Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 489 - 459 Luo Mountain Power Territory Map

Chapter 489: 459 Luo Mountain Power Territory Map

"Liu Shuying wants to see me?"

I remembered Liu Shuying from the God Burial Ritual. He had given me a meaningful glance back then, as if he wanted to tell me something. Although he disappeared from the venue soon after, it seems he finally found the time to seek me out now.

As for the so-called "request" for a meeting, I suppose it’s just a matter of courtesy. Interactions among Impermanences usually don’t involve such formalities. From another perspective, it can be seen that the other party is likely not approaching with ill intent. Although formalities are often criticized, those who don’t even bother with appearances usually don’t have much respect for others.

However, I might not be in a position to sit in judgment. When I went to see Gua Tianshi, I didn’t send a request in advance. It’s said, "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire." Though I don’t mind candidly admitting that I have double standards in some areas, perhaps in the future, I’ll also have to give some attention to such formalities.

Lu Chan added, "He knows I work for you, so he came to me first and asked me to pass the message that he’ll arrive at the gate of this residence around sunset today."

"Sunset, huh... I see," I nodded. "Then, did he mention why he wants to see me?"

"He did. He said he wants to talk to you about the Taoyuan Village Master..." Lu Chan’s voice lowered, "— and about Shan Liangyi."

Since I’ve already asked the very capable Lu Chan to help me investigate clues related to Shan Liangyi, he knows about my connection with Shan Liangyi.

Mr. Zhu once told me that this matter isn’t suitable for too many people to know about. Once it spreads widely, it could shake the believers’ perception of me. Honestly, I don’t mind if everyone knows about this matter. Firstly, I don’t believe that just by keeping a low profile, Shan Liangyi wouldn’t find out about my relationship with him—the newly risen Fire Manipulating Impermanence. Secondly, Shan Liangyi is, in my mind, a role with whom, sooner or later, I must settle scores.

By then, it will either be me who is defeated by him, ending all matters, or I defeat him, making his existence irrelevant. Concealing such matters from the start implies not believing oneself to be Shan Liangyi’s match, harboring a weak intention of making a last spectacular exit before one’s demise.

What’s important now is why Liu Shuying wants to talk to me about Shan Liangyi? Also, the fact that I am a Liangyi Inheritor shouldn’t have spread yet, right?

And, although saying this might make me seem paranoid, I have wondered if Liu Shuying could actually be Shan Liangyi. The rumors of him being a "Prophet" inevitably remind one of Shan Liangyi’s ability to freely reincarnate past and future. I also discussed this with Gua Tianshi, but the conclusion was elusive.

Considering the clues collected so far, the only counter-evidence I have is that Liu Shuying’s mana does not belong to the Four Symbols and Five Elements, whereas Shan Liangyi’s mana must be within that system. However, considering that the Ro Mountain’s most powerful Impermanence Old Fist God, who once killed the latter, exists in this era, it isn’t hard to imagine wanting to hide one’s mana traits. Meanwhile, I don’t doubt Shan Liangyi can achieve this.

Since Liu Shuying is seeking me out, whether he is or isn’t [Shan Liangyi], I have no reason or way to avoid him; I can only face it head-on.

"Also, Zhuang Cheng, this is just my personal opinion. I advise you not to let Liu Shuying see Mazao." Lu Chan said seriously, "It’s merely a matter of experience and intuition, but I feel that Liu Shuying is similar to you in some ways... He might get unpleasant ideas upon seeing Mazao."

"Even you say that, so of course I’ll heed it," I said. "Also, your comment is sly, as if you’re suggesting that I, too, would get unpleasant ideas about Mazao."

Lu Chan deflected, saying, "Oh? ’Even I say that’? Has someone else given you similar advice before?"

I didn’t delve into his interest either; instead, I returned the discussion to the information he gave me, asking while continuing to examine it: "Since you’ve uncovered three Luoshan Branch Bases leaking information to Taoyuan Village within the Mingzhuo’s Influence, I presume they’ve figured it out too?"

Lu Chan smoothly added, "It’s not that I uncovered three, I suspect three... By the way, the Mingzhuo’s Influence’s investigation progress is evidently not as deep as mine."

"Why is that?" I wondered.

Lu Chan said lightly, "There’s no special reason. It’s just that some things are harder to investigate internally than externally, that’s all."

Despite that, I couldn’t help but once again admire his impressive investigation skills, and then asked another question: "I have one more question... Why are these three base locations positioned like this on the map?"

I pointed to two of the branch bases, "One is outside the national boundary, and another almost reaches the Arctic Circle, right?"

Lu Chan answered matter-of-factly, "Because both places are also within Ro Mountain’s territory."

"I thought Ro Mountain was a national organization," I said.

"That’s not entirely wrong, as most Luoshan Demon Hunters perceive it that way," Lu Chan said after some thought, "... You might as well think of it like this: our country has a long history, with its territorial map changing with each dynasty. This change relates to the secular state’s wars and political situations, with instances of humiliating territorial concessions in history. But, do you think those circumstances would affect the abnormal world or Ro Mountain?

"Unlike a country, Ro Mountain has always been the largest force in the abnormal world, expanding alongside secular national boundaries but never relinquishing claimed land.

"If not for the past separation of the normal and abnormal worlds, this stability would ideally have sheltered this country... But never mind. Do you know how large the territory of our country was at its peak in history?"

I have some impression of this. I once saw someone on the internet explaining the territorial extent of the Tang Dynasty, which was much larger than the present national territory, enough to astonish and alienate newcomers. Nowadays, what are foreign states were then part of its domain. The Mingzhuo apparently became an Impermanence around the Sui and Tang periods.

And reportedly, that wasn’t even the largest period in every dynasty, nor the second largest. Incidentally, during the God Burial Ritual, I also saw some foreign-looking Luoshan Demon Hunters participating. Initially, I wondered if they were ethnic minorities, such as the claimed Russian Ethnic, descendants of Russian immigrants. Now thinking about it, some might really have come from parts of Russia and other distant countries.

Little wonder that there’s a Ro Mountain Branch Base near the Arctic Circle. In some dynasties, the territory map did reach that far north.

"Besides expanding with national territories, Ro Mountain has had its spontaneous expansions... Presently, most of Asia falls within Ro Mountain’s sphere, with deployments in parts of Europe, Africa, North America, and Oceania. However, due to cultural affiliations, the base is still in this country," said Lu Chan. "Perhaps that’s why some countries see Ro Mountain as an extension of this country’s invasive reach and wish to foster their own organizations to handle abnormal events.

"I won’t elaborate on those aspects; after all, their outcomes are without suspense.

"By the way, you really don’t seem to know a lot of basic facts, huh? Haven’t you ever thought about checking up on them? Perhaps it’s because your preconceived notion hit that there’s no need to check, inhibiting curiosity in this area..."

Though I’ve felt a discordance while researching in the past, I never imagined Ro Mountain’s influence stretched to such an extent. It may be basic knowledge within Ro Mountain, which is why it isn’t stressed. Zhu Shi likely saw no need to mention such things for similar reasons.

As Lu Chan drew Ro Mountain’s approximate power territory on the map for me, I sighed in amazement; no wonder those Impermanences can so easily speak on how the world should be, given their dominion over such an area.

"How can you talk as though you have no stake in this... You’re also one of the supreme rulers within this territorial map," Lu Chan casually remarked, making me feel even more unreal.

He earnestly said, "Currently, Ro Mountain hasn’t officially become the ruling power of secular society. However, anyone with a bit of intellect can see that’s a foregone conclusion. I only hope that you Gods can be merciful in the future, sparing some bloodshed in this human world."

Before parting with Lu Chan, I took out a batch of Furnace Slag Impermanence Swords, as promised last time, to be given in the future to worthy believers. This consumed about one ten-thousandth of my total slag. If believers can summon my flame through faith and wield the Furnace Slag Impermanence Sword as a weapon, it would suffice to achieve level.

When evening came, around six o’clock, as the sun was nearly setting, I sensed the distant presence of Liu Shuying.

He walked over leisurely like an ordinary person, moved to the front gate of the residence, and gently knocked on the door with his knuckles.

I Flame Transmission to his rear, and he slowly turned around as if he had eyes on his back, with a slight smile.

"Hello, Zhuang Cheng. This is our first formal meeting, right? I am Liu Shuying," he said.

Follow current novels on freewe(b)novel.c(o)m