Scarlet Descent-Chapter 59 - The Second Secret War

This world has always continued in such contradictions. Now, it's generally possible to distinguish two different camps based on their attitudes toward this matter. The Foundation, led by superhuman organizations, fundamentally doesn't believe in the existence of "God." Even the powers they demote as "demons" are not believed to be real; they're just a term. They prefer to view these superhuman powers as viruses or unknown forces, refusing to acknowledge the existence of God.

On the other hand, the wandering sects in the wastelands and the occasional surge of fanatics deeply believe in God's existence. They don't believe in powerful Transcendents, higher-order totems, or divine agents; they genuinely believe in a supreme, unimaginable "God" that exists somewhere, watching over the real world. Beyond the Spiritual Barriers, countless fanatics spend their lives trying to prove God's existence.

Wei Wei, coming from the Foundation's training camp, naturally doesn't believe in God's existence. But he didn't expect Yuan Guaizi , a former death cult priest, to ask such a question. These former church members were educated and reformed to live as ordinary people again. It seemed Yuan Guaizi 's reformation was successful.

"Some people believe in God's existence, thinking the massive explosion seventy years ago was evidence of God's manifestation," Yuan Guaizi said, rubbing his aching leg. His voice was low: "But others don't believe. If God truly existed and favored his followers, the Twelve Gods Church wouldn't have lost the secret war thirty years ago..."

"Thirty years ago, the second secret war?" Wei Wei was taken aback, looking up at Yuan Guaizi .

As someone from the Foundation's training camp, Wei Wei was familiar with the Foundation's rise. Thirty years ago, the Twelve Gods Church had millions of followers and controlled significant discourse in the world. The Foundation rose during that time, destroying the church's power center and changing the world's landscape. The war was so unknown that it was called a secret war. The outcome was clear: the twelve gods became demons. Their statues were destroyed, and their church personnel scattered. Some were recruited by the Foundation, while others entered the wastelands. The Foundation and Transcendents became the mainstream, guarding the world.

But why did Yuan Guaizi mention something so far in the past?

"It's said that thirty years ago, the Foundation-led war to suppress the gods was essentially a war about whether God exists," Yuan Guaizi whispered, looking up at Wei Wei.

"Originally, the Foundation wouldn't have won..."

His face flushed from the wine: "Because this world has always been rumored to have something that can prove God's existence, that is..."

"God's Legacy."

"And at that time, the church controlled one of these:"

"The Zero-Tier Demon Forbidden Object: God's Death Knell."

Wei Wei stopped eating, gesturing for Yuan Guaizi to continue.

Yuan Guaizi seemed hesitant, as if saying the next words was a psychological burden: "This demon forbidden object is special."

"Because in the church's legends, it was an item that once killed a god..."

Wei Wei's expression became more interesting. It was understandable that Yuan Guaizi seemed to have psychological barriers when saying this. As former church members, they believed their gods were omnipotent and eternal. But now, they had to say that there was something that killed a god, which sounded contradictory.

"True or not, I don't know..."

Yuan Guaizi added, looking up at Wei Wei: "But if an item once killed a god, it could certainly prove God's existence, right?"

Wei Wei felt like he learned something new. It made sense to prove a person's existence through the weapon that killed them.

"Sigh..."

Yuan Guaizi 's voice dropped significantly as he shook his head: "Whether to use this demon forbidden object for its power or as proof, the Twelve Gods Church was fully prepared to face it."

"Unfortunately..."

He sighed: "During the crucial moment of that secret war, the church suffered the most terrifying betrayal."

"One of the three high priests of the United Church stole that Zero-Tier Demon Forbidden Object, leading to the church's defeat."

Wei Wei slowly put the meat into his mouth, savoring the rich flavors. The story was hard to judge as true or false. There were many similar rumors. The defeated church escaped into the wastelands, constantly seeking reasons for their failure. Everything was just to maintain the cohesion of the wandering believers, thinking of returning to the empty churches...

He smiled and said: "And then?"

Yuan Guaizi 's emotions subsided, and he sighed: "Then, it's just speculation..."

"There were rumors that three years ago, Scrap Iron City suddenly became lively because..."

"The God's Legacy item, taken by the traitorous high priest, appeared in Scrap Iron City during that time."

"That's why the Foundation sent so many people to investigate."

"Powerful figures from the wastelands also entered Scrap Iron City."

"But how it turned out, I don't know."

"I only know that since then, Scrap Iron City has had Transcendent Security Officers, and the wandering sects have a presence outside the city."

Wei Wei listened, his brow furrowing. It wasn't surprising that Yuan Guaizi seemed uncertain; such stories were indeed far-fetched. However, considering the information he received earlier, this might not be simple.

"These people..."

He furrowed his brow: "Why do they think this thing is in Scrap Iron City?"

Yuan Guaizi suddenly fell silent, looking at Wei Wei before sighing: "You think I'd still be in a wheelchair if I had the energy to uncover such core secrets?"

Wei Wei was taken aback, smiling: "Uncle Yuan, I really think you look good in a wheelchair."

"It gives you more of a big shot aura..."

"Just don't end up on a stretcher someday..."

Yuan Guaizi 's breathing became heavier as he silently watched Wei Wei.

"Ah, just kidding..."

Wei Wei quickly laughed: "Uncle Yuan, you're great in every way; you just lack a sense of humor..."

Yuan Guaizi 's silent gaze seemed to say, "Humor you to death!"

"What about the 15th District?" Wei Wei asked, changing the subject: "Could this be related to the case in the 15th District?"

As he spoke, he seemed somewhat expectant.

"The 15th District?" Yuan Guaizi was taken aback but shook his head: "Although the time isn't far off, I think it's unlikely related. Perhaps they used this as an excuse to investigate, since they couldn't openly come looking for something."

"But the scale is too different..."

Wei Wei listened, feeling a bit disappointed but certain that Yuan Guaizi wasn't hiding much at this point. He took a deep breath, wiped his hands with a towel, and stood up, satisfied: "Uncle Yuan, you're a good person."

"Really, don't make that face; I think you're someone I can get along with."

He put on his coat and turned to Yuan Guaizi with a smile: "So next time I come, don't let your subordinates look at me with that kind of gaze."

"Otherwise, I'll dig out their eyeballs and feed them to you."

Yuan Guaizi 's face suddenly changed, gripping the armrests of his wheelchair tightly.

"Not today," Wei Wei quickly explained with a laugh: "I'll give you some time to educate your subordinates, okay?"

"Thanks for today, anyway."

He pulled out his wallet, took out two ten-yuan bills, and placed one on the table: "I understand the rules; this is the fee."

He put down another bill: "And this is for dinner!"

As Wei Wei prepared to leave, Yuan Guaizi 's chest began to heave violently. This time, he hadn't been threatened with a gun, perhaps because he no longer had legs to be shot at, and Wei Wei had been more polite. But Yuan Guaizi still felt a fear no less intense than before.

Watching Wei Wei leave the two bills, Yuan Guaizi suddenly spoke up: "What I said earlier was unconfirmed. According to the rules of the underworld, I shouldn't have taken your money."

"But since you paid, I'll give you more reliable information."

Wei Wei was surprised, turning back to see Yuan Guaizi narrowing his eyes and whispering: "I don't know if those people had evidence that God's Death Knell was in Scrap Iron City, nor do I know who exactly came. But I received intel that high-ranking Transcendents once had a fierce confrontation in Scrap Iron City."

"The location was the Faceless People Church in the west of the city."

"Maybe if you go there now, you can still find traces of their battle."

"This can somewhat verify the truth of this matter!"

Wei Wei's face lit up with a smile: "Thanks, Uncle Yuan."

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