Chapter 391 The Guilty One Should Be Brought to Trial
The endgame was also at a deadlock.
Any game could end up in a deadlock.
The battle on the chessboard surged to the end. The situation seemed to be clear, but there were endless variables hidden among the remaining pieces, subtle and obscured.
So whether the game was brutal or peaceful or the style of the game was harsh or forbearing, the ending stage was a situation created by the chess players.
No matter how this situation looked to outsiders…
Only those who played chess knew what it meant.
There were not many chess pieces remaining on the chessboard.
Most of the chariots, horses, and elephants had been eliminated.
The advisors who represented the red side were dead.
The two advisors for the black side were still guarding.
The red side still had a cannon. At this point, it could be said to be the most powerful killer.
But a few soldiers of black pa.s.sed the midline of the board. But they felt a strong sense of oppression in each step.
Bai Zhanfang sat down on the sofa and looked on without saying anything.
At this point in the endgame, the role of the chess pieces was already small, but the control of the chessboard was the key to victory.
The two old men playing chess were extremely patient. They thought for a long time, played carefully, and calmly moved each piece step by step.
No matter how dire the situation was, all they asked for was victory.
How important were those pieces that had been tossed from the chessboard before victory? Now that they were out, they were not important for them to win or lose.
Bai Zhanfang looked on silently.
Time pa.s.sed slowly.
The old men at both ends of the chessboard were moving slower and slower. There were fewer and fewer chess pieces on the board. The vast blank area revealed only a heavy atmosphere.
“A draw.”
Bai Zhanfang, who had been watching, finally spoke.
He did not know the mind of the chess players, but he could see the result of the game clearly.
“For an inferior side, a draw is a victory.”
The old man holding the red chess pieces chuckled.
The old man had white hair, and even his face seemed to have an abnormal paleness. His face was old and his eyes were dim. He wore simple cloth clothes and looked very haggard.
But his voice and temperament were very calm.
They were the stability and calmness that had settled down over the years. His every action flashed with the light of wisdom.
“Here a draw is a draw. I am a soldier. To me, a hard-won victory is a failure. This is the case here on the chessboard, and the same is true outside the chessboard. A draw is equivalent to coexistence. If he is an enemy, how can I coexist with him? Killing him is the best.”
The old man on the black side was in a Tang suit. His face was full of redness. Among the three including Bai Zhanfang, he was not actually the youngest, but he looked the most energetic and powerful. Even though he was old, he still spoke with words full of decisiveness.
“You just have a heavy killing intent. When ordinary people are at a disadvantage, the first thing they think about is how to survive. Once you are at a disadvantage, the first thing you think about is how to end up with the other side. This is the style of your family. It has both a good effect and a bad effect. For the game of chess just now, if you can meditate on it, I won’t be able to win. But you are decisive and would rather sacrifice the soldiers to kill all to the end. So it forced me to make a draw. The game is so innocuous. If it turns out to be a battle outside the chessboard, how terrible is the game between the two families?”
The old man with the haggard face sighed, looked at his opponent in silence, and chuckled again. “But a strong killing intention also has benefits. If you don’t have this character, you can’t cultivate the G.o.d of Ma.s.sacre in Zhongzhou State today. But for many things, it’s best to be slippery. If you are too tough, it is easy for you to be forced into a draw in chess with a p.a.w.n, or even be defeated.”
“I have no other choice. Your p.a.w.n is unusual.”
The old man in the Tang suit laughed and knew the meaning in that tone.
“My soldier has crossed the river now and will be your soldier. I hope he can be more aggressive under your influence, but it is best for him to be slippery at the critical moment.”
The old man said this quietly, and his face grew more and more pale.
The old man in the Tang suit was silent while holding a chess piece.
Li Honghe.
Dongcheng Hanguang.
One was a former defender G.o.d of War in Zhongzhou State.
The other was a former military minister of the Army Headquarters in Zhongzhou State.
No one noticed that the two had secretly appeared in Youzhou and the Bai family manor before the high-level meeting had begun.
“One more match?”
Dongcheng Hanguang’s eyes shone. He raised his head and glanced at Li Honghe.
Li Honghe said a lot.
Dongcheng Hanguang also heard him a lot. But for him, he turned a dominant position into a draw and still felt somewhat aggrieved.
“Okay, but it’ll be the same in another match. How many times have you won over these 20 years?”
Bai Zhanfang said indifferently and gave the relative-by-marriage no face at all. He added water to the teapot and changed the tea leaves. The scent of the tea started to spread around in the living room once again.
“I only played a few times.”
Dongcheng Hanguang refused to accept it.
“One match a year. Tianlan is 22 years old this year. You can count yourself. How many matches have you won?”
Bai Zhanfang was not polite at all.
“I haven’t lost.”
Dongcheng Hanguang seemed a little angry out of embarra.s.sment.
Li Honghe waved with a smile. “I and Hanguang have our own strengths. I am inferior to him in some places, and he is inferior to me in some places. So I chose to neutralize it in those years.”
He was telling the truth.
Sincerely.
From the year the Li family collapsed to the present, for 22 years, Li Honghe came here every year to have a chess match with Dongcheng Hanguang.
22 years, 22 draws.
They were all draws in chess.
Li Honghe looked down at the chessboard and his eyes were a little grim.
He was a former G.o.d of War in Zhongzhou State. But even in his most glorious period, he had never been too aggressive. He had a common life. Faced with anything, his first reaction was not to win but to make a draw.
Naturally, such a G.o.d of War in Zhongzhou State had also been brilliant, but his few war records could be remembered.
He sought draws, so he rarely won. But he had never lost in those years when he served as the protector G.o.d of War in Zhongzhou State.
Li Honghe was very stable at that time.
Zhongzhou State was also very stable so that it looked a little scary.
So until now, Li Honghe could not understand why he had been living a common life, and in the end, he had cultivated a son who was so aggressive.
Stable, common, and peaceful.
Those were the secrets of Li Honghe’s success.
No one doubted the secret of success, at least not until one failed.
So even when he discovered the undercurrent between the Li family and the w.a.n.g family of Beihai that year, Li Honghe was still confident of his control. He still tried to play a draw in chess between the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and the Li family.
But no one gave him this opportunity.
Li Kuangtu did not give him one, nor did Summer Solstice.
While he was still busy with the layout, the whole situation had collapsed in an instant. It was so dreadful, and it was gone forever.
The golden mean and the draw in chess he sought seemed to be so hesitant and indecisive afterward.
It was at that time that he finally began to reflect on whether or not his approach was problematic.
Throughout the world, he was definitely the most able to play to a draw in chess.
At a disadvantage, he could pull the situation into a draw, which could not be done by Dongcheng Hanguang.
When there was an advantage, Dongcheng Hanguang could deal with everything with great momentum. Li Honghe himself could not do it.
If he had an advantage and came to play chess, he might still end up in a draw, or even lose.
The collapse of the Li family at that time was the result of his attempt to end in a draw under dominance.
He also realized his own shortcoming, so the Li family and the Dongcheng Clan, the Bai family, and later the Zou family had this delicate relationship today.
Li Honghe silently put away the chessboard.
He looked at Bai Zhanfang, who seemed to be somewhat thoughtful while making tea, and laughed. “Is the meeting very lively?”
“More than that.”
Bai Zhanfang shook his head and did not say much. Whether it was Dongcheng Hanguang or Li Honghe, he could get the detailed contents of the high-level meeting right away. Dongcheng Hanguang need not say much. As for Li Honghe, although the Li family collapsed because of Li Kuangtu, no one dared to deny Li Honghe’s own achievements. Just like the last Youzhou Conference, Li Huacheng personally supported Li Honghe when he was present. At some times, in terms of status, Li Honghe was still the top nearly retired giant. So for more than two decades, for every high-level meeting, the staff sorted the contents out for him. But Li Honghe never expressed any opinions.
“Tianzong is a bit anxious.”
Li Honghe said quietly, “If he can be patient, it may end in other results.”
He was silent for a while, then laughed at himself. “Let him go. Snowdance Corps is good and fits the current Tianlan. ”
“The pure Snowdance Corps is really good.”
Bai Zhanfang looked at Li Honghe. “But what about w.a.n.g Tianzong and Gu Xingyun?”
“Let them be.”
Li Honghe’s tone remained calm. “I will stay in Youzhou for a few more days and visit some old friends from those days.”
Xi Baizhanfang and Li Honghe looked at each other.
As long as Li Honghe’s old friends were alive today, they were basically giants.
They were also the nearly retired giants of the Southeast Group.
“Does Brother want to play a game with the juniors of the w.a.n.g family of Beihai?” Dongcheng Hanguang hesitated and then asked.
“How could it be my turn?”
Li Honghe chuckled. “I will make some preparations. However, for the chaos in Eastern Europe this time, the little girl named Qin in Snow Country is the protagonist.”
“Foolproof?” Bai Zhanfang contracted his eyes and asked.
“How can I be absolutely sure?”
Li Honghe shook his head. “Nine out of 10.”
Dongcheng Hanguang and Bai Zhanfang relaxed their bodies at the same time.
“Anyway… at that time, we sought change at the expense of the Li family. The plan has reached the end stage, and we have no way back. If Brother can help us through this difficult time, the Dongcheng Clan will be very grateful to you,” Dongcheng Hanguang was silent for a long time, and then said in a quiet voice.
Li Honghe shook his head, looked out the window, and whispered, “Helping you is also helping the Li family.”
…
The scale of the European Holy Land was very small.
But to some extent, the Holy Land was one of the most terrifying countries in the world.
Because there was faith here.
Besides, faith has no borders.
Faith.
This was a word with too many special meanings. It was holy, home, worship, and not allowed to be blasphemed.
It also meant absolute madness.
This was a country built in the city of Qiqiu, the capital of Italy. It was a sacred place in the minds of nearly two billion believers around the world.
It was the first time for Qin Weibai to come to the Holy Land.
She could not be called as an invited or uninvited guest.
It was more like a momentary and natural cooperation between the two parties under certain conditions.
There was a holy palace in the Holy Land.
Dwelling in the holy palace was the master of the Holy Land and G.o.d’s spokesman in the hearts of more than a billion believers.
The bright sun shone in front of the gate of the holy palace.
The ancient holy palace seemed to be plated with a layer of gold in the sun, mysterious and majestic, with a sense of solemnity that precipitated history and time.
Qin Weibai stood in front of the holy palace quietly.
The sunlight fell on her and fell into the holy palace.
She and the holy palace both shone.
Standing in front of the gate of the holy palace, Qin Weibai in this state looked like a statue of a G.o.ddess.
She was beautiful, flawless, and not profane.
But she looked a little empty.
Lin Fengting stood beside Qin Weibai, looking at the solemn palace in front of him. His eyes looked somewhat interested.
“I’m here for the first time,” Qin Weibai whispered softly. Her eyes were a little stingy, as if she was holding something back, but with a clear sorrow that could penetrate into the bones.
“I have no wine.”
Lin Fengting joked, “Do you have a story?”
“No.”
Qin Weibai smiled and shook her head. She said in a quiet voice, “I just remember that a long time ago, a man promised his woman that he would let the owner of this palace personally host their wedding in the church opposite them.”
Lin Fengting’s eyes quietly became soft and even gentle.
“This is a grand wedding of the highest standard in any era. I also thought about it when I was young, but unfortunately, I didn’t do it. Didn’t he do it?” Lin Fengting laughed softly and said.
“He did,” Qin Weibai said.
Her eyes were a little cold. “But the woman gave up on her own.”
Lin Fengting froze for a moment.
Qin Weibai said no more. She took a deep breath and raised her hands to straighten the hair on her forehead.
Her movements were slow, but her temperament constantly changed as she raised her hand.
Her emptiness gradually faded away.
Her sadness disappeared.
Her dizziness faded.
It was windy in the sun in front of the gate of the holy palace.
The breeze blew her hair upward, and her black hair flew in the air.
It seemed to happen in the blink of an eye.
Qin Weibai’s temperament became extremely cold and sacred.
It was a kind of aloof and remote high pride.
Or arrogance.
Pride is sin.
In front of this holy palace where one should keep the most modest att.i.tude, Qin Weibai had only arrogance.
She walked slowly into the holy palace.
The crisp sound of heels. .h.i.tting the ground of the holy palace resounded around, proudly and enchantingly.
A masked palace guard came over.
He seemed to know Qin Weibai and the others, as he made a courtesy then silently led the way.
In the study where infinite knowledge and wisdom were deposited in the holy palace, an old man in a white robe stood quietly in front of the door and looked at Qin Weibai and Lin Fengting, who were led by the guard, with a subtle and gentle smile.
The old man did not look handsome, but his face was extremely warm. He was not tall, wore a white robe, and had grey hair, but was neat and clean.
A black cross hung on his chest and had a full visual impact against the background of the white robe.
He held a heavy book in his hand, and stood in front of the door as if standing at the horizon.
That was an indescribable sense of distance.
He was also an indescribable old man.
Qin Weibai walked up to the old man and looked up at his eyes.
True arrogance was never exaggerated, but was a kind of silence and carelessness in the face of sacredness, supremacy, and glory.
The old man was still laughing.
His eyes were as deep as the sea, wise and deep.
Elegant, kind, gentle, and wise.
He was like a deity.
“Please come in.”
The old man waved for his guard to leave and spoke with a smile while watching Qin Weibai.
Qin Weibai moved forward in silence, and walked into the study, which was itself glory and wisdom.
The study was simple and plain, just like the holy palace, which was only ancient and dignified.
“You amaze me. I marvel at your beauty, your intelligence, your determination. But you also make me angry because of your arrogance. ”
The old man still held the book as he spoke quietly in front of Qin Weibai.
His voice was gentle and quiet, but extremely powerful.
That was not force, but an indescribable heaviness and oppression, as if his words could determine the fate of all people.
“I don’t like it here,” Qin Weibai said, and her Latin was fluent and cold.
She sat down in front of the old man with an indifferent expression.
The old man in the white robe was not angry, but just gently asked, “You have no faith?”
“I do.”
Qin Weibai nodded. “I only believe in my man.”
The old man looked at Qin Weibai quietly and kept silent for a long time.
Qin Weibai looked at the old man and her eyes were very aggressive.
She was sitting.
He was standing.
So Qin Weibai needed to look up at him.
But at this moment, she was like the empress who controlled the world, sharp and n.o.ble.
“Still arrogant,” the old man calmly said.
Qin Weibai said nothing, but just reached out her hand quietly.
She came here to see what she wanted to see. If the old man gave it to her, this cooperation would be pleasant.
The old man did not hesitate, but just handed the heavy book in his hand to Qin Weibai, and said softly, “The Lord is kind. You should thank the Lord.”
Qin Weibai said nothing and took the book from the old man.
The book was very heavy, and the cover was weirdly black.
This was a book known in the Dark World. The contents had changed for centuries, but the cover had never changed.
This was the Heretic Roster, well known in the holy palace.
It recorded everyone who was most likely to cause great chaos in each era.
To put it plainly, that was every master.
Qin Weibai opened the book and calmly said, “I come here because of the chaos in Eastern Europe.”
“The Lord gave you the roster because of the chaos in Eastern Europe.”
The old man smiled and remained calm, but his eyes were full of wisdom.
Qin Weibai raised her head and glanced at him.
She turned over the name on the first page of the roster.
His list was on the second page.
The first one of the second page had a letter and some Chinese.
Sword Emperor of Zhongzhou State, w.a.n.g Tianzong.
Under the name, there was all the information that the outside world could gather about w.a.n.g Tianzong.
Qin Weibai looked down at the information.
The old man looked down at Qin Weibai.
Qin Weibai stretched out her hand.
Her fingers were slender and delicate, jade-like beautiful. They seemed to be shining with jade l.u.s.ter.
Her finger was raised slightly, but not to turn the page.
She calmly but quickly tore out the entire page.
The book page fluttered in the air and fell into the hands of the old man.
“Sinful,” Qin Weibai said.
Her cold voice resounded in the study, but it seemed to shake the whole Dark World.
The old man caught the page and smiled calmly. “He should be tried.”
Qin Weibai continued to turn pages.
One of the pages of the book was torn out.
The t.i.tle page also had a name, but had little information.
Li Xi, the young lady of the Li family, the young lady of Kunlun City Governor.
“Sinful,” Qin Weibai said.
The old man caught the page again, and smiled. “She should be tried.”
The pages of the book continued to flip.
Duke Irene·KingTong·w.a.n.g·Rothschild, Queen of Shadows.
The pages of the book were ripped out.
“Sinful.”
“She should be tried.”
The Patriarch of the Jiang family of South America, Jiang Qiansong.
“Sinful.”
“He should be tried.”
The pages of the book continued to flip.
The pages in the old man’s hands were increasing.
The people on every page should be tried.
Qin Weibai tore out a page again.
The chief Horsewoman of Knights Templars, Chaos.
“Sinful.”
The old man caught the page, glanced at it calmly, and said with a smile, “The Lord will take back the glory granted to him. He should be tried.”
Qin Weibai looked up and then at the old man.
“What about the Lord’s sword and Horsewoman?” she asked straightforwardly.
The trial was not for preaching.
It was for redemption and purification.
But after all, judgment is judgment.
It needed swords, Horsewomen, and strength.
The old man stared at Qin Weibai’s eyes and said calmly, “I will crown Aresis.”
Qin Weibai looked at the old man.
After a long time, she nodded.
She had always been arrogant, but now she bent a little. Her n.o.ble head seemed to be lower. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Your Majesty.
Only two could become His Majesty worldwide.
One was His Majesty the Sword Emperor of Beihai Province in Zhongzhou State.
The other was His Majesty the Pope in the Holy Land!
The Holy Land was the headquarters of the Vatican.
The old man took a scepter, placed it on top of Qin Weibai’s head, and said with a smile, “The Lord appreciates the humble.”
Qin Weibai bowed her head slightly and looked at the ground. Her eyes were indifferent.
She was never humble, but she lowered her head temporarily when she needed to.
She needed the Vatican’s strength, just as he needed the Lin Clan, the Dark Knights, and all the strength.
Her goal had never simply been fixed on w.a.n.g Tianzong.
She was watching the whole Dark World.
In the chaos of Eastern Europe, she would also judge the entire Dark World!
The world was guilty.
It should be tried.
The Pope held back the scepter.
Qin Weibai stood up and left the study in silence.
The old man stared down at the pages of his book with deep eyes.
A tall guard walked into the study.
“I can’t accept her arrogance.”
The guard’s eyes were angry. “Blasphemy! She puts herself higher than you. This is blasphemy! I refuse any cooperation with heresy.”
“I promised her. I will crown you.”
The Pope looked at the pages in his hand and pointed to the door with his fingers on the scepter. “Get out.”
The guard’s face changed. He forced down his anger and left the study.
He could occasionally reject the Pope.
But he could not refuse the scepter in the hands of the Pope.
It represented a higher power than the Pope.
The Pope carefully put down the pages in his hand and picked up the heresy.
The roster was very thick.
So Qin Weibai did not turn it to the end.
The Pope turned silently to the penultimate page of the roster.
The information on that page was equally simple.
Qin Weibai, the will of Samsara Palace.
The Pope narrowed his eyes, reached out, and gently tore that page out. He placed it in the stack of pages of those to be tried.
His eyes were slightly relaxed, and he laughed lightly. “Sinful. She should be tried.”