One item was a sealed safe with a seal affixed to it.

The other was a piece of dark yellow paper.

“These are the items I want to have delivered.”

Ethan Cooper looked at the two things in astonishment, sneaking a glance at John Harris.

Although the safe wasn’t very large, it was definitely not something that could fit in a pocket.

The two of them had come up together, and Ethan Cooper was certain that when John Harris came up, he hadn’t been carrying anything in his hands.

Besides, it was summer, and people wore less clothing. If someone tried to hide a safe like that on their person, it would be extremely conspicuous.

So where did this thing come from?

Ethan Cooper felt a deep curiosity about John Harris’s profession. Could it be that he was actually a magician—the kind who specializes in grand illusions on stage?

Sensing Ethan Cooper’s astonished and uncertain gaze, John Harris smiled slightly, but didn’t explain.

He pointed at the two items and said, “Take them to Xiao Putuo.”

“Xiao Putuo? Xiao Putuo at Dongqian Lake?” Ethan Cooper asked in surprise.

“Yes, that’s the place.”

Ethan Cooper nodded repeatedly, watching John Harris’s face, but after a while, he still couldn’t tell if he intended to say anything more.

He’d been to Xiao Putuo once before. In his memory, there was nothing there but water and mountains, a cave, and a few temples.

Other than that, he couldn’t recall anything else.

Still, the place wasn’t exactly big, but it wasn’t that small either.

Who was he supposed to deliver these things to at Xiao Putuo? He couldn’t just toss them on the ground, could he?

“Heh heh…” Plastering a smile on his face, Ethan Cooper asked cautiously, “So, is there a more specific address?”

“Ah…” John Harris let out a surprised sigh. “I actually forgot to mention that.”

Ethan Cooper’s smile grew even brighter—now that was more like it. Otherwise, there’d be no way to deliver this stuff.

But what John Harris said next made him even more bewildered.

“When you get there, burn this talisman, and someone will naturally come to meet you.”

If there had been a mirror in front of him, Ethan Cooper would have seen his own mouth hanging wide open in a most unflattering way.

If the other party weren’t a guest whom the boss had specifically instructed him not to offend, and if this man didn’t give off such a dangerous, untouchable vibe—

He would have punched him long ago… No, he was a civilized person, so he wouldn’t resort to violence. At most, he’d just walk away in a huff.

“You’re not a Daoist, so it’s only natural you don’t understand the mysteries involved. However…” John Harris looked at him with a hint of envy in his eyes. “However, if you’re willing to join my sect, your future achievements would surely be extraordinary.”

The muscles on Ethan Cooper’s face were already starting to stiffen. Because of his job, he’d met all kinds of clients, and there were plenty with unusual hobbies, but someone as obsessed as John Harris—to this extent—was truly one of a kind.

“Sorry, may I ask what’s inside this safe?”

John Harris’s expression changed, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head—Ethan Cooper couldn’t help but shiver.

“Why are you asking that?”

“Industry rules, industry rules,” Ethan Cooper hurriedly explained. “It’s a rule in our line of work—we have to know what the client is entrusting us to deliver. If there’s any loss… no, if there’s any loss due to irresistible circumstances, we can negotiate compensation terms and standards.”

John Harris’s expression grew colder and colder.

Ethan Cooper could no longer maintain his steady smile. He felt as if he were being stared at by a venomous snake, its tongue flicking, ready to strike at any moment.

Suddenly, John Harris seemed to sense something. He looked up, gazing into the distance, and muttered, “They’re here already? So fast…”

Ethan Cooper breathed a sigh of relief. If that gaze had kept boring into him, he would have had a heart attack.

“You don’t need to know what’s inside. No matter what, your company couldn’t possibly afford to compensate for this item. I hope you can deliver it as soon as possible.”

“Well…” Ethan Cooper looked troubled, but didn’t dare refuse.

“In any case, remember this: if the item is delivered, you’ll receive benefits beyond your wildest imagination. But if anything goes wrong, I’ll make sure you can neither live nor die.”

Was that a threat? A surge of anger rose in Ethan Cooper’s heart.

“Don’t think I’m just making empty threats. Be careful.”

Perhaps seeing through Ethan Cooper’s thoughts, John Harris pointed at him from a distance.

Without any warning, a piercing pain suddenly shot through Ethan Cooper’s entire body. He collapsed onto the seat, curling up, his face instantly drained of color, as if his internal organs were being twisted together like a rope.

It felt as if thousands of tiny needles were stabbing into him nonstop. The sensation was so unbearable that he would have rather died instantly than continue to endure such excruciating agony.