The Church of Over a Century Ago

"Well..." Annie looked conflicted. After hesitating a moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "There's no rule in the association forbidding the disclosure of intel. I can tell you, but this touches upon a secret. You must promise not to tell anyone." "My lips are sealed. Not a word to a soul," Zhang Yuanqing promised. Having obtained his word, Annie nodded, took a sip from her glass of water, and began, "The First District and Second District opened at different times. The First District specifically opened in 1882, thirty years earlier than the Second District." Though he didn't know why Annie was bringing this up, Zhang Yuanqing nodded along in cooperation. "1882, during the Second Industrial Revolution." The designations for the First and Second Districts were determined by their opening times. Annie continued, "Thirty years was enough time for a cohort of formidable Spirit Walkers to emerge, along with an organization unimaginably powerful. At the time, the strongest Spirit Walker organization in the world was the Church in Europe." "The Church?" Zhang Yuanqing straightened his back, his languid expression instantly turning serious. He had never heard of "the Church." "Yes, the Church." Annie gave a slight nod. "Back then, almost all of the most powerful Orderly classes were members of the Church, and their leader, the Pope, was the world's very first demigod. It was an era of gathered legends, and also an era where the Church ruled the entire Spirit Walker world. Evil organizations were reduced to lurking in street gangs, hiding on rural farms, or trying to foster power among the working class. They couldn't lay a finger on high society because the Church suppressed them so thoroughly they could barely breathe. Orderly classes who refused to submit to the Church's rule had no choice but to work as bounty hunters, and even then, they had to abide by Church regulations. "The reason the Church was so strong was that they possessed a complete heritage from ancient superhumans. Back during the Dark Ages of the medieval period, the practitioners of the Church hunted witches, werewolves, and vampires, forging one legend after another. Their tales spread among the common folk, were written into books, and eventually evolved into fairy tales." Hearing this, Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help but think of Little Red Riding Hood. Inside the inner space of the hood was a wooden cabin containing a record of a dark tale. The story recounted that the cabin owner's daughter had been abducted by a werewolf and had given birth to a baby girl. The woman then fled with the werewolf child and sought help from a priest. The priest slew the werewolf and crafted Little Red Riding Hood to seal the girl's werewolf bloodline. The story of Little Red Riding Hood aligned perfectly with what Annie was saying. "Even though superhumans later faded from view, the Church's heritage never disappeared. Records of those ancient superhumans' deeds were preserved in scriptures kept in the Church's attics, accessible only to successive Popes and top leaders. When Spirit Walkers first appeared, the Church was the first to react. They accepted the existence of the Spirit Realm without the slightest psychological resistance, swiftly grooming elites and recruiting talents. Long before non-governmental Spirit Walker organizations could even take shape, the Church was already leagues ahead." Here, Annie paused, her expression growing somewhat grave. "However, the good times didn't last. Thirty years later, World War I broke out. The war disrupted the global order and shattered the peace among Spirit Walkers. Spirit Walkers across European nations mobilized in a premeditated, organized fashion. Evil and Orderly classes joined forces to lay siege to the Church, while rebel factions rose within the Church itself. That was also the very year the Second District opened. "World War I lasted four years. It crushed Germany, and it crushed the Church. Only after that did the prominent Orderly organizations of today emerge one by one—Heaven's Punishment, the Merchant Guild, the Association of God of Beauty, the Sea God Church, and the like. To borrow one of your proverbs: when a whale falls, ten thousand things rise." Zhang Yuanqing listened, taking a long moment to digest the information before asking, "What does any of this have to do with Pluto?" Annie replied, "That period of history where the Church fell cannot be found in any records—neither among Orderly organizations nor evil organizations. That past was deliberately concealed. Even as a Saint, I've only ever heard rumors about the Church. It's obvious that there are unknown secrets hidden within it." *No kidding, you wouldn't need Yuanfang to see this is anything but simple...* Zhang Yuanqing guessed, "So, this Pluto knows?" Annie nodded. "It has been over a hundred and ten years since the Church fell. Most of the Spirit Walkers who took part in that upheaval are dead, and those who remain occupy lofty positions. The leader of Pluto's organization, Night Dream, took part in that turmoil back then, though he was probably just an inexperienced nobody at the time. "A few years ago, Heaven's Punishment launched an investigation into Night Dream over a family massacre, inadvertently turning up clues related to the Church. They subsequently reopened the pursuit into those past events. "The major Orderly organizations dispatched elites to capture Night Dream's leader, but that leader put up a desperate resistance and paid with his life. Night Dream's top brass were killed in battle one after another; only Pluto survived, managed to break through the encirclement, and has been on the run ever since." Zhang Yuanqing pondered for a few seconds before raising two questions: "First, are you sure Pluto knows about those past events? Second, the survivors from over a century ago now hold high positions—what's their stance on this matter?" Annie replied, "The first question is beyond doubt; the upper echelons of the major organizations naturally have ways to verify it. As for the second question..." Her expression twisted with hesitation, and she caught herself before speaking. Seeing her reaction, Zhang Yuanqing had a sudden flash of insight. "Political infighting?" He had spent plenty of time hanging around Fu Qingyang; by osmosis, he had picked up a fair bit of experience and perspective on factional struggles. There was more to the Church's downfall back then than met the eye, and the participants now held high positions in major Orderly organizations. Combine that with the foreign Orderly organizations' relentless pursuit of Pluto... It was obvious that someone within the Orderly organizations wanted to use Pluto to bring down those high-ranking figures. This was an internal power struggle. Pluto was playing the role of the "witness." Annie let out a bitter smile. "I think so too." Zhang Yuanqing leaned back lazily against the soft cushion and sank into a long silence. The living room fell completely still. Annie pursed her lips, studying his expression, and took the initiative to speak: "I know this matter is somewhat complicated, but..." "But you'll have to pay more!" "Huh?" Zhang Yuanqing stared at the foreign beauty and said with emphasis, "I said, you have to add more money!" Caught completely off guard by his unorthodox response, Annie was both delighted and bewildered. She froze for a few seconds before saying, "Alright, I'll pass your request along to headquarters. Um, what is your expected price?" "Double the points and bonus," Zhang Yuanqing demanded brazenly. Annie's eyes darted as she thought. "Given Pluto's importance, headquarters should agree." Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "I'll wait for your news. Also, do you have any of Pluto's flesh or blood?" Annie shook her head. "Any recent intel on him?" "No, only that he slipped into China half a month ago." "Could that be misdirection? Has he actually left China already?" "The surrounding countries are crawling with Heaven's Punishment's informants. I don't think it's very likely he left China." No trace, no intel, no flesh or blood samples—wasn't this just searching for a needle in a haystack? Zhang Yuanqing stroked his chin, mimicking Xiahou Aotian. "Got it. If there's nothing else, I'll head back for now. Keep in touch." With his legs crossed, he leaned lazily against the back of the chair, raised his hand, and snapped his fingers with a crisp clack, vanishing into rising starlight. Annie opened her mouth, letting out a somewhat deflated sigh. "He really leaves in a hurry..." *** Fujia Bay, the grand study. Zhang Yuanqing, who had promised never to leak a word, was animatedly discussing the Church's past with Fu Qingyang. "So not even the Fu family knows the details of the Church's demise?" Fu Qingyang shook his head. "The Church fell during World War I, whereas the Fu family rose after World War II—half a century apart. I've heard of the Church, but my impression was merely of a fledgling organization from the dawn of Spirit Walkers, like an internet celebrity blazing briefly across the sky, nothing of importance. But now it seems the truth behind the Church's fall is far from simple." "I think it was just a re-slicing of the cake," Zhang Yuanqing said. "The Church ruled that primitive era, but as Spirit Walkers grew in number and rank, ambitious figures cropped up one after another. No one was willing to remain subservient to the Church anymore. So, taking advantage of the turmoil of the First World War, Orderly and evil classes teamed up to overthrow the Church. The foreign Orderly organizations today were born in that era." "That possibility can't be ruled out, but if that were all, you wouldn't have received a mission to capture Pluto today." Fu Qingyang's handsome face turned completely stern. "The enemies you'll face aren't just Pluto, but also those who want Pluto." "In any case, it's not a Spirit Realm quest. I'll do what I can, and it doesn't matter if I don't finish it." Zhang Yuanqing shrugged. Fu Qingyang pondered for a moment, then said, "I must remind you: once you catch Pluto, do not ask too much. If you accidentally kill him, do not perform spirit questioning. This matter has little to do with you; there's no need to get dragged into it. You already carry enough karmic entanglements—don't provoke foreign factions on top of that." "Still, this is leverage. Boss, you don't want it?" "If I were serving in Heaven's Punishment, I naturally wouldn't let this chance slip." "Understood." Zhang Yuanqing suddenly assumed a serious tone. "By the way, I heard from Asano Ryo that a First-Class Enforcer from Heaven's Punishment will be leading a delegation to Japan for a diplomatic visit soon. Judging by her tone, has our official organization clashed with Heaven's Punishment again?" "No such thing," Fu Qingyang said. With that, both men caught on simultaneously and exchanged a look. Zhang Yuanqing chuckled. "Interesting." "Heaven's Punishment likely has an ulterior motive. But putting that aside, the Jianghuai Branch called me this morning asking if you'd come out of the Spirit Realm." Fu Qingyang mused, "Get that Xiahou Aotian to come to Songhai. I'll talk business with him. Riding the momentum of mechanism arts, I'll help you settle the Yin-Yang Dial issue." "He was hung up in the sky by the Xiahou clan's Old Ancestor." Zhang Yuanqing sighed and briefly described Xiahou Aotian's obnoxious personality. "I think it's great, though. Curing his eighth-grader syndrome isn't a bad thing." After listening, Fu Qingyang commented coldly, "Another piece of trash." *Who isn't trash in your eyes!* Zhang Yuanqing lowered his head and grumbled inwardly. *** At 3:30 in the afternoon. Huang Taiji's assistant arrived in Songhai, delivering the dual-cultivation quilt and taking away the Living Soil and Beast King Bracelet. The Yin-Yang Joyous Union Quilt was woven from silk, even lighter than a summer air-conditioning blanket. Zhang Yuanqing fondled his new item lovingly, itching to find someone to test the dual-cultivation effects with right away. Alas, Guan Ya was away in a dungeon, leaving the hungry eel with no abalone to feast on. Taking advantage of some free time in the afternoon, Zhang Yuanqing visited his maternal grandparents' house, bearing gifts for his grandparents, aunt, and uncle's family. After dinner, he was dragged out by his uncle to do square dancing. His uncle was the new darling of the neighborhood aunties. In his uncle's own words: *In just three days, I conquered every auntie within a ten-li radius with my transcendent dancing skills.* Dragging Zhang Yuanqing along, his uncle told everyone he met, "This is the heir to my mantle! He inherited my looks and talent. If you don't believe me, let him perform a dance for everyone!" And so, Zhang Yuanqing dazzled the crowd of aunties with his transcendent moves. On the way home, his uncle, dressed in skinny pants and a wine-red suit, patted his chosen successor hard on the shoulder: "It's only because you already have a girlfriend, otherwise tonight's dance would've settled your lifelong marriage prospects on the spot! Those old aunties couldn't wait to introduce their daughters to you." Zhang Yuanqing replied, "Those don't conflict. I can have both a wife and a girlfriend." His uncle scoffed, "Bah, that doesn't sound like me at all. Our lineage is fiercely devoted to love." Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself, *That's not what you were thinking back when you went into hair salons to subsidize pretty aunties.* "Then who do I take after?" he asked. His uncle said, "You take after your father. Your dad was a real playboy. Marrying your mother wasn't enough for him; he always loved attracting bees and butterflies outside. Every time he failed to observe male virtue, I'd beat him up, and he'd drop to his knees and plead, 'Brother-in-law, stop hitting me, I'll treat Chen Shu well, I swear!'" Zhang Yuanqing thought, *Come off it. With your half-baked dancing moves, you beat up a peak Dominator?* He stayed over at his grandparents' house that night, playing video games with his aunt until midnight. The next day, when he dialed Xiahou Aotian's number again, the call actually went through. "Hey, Protagonist, I heard you were hung up in the sky by your Old Ancestor? What happened!" Zhang Yuanqing asked over the phone, fighting back laughter. "That was the Old Ancestor rewarding me," Xiahou Aotian hummed pompously. "I told him, 'This Protagonist is already Level 6. Do you regret what happened back then?' The Old Ancestor said he regretted it deeply, and praised me, saying: 'Why don't you catch the wind, sir, and soar straight up ninety thousand li?'" "And then?" "And then he launched me into the sky." "Brother Aotian, we truly hail from the same sect." "Huh?" "Your bragging tone sounds just like my uncle. You must be his personal disciple... Alright, cut the nonsense. Come over to Songhai. Fu Qingyang wants to discuss a big business deal with you. Knowing you're short on cash, I specifically fought for this opportunity on your behalf. Hurry over."