724 Compassion (1/2)
What made it even more terrifying was that Hua Sheng's scepter was abnormally permeable and was just like an elderly clergyman giving a lecture of the Holy Bible. It was compelling and had the power to change a person into placing his faith entirely into it.
Dense electricity appeared around Ye Qingxuan as if an invisible protective net had been activated with a resounding clap. He could sense that Hua Sheng's music theory was infiltrating him just like how the power of a catastrophe would infiltrate others.
”It looks terrifying, doesn't it?” Hua Sheng chuckled as he poured the remaining wine in his cup into the sea. ”Thanks to the Court of Inquiry, I managed to bring out the full strength of the music theory of Holy Caldron and became a scepter. Although it allowed me to convert freely amongst others, it was still not significant enough. Music theories do not change a person and neither does it allow for someone to achieve true redemption. Therefore, I call it 'apocrypha'.”
Apocrypha was to deviate from the right path. It was neither the book of abyss nor the Holy Bible, but something in between. It might seem flawless on the outside but was actually rather extreme. One could bend it to his will but could never truly master it.
It was just stuck in the middle of sublimation and degeneration. This was Hua Sheng's scepter, a maniac that would make use of the names of sages from the past to achieve his own purpose, an apocrypha that concealed evil intentions and poison, and an empty and false redemption. If Hua Sheng wanted to, he was fully capable of converting black and white, where the musicians of the Church would degenerate and Dark Musicians would be blessed.
But just like he said, music theories were not capable of changing people; people fulfilled music theories instead.
”You are really…” Ye Qingxuan was having a slight headache.
Hua Sheng's scepter was just like him. He might appear to be gentle and holy but his heart was filled with evil intentions. It was just like an evil cult, where one would be convinced to deviate from his original path in order to borrow and rely on Hua Sheng's power, only to be changed incrementally. One would be under his control and would never dare to face their true selves under the façade of redemption until finally, they have become his puppet. No one would believe that he did not do anything extra when he helped the Island musicians to remove their maladies.
He sighed. ”Go back and find Shi Dong for a teaching position. You will go to Westminster Church to take up a temporary position.”
”You want me to become the next Archbishop of Westminster Church?” Hua Sheng understood what he meant and began to laugh in a strange manner. ”You are sure you want me to take up the position of a clergyman?”
”No, not at all. But just like you said, music theories can't change a person, but it's the person that fulfills the music theory.” Ye Qingxuan shook his head. After pondering for a long time, he suddenly asked, ”By the way, are you interested to become the Pontifex Maximas of Protestantism?”
Hua Sheng was stunned. After a long time, he finally burst out laughing.
…
Ten hours before, on the desolated northern region of the sea outside of Anglo, this entire region was now devoid of any presence of humans after the short battle. The seas were dark green in color and were foul-smelling. Fog hung in the air like cotton as the remaining toxins of the Cup of Virtues could not be removed.
Amidst the eerie silence, the elderly musician stood above the waves. He was holding onto a wooden staff that was even taller than him. His body, which was slightly hunched, leaned against the staff. He was clad in a black long robe as he surveyed the desolated sea.
”How long are you going to continue looking?” He stared through the emptiness ahead of him. His expression was calm, as if he had always been able to see Anubis, who had been concealing himself in emptiness.
There was awkward laughter before a musician, who transformed himself into a God with a wolf's head, stepped out of emptiness and bowed to the old man in front of him. ”We meet again, Teacher Bach.”
Bach looked at him from head to toe for a long time. ”Looks like you have been well. Gaius has been pretty good to you.”
Wolf Flute nodded. ”As he should.”
”Sacred City has not treated you too shabby either.”
Wolf Flute touched his long nose as his mouth cracked open to reveal two rows of white teeth. ”There's no other choice. I was raised by wolves after all. When I am ungrateful, I may just bite the hand that feeds me.”
Bach was indifferent. ”Wolf Flute, you have a human name.”
”Didn't all this happen precisely because Teacher had given me a name?” Wolf Flute countered, ”Just like you once said, one was bound to err if one was to work hard. Sometimes I wonder, what if I had continued to live and die as a wolf, I may have been more fortunate compared to my current state.”
Bach listened but remained unmoved. ”Why do you deceive yourself with the excuse of a beast when you made the decision as a human?”
”Teacher is right.” Wolf Flute lowered his head.
”Since you dare to appear in front of me with a projection, does that mean you are prepared to fight me?” Bach stared at him as he raised his wooden staff before striking down.