Chapter 499: The Calamity of

The vast long night finally welcomes the dawn.

This infinitely long night, seemingly frozen in eternity, ultimately draws to a close. When Gensokyo's residents had almost forgotten the concept of day and night, the first ray of morning light finally pierced through the thick darkness of night.

If one were to precisely calculate this infinitely stretched time——

In reality, it was merely a dozen-odd days maintained by Princess Kaguya's ability.

However, when night never fades, there is no day, and night continues endlessly……

One inevitably feels this night is as long as centuries……

In the new day.

Morning light gently pours onto the open space before Hakurei Shen She, gilding the vermilion torii with a golden edge.

The deep darkness that shrouded the sky curtain last night has vanished without a trace, replaced by a clear sky moistened by morning dew.

A gentle breeze blows, early cherry blossoms flutter down rustling, amidst the scattering petals, the clinking of cups at the banquet rises and falls.

Fairies hold honey wine swiped from the dining table, frolicking and chasing, their giggling laughter reverberates above the shrine, a scene of bustling joy.

Naturally, this is a banquet.

After an incident, a banquet must be held——in the unconventional Gensokyo, this has long become accepted common sense.

And the holding of a banquet basically signifies the resolution of the incident, or rather, at least a consensus has been reached, letting everything come to a temporary halt.

"……"

"……"

"One sometimes truly envies them, their carefree appearance……"

The Gap Youkai leans against a cherry blossom tree, holding a sake bowl, watching the banquet's clamor with a subtle expression.

——Marisa Kirisame laughs loudly as she snatches a piece of sakura mochi from Reimu's hand, looking smug;

——Not far away, the distinctive sizzling sound comes from Mystia's grill stall, fragrance overflowing;

——Yuyuko drifts over leisurely, heading straight for the grilled lamprey with clear purpose, eyes flashing with obsession for delicacies.

Besides that.

The Oni Heavenly Kings are playing drinking games, heroic laughter shaking the air; Tengu of Youkai Mountain and celestial maidens bicker endlessly, words sharp; the Vampire Young Lady stands with hands on hips, face full of dignity (stupidity) severity (cute) laughing loudly……

At first glance, this banquet is no different from usual, harmonious and lively.

However, the subtlety lies in——

At the center of the banquet, Gensokyo's Dragon God Lord, and that Qi Refining practitioner from the Otherworld, are smiling while hiding knives, speaking of something.

The atmosphere isn't quite swords drawn, but there is a certain needle-point against wheat-awn flavor.

Against this bustling background, it appears particularly intriguing.

"Anyway, even if the sky falls, you tall ones will hold it up, so what is there to fear……"

Sitting on the tablecloth under the tree beside, Miss Merry wears a noncommittal look: "I feel their attitude towards life is what truly counts as open-minded."

Indeed.

Since one clearly knows something cannot be done, why add worry over things one cannot control?

Of course the best response is to rot and lie flat, choose to drink today while there is wine today……

Moreover, since the sky didn't fall last night, judging by the looks of it, it shouldn't fall today either.

On this point, Mors People tacitly understand, hence no need to be conflicted——for now, just quietly watch the two big shots' game, the rest, overthinking is useless.

Probably just like this——

"I know, that's why I say, that's why I feel envy…… thinking too much, indeed is no good thing."

The Golden-Haired Great Youkai raises her sake bowl, takes a gentle sip, then scans the surroundings, discovering basically only those paying close attention to that side like herself……

Are Kanako, Yuuka, Eirin, Ying Ji and the like.

Mhm mhm, all those true top dogs, very reliable.

"Speaking of which, what exactly is your master thinking? What does he truly want?"

Withdrawing her gaze, Yukari Yakumo looks toward Mors Beside thoughtfully.

Not only looking at Merry sitting on the tablecloth under the tree, but equally looking at the Eientei group beside.

"……"

"……"

"This……"

Yorihime Watatsuki, already designated as Shinrei, has her corner of mouth twitch slightly, then subconsciously glances toward the shrine's direction.

There, that Qi Refining practitioner holds a cup smiling, lightly clinking with that clearly reluctant Dragon God.

Seems the talk is finished.

Cherry rain remains, banquet joy unceasing.

No one knows where this game will lead Gensokyo.

However……

Yorihime's gaze passes through scattering cherry petals, falls on that person, her fingertips unconsciously tighten on her clothes corner.

This Moon Princess's throat rises with a hint of hoarseness.

She recalls the Capital of the Moon's cold palace walls, recalls her master mentioning "Providence" solemnly long ago, those distant words suddenly concretizing into that silhouette at this moment.

Like fate, impossible to block.

Until now, she has been muddleheadedly chosen, and still cannot understand what this existence like "Providence" truly wants.

And why would it cast its gaze upon her?

At this moment, the young girl tastes a kind of near-reverent astringency amidst the grand and clamorous feast.

"I…… don't know."

In the end, she could only shake her head and give such an answer.

"Oh my, what's the point of thinking so much? They've just finished talking too. If you're really curious, why not just go over and ask directly……"

Miss Merry was quite direct; she stood up directly and walked over there.

Yukari Yakumo blinked, and also followed over there quite straightforwardly.

Because Dragon God Lord had already turned her head to look over.

"Come over, come over——"

Xia Zhi clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention, looking like a cheerful, sunny big brother.

"According to our friendly consultation just now, I now announce that a long-term cooperative partnership is about to be reached……"

The Dragon God on the opposite side clicked her tongue, turned her head away, seemingly not wanting to express an opinion.

That reluctant look was plain to see.

"The content of this agreement applies to Gensokyo, the Outside Human World, the Moon Capital……"

Xia Zhi didn't mind, continuing on his own: "For now, let's say just these three parties. The Human World's representative is Skynet…… hmm, you probably don't know her; she's an Artificial Intelligence."

"Once she integrates the Outside World's network and computing power, she'll come over and come into contact with you."

"As for the Moon Capital's representative, you surely all know her already, so I won't introduce her."

"……"

"……"

Naturally, everyone present looked toward Miss Merry in unison, casting their gazes.

Among them, the feeling of the Eientei side was comparatively complex.

Different from Eirin Yagokoro and Kaguya Houraisan who had long since looked open about it, the two Princesses Toyohime and Yorihime couldn't help but purse their lips, then gently sigh.

"Eh? W-wait, that, isn't it too sudden……"

The white-haired, red-eyed beautiful girl couldn't help but raise her hand in protest: "Wouldn't this have a feeling of being handpicked?"

"What feeling of being handpicked?"

"I mean…… I'm saying, I just completed the previous mission, I should at least get a chance to take a vacation, right? Suddenly making me take over the Moon and all, isn't that a bit unsuitable?"

"Indeed a bit unsuitable." Xia Zhi nodded. "So——the one I'm talking about isn't you."

"……Huh?"

Miss Merry tilted her head, letting out a doubtful syllable.

Facing the Qi Refining practitioner, the Dragon God frowned, her gaze sharp: "Is it Tsukuyomi?"

"Right, that's correct." The youth nodded lightly and casually, admitting it quite readily.

"……"

"……"

"I already eliminated her……" The Dragon God stared at him tightly, speaking seriously.

"Merely eliminated the body on a physical level; even if she had just adapted to that power at the time, it's impossible she could die just that simply……"

Xia Zhi spread his hands, saying quite casually——

"Moreover, even if she really died, so what…… just revive her, right."

"……"

"……"

In this instant, everyone fell silent.

Every world perhaps has its differences.

But one thing is certain: even gods have laws they cannot transcend.

And it just so happens that in this world, life and death are precisely one of them……

The possibility of reversing life and death is not entirely non-existent, but those are indeed very strict and harsh examples, and——

Wanting to resurrect a mortal, and wanting to resurrect an Ancient God…… are obviously different, one can even say they are two completely different things.

However.

When this person spoke of this matter, his words were truly too flat, flat to the point of having only a kind of matter-of-fact certainty.

Precisely because of this, it appeared extremely impactful.

He couldn't even be bothered to explain the specific method, because to him it might be as natural as breathing.

This kind of flat-to-the-extreme awe-inspiring composure is precisely the most terrifying——only existences that transcend rules would be so nonchalant toward the rules themselves.

"No wonder you're this arrogant…… merely a single strand of mana, and you can achieve this extent?"

The Dragon God slightly narrowed her eyes.

She currently appears in human form, but one doesn't know if it's to conceal her true appearance, or too lazy to customize a face——

So she's still using Reimu's appearance.

"Indeed it is a single strand of mana, but to me, it's all the same."

The youth waved his hand quite modestly: "My mana being here, and me myself being here, there's actually no difference."

"Hm?"

Yukari Yakumo at the side raised an eyebrow, seeming to perceive something: "Wait…… then, what about that previous situation?"

"……"

"……"

"Of course it's the same too."

Xia Zhi blinked, then laughed——

"I know what you're doubting, but I can tell you, those things were also 'my' decisions."

"Merry should have said it, right? The so-called Uncontrolled Mana Thoughts are just 'my' Unintentional thoughts……"

His voice carried a hint of Lighthearted laughter, explaining in an almost chatting Tone, Fingertip casually rubbing the edge of the Sake Bowl.

"It's actually just like a person Walking on Road suddenly thinking 'what would happen if I Jump Up right now'."

"'I' would never actually carry out such a Meaningless action, but this thought existed for an instant…… so the World executed it for 'me'."

"You know, thoughts always come one after another."

——Only This.

Speaking of this, the youth Shrugged.

"……"

"……"

Brief Quiet.

The Youkai Sage fell Silent for a moment, seeming to have some realization, she Gently exhaled, Tone serious and solemn:

"So, the reason you Dispatched Merry…… is to Draw Boundary for those Sudden Thoughts, right?"

"The Most Dangerous is never Power Itself, but Habitual Power……"

Xia Zhi Gently shook the Sake Bowl, Staring at the shimmering halo in the bowl, voice carrying a Transcendent calm:

"When it comes down to it, these Uncontrolled Power are just my Momentary Lapse."

"Like how you occasionally Flash the thought of 'smashing this Sake Bowl', yet won't Act——but for me, every 'if' becomes a Proposition the World Must Execute."

He paused, Gaze Sweep across the Mors People present, finally Fall On Merry, Corner of Mouth slightly raised: "So the problem isn't about Able or unable to control, but about Guard One's Nature."

"I Not Want Habit that kind of state, becoming a Puppet alienated by Power Alienation, Ultimately Become a Foolish Thing too lazy to even think about right and wrong."

"So I need to Draw Boundary for myself……"

He pointed at the White Hair Red Eyes beautiful girl——

"When I See Merry Appear before my eyes, I have to Start Consider…… whether this thought should become Reality."

This speech was indeed spoken with Righteous Words.

Just……

The specific situation, only Xia Zhi himself knows.

After reading through the Records Knowledge of those Mo Shu Shu, he actually Gradually Realize……

Along with his Dao Path Courageous progress, Entering the Key Stage that bridges past and future——

Seems……

Already about to Start Transcend Tribulation.

Now Is So, at the moment a Nascent Soul Cultivator Form Nascent Transform Spirit, Three Corpses Not Cut, Seven Emotions Not Extinguished, thus giving rise to the 'See Turbidity' Tribulation.

Just Different From Heavenly Thunder Earthly Fire and other Tangible Tribulation, This Tribulation Not Show Outside, but Internal Tribulation.

This 'See Turbidity' Tribulation is also his Reference to those Buddhist Scripture sayings.

Because If Not Guard Nature, ultimately very likely to slowly fall into that kind of state——

True Dharma Extinction, Semblance Dharma Arising, False Dharma Transmigration, Evil Views Flourish, People Not Cultivate Good.

(Chapter End)