Chapter 581: Tsunami

In the Wiltonstein Building in Atlanta, a busy Consul Wiltonstein asked while handling the documents in his hand: 'Diamond, I guess it should be good news, right? You look very spirited and in a relaxed mood.'

He guessed that the good news must be related to Li Mochen, who had already gone to Berlin in the Old Continent. But at this moment, he didn't even intend to look up.

Only because the aftermath of this great battle was far too heavy.

Matters such as compensation for casualties, compensation for damage to civilian houses, further actions and strikes against the National Progressive Association, negotiations with the government, and the business strategies adopted by the group and family afterward were all within his responsibility.

And now he not only had to handle the Wiltonstein Group side but also needed to keep an eye on Li Mochen's Rising Sun Group.

'It is indeed good news.'

Consul's assistant Nant Diamond stopped in front of the desk: 'But I believe you will also find it very headache-inducing after hearing it.'

'Oh?'

Consul looked up at Nant Diamond. He found that the latter indeed had a smile on his face, though not strong, it was vastly different from Diamond's usual steady and cold expression.

This made Consul relax slightly, thinking that as long as it wasn't bad news, it was fine.

'Tell me about it. I think he must have already retrieved the Blood Crown?'

'Yes, Mr. President.'

Nant Diamond first nodded, then said in a cold voice: 'But besides that, young Mr. Wiltonstein also killed the Sanctuary Master Bernie Madigan and Cardinal Cressy Cook. Moreover, he forcibly seized the Holy Lance of Longinus from the Vatican.'

'Seized the Holy Lance of Longinus? Diamond, is this true? Are you sure?'

Consul indeed felt a headache. He let out a groan at the first moment and pressed his forehead. Then he subconsciously wanted to ask how Li Mochen had managed to do it.

He would have been very happy if the latter had obtained the Blood Crown in the Old Continent and even made a clean getaway.

But the Holy Lance of Longinus—this could not make Consul rejoice; instead, it frightened him.

But then he thought that instead of asking Nant Diamond, it would be better to see the detailed battle report himself. He had long deployed people in Berlin, monitoring the Teutonic National Museum, and they should be able to bring him detailed information.

If that didn't work, Temur Hegel, the 'Supreme Shadow' of the Teutonic Republic, was his close friend, and he would surely be able to provide him with a complete video.

So next, Consul pressed a button on his desk to connect to his chief of staff: 'Betty, could you please recollect and send back the documents I signed earlier? The situation has changed a bit, and I need to make some adjustments.'

Across from him, Diamond said knowingly: 'The power of the Holy See is no longer as strong as it was a few centuries ago. Especially in America.'

"But we can't let our guard down. They still have the most followers of any sect in the world. I bet that by tomorrow at the latest, the Roman Curia will call on their faithful to boycott our Wiltonshtein Group. Even the Protestants and the Orthodox will lend them support—on the matter of upholding the glory of the Lord of Light, they are of one mind."

Conshully shook his head: "Right now I just hope the Curia will consider the repercussions and not declare Andrei a heretic or an enemy of the faith."

"That's unlikely!"

Diamond said thoughtfully: "I think the old church can no longer deal with young Mr. Wiltonshtein's martial power. Even if they do dare to do it, it might not be a bad thing."

Conshully did not refute this view. He dialed another number. It was Dra·Wiltonshtein, the current chief executive of the family council of elders.

"You've heard the news from the Old Continent, right? Is it good news? Don't joke, Dra. The situation is going to get very troublesome. Anyway, you need to calm things down within the clan—"

Dra·Wiltonshtein's response was low and hoarse, but lacked composure: "I understand! I understand! I'll keep the family's young ones in line, tell them to lie low and not cause trouble. We'll have to keep our heads down and play dead for a while, just quietly enjoy it. Yes, it's a bit difficult, but I'll do my best. You have no idea, if those guys find out, they'll be overjoyed. The Hohenstaufens have finally taken their revenge on the Curia, and our vice president, our young master, is about to become one of the most powerful deities in the world. You're right, Conshully, he really is the best of the Wiltonshtein generation, he's the hope of our entire clan. I'm so glad I've always been on your side, supported you—"

Conshully had had enough of his incoherent rambling. He hung up directly, then asked Diamond: "So now, do you know where Andrei is?"

"He should have gone to the East! A demigod mage happened to sense the trajectory after he tore through space."

Diamond hesitated slightly as he said this: "In the battle at the Teutonic National Museum, young Mr. Wiltonshtein used the 'Kongtong Seal.' That is a mythical weapon forged by the ancient Eastern emperor Zhuanxu, on the same level as the complete 'Longinus Holy Lance.'"

How could Conshully not know about the 'Kongtong Seal'? He was stunned for a moment, a flicker of realization and thoughtfulness passing through his eyes, then he gave a wry smile: "Let him be. That's his business."

He turned his attention back to the present: "If I'm not mistaken, there must be a lot of calls coming in right now, right?"

In fact, ever since the battle in Atlanta ended, his several landlines and mobile phones had been ringing off the hook. Conshully was too busy to answer, so he had to let his assistants and secretaries take the calls, planning to call back the more important people when he had free time.

But Conshully guessed that the volume before and now must be on a different order of magnitude.

"It was already more explosive than you can imagine before—all the lines were constantly busy. I had to borrow a dozen people from the public relations department and temporarily set up twenty-four extensions, but I'm afraid that's not enough. The news from Berlin will shake the entire mystical world within the next hour. It's the same at the Rising Sun Group's president's office. Half an hour ago, Elisa asked me to tell you that you'd better find some time soon to help young Mr. Wiltonshtein handle things, or bring him back. As for now—"

Diamond shrugged: "The White House just called again, the third time today. I said you were busy. Boss, you're planning to keep them waiting, right?"

Conshully was noncommittal. He fell into thought again.

Meanwhile, in the Abraham White House, inside the Oval Office, the President sat behind his desk, frowning at a middle-aged woman who entered.

She was a woman in a white suit, with a crisp and efficient demeanor, fashionable and elegant—this was his new White House Chief of Staff, Caroline Weimar.

"I got through, but just like the previous two times, old Mr. Wiltonshtein is very busy and still can't spare the time."

"Too busy to take a call from the President?"

Loren Cadern, sitting in the corner, let out a cold laugh. The former White House Chief of Staff, now the President's Assistant for Domestic Affairs, spoke with a sharp tongue.

"After that war in Atlanta, though understandable, I also sensed a certain contempt for the White House."

"Mr. President, the Wiltons are already the most powerful family in America and the entire world, and Andre Lee Wilton is one of the most powerful people today, including several major gods. Their alliance with Light Demon Industries is currently unbreakable."

National Security Advisor Jaxon Richards said calmly, "Mr. President, you must tolerate their arrogance, just as you tolerate Morgan and Rockefeller, and the Old and New Lights. The governance of this country requires their cooperation."

"Take, for example, Nanette Drew of Rising Sun Media."

Director of National Intelligence Wade Steider cited an example: "I know that woman's character. If the Wiltons don't rein her in, she'll stop at nothing. All the scandals of the Citizens' Party could become her targets. She doesn't need to care about anyone now, and no one can do anything about her. And their bio-implants—"

"I know! I know! But I still find it hard to accept."

The President sat down with a sigh, then spread his hands: "Isn't it incredible? Overnight, the Wiltons became one of America's strongest families. Then, less than two hours later, you tell me that Andre Lee Wilton thwarted half the Vatican in Berlin and seized the Holy Lance of Longinus. We need to take an appropriate stance, to show awe toward the Wiltons' existence. Are you sure about Berlin? It feels surreal to me. The Roman Curia's military might is so formidable, yet he defeated them. If this is true, it's undoubtedly a grenade tossed into a small tin basin for this world—"

"I understand your feelings, Mr. President, but those images couldn't be faked by just anyone. You saw them yourself, didn't you? The deaths of a cardinal and a temple master are real. The Roman Curia's Holy Lance of Longinus being seized is also indisputable."

National Sorcerer Rajia Barclay shook his head: "They are, without a doubt, a major pole in this world."

Just then, a knock came at the door of the Oval Office, and a well-dressed secretary entered: "Sir, old Mr. Wilton has returned your call. He asks if you are available to speak now. He also says he's sorry."

The President perked up, reaching for the receiver while signaling the others with his eyes that he did not intend to converse with old Mr. Wilton in front of so many onlookers.

"By the way, I approve of the proposal to award honorary National Sorcerer titles to the two Mr. Wiltons. Weimar, contact the party whips later and have them push this through as soon as possible. There's no time to lose—"

Meanwhile, in Chicago, after a video conference involving three families, an old man closed his eyes in pain.

"See if we can contact old Mr. Wilton through Professor Eistatin's channel. I recall that long ago, he owed our Violet family a small favor. Now it's time for him to repay it. We need peace, to reach a ceasefire with the Wiltons as soon as possible. He's the best mediator."

"Isn't this too hasty? It would bring shame to the Violet family name."

At the lower end of the conference table, someone immediately objected: "The Roman Curia won't let this go. They will surely plan a counterattack. This is our opportunity."

"And then? Let the glorious Matteola family become pawns and soldiers of the Curia? Fight desperately for the glory of the Lord?"

The old man retorted sarcastically: "That is a living god on par with the Archangel, not bound by the Treaty of Human and Divine Governance! Do you want the Matteola family to be reduced to ashes under his wrath?"

The entire conference room fell into a dead silence.

At this moment, even the objector was unwilling to openly confront the Wiltons. His earlier remarks were born only of resentment and reluctance.

"You must accept reality. That family has risen above the Violet family; they are an entity we cannot contend with. You must instruct the family's sons and daughters that in all future social occasions, they must show sufficient respect to members of the Wiltons, or avoid them."

The old man's eyes also glimmered with unwillingness and helplessness: "Also, notify the National Progressive Association that our family is withdrawing from that organization. And the Beast Blood Warrior project must be halted. Its stability and combat effectiveness cannot compare with Rising Sun Pharmaceuticals' bio-implants. The Department of Defense and the military have withdrawn their support. The Violet family must cut its losses in time."

……

And while all of America, the entire world, was stirred into a tsunami-like uproar by that battle in Berlin, in the ancient Eastern nation, atop the Kunlun Mountains, the 'Kongtong Seal' held by Li Mochen had already changed hands. This immensely powerful divine artifact was now suspended before a white-haired, white-bearded old man by a swirling aura of spiritual energy.

"Are you serious? Just giving this thing to me like this?"

"Do I have any room to regret it now? Or would you, senior, be willing to return it to me?"

Li Mochen, standing shoulder to shoulder with the old man, said with his hands behind his back and a hint of sarcasm in his voice: "This was originally your possession. In his suicide note, my father used a full ten sentences to emphasize that it must be returned to Kunlun, and specifically into your hands. As for me, I'm sorry—before returning it, I borrowed its power to do a few extra things. You must have heard about that?"

"Chunchu—"

The old man seemed to be recalling something. He sighed deeply with immense sorrow, then shook his head: "The battle in Berlin shook the world. I was fortunate enough to observe some details through the Kunlun Mirror, and I am truly in awe of your abilities, young friend Mochen. As for your apology, it is entirely unnecessary and need not be mentioned again. Although this artifact is a relic left by our former kings, when it was in your hands, how you used it was entirely your right. I only meant to say earlier that this object carries immense significance; outside this country, the vast majority do not wish to see it return. I never expected you to deliver it so openly and directly."

"I know."

Li Mochen's expression was very calm, his eyes confident, even arrogant: "But now I don't need to care, and I have nothing to fear, don't I? And those who could make me fear or hesitate wouldn't care about the whereabouts of this thing either."

"Indeed!"

The old man nodded knowingly, a hint of self-mockery on his face. Then he lightly flicked his sleeve and summoned the attendant acolyte: "Inform the Patriarch, strike the bell nine times, and have him also send word to the capital: the artifact that stabilizes the nation has returned, and the whole world should celebrate!"

At this moment, his joy and excitement were palpable. Li Mochen noticed that the old man's hands were trembling slightly.

Although the old man was trying his utmost to restrain himself, the effect was negligible.

"This artifact holds too great a significance for our dynasty. My emotions are stirred and I cannot contain myself; I hope you will forgive me, young friend Mochen."

The old man smiled apologetically, then said with extreme seriousness: "I wonder if there is anything Kunlun can do to help you? As long as it is within our power, I can pledge Kunlun's assistance."

Li Mochen raised an eyebrow at this: "This was simply my duty."

"That was the mission Kunlun bestowed upon Li Chunchu, not something you were obligated to do."

The old man shook his head disapprovingly: "Since you, young friend Mochen, have handled this matter so honorably, how could I be vague? It is no longer a hundred years ago; Kunlun and this nation will not let their friends, their compatriots, suffer losses or hardships."

He even brought up a Confucian parable: "Have you, young friend Mochen, ever heard the story of 'Zigong Ransoming People'? The words of that Confucian sage were incisive: accepting compensation from the state does not harm your character; but if you refuse compensation, I fear that in the future, no one in the nation will be willing to serve the country."

Li Mochen had nothing to say. After a moment, he unabashedly asked: "Since that's the case, I will not decline. I am very curious: who created the Dual Primordial Transformation Method?"

"It is a few fragmentary scriptures that drifted into this realm from an outer world, compiled and completed by our twenty-seventh Patriarch."

The old man, as if expecting this question, directly handed over a few pages of scripture that radiated condensed spiritual light: "I'm afraid this may disappoint you, young friend Mochen. That Patriarch ascended to immortality eleven years ago and has had no news since."

Li Mochen knew that 'ascended to immortality' did not mean death; it truly meant leaving this realm as an immortal to begin their journey through the void.

However, having these few pages of original remnants was not entirely without gain.

"If possible, may I have a look at your sect's scripture library? I am very interested in all books concerning time, space, destiny, and the stars. Of course, if your sect does not mind, I could also leave some of my own insights on time and destiny in exchange."

"How could we mind? The Kunlun scripture library will naturally be open to you. Except for one or two core secret transmissions, you, young friend Mochen, may read everything."

The old man's eyes immediately showed delight: "This should be an honor for our Kunlun. Your battle with the Vatican in Berlin, young friend Mochen, fully demonstrates your attainments. Even in Kunlun's history, few can compare with you."

"Then many thanks!"

Li Mochen hesitated slightly before continuing: "I would also like to borrow your sect's 'Nine-Nine Return Furnace,' within the next few years, for about three months."

At this point, he was already preparing to gather treasures and personally forge a truly suitable mythic-grade sword for himself.

This time, Li Mochen did not plan to use Western alchemy, because the sword intent he commanded was composed of more than a dozen conceptual divine authorities. When it came to 'balance,' 'fusion,' and 'coordination,' Western alchemy was far inferior to Eastern methods. The former was focused and extreme, capable of expressing various divine authorities to the utmost, but not adept at handling conflicts and contradictions between different powers.

As for Kunlun Mountain's 'Nine-Nine Return Furnace,' he had long heard of its fame. It was a creation of the Eastern ancient nation, assembled by over a dozen great artifact refiners, exhausting the nation's efforts. It also incorporated various advanced technologies and drew on some Western alchemy. It was a masterpiece integrating Eastern and Western immortal talismans and demonic arrays, and in his mind, the most ideal tool for artifact refining.

There were facilities of the same level at the American National Smelting Institute, but Li Mochen estimated it would be very difficult for him to borrow them. Even if he could, he would not be able to use them as freely as he wished.