Chapter 121: Faith? It Is Nothing But a Mask

As this thought crossed Ye Hai's mind, he suddenly gained a new perspective on the Shesha Sect.

"The Shesha Sect wasn't established by ARMY-3 to enslave humanity?"

"Or perhaps... the high priests of the Shesha Sect are not content with being enslaved themselves?"

After sharing these thoughts with the other corpse hunters, the group fell into deep contemplation. They wound their way down through the cavernous tunnels. After walking for a long time—Ye Hai estimated they had descended two hundred meters below the surface—they finally turned a corner and encountered the survivors of the black market.

These survivors had chiseled out rooms along the subterranean tunnels, huddled in groups and shivering beside campfires. When they saw Ye Hai’s party passing by in their heavy, thick cotton-padded coats, a chilling, predatory glint instantly appeared in their eyes. However, upon catching sight of Kuls, these people immediately restrained themselves, surreptitiously hiding the daggers and short blades they had just drawn back out of sight.

Kuls spoke up at the right moment to explain: "Lord Ye Hai, as you can see! In these dark, subterranean depths, countless sins dwell. If someone were to walk through the black market wearing the cotton coats you produce... what they would lose would be far more than just a piece of clothing."

Ye Hai shrugged noncommittally. He didn't care about such things. He understood the ecology of these survivors all too well. Before order was established in the Plati Black Market, it had been filled with similar dark, sinful activities. It was only because the Five Forbidden Figures had built an order for the Plati Black Market that everyone’s lives had improved slightly—even if the rulers always lived more comfortably. Undeniably, however, the survivors had gained appropriate benefits as a result.

But the Ironwood Forest Black Market was not like that. The Shesha Sect suppressed almost everyone here. Although they seemed to have established a form of order, this order had not brought the survivors a better life; instead, it had plunged them into endless pain and despair. Ye Hai believed that the people most eager to overthrow the Shesha Sect might not be the Dusa Resistance, but these survivors at the very bottom.

However, Ye Hai viewed himself merely as a passerby. As long as they weren't his own people, what did their survival have to do with him?

Guided by Kuls, the group continued toward the center of the black market. About half an hour later, the tunnel ahead suddenly became extremely spacious. Gone were the dark, damp conditions where the survivors lived. Bright, soft lights stretched into the distance, and the ground was paved with some kind of alloy, resembling a high-tech underground base. At the entrance to the base stood two giant, coiled snake statues.

Across the vast plaza outside the entrance, various snake-shaped sculptures were carved almost everywhere. As they drew near, Ye Hai could even feel the air become slightly fresher. He realized that not only was the place fully supplied with power, but it was also equipped with a ventilation system. Yet, the temperature remained biting cold.

Although it looked much more comfortable than the tunnel area, Ye Hai noticed that no survivors dared to wander nearby. The survivors in the distance looked at Ye Hai and his group with eyes full of awe and longing.

Kuls walked up to the guards at the entrance, bowed slightly, and said, "Lord Holy Warrior, I am the missionary Kuls. By order of the High Priest, I have brought the final group of participants for the Sanctuary of Miracles..."

Ye Hai narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the shirtless, muscular guards. Feeling a chill emanating from them, he thought to himself, "Are these the Holy Warriors of the Shesha Sect? Not only is their demeanor cold, but their very bodies radiate a frigid chill! Are these guards... even human?"

Hearing Kuls, the guard scanned the faces of Ye Hai’s group. Without a word, he appeared coldly aloof, stepping slightly aside to clear the way. Kuls then turned back to nod at Ye Hai, and they began to walk slowly inside.

Before long, a massive pyramid-shaped altar came into view. At the top of the altar was a giant snake’s mouth, as if it were about to swallow everything whole. Ye Hai grinned; that snake mouth was carved with remarkable vividness, bearing a seventy to eighty percent resemblance to the sea snake lying in their camp.

Kuls said, "Lord Ye Hai, the High Priest is at the very top... follow me up."

Ye Hai nodded, stepped onto the stairs, and walked all the way to the summit of the altar. Soon, he saw a middle-aged man with a stern, imposing face. Seeing the exquisite blue robe the man wore, Ye Hai knew this must be Qi Beishan, the Blue-Robed High Priest of the Shesha Sect.

Upon seeing Ye Hai, a flash of sharpness appeared in Qi Beishan’s eyes. He then smiled and said, "This must be Leader Ye Hai of the Corpse Hunter organization! I am Qi Beishan... I am very grateful for the supplies Leader Ye Hai gifted us earlier! May the god Shesha bless you!"

Ye Hai inwardly scoffed: *As if I need blessings from a bunch of mutants!* But he wore a formulaic, fake smile on his face and responded, "High Priest Qi Beishan is too kind... We are already very grateful that the Shesha Sect allows us to reside near the black market. We are just a group of fleeing survivors... having traveled over mountains and through waters, enduring great hardships... no one cherishes a stable place to settle more than we do. Thank you for the blessings of the god Shesha..."

"I believe that in the unseen realm, it is the will of the god Shesha that has guided us to this place. After hearing Missionary Kuls preach the doctrines of the Shesha Sect, I finally understand... that we were able to arrive at the Ironwood Forest Black Market safely is all due to the protection of the god Shesha. May the glory of the god Shesha shine upon Leviathan... May the god Shesha enjoy eternal bliss and live as long as the heavens!"

Under Ye Hai’s long, rambling stream of praise, Qi Beishan felt a bit numb. He felt that this guy, Ye Hai, seemed to be even more of a religious fanatic than he was. Things like the glory of God, the guidance of God, the whispers of God, the salvation of God... they just flowed out of him effortlessly. Ye Hai’s interpretation of the Shesha Sect’s doctrine was even more profound than his own as High Priest.

"Suffer in this life, cultivate for the next!" "The god Shesha said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light!" "The god Shesha calls upon the people to unite, actively participate in the 'Holy War,' drive out the mutants, and build an ideal nation of equality and justice!"

Qi Beishan, as the leader of the sect, had never even heard of these things. At this moment, in Qi Beishan’s eyes, Ye Hai became a lovable fanatic with high-level comprehension. Such rare, pious faith—not to mention that Qi Beishan had never seen it before, he even doubted if he possessed it himself!

Finally, Qi Beishan interrupted Ye Hai’s continued praise of the god Shesha. "Leader Ye Hai, I have already felt your pious faith in the god Shesha... However, entering the Sanctuary of Miracles to seek the god Shesha’s blessings is an extremely difficult task!"

"Due to limited spots... the four great high priests will each send their own true warriors to conduct a trial first... Only half will be able to enter the Sanctuary of Miracles!"

"Leader Ye Hai and the warriors behind you, are you prepared?"

"Of course, if you can distinguish yourselves, I will represent the god Shesha and bestow upon you the grace you deserve. After all, the god Shesha is never stingy with warriors..."

Suddenly hearing Qi Beishan say this, Ye Hai was slightly taken aback. This old man was trying to engage in some backroom deal with him! He turned to look at Kuls in confusion. This old guy hadn't mentioned anything about this! Kuls looked back at Ye Hai with equal bewilderment, clearly unaware of this situation as well.

But Ye Hai reacted quickly, bowing immediately to respond to Qi Beishan: "Rest assured, High Priest, I will certainly follow in the footsteps of the god Shesha and annihilate all enemies that stand in my way!"

"Even the warriors under the other high priests cannot hinder my resolve..."

"Whoever blocks me... I will kill them!"

After speaking, Ye Hai and the High Priest locked eyes, both wearing knowing smiles on their faces.

Javier rolled his eyes in disdain from the side, cursing under his breath: "Two damn riddle-mongers!"