Chapter 804: Cataclysm

“… ‘What was the result of the negotiation?'”

Ji Xin paused when he heard Shanli’s words, then looked up and asked.

“Do I even need to say?”

Shanli slowly exhaled: “Those parties could be described as defeated. The influence on the Roman Catholic Church was even greater than expected, and North America has completely turned to the Hebrews, whose aim is West Asia, the promised land they yearn for.

However, this brings new problems. The sudden imbalance of one party causes too great an impact. Now the Hebrews lack a counterbalancing force.”

“…”

Ji Xin realized something and frowned slightly: “So?”

“There’s no ‘so’.”

Shanli shook his head: “Just informing you about this matter, not demanding anything new.”

“Sometimes, being informed is more troublesome than a direct order.”

Ji Xin glanced at Shanli: “Because the latter might just have us follow directions, while the former might be… making us think up solutions ourselves.”

“… Ah?”

Shanli was momentarily astonished.

“Forget it, you don’t need to understand these things.”

Ji Xin shook his head: “I quite like how you look all cool and seem to know everything but actually have extremely low sensitivity, like a fool.”

“…”

Shanli lightly glared at Ji Xin upon hearing this, but thought about it and didn’t argue with her, instead asking: “So what are you planning to do? If you really need to think of solutions… Chen Lusi?”

“Even if you don’t feel sorry, I feel sorry for his girlfriend.”

Ji Xin replied straightforwardly: “Imbalance is just imbalance, is there really no one in West Asia? Do we have to do everything? What’s the point of worldly power? I told you you’re a fool. Since it’s about making us think of solutions instead of a direct command, it means it’s not mandatory, and there’s no time requirement either.

So, it can be understood as simply maintaining awareness.

Of course, this constant awareness is to prepare us for any orders that might come in the future.”

“…”

Shanli didn’t want to speak anymore.

Ji Xin glanced at her again: “Looking like you understand everything but actually having a fool’s sensitivity is enough… don’t label yourself as petty.”

“You understand everything, alright, so what do we do now?”

Shanli rolled her eyes at her childhood friend and then asked: “Since you feel sorry for Chen Lusi, why ask about his situation?”

“Yellow Springs.”

Ji Xin sighed and looked sideways out the window: “Didn’t you say those golden figures signaled her to go back to mainstream?”

Shanli stopped joking upon hearing this: “You’re still worried he won’t inform anyone, and might go to Yellow Springs Mainstream alone again, getting into trouble?”

“Hmm.”

“Then tie him down.”

“You’re so good at talking, yet I don’t see you tying anyone up.”

Ji Xin said irately: “Besides, if we consider the big picture, he should go to Yellow Springs Mainstream. After all, his Authority Ability… stems from Yellow Spring Remnant Veins. As his reputation grows, he will surely be a focal point, needing resolution and explanation.

Not wanting him to go is merely my personal standpoint, taking into account the current situation of Celestial Strategy Mansion and my personal emotions.”

“You’re really stubborn.”

Shanli mumbled: “Just say you don’t want him to take risks anymore.”

“…”

Ji Xin ignored her, lowering her head in contemplation.

Shanli also did not speak further.

Because she understood this childhood friend.

About two minutes later.

Ji Xin looked up suddenly and asked: “Daoism, those Daoist masters said they want to promote talismans on a small scale and reestablish Daoists, right?”

“Yes.”

Shanli nodded: “And the top leadership has agreed in principle, but it must be conducted under the supervision of Celestial Strategy Mansion. You haven’t dealt with this yet, and they’ve urged twice already.

Zhang Xiufeng from Dragon Tiger Mountain seems a bit impatient.”

“It’s normal. Initially, they might suppress their excitement because it was inappropriate to divulge it, but with Chen Lusi’s mobile unit appearing several times, watching Security Army carry out Daoist methods while real Daoists can’t teach others. Considering the influence, they have to sneak around using it. If I were in their shoes, I’d also be anxious.”

Ji Xin nodded slowly: “But urgency aside, let’s let them stew for a while longer. The composition of their Daoism is too extensive, allowing them to reclaim past glory easily is not a good thing. Reply to them, this needs Chen Lusi’s nod.”

Shanli realized, reluctantly: “You don’t intend for them to hold up Chen Lusi, do you? Is this really more effective than directly telling him, ‘I don’t want you to take risks, I want you to be safe and sound’?”

“Exactly, strengthen the ‘looks like they know everything but actually have low sensitivity’ foolish tag. It makes one more liked than just being a tall beauty.”

Ji Xin said directly: “After all, when Tang Language’s fool side reached its peak, even I found her kind of cute.”

“…”

Shanli took a deep breath, and directly dropped the documents she was holding, then walked around behind Ji Xin.

“I’m warning you…”

Ji Xin watched Shanli walk around behind her and immediately began to talk.

But her words were not finished.

Shanli pushed her directly towards the restroom.

“I was wrong.”

Ji Xin remained silent for a moment, expressionless, and said in an extremely calm tone, “Forgive me.”

“…”

Only then did Shanli stop and gently tousle her long hair, “If I understood everything, why would I need you!”

“Daoism can’t hold back Chen Lusi, and Chen Lusi won’t intentionally block Daoism. After all, it’s a local religion; not to mention Chen Lusi, I personally quite like it.”

Ji Xin finally started to explain, “I sent them to find Chen Lusi mainly to further reinforce Chen Lusi’s authority in their minds, increasing the control of Chen Lusi and Celestial Strategy Mansion over them.

After all, if it’s only us nodding, all they would feel towards Chen Lusi for recovering the Daoist Lineage would be gratitude. But if Chen Lusi’s approval is needed, gratitude becomes more complex.

If there’s a chance, it’s best to have Chen Lusi strip a Daoist of their ability to use Talismans.

This way, combined with recent events, Chen Lusi’s prestige would be unprecedented.

But Chen Lusi probably won’t agree, considering those Daoists haven’t done anything outrageous.”

“… Be human.”

Shanli ruffled Ji Xin’s hair again, “Those Daoists have been in seclusion for decades. Now, they’ve finally emerged to recover the Daoist Lineage, and you want to strip them of their hard-won Daoist abilities.

The problem is they haven’t done anything yet. They can be said to be unconditionally cooperating with Celestial Strategy Mansion this entire time, without complaints— even facing the dangerous situation during the collective gods’ procession in Kunlun, they didn’t retreat a step. Compared to another religion that sent almost no one, acting dead the entire time, they seem almost like an affiliate of Celestial Strategy Mansion.

And yet you want Chen Lusi to strip a Daoist of their abilities; aren’t you afraid they’ll go all out against you?”

“That’s why I said Chen Lusi wouldn’t agree to this.”

Ji Xin remained expressionless, “Moreover, I only mentioned the possibility, not a definite course of action. If I were the one helping them recover the Daoist Lineage… I wouldn’t be afraid of them going all out against me. At worst, let them be in seclusion for another few decades.

After all, I’m not Chen Lusi, nor am I a good person.”

“…”

Shanli smiled, not answering, instead smoothing her soft hair and braiding it.

Ji Xin didn’t resist but continued, “Compared to Daoism, the other religion you mentioned is the real problem, the pressing issue Chen Lusi needs to resolve.”

“Yes.”

Shanli paused for a moment before nodding, “They’ve been too quiet lately, almost nonexistent, not reacting to the major incident in Kunlun, nor after Xia Yue’s death. Even recently, when a god descended personally over the high seas, they showed no reaction.

It’s as if they aren’t domestic Empowerers… and secretly, they seem to have connections with Nepal.”

“That’s why Chen Lusi really shouldn’t head to the Yellow Springs Mainstream at this time.”

Ji Xin leaned back slightly upon hearing this, “What he should do now is to rely on the residual prestige of this period to decisively solve several major domestic issues.

The remaining old figures have been restrained due to public prosecution events.

But one of the largest domestic religions still maintains a state of detachment and division.

This is not a small issue.”

Shanli’s ponytail was nearly complete, “So you want Chen Lusi to pay them a visit? Issue a warning?”

“The specifics don’t matter.”

Ji Xin shook her head, “What matters is Chen Lusi’s attention to this issue, what matters is their response. It’s not up to us to decide what to do, but them.

Chen Lusi appearing before them should make them feel the pressure.”

“…”

Shanli thought about the events of this period, “…Indeed.”

“However.”

After he agreed, Shanli changed his tone, “Though you constantly try to conceal, ultimately you want to hold back Chen Lusi, not wanting him to take risks. I still feel if you want to solve the problem once and for all, the best way is to tell him directly that you want him to stay by your side… wait, in the Human World.

Of course, if you could be more forceful, that would be even better.

To some extent, he’s actually quite easy to talk to, especially when it comes to requests from weak girls.”

“I’m braiding your hair.”

Ji Xin replied expressionlessly, “Idiot.”

…

A gentle breeze swept through, easing the city’s hustle and bustle.

Chicken Cage Mountain.

The thousand-year-old Ancient Temple Jiming stands quietly, incense flourishing.

At the highest point is the Medicine Buddha Pagoda.

Zen Master Huizhao gazed at the distant skyscrapers, suddenly sighed, clasped his hands together, “Venerable Vajra Breaker… turns out it’s not the end. When the adept Xia Yue came to warn me, or perhaps even earlier, I should have realized this.”

“Master, what are you talking about again?”

The Little Monk tugged at Zen Master Huizhao’s robe, somewhat curious, “Why are you so uneasy?”

“…”

Upon hearing this, Zen Master Huizhao slowly bowed his head, then reached out to pat his small head, “Because the master senses a great calamity looming.”

“A great calamity?”

“Even across a hundred calamities, deeds performed are not extinct; when conditions arise, one still reaps the consequences.”

Zen Master Huizhao nodded, then looked toward the distance, “With a resolute disposition, keen intellect, surpassing in liberation and insight, ranked first among the five hundred, is it Venerable Arhat Kasyapa?

If such a person becomes an enemy…”