The North American Gourmet Demon Handbook

"My heart, my Lord, beats in sympathy with your might, the power that shakes the universe! I would sacrifice my last breath to wipe the smallest speck of dust from your boot!"

On Saturday, this once arrogant wizard, this thoroughly brainwashed puppet, actually revealed a rare, almost frustrated emotion.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

He was completely defeated by Vikram's "creativity". He was brainwashed into being the perfect slave, but Vikram took the concept of "slave" to a whole new and outrageous artistic level in just a few minutes.

Vikram looked at Saturday's "I've been surpassed" expression and felt a twisted pleasure well up in his heart.

He knew that Saturday would have to start "learning" from him now. A completely brainwashed man would have to learn how to flatter a captive, terrified mortal better.

This is a good beginning.

Vikram warned himself mentally.

Li Shanze stood there, expressionless, his deep gaze scanning back and forth between the two of them, as if he was appreciating an absurd pantomime.

327 Inexplicable Sense of Superiority

It turned out that Vikram Chandrasekhar was not only better at managing himself than Li Shanze had imagined, but even better at managing himself than Li Shanze could have imagined.

Li Shanze had been worried that this Indian guy would pretend to be submissive to make him relax his vigilance, and then blow up the inside of the RV when he was not prepared and make a big news.

That's why Li Shanze sent Theodore Lancaster to look after Vikram Chandrasekhar, hoping to scare Vikram by using Theodore Lancaster's tiger skin before he lost his mind.

Now it seems that the effect of this "scare" is a little too good.

Not only did Vikram Chandrasekhar not show any intention of resisting, struggling or escaping, but he actually started a flattery contest with Theodore Lancaster.

His endless stream of flattery contrasted with Theodore Lancaster's red old face at a loss for words. Li Shanze could hardly tell who was the one being mentally controlled.

Li Shanze watched this absurd "loyalty competition" with amusement.

He originally thought that it would take some effort to tame these arrogant wizards, and might even require the use of special methods such as memory recovery techniques.

But Vikram's performance far exceeded his expectations.

It seems that Li Shanze does not need to worry about Vikram suddenly attacking or doing something secretly.

The man seemed to have completely given up resistance and instead devoted all his energy to a meaningless contest of flattery.

This was actually quite convenient. At least for now, it seemed that Vikram was more obedient and proactive than the brainwashed Theodore Lancaster. What was even better was that his memory was still good, and a lot could be extracted from him.

Li Shanze would certainly not listen to Vikram Chandrasekhar's one-sided words, otherwise he would not have needed to capture Marco Giuseppe Romano as well.

Li Shanze originally planned to interrogate them separately, and then compare their confessions to find out the cause of Teacher Xia Li's death and the core container of Archibald Drummond's soul.

Of course, Li Shanze now has a new goal, which is to find out where those Japanese in Kaguya Town come from.

"Theodore Lancaster." Li Shanze's voice was calm and majestic, with an air of unquestionable authority.

Theodore Lancaster straightened his body reflexively, as if waiting for new instructions.

But his still flushed old face showed that he knew clearly that he had just lost miserably in the flattery contest, which made his distorted loyalty feel a bit of dissonant shame.

"You go out first." Li Shanze said lightly, but his eyes were always on Vikram.

Theodore Lancaster's body stiffened slightly, and he seemed a little reluctant.

He was ordered by his master to look after Vikram, but now he was sent away, which made him feel that his duty was challenged.

But the master's orders were absolute and he could not disobey.

So he nodded, turned around, and left the cell with mechanical and stiff steps, leaving Vikram alone in the cage, with that extremely flattering smile still on his face.

The carriage fell silent in an instant, leaving only the sound of Vikram's slightly rapid breathing.

The Indian knew that real "non-violent non-cooperation" was about to begin. He wanted to make Li Shanze feel that he was a useful waste and a loyal burden.

Li Shanze walked to the cage and looked down at Vikram.

Indians felt that Li Shanze's gaze was like an abyss, as if it could see through all disguises.

"Vikram Chandrasekhar." Li Shanze's voice was low, carrying a palpitating sense of oppression. "You are the Senior Vice President of Global R&D Strategy and Innovation Cooperation, and the Chief Scientific Officer, yet you seem to fit in well here surprisingly well."

Li Shanze originally intended to satirize the Indian guy, but he didn't expect Vikram's reaction to be far beyond his expectations.

Vikram's smile froze for a moment, then blossomed into ecstasy and shock that was even more dazzling and exaggerated than before.

He lunged forward and almost hit the iron bars. He looked so excited that he couldn't control himself, as if Li Shanze was not stating facts, but announcing that he had won the supreme honor in the universe.

"Oh, Master! My God! You... You actually know my humble past! Your all-knowing wisdom is deeper than the Ganges and taller than Mount Anamudi on the Deccan Plateau!"

Vikram's voice trembled with an almost manic adoration.

"Senior Vice President of Global R&D Strategy and Innovation Cooperation? Chief Scientific Officer? These, these are nothing but empty titles in this mortal world, Master! In my eyes, they are like dust, like foam. In the face of your power, as vast as the sea of ​​stars, they are not worth mentioning at all!"

He shook his head exaggeratedly, as if he was ashamed of having been deceived by these "empty names".

Li Shanze rubbed his forehead helplessly and sighed: "It's okay, it's almost done."

However, the Indian turned a deaf ear to Li Shanze's words and continued to talk: "I once thought that I could find the true meaning of life in the laboratory and in the conference room. But now, master, I have suddenly realized it!"

"Everything I've achieved in the past, all my research, all my collaborations, all my innovations, are nothing more than the path you've paved for me!"

"They are only for me, a lost lamb, to be finally guided by your light, to come to your feet, and become your most loyal and humble servant!"

Vikram became more and more devoted to his performance and he even started beating his chest with his hands as if repenting for his past ignorance.

"I told you to shut up—" Li Shanze became more and more impatient.

"Adapt? Master! This isn't adaptation! This is... an awakening of the soul! A return to destiny!"

"I was once a blind man groping in the darkness, and you, my master, are the light that illuminates my life!"

"This iron cage isn't a prison; it's the temple you built for me! Here, I feel an unprecedented peace, an unprecedented... happiness of being loved and guided!"

The crisp sound of the gun's slide being pulled, like the whisper of death, instantly shattered Vikram Chandrasekhar's endless torrent of flattery.

The few tears he squeezed out sparkled in the dim light, seeming particularly sincere, yet also carrying a hint of grievance at being so rudely interrupted.

He closed his mouth reluctantly, but the flattering smile on his face still stubbornly hung on it, as if it was stuck with glue.

It was not until this moment that Vikram suddenly realized that Li Shanze did not seem to be impressed by his exaggerated flattery.

This shouldn’t be the case! A storm surged in his heart.

Vikram has been immersed in the Western world for many years and is very good at pleasing those in power, especially those white people who think they are superior. This flattery trick has been tried and tested and is simply a panacea that never fails.

Whether it is arrogant politicians, greedy businessmen, or those self-important wizards, as long as you praise them to the sky and use the most gorgeous words to praise their "greatness" and "wisdom", they will reveal their flaws contentedly like a bear fed with honey.

But what about this "cannibal" before him? He was unmoved and even cocked the pistol! This was simply... simply rude and uncivilized!

I originally thought he was an unfathomable and elusive demon king, but now it seems that he is just... a crude warrior who lacks cultural literacy and does not know how to appreciate art.

"Could it be...could it be that this 'Ogre', this barbarian from the mysterious country in the north, is not as confident as those white people?"

Vikram muttered in his mind, but his face still maintained that frightened and aggrieved expression.

He thought of the white people, who were stupid and brutal, but at least they knew how to enjoy the vanity of being flattered.

Providing emotional value and the outstanding intelligence that made him a high-level wizard and a doctor of pharmacy are the two legs that Vikram uses to stand out in American society.

As for Li Shanze, he was like a stubborn stone and refused to budge. This was tantamount to breaking one of Vikram's legs, which made Vikram extremely difficult to accept.

"Sure enough, these northerners are just like that. They lack the influence of Western civilization and don't even understand the most basic civility."

Vikram silently labeled Li Shanze "uncivilized" in his heart. This gave him a sense of inexplicable superiority, even though he was now curled up in an iron cage, a prisoner, and the other party was holding a gun.

He even began to doubt Li Shanze's taste and intelligence. How high could a guy who couldn't even appreciate such a subtle and artistic culture be?

Deep down in Vikram's heart, his evaluation of Li Shanze instantly dropped several levels - this was something Li Shanze could never have imagined.

The inability to accept India's groundless flattery has become a symbol of uncivilized people.

Even if Li Shanze thought about it for ten days and ten nights, he still couldn't figure out the logic behind it.

However, Li Shanze didn't care what this Indian thought of him. He had no interest in having an Indian housekeeper - unless she was a young and beautiful woman, not the old man in his forties or fifties in front of him.

Li Shanze only treated Vikram Chandrasekhar as a prisoner, a prisoner who had a lot of useful information and needed to be interrogated, nothing more.

For a prisoner, it is enough for him to answer the questions.

As for what additional thoughts the prisoner has in his mind, that doesn't matter.

At least Li Shanze doesn't care at all. He is not a humanitarian warden.

So, Li Shanze started asking questions nonchalantly.

And Vikram Chandrasekhar is also ready to show his "uselessness".

Author's words: Thanks to Qianxiao Anran and Xiaopingguo112633 for their recommendation votes

328 Correct Attitude

"Tell me about the organizational structure of your Boiling Sages." Li Shanze went straight to the point, his voice cold and emotionless.

Vikram immediately removed the remaining flattery on his face and replaced it with an expression of "seriously thinking", with his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was trying to recall some profound knowledge.

"Oh, Master, your question is truly... grand and profound!" He cleared his throat and began his performance, his voice filled with a hint of excitement as if inspired by God.

"Only a being of supreme wisdom like you could ask such an insightful question!"

"The organizational structure of the Seething Sage is truly intricate, like an ancient Hindu temple, where every brick and tile contains thousands of years of secrets." Vikram waved his hands exaggeratedly, as if describing a grand blueprint that only he could see.

"It is so huge that only a master like you, who possesses the ability to see through the heavens and the earth, can truly see its entirety."

"We have an ancient family and school of thought with a long history and profound heritage, but how many branches there are? I, a humble Indian, can only scratch the surface. It's really difficult to get a glimpse of the full picture!"

He spoke incessantly, piling up all kinds of gorgeous and empty words as if he was painting a magnificent picture, but he always avoided any specific names, places or power structures.

"There are also those hidden branches that specialize in different alchemy schools, such as potion alchemy, financial alchemy, etc."

"These schools often operate independently and cryptically. Even someone like me, who once held a high position, only knows their names, not their details. But I believe that in the face of your omnipotent power, these secrets will eventually be revealed. They are simply waiting for your revelation!"

He even started talking about some insignificant legends in the wizarding world, trying to lead the topic to profound philosophical speculation, while not forgetting to deify Li Shanze.

Li Shanze listened patiently until Vikram's speech began to slow. He then interrupted coldly, "I'm asking about the structure, not the myth. Tell me, who is the supreme authority? The Council? The Elders? Or some hidden family?"

Vikram's expression instantly became confused and innocent, as if Li Shanze's question was beyond his understanding, but with infinite admiration for Li Shanze's wisdom.

"The supreme authority? Oh, Master, your questions are always so precise and get to the point! But this is really a... difficult question to answer. The wizarding world values ​​power, and the strong are respected, but it also values ​​inheritance and bloodline."

"So, it's hard to say who holds the absolute highest power. Sometimes it's the patriarch of an ancient family, sometimes it's the leader of a powerful faction, but they check and balance each other and compete with each other."

"Only a master like you, who possesses absolute power, can truly integrate this chaotic situation and establish true order!"

He sighed exaggeratedly, as if regretting his own ignorance, and as if implying that Li Shanze was the savior who could end all the chaos.

"I'm just a scientist focused on research and development. I'm not qualified to get involved in these political struggles, and I don't really understand them!"

"How could these mundane power struggles possibly even enter your transcendental eyes? I only wish to dedicate my meager knowledge to you, allowing you to overlook and control all of this from a higher dimension!"

After Vikram finished speaking, he lowered his head respectfully, as if to say, "Although I am incompetent, I am loyal."

Li Shanze smiled: "You remind me of an old friend, Sir Humphrey Appleby."

In Li Shanze's opinion, this Indian's strategy was similar to Humphrey's approach to Huck. He said all kinds of nice things, but there was no useful information in his words.

When Vikram heard the name, he raised his head slightly and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

Sir Humphrey Appleby? It sounded so British, so… white.

He searched his mind quickly, but had no memory of the name.

But he immediately realized that this might be Li Shanze hinting at his connections or showing off his connections with the "upper class".

Then, his old face was immediately filled with an even more flattering smile, as if the confusion just now had never appeared.

"Oh, Master! You actually have such a noble friend! Sir Humphrey Appleby! Just hearing this name, one can sense the dignity and wisdom that comes to him! To be friends with such an extraordinary being like you, this Sir must be a rare talent, an elite among the elite!"

Vikram's tone was full of exaggerated admiration, as if he really knew this knight and admired him very much.

"However, no matter how outstanding and prominent he is, in front of your wisdom and power that is as vast as the universe, I am afraid he is just a grain of sand in the mortal world compared to Mount Sumeru!"

"To be recognized by you and become your friend is the highest honor for him, Master!"

He even trembled slightly with excitement, as if he was genuinely proud of this knight whom he had never met.

Li Shanze looked at Vikram's serious and flattering look, and finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

His laughter echoed in the dim dungeon, a hint of mockery, a hint of amusement, and a hint of amusement at Vikram's ignorance.

The laughter was so hearty that Vikram thought his flattery had finally hit the mark and a smug look appeared on his face.