Chapter 224: Saint (II)

【"These are compressed gunpowder." Wang Kai picked up the smallest ceramic jar, hefted it in his hand, "Don't judge it by its size; its power is not small. This one is enough to blow a hole in a wall; the big one can send a house flying into the sky."】

He pointed at those ceramic jars, a strange smile on his face.

【"We don't need them to storm the palace. I only need them, carrying these, to the busiest market in Great Harbor, at the gates of officials' and nobles' mansions, beneath the palace walls..."】

Wang Kai didn't continue, but Wang Tie already fully understood.

【"But how do we send them over?" Wang Tie swallowed, asking the most crucial question.】

【"Do you remember when we came, we brought those few Japanese fishing boats?" Wang Kai pointed out the window, "Pick a night, send a ship to drop them off at the coast dozens of li outside Great Harbor. The rest of the way, let them walk on their own."】

【"Walk on their own? Dozens of li—can they manage? I remember those Saints, each like a consumptive ghost, collapsing at a breath of wind." Wang Tie frowned.】

【"You seriously underestimate Mr. Wang Wenyan's methods." In Wang Kai's eyes was a look almost reverent, "To them, physical suffering is cultivation to cleanse their karma. The harder the road, the firmer their faith; not just dozens of li, even hundreds of li, they will crawl and reach the destination."】

【"Because in their eyes, the end of that road is not death, but the Ultimate Bliss Pure Land."】

【"This matter is too risky." Wang Tie took a deep breath, "If we slip up and the Sanfoqi capture a live one, following the trail to us, we'll be completely exposed."】

【"We've already broken ties, seized the Maliujia Haixia; he now has our hearts chopped into pieces, but fear of our guns and cannons keeps him from pressing further."】

【"Now I'm going to send people to tell them!" Wang Kai's voice grew colder, "Some games he can't afford to play."】

【"Good!" Wang Tie slapped his thigh, "Done! Damn it, after holding it in so long, finally let out this foul breath! Tell me, how many people do you need?"】

【"It's not about numbers, but quality." Wang Kai held up five fingers, "Five will do. Five of the most devout, most eager for 'redemption' Saints."】

【"I'll pick them myself." Wang Tie stood, a sinister smile on his face, "I guarantee those I choose are the most eager to meet the light."】

Wang Kai nodded, he walked to the nautical chart, his gaze falling again on the two characters "Great Harbor".

【"Tell them, the Wang Family's great charitable undertaking needs their offering. The final impurity on their souls will be cleansed by the divine fire on Great Harbor. After completing the mission, in their next life they will be reborn as the Han gentlemen they most envy, enjoying supreme glory."】

Wang Tie grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth. "Don't worry, I'm familiar with this spiel."

He turned and walked toward the cabin exit, reached the door, paused, then looked back at Wang Kai.

【"You brat, you're darker than me."】

Wang Kai smiled and said nothing.

He knew, to deal with ruffians you must use methods harsher than theirs; to deal with barbarity you must use absolute violence.

The king of Sanfoqi thought that hiding behind and firing cold arrows would make the Wang Family retreat. He was wrong. He had provoked not a mere band of toll-collecting merchants.

The stairs to the hold were dark and damp, the air mixed with sweat, mildew, and an indescribable, eerie scent like altar incense.

Wang Tie pinched his nose as he went down; each step creaked. He disliked this place. As a Wang Family scion accustomed to sunshine, sea breeze, and the smell of blood, he instinctively recoiled from this gloomy, oppressive atmosphere.

The hold had no windows, only a few lanterns hung on the walls, their dim yellow light barely illuminating a small space. Dozens of Japanese in white robes, heads shaved, sat or lay scattered on the straw-covered floor.

Hearing the movement at the stairwell, they almost simultaneously turned their heads.

What kind of eyes they were.

No fear, no curiosity, not even a flicker of emotion. Only a near‑petrified, death‑like fervor, like statues awaiting a divine revelation.

Seeing that it was Wang Tie, wearing the Wang Family steward's uniform, the "senior steward", their fervor ignited instantly; everyone strained to rise or kneel, longing for the Wang Family's redemption.

【"Don't move." Wang Tie waved his hand impatiently.】

His voice wasn't loud, but in the deathly silent hold it carried clearly. Everyone froze at once, only those scorching gazes still locked on him.

Wang Tie cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound solemn and compassionate, imitating Wang Wenyan's god‑like tone.

【"You who bear the sins of past lives and suffer in this life. Fortunately the Head of Family's compassion has pointed you to the Great Awakening Repentance Way, giving you a chance to cleanse the impurity of your souls."】

As his words fell, the hold filled with low, suppressed sobs—not sorrowful weeping, but a sound mixed with gratitude, excitement, and ecstasy.

【"However, your sins are deep, not erased in a day." Wang Tie shifted his tone, his gaze sweeping over each pale, thin face, "Though you practice silent, active, and verbal repentance and have made some progress, you are still far from Great Awakening."】

The sobbing stopped; every face showed anxiety and dread. Their greatest fear was that they weren't devout or diligent enough, thus missing the chance of "redemption."

Wang Tie was very pleased with this effect.

【"Moreover, Heaven loves life, and the Head of Family also has a compassionate heart." His voice suddenly rose, like a divine edict, "Now there is a great opportunity set before you!"】

【"The Wang Family's great charitable undertaking in the Southern Ocean faces demonic obstruction. The Sanfoqi state, jealous and disrespectful of the Wang teachings, seeks to cut off our great mission to educate all peoples. This is heaven‑defying, its sins towering!"】

【"Therefore, the Head of Family has issued an edict: select five of the most devout, fearless, and eager to cleanse their sins Saints, bearing the 'Purifying Divine Fire', to go to the demons' lair—Great Harbor—to execute divine punishment!"】

【"This journey is perilous, a nine‑deaths‑one‑life chance. But if you succeed, the final impurity on your souls will be utterly cleansed by the divine fire! In the next life you will not fall into the suffering of rebirth, but rise straight to the Pure Land, reborn as high‑status commoners, enjoying eternal glory."】

Wang Tie's words exploded in the deathly silent hold.

Those who had just been at death's door, seemingly about to die, the "Saints" now burst with astonishing energy. They crawled forward, stretching their gaunt arms to grab Wang Tie's trousers.

Every face showed an extreme, twisted longing—not for survival, but for death, as they fought for a precious slot on the path to the "Ultimate Bliss World."

Wang Tie staggered back a step, shocked by the frenzy. He had seen fearless soldiers, but never anyone so eager for death.

He suppressed his nausea and chill, pointing out from the crowd the five who looked the most "devout".

These five were, without exception, skin and bone, eyes sunken, yet their eyes burned with fierce fire. One could barely stand, needing companions to hold him up, but his gaze was hotter than anyone's.

The five chosen broke into ecstatic expressions, their bodies trembling as they ceaselessly kowtowed toward Wang Tie, foreheads striking the hard planks with bangs, blood flowing.

Those not chosen let out desperate wails—some slammed their heads against the walls, others tore at their clothes, as if they had lost their sole chance at redemption in this life.

Wang Tie gave them no more glance. He took those five "lucky ones" and left without looking back, exiting the place that made him uncomfortable.