Chapter 178: I Know That You Know That I Know What It Is

What’s this? Have me join becauseyou can't beat me?

Do you take me for a fool? 

These were Lin Jie's thoughts when he heard this offer.

First and foremost, this organization was a bad one, involved in doping the Church of the Dome's congregation with addictive substances to the use of live sacrifices in the making of Congreve’s human skin book.

Inviting me to join such an organization that engages in such inhumane deeds! Do I look like a bitter villain that's been through so much suffering that I want to inflict pain on the world in retaliation?!

And given that you look on the verge of collapse, even if I accepted your invitation to join this organization, who am I going to turn to if you die right here? 

This is just ridiculous!

Therefore, there was only one single truth—Young Mike is a cunning man. 

In fact, he doesn't want me to join but is just trying to shake me using reverse psychology because he doesn't have long left.

When hearing such a thing at a time like this, most people might think it so obviously false, that they might feel there's some truth deep down and start having doubts over the veracity of everything this fellow says.

If Lin Jie hesitated or was tempted, it would cause him to have some inner doubt, and Michael’s purpose would be achieved.

Haa... his mind games aren’t that shabby, thought Boss Lin to himself.

Lin Jie sneered and decided to reject him.

But on second thought, the young man in front of him looked inexplicably like he was about to die, and whatever he had said was mainly useless except for the part where he was provoked to spill the beans, so it was better to play along.

Thus, Lin Jie felt that there was no harm playing along.

I’ll pretend to say yes, and then get more information out of him!

The kind-hearted and upright Boss Lin wasn't someone that would normally deceive others and had initially wanted to let Michael confess because the dying tended to speak their heart.

However, he never imagined this shameless criminal would still try to keep mum and even play mind games.

Haa... since you started it first, don't blame me for what I'm about to do.

It’s all according to plan.

With a half-smile, Lin Jie raised an eyebrow. "Why should I join?Given this 'not too intelligent' attempt of a face-to-face assassination, I don't think I would want to do so."

After his previous few attempts at fishing for information, he had found Michael to be particularly responsive to provocation.

Lin Jie used the previous condescending style of ridiculing him which seemed like the best method to make Michael talk.

Indeed, Michael's face paled violently and he nearly lost his breath.

However, Lin Jie didn't know what was going through his mind.

Michael calmed down rather quickly and then had a smug expression."I know what you wish to say, but that doesn't stop me from extending this information. Since you know our code names, you must also understand the meaning behind 'Path of the Flaming Sword.'

"Isn't it exciting if we are able to connect this path and get a chance to gain access into the unknown?" continued Michael with a completely serious look on his face.

"This is a truly great cause worth striving for. How would those foolish and mediocre mortals understand?

“As for wanting to help Vincent and so taking a stand against Gabriel is totally understandable. It doesn't affect our cooperation.

"I only came here for you and I... I can even help you kill Gabriel if you wish."

Michael's eyes glinted with a sinister cold glow and the corners of his mouth split in a joyous curve. "I think we are the same kind of person, everything just for our amusement, isn't it?"

Lin Jie was noncommittal about these obvious attempts at trying to entice him over and narrowed his eyes. Sure enough, it’s about the Path of the Flaming Sword… An intricate part of Judaism... Or rather, it's more well-known name—'Kabbalah(Tree of Life)' or "Inverted Tree of Life".

Lin Jie ignored whatever else that was said before and focused on the newly divulged information.

Using the names of the 10 archangels as code names basically gave Lin Jie bad vibes about this organization already.

As an academic of folklore studies, Lin Jie would have some rough understanding of this kind of mysticism. He was rather sensitive to it and had immediately made the mental associations.

The Kabbalistic Tree of Life was the blueprint of the universe created by God, as well as the spiritual structure and path towards the divine.

The fundamental structure consisted of 3 columns, 10 spheres, 4 worlds, and 22 paths.

Simply put, in layman terms, Kabbalah could be regarded as a secret martial cultivation technique. Through cultivation, via the paths (meridians) the ten spheres (ten realms) could be attained in turn, and the user would eventually become a god, or rather, a perfect person.

These ten spheres started from bottom to top, which is the path of man to god. On the other hand, the connection from the top to the bottom was called the 'Path of the Flaming Sword', which represented the outflow of divinity.

The ten spheres each had their own guardian archangels, which were the names that Lin Jie just quoted.

Logically speaking, this evil organization ought to use the Kabbalah. Do they think they are gods by insisting on using the Path of the Flaming Sword as a name?

There was another piece of information in Michael's words that he was more concerned about—The codename Gabriel.

That person is probably the true mastermind orchestrating the Church of the Dome.

And it seems like the cohesion of members of this organization is't strong...

"Since you are aware that I know your purpose, you shouldn't brag so shamelessly about all this. As if I need your help to kill Gabriel.

"You ought to take a look at yourself first. Who can you even kill in this state? You really would blabber anything when you are panicking."

Lin Jie immediately felt that his efforts were paid off and intended to press on.

Smirking, he went on, "That way of thinking isn't too bad, however, you ought to consider the feasibility.

"You guys haven't been successful, have you?

“Don't you think it's a bit too forceful by insisting others join just by spreading this fantasy?"

Lin Jie said all this affirmatively. If Kabbalah was so easy to achieve, then everyone would be a god.

What Lin Jie meant was that joining them wasn't out of the question, but that Michael ought to provide more substantial benefits for Lin Jie to believe him.

In fact, he had seen through Michael’s current state and knew that this fellow barely had any substantial benefits to provide.

Lin Jie merely wanted to show the hint of willingness so that Michael would put in more effort in feeding him more information.

Michael got the hint.

He uttered, "Alright."

BOOM!

A loud noise erupted from next door and even the ground shook violently for a moment before receding to small tremors.

Lin Jie was startled and instinctively turned towards the direction.

"Haha... Looks like Gabriel's plan is going to utterly fail... I hope he can hang in there... Hahaha… Cough cough."

Michael's laughter had a hint of gloating. He then added, "My invitation will always remain open. I will welcome you at any time if you wish to join us.

"In addition, as a sign of my personal goodwill, Congreve Chapman will no longer receive our guidance. All resources and strength will be withdrawn from the Ash Chamber of Commerce."

The light in his eyes gradually faded, and with his last breath, he smiled and said hoarsely, "I wish him good luck."

As he finished saying that, Michael's body fell to the ground.

However, Lin Jie wasn't concerned about this. Right now, all he could think about was the situation next door.