Exorcist's Self-Cultivation

The conversation between Gascogne and Brand.

It was fated to remain unknown to Du Wei—their exchange ended quickly.

And if.

If Du Wei knew.

Well, that would be quite the laugh.

Just think about how dire the consequences were last time someone said something similar.

...

The next day.

Every member of the Vanity Sect exited the massive square building.

As their leader, Alfaria.

He looked at everyone, his voice devoid of any emotion, "Ladies and gentlemen, should nothing unexpected occur, our next gathering should be two years from now, in April."

"During this period, the missions previously set must proceed smoothly."

"Whatever means you use, by the time we meet again on Lake Heart Island, I expect to see more items related to the Demon God."

"If progress is smooth, the sacrificial ceremony will also take place at that time."

The others nodded dispassionately.

Then, Alfaria turned his gaze to Du Wei.

"His Excellency the Duke, your situation is rather special, and the outside world is very much interested in you. I hope that after you and Brand retrieve that mask, you can stay in the Public Sea for a while, because as far as I know, there exists a Hell's Gate there."

"That door is the very one Matthew once entered."

"It would serve two purposes: allow you to demonstrate your abilities and also let the world gradually forget that name of yours."

Upon hearing these words.

Du Wei calmly stated, "I will go."

In reality, he had already planned to retire gracefully and slip away.

Going to that ghastly Public Sea was out of the question.

Seeing this, Alfaria said no more and turned to walk away.

With each step he took.

His figure twisted greatly.

Gradually it became fainter and then vanished.

The others seemed quite accustomed to this spectacle and left in various eerie manners.

Some sank into the ground like a shadow.

Others vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.

And there were those who made like magicians, their clothes suddenly dropping, as crows flew out from beneath and soared towards the sky.

For a moment.

Only Brand, Du Wei, and Gascogne, along with Mercer, were left on Lake Heart Island.

The atmosphere was exceedingly awkward.

Seeing that these three showed no signs of leaving, Mercer felt uneasy.

He tentatively said, "Gascogne, since His Excellency the Duke and Brand are going to retrieve that mask, why don't we leave together? It happens that I'll be passing through the area you're responsible for; we could share some insights along the way."

Gascogne glanced at him, his voice emotionless, "No need, I prefer to travel alone."

Upon hearing this.

Mercer felt even more awkward and said, "Alright, then I'll take my leave now. See you next time."

After speaking, he headed to the edge of Lake Heart Island and left with the most unadorned method—rowing a boat away...

Only the three of them were left behind.

Brand was looking at Gascogne, who in turn was looking at Du Wei.

And Du Wei.

He feigned surprise, "It seems you have something you want to say to me?"

Gascogne furrowed his brows.

He actually had nothing he wanted to say.

But since the other party had asked, it wouldn't do to feign silence.

So, he said, "Your Excellency the Duke, I actually have a question for you. According to some records, it seems your existence wasn't very long during the Victorian Era."

"But you surpassed everyone else of your time,"

"Your thoughts and abilities are both an enigma, of course, I do not wish to pry into your secrets, I simply wish to ask, as someone who surpassed his era, have you ever had any regrets?"

His question was merely a casual attempt to make conversation.

Actually, he was somewhat skeptical of His Excellency the Duke's authenticity.

Or rather, as a romantic rival.

He harbored feelings of discontent.

Du Wei glanced at him and said calmly, "My only regret, probably, is that I didn't settle the matter of the Demon Gods, so that up to now, I'm still deeply mired in turmoil."

"What I am pursuing is an answer, but also a result."

Gascogne nodded and spoke in a casual tone, "That's so like you."

Du Wei replied indifferently, "It can't really be said that way, in fact, I do have some regrets, because I forgot a woman who was very important to me."

"She sacrificed a lot for me, yet I forgot her name, even her appearance."

"Now, besides wanting to deal with the Demon Gods, I also want to find her again."

These words were deliberately spoken to Gascogne.

And after saying them,

Du Wei did not look at him again but turned to Brand with a complex expression and said, "Let's go, it's time to leave."

Brand replied, "As you wish, Your Excellency the Duke."

...

Soon, Du Wei and Brand left Lake Heart Island.

The entire island,

was left with only Gascogne.

He stood in his black robe, silently staying in place.

Suddenly…

Gascogne clenched his fist, neck taut and teeth clenched, he said, "Hearing it from you really makes me sick, you even forgot her name, you even forgot what she looks like."

"Why did she love you so much?"

"Until her death, she never spared me a second glance."

"In what ways am I inferior to you?"

"Moreover, you don't even know Alex is Minette, what do you think you're doing?"

"She lost all her memories, lost consciousness, yet could encounter you amidst a sea of people, why, I ask?"

"I could give my life for her, yet you did nothing, and she was willing to give up everything just to bring you back to this world."

"You simply don't deserve it."

The more he spoke, the angrier Gascogne got.

He ripped off his mask and glared up at the darkening sky, the air around him seeming to plummet to a freezing point, chilling to the bone.

"Fate, look at my face."

His face, now exposed to the air, was covered with black veins, his skin as pale as paper, and his eyes were wide open, he did not resemble a human at all, but rather some kind of monster.

"I've lost much more than you, these past two hundred plus years, I've been searching for a path forward."

"In terms of strength, I don't believe I am inferior to you."

"In terms of experience, the pain I've endured is something you've never felt."

"I am stronger than you."

...

On the other hand,

After Du Wei and Brand left,

a designated driver, in a black sedan, took them towards the nearest airport.

En route,

Brand spoke with a tone of respect, "Your Excellency the Duke, I had already finished investigating the location of that mask last night, and we will be taking a flight to New York next."

"Without any surprises, we should arrive at our destination by 4 p.m."

"I will take action then, and if anything uncontrollable happens, please take command of the situation."

Leaning back on the leather seat, Du Wei asked lightly, "That mask is in New York?"

Brand answered, "Yes, it's in Hill Psychiatric Hospital on the outskirts of New York, you seem to have been there before, but now the place has become ruins."