Chapter Fifty-Eight: The White Devil

"Dr. Li Zhiyuan, is it really possible for these so-called ghouls to be truly immortal?"
"Why is it that high-purity silver, after absorbing sunlight or moonlight and undergoing an unknown transformation into mithril, can harm them? Could it be, as the ancient legends say, that silver possesses a power to exorcise evil?"
"Do they experience any form of depletion each time?"
Countless scientists surged forward, their faces alight with excitement as they fired off question after question.
In the past, they would never have asked questions in this way. Instead, they would have submitted queries to the database to obtain precise, clear, and accurate data. If nothing existed, they would conduct their own research. But now they were simply too exhilarated.
Li Zhiyuan did not answer at once but maintained a gentle smile, waiting for their fervor to subside before speaking: "These are questions for you to explore, verify, and experiment upon yourselves. This is a realm unknown to us, a field hitherto uncharted by science, and it is precisely this novelty that excites us so."
"Our duty as scientists is not to create science, but to study things that exist objectively. No matter how miraculous magic may be, or how unfathomable the demonic, their existence is undeniable. A brand new domain now lies before us. Our task is to approach it with the spirit of scientific inquiry, to explore and research with humility, to systematically organize our findings, and to create a comprehensive discipline."
"This will be a long journey, perhaps demanding the dedication of several generations. Are you willing to become pioneers on this path?"
Li Zhiyuan's smile lingered as his gaze swept over everyone present.
"You have all signed waivers accepting the risk of life and death, but I must reiterate: this scientific exploration of a new frontier is both an honor and a peril. In the experiments to come, if the laws of the arcane cannot ensure your safety, no one can be held responsible."
The next moment, every scientist present raised their right hand in a resolute salute without hesitation.
"For the Arcane Order, we are willing to brave any danger."
Though the salute was uneven and awkward, their eyes burned with unwavering determination.
Most of them were already past fifty, uncertain how many good years remained. They were ready to stake their lives so that future generations might live in peace. None wished to see the lands of the Arcane Order overrun by foreign invaders once they were gone.
Li Zhiyuan gave a gentle nod and said with a smile, "Then, please don your battle attire now."
The scientists turned briskly and entered the changing room, took off their coats, and put on thick protective suits.
Then, as previously planned, they proceeded to their respective laboratories to carry out their assignments.
...
Beep!
The red light above the door lit up. Inside the brightly illuminated lab, on a surgical table forged entirely of metal, a burly man lay restrained, naked.
He had brown hair and stood at 185 centimeters, his eyes entirely black, devoid of irises or whites.
Thick iron chains and manacles bound his limbs, waist, and neck, rendering him immobile.
Around him stood figures clad in protective suits, their faces obscured, their gazes emanating a bizarre and terrifying intensity.
The ghoul had never before faced such eyes. All his existence, others had feared him. But these people showed no trace of fear—only a twisted, fervent longing.
They seemed even more monstrous than himself.
For the first time, the ghoul’s limited intelligence registered fear, cowed by the unnatural, warped emotions in the air.
"Dissection experiment commencing. Everyone, monitor your emotional state. If you experience symptoms similar to agitation, report immediately and leave the lab for observation."
"Understood."
At once, one of the armored specialists opened a silvery container, revealing a set of surgical instruments glowing faintly with white light.
"The allotted time for this experiment is three hours. Beyond that, the effect of the mithril will gradually fade. Please be mindful of the schedule."
Due to time constraints, the Arcane Order could only obtain rough, unrefined mithril; both its potency and duration were greatly compromised. For instance, the dagger Aimoia previously produced could vaporize a ghoul with a single strike, while the Arcane Order’s mithril bullets could only wound.
The mithril hastily crafted by Aimoia for the Arcane Order did not truly meet the standard, possessing only some of its properties. There was no alternative—forged in too short a time, even with modern machines inscribing runes, there was no opportunity for the mithril to absorb much sunlight or moonlight.
Moreover, the runes required the infusion of spirit and energy for activation, and only Aimoia was capable of that. Both time and manpower were in short supply.
The Arcane Order also discovered something else: their sun and moon could still resonate with high-purity silver inscribed with runes. Other supernatural forces could also be used, though their effects were greatly diminished in this world.
"Understood."
The chief surgeon picked up a scalpel and lightly traced it across the ghoul’s chest. That resilient body, impervious to rifle bullets, parted as easily as if it were tofu.
Beneath the surface, ribs, organs, and intestines came into view—all unnaturally desiccated, as if mummified.
The ghoul let out a piercing shriek, but the researchers remained composed, their eyes unblinking—if anything, their intensity grew.
"The internal organs are structurally similar to those of a human. Proceed with further dissection: remove the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys."
Agonized screams echoed through the lab as one after another, strange organs—utterly devoid of bodily fluids—were extracted and sealed in containers.
Within a minute of removal, these organs began to dissolve; by the third minute, they had transformed into crawling black worms.
The data recorders quickly photographed and documented every detail.
[The subject’s internal organs began dissolving at one minute and thirty-six seconds post-extraction. At two minutes and eleven seconds, the first black worm appeared. At three minutes and twenty-six seconds, complete dissolution was observed.]
[The heart yielded thirty-six black worms.]
[Liver, 23; spleen, 16; …]
Every minor change was meticulously logged.
Over the next half-hour, all of the ghoul’s organs were removed and placed in separate containers.
The ghoul’s struggles and screams grew steadily weaker; by the end, its body was hollowed out and it lay dying.
"Even after total organ removal, the ghoul remains alive, though its bodily functions rapidly deteriorate. It appears the organs are the source of its strength."
The ghoul lay feebly on the operating table, the voices of these white-coated demons buzzing in its ears.
"Proceed to the next experiment: attempt to reinsert the black worms derived from each organ back into the subject."
The researchers opened the container of heart-worms and poured them into the ghoul’s body.
One by one, the black worms formed from the organs were returned to the subject, with every subsequent change carefully recorded.
The experiment confirmed their suspicions: the ghoul’s organs did indeed provide its power. Moreover, the cycle of removal and reinsertion depleted the ghoul’s vitality.
"Next procedure: craniotomy."
As the ghoul felt its lost organs return, some awareness returned to its mind, and it gazed at the white-clad demons with pure terror and disbelief.
These white devils now wielded blades that exuded a repulsive and terrifying aura, approaching his brain with clear intent.
Were they demons themselves?
A blood-curdling scream once again filled the laboratory.
The chief surgeon, frowning at the shriek, said, "Since you cry out in such pain, let me help you. After all, we are not monsters."
With that, he placed the blade against the ghoul’s throat, made a swift incision, and removed the entire larynx and vocal cords.
Such screams did affect the researchers, and they could not permit them to continue.
Moreover, removing the larynx was not only to silence the subject but also to verify if the ghoul’s voice was produced in the same manner as a human’s.
Deprived even of the right to scream, the ghoul could only shudder in terror and agony.
That day, every ghoul tasted the emotion they once relished inflicting: an overwhelming, primal fear, and a shriek torn from the soul.
But now, the emotion and the screams were theirs alone.
All this terror and agony was wrought by a host of white-clad demons.
...
Night in the Arcane Order; dawn in the New World.
The sun had just risen, its rays slipping gently through the curtains.
Qin Le, lying on the sofa, suddenly opened his eyes and glanced at the white cloth draped over him, faintly fragrant.
"Your Grace, you are far too vigilant. The slightest sound rouses you. There is no danger here, and we would never harm you."
Two beautiful twin maids, already dressed, stood quietly behind the sofa, watching him.
"It’s just a conditioned reflex. Spend more than ten years living in fear, and you’ll be even more sensitive than I am." Qin Le tossed aside the cloth and stood up, gazing out the window.
"What time is it now?"
"Your Grace, it is just after dawn. You may rest a while longer. I will wake you at breakfast," the maid replied.
In this world, the day was divided into ten periods: Dawn, First Sun, Breakfast, High Sun, Setting Sun, Dusk, Supper, Moonrise, Silver Moon, and Midnight.
Each period corresponded to about two and a half hours in the Arcane Order.
"No need. It’s a good time to meet with the Hunter’s Guild." Qin Le stood and, without a word, the silent maid stepped forward to drape his coat over his shoulders.
Last night, the Hunter’s Guild had already contacted the embassy, hoping for a formal meeting. News had also come from Count Dainah: the great nobles of the Dawn Kingdom were requesting an audience.
Clearly, the disaster they had unleashed had now pressed them to desperation.
Had they asked for help at the start, either the Arcane Order or the king would have been forced to pay a steep price. But now, as they took the initiative, the roles were reversed. The Arcane Order no longer needed to pay any price; instead, it was they who would have to pay the Order’s due.