Chapter 610 Something to Look Forward To
I am currently at the headquarters in Luoshan. In the southern city, I have deployed thousands of "fireflies" to monitor the perimeter and continuously dedicate a portion of my attention to intrusion operations.
The new message from Fazheng was reported by Lu Chan, saying that Mingzhuo's footprints had been discovered and that I should meet with him at noon in the reception room where we last met.
Why not meet now, but wait until noon? This part wasn't explained in detail, but it's probably because Fa Zheng has some urgent matters to attend to.
Since it was a very important matter, I found Xiaowan and wanted to talk to her about it first.
Xiao Wan was in the training grounds provided by the mansion, a large outdoor open space. The person needing training wasn't her, but Zhu Shi. It seemed that Zhu Shi had been practicing his family's swordsmanship, wielding the Yama Sword, every morning in this training area. He wasn't using any magic; he was simply practicing at a normal speed and strength, making it appear like a traditional martial arts demonstration, so there was no worry about it affecting the surrounding area.
Thanks to the immense boost from forging the Yama Sword, Zhu Shi can now unleash two or three attacks from the Great Impermanence Domain, and maintain a high level of proficiency for an extended period. In terms of pure attack and defense, even Silver Moon at her peak might find it difficult to directly confront Zhu Shi in his current state.
Logically, once one reaches this level, swordsmanship becomes obsolete. Zhu Shi is still practicing swordsmanship, probably just trying to delve deeper into the connection between himself and the forging of the Yama Sword in his own way.
Xiao Wan seemed to have something to discuss with Zhu Shi at this point. However, after I arrived, she prioritized discussing my matter. Zhu Shi also temporarily stopped practicing his swordsmanship and listened to our conversation.
“I don’t really understand…” Zhu Shi said, “Isn’t it very likely that Ming Zhuo has already conspired with Fukuin? Why would he still want to capture Ma Zao? Fukuin itself has the technology to travel between the afterlife and the real world. Wouldn’t it be better for Ming Zhuo to use those connections?”
Xiao Wan replied, "There are still no clues, but based on my speculation, the problem is probably related to supply and demand."
"Supply and demand relationship?" Zhu Shi was stunned.
"To put it simply... the relationship between Mingzhuo and Fuyouyuan is not one where the latter needs to win over the former. Although we have always thought about things based on the premise that 'Mingzhuo was won over by Fuyouyuan,' this premise may very well be the opposite." Xiaowan patiently explained, "Because Fuyouyuan does not need to give up its interests to persuade Mingzhuo to participate in the human slaughter plan."
"As long as the truth about the end of the world is told to Meizou, and the human extermination plan is explained in detail, then even if Fukuinin wants to give up saving the world later, Meizou will 'fund' the plan himself. Because Meizou doesn't want the world to be destroyed, and he is indifferent enough to human life and human civilization, and has a natural affinity for the human extermination plan. He couldn't possibly choose any other position."
"Huang Quan, his mentor, must have already seen through this. If he wanted to persuade Xuanming to join him, then the Gospel House would have to offer huge benefits, such as 'capturing and transferring the unique Son of God in this era' as a price... However, it is the complete opposite for Mingzhuo. Mingzhuo needs to offer huge benefits to the Gospel House so that the Gospel House will be willing to accept him, the traitor from Luoshan."
"Of course, under normal circumstances, the powerful combat strength that Mingzhuo possesses as the Great Impermanence is itself a 'huge benefit' for the Gospel Institute, and the Gospel Institute has no need to bargain... However, Mingzhuo has a very fatal flaw."
Zhu Shi suddenly realized and said, "Is it the countdown to Naraku's immortality?"
“Yes. Presumably, Fukuin-in… or to be more specific, Huang Quan in his previous life must have grasped Ming Zhuo’s thoughts and wanted to take this opportunity to force him to make some deals that he would find unacceptable,” Xiao Wan said. “For example, having Ming Zhuo infiltrate before officially becoming a traitor to Luoshan, and then betray him at the most crucial and risky moment, or something else… This kind of insidious and cunning thinking is also very much in line with the image that Huang Quan has always presented.”
The worst thing you can do when bargaining is to show that you really want it. If someone has a life-saving remedy for another person, it's equivalent to having the means to ask for an unlimited amount of money.
That's why Mingzhuo wants "another good solution", and asa is the most likely breakthrough at present.
“However, Huang Quan is already dead. The Gospel Academy, having lost an important fighting force, may also change its attitude towards dealing with Ming Zhuo…” Xiao Wan pondered, “Afterwards, if we follow Ming Zhuo’s footsteps to track him down, we may encounter more than just him. Brother Zhuang Cheng, you must be careful, the other gods from the Gospel Academy may also appear at that time.”
If I were the only one dealing with Mingzhuo, it would be a sure thing, but now that I hear this, it seems there will be quite a few more troubles ahead.
My spirits lifted instantly. Xiao Wan, who had initially looked worried and seemed about to offer me more advice, suddenly became speechless upon seeing my gaze.
"Should I go along and track them down too?" Zhu Shi seemed to be getting restless.
"No, Zhu Shi, you can't go."
Xiao Wan first tried to dissuade him seriously, but seeing that Zhu Shi still seemed to have lost his temper, her voice became even more stern, "To put it bluntly, you would only be a hindrance if you went there now. So what if you are strong at the Great Completion level? So what if you can unleash attacks at the level of the Great Impermanence? For you, it's like a trump card, an attack that will exhaust all your stamina after only two or three hits. But for Zhuang Cheng's side of the battlefield, it's just a random, casual attack."
"If your trump card hadn't been revealed yet, you might have been able to offer some tactical insights. Now that Mingzhuo knows of your existence and has witnessed your forging of the Yama Sword, his caution and cunning are probably no less than Huangquan's. The only effect of your presence on the battlefield is to become Zhuang Cheng's weakness."
Seeing his wishes so blatantly rejected, Zhu Shi's spirits visibly waned, and he weakly uttered, "Oh..."
"But then again..." Xiao Wan seemed to soften as well, "Even if you can't now... who knows what will happen in the future?"
Zhu Shi nodded: "Yes, as long as it's another two or three months..."
Xiao Wan said very seriously, "When I say 'sooner,' I don't mean a whole summer vacation. In less than ten days, you will be able to fully master the forging of the Yama Sword."
"What?" Zhu Shi was both surprised and delighted. "What's going on?"
"Are you going to use the power of blessing?" That was the first thing that came to my mind.
The Little Bowl's blessings cannot be used on just anyone; they can only be offered to those who are important to her. Zhu Shi is of paramount importance to the Little Bowl in fulfilling her innate mission; she is the object of the Little Bowl's heartfelt prayer that "she must be happy and fulfilled," and naturally, she must also meet the criteria of being an "important person."
As the embodiment of dreams, the small bowl existed from the very beginning for Zhu Shi.
“My blessing power can project part of my own nature as a child of divinity onto the recipient of the blessing, greatly enhancing their understanding and adaptability to external environmental conditions, and even inspiring their wisdom and inspiration. I'm sure Brother Zhuang Cheng has already experienced this deeply,” Xiao Wan said. “And what Zhu Shi needs to communicate with the sword of Yama is precisely the nature he once possessed as a child of divinity, which is exactly what I can provide.”
"Although achieving complete communication with the Yama Sword is still beyond the reach of a partial divine child, Zhu Shi has already completed 80% of the communication process. With the assistance of Asahi's returning power, it should be possible to significantly reduce the time required to complete the remaining 20%."
The reason Xiao Wan came to see Zhu Shi this morning was probably to convey this matter.
"You're going to keep blessing me and Zhu Shi for a long time, aren't you sure there won't be any problems?" I asked.
"It's alright, I exist solely to bless your happiness. This kind of thing is as natural to me as maintaining my breathing and heartbeat. As for power output, the Divine Seal Fragments provide it, which is equivalent to carrying a perpetual motion machine with me," Xiao Wan said matter-of-factly.
As a being who is the trinity of the Child of God, the Incarnation of Dreams, and the Apostle of the Void Realm, Xiao Wan has far too many extraordinary qualities.
Zhu Shi first showed an excited expression, then seemed a little puzzled. She looked down at the Yama Sword in her hand, then looked at Xiao Wan and asked, "Wait... just by restoring a part of the nature of the Child of God, I can accelerate my communication progress so much. So if Xiao Wan personally holds the Yama Sword, wouldn't it only take three days to complete the communication with the Yama Sword? No, considering the strengthening of the power of the Divine Seal Fragment, Xiao Wan can immediately master the power of the Great Impermanence today, right?"
“If I can become a fighting force, of course I would like to contribute my strength…” Xiao Wan sighed, “But have you forgotten? Zhu Shi, I was the part of you that you personally separated back then that was ‘hindering your own fight’.”
"I was born to be unsuited for combat, unable to learn any skills related to fighting. The Yama Sword, a weapon born for battle, filled with the power of metal and slaughter, is an incompatible creation with me. I am the one in this world with no possibility of communicating with it."
Upon hearing this explanation, Zhu Shi immediately understood.
Then, Xiao Wan went up and hugged Zhu Shi. Gradually, the warmth of her blessing emanated from Zhu Shi.
“If possible, I would like you to stay away from anything related to combat, but…”
The little bowl murmured sadly, then released its grip and took a step back.
She looked at Zhu Shi and extended her palm. Zhu Shi understood and bent down. She slowly stroked Zhu Shi's cheek, her expression gradually softening, and then said in a gentle voice, "Keep going... Zhu Shi, I will continue to pray for you."
Zhu Shi's expression brightened. She gripped the sword tightly and said with a determined look, "Mom... Xiao Wan! Thank you. I will work even harder from now on!"
After saying that, she turned around with a solemn expression, seemingly going into seclusion.
But then, Xiao Wan suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"Don't rush off, Zhu Shi. Have you forgotten something?" Xiao Wan gave a meaningful smile.
Zhu Shi seemed to have a bad feeling; her previous imposing manner vanished instantly. She looked around and said, "Wh...what happened? I don't remember anything at all..."
“Last time you kissed Brother Zhuang Cheng, you ran away halfway through, didn’t you? That doesn’t count as passing the test. Since you’re going to spend all your time in seclusion afterward, why don’t you finish all the lessons you’ve missed today before you go?” Xiao Wan said earnestly with her childlike face. “This time, you must stick your tongue out and hug each other tightly. I will be there to supervise you.”
"Waaah..." Zhu Shi looked at me with nowhere to run, "Senior Brother Zhuang..."
"Zhu Shi, there's something I've always wanted to say to you in person," I said.
"What...what is it?" Zhu Shi asked nervously.
I said in a serious tone, "Actually, I've been looking forward to this for a long time."
Zhu Shi blushed and covered her face.
(End of this chapter)
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