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Chapter 1627 Final Chapter: Crossing the Sea [53] "The Great Sage Yang Mermaid and the Unsincerous People Arrive (13)"

Lin Yin opened the box, inside were several lemon candies, glistening and tempting in color.

"What? Trying to bribe me, Wangzai?" Lin Yin said half-jokingly.

“I want to know how the World Game is doing now,” Wang Xingkong said as he sat down.

"That's fine. If we can defeat the final enemy, we'll have won."

"Thank you for coming back, otherwise Yuhang and I would most likely have died here."

Lin Yin tilted her head, sucking on a lemon candy, and hesitated before asking, "...Yu Hang?" Even now, does Wang Xingkong still believe that Chen Yu Hang is the same person?
Wang Xingkong smiled and changed the subject: "There's no point in dwelling on the truth or falsehood anymore. I don't even know who I am anymore. The real Wang Xingkong is dead... Maybe my parents don't even recognize me..."

Suddenly, a slightly hoarse chuckle came from the side. The red-haired photographer, Zhao Yuan, leaned against a broken section of wall, a crumpled cigarette between his fingers.

"Stop with the nonsense, how about one?"

Wang Xingkong quickly waved his hand: "If my parents find out, they'll beat me to death."

Zhao Yuan said calmly, "You're trembling. If you're attacked, this cigarette will calm your hands down."

Wang Xingkong hesitated for a few seconds, but still took it. Zhao Yuan leaned over and lit it for him with a "snap".

Wang Xingkong was instantly choked and coughed. The spicy and bitter taste filled his mouth. He couldn't stand it and immediately exhaled the smoke.

"Hehe...it's just a stimulant to numb the brain, better not to touch it." Zhao Yuan chuckled, a cigarette between her fingers. "When I was reporting from the battlefield, the pressure was too much, so I picked up the habit of smoking. Cigarettes help me calm down..." She took a deep drag, her smile tinged with a wildness, "Just like now..."

Their gazes fell upon Lü Shu, who was leading people in releasing origami cranes.

After escaping the soldiers' guns, the crowd was still attacked by stray bullets and grenades, and some people died.

This is a custom for praying for the deceased. Paper birds are said to transform into "paper cranes," truly coming to life and soaring into the sky.

Lu Shu stood on a slightly higher hillside, his white hair fluttering in the wind mixed with ashes. Hundreds and thousands of paper cranes were tossed into the air.

Riding the wind, white, gray, yellow, and even tinged with blood... countless paper cranes fluttered their fragile wings, gathering into a torrent above the ruins.

Flying over broken steel and concrete, over scorched earth, over the heads of silent crowds, light and fragile, as if it would be blown away by the wind at any moment.

Zhao Yuan gazed at the colorful origami cranes, remained silent for a moment, and pointed to his chest: "I used to be a war photographer, and I've seen too many soldiers begging me to end their lives. They often lost most of their bodies and couldn't die even though they wanted to. At that time, I would think that I must prepare a 'last bullet' for myself."

"The last bullet?" Wang Xingkong looked up.

"To end one's life with dignity, without suffering final pain, without being driven by desire to become a beast..." Zhao Yuan said.

Wang Xingkong stared blankly at Zhao Yuan.

"I really admire you."

"what?"

“A war photographer, daring to go to such a dangerous place. You don’t look much older than me.”

“Haha… I just love photography.” Zhao Yuan paused for a moment, his smile no longer so lively. “I also hope that I can just photograph people’s ordinary smiles, and that my lens will no longer capture people’s faces covered in soot… Wangzai.”

"what?"

Is it okay for you to call me that?

"Sure. My parents call me that too."

"After all this is over, do you want to come with us? To find your mom and dad in a new world."

"Of course, I want to see a bigger, more distant world."

At this moment, Lü Shu walked over, holding a communicator in his hand.

“Lu is about to meet the ‘Nest Master’.” A paper crane that had flown crooked was stuck in Lu Shu’s hair. “The World Lord’s succession ceremony is the day after tomorrow. We must unite the power of the ‘Nest’ within two days, break into the World Lord’s succession ceremony, seize the Holy Sword, and connect with Su Ming’an.”

“Okay, I’ve collected 273 messages from the ‘Nest’ captains.” Zhao Yuan took out a small screen from the camera, which was flashing red.

"Are they willing to fight? Many of them are just civilians..." Lin Yin said worriedly.

“Those walking on the edge of a cliff are on the verge of being shattered to pieces at any moment; they have reached the depths of despair. At this time, as long as someone is willing to pick up a torch and rush forward, as long as someone tells them—stand up, there is no longer a cliff ahead, there is light ahead, as long as you rush over, your parents and children will have the chance to see a clear blue sky without gloom…” Si Nian wiped the scar on his face, “they will rush forward one after another, like flames, endless and inexhaustible. Extinguish one cluster, and another will appear. From alleys, from rivers, from churches, from behind ruins, one after another, stretching on and on…”

……

Two days remain until the inauguration ceremony of the World Lord.

The Holy Temple of the Radiant Mother Goddess.

The stained glass ceiling, high in the sky, cast a radiant glow, depicting a sacred scene surrounded by angels. Cardinals of the Papacy, bishops from various regions, representatives of noble families, foreign envoys... all the prominent figures in the surface plane of Rovasa, dressed in their most solemn robes, held their breath, awaiting this historic moment.

Hui Chi, dressed in a pure white bishop's robe, walked to the highest point of the sanctuary, his pigeon-blood ruby-like eyes calm as still water.

"...Would you like to shepherd your flock and keep the holy way until the end of your life?"

"I do."

The High Cardinal placed the triple crown atop the head of the cardinal and presented him with the radiant scepter. The instant the cardinal's fingertips touched the scepter—

hum!
The gods and angels depicted on the stained-glass ceiling seemed to come alive, and the hymns suddenly rose in pitch. The master of ceremonies announced loudly:

"See Your Majesty the Pope!"

Like wheat fields bent by the wind, everyone in the sanctuary knelt and bowed, paying homage to the figure in the holy light above the altar. The shouts were deafening, filled with fervor and awe.

The newly appointed Pope, Chich, held a radiant scepter, wore a triple crown, and his pure white robe trailed on the ground. He stood in the light, his face compassionate and holy, a faint smile playing on his lips, receiving the adoration of the masses.

However, as Hui Chibu descended from the altar, people couldn't help but look at what was in front of him—

In his wheelchair, the crown prince lay asleep with his eyes closed, his face serene, seemingly oblivious to the earth-shattering events unfolding around him. He wore elaborate robes that symbolized the authority of a crown prince, yet he leaned weakly against the back of the chair.

Many nobles and officials exchanged knowing glances. Everyone understood, yet no one dared to voice their doubts.

Hui Chi seemed completely oblivious to these subtle gazes. His face was filled with compassion as he pushed Su Ming'an's wheelchair like a shepherd leading a lost lamb. He would even slightly bend down to straighten Su Ming'an's collar when passing by certain important figures.

……

On the same day, in the Council Hall of the Seungri Palace.

The Papacy and the Parliament were rivals, one governing and the other upholding faith.

The obsidian floor gleamed like a mirror. Chief Justice Hui Bi sat in the main seat, dressed in a deep purple chief official's robe, calmly surveying the noisy councilors below.

"—The 'Nest' rebels have already captured the granaries and armories of the Third District! If this continues, the Holy Capital will be in danger!" A councilor with a military background declared vehemently.

"What can we use to suppress them? The eastern front is under pressure, the western alliance of dark elves is ambiguous, and the central legion must at least ensure the safety of the Holy Capital. How can we easily mobilize our main force to wipe out those rats?" another councilor immediately retorted. "Rumors are flying everywhere, all criticizing us... criticizing the Crown Prince and the Council for their harsh rule! At this time, we should focus on appeasement!"

"Appease them? Are we supposed to give in to their ridiculous demands?"

"But their scale is growing larger and larger, and they have even developed organized armed forces and unified command! According to intelligence from within 'The Nest,' they are planning a general offensive on the day of the World Lord's coronation ceremony."

"A bunch of inferior races, have they gotten themselves into trouble?"

"The problem is that, under the influence of that 'Nest Master,' there are quite a few mid-level races..."

A brief silence fell over the meeting, the members of parliament exchanging hostile glances. Finally, all eyes turned to Hui Bi.

Hui Bi said calmly, "So, the conclusion you all have drawn is that we can neither quickly resolve the 'Nest' rebellion, nor accept their political demands, nor can we bear the consequences of them causing trouble during the enthronement ceremony. Is that right?"

The lawmakers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Hui Bi leaned back in her chair: "Since the council is unable to handle this properly, we request the assistance of the Holy See and to utilize the power of the Inquisition."

Her words were official and reasonable, and fully in accordance with procedure.

But these words caused many members of parliament to change their expressions slightly. This meant that some power would be transferred to the newly appointed Pope, Papacy. The parliament and the papacy have always checked and balanced each other, and this move was tantamount to admitting the parliament's incompetence.

“Your Excellency! The Holy See’s power has expanded rapidly in recent years, especially under Pope Padmasambhava…” A seasoned and prudent councilor couldn’t help but speak up.

“Oh?” Hui Bi interrupted him, her voice calm and even. “Then, please propose a better plan that can quell the 'Nest' turmoil within two days and ensure the succession ceremony goes smoothly. The Council respects and looks forward to the constructive opinions of every member.”

The congressman opened his mouth, but ultimately slumped down.

Hui Bi's eyes flickered: "Commoners are still commoners. Even if a mob is incited to gather, their cohesion still depends on a few core leaders. Once the alpha wolf is lost, the pack will naturally collapse. I have decided to carry out a 'decapitation operation' to eliminate the 'nest leader' and his core command. Without a leader, the remaining rebels will be no threat. They can be recruited, divided, or suppressed."

“However, the ‘Nest Master’ is elusive, and our repeated attempts to infiltrate it have all failed…” Some people also expressed their concerns.

“Therefore, we need the help of the Vatican,” Hui Bi replied.

His arguments were calm and astute, placing all potential risks under the umbrella of "efficiency" and "order".

“Furthermore,” Hui Bi added, “this move can also transfer negative reputation to the Holy See. After all, it’s the Inquisition’s duty to purge ‘heretic leaders,’ isn’t it?”

The members of parliament fell silent, then exchanged knowing glances. The problem was solved, the Vatican bore the brunt of the criticism, and the parliament played the role of mediator and ultimate beneficiary—a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy.

"Your Excellency is truly insightful!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

Hui Bi stared expressionlessly at the council that had reached an agreement.

"Then, we formally notify His Holiness the Pope. We request the Holy See's assistance in purging the leader of the resistance organization 'The Nest' and its core followers. The Holy See will provide all necessary secular military support." Hui Bi stood up decisively, ignoring some idle gossip, and walked straight out, like a swift gust of wind.

He brought the argument to a close. Little did anyone know that this was a crucial part of Hui Bi's plan—to drag the Papacy into the quagmire of secular affairs, setting the perfect stage for the final outcome two days later.

Hui Bi lowered her eyes, concealing the calculation in them.

"...Oh? Our Imperial Tutor is quite the liar." Shadows writhed deep within the pillars, coalescing into a slender figure. She emerged gracefully from the darkness, her dark red dress like congealed blood, her face both alluring and breathtakingly beautiful.

“Demon…” Hui Bi whispered.

The woman chuckled softly, her voice as sweet as honey: "Oh dear, what a sad name. I'd much rather be called Evelyn. You all schemed behind my little master's back, did you think I didn't know? The Imperial Tutor was speaking eloquently and with great composure, even finding a scapegoat to take the blame."

She tilted her head, her smile both alluring and cruel.

"Unfortunately, it was a lie!"

"A fire is never started by just one or two pieces of firewood. You think you can extinguish the flame by assassinating the 'Nest Master'? That will only allow the sparks to continue to burn."

“Kill one leader, and soon a second, a third… even a tenth will step forward. In the end… there won’t be any specific ‘Nest Master’ anymore. When the time is right, those desperate people will wear their own symbols, tear off pieces of cloth to wrap around their heads, and pick up anything they can use as a weapon. At that point, everyone can be a ‘Nest,’ everyone can be a flame of vengeance. Can you kill them all?”

"There are too many oppressed people, Your Excellency. So many that it's like an ocean. You can't stop them."

"With your intelligence, you couldn't possibly be unable to understand this, yet you're determined to do it. Do you really intend to replicate Minghui and then relinquish power in two days?"

Evelyn seemed to already know the answer, and turned and disappeared without waiting for a reply.

Hui Bi stood there, expressionless. He pulled up his sleeve and touched the mark of the Demon Mother Goddess on his arm, which resembled a deep purple datura flower.

“…Your Highness,” he murmured softly.

……

Dreamscape, Exploration Team.

Traveling in a small spaceship, Su Ming'an and his expedition team arrived at the colorful planet.

The hatch opened, and a rush of air, a mixture of strange floral scents and the smell of sulfur, flooded in. There was only a moon in the sky; it turned out that at this time, the sun had not yet risen over Rovasa.

The towering crystalline mountains refract light, displaying dreamlike colors, and as far as the eye can see, there are some strangely shaped creatures—some with transparent wings that resemble jellyfish, and others covered with rocky shells.

"Wow! This is... this is the ultimate map in the fantasy game series!" a voice exclaimed in amazement.

Su Ming'an turned his head and saw a handsome young man with blue hair looking around with shining eyes, his excessively beautiful face beaming with excitement. Su Ming'an had originally thought this guy would be as quiet and reserved as glass, but he hadn't expected such a big difference.

Casadia took out a small sketchbook from his pocket and quickly sketched the outline of the distant mountains.

Su Ming'an walked up to him, looked at his superb sketching skills, and couldn't help but ask, "You really like... anime?"