Chapter Fifteen: The Orphan's Lament and the Study of Folklore

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Sitting in the car on the way home, David glanced curiously at the two of them. Although he didn’t understand why, it seemed as if Emma was afraid of Louis. How could that be? Louis was a good child, very sensible. Perhaps Emma was just upset about losing the medal. David shook his head, pushing the thought aside.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a message. Reading it, he smiled, “Louis, Emma, your surprise is almost here.”

...

Orphanage.

In human society, orphans will never truly disappear.

Therefore, orphanages have been established alongside human civilization. However, in America, everything is private and asset-driven.

Public orphanages are rare; most are private. Orphans from private orphanages often bear debts to be repaid when they grow up. They also receive certain education to make them more appealing to the middle and upper classes.

Public orphanages are fewer and usually embedded in communities, closely linked with local committees.

David chose such a public orphanage. Being single, he didn’t qualify for the adoption process otherwise and had to start from a public institution.

At least here, with some connections and a bit of bribery, he could get through.

But the quality of care was uncertain, so David set a personal standard.

An older sister figure should be kind, gentle, and as sensible as possible—that was fundamental. Knowledge and skills came second.

Soon, after speaking with the director, David visited the orphanage and met children roughly between nine to twelve years old.

He immediately noticed one little girl. Compared to the others, she stood out remarkably.

Bathed in golden sunlight, she was intently focused on her painting. Her eyes appeared particularly lively, and her artwork exceeded what was expected from a nine-year-old, showing a hint of talent.

After inquiring with the orphanage head, David learned her name was Esther, about nine years old, recently admitted. She had been behaving well, quiet and friendly with others.

David decisively chose her.

The director gladly agreed—after all, David was genuinely paying.

David approached Esther and greeted her warmly.

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“Hello, lovely young lady.”

“Hello, mature and handsome uncle.”

“...”

After a brief conversation, both sides were satisfied. They quickly decided to pack her things, complete the paperwork that afternoon, and move her in the next day.

However, as David turned to leave, he didn’t notice Esther’s gaze lingering on him, carrying an unusual glint, a slight smile playing at her lips.

...

In a room.

Louis first glanced at the incense ashes piled up after burning for some time. Once removed from the altar, the ashes gradually lose their efficacy, but the longer they remain on the altar, the stronger their power. Thus, preservation was necessary.

He then offered some food to the Kitchen God, lit incense sticks, and, after watching the smoke curl upward, locked the door.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he began to mentally manipulate the Left Path Folk Canon.

Pages rustled rapidly.

Watching the pages turn, Louis pondered.

Having possessed the canon for some time, its contents hardly constituted a powerful legacy; it was mostly folk customs.

That did not mean it lacked strength, only that he hadn’t accessed its true core.

The canon’s inheritance was clearly progressive; unless one killed stronger enemies, one could only follow it step by step.

What had appeared so far were just the “folk methods” within the side chapters—by far the largest section. It contained customs and occult knowledge spanning five thousand years, countless in number. At this rate, even if he studied for a lifetime, he might never finish.

Did that mean the remaining legacies were inaccessible?

Impossible.

Since the Left Path Divine Lord intended this as a legacy, it couldn’t be so simple. Moreover, these folk methods didn’t merit the title of a true inheritance. If he called himself a Divine Lord, intending to establish a sect and leave a legacy, there had to be a core inheritance.

That was likely hidden in the yet-unrevealed main Left Path chapters.

So,

The folk methods formed the foundation and filter.

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The other three chapters were for advancement and trials.

The main Left Path chapters were the true inheritance.

Though he had received the Left Path Folk Canon, he hadn’t truly obtained the inheritance. Even the other three major side chapters—the Arcane Arts, The Thousand Thieves and Beggars, and Miao-Dai Gu Sorcery—remained locked.

How to unlock them, Louis did not know. But based on all available information, there were likely two ways:

One, be a prodigy who swiftly masters a great deal of the folk methods and reaches a certain threshold to unlock the next chapter.

Two, take another route by testing what was learned, killing enemies, and ascending step by step.

Louis suspected the second was more probable; after all, from the beginning, the Divine Lord had said one could prove oneself by killing stronger foes.

Perhaps this was an explicit hint.

“The requirements are quite high—I hope I’m worth the effort.”

Louis’s eyes flickered. He had already decided on his next moves.

Following the rules step by step was impossible; he had to take a less conventional path.

But he was still too young for reckless actions.

So, for now, he would lie low, absorb as many folk methods as possible to strengthen himself, and gather information—such as about witch gatherings.

Once older, he could actively seek out these relatively powerful beings to hunt them down, validating his learning and rising stepwise.

“If I still had gang support, this would be much faster.”

Wizards advancing often relied on collaboration with worldly powers, which provided intelligence, force, and resources—especially since Louis’s own family was a considerable force: the Italian mafia, known for strong family ties, unity, and boldness, capable of providing significant assistance.

Unfortunately, he was now a victim of trafficking.

And it was hard to investigate; he still couldn’t figure out whether it was due to internal or external causes.

“Just wish my body were bigger; things would be much easier.”

Louis shook his head, knowing worry was futile. Forcing calm, he looked back at the pages.

The turning stopped, revealing a new inheritance. But just one glance was enough to slightly change Louis’s expression.

The three methods were: The Chicken Head Exorcism Technique, The Dry Kin Method, and The Trick Art: Blade Spitting Technique.