The North American Gourmet Demon Handbook

"It seems like I owe Senator Hamilton a favor now," Li Shanze sighed. "Why don't I help Senator Hamilton's daughter Grey train her girlfriend? This will also be for her future happiness."

Li Shanze pressed Anjie's head.

"Didn't I tell you that Gray and I have a purely platonic relationship!" Ange protested dissatisfiedly.

"Yes, I know." Li Shanze still insisted on holding Anjie's head. "But, what we have is a dirty physical relationship. Come on, let me teach you."

Anjie frowned and refused to give in.

"Or, are you ready?" Li Shanze asked.

Anjie had no choice but to open her mouth and bury her head.

"Yes, that's it, yes."

Li Shanze began his new round of teaching. He taught the well-behaved and obedient female student seriously, taught her various skills, and finally, taught her everything he knew.

Author's words: Orz, I forgot to set up automatic updates during lunch break

Thanks for the monthly ticket that swears not to flood

Thanks to Xu Shihan and Qiqisijiu for their recommendation votes

089. Philanthropist

In a hospital in Pittsburgh, Mayor Vincent lay quietly on his hospital bed, listening silently to the CNN news report on TV.

On December 31, three days after the gas line explosion, Governor Tory declared the situation in Fern Township calm, recalled the National Guard, and lifted the state of emergency in Pennsylvania…

In the camera, Governor Tory, dressed in a suit and tie, looks in command.

Mayor Vincent's right side looked very weak, his right arm hung limply at his side, and his right leg appeared stiff.

"The gas pipe exploded. Ha, it sounds like it really happened."

Sheriff Larry, who came to visit Mayor Vincent, sneered.

He pressed the TV remote in his hand and changed the channel to Fox.

Republican Senator Graglio harshly criticized Pennsylvania Governor Tory. Senator Graglio believes that with the horrific disaster in Fern, Pennsylvania, the governor should not continue his Christmas vacation in the Andes Islands, but should return to Fern and listen to the voices of those suffering from the disaster.

In the camera, Senator Gralio raised his right fist high, waving his fist with great force, as if he was pleading for the people.

"Who would have thought that Dr. Benjamin was such a person? Even I thought he was just too sad about his daughter's disappearance and took his anger out on me." Sheriff Larry sighed.

"Vincent, do you think my tarnished reputation will improve?"

Sheriff Larry smiled bitterly, shook his head, and began to answer his own questions.

"Hahaha, of course not. People believe I'm a pedophile sheriff who kidnaps young girls because I'm so ruthless against drugs and I won't tolerate them. That's why they hate me."

Mayor Vincent made an indistinct sound. His voice was low and hoarse, and seemed a little labored. It was obvious that he wanted to say something.

Officer Larry smiled and said, "Okay, okay, let's change the channel and watch ABC."

In San Ramon, California, the environmental group Green Earth is surrounding Chevron's headquarters in protest of the company sending an oil exploration team to the pollution-stricken town of Fern.

"A Green Earth representative said that, similar to the ecological disaster that occurred in Fern a few years ago, this gas pipeline explosion was the result of unbridled exploitation and plunder by greedy energy companies."

In the camera, young people were holding various environmental protection slogans. They were shouting excitedly and shaking the handwritten slogans and slogans vigorously, looking passionate and enthusiastic.

Mayor Vincent's facial expression seemed a little dull, the right corner of his mouth drooped slightly, and his eyes revealed confusion.

"Look, no one really cares about Fern Town. There's not a single shot of Fern Town in the show! Not even Robert's family, who were finally rescued, are there! Let's see what our local radio station has to say."

Sheriff Larry sneered and pressed the remote control again.

"Calvin Hope, the Philadelphia civil rights activist—"

As soon as an impassioned black man appeared on the screen, he was immediately silenced by Sheriff Larry.

The sheriff muttered, "Go to hell, Nico!"

Mayor Vincent was mumbling something incoherently, and it seemed that he did not quite agree with Sheriff Larry's opinion.

"Vivian, a virtual anchor with nearly a million followers who likes to appear as a saint, announced that she will host a week-long charity livestream. All her earnings during the week will be donated to the disaster-stricken town of Fern—"

Sheriff Larry pressed the remote control, adding his commentary: "Heresy! Demons are dancing wildly!"

"...It is reported that the injured FBI agent was transferred from Fern Town to a hospital in Pittsburgh—"

Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Li Shanze, Xia Li and Kate walked in together.

Li Shanze and Kate were both dressed as usual. Li Shanze was still wearing a black trench coat and black hat, while Kate was still wearing a neat mounted police uniform. However, Xia Li was different. Although she was still wearing a classic long dress, she was carrying a modern briefcase.

Sheriff Larry stood up with a smile. "Haha, you're here to visit Vincent. What a great time! WTAE Pittsburgh News Channel 4 just reported that the FBI agent was transferred to Pittsburgh for recuperation. I was wondering if I'd see you there."

The sheriff was very enthusiastic. He turned off the TV and welcomed the group into the ward. "Come on, come on, have a seat. Vincent can't speak clearly after his stroke, so it's difficult for him to get up to entertain you. Please don't mind."

Li Shanze's voice had recovered somewhat by then. He smiled and nodded to Sheriff Larry, "Don't worry, we certainly won't mind this."

Sheriff Larry said tentatively, "I wonder if we can ask the church to use holy light to heal Vincent?"

Although Sheriff Larry was talking about the church, he was looking at Li Shanze.

Li Shanze shook his head and said, "I do have a way to cure Mayor Vincent."

Sheriff Larry was delighted: "That's great, are you going to use holy light?"

"There's no need for holy light." Li Shanze continued to shake his head.

Then he looked at Mayor Vincent who was lying on the bed: "Are you right, Mr. Philanthropist?"

Sheriff Larry was surprised: "What philanthropist? What are you talking about?"

At this time, Mayor Vincent, who was lying on the hospital bed, no longer had a numb face, his hands no longer shook, and his eyes were no longer cloudy.

Suddenly, he recovered from the stroke.

Mayor Vincent smiled. "Ha, how did you find out? Even other people didn't realize who the philanthropist was."

Sheriff Larry looked at his old friend blankly.

Li Shanze didn't answer Mayor Vincent's question, but instead continued, "I think you've long noticed Buchaska's tendency to overprotect the residents of Fern Town. He has healed the townspeople countless times from the damage caused by medication."

"Dr. Benjamin came to Fern because of this matter. The FBI discovered many consulting fees from pharmaceutical companies in his account transactions."

"The FBI discovered that Dr. Benjamin was actually using the people of Fern to conduct various experiments for pharmaceutical companies until he discovered Buchaska's secret."

"But Buchaska's followers never need to see a doctor, so who revealed this secret to him?"

"I imagine that for someone who grew up in this town and served as mayor for over twenty years, there's probably no secret this town can hide from him."

Mayor Vincent said disapprovingly, "Mr. Li, this is not a sufficient reason."

Li Shanze smiled: "Of course I have good reasons."

"When I asked you about the Goodfellas Herbicide Factory, you said you knew nothing and only gave me one clue, which was the Old Time Tavern."

"But my investigation at the Old Times Tavern yielded almost nothing, and I encountered two consecutive assassination attempts. Ever since then, I've been suspicious of you, Mayor Vincent."

Mayor Vincent shook his head. "Idiots who are eager for quick success are truly unreliable and not the best partners to work with. This is truly a profound lesson."

Li Shanze smiled and said, "Later, Mayor Vincent, you faked a stroke and came to Pittsburgh to escape trouble. I was initially less suspicious of you until I realized that Dr. Benjamin, who diagnosed you with a stroke, was a 'professor.'"

"Your suspicion is too hasty. Why couldn't the evil professor have drugged me in order to get rid of me, the mayor who 'knows a lot of things', so that he can show off his skills?" Mayor Vincent asked with interest.

"Don't forget, Buchaska never forgot to protect Robert's family until his death. Those drug addicts were able to overdose on drugs thanks to his excessive protection. How could he watch you have a stroke or poisoning?" Li Shanze waved his hand.

Mayor Vincent sighed and said, "You are right, Mr. Li, this is indeed an oversight."

Charlie couldn't help but ask, "Why did you insist on killing Buchaska, such a selfless and kind god?"

Mayor Vincent, who had been calm all this time, flew into a rage upon hearing Charlie's question: "Buchaska must die! Only then can Fern Town survive!"

In his emotional excitement, his neck stiffened, his face flushed, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.

"Have you received any evil threat?" Charlie asked in surprise.

"No! I haven't felt threatened! I just know that in this country, kindness will only be exploited and ultimately eaten away!"

"Bad people are bad people. Those who deserve to be rotten should be allowed to rot. They don't deserve even a little bit of kindness! Any!"

"Buchaska protected the townspeople, but he even shielded those who strayed into drug addiction. What was the result? Instead of them turning back from their mistakes, they became even more addicted! He even turned Fern Town into a complete drug den!"

"Everyone must be responsible for their own choices! A god who is kind to the point of being foolish will only attract countless covetousness and calculations!"

"The descendants of the ogres who devoured his original followers are blessed by him, but they only want to seize his divine power!"

"And now? What has become of Fern, the town that was blessed by him? Drug dealers are dumping their wares here, pharmaceutical companies are testing drugs here, and even the military is testing chemical weapons here!"

"Otherwise, why did the National Guard deploy so quickly?"

Mayor Vincent talked incessantly.

"In other words, the previous leak from Goodfellas Herbicide Company was actually the military conducting chemical weapons tests?" Kate's tone was full of surprise, but her expression was very calm.

"I didn't say anything." Mayor Vincent seemed to have regained his composure. "In short, I believe that only after losing the protection of this overly doting god can the residents of Fern Town grow from giant babies into true adults."

"Let the dregs rot. Once the vultures and hyenas have eaten the carrion, Fern Town can truly be reborn!"

Li Shanze suddenly asked, "So, what you discussed with Sheriff Larry in the car about the call center, were those your true thoughts, or did you say them specifically for us?"

Mayor Vincent smiled and glanced at Charlie's fiery red fur. "These are my true thoughts, and I'm telling you all about them. This beautiful fur reminds me of someone who used witchcraft to help Buchaska prolong his life."

"Ah, this is a relic left to me by my teacher." Xia Li said.

Li Shanze suddenly understood. No wonder Mayor Vincent drew his gun as soon as he mentioned the call center.

"So that was a test, a test of Charlie's true identity." Li Shanze nodded. "You successfully discovered that Charlie was the wanted witch. Then, when you pointed a gun at me in the police station, you were testing our relationship with Agent Mackenzie. Only after you confirmed that we were on the same side as Agent Mackenzie did you lead me to the Old Time Tavern, correct?"

Mayor Vincent smiled but said nothing and just nodded.

Seeing that Mayor Vincent seemed to have said enough, Li Shanze continued to ask, "Have you ever thought about what would happen if we failed to successfully stop Dr. Benjamin?"

"I'm old and tired, and I don't have the patience to wait for a more suitable opportunity. I invited the crew of Hunting God to attract the attention of the church and the FBI to Fern Town. Then all that's left is to pray."

Li Shanze scoffed at Mayor Vincent's statement: "Can you successfully kill the deity who protects you by praying to him?"

"It seems He has finally answered my prayers." Mayor Vincent smiled self-deprecatingly. "What an overly doting God!"

Li Shanze nodded.

Indeed, Buchaska later showed no desire to survive and seemed to be swallowed by Benjamin without much resistance. He only used his remaining strength to protect Robert's family.

Now that I think about it, it is indeed possible that it was a response to the believers' prayers.

At this time, the gray-haired mayor took the initiative to extend his hands to Sheriff Larry: "I am old, Larry, and I think I need a place where I can live a regular life and retire."

Sheriff Larry hesitated for a moment, then took out the handcuffs from his waist and handcuffed his old friend.

090 Redneck Sheriff

"This kind of case involving supernatural powers is under the jurisdiction of the FBI's Special Affairs Division. Please hand Mr. Vincent over to me." Kate suddenly spoke.

Sheriff Larry took a deep breath, stepped forward, and stood between Kate and Mayor Vincent.

"Haha, okay, maybe the FBI prison is more suitable for retirement." Mayor Vincent smiled frankly.

Sheriff Larry finally gave in, took a step back, and handed his old friend to Kate.

Kate shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you won't be able to retire in the United States."

"Oh? I thought you would lock me up in Denver, the famous Alcatraz Island at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the prison where Al Capone was once imprisoned." Mayor Vincent said excitedly.

"No, although it houses federal felons, it's not a Special Affairs prison. Special Affairs will be tried in a closed Inquisition, after which we will incarcerate you in St. George's Prison in Granada."

"The Windward Islands... they're not bad. The Caribbean Sea has a pleasant climate and is indeed suitable for retirement."

Mayor Vincent nodded happily, as if they were just discussing where to go on vacation.

Kate clapped her hands, and two FBI agents walked into the room and took Mayor Vincent away.

When he was taken away, Mayor Vincent was still greeting Sheriff Larry: "Take care, Larry, old friend, remember to write to me!"

Sheriff Larry watched Mayor Vincent being taken away, looking lost. He sighed deeply, then forced a smile and said, "Can I go to St. George's Prison in Granada to visit Vincent?"

"Unfortunately, no," Kate said calmly.

"Why? The prison of the Special Affairs Department wouldn't be so inhumane, right? Vincent isn't some scary wizard or wild saint. He doesn't have the ability to escape from prison." Sheriff Larry protested dissatisfiedly.

"No, of course not because of the security of St. George's," Kate said. "It's because you're going to be there, Larry, because you're under arrest for allegedly causing a gas leak at the Goodfellas weed killer factory."

"This is a false accusation! A false accusation!" Sheriff Larry roared angrily. "Buchaska is the god I believe in. How could I have released poison gas to kill him? It was clearly the military who did it! You're framing me on behalf of the military!"