Chapter 169: The Fire Bearer
Zhao Kui's eyes widened in fear, his mouth opened unconsciously, and he forgot to breathe.
He seemed to remember this temple, where a god had bestowed upon him a "blessing," allowing him to awaken his powers. But now, the god had descended upon him at a time of such disgrace and mental collapse! This realization brought him not comfort, but deeper fear and...unbearable shame!
"Zhao Kui." I used my illusory authority to make my voice resonate like a mighty bell, carrying a soul-cleansing power that resounded directly through the temple. This voice was majestic and grand, completely different from my natural voice.
Zhao Kui's whole body was trembling violently. The huge fear made him want to curl up instinctively, but the sacred pressure made him unable to move. He could only crawl on the ground like a lamb to be slaughtered, with his forehead pressed against the "ground" emitting a holy halo.
The god's voice spoke with a knowing understanding: "What you fear is not my power, but your own shadow and... loss."
Following the words of the god, Zhao Kui saw in horror that countless twisted dark shadows emerged around him, which were condensed from his own negative emotions - rage, greed, morbid obsession with power, contempt and bullying of others.
These demonic shadows roared ferociously and pulled at him. It was they who, when he had a mental breakdown, transformed into terrifying illusions that completely crushed him, as if they wanted to drag him into the eternal abyss!
"It is this filth," I said, deliberately adding a hint of compassion to my tone, "that has obscured the 'aura' I bestowed upon you, distorted your perception, and led you to the brink of destruction."
At the same time, those demonic shadows wailed silently under the vast starlight, and quickly melted and faded like ice and snow exposed to the sun.
As the evil shadow dissipated, Zhao Kui's expression gradually relaxed, as if the invisible boulder that was suffocating his heart had been removed.
His distracted eyes seemed to regain a bit of clarity, no longer filled with pure fear, but filled with incredible fear and awareness of his own sins.
"Nevertheless, the starry sky is merciful and will not abandon those who have strayed." The deity's voice turned gentle, like a spring breeze across an icy plain. A massive hand, condensed from pure starlight, slowly reached out towards the prostrate Zhao Kui, carrying an irresistible warmth and vastness.
"I once gave you strength, and now I grant you peace, healing your wounds and rebuilding your spirit. I hope you...will not betray this kindness."
The giant palm of starlight didn't actually touch him, but merely hovered above his head. A pure and vast power, like a sea of stars, instantly surged from his crown into his dry, shattered spiritual world!
This is actually still an improved version of "fear projection", perhaps it should be called "spiritual comfort" now.
"Well……"
Zhao Kui let out a long, drawn-out sigh, a mixture of painful relief and utter comfort. His expression gradually calmed, his eyes slightly closed as he prostrated himself on the ground.
What I projected was the scene before the end of the world, so that he could recall the past when the end of the world had not yet come and was still in order.
Even if it was just an illusion, it was enough to give him peace of mind. After all, this was the past that everyone longed to return to.
The light gradually faded, and the illusion of the old world slowly dissipated. The vague yet majestic figure of Lord Xingqiong still stood at the center of the halo.
Zhao Kui struggled, using all his strength to raise his head. His face was covered with tears, but his eyes were no longer empty and fearful. Instead, they were filled with great gratitude for surviving the disaster and a pure, fanatical devotion.
He looked at the figure in the light, as if he saw the only salvation.
"Will you... lead us back to where we were?" Zhao Kui asked tremblingly, with hope in his tone.
"The old world will not return, and a new world order will emerge, but it should never look like this."
"Great Lord Xingqiong! I, the humble sinner Zhao Kui... I bow to you in gratitude for your rebirth! Your brilliance dispels darkness, and your mercy saves lost souls! Zhao Kui... I will never repay you even if I die!"
He screamed with all his might, his voice tinged with tears, filled with heartfelt, absolute conviction and submission.
The illusion receded like a tide, and the room returned to its original dimness and simplicity. But Zhao Kui remained prostrated on the ground, his body trembling slightly with excitement, as if he were still immersed in the lingering charm of the temple.
I returned to my normal posture, standing before him, my voice calm and composed, with a hint of scrutiny:
"Zhao Kui."
He trembled suddenly, as if he heard thunder, and hurriedly raised his head to look at me.
At this moment, the fear of me was still in his eyes. His state was too confused before, so he couldn't associate me with the "Lord of the Starry Sky".
But this is actually a better start.
I smiled slightly and said to him in the kindest tone possible: "It seems that you have just met my Lord."
"Deputy... Deputy Chief..." His voice was hoarse and full of disbelief.
"It seems the great Lord Xingqiong has given you a chance." I looked at the remaining starlight in his eyes and the newfound piety, and said to him in a tone of suppressed excitement, "Your life was given by Him. Your power is also given by Him."
Zhao Kui's body trembled, his eyes filled with even more enthusiasm, and he nodded repeatedly, "Yes! Yes! I understand! This is all thanks to Lord Xingqiong's grace!"
At this moment, he has completely believed that he and I believe in the same God.
"Then you should know what to do," I continued. "The Black Dragon Gang doesn't need trash, let alone ungrateful people. My Lord saved you, not to leave you here as a puddle of mud. His glory needs to be spread; His mercy needs to be witnessed. Those who, like you, struggle amidst pollution and fear... they need to know that there is hope and redemption."
I looked him in the eyes and spoke clearly, word for word: "From today on, you are no longer the second-in-command of the Black Dragon Gang. But you can be a 'Flame Bearer' like me. Spend the rest of your life spreading His faith and helping those who are lost find the light. This is your only way to repay God's grace. Do you understand?"
"Understood! I understand!" Zhao Kui kowtowed excitedly once more, his voice filled with unparalleled determination and fervor. "I, the Fire Bearer Zhao Kui, will obey the Deputy Leader... No, I will obey the divine oracle! I will do my utmost to spread the glory and salvation of Lord Xingqiong to every corner within my reach! Even if it means my death, I will not hesitate!"
Looking at this "Fire Bearer" who was rebuilt from the spiritual ruins by the hand of God and whose eyes burned with the fire of pure faith, I knew that the plan was successful.
With him spreading my faith for me, the Black Dragon Gang's stronghold is stable.
I have to say, although it feels awkward to pretend to be cool, it feels pretty good.
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