Federal Capital, Lunovila Center City.
A black, armored stretch limousine came to a stop before Morahe Inner Lake.
The door opened, and Chu Zhixian stepped out. Taking off his sunglasses, he glanced ahead; quite a few expressionless security guards in formal attire stood across the manicured lawn.
The figure of a middle-aged man sat upon the pier wearing a bucket hat. A fishing rod was propped up in front of him, and a bucket rested beside him, though at the moment it held nothing but clear water.
"Delegation Leader Chu, Senator Emmons is waiting for you," a smiling receptionist in formal dress said as he walked up. "This is private property, so we kindly ask that you carry no weapons."
"Understood."
Chu Zhixian drew his personal self-defense pistol and handed it to the security personnel behind him. Walking forward alone, he took a seat in the empty chair left for him.
Looking out over the tranquil lake, he said, "We will likely be departing next month. Mr. Emmons, due to delegation discipline, I'm afraid I won't have any further opportunity to meet with you. Consider this visit an early farewell."
Senator Emmons's cybernetic eye stared ahead in the direction of the fishing line, as though he hadn't heard a word. After a moment, a look of regret crossed his face, and he slowly turned his attention back.
He said, "Mr. Chu, our time together has been very pleasant. I am glad to have made a friend like you, and I believe that even after you return, our friendship will endure."
Chu Zhixian said, "Indeed, we are friends. Perhaps we can assist each other in the future. I believe the world ought to engage in greater cooperation. The borders between nations should not be so rigid, and the people of every nation should have the right to enjoy a better life."
"I couldn't agree more."
Senator Emmons turned his head and said in stiff Great Shun speech, "I have not yet congratulated you, Mr. Chu. With your contributions to the delegation, you are certain to receive a promotion upon your return."
Chu Zhixian had indeed heard rumors along those lines, but he said, "Nothing is certain yet, but thank you in advance, Mr. Emmons."
At that moment, he noticed the fishing rod twitch slightly. Seeing Emmons focus his attention, he held his tongue and waited.
Yet after quite a while, nothing happened.
So he continued, "Regarding the matter you asked of me the other day, Senator, I have already reported it back home. Indeed, martial might must be reined in and locked in a cage; they cannot be allowed to act unchecked. Now that the mission is concluded, I believe it won't be long before an envoy delegation arrives from home to ensure the agreement moves forward smoothly."
Emmons was clearly far more interested in this topic. Looking at him, he said, "Thank you for your contributions, Mr. Chu. I share your view. We need martial power, but we cannot allow ourselves to be ruled by it. We provided the soil that nurtured martial power, so by right, the power to use and control that power belongs to us. This is what the Lord has granted us."
Chu Zhixian nodded repeatedly. "I completely agree with your view."
Emmons said, "The things that came from the other side have always left us adrift and helpless, costing us our rational judgment. We ceded far too much power to the martial class, yet we have always had to guard against them. If beasts have neither chains nor cages, when they have no meat to eat, they will inevitably maul their masters to death. We cannot allow people of such shortsightedness and prejudice to become the mainstream. We must correct them and steer the world back onto the right path."
As he spoke, he clenched his fist and swung it downward forcefully.
Chu Zhixian glanced at him. The man possessed solid, powerful biceps. It was said that in his youth he had stood up for factory workers, yet later helped the government quell many such movements instead, which was how he entered Federal politics. From the look of him now, he had not lost that robust build.
Chu Zhixian said, "Naturally. Those fighters are mere weapons, and weapons must have a place where they are kept; they cannot be allowed to harm those who hold them. We continually remind everyone that maintaining world stability depends on people like you and me who share common ideals. I believe we can build a wonderful future."
Hearing this, Emmons was delighted. "Yes, Chu, we share common ideals. Chu, I truly appreciate you. Over our dealings these past days, as you say in Great Shun, we hit it off wonderfully."
Chu Zhixian gave a slight bow. "You flatter me."
"Mr. Chu, I would like to show you something." Emmons seemed to be a brisk, decisive man as he rose from his low stool.
Chu Zhixian stood up as well. "I would be delighted."
"Then follow me." Emmons waved to his attendants, set down the fishing rod, took the coat handed to him by an aide, and draped it over his shoulders.
Chu Zhixian followed behind and asked, "Mr. Emmons, I'm somewhat curious—what were you hoping to catch?" He, too, could tell that Emmons was by no means fishing.
Emmons smiled without answering, only saying, "Chu, why not ride in my car?"
Chu Zhixian readily agreed, boarding Emmons's private car, which then headed east along the parkway.
Half an hour later, a spiral sacred cross came into view. The building ahead had a classical style, yet was constructed with modern materials. Looking from afar, many young men and women stood before the entrance holding scripture books, their dress suggesting they were students from the capital.
This was likely a church of the New Holy Church.
Judging by the car's heading, that was indeed their destination.
The motorcade pulled up before the church entrance, and a clergyman in a simple silver-trimmed robe came out. He had blond hair, fair skin, and remarkably refined features and demeanor; in his thirties or forties, his voice naturally inspired goodwill.
"Senator Emmons, and our esteemed guest, welcome to the blessed land of the Holy Lord."
Chu Zhixian immediately made the sign of the spiral cross over his chest.
He was likewise a believer in the New Church. It was precisely this identity that had afforded him immense convenience when interacting with numerous Federal officials.
Yet he was by no means truly devout. The object of veneration in the Holy Church of the Spiral Cross was not something that existed as a concrete entity, but merely an ideal—and joining the church came with tangible benefits.
Thus, Great Shun did not forbid such faiths. Nor did it involve any overt supernatural power, and its influence was vast only within the reach of Federal power.
Now that he was here, however, he was more than willing to put on a pious display.
Emmons made a subtle gesture to the clergyman, who understood and guided the two of them past the front worship hall and into the prayer hall in the rear.
Chu Zhixian entered the spacious inner sanctuary, surrounded by arched stained-glass windows and a soaring dome. Footsteps echoed softly through the hall, and paired with the religious murals across the walls and ceiling, it carried a profoundly sacred atmosphere.
At the very front, a golden spiral sacred cross was enshrined, virtually identical to those in New Church sanctuaries everywhere. At first, he paid it little heed. But when he looked at it this time, his steps faltered slightly—for he saw an infant sitting there, an infant smiling straight at him at this very moment.
At the same time, he heard a strain of sacred hymns, and his mind slipped into a daze.
After a while, he seemed to come back to his senses. Clearly, there was nothing at all up front. Then he noticed both the clergyman and Emmons watching him.
"It seems you truly can see, Chu," Emmons said, looking delighted.
"This is..."
Emmons said, "This is our Lord." A fanatical expression appeared on his face. "Not long ago, we met the Lord. Only those acknowledged by the Lord can see his form and hear his voice."
Chu Zhixian was uncertain. He discreetly tapped his boundary credential, but it showed no anomalies, indicating that this was not any kind of field projection. Still, it could possibly be some new technology.
Except that voice—
"Chu? Chu?"
Chu Zhixian snapped back to his senses once more. This time, he found himself standing outside the church, having no idea how he had gotten out.
He said, "My apologies, Mr. Emmons. I spaced out for a moment."
Senator Emmons looked at him meaningfully. "Chu, I know you are hesitating and feeling conflicted. You need not doubt it: you have indeed received the Lord's blessing."
He leaned in closer and said, "Chu, take the Lord's gift back with you. You will obtain what you desire—and, of course, our ideals." With that, he clapped him firmly on the shoulder, bid him goodbye, and turned toward his car. He climbed inside, and moments later, drove off into the distance.
After Chu Zhixian's expression shifted several times, he returned to his own car. He tapped his boundary credential again, wiped all records of the meeting, and then said, "Back to the legation."
***
Kawatua.
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
A telegram arrived from Wansong Company. Upon receiving it, Chen Chuan came down from Kawatua in person, arriving at the outpost previously established on the border of Arcana State. There, he met with the courier delivering the message and handed over the payment.
The intelligence was of no small value. Fortunately, he had previously obtained numerous mutated plants from the Throat of the Star Spirit. Specimens of such plants were extraordinarily rare, virtually priceless on the open market, making them more than sufficient as remuneration.
Chen Chuan reviewed the information he had received. The intelligence provided by Wansong Company was fairly detailed, corroborating the details previously supplied by the covert department while going even deeper in several respects.
The Primitive Sect possessed no overt headquarters. The dossier pointed to a single location, indicating that it was most likely situated on the Tanli Archipelago off the Federation's eastern coast.
He pondered this. If so, it was actually good news, for it lay beyond Federal borders, making it far easier for him to act.
As for his primary concern—whether high-tier forces existed within the Primitive Sect—the dossier stated it could not yet be determined for certain. Furthermore, it assessed that even if such an entity existed, what the sect worshipped was very likely not any native deity.
Reading this, he weighed it carefully. The subtext was that the Primitive Sect might worship something from the other side.
If so, the Ring of the World was hardly there for show, which meant he would not need to overthink matters; he might be able to charge straight into their headquarters.
In that case...
He gazed toward the distant plains. The report in his hands instantly dissolved into a fistful of ash. Now, all that remained was to await the right opportunity.
Chapter 1282