Jiang Hongzhi did not take an immediate stance, seemingly waiting for something.
Since he kept silent, the other two deputy leaders exchanged glances and likewise said nothing. A moment later, another transmission arrived from the communications officer.
"Delegation Leader, a telegram has come in from Clofens Meteora, head of the International Investigation Delegation."
"Send it over," Jiang Hongzhi instructed.
Shortly after, the contents of the telegram appeared on everyone's boundary credentials.
Meteora's message opened by expressing gratitude for the Great Shun diplomatic mission's earlier trust in the international investigation team and for reporting the vulnerabilities within Serranocha Center City, which had enabled their swift intervention.
Next, he conveyed his appreciation for Great Shun's support in searching for Skarson, and explicitly stated that the International Investigation Delegation would pursue the matter to the very end without backing down. Any incidents or consequences arising from this affair would be borne entirely by the International Investigation Delegation.
After reading it through, Jiang Hongzhi finally spoke. "When our Second Delegation arrived, the maritime garrison used military force to intimidate them under the instigation of the New Light Cult. Such unruly behavior demands severe punishment.
"I had originally intended to deal with it later, after concluding our negotiations with the Federation's upper echelon. Now that the International Investigation Delegation has stepped in, it is just as well to let Section Chief Chen use this opportunity to teach them a lesson."
Hearing this, Chu Zhixian pushed up his glasses and offered no objection.
Jiang Hongzhi turned back to the communications officer. "Send a telegram to Section Chief Chen. We support his actions, but remind him that while we are obligated to cooperate with the delegation in maintaining security, the objective of this operation is merely to rescue the man. Tell him to exercise restraint where possible and not embroil himself too deeply."
Tu Haisheng nodded from the side. The reason the West Coast Faction could hold its ground against the East Coast Faction lay not only in a handful of powerful Center Cities and a permissive environment for biological experimentation, but also in the presence of various religious cults. Objectively, they had become invaluable backers for the West Coast Faction.
The New Light Cult wielded immense influence and possessed a vast following across the Federation's West Coast. Alongside cults large and small, it fiercely resisted the administrative model favored by the East Coast. This resistance had repeatedly thwarted the East Coast Faction's attempts to bridge the divide between East and West, cementing the present standoff between the two factions.
To Great Shun, this division was a welcome state of affairs. It was best not to escalate the current incident into an all-out confrontation with the New Light Cult. Doing so would only resolve troubles for the East Coast Faction, which ran counter to Great Shun's interests.
Jiang Hongzhi said, "Now then, let us discuss the second round of negotiations."
Everyone present straightened solemnly. This upcoming round was of paramount importance, concerning the future trajectory of both nations. If it failed, they would likely have to adjust portions of their strategic plan. Utmost caution was required. Compared to this, everything else was relatively trivial.
***
Meanwhile, after leaving Fort Grayani, Chen Chuan and his entourage promptly returned to the station and boarded a train bound for the New Light Cult's proselytizing site in Sannoy State.
In truth, Chen Chuan could have traveled much faster alone. However, operating under the mantle of the International Investigation Delegation required a documented itinerary. Any interstate transit had to utilize conventional transportation.
The delegation's very existence rested on a foundation of moral authority, demanding that sovereign nations abide by established rules. Consequently, they had to be the first to follow those rules themselves.
While en route, the team lead relayed their current circumstances to headquarters. By the time they boarded the train, a reply from Meteora was already waiting. It informed them that the delegation's high council had convened and would soon issue formal notices to governments worldwide. For now, they were granted the highest operational authority.
Furthermore, the message asked the team to pass word to Chen Chuan: if the operation caused any grave consequences, the International Investigation Delegation would shoulder the fallout, and if necessary, Delegation Leader Meteora would personally make the trip.
After reviewing the telegram, Chen Chuan gave a slight nod. With this assurance, he could proceed with a freer hand.
At the same time, he understood that the delegation had no other choice.
If they let this incident slide without holding anyone accountable, the delegation would forfeit all deterrence against sovereign nations. Anyone would feel emboldened to strike at them, rendering them utterly incapable of fulfilling their mission. Conversely, if handled properly, it would only bolster the delegation's prestige.
***
Two days later. Sannoy State, Mount Karubotu, site of the New Light Cult's sacrificial fire pit.
Across the expanse surrounding Mount Karubotu ran crisscrossing lines etched into the earth. Seen from the air, these lines formed countless irregular, abstract glyphs—an arrangement that anyone versed in esoteric rituals would recognize as a vast, specialized ceremonial pattern.
At the mountain's summit, a neat, immaculate pavement of white marble spread across the ground, flanked by classical-style pillars lining the path.
At the far end stood a circular colonnade carved with ornate motifs, encircling an immense pit large enough to accommodate several bocce courts.
Directly above the center of the pit hung an upright, silver-white metal ring. A faint radiance rippled over its surface as though it were alive. At the very center of the ring, a pinpoint of brilliant light flickered.
The light was vivid and pure, resembling the gaze of some divine entity looking down upon the crowd. Piercing through the flames, it struck straight into the depths of every spectator's soul, inspiring an unnamable, instinctive reverence.
Over a thousand devotees clad in the cult's holy robes encircled the pit, their vestments shimmering faintly in the firelight as if coated in a sacred sheen. Every single one had their fingers interlaced before their chests, heads bowed in piety and solemn devotion, chanting a hymn rich with sacred, ancient cadence.
The chanting drifted over the mountaintop, holding the minds of at least ten thousand worshippers gathered on the lower tiers utterly enthralled.
When the hymn concluded, burly cultists stepped forward under the expectant gazes of the faithful. They dumped a steady stream of aberrant creatures and bizarre flesh tissues harvested from the Melded Lands into the pit, alongside an even greater quantity of aberrant plants.
As the roaring flames surged and heatwaves rolled outward, they seemed to nourish the radiance suspended above. The light swelled, overflowing outward until it enveloped everyone present in its glow.
Every spectator felt embraced by an incomparably soothing warmth, so blissful they wished never to pull away.
Just then, a look of fervent ecstasy crossed the face of one worshipper. He raised his head and stared directly into the light.
Smoke began curling from his eyes, yet he displayed no hint of agony. Instead, wearing an expression of supreme bliss, he stumbled forward on hands and knees, scrambling desperately toward the source of the radiance before leaping willingly into the fire pit.
Thick plumes of smoke and flare burst from his body, and within moments, the fiery light swallowed him whole.
The officiating celebrant declared in a ringing voice, "He has unified with the Light of Truth!" He traced a circle on his forehead and sighed reverently, "May the Light of Truth abide with him."
Ten thousand voices roared in unison, "May the Light of Truth abide with him!"
The New Light Cult did not encourage followers to actively merge with the Light of Truth, even though their doctrine held that all souls originated from it. In their view, truly enlightened individuals ought to draw inspiration and knowledge from the light rather than be consumed by it. Yet despite constant reminders, ever more devotees sought to do so, and the cult placed no obstacles in their way.
According to cult teachings, a faint spark of light resided within every person's soul—an ember of truth. Through cultivation, prayer, and ritual, seeking knowledge and understanding, a believer could nurture this spark until it grew radiant, ultimately reaching a state of transcendence.
Yet comprehending this path demanded wisdom. Those incapable of understanding had only one path left: to burn themselves away and become part of the light.
To ensure this light continued burning brightly and illuminating the world, however, sufficient "rarities" had to be harvested from the earth.
Presently, the cult's greatest longing was to acquire the legendary sacred tree preserved since ancient times in Kawatua. If offered up in sacrifice, the Flame of Truth would receive boundless nourishment, and every believer would reap far greater blessings.
***
Down at the foot of the mountain, crowds of tourists looked up toward the summit's sacrificial ceremony, raising their cameras from time to time to snap photographs.
The New Light Cult had long promoted itself across the Federation and the world, drawing public attention by preaching its doctrine and staging solemn, awe-inspiring rituals.
Every day, believers and curious onlookers flocked here from across the globe. After witnessing the ceremony firsthand, many voluntarily stayed behind to become converts.
Far from minding the spectators, the cult embraced the crowds as a prime opportunity for proselytizing, turning this site into a symbol of their faith and an open outreach post.
Along the Federation's West Coast, three such proselytizing locations existed in total, each guarded by a Secret Palace martial artist. Samaruga, the figure Durozier had named, was the guardian of this particular sacrificial ground.
"That's the place—"
Chen Chuan had already arrived at the base of the mountain. Beside him, suspended by field force, floated Durozier's severed upper torso.
Yet the man appeared completely unfazed, speaking with utter composure. The sight was deeply unsettling to nearby tourists, who scrambled aside to open a path.
Others assumed it was a magic trick or the trial of some novel implant, looking on with curious intrigue.
Chen Chuan glanced up at the flickering glow atop the peak, recognizing it as a spiritual flame. At the same time, he sensed that if called upon, this phenomenon could rip open a fissure at any moment.
He pulled down the brim of his hat and began walking up the mountain path, the International Investigation Delegation members following close on his heels.
From their attire and bearing, the group was unmistakably a professional, official organization. Their advance immediately drew the stares and murmurs of onlookers and tourists.
Some began snapping photos, others stood on tiptoe trying to get a clearer view, and still others traded guesses about their identity and purpose. Excitement and curiosity showed on most faces, everyone watching in eager anticipation of whatever was about to unfold.
Chapter 1130