Chapter 86 My Name Is Zenyata
Meanwhile, the chief of the sixth division at the Department of National Security, Mabel, was on the line. She took a deep interest in Jonathan immediately. After that, Mabel asked Amber, “I wish to meet Jonathan in person if the opportunity arises. I wonder if you can help me set up a meeting with him, Ms. Johnson?”
With a slight smile, Amber remarked, “Of course, it’s not a problem.”
Mabel replied, “Thank you in advance!”
With a smile, Amber responded, “Please don’t mention it. It’s a small matter.”
Mabel continued, “Well, it’s all set then. I will find time to make a trip to Horington.”
Amber replied, “You are welcome here anytime.”
After that, the duo ended the call.
Amber intended to go for a bath first before turning in. However, her phone rang again in a moment. This time, it was her immediate superior on the line. His name was Gordon Hunt, the chief officer of the Southern District Police Station. Even though Gordon was Amber’s superior, he had always treated Amber like a wealthy scion. Thus, he was careful not to offend her in any way.
On top of that, Gordon offered Amber various privileges at work. However, the latter never utilized any of those privileges. After some time, that reinforced Gordon’s heartfelt respect for the young lady.
“Hey, Amber!” uttered Gordon with his eyes squinted into a smile.
With a respectful tone, Amber replied, “How are you, chief officer?” Gordon responded puzzledly, “It’s time to go off work now. Didn’t I tell you to call me Gordon after work hours?”
Amber smiled and replied, “Yes, Gordon.”
The man flashed a satisfied smile after he heard that. Then he continued, “Uh, Amber, there’s something I need to inform you. Over here, we received a notification from headquarters. You’ve captured the most wanted criminal, Zachary, which counts as top merit for the nation. Initially, the headquarters want you to gain experience by transferring you to the city. After considering your personal preference, they’ve decided to let you remain at our current police station. With that, the merit will be stepped down from top merit to secondary merit. However, they will still reward you with a car. On top of that, your bravery will be commended publicly throughout the state.”
“I wish to thank the organization for this commendation!” gushed Amber immediately. In her heart, she was elated by the news. It wasn’t about the money or status for her. Her path was paved with hard work and perseverance along the way. That, to her, held the most meaning.
Next, Amber reported to Gordon about Golden Years. She planned on officially removing the notice of freezing injunction from Golden Years the next day.
Gordon was shocked and told her repeatedly that it was too dangerous for her to enter the place.
Amber replied, “Gordon, my friend and I have assessed the dangers within the premises. Don’t worry about it. I won’t start on something if I can’t finish it. Regarding this, my dad knows about it too. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him.”
In fact, Gordon would never ask Amber’s father about it. After hearing Amber’s firm tone, he said, “Well, okay then. But you have to be careful.”
Amber acknowledged Gordon’s words and nodded.
Naturally, Gordon knew he stood to benefit greatly if matters revolving around Golden Year could be resolved. However, he did not dare to claim credit for Amber’s work. Rather, as Amber was his subordinate, he stood to claim some credit as long as those matters were adequately settled. Likewise, the arrest of Zachary benefitted him greatly in his career.
After ending the call, Amber heaved a sigh of relief. Even though she was rather annoyed at Jonathan, she tried her best to finish the task that the latter entrusted her.
Following that, Amber went for her bath. After that, she sat in front of her dressing-table mirror to blow-dry her hair. While drying her hair, she felt something different about herself.
There was a subtle change in her that was quite discrete. However, it was noticeable after some scrutiny.
Amber went up closer to the mirror. When she caught a clearer glimpse of her reflection, she noticed her complexion had improved. The complexion on her face became taut and fair. There was even a pink radiance coming through from her skin. Her dark eye circles were also gone, along with the pigmentation on her skin.
Those changes could not be achieved with just cosmetics.
That meant her body had recuperated well from the inside out.
Lately, Amber felt her body was light and refreshed.
“What is happening to me? Is it because I drank Jonathan’s blood?” muttered Amber under her breath.
The more she thought about it, the surer she became. It was because of Jonathan’s blood. While Amber was feeling pleased, she couldn’t help but feel a little weird. Does it mean Jonathan’s blood is like an elixir of life? If his blood is so miraculous, I wonder what it’d be like to consume more of it?
With those thoughts, Amber chortled inadvertently. She was amazed by her own wild imagination.
That night, Amber slept soundly like a baby.
The next morning, she received a call from Jonathan.
“Amber!” exclaimed Jonathan, sounding quite thrilled.
Although Amber was only half-awake, it delighted her to hear Jonathan’s voice. “What’s up?” asked Amber. She got up and sat on her bed.
Jonathan gushed in delight, “I have an excellent idea!”
Feeling curious, Amber asked, “What excellent idea are you talking about?”
Jonathan explained, “Tell the media we have hired an expert to do the job. In a while, I will buy a priest’s robe. The rest of you will wait for me outside Golden Years. You and I will make our way into the place for one quick round. When we exit the place, we will tell the rest that we’ve successfully cleansed the place of any spirits. Finally, we will get all the police officers to enter the premise. What do you think?”
When Amber heard that, she asked puzzledly, “Isn’t that considered a hoax?”
Jonathan replied, “D*mn it, no. It’s not a hoax. We really got rid of Felicia together. You must understand that we are trying to open up a bar business at Golden Years. Later on, the media will interview me for sure. I have to work on the publicity for now. As the owner of the business, I have to make sure the place gets more exposure. Then patrons will feel safe coming over to the bar!”
Amber thought about it and answered, “Well, okay then.” After a slight pause, she continued, “Hey, what is your previous job? I’ve seen you fighting, acting tough and crafty. You are also a shrewd businessman with such foresight. Nothing seems too difficult for you!”
With a chuckle, Jonathan replied, “Thank you for the praise!”
Golden Years was a bar that seemed like a mysterious taboo in Horington. Most households in the city and businessmen knew about the existence of Golden Years.
Golden Years attracted a strew of adventurous youths who were eager to explore the place in the past. Unfortunately, most of them met with an untimely death after their venture into the premises.
Even previous reporters who ran undercover interviews there died mysteriously in the end.
After the huge sensation revolving around Golden Years in Horington, the government had no choice but to intervene. They tried hard to suppress any bad press about the place.
After some time, they sealed Golden Years with iron locks. The place was officially declared out of bounds to the public.
With that, there was finally peace from Golden Years.
No one truly questioned the real horrors that took place inside the establishment.
Jonathan and Amber agreed to make another trip down to Golden Years in the evening. At that time, there would be more onlookers. Thus, they would get the sensational effect they were after.
Beforehand, Amber contacted quite a number of reporters from various media companies.
The reporters were all geared up for the event that evening. They wanted to get an exclusive big scoop for their media.
At the front of the bar at Golden Years, Amber arranged for countless police cars and officers on patrol. In addition, they demarcated clear security lines surrounding the place.
To achieve a successful event that night, Amber put in her utmost effort and endured all hardship.
Meanwhile, the higher-ups wished to see a new lease of life injected into Golden Years after all these years. Thus, they were happy about the event.
Many of the officials were worried about Amber’s safety. However, she duly assured them otherwise. On top of that, Robert called the rest of the officials. He gave them the assurance and told them not to worry. Hence, the matter was set.
At seven o’clock sharp that evening, the sky turned dark gradually.
News of Golden Years’ reopening had been well-publicized before that. At that moment, Golden Years was swarmed with various crowds.
For better crowd control, Amber allocated police reinforcement non-stop to the scene to help out.
There was a huge plot of an empty field in front of Golden Years. The field appeared frosty white after they shone a bright light on it.
Numerous media reporters stood by with their camera equipment. Together, they squatted, waiting around the perimeter of that empty field.
That affair had turned out to be a mega-event.
Yasmin and Jessica were enticed to attend the event that evening. Jennifer also tagged along with them.
Together, the trio were seated in a police car.
Later on, Jonathan and Amber arrived at the scene in a police car. The vehicle stopped in front of the empty field. Then the car doors were opened.
Next, Jonathan and Amber got out of the car. The former was dressed in a traditional priest robe, along with a priest’s hat on his head.
Instantly, Jonathan stood out from the crowd with his attire. He put on a sophisticated aura that complemented his attire well. That added an other-worldly touch to his aura.
Jonathan even had a fly-whisk with him. Once he got off the car, Jonathan dusted his fly-whisk charismatically a few times. Then he raised his hand and uttered, “May God bless you! The air here reeks of hostility!”
Jonathan articulated his words clearly so everyone present could hear him. He was unaffected by the random noises from the background.
When Amber saw that, she secretly marveled at Jonathan. What a great act!
Immediately, hordes of media reporters rushed up to Jonathan for an exclusive interview. However, they were all stopped by the police officers on duty. The officers cordoned them off, pushing them back beyond the security line.
Finally, a reporter yelled, “Excuse me, Sir. Are you the priest hired by Golden Years to cleanse the place of vengeful spirits tonight? Is it possible to interview you guys before you proceed?”
Amber was against it as she did not want to create any unnecessary problems. However, Jonathan whispered in her ear, “I’ll take the interview.”
This guy is still trying to hype it up. Resignedly, Amber acceded to Jonathan’s instruction.
Meanwhile, Yasmin, Jessica, and Jennifer were still seated in the police car. With their binoculars, they took in everything Jonathan did. They were tickled by his antics.
Those who didn’t know Jonathan probably saw him as a divine priest who looked out of this world. For those who knew him, it was a different story. They would probably find his appearance rather hilarious.
Amber and Jonathan turned around and walked over to the security line. The former flashed a gentle smile and said, “We don’t have much time. Hence, we can only spare five minutes to answer everyone’s questions.”
When the reporters heard Amber’s words, they were exhilarated.
One female reporter took the lead and asked, “Sir, do you think you can succeed in your task today?”
Trying to appear humble, Jonathan remarked, “I will try my best.”
The female reporter retorted, “That means you are not confident enough.”
Jonathan nearly choked on himself after he heard that. However, he continued with an expressionless face, “I have been a follower of The Destino from a young age. No matter which form of art one chooses to follow, it is best to be humble in life.”
That seemed like a perfect rebuttal for a remark like that.
After that, Amber looked at Jonathan in a different light. This guy seems like an uncultured country bumpkin. As it turns out, he is rather wise after all.
Before the female reporter could press on with another question, she was cut off by another male reporter. ”Sir, how do we address you? Do you believe in the paranormal in this world?”
Jonathan replied, “My ordained name in Destino Art is Zenyata, which means a state of emptiness. You asked me whether the paranormal exists in this world. I’d say that question isn’t scientific enough. I spent some time in Golden Years researching extensively on the topic.”
When the reporters heard that, they sniggered a little. This priest even does research extensively on his own?
With a straight face, Jonathan replied solemnly, “There is most likely a case of misalignment in the electromagnetic fields between different forces within Golden Years. This creates a fatal toxin in its aftermath. While that is my view, I have not actually entered the place yet. Hence, I will withhold my comment for now.”
Jonathan felt a sense of accountability for his words. This was especially so when his words would become national news. Naturally, Jonathan did not wish to promote superstition excessively in front of the media. He knew that the government would not be supportive of that.
Even if there were truly spirits, the media coverage would still fall back on science for a plausible explanation. That was usually how it was handled.
