What the hell is the "kill line" when you're in America?

After resolving two major problems in succession: Bishop Vincent and Councilor Hall.

And with a bloody banquet, they completely intimidated all the petty villains.

Li Ang's "Demon Gate" has finally gained a foothold in Seattle's underworld.

The pace of expansion has temporarily halted, and the gears that have been seizing wealth and power have entered a brief period of maintenance.

Li Ang discovered that he actually had some free time, which was a rare occurrence.

After dealing with those life-or-death "official matters," his hardened heart, which had been tempered by hardship, was suddenly touched for some reason.

Two figures he hadn't seen in a long time came to mind.

One is a down-on-his-luck man struggling desperately in the mire for the sake of his seriously ill daughter.

One is an innocent girl who, despite suffering from illness, still draws a "hero" in a black trench coat with crayons.

Jerome, and his daughter Anna.

Li Ang decided to deal with some of his own "personal matters".

Finding the whereabouts of Jerome and his daughter is now a piece of cake for Leon.

He didn't even use Victor's extensive intelligence network throughout the city.

He simply made a phone call to Derek, and half an hour later, a detailed address was sent to his phone.

They no longer live in that dilapidated RV.

Perhaps using the money Li Ang had left behind, they rented a single room in a low-rent apartment near the Ninth Block.

The environment there is much better than before; at least it provides shelter from the wind and rain.

Li Ang did not allow anyone to follow him.

Alone, he changed into an ordinary jacket and jeans and walked into the vibrant community.

The air was filled with the smell of cheap fried chicken and laundry detergent.

The noise of children and the shouts of housewives mingled together, creating a chaotic yet vibrant atmosphere.

Following the address, Li Ang found the drab apartment building.

He stood in front of a door on the third floor and gently knocked on it.

Who is it?

A wary male voice came from inside the door.

"I am Li."

The sounds from inside the door vanished instantly, replaced by a flurry of activity.

A few seconds later, the door creaked open a crack.

Jerome's familiar face peeked out from under the door.

When he realized that it was indeed Li Ang standing outside the door, he froze.

His eyes were filled with shock and almost ecstatic excitement.

"Li! My God! It really is you!"

He flung open the door and grabbed Li Ang's arm with great force, as if afraid the person in front of him would disappear.

Li Ang sized him up.

Jerome looked much better than when we last met.

Although he was still thin, the gloomy look on his face, as if he had been crushed by life, had faded considerably.

His eyes regained their light.

"Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?" Li Ang smiled.

"Oh! Oh! Please come in! Please come in!"

Jerome then realized what was happening and quickly stepped aside to make way for Li Ang, warmly welcoming him inside.

The room was very small, so small that you could almost see it all at a glance.

A bed, a table, a simple wardrobe, and a small kitchen separated by a curtain—that was all the family's belongings.

But everything was tidied up perfectly, and there was a potted plant on the windowsill, stretching its leaves.

A thin little girl was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a shed teddy bear in her arms.

She looked at Li Ang with her big, clear eyes, her curiosity tinged with a hint of timidity.

It's Anna.

Her face was still somewhat pale, but her breathing had become much more steady.

Each breath no longer carried the painful noise.

"uncle......"

Anna called out softly.

"Hey Anna, do you remember me?" Li Ang smiled gently at her.

The girl nodded vigorously, then shyly buried her face in the teddy bear's fur.

"Quick, sit down!"

Jerome frantically wiped the only chair and poured Leon a glass of water.

"Sorry, it's too messy here..."

"It's pretty good." Li Ang sat down and looked around the small home. "Much better than a campervan."

"This is all thanks to you, Li!"

Jerome rubbed his hands together, so excited he was almost incoherent.

"The money you left behind last time... I took Anna to a big hospital for a checkup."

"The doctor said that as long as she continues the medication, her condition will remain stable!"

"There's even... there's a chance of getting a suitable heart transplant!"

As he spoke, his eyes reddened.

For a father who has struggled in despair for too long, the words "stabilize" are the best news in the world.

"What kind of work are you doing now?" Li Ang changed the subject.

When work was mentioned, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Jerome's face, but he quickly straightened his back.

"He's still working on the demolition team, the one I mentioned to you before."

He scratched his head and continued, "The work is tiring, but the pay is on time."

"I dare not touch those messy things again. For Anna's sake, I have to live a clean life."

Li Ang nodded.

He could tell from Jerome's "Execution Line" status that his vitality was very stable.

Although life remains impoverished, there is no longer any danger of them falling below the "endangered" threshold.

This is a positive trend.

"I have a job for you, I don't know if you'd be interested," Li Ang suddenly said.

"What job?" Jerome was taken aback.

Li Ang spoke casually about a small matter.

"A friend of mine owns a grocery store on the 10th block."

"You know, it's not safe there at night."

"He needs someone he can trust to watch the shop at night and take inventory of the goods."

"The work is very easy, it just involves staying up late a bit, but the salary is much higher than what you get on a construction site."

Leon looked at Jerome and added, "You were the first person I thought of."

"You are a father, and you have a sense of responsibility. You are much better than those unreliable hooligans outside."

He did not mention "the Demonic Sect" or any words of charity.

He simply packaged this as a job offer based on trust and competence.

Jerome's breathing became rapid instantly.

He knew, of course, that this so-called "friend" was most likely Li Ang himself.

He also understood that behind this job was yet another instance of Li Ang's quiet assistance.

But he had no reason to refuse, nor could he refuse.

He needs this more stable and secure income to sustain his daughter's future.

"I...I'll do it!"

Jerome's eyes welled up with tears again.

He nodded vigorously, his voice choked with emotion.

"Thank you, Li... I... I really don't know what to say..."

"Don't thank me," Li Ang waved his hand.

"This is work, so let's be upfront about the unpleasant aspects."

"If you don't do a good job, I'll still fire you."

He took an envelope out of his pocket and placed it on the table.

"This is the first month's salary in advance, plus a settling-in allowance."

"Take Anna to the best hospital for a comprehensive physical examination."

"Use the remaining money to improve your life."

"Work will begin next Monday."

Before Jerome could say anything more, Li Ang stood up.

"Uncle, are you leaving?"

Anna, who had been sitting quietly on the bed, suddenly spoke up and asked a question.

She carefully took out a piece of drawing paper from under her pillow.

She ran up to Li Ang with small steps and held up the painting.

"This is for you."

Li Ang accepted the painting.

On the drawing paper, there is still a man wearing a black trench coat.

But this time, the man was no longer surrounded by a dark RV and a dilapidated street corner.

Beside him is a bright little house, and next to the house is a big tree full of flowers.

The sun is smiling in the sky, and the clouds are colorful.

The overall tone of the picture is bright and warm, full of hope.

Li Ang's heart was gently touched by something.

He looked at the towering black figure in the painting, then at the girl with clear eyes in front of him.

He suddenly felt that everything he had done before had a different meaning.

All those killings and schemes took on a new meaning at this moment.

"Thank you, Anna."

Li Ang carefully folded the drawing paper and put it into his pocket.

"I love so much."

He ruffled the girl's hair, then turned around and walked out of the cozy little house, watching Jerome's grateful gaze.

After leaving the apartment building, Li Ang did not take a car, but wandered aimlessly through the streets.

The afternoon sun lazily shone down on me.

In his mind, there was Bishop Vincent's contorted face as he lay dying, and Anna's pure eyes.

On one side are Victor and Derek, their desires swelling wildly at the "kill line."

On one side is the "daily life" of Jerome and his daughter, struggling in the mud for survival and health.

Violence and tenderness, conspiracy and innocence, plunder and protection.

These seemingly contradictory things coexist so realistically in the same world.

"Perhaps this is the 'mortal world' that [Immortal Magic Without a Presence] needs to observe."

Li Ang raised his head and looked at the towering financial district buildings in the distance.

He looked around at the ordinary people struggling to get a fast food meal.

He seemed to have gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of this world.

He suddenly didn't want to return to that "Demon Sect" stronghold, filled with bloodshed and scheming, so soon.

He decided to continue walking.

Go and see those places he used to know well, but hadn't set foot in for a long time.

For example, the neighborhood where Mike and Catherine used to live.

Or perhaps...