CHAPTER 651: 609 ANTICIPATED EVENTS

Currently, I’m at the Luoshan Headquarters’ residence. In the southern city, I’ve dispersed thousands of "fireflies" around the perimeter for monitoring, and I’m constantly dedicating part of my attention to continuous infiltration work.

The new information from Fa Zheng, however, was reported by Lu Chan, saying that he discovered traces of Ming Zhuo and hoped to meet with me in the reception room where we previously met at noon for discussion.

Why not meet immediately, but rather wait until noon? This part wasn’t explained in detail; perhaps Fa Zheng has some urgent matters to address first.

Since it’s quite an important matter, I decided to find Little Bowl in advance to discuss it with her.

Little Bowl was staying in the mansion’s training grounds. It’s a large outdoor area. The one with training needs wasn’t herself, but Zhu Shi. It seemed like Zhu Shi had been coming to the training ground every morning to wield the Yama Sword and practice swordsmanship passed down from her family. No mana was utilized during this process, only practicing with ordinary speed and strength. At first glance, it seemed like practicing a traditional martial art, so there was no concern about harming the surrounding area.

Thanks to the great enhancement brought by the Yama Sword, Zhu Shi can now unleash two or three attacks from the Great Impermanence Domain at most, and can maintain the Great Success Rank level for an extended period. Calculating purely based on attack and defense, even Yinyue at its peak may find it hard to confront Zhu Shi directly now.

In theory, after reaching this level, swordsmanship seems unnecessary. Zhu Shi continues to practice swordsmanship, probably just trying to deepen her connection with the Yama Sword in her own way.

Little Bowl seemed to have something to discuss with Zhu Shi at that time. However, after I arrived, it turned into prioritizing the discussion about my issue. Zhu Shi also temporarily stopped practicing swordsmanship to listen to our conversation.

"I don’t quite understand..." Zhu Shi said, "Isn’t it likely that Ming Zhuo has already colluded with the Evangelical Institute? Why would he want to capture Mazao? The Evangelical Institute has technology to travel between the Post-mortem World and reality. Why doesn’t Ming Zhuo just utilize those connections?"

Little Bowl answered, "We’re lacking clues right now, but according to my guess, the issue probably lies in the supply-demand relationship."

"Supply-demand relationship?" Zhu Shi was puzzled.

"To put it simply... the relationship between Ming Zhuo and the Evangelical Institute isn’t that the latter needs to win over the former. Although we’ve been approaching it from the perspective that ’Ming Zhuo was recruited by the Evangelical Institute,’ this premise may be reversed," Little Bowl patiently explained, "because the Evangelical Institute doesn’t need to give up benefits to persuade Ming Zhuo to join the human-extermination plan.

"Simply inform Ming Zhuo of the truth about Doomsday and explain the human-extermination plan in detail, then even if the Evangelical Institute later wants to abandon saving the world, Ming Zhuo will ’fund it himself’ to proceed with the plan. Because Ming Zhuo also doesn’t want the world to be destroyed, and he is indifferent enough to human life and civilization, naturally agreeing with the human-extermination plan. He probably never could choose another stance.

"In this regard, Huang Quan as his mentor must have already seen through this. If it were about persuading Xuanming to join, the Evangelical Institute would surely need to offer huge benefits, like ’capturing and transferring the unique Divine Son of this era’ as a price... However, for Ming Zhuo, it’s completely the opposite. Ming Zhuo must actively offer significant benefits to the Evangelical Institute to make them willing to accept a traitor of Luo Mountain.

"Of course, generally speaking, Ming Zhuo’s powerful combat prowess as a Great Impermanence is already a ’huge benefit’ for the Evangelical Institute, without the need for bargaining... However, Ming Zhuo carries a very dangerous flaw."

Zhu Shi realized with understanding, "Is it the countdown of Naraku Undying Body’s lifespan?"

"Yes. Apparently, the Evangelical Institute... or more specifically, Huang Quan during his lifetime, held onto Ming Zhuo’s thoughts, wanting to seize this opportunity to force him into agreements he couldn’t normally accept," Little Bowl said, "For example, having Ming Zhuo go undercover first before officially becoming a traitor of Luo Mountain, and then turn betrayer at the most critical and risky moment, or other such schemes. This sinister and cunning mindset also aligns with Huang Quan’s consistent portrayal."

That’s why someone negotiating must never show how much they want it. If someone holds a lifesaving formula for another, it essentially gives them the freedom to demand anything they want.

So Ming Zhuo was looking for an ’alternative solution,’ and Mazao seemed to be the most likely breakthrough point at present.

"However, Huang Quan is now dead. The Evangelical Institute, lacking an important battle force, might also change their negotiation attitude with Ming Zhuo..." Little Bowl contemplated, "Following Ming Zhuo’s tracks might not just lead to him alone. Brother Zhuang Cheng, you must be careful, the other human gods from the Evangelical Institute might appear at that time as well."

If it were just me dealing with Ming Zhuo, it would be a sure-win situation, but listening to this, it seems there will be quite a lot of challenges.

My spirit couldn’t help but become active. Little Bowl, who initially seemed worried, seemingly wanted to remind me a few more things, but once noticing my gaze, her expression turned speechless.

"What if I go with you to trace him?" Zhu Shi seemed eager to move.

"No, Zhu Shi, you can’t go."

Little Bowl first sternly discouraged, seeing Zhu Shi’s determination was still ablaze, her voice turned even more serious, "Without offense, you’ll only be a burden if you go now. Even if you’re very strong in the Great Success Rank and can deliver Great Impermanence level attacks, so what? To you, the equivalent of a bottom-drawer killing move, one that drains all your strength in two or three pushes, those attacks to Brother Zhuang Cheng’s battlefield are merely random ordinary attacks.

"If your trump card hadn’t been exposed, maybe there would be some tactical significance in keeping it. Now that Ming Zhuo already knows about your existence and has witnessed your Yama Sword, his caution and cunning are likely on par with Huang Quan’s. Your appearance on the battlefield would only make you a weakness for Brother Zhuang Cheng."

After receiving such rejection, visibly, Zhu Shi’s spirit became wilted, replying in a feeble voice, "Oh..."

"But speaking of which..." Little Bowl seemed to soften, "Though you’re not capable now... it might not be the same soon?"

Zhu Shi nodded, "Hmm, just need another two or three months..."

Little Bowl said seriously, "When I say ’soon,’ I don’t mean as long as a summer vacation. In less than ten days, you’ll be able to fully master the Yama Sword."

"What?" Zhu Shi was both surprised and delighted. "What’s going on?"

"Are you planning to use the power of blessing?" I immediately thought of this.

Little Bowl’s blessing is not something that can be used on just anyone; it can only be used on important people. And Zhu Shi is crucial to Little Bowl’s completion of her innate mission, as she is the one whom Little Bowl sincerely wishes to be "happy and fulfilled," naturally meeting the criteria of an "important person."

As the Embodiment of Dream, Little Bowl existed from the beginning for Zhu Shi.

"My blessing power can project part of my nature as a Child of Divinity onto the person being blessed, greatly enhancing their understanding and adaptability to external conditions, even enlightening their wisdom and inspiration. Brother Zhuang Cheng must have already experienced this," Little Bowl said. "What Zhu Shi needs to communicate with the Yama Sword is precisely the nature she once had as a Child of Divinity, which happens to be what I can provide.

"Although wanting to achieve complete communication with the Yama Sword by just relying on a part of the Child of Divinity’s nature might still be challenging, Zhu Shi had already completed 80% of the communication progress. With Sister Mazao’s Power of Return assisting, significantly compressing the remaining 20% progress should still be possible."

Little Bowl came to find Zhu Shi this morning probably to convey this matter.

"Do you really think it’s okay to keep blessing me and to bless Zhu Shi for a long time?" I asked.

"It’s fine; I exist to bless your happiness. Doing something like this is as instinctive to me as breathing and heartbeat. As for the power output, the Divine Seal Fragment provides it, essentially like carrying a perpetual motion machine," Little Bowl said matter-of-factly.

Being a trinity of Child of Divinity, Dream Avatar, and Void Envoy, Little Bowl possesses too many extraordinary aspects.

Zhu Shi first showed an excited expression, then seemed puzzled. She looked down at the Yama Sword in her hand and then at Little Bowl, asking, "Wait... If just recovering part of my nature as a Child of Divinity can accelerate my communication progress this much, wouldn’t letting Little Bowl hold the Yama Sword herself mean that the communication could be completed in just three days? No, considering the enhancement from the Power of Divine Seal Fragment, Little Bowl could master the Power of Great Impermanence today, right?"

"If I could become battle-capable, I’d certainly want to contribute..." Little Bowl sighed. "But have you forgotten? Zhu Shi, I am the part you personally separated out back then as ’hindering your combat.’

"I am innately incompatible with combat and cannot learn any combat-related skills. The Yama Sword, a weapon filled with Gold and Killing Power, is fundamentally incompatible with me. I am the least likely person in this world to communicate with it."

Upon hearing this explanation, Zhu Shi immediately understood.

Then, Little Bowl hugged Zhu Shi. Slowly, the waves of blessing became apparent on Zhu Shi.

"If possible, I hope you can stay away from anything related to combat, but..."

Little Bowl let out a wistful murmur, then released her arms, stepping back.

She looked at Zhu Shi, extending her hand. Zhu Shi leaned forward knowingly. She gently stroked Zhu Shi’s cheek as her expression softened, then said in a tender voice, "Keep going... Zhu Shi, I will continue to pray for you."

Zhu Shi’s expression turned invigorated. She gripped her sword tightly and said with determination, "Mom... Little Bowl! Thank you; I will work even harder!"

After saying that, she resolutely turned her body, seemingly ready to go into seclusion.

But suddenly, Little Bowl grabbed her wrist.

"Don’t rush off, Zhu Shi, haven’t you forgotten something?" Little Bowl showed a meaningful smile.

Zhu Shi seemed to have a foreboding feeling, and her previous momentum vanished. She looked around and said, "What... What is it? I don’t remember at all..."

"Last time, you ran away halfway when you were kissing Brother Zhuang Cheng. That doesn’t count as passing. Since you’re going to spend all your time in seclusion afterward, make up for the missed lessons today first," Little Bowl said earnestly with a childlike appearance. "This time, you must stick out your tongue, and your body should hug and fit tightly together; I’ll be supervising you."

"Ugh..." With nowhere to escape, Zhu Shi looked over at me, "Senior Brother Zhuang..."

"Zhu Shi, there’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you face-to-face," I said.

"Wha-what is it?" Zhu Shi asked nervously.

I said seriously, "Actually, I’ve always looked forward to this."

Zhu Shi covered her face, blushing.