Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Yellen and Cui Ming exchanged glances, and Cui Ming nodded in agreement, allowing Yellen to take the lead. Yellen said, "There are two requests. The first is that one of you must accompany me to the Ye Family. The Ye Family guarantees your safety, and the Alliance will discuss matters with you."
Cui Ming replied, "That request is reasonable."
The ninja pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, there are only three of us representing the Balance Sect. Our strength is too weak, and I also need the Alliance's help."
Yellen continued, "The second condition is that until a conclusion is reached in discussions with the Alliance, the Balance Sect must not act independently."
Seeing the ninja hesitate, Cui Ming added, "You three, plus that girl makes four. Even if you include your old friend Mi Xiaoji, that's five people. In a confrontation with us, you would likely lose nine out of ten times. Since you claim that Fire Cult Practitioners are so powerful that they can disrupt the balance, what makes you think you can resolve this matter with just your few people? If you're going to mix in this world, be a bit more flexible."
The ninja looked at the Masked Woman, who nodded in agreement. The ninja then said, "Fine, I will go with you to the Ye Family. Mi Xiaonan, you and your senior sister should take Annie home first; she has nothing to do with this matter."
Cui Ming remarked, "Since we're out here now, we should prepare for the Alliance Assessment. Annie, aren't you planning to sign up for the competition? Or are you too scared to participate?"
Annie placed her hands on her hips defiantly. "What do I have to be scared of? You're just a bad guy."
Mi Xiaonan whispered, "You'd better not provoke him."
"Why?"
"Because he really is quite bad."
The ninja said, "Annie, if you're interested, you can go. The Force Alliance isn't that despicable yet. Besides, this time we are allies with them."
In the end, everyone headed toward the Ye Family while waiting for representatives from the Alliance to arrive. As they set off, Cui Ming grabbed Mi Xiaonan and asked, "Are you using Chidori on me?"
"Cui Ming bro, let me first introduce the Balance Sect," Mi Xiaonan skillfully diverted the conversation. "The Balance Sect was established thousands of years ago during the slave society as a form of court. At that time, several major tribes united to form a court to arbitrate tribal matters. Soon after, powerful tribes began to ignore the court's rulings and attacked other tribes to swallow smaller ones. At this point, a warrior from the court assassinated the leader of one of those powerful tribes. The head of the court possessed a secret technique passed down through generations—Ninjutsu. My master was the last judge of that court. After assassinating the President, our practitioners were wiped out and became extinct. My master found three potential practitioners—us—and trained us to carry on the mission of the Balance Sect."
Cui Ming looked around, noticing that everyone was keeping their distance. He lowered his voice and asked, "What do you think about it?"
Mi Xiaonan forced a smile. "I don't know. I was halfway through my training on Sakura Island when my master explained it to me. Not joining the Balance Sect feels like letting my master down, so I agreed right away. To be honest, I don't think the mission of the Balance Sect is that important, but my senior brother and sister are dear to me. They need my help, and I will do it without hesitation."
"What about me?"
"Also without hesitation." Mi Xiaonan replied seriously. "Cui Ming, I'm not joking. They care deeply about the mission of the Balance Sect, and I will definitely do my best to help, even if it costs me my life. If you ever need me to go through fire and water for you, I won't ask why. Besides my parents, you're the person who has treated me the best."
Cui Ming raised an eyebrow. "What about your master?"
"Ah... it's because of this Balance Sect mission that I feel like my master is using me," Mi Xiaonan said with a conflicted expression. "You mentioned that sometimes it's better to be a little simple-minded and not think too much; overthinking just leads to more worries. Ever since I went to Roni Islands and lived with my senior brother and sister, I've started to reflect more often. I can't shake the feeling that my master isn't being fair. You once said that if your loved ones believe something is right, you should help them even if you think it's wrong."
Cui Ming patted Mi Xiaonan's head. "Good, you're not poisoned by ideology. I've always hated missions that make one feel like a savior; saving one side often means harming another."
"Why do you say that?"
"For example, in college entrance exams, if someone cheats their way into a prestigious university, then someone else inevitably fails because of that cheating," Cui Ming explained. "Just like how I see the Fire Cult as evil; if I'm their enemy and die, then I've inadvertently helped them."
Mi Xiaonan nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, that's why I've been pondering your words: 'The butt decides the brain; one's stance determines everything.' Sometimes people don't act foolishly because they're stupid but because they have no choice due to their position."
"Exactly, well done! Having your own perspective is important," Cui Ming said with satisfaction. "Being an independent thinker is more valuable than anything else." He also engaged in independent thought; for instance, if he encountered multiple opponents in the future, he should avoid recklessly using the Yellow Card. The Yellow Card was incredibly powerful in one-on-one situations, but in scenarios with multiple enemies, strategy cards and enhancement cards were far superior to support cards. However, he had been too hasty before; when he activated the Fate Card and saw the Masked Woman smoke her way next to Eva to strike hard, he had no other choice but to use 'Life' to teleport next to Eva without much consideration and directly drew the Yellow Card to stop her.
...
The group walked along a rural road where one of Raefus's subordinates was nearby, contacting them with a backpack-style mobile phone. They stood in small clusters, wary of each other but without much hostility as they awaited the arrival of a vehicle. Cui Ming didn't waste time; he instructed Mi Xiaonan to protect him while he entered a meditative state to retrieve his Fate Card.
About half an hour later, a minibus arrived, its body marked with bullet scars—most likely stolen. The driver got out and exchanged a few words with Raefus before handing over the keys and starting the vehicle. The others boarded as Raefus drove towards Twilight City.
The Ninja and the Masked Woman, also known as the Female Ninja, spoke very little. They sat at the back, occasionally whispering to each other. Mi Xiaonan and Cui Ming sat together, introducing the Balance Sect through paper and pen. Cui Ming formed an overall impression of the Balance Sect. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. The Ninja, Ashen, was Mi Xiaonan's senior brother and a true heir. He possessed an ancient book, a treasure with a cross symbol on the first page. The left side represented darkness, the right side represented justice, the top represented order, and the bottom represented chaos. When the bright spot in the middle approached chaos, that was when they would activate their mission.
Under Ashen's meditation, the ancient book would vaguely provide clues pointing to those who disrupted order. As for justice and darkness, they had no relation to them. This time, the clues from the ancient book pointed directly to the Fire Cult. The ordinary forces of the Fire Religion Nation could not shake the Eternity Alliance; that order would not be broken. Therefore, the problem likely lay with the Force Users. After investigation by Ashen and Mi Xiaonan's senior sister Akali, it was discovered that the number of Fire Cult Practitioners might have reached a level capable of disrupting order and balance. Like ordinary people, the Fire Cult could exist without practitioners; it would not be eradicated. However, if the quantity and quality of Fire Cult Practitioners exceeded limits, both Eternity and the Force Alliance would face destruction.
Cui Ming found it strange: "A hundred years ago, if we had eradicated the Fire Cult, wouldn't that have achieved order?"
Mi Xiaonan shook her head and replied, "No, eradicating the Fire Cult is somewhat exaggerated. Over ninety-five percent of the people from the Fire Religion Nation are followers of the Fire Cult, with a population of at least hundreds of millions. Unless the alliance kills them all? That kind of action by the President would provoke war but wouldn't achieve complete annihilation of the Fire Cult."
"Why didn't we see your Balance Sect involved in previous world wars?"
"Cui Ming, it's crucial to have people—those who can carry on traditions. The Balance Sect does not rely on bloodline inheritance but on technical inheritance. For example, if someone from the Zhao Family has martial arts techniques and a person with the surname Li wants to learn them, they must change their surname to Zhao. The Li person might agree at first, but after learning martial arts—would they really revitalize the Zhao Family? Some may pass on out of gratitude, but many others will not. When the last inheritor can no longer continue passing down knowledge, they will seal away the ancient book and wait for someone to unlock it by chance. The Balance Sect has been passed down for thousands of years but has mostly been in a state of discontinuity."
It is like a martial arts manual; whoever obtains this manual can become stronger than others but also bears the responsibility of passing it on. This inheritor can seek disciples to help carry on their legacy. For instance, if Ashen remains indifferent while seeing the bright spot approach chaos, it is akin to betraying his oath; then the ancient book would vanish and become a dormant treasure waiting for a new master. After losing the ancient book, Ashen would not lose his previously learned skills but could no longer advance further in his studies. Similarly, Ashen could choose whether or not to pass on what was recorded in the ancient book.
Cui Ming said: "Your master is an heir; he learned Ninjutsu and swordsmanship but is not a practitioner himself. However, he believes this is a divine mission for him and thus took on three practitioner disciples while passing down the ancient book to your senior brother and asking whether you and your senior sister would like to join the Balance Sect."
"Yes, that's frustrating! If I had been told I must join the Balance Sect before learning Ninjutsu, I would have willingly accepted it since it would have been my choice. But being asked midway... sigh... I feel like there's no point in joining this Balance Sect." Mi Xiaonan did not hide her feelings about being caught between two sides. Non-heirs need permission from heirs to access the ancient book for meditation to see if there are new teachings for them.
With many people in the vehicle, Mi Xiaonan communicated with Cui Ming through paper and pen; thus she felt free to express her stance. She knew that if Ashen learned her true thoughts, he might immediately expel her from the sect. This made Mi Xiaonan feel like a traitor.
Cui Ming understood Mi Xiaonan's feelings; she lacked identification with the Balance Sect but couldn't express such thoughts due to her principles. Fortunately, what this time’s mission for the Balance Sect entailed did not conflict with Mi Xiaonan's personal stance; thus she did not express her disagreement with them regarding their beliefs in this matter. (To be continued.)
Comment 0 Comment Count