The North American Gourmet Demon Handbook

After all the potion was poured in, Charlie casually threw the bottle next to Romano, making a crisp sound of breaking.

Romano was even surprised that he heard such a crisp cracking sound.

Because his brain was almost filled with pain, he had no time to think or feel anything else.

In just a few seconds, Romano's body began to twitch violently due to the spread of the drug.

He felt an indescribable burning heat suddenly erupt from his stomach and instantly spread throughout his body.

It wasn't just a burning sensation; it felt as if every drop of blood was instantly ignited, boiling and swelling wildly within his veins. His skin turned red at a visible speed, veins bulging and wriggling like earthworms across his obese body.

"what--!"

A heart-wrenching scream erupted from Romano's throat. The sound was filled with extreme pain and despair, like a beast being skinned alive.

He arched his body, twisting and tumbling violently on the cold floor, trying to escape the excruciating pain that penetrated his bones. Sweat and tears, snot and saliva mixed with blood foam flowed down his twisted face, soaking the floor beneath him.

His eyes were wide open and bloodshot, as if they would burst at any time.

He could clearly feel that his internal organs were being torn and dissolved by the boiling power, and his bones made slight "cracking" sounds under the high temperature, as if they were about to collapse.

He opened his mouth wide and let out meaningless roars and wails, the sound becoming sharper and more shrill, until it finally became hoarse and broken.

"Help... help... ah... kill... kill me..." He pleaded intermittently, his voice filled with endless regret and fear.

He even wanted to die, but he couldn't even commit suicide.

Charlie just looked at him coldly, there was no mercy in her eyes, only the pleasure of revenge.

She watched as Romano's body went from violent convulsions to gradual limpness, watched as his wails went from deafening to faint moans.

Finally, after another violent spasm, Romano's body suddenly straightened up, then completely collapsed, foaming at the mouth, his eyes rolled back, and he completely fainted.

Romano's body was still trembling slightly, his skin still abnormally flushed, as if the torture was still continuing silently.

Before he passed out, Romano heard the "vicious woman" sneer: "This is just the appetizer. Please stay tuned, Mr. Romano."

Romano just hoped he would never wake up again.

Li Shanze stood aside, quietly watching the torture that Charlie inflicted on Romano. He did not stop or intervene, his expression quite calm.

Li Shanze has always been a supporter of revenge. He would never think that it is inhumane to use the same method on the perpetrator just because he has not seen the tragic condition of the victim with his own eyes.

On the contrary, Li Shanze felt that equal retaliation was justified.

So Li Shanze just watched Charlie torture Romano calmly without saying a word.

Only after Romano completely fainted did he slowly walk forward, his eyes falling on Romano's swollen and deformed face, and the pool of filth mixed with blood and saliva under him.

"What did you give him to drink?" Li Shanze asked curiously.

He looked at Charlie with a probing look in his eyes.

Xia Li has always been very peaceful, even a little naive and silly. This is the first time Li Shanze has seen Xia Li using such means.

Charlie withdrew the wizard's hand. The flame of revenge was still flickering in her deep eyes, but on the surface she had regained her composure.

She gently patted the non-existent dust on the hem of her skirt, her tone as calm as if she had just done something insignificant.

"Nothing special." Charlie replied calmly.

Her eyes swept over Romano's still slightly trembling body, her face expressionless.

"It's just a prescription left by Mr. Barnum that I found in the study."

"This potion," Charlie's voice was tinged with sarcasm, as if she were telling a cruel joke, "can perfectly simulate the symptoms of 'recursive boiling'. You know, that pain where an alchemist's infinite self-referencing ultimately causes their existence to evaporate."

She paused, and a trace of indescribable sadness and anger flashed in her eyes.

"Ms. Barnum has devoted a great deal of effort to studying this terrifying phenomenon. She even created a potion based on this drug that can alleviate the recursive boiling. It can be said that this is a solid step forward for alchemists to overcome their existential crisis."

Li Shanze's eyes moved slightly, and he seemed to understand something.

"What a pity..." Charlie's voice became even colder, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth.

"The batch of healing medicine Romano gave to the teacher is the potion that the teacher uses to relieve the recursive boil."

"It's just that someone tampered with it and forged it. The medicine that was originally used to save lives has become a fatal poison instead."

She looked at the unconscious Romano again, her eyes filled with undisguised hatred.

"He personally delivered the tampered 'antidote' to Ms. Barnum, causing her to die in the most painful torture."

"Now, it's his turn to taste the bitter wine he brewed himself." Charlie's voice was as soft as a whisper, but with extraordinary determination.

"This is just the beginning. He will wake up again and again, and feel this pain again and again, until he completely breaks down, until he pays all the price he can for Mr. Barnum's death."

"Oh, yes, and that Mr. Vikram Chandrasekhar. I think I have enough potions to treat them."

After knowing the truth about Mr. Barnum's death, Charlie was completely different from the one who couldn't bear to see Vikram Chandrasekhar bleeding on the ground after being shot by Li Shanze.

After she said this, the fierce hatred in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by an indescribable gloom and confusion.

She lowered her eyes, and her long eyelashes cast a shadow under her eyelids, covering the struggle deep in her eyes.

She pursed her lips tightly, and her slender fingertips unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, as if she was trying to suppress something.

This cruel revenge, this act of inflicting pain on others, is so contrary to the education she received since childhood and the kindness and wisdom that Teacher Barnum has always taught her.

She felt a deep sense of self-denial, as if she was becoming a stranger that even she could not recognize. The pleasure of revenge became so short-lived and empty at this moment, replaced by a heavy emptiness and uneasiness.

Li Shanze keenly captured Xia Li's emotional changes.

He walked to her side, did not speak immediately, but just stood there quietly, giving her silent support.

He knew that for a girl as pure and naive as Charlie, personally inflicting such cruel punishment would undoubtedly be a huge emotional shock.

After a moment, Li Shanze slowly spoke. His voice was low and magnetic, with a reassuring power: "Xia Li, you did a great job."

Charlie raised her head suddenly, with a hint of confusion and struggle in her eyes, as if she didn't understand why he said that.

"I know what you're thinking." Li Shanze's gaze fell on her confused eyes, and his tone was firm and powerful. "You feel that this method is too cruel, contrary to what you were taught, and even makes you begin to doubt yourself."

Charlie's lips trembled slightly, and she didn't say anything, but the pain in her eyes revealed her inner thoughts.

"But, Xia Li." Li Shanze's voice became more steady, and every word was like a drumbeat beating in Xia Li's heart.

"Ms. Barnum's death was not an accident, but a deliberate murder."

Li Shanze kicked Romano in the cheek.

"These people used the most vicious means to push her into the most painful abyss. They took away her life and the hope she brought to the Seething Sage."

He reached out and gently held Charlie in his arms, patting her back lightly to give her strength.

"Making bad guys pay the same price and taking equal revenge is not cruelty. On the contrary, it is justice."

"In this world, some sins cannot be atoneed with simple forgiveness. Without equal retaliation, the evildoers will only become more unscrupulous. And who can the victims turn to for their grievances?"

As he spoke, Li Shanze kicked the unconscious Romano again, without a trace of mercy or forgiveness in his eyes.

"They created pain with their own hands, so they should experience it themselves. This is not to satisfy your own selfish desires, but to ensure justice is served and that those evildoers hiding in the shadows receive the punishment they deserve."

Lying in Li Shanze's arms and listening to Li Shanze's consolation, Xia Li gradually calmed down.

She took a deep breath, and her tense body gradually relaxed. The confusion in her eyes faded, replaced by clarity and determination.

She no longer doubted her actions, but smiled at Li Shanze: "I understand, Li, you are right. I chose you as my anchor point, and it was indeed the right choice."

Her voice was very soft, like the last whisper of a tired bird before returning to its nest. It blended gently into the air around her, and with a trace of trance that had not yet dissipated, it floated towards Li Shanze.

A smile quietly blossomed on her lips, carrying the initial warmth after the melting winter snow, and spread very lightly to the corners of her eyes and eyebrows.

Like a very thin layer of ice crystals, under the first ray of sunshine in the quiet spring valley, the warm and unguarded clarity underneath is finally fully revealed.

Li Shanze looked at Xia Li's smile and felt that the whole world seemed to be quiet because of this moment.

If asked when spring came in the Quaker Year, Li Shanze felt that he would definitely think of the moment when Xia Li's smile bloomed, just like the return of spring to the earth.

342 Influence Expansion

Marco Giuseppe Romano and Vikram Chandrasekhar were arrested at night and interrogated overnight.

After a night of fermentation, the morning sun had not yet completely dispelled the darkness, but the land soaked in flames and blood in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had become the focus of the national media.

Pharmaceutical company executives were attacked, mercenaries were killed and buried everywhere. The scene was so horrific that it exceeded everyone's imagination.

The charred wreckage of the vehicle emitted wisps of black smoke, and the air was filled with a pungent smell of burnt and blood.

The first cordon set up by the FBI had been breached. Outside the second cordon, reporters with cameras and flashes of light turned the area into a battlefield of public opinion.

The entire United States, from coast to coast, was shocked by this incident.

Major news channels were broadcasting live footage, and related topics on social media remained hot. People's curiosity and the joy that seemed to be anger spread like wildfire.

The media from both parties are adding fuel to the fire, attacking each other and trying to drag the other side into the water.

Fox News headline: "Pennsylvania has become a haven for crime! Under Democratic rule, Philadelphia is completely out of control!"

"Last night, with the connivance of the Democratic Governor and Philadelphia Mayor, Pennsylvania once again witnessed a heinous act of violence!"

"Two high-profile pharmaceutical executives were attacked in broad daylight (even though it was night). Even more shocking is the discovery of numerous mercenary bodies and burned vehicles at the scene!"

"This is not just an ordinary crime, it's a blatant provocation to the rule of law in the United States! Our FBI agents were attacked by armed men while performing their duties! This is simply appalling!"

"Republican Senator John McCarthy harshly pointed out in an interview with this station that this is the evil result of the Democrats' 'soft on crime' policy!"

"They've cut police budgets, turned a blind eye to street violence, and now even mercenaries are attacking federal law enforcement officers in broad daylight!"

"Pennsylvania has become a paradise for criminals! Under the influence of the evil left-wing ideology, Philadelphia has become a hotbed of crime!"

"If this chaos is allowed to spread, the entire country will fall into disorder! We must hold accountable those politicians who are responsible for the loss of control of law and order! This is not just a problem in Philadelphia, it is a failure of the entire Democratic Party's governing philosophy!"

"We call on the federal government to take immediate and strong measures to restore law and order and protect our citizens and law enforcement officers! Otherwise, who knows if we will be the next ones to be attacked!"

Compared with FOX, which put the blame on the Democrats, CNN, as one of the mouthpieces of the opposition Democratic Party, seemed to fight back more forcefully.

CNN Breaking News: Federal government failure, Pennsylvania violence highlights national security crisis.

"The horrific attack in Philadelphia last night was shocking in its brutality and has once again brought the deteriorating security situation in the United States to the forefront."

"Two pharmaceutical executives were attacked, and mercenaries were killed everywhere. This is not just a local security issue, but also a serious warning to the federal government for its dereliction of duty in maintaining national security!"

A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee issued a statement strongly condemning the violence, stating: "Under the current Republican administration, crime rates continue to rise nationwide and gun violence is rampant, while the federal government is helpless and even inactive. The series of tragedies in Philadelphia are a microcosm of this failure of federal security policy!"

"The president must face up to the problem and take practical and effective measures instead of shifting the blame onto local governments! We call on the federal government to immediately increase support for local law enforcement agencies, strengthen gun control, and ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property!"

Putting aside the formulaic clichés of the two parties shifting the blame game, Senator Hamilton seems to have found a way to make his presence felt.

CBS inserted a clip of an interview with Senator Hamilton into the news.

"... However, within the Democratic Party, U.S. Senator Kurt Hamilton of Pennsylvania voiced a different opinion."

"As a long-time advocate of opposing supernatural forces and defending scientific rationality, Senator Hamilton immediately issued a statement after the incident, directly pointing the finger at the 'conspiracy of evil wizards.'"

"Senator Hamilton said: 'We must not allow those dark forces lurking in the shadows to use superstition and violence to overturn our social order!

This incident once again sounded the alarm, reminding us that the dangers of wizards are not alarmist, their threat is real and imminent!

I will continue to push for legislation to strengthen the regulation and crackdown on paranormal activities and protect our citizens from these dark forces!"

"...The FBI is currently conducting an in-depth investigation into the incident, and we will continue to monitor developments."

In fact, the FBI's investigation into the incident is not as simple as CBS downplayed. At the FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia, not far from Washington, it can be said to be in a state of panic.

The phone in Deputy Director Clark's office was almost blown away, and each call carried the anger of the White House and the questioning of Congress.

The desk in front of him was piled high with emergency reports and media briefings, each one seeming to mock his current powerlessness.

He tugged at his tie anxiously, his shirt was soaked with sweat, and the veins on his forehead throbbed from time to time, all showing his extreme anxiety.

What’s even worse is that the crime scene itself is not an “ordinary” place.

It was the scene of the Alex Drummond kidnapping and the location of the crew of the reality show "The Amish." It is an area controlled, monitored, and searched by the FBI's Special Affairs Division.

The fact that Romano and Vikram Chandrasekhar were able to enter the heavily guarded area required the personal approval of FBI Deputy Director Clark.

In order to ensure the smooth progress of the "special mission", Clark even personally signed a special pass order - the stubborn Kate would not let any unrelated personnel enter the scene unless she saw the deputy director's handwritten order.

After obtaining the deputy director's warrant, Kate and her agents strictly followed the deputy director's orders, ensuring that Romano and Chandrasekhar were able to enter the barrier smoothly.

However, this warrant has now become Deputy Director Clark's death warrant.

Originally, Deputy Director Clark was willing to do this out of "personal friendship."

His original plan was that, considering the special nature of the Drummond family, if the people they sent out did something extraordinary within the barrier, such as conducting some witchcraft transactions in private, or contacting some supernatural beings, or even killing a few people, the FBI could cover it up in the name of "special handling of special matters."