Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1628 - 53: The Supreme Sun Mermaid and the Innocent Society Members (13)
Lin Yin opened the box, inside were a few lemon candies, smooth and appealingly colored.
"What’s this? Trying to bribe me, Doggy Wang?" Lin Yin joked.
"I want to know how the World Game is going now," Wang Xingkong sat down and said.
"It’s just the same old, beat the last enemy, and we win."
"Thank you for coming back, otherwise Yuhang and I would probably die here."
Lin Yin turned her head, sucking on a lemon candy, hesitantly said: "...Yuhang?" Does Wang Xingkong still think Chen Yuhang is himself by now?
Wang Xingkong chuckled, bypassing the topic: "There’s no point in worrying about the truth anymore, I don’t even know who I am, the real Wang Xingkong is already dead... maybe my parents don’t recognize me at all..."
Suddenly, there was a slightly hoarse chuckle from the side. The red-haired photographer Zhao Yuan leaned against a broken wall, holding a crumpled cigarette between his fingers.
"Stop talking about irrelevant stuff, want one?"
Wang Xingkong quickly waved his hand: "If my parents find out, they’ll kill me."
Zhao Yuan said blandly, "You’re shaking, if you’re attacked, this cigarette will calm your hands."
Wang Xingkong hesitated for a few seconds but still took it. Zhao Yuan leaned in and helped light it with a "snap".
Wang Xingkong instantly coughed from the smoke, the spicy and bitter taste filling his mouth, he couldn’t stand it and immediately spat out the smoke.
"Hehe... it’s just a stimulant to numb the brain, better stay away," Zhao Yuan smiled, holding the cigarette: "During war photography, the pressure is too much, I picked up the habit of smoking, it helps me calm down..." She took a deep breath, her smile tinged with wildness, "Just like now..."
They looked over, Lü Shu was releasing paper cranes with the people.
After escaping from the soldiers’ gunfire, the crowd still encountered stray and thrown rounds, some people died.
This is a custom of blessing the dead. Paper birds will become "Thousand Paper Cranes," truly transforming into life soaring into the sky.
Lü Shu stood on a slightly elevated hillside, his white hair fluttering in the ash-laden wind. Hundreds of paper cranes were thrown into the air.
They rode the wind, in colors of white, gray, yellow, even tinged with some blood red... countless paper cranes fluttered their fragile wings, gathering into a torrent above the ruins.
Flying over broken steel and concrete, flying over charred land, flying over the silent crowd’s heads, light and fragile, as if they might be blown away by the wind at any moment.
Zhao Yuan gazed at the splendid paper cranes, silent for a moment, pointed to his chest, "I used to be a war photographer, saw too many soldiers begging me to end their lives, often they had lost half their bodies and couldn’t die. Then, I would think, I must prepare a ’last bullet’ for myself."
"Last bullet?" Wang Xingkong raised his head.
"End your life with dignity, avoiding final suffering, not driven by desire into beastliness..." Zhao Yuan said.
Wang Xingkong stared blankly at Zhao Yuan.
"I really admire you."
"What?"
"War photographer, daring to go to such dangerous places. You don’t look that much older than me."
"Haha... I just love photography," Zhao Yuan paused in her smile, no longer so lively, "I also hope only to capture ordinary smiles, no longer people with faces covered in ash in my lens... Doggy Wang."
"Ah?"
"Can I call you that?"
"Sure. My parents call me that too."
"After this is over, will you go with us? Seek your parents in the new world."
"Of course, I want to see the bigger, greater world."
At that moment, Lü Shu came over, holding a communication device in his hand.
"Lu is about to meet the ’Nest Master’." Lü Shu’s hair had a paper crane stuck askew, "The World Master’s succession ceremony is the day after tomorrow, we must unite the ’Nest’s’ strength within two days, break into the World Master’s succession ceremony, seize the Holy Sword, connect with Su Ming’an."
"Alright, I’ve already gathered 273 ’Nest’ captains’ messages," Zhao Yuan took out a small screen from the camera, flashing red light.
"Are they willing to fight? Many are just civilians..." Lin Yin said worriedly.
"People walking on the edge of the cliff may fall at any time, they’ve reached the extreme of despair. At this time, as long as someone picks up the torch and charges ahead, as long as someone tells them—stand up, the front is no longer a cliff, there’s light ahead, once you cross it, your parents and children have the chance to see a sky with no shadows..." Si Nian wiped the knife scar on his face, "They will rush forward, like flames, continuous. Extinguish one cluster, and another arises. From alleys, rivers, churches, behind ruins, bit by bit, endlessly..."
...
Only two days remain until the World Master’s succession ceremony.
Mother Divine Sanctuary of Radiant Light.
The chandelier-lit stained glass on the dome cast brilliance, depicting angels surrounding a holy scene. The Church Court, local bishops, world clan representatives, foreign envoys... all notable figures on the surface of Luowasha were dressed in their grandest attire, holding their breath, awaiting the historical moment.
In a pure white bishop’s robe, Hui Chi walked to the highest point of the sanctuary, his pigeon blood ruby-like eyes serene as water.
"...Do you vow to shepherd the flock, adhere to the holy path, until life ceases?"
"I do."
The Supreme Cardinal placed the Triple Crown upon Hui Chi’s head and presented the Radiant Light Staff. The instant Hui Chi’s fingertips touched the staff—
Buzz!
The deities and angels depicted on the dome’s stained glass seemed to come alive, and the Holy Song suddenly soared. The usher proclaimed loudly:
"Hail Under the Pope’s Crown!"
Like a wave of wheat blown by the wind, everyone within the sanctuary kneeled in unison, paying respects to the figure in the holy light atop the altar. The calls were thunderous, filled with fervor and reverence.
—The newly appointed Pope Hui Chi, holding the Radiant Light Staff, wearing the Triple Crown, his pure white robe trailing. He stood in the light, his face compassionate and sacred, with a faint and elusive smile, accepting the people’s worship.
However, as Hui Chi stepped off the altar, people couldn’t help but look towards in front of him—
In the wheelchair, the World Master’s heir lay asleep with closed eyes, his face peaceful, seemingly unaware of the earth-shaking commotion around him. He was wearing the elaborate ceremonial attire symbolizing princely authority, yet weakly leaned against the chair back.
Many nobles and officials exchanged subtle glances. Everyone knew the truth, but no one spoke out.
Hui Chi seemed completely oblivious to these subtle glances. His face was filled with compassion as he pushed Su Ming’an’s wheelchair, like a shepherd leading a lost lamb. He even bent down slightly to straighten Su Ming’an’s collar in front of certain important figures.
... 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
On the same day, in the World Palace council hall.
The Church and the Council stood in opposition, with one side governing and the other side upholding the faith.
The obsidian floor was so polished it reflected like a mirror. Hui Bei, the chief of the Council, sat at the head seat, dressed in a deep purple chief’s robe, and gazed emotionlessly at the endlessly arguing council members below.
"—The rebel army of the ’nest’ has already occupied the granary and armory of the third district! If we delay any longer, the Holy City will be in danger!" A council member from the military department passionately argued.
"What should we use to suppress them? The Eastern Front is strained, the Western Union’s Dark Elves have an ambiguous attitude, and the Central Army must at least ensure the safety of the Holy City. How can we easily dispatch our main force to eradicate those rats?" Another internal affairs council member immediately countered, "Now rumors are spreading everywhere, accusing us... accusing the Princely Heir and the Council of oppressive rule! We should focus on appeasement at this time!"
"Appeasement? Should we agree to their ridiculous demands?"
"But their scale is growing, even forming organized armed units and unified command! According to internal intelligence from the ’nest,’ they are planning a general attack on the day of the World Master’s succession ceremony."
"A group of lesser races, do they think they can overturn the heavens?"
"The problem is, under the instigation of that ’Nest Master,’ even intermediate races are not lacking..."
The meeting fell into a brief silence, as the council members exchanged hostile glances. Finally, all eyes focused on Hui Bei.
Hui Bei said calmly, "So, the conclusion is—we can neither swiftly resolve the rebellion of the ’nest,’ nor can we accept their political demands, nor can we bear the consequences of them causing trouble during the succession ceremony. Am I right?"
The council members looked at each other in dismay.
Hui Bei leaned back in his chair: "Since the Council is struggling to handle it appropriately, we request the assistance of the Church, leveraging the power of the Inquisition."
Her statement was official and reasonable, perfectly in line with protocol.
But these words caused many council members’ expressions to slightly change. This meant conceding some power to the newly-appointed Hui Chi Pope. The Council and the Church have always been a check on each other, and this move would be tantamount to admitting the Council’s incompetence.
"Chief, the Church has been expanding its influence rapidly in recent years, especially the Hui Chi Pope..." An elderly and prudent council member couldn’t help but speak up.
"Oh?" Hui Bei interrupted him smoothly, "Then please propose a better solution that can quell the ’nest’ rebellion within two days and ensure the succession ceremony proceeds flawlessly. The Council respects and looks forward to every member’s constructive opinions."
The council member opened his mouth but eventually sat back down in frustration.
Hui Bei’s eyes flashed: "After all, the common people are still common people. Even if gathered by incitement, their cohesion remains dependent on a few core leaders. Once the head wolf is lost, the pack will naturally scatter. I propose conducting a ’decapitation operation’ to eliminate the ’Nest Master’ and their core command layer. Leaderless, the remaining rebels will be less of a concern and can either be pacified, divided, or suppressed."
"But the ’Nest Master’ is elusive, and our multiple infiltration attempts have failed..." Some expressed concerns.
"That’s why we need the Church’s help," Hui Bei replied.
His argument was calm and shrewd, placing all possible risks under the banner of "efficiency" and "order."
"Furthermore," Hui Bei added, "this move can also shift the negative reputation onto the Church. After all, eliminating the ’Heretic Leader’ is the responsibility of the Inquisition, isn’t it?"
The council members fell silent, then immediately showed expressions of understanding. This resolved the issue while allowing the Church to bear the blame, positioning the Council as the coordinator and ultimate benefactor—an ingenious plan that killed two birds with one stone.
"The Chief has deep foresight!"
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
Hui Bei watched the Council reach a consensus with an expressionless face.
"Then, formally notify the Pope. Request the Church’s effort to purify the head and core members of the rebel organization ’nest.’ The Council will provide all necessary secular military support." Hui Bei decisively got up, ignoring some idle chatter, and walked out straightforwardly, like a swift wind.
He put an end to the argument. Yet no one knew, this was a crucial part of Hui Bei’s plan—to drag the Church into the mire of secular affairs, setting up the perfect stage for the finale two days later.
Hui Bei lowered his gaze, concealing the calculations in his eyes.
"...Oh? Our Imperial Master is quite the liar." A shadow writhed in the depths of a corridor pillar, merging into a graceful figure. She emerged from the darkness, her dark red dress like congealed blood, her face enchanting and exquisite.
"Demon..." Hui Bei murmured softly.
The woman chuckled lightly, her voice like honey: "Ah, what a saddening title. I would prefer to be called Evelyn. You plot behind my young master’s back, thinking I don’t know? Imperial Master, you were eloquent just now, handling advances and retreats smoothly, even finding someone else to take the fall."
She tilted her head, her smile charming yet ruthless.
"What a pity, it’s all lies!"
"Flames never burn with just one or two sticks of wood. You think assassinating the ’Nest Master’ will extinguish the fireseed? That will only cause the sparks to live on endlessly."
"Kill one leader, and another, a third... even a tenth will soon stand up. In the end... there won’t be a need for any specific ’Nest Master.’ Once the time is ripe, those who despair will don symbols, tear cloth to wrap their heads, and pick up anything that can serve as a weapon. By then, everyone can be the ’nest,’ everyone is a flame of revenge. Can you kill them all?
The oppressed are too many, Imperial Master. So many like a sea. You cannot block them."
"With your wisdom, it can’t be that you don’t understand this, yet you decide to do so. Are you truly planning to emulate Ming Hui and let go of power two days later?"
Evelyn seemed to have already known the answer and disappeared before a reply could be given.
Hui Bei stood still, expressionless. He rolled up his sleeve, caressing the mark of the Demon Mother Goddess on his arm, resembling a deep purple mandala flower.
"...Your Highness," he murmured softly.
...
Dreams, exploration team.
Aboard a small spaceship, Su Ming’an and the expedition team arrived at the Splendid Star.
The hatch opened, and a gust of air mixed with strange floral scents and sulfur rushed in. There was only one moon in the sky—at this time, Luowasha did not yet have a sun.
Towering crystal mountains refracted light, presenting a dreamlike color. In the distance, various uniquely-shaped creatures could be seen—some with translucent wings resembling jellyfish, others covered in rocky shells.
"Wow! This is just... like the ultimate map in a fantasy series game!" An awe-filled voice exclaimed.
Su Ming’an turned to see a handsome young man with green hair looking around with shining eyes, his face so beautiful it was almost too much, brimming with excitement. Originally, Su Ming’an thought he was someone with a quiet, glass-like personality, but the contrast was this stark.
Kasadia took out a small sketchbook from his pocket, rapidly sketching the distant mountains’ outline.
Su Ming’an walked over to him, watching his skilled sketching techniques and couldn’t help but comment, "Do you really like... the two-dimensional world?"
