Simon Moore sat with his back to the church doors, holding a long-stemmed pipe in his right hand, facing Blind Jack—though Blind Jack's face was upside down. Not far behind Blind Jack was the crucifix with Jesus nailed upon it. If given a choice, Blind Jack would rather trade places with Jesus, since at least he was suffering right side up.

Blind Jack's line of sight was blocked by Simon Moore, so he didn't immediately see Logan Reed and Grace Young walking side by side into the church.

Although Simon Moore heard the footsteps, he didn't turn around. He picked up a steel needle about an inch long and stuck it into the pipe bowl, then tilted his head to the right and took two hard puffs through the Hetian jade mouthpiece. The tobacco glowed and dimmed with his inhalations, and the tip of the steel needle quickly turned red-hot. This needle was specially made, with a finely crafted huanghuali wood handle at the end. Normally, Simon Moore used it to clear the pipe, but clearly he had something else in mind at the moment.

The red-hot needle moved close to Blind Jack's small eyes. Though still an inch away, Blind Jack seemed to already feel the burning pain and screamed in terror.

Simon Moore said, "Do you know what happens if a red-hot needle is stabbed into your eye?"

Blind Jack squeezed his eyes shut, every inch of his fat trembling.

At the door, Logan Reed's calm voice rang out: "A tiny eyeball subjected to so much heat in a short time will inevitably swell from the inside and then burst completely. Third Master, you'd better stand back, or you might get splattered all over. Blinding him is a small matter, but dirtying your fine clothes would be a shame."

Hearing this, Simon Moore's lips curled into a cryptic smile.

Blind Jack, on the other hand, opened his eyes as if seeing his savior and screamed hoarsely, "Logan Reed, save me, save me!"

Simon Moore still didn't turn around. He watched as the steel needle quickly cooled from red to gray, nodded, and said, "You're right! Such a filthy job, I shouldn't do it myself." He put away the needle and waved his hand. One of his men brought over a small knife.

Logan Reed saw clearly that the knife was his own. Back at the Blue Mill, he had drawn it to stop William Clark from hurting too many innocents. He hadn't expected Simon Moore to collect the lost throwing knives from the scene. Simon Moore picked up the knife and pressed it against Blind Jack's neck, which had turned purplish-red from congestion. "Feeling swollen and uncomfortable? Want me to let out a little blood to relieve the pressure? That would feel much better."

Blind Jack wailed, "Samuel Moore, you're like my own grandfather! I know nothing, I know nothing..."

Before he could finish, Simon Moore had already put away the knife, raised his right hand, and slapped him hard across the face, then slowly stood up. The candle flames on either side flickered violently, cowed by his powerful presence.

Logan Reed said, "Samuel Moore, you're a prominent figure in the concession. There's no need to stoop to our level. Even if you want to beat or kill us, shouldn't you pick another place? After all, this is a church. As we Chinese say, 'Three feet above your head, the gods are watching...'"

"Gods? Nonsense! If I, Simon Moore, worship anyone, it's Lord Guan, the god of loyalty and righteousness! The foreign devils' gods are nothing to me!" Simon Moore suddenly turned around, his deep eyes flashing with a chilling light. His men were all startled by his outburst, whether friend or foe. Even Logan Reed secretly admired him—this man didn't rule Huangpu by accident.

Simon Moore's aura intimidated his men, but had no effect on Logan Reed standing before him. Logan Reed's expression remained calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant. "If you have something to say, Third Master, just say it."

Simon Moore took out a photograph and held it up to Logan Reed's face. It was a photo of Grace Young. Logan Reed sighed inwardly. Earlier, to be cautious, he had told Blind Jack to destroy the wallet and photos to avoid leaving evidence. Clearly, Blind Jack had found Grace Young beautiful and secretly kept the photo, creating a hidden danger. But Samuel Moore's interest in them was surely about more than just this photo.

Behind him, Blind Jack shouted, "I didn't say anything..."

Samuel Moore backhanded him with another slap, sending Blind Jack spinning like a top.

Logan Reed turned to look at Grace Young, but Grace Young's gaze was fixed on the stained glass windows, as if she were completely uninvolved. Logan Reed had no choice but to turn his attention back to Samuel Moore. "Please wait a moment, Third Master!"

He walked toward the confessional. Simon Moore's men wanted to follow, but Simon Moore waved them off.

Soon, Logan Reed returned, now holding a wooden box. He opened it to reveal a pendant and several silver dollars.

Simon Moore glanced inside, picked up the pendant, weighed it in his hand, and said, "The amount doesn't seem right, does it?"

Logan Reed replied, "We'll make up the shortfall within a week!" Though uncertain inside, he showed no weakness on the surface.

Simon Moore stepped closer to Logan Reed, sneering as he sized up the young priest before him. "You think that's the end of it?"

Logan Reed said, "It's our fault. Please, Third Master, tell us how to make it right. As long as it's within our power, we'll do our best to make amends."

The smile on Simon Moore's face vanished instantly. "Anyone in Huangpu who's ever heard my name should know what happens to those who cross me!"