public phone."

"There's something I want to discuss with you. Although our team isn't considering appointing a deputy captain for the time being, I hope you can take on the responsibilities of one."

"Alright, I'm willing."

"Good, let's have breakfast. You can go to my study to read some books this morning, or take a walk around here. I might need to catch up on some sleep."

"I'll accompany Alfred to pick someone up."

"That works too."

After breakfast, Karun filled the bathtub with water and waited a while to digest his food. Then he stripped and sat down in the tub.

Closing his eyes, the power of light began to circulate ceaselessly within him.

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pawread.com".

Streams of dark blood oozed from Karun's skin, and soon, the color of the water in the bathtub turned murky.

Karun opened his eyes, took a deep breath, stood up to drain the dirty water, rinsed the bathtub, and sat down again to fill it with clean water for washing.

"I should have asked the captain for the first method right away. After all, direct order assimilation and swallowing..."

Suddenly, an intense hunger struck.

Karun clenched his chest with one hand and the edge of the bathtub with the other.

"Damn it, can't I even think about it without triggering the craving?"

The intense hunger continued to torment Karun, and he could only grit his teeth, struggling against his own addiction.

...

"Miss, I've brought back the two custom banners," Hili said, carrying the banners over.

"Good, Big Butt, hang them in the middle of the yard, right in front of the warehouse. The feast will definitely be in the yard."

"Yes, Miss."

Hili worked efficiently and quickly hung up the banners.

Sitting on Kevin's back, Puerh read aloud: "Warm congratulations to Karun's Order of the Whip team on its official formation!"

Each end of the banner featured an enlarged cat paw.

The other banner read: "The great journey begins here!"

"Woof!"

Puerh looked down at Kevin and asked, "What do you mean by symmetry?"

"Woof."

"Rhyme I understand, but what's symmetry? Does it mean the same number of characters?"

"Woof."

"You're saying this is a language habit researched by Alfred? Do you think my design isn't good enough?"

Kevin nodded.

"It doesn't matter. It's not like we could use the kind of text that Karun once wrote in his notebook. As long as the meaning is conveyed, that's enough."

Kevin nodded again.

"Let's go see how Karun is doing. I saw many bruises on him this morning when he got up; it was really scary."

Puerh rode Kevin into the bedroom.

"Little Karun, did you take another bath? Are you nervous about facing all your team members later? Don't be nervous, just take a deep breath and be calm. After all, you're the strongest in the team; you should be confident.

I remember when I was the captain of an adventure team, I was nervous at first too, but then I got used to it. Everything has a process of adaptation.

At first, I stumbled when speaking in public, but later I could smoothly assign Bernar to carry out the most dangerous tasks. But he just has a scoundrel's luck and never dies."

Seeing that Karun still didn't respond, Puerh curiously extended her paw and twisted the doorknob of the washroom.

"Karun, did you fall asleep?"

Hearing the sound of the door opening behind him, Karun instinctively looked back.

In Karun's eyes was a desire-filled blackness.

Puerh was stunned.

Then, with a cry of "Ouch," she tumbled to the ground.

Because Kevin, who had been carrying her, had prostrated himself, with his head, limbs, and tail all pressed against the tiles, his body trembling and white foam spilling from his mouth.

A scene from memory suddenly surfaced:

On the majestic throne of order sat a towering figure, his face hidden in the endless void.

But his gaze seemed to penetrate all barriers, descending directly into the depths of your soul, even if you were a god.

In his presence, ordinary gods and ordinary people were no different.

Especially the words he spoke next, like a terrifying mark, were deeply branded into its soul. In the countless years that followed, it dared not touch or recall them, because at that moment, it felt as if it was going to be completely annihilated.

It was a sentence that even gods would tremble and collapse under:

"Laniedar, I am hungry."