246 You Must Speak Carefully

"As if you are above, as if you are below, and so all can begin…Is this the Emerald Tablet?!"

The youth nodded silently with a humble smile.

Amidst the commotion, the still doubtful Sergey looked up at Barthélémy. "Are you sure?"

Barthélémy managed a bitter smile. "The original is the Emerald Tablet, without a doubt. It is more complete than what I have as well. However, I cannot confirm the translation results within a short period." Hesitating, he set down his determination and said quietly, "Of course, it’s possible he made it all up."

"It’s not made up, don’t worry." The Eastern scholar who had always been silent finally spoke up now. Mr. Hu, who was not as learned in Western classicism, made a decision before everyone else.

Looking down, he twisted the corner of the white paper. There was a faint watermark there. It was the design of two entangled snakes.

"He’s correct." Mr. Hu’s expression was strange and troubled. "Perhaps someone else has already confirmed it before us." Without waiting for the others’ reply, he called a servant over and murmured to him.

The servant hesitated but walked before the curtain of the royal family and said something quietly. He quickly returned with a strip of paper. The paper was passed between the judges, causing everyone’s expression to grow complicated.

There was only one short sentence: the translation is correct.

Since royalty vouched for it, there was nothing more to say. Though they did not understand the reason, it seemed to involve the royalty’s privacy and it would be best not to question things.

Barthélémy chuckled wryly. If he had known this, he would not have said anything.

"Well then…" He looked up and prepared to speak, but another sound rang out.

"Wait!" It was another unexpected change when the audience was still shocked. Now feeling a bit numb, they looked toward the Church’s curtain in confusion. A priest with a dark expression walked out slowly, holding Ye Qingxuan’s translation. He looked at Ye Qingxuan coldly.

"Please bear with my ignorance. But ‘as if you are above, as if you are below, and so all can begin’ how should one interpret this phrase?"

Ye Qingxuan froze. He quickly pulled himself together, organized his words, and opened his mouth to answer.

"This is a conclusion of the nature of aether from ancient musicians. If you expand the phrase, it means, ‘The aether fills us and is omnipresent. With this as a medium, the world’s Originator and the origin within a human can communicate. With this as a fulcrum and using the correct method, we can grasp the strength of all—"

"Blasphemy!" Kyle cut him off. He stepped forward with furious eyes and interrogated, "Is everything not created for aether? If that is so, then where is the holy theory? Where is God?! You must speak carefully!"

The last question was a roar. It finally dawned on everyone. When they looked at Ye Qingxuan, it was with shock and suspicion.

This interpretation of music theory described the origin of all organisms. Without a doubt, it contradicted the holy theory. It would be okay at any other time, but the Church was here. They would never admit its rationale, otherwise, they would lose dignity. If God lost his role as the master of all, how was he different from those demons?

No matter what, this sentence was enough to overthrow any of Ye Qingxuan’s evidence and cast him beyond redemption. Thankfully this was not centuries before. Otherwise, this youth would have probably been judged by the Church and sent to be burned at the stake after they found more than one-hundred crimes.

In the near distance, Ingmar looked at Ye Qingxuan tauntingly. His lips curled into a cold sneer. Kyle would not be able to do anything if Ye Qingxuan had provided the translation of any other document, but he had run straight into this. He was looking for death.

"I’ve already said that using such a satanic method can only help you interpret satanic writings." Ingmar chuckled coldly. "I suggest the appraisal council carefully consider why this Eastern kid provided such a document and almost caused the grandmasters and the crown to be unrighteous. He must have an ulterior motive."

The tides turned instantly. No one expected Ye Qingxuan would fall to the state of being accused of all.

However, there was no panic on the youth’s face. When he looked at the furious Kyle, his eyes showed tired pity. "The God described by the holy theory is empty. There is no definite form of God. Mankind cannot imagine what God is like. Aether is God’s hand, strength, and his eyes. Aether is God’s messenger. Therefore, we can use aether to probe into the holy world and prove the existence of a god. That is how the Church can receive the holy essence.

"In my opinion, the holy theory does not contradict this phrase. It instead complements it. Father, if you think that this phrase will shake the foundations of the holy theory, you have no need to worry."

"Outrageous!" Kyle was livid. "Such nonsense and heresy!"

"Really?" the youth asked in reply. "I quoted the preaching of Pope Bartholomew from two-hundred years ago. Do you think the Pope’s words are nonsense too?"

"You…" Coldness flashed past Kyle’s eyes. He quickly retorted, "The Pope’s words are undoubtedly correct, however, each sentence has a specific context. They contain different meanings when in different context. Do not twist Bartholomew’s words to prove your heresy!"

Ye Qingxuan looked at him without expression. "This sentence discusses the relationship between aether and the world. There is nothing nonsensical about it, nor had it been led astray. How can it be heresy? If you can really prove its existence, then would we have to close our eyes and pretend we don’t see it? Father, ‘prejudice causes one to fall.’ Hubris is one of the original sins!" His last words quoted the Church’s bible and undoubtedly were a slap to Father Kyle’s face.

"Silence!" Kyle roared. "How dare you twist God’s thoughts—"

"Twist God’s thoughts?" Ye Qingxuan smirked. He raised his voice and pressed harder. "I’d like to ask something. Who is truly heretic? Me or someone who falsely uses God’s name to fulfil his own wishes?

"God’s thoughts are above the truth. We are unable to look into the depths but should never stop trying! How dare you cover the believers’ eyes and fool them into abandoning the path of justice?" The youth’s hoarse voice covered Kyle’s roar. In the end, it was like metal grating. The harshness of his voice had an almost tangible strength. His eyes shone as he spoke the holy words and one could not meet his eyes.

"The holy theory says: the road to justice is surrounded by evils. Those who guide their companions through the darkness with love and kindness will be protected by God, for he is the true guardian. For those who dare to hurt and kill my people, I will exact revenge upon them! When the fire of my vengeance falls from the sky, you all will know that I am the king of all, I am the king of kings!"

The youth spoke with a low voice and followed Kyle closely. His voice was serious yet awe-inspiring, forcing Kyle to stumble back. Ye Qingxuan seemed to be the true representative of God while Kyle was the heretic he had tied to the stake.

Kyle had seen that high and mighty coldness on old monks—they had spent their entire life immersed in God’s teachings and became agents of God after they reached middle age. There seemed to be fire in their eyes when they gazed upon mundanes as if they would judge all sins.

"Silence!" Kyle’s face was deathly pale and he panted for breath. "How dare you dispute the holy theory with me? I am the agent of god. You are a mundane! You must not speak of God in vain, you must—"

"Enough, Kyle. Stop making a fool of yourself," came a wizened voice from behind the curtain. The heavy voice was like a giant rock and resounded soundly.

All fell silent.

The voice caused Kyle to stiffen. He looked back in confusion and looked at the silhouette of the old man behind the curtain. He said with a trembling voice, "Father Mephistopheles, I only wanted to—"

"Kyle, that child understands the messages of God more deeply than you," the old man said lightly. "Let us stop here today. Believers of God should not participate in matters of fame and glory."

This was not some mighty scolding but it was more terrifying than anything else. Kyle’s face became sheet-white. He understood that Mephistopheles might have already known that he made a deal with others and was using Mephistopheles’s name to do something. Perhaps he was not upset but Kyle’s role as a personal secretary had probably come to an end.

Kyle opened and closed his mouth multiple times but could only stutter something. Finally, he looked down and stumbled back behind the curtain, almost falling.

Ingmar had sunk into a daze. In panic, he looked from Ye Qingxuan to the Church’s curtain. Watching Kyle leave, he reached out to grab Kyle’s shirt but was shaken away. Seeing Kyle’s deathly pallor, he felt chills all over.

"How—how is this possible…" For a moment, he finally realized that he might lose.

-

After order was reinstated, the wizened voice behind the Church’s curtain asked, "Young man, why did you come here?" His question was targeted at the youth.

Ye Qingxuan thought for a moment before answering, "To prove the truth."

"Oh? But the truth is self-evident."

"Being self-evident takes time and I can’t wait." The youth looked down. Voice heavy, he said, "I came here so my teacher’s efforts won’t be snatched away. I also came so the translation method won’t be seen as unorthodoxy and will have its own place in the academic world.

"In my opinion, if justice really exists in this world, it should be shown. If not, I’ll personally prove it."

There was a long silence.

It ended with a sigh. "Your ideas are a bit stubborn but it’s rare to have such thoughts," Mephistopheles said. "May the council bring me the report? I would like to see the ideas of this Professor Abraham."