Why is my anime art style so weird?

Okay, Xu Ming was just overthinking it.

To put it bluntly, he is currently just a temporary worker at the Exorcist Association, without any responsibility or benefits.

Someone like him, who is similar to a mercenary, certainly doesn't need to be issued any identification or tokens.

After all, making certificates also requires a cost.

As for becoming a core member of the Exorcist Association, Kato Megumi didn't mention it, and Xu Ming didn't ask either.

Although crafting 'Soul Jade' incurs a 20% fee, it's 'somewhat' painful.

But at least he can maintain a certain degree of independence and is not bound by the Exorcist Association, which has both advantages and disadvantages.

As for whether he will become a core member in the future, Xu Ming believes that he needs to conduct a detailed investigation himself.

Chapter 53 Letter of Authorization from the University of Tokyo

"Now that I've joined the association, Ms. Kato, could you answer one question for me?"

"can."

Kato Megumi nodded.

"The evil ritual at the Totsuki Tea House has been going on for over two years now. Since the Exorcist Association and the Japanese government are already aware of it, why don't they step in to stop it? Instead, they're letting things escalate. Is it because... Azami Nakiri has someone backing him?"

Xu Ming stared directly at Kato Megumi with a scrutinizing gaze.

A hint of admiration flashed in Kato Megumi's eyes.

"It seems that Xu Ming is more meticulous than I thought. Indeed, Azami Nakiri's actions have been tacitly approved by the Japanese government because he has the Americans backing him."

Kato Megumi seemed hesitant, only nodding slightly without elaborating.

Xu Ming suddenly understood.

The fact that Azami Nakiri was able to seize power so easily is definitely related to his experience in the United States.

He most likely received support from an American financial group, which is why he was able to use his financial power to persuade the shareholders of the Yuanyue Group to defect and easily seize control of the group.

The situation is probably the same now.

With the support of American conglomerates, Azami Nakiri brazenly carried out evil rituals inside the Totsuki Tea House, while the Japanese government dared not speak out against it.

Things were more complicated than Xu Ming had imagined.

Xu Ming frowned slightly.

"If I break the ritual, will I be wanted or retaliated against? Does the Exorcist Association represent the Japanese government? If so, what is the association's attitude towards this matter?"

After a moment of silence, Kato Megumi spoke.

"The current situation is at a very delicate stage. Two different voices have emerged: one side wants to stop Azami Nakiri's ceremony, while the other is afraid of angering the Americans. After discussions, a compromise was finally reached:"

The Exorcists' Association will step in and offer a hefty reward, allowing independent individuals to resolve the matter themselves.

After hearing Kato Megumi's explanation, Xu Ming sneered inwardly.

This is clearly a case of the Japanese government being afraid of offending the Americans and feeling resentful, so they want to find a group of untrained mercenaries to be used as cannon fodder.

"Nevertheless, many of their Japanese counterparts in Onmyōdō were unwilling to get involved, fearing retaliation from the Americans afterward."

This bounty has been hanging in the butler's office for over two years, and no one has dared to touch it. The bounty has also increased from the initial 10 million yen to the current 1 billion yen.

Kato Megumi sighed softly.

"The association is currently contacting the Clock Tower in the UK and the Church of England in the Vatican, but both sides seem to have reservations and have not responded."

Therefore, as a member of the association, I hope Xu Ming can resolve this matter as soon as possible. However, as an individual, I hope Xu Ming will carefully consider this before making a decision.

Xu Ming looked at Kato Megumi with some surprise, seemingly not expecting her to be so frank, even telling him about the hidden risks.

"Thank you for your honesty, Ms. Kato, but I will continue until this matter is resolved."

Xu Ming said with a firm expression.

He wasn't being reckless; he possessed two fragments and a base, and had disrupted two ritual nodes, thus incurring Azami Nakiri's wrath.

Faced with a serial killer who cruelly tortures and kills ordinary people for his own selfish gain, do you really expect that admitting his mistakes and apologizing will make others forgive him?

Or perhaps they should follow the example of the Japanese and kneel down to apologize?

Stop joking. Instead of doing this, we should figure out how to get rid of Azami Nakiri first.

Moreover, with nearly half of the series of missions already completed, Xu Ming had absolutely no reason to give up.

Besides, he is not Japanese, does not have American phobia, and is not afraid of offending Americans.

Although Xu Ming was adopted by the Kasumigaoka couple, the couple did not change his nationality after consulting with Xu Ming.

Upon hearing Xu Ming's answer, it was Kato Megumi's turn to show a surprised expression.

After a while, she said with a somewhat complicated expression:

"Actually, you didn't need to do this. The ceremony is almost complete, and the higher-ups have basically given up..."

Xu Ming shook his head.

"Not for the Exorcist Association, but for myself."

"Since you insist, then fine..."

Seeing that Xu Ming remained unmoved, Kato Megumi sighed helplessly, then said seriously:

"If the Americans want to retaliate, they will only use methods within their own circle, such as witchcraft and curses, and will not resort to physical assassination. You can rest assured about that."

These are rules jointly established by several major powers, including the Clock Tower and the Church of Christ, and even Americans dare not violate them.

In addition, I will personally do my best to help you defend yourself against attacks from the underworld.

"Thank you."

With Kato Megumi's assurance, Xu Ming felt much more at ease.

He is no longer afraid of the 'strange' methods of the inner world, but he is helpless against the firearms of the outer world.

It's wonderful that a major force is now taking the lead in setting the rules.

"Xu Ming, I also want to remind you. Besides the normal channels, some evil people also use evil arts to forcibly extract the souls of a large number of ordinary people and refine them into Soul Jade."

However, such heinous acts will be met with the most severe penalties. Please remember this!

When the topic of heretical practices came up, Kato Megumi's expression became very serious for the first time.

"I understand."

Xu Ming nodded solemnly.

Even without Kato Megumi's reminder, Xu Ming wouldn't have done such a thing.

Although he needed a lot of money, he still understood the principle that "a gentleman loves money, but he acquires it in a proper way."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have completely given up Eizan Etsuya's inheritance, not taking a single penny.

Keep in mind that he was the only one present at the time; he could have easily gone against his conscience and embezzled some of the gold bars before calling the police.

He's a man of principle.

"Master Yu Shenzi."

A voice calling from outside the door interrupted their conversation.

"Come in."

Kato Megumi sat up straight, regaining her serene and aloof demeanor.

A shrine maiden entered the hall, placed a small scroll in front of Kato Megumi, bowed, and left.

Kato Megumi opened the scroll, carefully browsed through it, and a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

With nothing else to do, Xu Ming picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Then he suddenly noticed that Kato Megumi was staring at him with a strange look.

Xu Ming was somewhat puzzled.

"what happened?"

Kato Megumi placed the scroll on the table and then pushed it in front of Xu Ming.

Xu Ming picked it up and glanced at it briefly, discovering it was a letter of authorization from the University of Tokyo.

The letter stated that recently, corpses have been frequently damaged in the temporary morgue in the basement of the medical school, accompanied by various bizarre events. The school was unable to resolve the issue and therefore sought assistance from the Exorcist Association.

The letter was followed by a summary of the Exorcist Association's intelligence on the incident.

Several students have been severely traumatized. The school called the police, but to no avail; instead, a police officer was injured.

Chapter 54 Let's set a small goal first

Seeing that the matter remained unresolved and was affecting the normal teaching progress of the medical school, the University of Tokyo's council had no choice but to send a letter of entrustment to the Exorcist Association, hoping that the association could send someone to handle the matter.

Xu Ming was carefully browsing the scroll when he suddenly shuddered, a strange expression appearing on his face.

Kato Megumi's voice came from the other end.

"Xu Ming, what do you think?"

Xu Ming looked up and found Kato Keimasa staring intently at him, so he quickly answered.

“Ms. Kato, there must be something strange going on behind this.”

Even armed police officers were injured, yet the culprit has not been apprehended. This must be an 'unusual' entity that ordinary people cannot handle.

“I think so too, so I have an idea…” Kato Megumi clasped her hands together and looked at Xu Ming, “I hope that Xu Ming can work with me to solve this incident.”

Xu Ming blinked, a hint of doubt on his face. He hadn't expected Kato Megumi to make such a suggestion.

"Please don't misunderstand, Xu Ming can be seen as a senior exorcist giving a practical demonstration to a junior."

This is a benefit that every new member can enjoy.

Kato Megumi said calmly.

A hint of suspicion flashed in Xu Ming's eyes, but he still nodded slightly.

As someone who came to this profession later in life, he definitely needs guidance from a professional to learn about the taboos and precautions involved.

"So, Xu Ming, I'll pick you up from your house at 7 a.m. tomorrow, and then we'll head to the University of Tokyo together. Does that sound alright?"