Why is his holy light red?

Chapter 84 The Real Killer is Dead

In this godforsaken place called Tree Root District, gang warfare is as common as eating and drinking. The so-called gang leaders on the streets change three to five times a year; one day they're collecting protection money, and the next they might be stuffed into the sewers.

But there are also a few true local bullies who haven't moved their hideouts for over a decade.

These established forces that have firmly established themselves have long since stopped playing the childish game of street thugs fighting for territory. They are either backed by large conglomerates, doing business in both the legal and illegal worlds; or they are local families with deep roots spanning generations; or they make their living through religion.

The "highly renowned" black man in Mercury's words was the last type.

She is the head of the Church of Divine Grace in the Tree Roots district and a highly respected Sister Mary among the locals.

Maria X.

Such a single-letter surname was so rare that Mercury remembered it vividly the first time he heard it.

Rex stroked his chin: "So you mean, this Sister Maria is most likely a relative of Marco from back then?"

Mercury nodded. "Even if they aren't direct blood relatives, they're definitely related. The surname 'X' is a political legacy of that particular era; it's impossible for someone to share the same name out of thin air."

Nora frowned slightly, pointing out the logical blind spot: "Wait a minute, didn't we just do the deduction? Marco is just an unlucky scapegoat. Since he's not the cannibalistic nightmare at all, even if we find his family, how could we possibly get clues about the real killer from them?"

"That's not necessarily true." Mo Bingli crossed his legs on the sofa and said with certainty, "You don't quite understand the traditions of Black families in the Root District. Thirty years ago, they were indeed powerless to overturn the case, but they would never forget the blood feud of their loved ones being unjustly put on the electric chair. In the past thirty years, if you're talking about who has been secretly and frantically searching for the real killer, it's definitely Marco's people."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Going to Maria now might yield more detailed case leads than the association's files. Besides, she has extensive connections in the Root District. Seeing the real culprit commit the crime again, she'll definitely be motivated to cooperate with us to clear her family's name."

Rex frowned. "That's a good idea. But let's be realistic, buddy. We're completely grounded right now, we can't even leave this building. Since this nun is a very prestigious person, you can't expect to just make a phone call and have her come to the association building for questioning, can you?"

Mercury glanced at him as if he were an idiot: "Nonsense. Since you already know you can make a phone call, why bother making her come all the way? Just have a video call, wouldn't that solve everything?"

Rex was taken aback, then asked dryly, "—Do you have her contact information?"

Mercury gave a wry smile: "I do have the number. But let me warn you beforehand, this nun isn't easy to communicate with."

Seeing the puzzled looks on Rex and Nora's faces, Mercury had no choice but to make a phone call in front of them.

With a short beep, the screen lit up instantly. The image flickered, and a blonde, blue-eyed Caucasian girl appeared in front of the camera. The moment she recognized her, her eyes lit up as if electrified, and you could almost feel her elation—a joy so palpable even through the screen—as if she wanted to pounce on him: "Mercury! Oh my god, it really is you! I thought I was seeing things!"

"I'm sorry, Emily," Mercury got straight to the point, "I had planned to visit you this weekend, but something came up and I have to postpone it."

"It's alright, it's alright!" Emily waved her hand hurriedly, her eyes filled with deep worry. "I saw the news, Elm Street was bombed to pieces. I rushed to your apartment early this morning to look for you, but you weren't there. I almost thought something had happened to you—"

Behind Mercury, Rex and Nora immediately exchanged a knowing look. Rex even exaggeratedly pointed at the screen, mouthing frantically, "This! Is! Your! Girlfriend?!"

Mercury didn't even bother watching the two clowns, and continued explaining to the screen: "I'm not injured, I've just gotten into some trouble. I'm currently being forced to stay in the association building for observation, so my visit will have to be postponed for a few days."

"It's okay, I'll wait for you no matter how long it takes!" Emily smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.

"By the way, judging from this background, you should be at the church right now, right?" Mercury changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat probing. "Are you adjusting well over there? Sister Maria's temper is something most people couldn't handle."

Emily glanced somewhat guiltily off-screen, then chuckled dryly and said, "Actually—it's alright, the nun—"

"Emily!!!"

Before Emily could finish speaking, a thunderous roar erupted from the other end of the phone, causing Mercury's phone speaker to emit a faint popping sound.

"I told you to wipe the prayer chair, who gave you permission to play on your phone on the Lord's turf?!"

Accompanied by harsh scolding, the camera shook violently. A rough, thick, bony Black hand snatched the phone away. The next second, the face of a stern, intimidating Black woman filled the entire screen.

She wore a faded dark nun's habit, her short, gray hair was neatly combed, and her eyes were as sharp as two freshly sharpened boning knives.

Compared to Black Egg's mother, Sister Maria was fatter and had a more volatile temper, especially her loud voice, which was unpleasant to the ears.

When she saw who was on the other end of the screen, her perpetually tense face froze slightly.

But then, her voice rose even higher, and her words came like a machine gun barrage of venomous barbs: "Oh, I wondered who had such charm that this silly girl couldn't even do her job properly. It turns out to be you, you troublemaking brat! I saw on the news last night that Elm Street was bombed into a huge crater. Looks like God is watching, you don't seem to be missing a single part."

Mercury touched the tip of his nose, looking a little embarrassed. He'd known this old nun for many years, though they weren't exactly close.

His devout mother used to drag the whole family to church for worship. From a young age, Mercury had no interest in the figure on the cross and would often drift off during prayers, earning him no shortage of merciless scoldings from Mary.

But everyone living in the Roots District knew that Sister Mary was actually a very good person. Although her words were like poisoned blades, her underlying nature was to protect her own.

As long as you are willing to kneel obediently before the idol, even if you are just putting on a poor act of looking submissive, as long as you don't directly provoke God, she will lend a helping hand to anyone who is desperate.

Years ago, Mercury's superpowers weren't as strong as they are now. Several times, when his mother went to pick up his younger sister from school, she ran into gang fights on the street, with bullets whizzing past her scalp.

Each time, it was Mary who opened the heavy oak doors of the church and pulled the mother and daughter inside to protect them.

In this neighborhood where even police cars are reluctant to linger, as long as that tough old nun stands sternly on the steps, absolutely no thug would dare to cause trouble at the Church of Divine Grace.

It was precisely because of Sister Maria's sharp tongue but kind heart that Mercury suggested Emily seek her help. Now, she has become Flora's guardian, and Mercury's relationship with this black woman is growing closer and closer.

Mercury ignored the barbed and sarcastic remarks.

He knew all too well the old nun's straightforward and fiery temper, so he skipped all the pretense and cut straight to the point.

"Sister Maria, it's been a long time. Actually, this call isn't for Emily; I'm here specifically to see you. To be precise, I want to ask you about something that happened over thirty years ago." Mercury stared at the screen, paused for a slight half-second, and clearly uttered a name, "I don't know if you recognize him—Marco X."

The moment the words were spoken, the scene on the screen seemed to freeze.

Sister Maria seemed to have her most sensitive nerve suddenly touched; the muscles in her cheeks twitched uncontrollably, and even her eyes turned sinister.

"Why are you asking about this name?" Her voice suddenly turned deep, carrying a powerful sense of pressure, as if it were a tangible force that could be felt through the screen.

This is her superpower, similar to Flora's, a superpower related to sound.

Unlike Flora's soul-cleansing songs, Sister Maria's words could literally kill someone with her spittle.

"The cannibalistic nightmare is at it again." Mercury made no attempt to hide anything. "I'm investigating this case, and I just went through the old police files from back then. Anyone with a brain can see that the evidence chain back then was a complete mess. Marco X was absolutely a scapegoat forced into the electric chair; he couldn't possibly be that monster."

Mercury leaned forward slightly, bringing his face closer to the phone camera: "Now, the real culprit who has been hiding for thirty years has resurfaced. I want to find him."

"Unfortunately, those police officers who handled the case back then were utterly incompetent. That pile of tattered files, besides proving how unjustly Marco died, didn't yield a single useful clue about the real culprit." Mercury looked at the old woman on the screen, her breathing growing heavier, and slowed his speech, his eyes earnest. "To find out the truth, I have no choice but to come to you. Sister, I need your help."

"You? You think you can overturn the verdict?" Sister Maria looked on with disbelief.

Mercury chuckled and said, "Sister, don't underestimate me. Just recently, I gave those high and mighty bureaucrats from the Federation a real hard time, and they're still begging me to settle out of court."

He sat up slightly, meeting the old nun's imposing gaze, and his tone became very confident: "Believe me, Sister Maria. I am no longer the naive boy who hid under pews to steal communion bread. As long as you provide evidence, I am absolutely confident that I can wash away the filth that was smeared on your family back then, bit by bit."

On the other end of the screen, Sister Maria did not respond immediately. She was like a silent obsidian statue, her gaze fixed on Mercury as if she wanted to see into his heart.

The standoff lasted for a good ten seconds.

Finally, the old nun let out a long sigh.

"Uncle Marco—he was indeed wronged." Sister Maria's voice lost its previous sharpness and became unusually hoarse. "But, Mercury, you're looking in the wrong direction. The real cannibalistic nightmare from thirty years ago" is long dead.

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