550 Power and Glory

"Sure. I can do that, Mr. Shi Dong," Ye Qingxuan said calmly. As if talking about ordinary things, he described the future. In his tone, there was not any pride or emotion, as if everything he said was guaranteed.

"I'll speed up the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution can be re-started if we put the Stirling Engine II into use. The productivity will be promoted. At the same time, I will re-adopt the Honor System.

"I will promote a new generation of merchants and factory owners and make them the new aristocrats to replace those old-fashioned aristocrats who know only about their land and people. A lot of people will lose their land and choose to work in the factories.

"In two years, productivity will tower up, high taxes will put huge pressure on the civilians, and milk will be poured into the Thames due to lack of customers. Once the merchant aristocrats have their power, the civilians in poverty will yearn for new land and market, and for more opportunities for wealth and status. They will force the country to invade other countries in search of wealth.

"Then, the Crusade will come.

"I can give you that, Mr. Shi. It is super easy. If you want, I can do this better than anyone else."

He slowly got up, facing the surprised stares of the old men, and said, "Not only that, but I will seize more power in the name of saving the world and send more men to the battlefield in the name of the Crusade. With war, I will get more power."

In the silence, only the heavy breath of the old men could be heard.

Their passion for war was lit up. And they were a little shocked to hear this young man's words. Ye Qingxuan suddenly became so strong and powerful their eyes, inspiring unspeakable respect and fear for him.

Big noise was heard from afar. A bell rang from the peak of the mountain, which told everyone that some evil creatures were coming. In the dark sea, numerous shadows came closer and closer in the glimmering fires. They came here following the waves.

There were so many of them. In the wind, one could smell the foul smell of them.

With rushing steps, Carroll came. Half kneeling outside the gate, he reported, "The current sped up and they are here earlier than expected. Please follow me to the underground shelter."

No one replied.

The screaming of the evil creatures got closer and closer. Shi Dong was lost in thought, lowering his head like a statute. Only the sound of the operation of the machines was heard in the room.

A long time passed.

"What do you want exactly, Ye Qingxuan?" Raising his head, the old man looked into the eyes of Ye Qingxuan and examined his face. He seemed to be re-evaluating him. He asked, "If this is so easy for you, then what are you really after?"

"Power, Mr. Shi Dong," Ye Qingxuan answered with no intention of hiding anything. "I want power, the power that makes everyone bow down to me.

"If Anglo can give it to me, I will save Anglo. If the Sacred City forbids me, I will fight against them. I will change this world. No one can stop me.

"The Crusade was only a small part of my plan. Glorious death, reconstruction of the Religious Court, or sacred Crusade, I can give all them to you. Offer me your loyalty, Mr. Shi Dong."

Looking at Shi Dong, Ye Qingxuan said, "I have a lot more things that can change the world."

In the silence, Shi Dong stared into Ye Qingxuan's eyes. Ye Qingxuan's pupils became red, a powerful non-human spirit filled his body. Tiredness vanished and was replaced by a glimmering light of will power. He was like a dying evil looking at the young man with his intense stare, tearing up all disguises and cowardness to see if the young man was lying.

But he could see nothing.

The dark eyes were like black holes, deep and quiet, sucking all grief and agony into them, yet revealing nothing.

"They are like the Ultimate!" Shi Dong wanted to touch those eyes but dared not to. After a while, he raised his hands, offering the Sacred Belt to Ye Qingxuan. He said, "Please lower your head."

Ye Qingxuan half-kneeled before him and let Shi Dong put the solemn Sacred Belt on his shoulder. The dark-gold letters were no longer quiet. As if there were some spirits awakened from their long sleep, they shone with the light of the burning sun.

Ye Qingxuan rose and looked at the Sacred Belt on his shoulders. All old men stepped up one step to half-kneel before Ye Qingxuan. Lowering their heads, they offered their loyalty to Ye Qingxuan with no hesitation.

The sound of drawing the sword was heard. In the iron chair, Shi Dong drew his rusted sword. The heavy sword shivered, shaking all of the dust and rust off of it. Despite all the cracks and breaches, the sword was horribly sharp. The skinny old man struggled to stand up, then stepped forward, dragging all the wires. He half-kneeled before Ye Qingxuan, and lowering his head, offered his sword to Ye Qingxuan.

"The war will begin." Shi Dong asked, "Please bless us, your Grand Inquisitor."

Ye Qingxuan held the hilt tightly and raised the sword. A sudden boom was heard from the sword, which was like a war cry from the battlefield. It was the sound of armor rustling. Numerous spirits and ghosts came back, endowing and bestowing their last hope and willpower on the sword.

The sword became hot like a piece of iron on the fire. Then, Ye Qingxuan laid the sword on Shi Dong's shoulder.

Looking at him, Ye Qingxuan read out the will of God to him, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law doth he meditates day and night."

"Be all the glory to you, your Grand Inquisitor," all the old men said in their harsh voices.

Ye Qingxuan pulled Shi Dong up from the ground and gave the sword back to him. Shi Dong supported himself with the sword. The servants came out from the side doors and pulled the long robe off him. Then, they put on his iron skeleton for him, unplugged the wires and installed new machines into his body.

Pretty soon, Shi Dong had a lot of machines installed on him. The heart rate monitor, blood pump, body fluid balancing system, spinal column injector, encephalic oxygen generator, and finally, a mask made of iron. The oxygen, with the smell of oil, was pumped into his lungs, setting his spirit soaring high.

"Please follow me," said Shi Dong. Putting his sword in the sheath, he willed the iron skeleton to go forward. He showed Ye Qingxuan the way and said, "Allow me to show you how the Witch Hammer works."

Walking ahead of them, Ye Qingxuan smiled. "I'll enjoy myself with that, then."