Chapter 116

Hank Cooper pressed on stubbornly, "What about the tracking talisman?"

This was the key. With it, they could achieve twice the results with half the effort while reducing the risks for his team.

Lucy White took a sip of tea. "As I mentioned before, a tracking talisman requires locking onto the target's aura, and the range can't exceed 500 kilometers."

"So giving you one now would be useless."

Hank's eyes lit up. "But if we provide an item carrying the target's aura, could you create one?"

"Exactly." Lucy nodded.

The two quickly finalized the details of their collaboration.

For medicinal charms, Lucy only asked for double the ingredients as payment. As for tracking talismans, they would need to supply the target's aura, then compensate her with medicinal ingredients or other items she required.

She didn't charge exorbitant prices—purely out of respect for these special forces soldiers who defended their country.

After all, a single talisman of hers could fetch a million on the black market.

Once the terms were settled, Agent Hanks suddenly spoke up, "Lucy, does your tracking talisman work on blood mages?"

"Unless their power exceeds mine by more than double," Lucy replied confidently.

In this world, there was practically no one stronger than her.

Hanks rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Then could you make one for us? We can pay in credits—since you'll be joining the department soon anyway."

The special department's credit system was flexible, exchangeable for supplies or cash.

Lucy arched a brow. "Trying to track that blood mage?"

"Yes!" Hanks gritted his teeth. "That bastard is too slippery. We've been chasing him for over a year with no luck."

Lucy thought for a moment. "Fine. But I'll need something she's used."

Hanks immediately pulled out a stack of talisman paper, cinnabar, and a few half-finished charms from his bag.

"Will these work?"

Lucy picked up one of the incomplete charms. The handwriting looked oddly familiar.

Wasn't this the same script used in the ghost marriage contract?

Her heart jolted—so the one who had cursed Vincent Powell was the very blood mage Hanks had been hunting!

"She's a woman?" Lucy recalled the fortune-teller Irene Powell had mentioned.

Hanks' eyes widened. "You can even tell that?"

Hank cut in proudly, "See? I told you Lucy was incredible!"

Lucy smiled faintly but said nothing, focusing on sensing the aura embedded in the talisman paper.

A short while later, a fresh tracking talisman was complete.

"Effective within 500 kilometers. Light it to activate," she handed it to Hanks. "Single use only."

"Payment in credits will do."

Hanks accepted it like a priceless treasure. "Thank you! Credits are definitely more valuable than cash."

By the time they parted ways, it was already late at night.

Back home, Lucy immediately dialed Vincent Powell's number.

"Master Lucy?" Vincent, who was reviewing documents, sounded surprised by the call.

"Still wearing the talisman?" Lucy got straight to the point.

"Always." Though the ghost marriage had been dissolved, the charm had proven effective.

Lucy didn't mention the blood mage, only saying, "Your cousin should be having nightmares by now. Be careful—he might get desperate."

"Tomorrow, I'll send a protective charm for your mother. Both of you need to be extra cautious."

She paused. "Better install surveillance at home. Contact me immediately if anything seems off."

After hanging up, Vincent arranged for security cameras to be installed the next day and went to warn his mother.

Meanwhile, Lucy dialed Ethan Smith's number.

A deep voice answered, "Calling so late?"

Water droplets slid down the man's sculpted abdomen as he casually towel-dried his damp hair, the corner of his lips curling upward unconsciously.