The North American Gourmet Demon Handbook

Li Shanze couldn't help but ask, "Mr. McKee, what happened to make you so happy?"

"I just finally understood one thing." McGee's expression was relieved, with a radiant light of enlightenment. "That's why time spells are ineffective against you, and even cause backlash if you interfere with them, Mr. Li."

"It's not because you are a time singularity. It's just that your time anchor point is different from ours, right, Mr. Li?" The great wizard of the Time Skeleton Brotherhood stared at Li Shanze with sharp eyes and asked.

Fear comes from the unknown. After figuring out Li Shanze's "background", McGee was no longer so afraid of Li Shanze, and the phantom pain in his left hand seemed to disappear.

Li Shanze raised his eyebrows, but before he could say anything, Charlie couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean, Mr. McKee?"

"Mr. Li comes from another world, at least a world with a different calendar than ours. Am I right, Mr. Li?"

Although McGee still used question marks, his tone clearly showed his conviction.

Even though Li Shanze had looked down on McGee before, he was still quite impressed by the fact that he was able to quickly realize his true strength.

So Li Shanze nodded and said, "Yes, you are right. I do come from a place with a different calendar than here, Mr. McKee, but how did you realize it?"

"Aha, it was Miss Butner who gave me the inspiration." McGee smiled. "You know, the wizards of our Brotherhood of Time are particularly sensitive to time and calendar."

"When Miss Butner asked to see the library on July 14, 1789, do you know what my first reaction was?"

Li Shanze asked curiously, "Uh, is it the French Revolution?"

"No, of course not. It was the Chesterfield Act of 1752, which declared the switch from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in England and its overseas colonies."

“历法的切换导致跳过了11天，1752年9月2日的次日便是1752年的9月14日。”

"These 11 days are called the Lost 11 Days - of course, the natural days didn't disappear, but they definitely disappeared from the calendar."

"The loss of these 11 days has created many paradoxical wonders, especially in the Paradox Library. The 'missing 11 days' can be said to be the core part of this library."

"For example, on September 3, 1752, there lay the 'Catalogue of Artworks on the Eve of Creation' and the 'Midnight Recipe after the End of the World'."

"They cannot be read because writing has not yet been invented or has been destroyed. But there is no doubt that these two books are there."

"And the door between reality and the paradoxical building is located on September 13, 1752. Take a step forward along the terminator, pass through that wooden door, and you will return to reality."

"It was these 11 days of disappearance that gave me the inspiration to speculate on Mr. Li's origins."

"When we, the wizards of the Brotherhood of Time, cast our spells, the anchor point for the present is based on the calendar. That is, the Holy Spirit Calendar after the 'end of history.'"

"Lee obviously comes from that place where history doesn't end. Hmm, the 'Land of Ogres,' am I right?"

Author's Note: I squeezed out one chapter using various spare moments during my commute and lunch breaks. The other chapter may come a little later...

Thanks to the original soundtrack chicken for the urging votes and recommendation votes

Thanks to Polar Bear, Silver Thirteen, and Little Apple 112633 for their recommendation votes

192 Return to Philadelphia

Li Shanze raised his eyebrows. It seemed that this McGee knew a lot... He was indeed worthy of being the great wizard of the time system.

China in this world still seems to not buy into the theory of the end of history and refuses to use the "Holy Spirit Calendar".

And my guess was not wrong. The so-called "cannibal" in North America is itself a stigmatization of China.

Judging from McGee's attitude, he obviously knows what this "cannibal" and even "China" are all about. Why not get more information out of him?

But before Li Shanze could say anything, McGee sighed again.

McGee had a wry smile on his face. "Alas, I should have thought of it earlier. But after so many years, even the Asians I met were Japanese or Korean. I had long forgotten that mysterious country. Otherwise, I wouldn't have lost my left hand."

Li Shanze discovered that McGee was only half right.

It is true that I am from China, but not from the China of this world. I am from another world, and the time and space are different.

Li Shanze felt that if McGee cast a spell on himself according to the Chinese calendar in this world, he would most likely still lose his left hand.

But there was no need to say this to McGee.

Li Shanze raised his eyebrows: "Oh? So, Mr. McKee is a little unwilling?"

Li Shanze didn't want a great wizard of the time system to keep thinking about him.

After McGee figured out half of it in a short time, Li Shanze would never underestimate the intelligence of these great wizards.

Maybe one day he will completely understand my background and find a way to deal with me.

Unexpectedly, McGee's answer was quite frank: "No, a time wizard cannot dwell on the past, and must have the courage to accept all the consequences of his decisions."

"I visited you without knowing your background and used a time spell, getting sucked into the turbulence of time and space. This forced me to overdraw my left hand to escape back to the present. This entire process was my own decision, so naturally, I must bear the consequences."

McGee's words were quite straightforward and frank.

"Is this a wizard's oath?" Charlie asked in surprise.

"Yes, that's the Wizard's Oath." McGee nodded. "It seems Mr. Barnum didn't teach you nothing."

Xia Li then whispered an explanation to Li Shanze.

The so-called wizard's oath is that the wizard uses his soul to guarantee that what he says is true. The wizard's oath is used when making a vow, making a promise, or wanting to have a frank communication.

"For example, the covenant between my teacher's teacher and Buchaska is to use the Wizard's Oath." Charlie blushed a little at this point, "And, no, there is no more."

Li Shanze knew what was going on at a glance. It was obvious that when Xia Li chose him as the anchor point, she also used the Wizard's Oath.

So he couldn't help but shake Charlie's hand. Charlie's face turned a little red, but her smile was very sweet.

At this time, Li Shanze met McGee's frank gaze and couldn't help but admire the old wizard.

Everyone has to bear the consequences of their own decisions. This is a simple truth that everyone can say.

But if he were in the other person's shoes, if he lost his left hand like this, Li Shanze felt that it would be difficult for him to let it go.

"How much do you know about that 'Ogre' country? How do I get there?" Li Shanze asked simply.

McGee shook his head. "Then you're asking the wrong person. That's all I know. If we were to ask which of the nine major sects has the least dealings with that country, it would naturally be the Brotherhood of Time."

"Whether it's the Whig view of history, the Great Divergence theory, the European Miracle theory, the hierarchy of civilizations theory, Orientalism, exceptionalism... all of these, without exception, are Western-centric theories. Time wizards have never set their sights on that ancient country."

"What's more, the Brotherhood of Time Skeletons doesn't even have much involvement with European history. They're almost entirely based in the United States. You came to me for advice on how to return there, but you've completely found the wrong person."

McGee shook his head.

How to say it, because of Western-centrism, we know nothing about the East. This reason is too reasonable, and Li Shanze has nothing to say.

"What's more, even here, I dare not say the name of that country. I can only use 'the country of ogres' instead - so even in the Paradox Library, I can't find any relevant information."

Li Shanze frowned. "And since they're involved in such a large-scale cognitive modification and mind manipulation, the best people to get information about it are the guys from the Delusion Society, right?"

Is there a more convenient target for blame than a secret society that can manipulate people's minds?

Li Shanze felt that this Delusion Society was just like the Freemasons or Lizard People in conspiracy theories.

Although none of them can be found, they are hiding very well, but there is such a secret society that is planning all the ultimate conspiracies.

Unexpectedly, McGee was stunned for a moment and then shook his head: "No, I'm not sure."

The unexpected answer made Li Shanze raise an eyebrow: "Are you not sure? This matter is not the work of the Delusion Society?"

McGee said, "Although the members of the Delusion Society are all crazy and disgusting, they don't have the guts to manipulate everyone's consciousness."

"They are madmen with extreme egos, but the more egos they have, the more they indulge in intricate individual conspiracies—like implanting another personality in Calvin Hope and another false wizard memory in Robert Stroman."

"This kind of large-scale modification of the cognition of half the world is not in line with the style of the Delusion Society."

"Although the spell was completed by the combined efforts of the great wizards from the nine major schools, I believe that the nine of us only played a supporting role and at most provided assistance in the magic."

“Where exactly this crazy inspiration came from, I can’t say.”

At this point, McGee looked at Li Shanze and said, "If you just want to find out the news about that country, rather than getting to the bottom of this great miracle that's been obscured by information."

"The Esoteric School, which studies matter, the Void Society, which studies space, and the Blazing Energy Sect, which studies energy, are all better candidates for information. Believe me, they definitely understand that kingdom better than the Delusion Society."

Wizards who study matter, space, and energy know more about China in this world than wizards who study time and spirit. In a sense, this is consistent with Li Shanze's understanding.

At this time, McGee finally said, "I believe Miss Butner has mastered the dial-twisting spell. So, I'll excuse my absence from now on. I still need to repair the Paradox Clock Tower. Please feel free to wander around."

There was a look of anxiety on McGee's face, a sudden rush of anxiety, as if something was urging him to leave.

He spoke quickly, "If you want to find out what day a certain book was placed, please ask the stone statue of the administrator directly. They will answer all questions about the books." McGee pointed to the four stone statues around the bronze sundial.

Li Shanze looked at these stone statues without carved facial features and found it difficult to associate them with librarians.

"Oh, by the way, aside from September 13th, 1752, the other ten days of the 'Lost Eleven' were filled with various dangers due to the damage to the Paradox Clock Tower. I suggest you two avoid them for the time being."

With that, McGee turned the dial, retreated into the terminator, and then walked away.

"Hmph, June 18, 1815, the day of Waterloo." Charlie glanced at the dial and frowned in dissatisfaction. "He really doesn't want us to catch up."

Li Shanze couldn't help but laugh.

The surname Mackey is a standard Scottish and Northern English surname. This is probably a kind of mutual drag between the British and the French, right?

"So what are your plans now? Do you want to go shopping in the Paradox Library again?" Li Shanze asked.

"No, let's leave here early." Xia Li pulled her hand back from Li Shanze's hand and stretched lazily.

Then the witch narrowed her eyes and said, "I can't wait to go to New York and settle accounts with Ms. Li."

"Besides, I'm still waiting for you to tell me your story yourself, Lee. I don't know what you were talking about with Mr. McKee just now, my dear Mr. Ogre."

Li Shanze laughed and said, "Okay, I'll tell you in person when we get back."

"September 13, 1752, departure." Charlie raised her hand and turned the time scale to that day. Then the two smiled at each other and crossed the terminator hand in hand.

Afterwards, they walked a full circle along the Ouroboros Corridor of the library and passed through the golden door. The two historians' emblems shone with golden light.

Then they set foot on Philadelphia soil again.

"Oh, smelling the stench of flying leaves and urine, listening to the maddening noise all over the street, I finally believe that I am back in Philadelphia."

Li Shanze frowned and sighed.

"It's hard to tell whether I miss this place more or would rather be in that damned place called Paradox Clock Tower."

Author's Note: Finally home, finally made it "today"...

Let’s see if I can get up on time for tomorrow’s update. If I oversleep, the first update will probably be a little late.

193 Cheap Smuggled Cars

Apart from Senator Hamilton's home, Li Shanze's impression of Philadelphia was not very good.

The city is in chaos in every sense of the word.

At this moment, Li Shanze and Xia Li, standing on the street corner, still saw chaos in front of their eyes.

The traffic lights at the intersection seemed to be suffering from epilepsy, and when the yellow light was about to go out, the two taxis parked on the side of the road honked their horns one after another as if in a quarrel. The noisy and shrill cries were like humpback whales in mating season.

The homeless man, wrapped in knight armor made of the Philadelphia Inquirer, hit the fire hydrant with a bottle of cheap wine. The ping-pong sound was extremely messy, but the rhythm intentionally or unintentionally formed a counterpoint with the sound of pneumatic hammers at the construction site not far away.

Li Shanze felt as if his eardrum was being scraped by some rusty, blunt knife.

He looked up and saw the bronze statue of Franklin looking down at him. The parchment scroll in the statue's right hand was smeared by pigeon droppings and the light of street lamps into a surrealist and psychedelic work.

At this time, Li Shanze's mobile phone in Xia Li's hand kept ringing, as if to make up for all the time he had missed before. A large amount of information poured into the phone.

"Let me let everyone know I'm safe," said Charlie.

Then, with practiced ease, she spoke into her phone, using TeleGhost to send the message that they had returned to Philadelphia.

"It seems like it's time to buy you a mobile phone." Li Shanze joked with a smile.

"Before that, let's leave here as soon as possible." Charlie shook her head.

"No wonder Mr. Anton from Mentos Pharmaceuticals wanted to teach me how to weaken my five senses."

Charlie sighed.

"I didn't realize it before, but now I finally realize that these noises and foul smells can really kill wizards who can't control their five senses."

So Li Shanze waved at the two yellow humpback whales, interrupting their play.

A taxi drove over, Li Shanze opened the door for Xia Li, and the two got in.

The two of them closed the car door tightly and rolled up the windows to block out the noise and unpleasant smell.

Although the taxi still smelled of cheap tobacco, they still breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ha." Li Shanze leaned back in his chair, feeling all his fatigue wash over him. He sighed, "I still have to find a way to compensate Gray. I'm afraid her Tesla won't be recovered."

Xia Li glanced at Li Shanze with a half-smile: "How are you going to compensate Gray? Are you going to put in more effort in bed?"