Raphael's repository of mysticism knowledge included the names of all Sequences for both the 'Chained' and 'Abyss' pathways.
However, he only knew the names, not the potion formulas.
But that was sufficient for now.
He first recalled that the Sequence 2 name for the 'Chained' Pathway was 'Ancient Bane', and for the 'Abyss' Pathway, it was 'Bloody Archduke'...
Then he said to Qingzhi, "If your patriarch's primary abilities lean towards curses and possession, his behavior and demeanor should align more closely with Ancient Evil/Bane. If they lean towards cunning, transformation, and whispering, his behavior and demeanor should align more closely with Blood. How to do so specifically, he must comprehend for himself."
"Behavior and demeanor... align with Blood..." Qingzhi was completely perplexed upon hearing this, but then he realized that this method likely appeared simple, yet was actually profoundly subtle.
It was probably unfathomable to a Deification Realm cultivator like himself.
He then took a deep breath and said with a tone of reverence, "Our founder's signature divine ability is indeed the 'Heavenly Demon True Form', and his other technique, the 'Grand Demonic Sound' technique is also renowned." {T/N: Well... that's one way to say Demonization and Blathering, I guess...}
Raphael smiled in response, then said, "It seems the names for certain abilities differ between our two realms, but their essence is quite similar."
Suddenly, he felt his strength fading drastically. He didn't even have the energy to maintain his sitting posture or continue speaking.
He paused momentarily, then said with feigned profundity, "It seems our conversation must temporarily end here."
As he spoke, his head lolled to the side, and he actually lost consciousness.
The moment Raphael felt his spirit disengage, he heard Qingzhi exclaim in alarm, "Oh no! This body has no qi left! Demon Monarch... Demon Monarch..."
...
Raphael gasped sharply and sat up from the lounge chair.
He immediately looked around and found himself back in Mark's apartment.
"Whew~" he exhaled a long breath.
He couldn't tell whether what he'd just experienced had been a dream or reality.
He first glanced towards the slightly ajar door, faintly hearing Audrey and Mark conversing. Then he took out his pocket watch. It was already the middle of the night.
Stretching, Raphael got up and hid behind the curtain, observing the street below.
The narrow street only had some wandering vagrants; no suspicious individuals were present. He then sat back in the lounge chair and reflected on his recent experience.
In truth, Qingzhi's summoning had been successful. Although Raphael was only at Sequence 8, he could indeed help solve their problem...
...
(Before Raphael woke up)
~In the room where Audrey was held~
Carter was a gangster who appeared rather sharp-witted and whose manners weren't overly crude.
However, no matter how sharp he was, under Audrey's abilities, he had inadvertently revealed many of the Mafia's secrets to her without even realizing it himself.
From Carter's account, Raphael, who called himself the Godfather, though extreme in his ways, was a man who valued loyalty and principles. He was also very generous to his subordinates, earning the Mafia members' wholehearted support.
Later, Mark came to relieve Carter, and Audrey began conversing with this one-legged man...
She smiled, starting, "Mr. Mark, is this apartment your property?"
"Yes, Miss," Mark replied somewhat nervously.
"There's something you should understand," Audrey said from her chair, "The police will eventually trace this place. Raphael and Carter can flee without much concern, but if you flee with them, you'll have to abandon this property."
"I know," Mark said very calmly, "If the police find this place, I won't run. I'll let them take me. I think the authorities would very happy to have a scapegoat to close the case."
This answer surprised Audrey. Based on her observation, Mark wasn't being coerced, he genuinely intended to take the fall for Raphael and Carter.
After brief consideration, she said, "It seems Raphael once helped you, and the help he provided is something you'd be willing to give up everything to repay."
"Yes, Miss," Mark said simply.
Audrey smiled, then said, "It seems you are also a man with a story. Since there's nothing to do now, why not tell me your tale?"
Mark looked at the night sky outside, suddenly feeling a strong desire to talk. So he said, "Last year, I still had a happy family... a gentle wife and two lovely children. But after a work-related injury at the end of last year, I gradually lost it all. At the time, my leg was injured. The weekly treatment costs were very high. The family savings were quickly exhausted. My wife's salary could barely support the household, with no extra money for my treatment..."
Audrey was taken aback, "Didn't the factory provide compensation?"
"Of course," Mark suddenly gave a cold laugh, "Oh yes, of course they did! But the compensation wasn't paid out immediately. I was told they had to assess my injury first and go through some legal procedures. I waited and waited, but what came wasn't compensation, it was devastating news. Without timely treatment, my leg couldn't be saved."
Audrey was stunned again, gesturing for him to continue.
Mark went on, "Our family moved to the cheapest apartment in the East Borough. I watched my wife work day and night, watched my two children grow increasingly thin and weak. Then, an illness struck, apparently a flu outbreak after the Great Smog incident. My weakened wife and children died in my arms one after another. I lay beside them, planning to reunite with them in the Lord's embrace."
At this point, Mark's voice grew heavy.
From his tone, Audrey could still hear how desperate he had been.
"But I simply couldn't accept it!" he choked up, "Our family had been full of hope for life, never harbored any malicious thoughts, yet we had to die of illness in a cramped rental room, without even a bite of bread before death. Meanwhile, the factory owners and managers who had done so many evil deeds enjoyed such exquisite food and such luxurious lives!"
Audrey's smile gradually faded. She didn't know why things were this way either.
Mark continued, "That's when I remembered my neighbor mentioning Godfather Raphael. It was said he could solve problems that even the police and courts couldn't. Trying my luck, I found him after struggling. Originally, I planned to tell him my story and then leave to reunite with my wife and children. Who would have thought Mr. Collins said he could solve my problem by the very next day."
Here, Mark waved his arm excitedly. "The next day, I heard shocking news: the factory owner who had deliberately delayed my compensation had his leg sawed off during the night. It's said his screams were heard throughout the entire street. He didn't die, but his eldest son, who liked forcing female workers to have s*x with him, was hanged."
He grinned, "That very afternoon, the compensation owed to me was paid. Later, I heard that the factory owner's sawed-off leg appeared on the bed of the judge handling my case that very night."
Audrey was stunned. Though she never particularly favored solving problems with violence, she found Raphael's methods rather... satisfying.