No strange things are allowed to evolve!

......

That night.

Jiang Shu arrived early at the upscale restaurant that Luobo Baicai had booked.

Because this meeting was important, too many people might arouse the other party's suspicion, so Jiang Shu did not bring a strawberry milkshake.

Accompanied by soothing music played on an unknown instrument, Jiang Shu poured himself a glass of wine.

With his lips pressed to the rim of the wine glass, Jiang Shu took small sips of the bitter wine and looked around.

Unlike the noisy taverns or inns, this place is filled with well-dressed people who are polite and refined in their speech and behavior. They don't shout or yell when they talk; they whisper instead. Even though they are only separated by a table, Jiang Shu can't hear what they are saying next to him.

Not long after I sat down, a man in a woolen overcoat arrived, looking travel-worn.

He walked straight to the seat opposite Jiang Shu and sat down.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, you must be Larry?"

Jiang Shu put down her wine glass, somewhat surprised: "Are you Johnny Depp?"

"It's me." The man nodded.

The man in the red robe named Depp looked to be about the same age as Edward and didn't appear old.

He had an upright posture, a resolute face, and seemingly determined eyes. He was handsome, but that was less important compared to his confident and composed demeanor.

This kind of temperament can only be cultivated by those who have held high positions for many years and have the ability to control the overall situation at all times.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Shu couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised.

This kind of person can handle anything; the Evolvers are truly full of hidden talents.

Without saying much, Jiang Shu poured half a glass of wine for the other person.

Then, Jiang Shu raised his wine glass: "I've heard Radish and Cabbage mention you before. Seeing you today, you are indeed as she said. Just one glance is enough to inspire admiration."

Depp smiled and shook his head: "I didn't say or do anything, where did you get that feeling from?"

“Your temperament,” Jiang Shu replied. “I’m quite certain that your temperament is not something that ordinary people can possess.”

"I see."

Depp didn't mince words; he simply acknowledged it authentically:

"As expected of the junior who has recently gained fame in the temple, he is indeed extraordinary."

In fact, I specifically inquired about you before coming here. I was prepared to just give you a cursory glance and leave, but I didn't expect you to be so different from the rumors, which really surprised me.

"What are the rumors saying?"

"Haha, you'd better not listen."

Jiang Shu didn't ask any more questions.

It's easy to guess that based on the small experiments I've recently conducted, the evaluations I can get from those lying poets are nothing more than that of a god or a newborn.

got used to.

Just then, the waiter brought the dishes to the table.

"I don't like snails, and I don't have much of an appetite right now, so just bring out the dessert."

Depp gave instructions to the respectful waiter, then looked at Jiang Shu:

"However, you didn't want to see me just to have a meal with me and then say a few flattering words, did you?"

"of course not."

Jiang Shu could tell that the other person wasn't the type to play games, so he shook his head and chose to get straight to the point:

"Actually, I was influenced by my conversation with Radish and Cabbage. Although I have never met you, I deeply feel that you are someone worth following."

"Oh? You want to swear allegiance to me and become a temple poet in my faction?" Depp asked meaningfully, scooping up the small cake the waiter had just brought him.

Jiang Shu nodded: "If possible."

"Of course, you can. Based on your registration assessment results, no Red Robe would mind having such a capable assistant as you. However..."

Depp then changed the subject:

"Isn't it a bit too perfunctory for you to choose this location to express your sincerity to me?"

"Uh." Jiang Shu was taken aback and looked around.

This is already the highest-class place that Luobo Baicai (a restaurant chain) can arrange. In fact, there are very few restaurants in Lies Town that are even more difficult to book and more prestigious.

But Jiang Shu still said apologetically, "I'm sorry, my abilities are limited, this is the most I can afford..."

That's not what I meant.

Pushing aside the cake, riddled with holes and barely touched, Depp sighed:

"I mean, it's so unoriginal. You should know that this kind of place is no different from the cafeteria to me. It just doesn't impress me at all, so I'm a little disappointed."

I thought you would surprise me.

Jiang Shu then understood what the other party meant.

"So you mean, the more unique, the better?"

Depp nodded: "Of course, you have to make a good impression on me, right?"

"I understand, it was my fault for not being hospitable enough."

Jiang Shu stood up and said seriously:

"If you'd like, please come with me. We're moving to another location now."

"Oh ho ho." Depp smiled. "I'm starting to look forward to it."

So the two of them walked out of the restaurant one after the other.

As I opened the door, I almost bumped into a person with a sinister look and an unfriendly expression.

"Be careful!" the man said.

Jiang Shu casually apologized, Depp glanced at the man, and then the three of them passed each other.

The man walked into the restaurant, asked the waiter for his table number, and then went to the spot where Jiang Shu and the other man had just been sitting. Then he froze.

"What about people?"

There was still wine in the glasses on the table, and half-eaten food on the plate, so there was clearly someone here just now.

"Damn it." The man's resentment deepened, and he sneered, "You've got an even bigger temper than me."

He had intended to arrive a little late on purpose to dampen Jiang Shu's arrogance, after all, he was so highly regarded by everyone.

He knew Jiang Shujian's intentions, so he planned to first severely suppress him, make him kneel on the ground and beg him, and then reluctantly accept him.

That was what he originally thought.

But to his surprise, the other party stood him up first.

"Fine, now it's not my problem. You made yourself uncomfortable, so even if you're just a radish or cabbage, I have nothing to say."

......

"Why didn't you arrange it this way earlier? Wouldn't that have solved everything?"

At the intersection of the mysterious Rich Street and Smooth Street.

Jiang Shu and Depp are enjoying a massage.

The two lay on the bed, letting the petite masseuse step on their backs.

Depp looked very satisfied.

This was within Jiang Shu's expectations.

Any man would be curious about a place like this.

Especially for someone who has held a high position for many years, they must have never tried anything so wild before, which makes them even more addicted and reluctant to leave.

You should know that even emperors have died from syphilis due to their indulgence in such places of pleasure. How much more so for you, the red-robed poet, who is at most equivalent to a prince or nobleman, what right do you have to be dissatisfied?

Depp quickly got into the zone.

After the back massage, they asked Jiang Shu if there were any more exciting activities.

Soon, under Jiang Shu's arrangement, Depp went to a private room.

It wasn't until four hours later that Jiang Shu finally saw Depp again, who was returning with a full load of goods.

He was puffing out smoke from the pipe he always carried with him.

After arriving next to Jiang Shu, he sat down directly.

"Are you satisfied?" Jiang Shu asked with a smile, just like a pimp.

Depp nodded, his voice ethereal: "Comfortable."

With a wave of his hand, Depp dismissed the other technicians in the room and looked at Jiang Shu with a beaming smile.

"I agree to your joining my faction."

Jiang Shu's eyes lit up.

It has to be said that relationships built in this way are truly solid. Depp is a genuine person; if you treat someone well, they'll really get things done.

"Thank you so much."

“It’s nothing.” Depp waved his hand. “You deserve it. You really surprised me. I love surprises.”

"So, is there any work you can assign me?"

Depp thought for a moment after hearing this: "Work... not for the time being. Although something big is about to happen, you can't help with it right now."

"What's the big deal?" Jiang Shu asked instinctively.

But after asking, he realized he had overstepped his bounds and quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, I was just curious."

Depp glanced at Jiang Shu, seemingly deep in thought.

Ultimately, he made a decision.

"Actually, telling you would be a big deal. After all, with your abilities and now with my help, the purple robe is just the beginning for you. It's not impossible for you to become a new pillar of the red robe in the future."

"Are the red robes calculated per pillar?"

“Hmm.” Depp nodded and explained, “Because the Great Red Robe said that each Red Robe is like a solid pillar in the temple, standing there forever and never changing, so we habitually call them pillars. But it doesn’t matter if you don’t call them that; it’s just what we call them internally.”

"I see. Speaking of which, I heard there were eight... the Eight Pillars of Red Robes, right?"

Depp hummed in agreement: "The number of red robes in the temple has always been the same, it has never changed, and they are basically controlled by a few fixed families."

For any major issues, we hold meetings to discuss them and then vote on them.

"These are all decisions made by the Red Robes; doesn't the Grand Red Robe participate?"

"Rarely, he doesn't show up at all most of the time, but when something really important happens, he will appear in time. In short, after the Temple of Lies' restrictions took effect, the number of times he appeared in public gradually decreased."

In a sense, the real power of our Red Robe has even surpassed that of the Grand Red Robe.

Depp laughed as he spoke:

"Of course, isn't this a good thing? It proves that Lie Town is becoming more and more stable and peaceful. There's no need for him to step in. We can easily solve the problem with just a few of us in red robes."

"Hmm." Jiang Shu nodded in agreement, then asked with a puzzled look, "But since the Red Robe's position is so secure and unshakeable, why do you think I have a chance to become a new Red Robe?"

He didn't think Depp would make empty promises in this way.

Indeed, there is a reason for this.

"This brings me to the important matter I just mentioned."

Depp's smile was mischievous, seemingly tinged with a hint of gloating:

"Because soon, several of the red-robed figures, along with their families, will be expelled from the Temple of Lies."

Jiang Shu was startled: "Why? What happened?"

"Recently, a few of these restless fellows have gone mad for some reason. They probably think they've had too much peace and quiet. In any case, they've suddenly conspired to overthrow the rule of the Great Red Robe."

Depp shook his head, his disdain and view of the people he mentioned as fools clearly evident.

"To be honest, things are pretty good now. Although we have a big red robe on our heads, it has given us considerable autonomy. Now it's almost just a symbol."