Chapter 104: Questions and Answers

After Sibus entered the Flower-Planting Tribe encampment, he could not stop praising its layout. Compared with the other tribes of the Moon Alliance, the Flower-Planting settlement was small and not heavily populated, yet it seemed orderly and unusually efficient in its work.

As Sun Licheng chatted with Sibus, he ushered him into his own large hut.

When Sibus entered, he quickly scanned the room and noticed that the wooden house was spacious, divided into three small chambers. A heavy animal-skin curtain hung at the doorway, concealing whatever was inside.

The outer room held little: only a set of table and chairs, a weapons rack, and a cabinet with five drawers. That sort of cabinet fascinated Sibus. He did not know such a piece was called a five-drawer chest on Earth.

“Little Cabbage, bring tea to the Divine Envoy.”

After welcoming Sibus and seating him, Sun called out. Little Cabbage soon entered carrying a tray with a teapot and two cups. As faint steam curled from the spout, a clean fragrance filled the room.

In astonishment, Sibus watched as Little Cabbage poured a cup for each of them, then gave a deep courtesy and withdrew with the tray.

Sibus found himself drawn to her movements. He had never expected that in this wild land he would meet such an ugly woman who understood the upper-court etiquette of the Goblin Kingdom.

“Chieftain Sun Licheng,” he said after she left, “your Flower-Planting Tribe is thriving. Why not trade for a few beautiful women? Little Cabbage has good temperament, but her face—well…”

“Your words are not wrong, Divine Envoy. But the tribe has only this one woman now. If we prosper more, I will consider trading for a few from other tribes.”

Sun Licheng lifted his teacup and explained as he sipped.

Sibus copied him, raised his cup in return, and drank.
“Very good. I had heard that the Chieftain here keeps a fine drink, and now I know the reputation is true.”

After swallowing a sip, Sibus said with genuine admiration, “Fine and fragrant.”

They continued talking over tea of inconsequential things, and the mood gradually warmed.

Seeing them relax, Sun set down his cup and smiled. “Divine Envoy, you have traveled here with such effort. Tell me what you need of me.”

Sibus, smiling, answered, “His Majesty has sent me from the distant center of the Continent to ask you certain things. He hopes, Chieftain, that you will answer honestly.”

At those words Sun Licheng’s heart lurched. He knew how vast this world was, how far the center of the Splendid Continent lay from this remote northern land. For this half-elf to cross so great a distance in search of him, his purpose must be grave.

With that thought, Sun Licheng became alert at once, yet his smile grew gentler. Feigning wonder, he said, “To come from so far is truly admirable. Master Sibus, be at ease. I will speak fully and conceal nothing.”

Sibus nodded with a smile. “Excellent. Chieftain Sun, you are a Chosen One, yes?”

A flash crossed Sun’s eyes. He rubbed his fingers in a hidden pocket, paused two seconds, and said with a smile, “You are right—I am a Chosen One.”

He understood that this man had already pieced together most of his background before arriving. Any deliberate concealment could be instantly torn apart, which would be humiliating. Better to tell the truth.

“I appreciate your candor, Chieftain Sun. But as far as I know, this world has never seen a Geoshield Chosen One. You may be the first.”

Sibus seemed satisfied and added, “Thank you, Chieftain.”

Sun shrugged with a small laugh. “Is that so? Then I am very fortunate. Truly I should be grateful for our Majesty’s favor.”

“Oh? May I ask which Majesty Sun Licheng serves?” Sibus suddenly became interested.

Sun recalled the counsel of the Earth-Bearing God before leaving and replied, “My lord is the Magma Lord, whose radiance covers the earth.”

The name was unfamiliar to Sibus, but he did not dwell on it. This world had countless gods, so many that even the gods in the Divine Realm were said not to know them all. If Sibus had never heard of the Magma Lord, he judged his power must be between weak and low divine might.

On this world, divine power is said to have five grades: slight, low, middle, mighty, and the highest, the Great.
Beyond great divine might lies transmundane divine power. It is said that once one possesses transmundane power, one may open a path between the Divine Realm and the World-Forging Beyond to seek the Father of the Gods—the Creator.

Besides the gods of the Divine Realm, there exists another kind called Heroic Deities, or Present-World Deities. They are believed to have gained divine strength through extraordinary feats, which allowed mortal flesh to bear godly power, absorb the faith of other living beings, and become immortal. Yet such Heroic Deities are exceedingly rare, and they seldom interact with the Divine Realm; the gods there pay them little heed.

“Ah, then it is the Magma Lord. May the Magma Lord’s brilliance forever illumine the world,” Sibus said, offering a formal blessing.

Sun promptly returned the compliment. At that moment Sibus, still calm, asked, “Chieftain Sun, have you been to the Goblin Empire’s Aerial Army Base?”

The Goblin Empire’s Aerial Army Base… Sun remembered the searing days and nights that had carved themselves into him, and his chest stirred.

He steadied himself, a faint smile at his mouth, and answered, “I have been there. My Majesty sent me to look for something.”

Sibus’s eyes brightened. “Then did you find it? What was it that you sought?”

Sun thought, What in the world would I know what it was? but aloud said, “Unfortunately, I did not. As for what was sought, that is my lord’s secret. Forgive me, but I cannot tell you.”

Sibus did not grow angry at the refusal. He drank from his cup and said with a smile, “Forgive me. I was overbold. But I would like to know how you obtained Dark Energy.”

“Dark Energy?” Sun sounded genuinely puzzled.

After Sibus explained, Sun realized the term referred to his own Dark Magic Crystal.

So he recounted how he had obtained a dark magic crystal from the tunnel. The important parts, of course, he altered—perhaps even the conspiracy godlord would find it hard to detect.

As expected, Sibus accepted Sun’s explanation, and at least outwardly kept smiling.

“Divine Envoy, I do not know whether you have finished your questions.”

After such long an interrogation, Sun already felt a degree of resentment toward this method of questioning.

Seeing the mood cool, Sibus smiled apologetically and said, “Forgive me, Chieftain Sun. These questions come from His Majesty. I know some were rude; please forgive me.”

Sun himself did not truly know the many customs of this world, and when gods were involved it was surely more complicated. He restrained his temper and invited Sibus to continue.

“Tell me, was that mechanical dog of yours found at the Goblin Empire’s Aerial Army Base?”

Sibus asked and then fixed his eyes on Sun Licheng, waiting for the answer.