Chapter 193: Kamala Tateji

The biting cold wind above Mount Ximalaya never ceases; snowflakes whipped by the gale flash like pure white blades, slicing through the lonely, vast valleys.

The wind's howl resembles the earth's sob, drowning out the horn blown by a traveler at the horizon's edge; he turns to look back, and beyond tier upon tier of peaks, thin wisps of smoke rise like incense threads.

When the last incense stick in the censer burned to its end, as the flame vanished, the straight line of smoke dissolved; in the final instant the mist scattered, the soft clink of a go stone touching the board echoed through the quiet room.

A pale, slender hand pinched a stone and placed it gently on the board; the Supreme Sorceress's hands bore no trace of age, yet carried the rough texture of years spent farming—those lines spread up her forearms, and Ku Yi's gaze upon the board remained serene.

She turned her head slightly, glanced at the extinguished incense, and said: "That's enough for today."

Strange, the last to move, looked at the board; the game had been uneventful—clearly, both players were distracted.

Ku Yi brushed her robe lightly; fine dust rose around her. She rose and walked slowly to the incense stand, lit another stick. Strange could smell the scent had grown fainter.

Wong entered carrying a tray. Strange gathered the go pieces and board, stowing them beneath the table. Wong placed tea and pastries on the table from the tray.

Strange thought: Kamala Tateji could be called a sacred site for good reason—it felt utterly unlike life in New York.

He looked around the room. It was small, sparsely furnished, the floor a coarse wool mat. One entire wall opposite held wooden bookshelves; before it stood an incense stand. On either side, hanging scrolls draped down; in the center, two penjing sat.

In the center of the room stood a low table; the go board and pieces were always stored beneath it. After practicing magic, Strange would play go with Ku Yi here.

Strange had never played go before, but after a few days of practice, he had grown proficient.

Their games had no winners or losers—only time. When one stick of incense burned out, they would put away the board, drink tea, and chat. It was during these moments that Strange learned from Ku Yi the secrets of the universe.

The atmosphere here was nothing like what Strange had imagined before arriving.

In Western myth, a sacred site was often depicted as glorious and grand—architecture majestic, ambiance arcane and mysterious.

But Kamala Tateji was not so. Though the very existence of such a structure deep in the Himalayas was miraculous, its essence was more ancient and natural than divine.

Yet Strange could not deny that this atmosphere granted him a long-missed peace and calm; his mind, nearly clouded by wealth, gradually grew clear.

Yet in this same atmosphere, Strange felt the words he was about to speak would be hard to utter.

He looked around again. The furnishings were simple, but each placed perfectly, each bearing the marks of time.

Every person here—whether the Supreme Sorceress or a novice apprentice—carried a tranquil, lively aura. By contrast, Strange always seemed out of place.

And the words he was about to speak would make him even more so.

"I notice you're distracted," Ku Yi said, returning to her seat. She blew on her tea and spoke to Strange.

"Sorry, Master."

"I can tell you have something to say. Don't hold back. Nothing here is forbidden."

Ku Yi's voice always carried a quiet strength that made one instinctively believe her. Strange took a deep breath, then sighed long. "Alright. But this is hard to say."

He stared at the swirling tea leaves in his cup, forcing himself to imagine this place as Wall Street's financial hub, then spoke: "Here's the situation—we have a plan…"

As soon as he said it, Strange regretted it. He felt certain he'd be thrown out of this place soon.

He paused, pressed his brow, and forced himself to continue.

"Earlier, Master, you told me how to interact with the Dimensional Gods. I reflected deeply, and discussed it with several friends. They all agreed Earth's current prosperity owes itself to the Supreme Sorceress's unwavering conviction…"

To avoid looking too foolish when thrown out, Strange laid some groundwork first.

"But humanity has never been a race that waits passively for doom. We don't wish to place our safety entirely in others' hands. So…"

Strange sighed again. "Sorry—but given how shocking the next part may be, you'd better not drink tea."

Ku Yi set down her teacup. But Wong, distracted since Strange began speaking, continued sipping slowly. He blew on the hot tea, drew in a loud "Sliiiip," just as Strange said: "... e've devised a financial fraud scheme targeting the Dimensional Gods."

"Pfft!"

Wong spat tea all over the table.

Strange quickly pulled out a cloth to wipe it. "I warned you—the next part would be shocking…"

"But this is too shocking! Cough! Cough!" Wong choked.

Ku Yi remained calm, even intrigued. She asked Strange: "A financial fraud scheme? Explain in detail."

Strange pulled a small projection device from his pocket and placed it on the table.

As all three focused on it, a projection suddenly sprang forth—still Strange's face, waving at the lens: "Hello, I'm Strange, the presenter of this plan…"

Wong glanced at the projection, then at Strange sitting beside him. "Why not just speak yourself? Why use a projection?"

Strange pointed at the screen, urging Wong to keep watching.

The projection's camera paused. Just as Wong and Ku Yi expected the explanation to begin, the view suddenly pulled back, revealing an entire conference room—a long table with men in suits lined on both sides.

Then, the video clearly, thoroughly, and concisely explained to Ku Yi and Wong what the Dimensional God Financial Fraud Scheme was.

The plan discussed earlier in the S. . . . . . conference room had been only a rough draft. Any such scam required complex numerical calculations: How to set promotion thresholds? What ratio between initial investment and later returns? How to schedule each step?

Since all four participants lacked financial education, S. . . . . . brought in skilled financial professionals to refine the plan.

fantuantanshu.

Most were pulled from prison—their moral boundaries already tested—and many had real operational experience. The plan quickly became polished.

They explained, with maximum precision and clarity, how the scam would operate.

The Ponzi scheme—the pyramid scheme—was the most classic, oldest financial fraud, yet also the most enduring: generation after generation, people ran it; generation after generation, people fell for it.

Today, those who fall for it are no longer just the uneducated, economically clueless nouveau riche—they're educated, capable, degree-holding young people.

Many know full well it's a Ponzi scheme—they can explain its history and mechanics perfectly—and still fall for it.

The reason? It precisely targets the weakness in sentient minds: greed and the mindset of hoping for luck.

Low investment, high return—intelligent beings always chase profit. Many know the tower will collapse someday, yet still believe they'll be the ones who cash out first.

Thanks to these financial experts' explanations, the logic became clearer and more feasible.

They cited multiple real-world examples and variations built upon them—even Wong, who had zero interest in finance or economics, listened with rapt attention.

As he listened, he stole glances at the Supreme Sorceress. He noticed Ku Yi's eyes growing brighter. Instinctively, he shifted sideways—only to find the other side was Strange, the one who proposed the plan, future Supreme Sorceress.

Between this old and young generation of Supreme Sorcerers, an uncanny synchrony suddenly sparked. Wong's only thought: Dimensional Gods, in danger.

After the projection ended, Ku Yi calmed her thoughts, then spoke: "I never expected you'd surprise me this much, Stephen."

"Uh… I know this plan is despicable, but… wait—surprise???" Strange stared at Ku Yi, realizing her gaze truly held admiration and delight.

Ku Yi lifted her teacup, sipped, and said with satisfaction: "My stories weren't wasted. I never imagined you'd discern the crux of the current situation from those scattered tales."

"Uh…" Strange was momentarily speechless. He wanted to ask what the crux was—but clearly, Ku Yi had more to say.

Ku Yi sighed. "As I mentioned in my stories, Dimensional Gods exist—and many of them."

"Like humans, they possess wisdom, can communicate, hold individual interests and positions, and have distinct personalities."

"Born powerful, wielding might beyond human comprehension, most have their own domains, scattered across the cosmos."

"To explain who they are, we must first define: what, exactly, is the universe?"

Then, from the Supreme Sorceress Ku Yi's narration, Strange learned the truth of the entire world.