Chapter 148
When Li Fufeng summoned Qi Jiu for another meeting, he was not surprised. Or rather, Bai Yi, who was orchestrating everything behind the scenes, was not surprised.
Joey’s displayed personality, the interests represented by the legacy of the last Spirit Forger, all the guidance up to this point, and the sudden events in the Roland Kingdom were designed to force various countries to exchange information and ultimately lead to cooperation with Joey through the chess pieces he had already planted in the intelligence.
In this process, the Heavenly Master of Divine Calculation card set was merely a double insurance that Bai Yi had prepared just in case.
The mission of the Heavenly Master of Divine Calculation was to find the Special Case Investigation Team of the Yao Country before the meeting, increase their inclination towards cooperation, and ensure everything followed his predetermined trajectory.
And the final outcome was indeed as he had anticipated.
When Qi Jiu met the petite Li Fufeng at the agreed tea house, he knew that this script had been completely performed, and the Heavenly Master of Divine Calculation’s cover had even gained a bit of reputation among the Yao Country officials, making their future statements more convincing.
—In fact, this was the primary reason why Bai Yi deliberately inserted the Heavenly Master of Divine Calculation into this script to play a minor role.
That strange version update countdown was something that couldn’t be ignored. If nothing happened when the time was up, even an eight-year-old child wouldn’t believe it.
Since it was certain that something significant would happen, the Heavenly Master of Divine Calculation card set needed to enhance its legend degree status. Only with sufficient reputation could their “prophecies” before the countdown be convincing.
This way, when something big was about to happen, the Heavenly Master of Divine Calculation’s cover could play its maximum role!In the distant Yuanyang city, the youth by the window raised his eyes, his obsidian-like pure gaze quietly observing the sky wrapped in clouds. Between the layers of clouds, a crimson hint of burning flames vaguely seeped through, like magma surging within volcanic rocks split open.
His consciousness effortlessly divided, with one part steadily controlling the “Heavenly Master” Qi Jiu vest, calmly picking up the teacup on the table, drinking tea and conversing with Li Fufeng, constantly building his image and legend degree.
He heard Li Fufeng curiously ask how he knew Joey wouldn’t cause a big commotion in the Roland Kingdom, and couldn’t help but laugh. “Because Joey is myself.”
At the same time, in another city’s tea house, the Qi Jiu he controlled gave a profound and mysterious answer after a moment of surprise, leaving Li Fufeng stunned.
“—Because this is not allowed.”
The blue-robed Taoist spoke with absolute certainty.
In the apartment on the second floor, the youth by the window couldn’t help but turn the steel pen in his hand, revealing a mischievous smile.
At that moment, an extremely light whisper sounded in his ear, seemingly crossing the spatial distance of several cities, yet because of the mysterious connection between the cover and the main body, this whisper seemed to gently tap on his window frame. When his bewildered eyes unconsciously looked at the blue-robed Taoist sitting opposite him, it was as if asking the person hidden beneath this cover—
“Who is the one who does not allow all of this to happen?”
Bai Yi gently tapped the table, dispersing the illusion of that sound seemingly ringing in his ear, the corner of his lips curving slightly as he whispered, “Yes, who is this person?”
…After so many subtle preparations and descriptions, it was time to fabricate a suitable title and identity for the person who has always existed in the vest’s words, or rather, for his own never-appearing true self.
Bai Yi quietly cast his gaze into mid-air, attempting to freeload a title, “System, what do you think? With so many timelines, there must be a suitable identity and title for Bai Yi, right?”
He had casually spoken on a whim. Ever since learning his true origins and obtaining the Heavenly Master of Divine Calculation vest, Bai Yi’s intuition had become incredibly powerful, always guiding him in the right direction. But unexpectedly, the system actually had a ready-made answer for him to copy—
The moment the words left Bai Yi’s mouth, two distorted characters slowly emerged in mid-air.
Bai Yi looked at those two characters and remained silent for a second.
On the other side, the blue-robed Taoist also fell silent for a second, then softly read out those blurry, twisted characters, “White King…”
Li Fufeng suddenly looked over. “What?!”
“I’m saying, the person you want to know about, or perhaps not necessarily a person, in any case, that existence who maintains order and humanity, should be called the ‘White King’.”
Qi Jiu’s smile unconsciously became more solemn, with a hint of memory passing through his gaze. “This title should be correct. I’ve also seen one or two mentions in ancient texts. It is said that since ancient times, the extraordinary world and the mundane world have not interfered with each other, and no powerful extraordinary existence has ruled over humanity, because of this person.”
“…In ancient texts, some say this was an immortal god who specifically governed order; others say the ‘White King’ is merely a position, passed down through generations; and some believe it’s not a person at all, but the embodiment of some rule. But in any case, all those who destroyed the established order and did not follow the rules ultimately disappeared.”
His voice grew softer, his expression becoming increasingly ethereal, until his tone carried the atmosphere of telling a horror story:
“That’s why I said nothing would happen in the Roland Kingdom. This entity is like a rule hanging high above, not interfering with the normal social order of supernatural beings and ordinary people, but also absolutely preventing extraordinary beings from causing excessive destruction in the ordinary world, unless the spiritual energy concentration further increases, in which case the restrictions on powerful extraordinary beings would be largely lifted.”
Li Fufeng had completely understood.
—The existence called the “White King” supervised this world’s order and humanity, allowing extraordinary beings and ordinary people to live in their respective worlds, not permitting excessive interference. Similar to a game administrator, once a extraordinary being appears in the ordinary world—like a max-level character entering a newbie village—if they cause destruction beyond acceptable limits, the administrator would directly ban their account. When the spiritual energy concentration further increases and ordinary people’s level upgrades, it’s like the newbie village’s upper limit rising, naturally reducing restrictions on extraordinary beings entering the newbie village.
Thinking this way, the Lord of the Heavenly Capital who disappeared after returning might have been aware of this, knowing that no matter how strong his abilities, they would not be permitted. So he simply found a place to go into closed-door cultivation, waiting for the spiritual energy concentration to further increase?
Li Fufeng expressed this understanding. Because he felt this Heavenly Master seemed to bear them no malice and had even actively shown goodwill to the Special Case Investigation Team, he spoke frankly.
His words were met only with a surprised light laugh.
“…Your understanding isn’t entirely wrong. But it’s quite one-sided. The existence of that entity is not merely supervising supernatural beings. In fact, supernatural beings aren’t even qualified. What it targets are all behaviors that disrupt order and humanity. In other words, all external factors that interfere with this world’s natural development are considered entities that destroy order and humanity.”
Qi Jiu seemed to have unexpectedly patient, explaining, “But no one knows what constitutes this world’s natural development. Even I, who considers myself somewhat versed in celestial mysteries, cannot comprehend the world through its eyes. Perhaps because it has already reached another dimension.”
Receiving an overwhelming amount of information at once, Li Fufeng momentarily didn’t know what to say. After laboriously cementing all this in his mind for later retelling, he hesitated before asking, “Senior, why…”
“Want to ask why I’m telling you so much? Even revealing the existence of the ‘White King’?” Qi Jiu smiled and cut off his words, speaking first. Li Fufeng couldn’t help but nod.
“Because even if I don’t say anything, it won’t be long before you’ll know these things anyway. I might as well tell you in advance to prevent you from being caught off guard.”
Qi Jiu’s tone was calm. He pointed a finger at the sky, revealing an expression unique to mystics. “What if I tell you that before long, this world will experience changes beyond your imagination, with order and humanity facing tremendous upheaval, and everyone might be drawn into it?”
“W-what?” Li Fufeng was so shocked he almost stood up. Without doubting the Heavenly Master’s words, his first reaction was to follow up and ask, “Have you seen something?”
The blue-robed Taoist let out a light sigh.
He did not deny it, his expression carrying an indescribable worry, yet still not forgetting to correct Li Fufeng. “It was something my friend and I saw together.”
After the correction, he continued. “What we see now is very blurry. But undoubtedly, it must be related to the Return to the Void.”
Li Fufeng completely understood.
Why would the Heavenly Master of Divine Calculation, who had always traveled through the mundane world without caring about worldly affairs, take the initiative to contact the Special Case Investigation Team? Why would he reveal so many secrets without reservation? The story of the destroyed Sword Realm had already made him deeply understand the terribleness of the Return to the Void. If their world was also about to face the Return to the Void, it would be no surprise that the Heavenly Master of Divine Calculation, who had seen signs and omens in advance, would make such preparations.
As for the possibility of him lying…
What benefit would there be in telling such a lie? What would be the point?
“I understand,” he nodded heavily. “I will definitely relay everything you’ve said, not missing a single word. If possible, I hope we can maintain contact. If you two seniors discover anything in the future, please be sure to notify our Special Case Investigation Team.”
Amid the heavy atmosphere, he saw the blue-robed Taoist suddenly laugh freely, “Since the event has not yet occurred, there’s no need to start looking gloomy right now. A few months ago, we divined that we would meet a noble person, and indeed we subsequently met the Lord of the Heavenly Capital. He is already aware of the approaching Return to the Void and will not sit idle. If necessary, that sword renowned throughout the world, the Hanguang Sword, may be unsheathed.”
Li Fufeng’s heavy mood improved considerably. He solemnly accepted the other’s words.
He saw the blue-robed Taoist nod slightly and float up, and just as he was about to step out of the tea house, another figure naturally appeared beside him. Silk-brocade sleeves overlapped with the blue Taoist robe, and the two silhouettes disappeared from his view.
—It seemed this person had been silently observing their conversation in the tea house from beginning to end, while concealing their own existence.
Is this the Divine Calculator…?
Realizing this, Li Fufeng was slightly stunned, remembering what Shi Cheng had said about these two not being accustomed to interacting with people, and he felt he understood something.
****
“White-King?”
Pondering the characters that had emerged in mid-air, the youth on the second floor of the apartment rubbed his chin, asking with great self-awareness. “This absolutely doesn’t sound like my naming style! It must be a title given by someone else. Maybe a follower…”
Thinking about the spontaneously organized Candlelight Society, he felt the person who coined this title was likely similar.
The characters in mid-air seemed to come alive, with a faint light radiating from the two characters.
Within this light, Bai Yi’s expression became increasingly subtle, as if countless voices flowed into his brain along the light. The unexposed panel’s “Rhythm of All Things” awakening suddenly surged, and all things in the world began to pour their stories to him.
“Expectation, yearning, hope, faith… I feel this title carries many emotions.”
…As if countless people had placed their hopes on him, thus transforming this title into a belief.
Countless fragmented, blurry images were transmitted across time and space. He vaguely heard “his own” voice, which was also fuzzy. “A name? Just call me ‘White’ is fine.”
—So, it was indeed a title added later?
—Was this the original timeline, the very beginning?
Just two characters, yet they gathered an unprecedented, extremely concentrated legendary status, as if this title had been spread and praised throughout infinite timelines, becoming a landmark etched into time.
The youth coded as “White”, in the initial timelines without a system, had exhausted all efforts yet failed to change the Return to the Void’s fate.
But everything he did led to him being crowned with the title of “King” by countless people—a title laden with expectations and hopes, condensing the legendary status of an entire time and space.
Then came the second timeline, the third timeline… This title, which condensed the legend degree of infinite timelines and was acknowledged by the beings of infinite timelines, had in some sense already carried a power that transcended a single time and space.
Although he should probably marvel at how impressive this was, but…
Thinking about how he had used his vest to glorify himself, and that originally, this title actually came from others’ mouths, spontaneously proclaimed by countless people, Bai Yi couldn’t help but puff out his cheeks.
“Feels like I’ve subtly lost somehow…”
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