Chapter 943: Infiltrating the Cult

Editor: Henyee Translations

As the monks brought the ten chosen ones to a room at the topmost floor, one of them said, “Please wait here while I seek permission from the Grand Master of Divine Music.”

After entering the room briefly and returning, he announced, “The Grand Master allows you to enter. Remember to remain quiet and simply follow the instructions given. Understood?”

The first few divine children nodded eagerly.

“Come in,” the monk said as he opened the door.

They entered and found ten meditation cushions arranged in the center of the room; each person took a seat on one.

“Wait here,” the monk instructed. “The Grand Master is currently purifying himself and will soon come to summon the divine presence for you.”

Everyone sat quietly on the cushions. Chu Qingzhi observed Yan Zihao; his expression was calm, betraying nothing of his purpose here. Was he on some secret mission?

Chu Qingzhi considered this possibility and decided to watch and wait. If it turned out that he was indeed here on a mission, she would cooperate with him.

Soon, the Grand Master of Divine Music emerged from an inner chamber. He was a middle-aged man, bald and dressed in monk’s robes, appearing every inch the high priest. He took his place amidst the cushions.

“Congratulations on becoming divine children,” he began. “I shall now summon the divine presence for you.”

Everyone sat up straighter in anticipation.

The Grand Master closed his eyes and began chanting in an indistinct murmur, his demeanor exuding profundity.

Meanwhile, the assisting monk lit some incense.

Chu Qingzhi glanced at the incense and understood— it was laced with hallucinogenic drugs, designed to make the onlookers see whatever they were expected to see.

A monk approached Chu Qingzhi and asked, “Why aren’t your eyes closed?”

“Closing them now,” Chu Qingzhi quickly shut her eyes, but not before observing the awe-struck faces of the other divine children; they appeared to be experiencing visions of the divine.

Once Chu Qingzhi had closed her eyes, the monk moved away.

Yan Zihao closed his eyes and was surprised to see a vision of a divine figure descending from the heavens. This figure, a majestic and sacred man dressed in white, seemed to gaze down upon him with such intensity that he felt utterly unworthy.

This world does have gods, he thought.

He silently prayed, “Divine one, I seek immense power so that no one can look down upon me anymore, especially not my father. I want him to kneel before me in submission.”

The deity responded, “Strive and it shall be!”

Yan Zihao was elated, “Thank you, divine one.”

The vision faded, and reality returned.

The Grand Master opened his eyes and asked, “Have you all seen the divine?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

One of the youths excitedly replied, “Yes, the god fulfilled my wish. I believe soon I will live the life I’ve dreamed of.”

“Congratulations,” the Grand Master responded warmly.

After several others shared their experiences, the monk added some more substances to the incense burner, sending streams of blue smoke into the air. One by one, the divine children fell unconscious.

Chu Qingzhi thought to herself, It’s never this simple, suspecting another twist was about to unfold.

The unconscious were carried into two side chambers of the great hall, segregated by gender. Soon, several corpulent men emerged, leering lewdly as they headed towards the chambers, uttering filthy remarks.

Chu Qingzhi quickly grabbed a departing monk, switched their identities, then left the side chamber dressed as the monk.

After ensuring the men entered the chambers, she swiftly entered the Grand Master’s room and knocked him unconscious.

Emerging from the room, she neutralized all the monks.

Then she entered the side chambers, incapacitated the lewd men, dragged Yan Zihao out, and awakened him with a light touch on his brow.

Yan Zihao, shocked and panicked, realized how close he had come to disgrace.

“Miss Chu, thank you for saving me.”

Chu Qingzhi looked at him amusingly, “I didn’t expect to find you in such a place!”

Yan Zihao hurriedly clarified, “I was here to infiltrate this cult to identify its leader. I didn’t expect to fall into their trap. Thank you for your rescue.”

Feeling a chill, he added, “I would rather have died than be dishonored.”

Chu Qingzhi was somewhat surprised. “You planned to infiltrate a cult?”

Yan Zihao nodded. “It was a mission given by the general, to uncover the cult’s leader.”

Considering the situation, Chu Qingzhi suggested, “Then we’ll leave these people be for now. You’ll take over as the Bliss Master. Can you handle that?”

She had other matters to pursue, namely the chase for the second batch of military supplies, and couldn’t be tied down here.

Yan Zihao was momentarily stunned, “How can I become the Bliss Master?”

“Come here.” Chu Qingzhi led Yan Zihao into the Bliss Master’s room, pulled out some makeup supplies from her bag, “Sit down, I’ll transform you into the Bliss Master.”

Yan Zihao, feeling as if divine assistance was at hand, quickly sat down and closed his eyes to receive the makeover.

After some time, Chu Qingzhi snapped her fingers, “Open your eyes now.”

Yan Zihao looked in the mirror, touching his face in disbelief. He was the spitting image of the Bliss Master, “Thank you, Miss Chu.”

Chu Qingzhi packed away her supplies, “This cult is tied to the royal family of the eastern border’s Prince. Dig deep and see what else you can uncover.”

Hearing this, Yan Zihao realized the gravity of his task but felt up to the challenge, “Miss Chu, I know what to do.”

“Good, then I’ll leave the rest to you,” Chu Qingzhi said, ready to leave. She swiftly moved to bind the real Bliss Master and stashed him in a hidden chamber.

Yan Zihao looked at the contents of the hidden chamber, a wave of nausea hitting him as he discovered various instruments for torturing the maidens, “Truly a cult, committing inhuman acts.”

Chu Qingzhi advised, “Dig into these people carefully, you’re bound to uncover a lot. You need to act fast because the army won’t stay here long.”

Grateful, Yan Zihao nodded, “Thank you for the guidance, Miss Chu. I understand.”

“Alright, I’m off then.” Chu Qingzhi left without further delay.

Yan Zihao bowed respectfully, “Farewell, Miss Chu.”

After she left, Yan Zihao stood firm, took a deep breath, and awakened the other monks by splashing them with water, shouting, “Wake up! You’re here to serve, not to sleep.”

The monks woke up to see the Bliss Master standing before them, their faces filled with panic as they quickly knelt and begged for mercy, “Mercy, Grand Master!”

Yan Zihao scanned the room authoritatively, “Bring me the list, someone just told me we’ve been infiltrated by spies.”

The monks complied, “Yes, Bliss Master, right away.”

With this new authority, Yan Zihao felt empowered. As he prepared to delve deeper into the cult’s secrets, he felt a profound sense of duty to expose and dismantle the evil within.