Xyrin Empire-Chapter 642: A Day Trip to Bingdisi’s Shadow City

The only impact the arrival of the Divine Race delegation had on the Shadow City and the entire upper echelons of the Empire was that we gained five more mouths to feed and a ruffian leader who hangs around the fortress all day looking for fights or instigating others to fight.

Members of Dingdang’s team were all fairly trustworthy, although there was the hot-blooded fool, Yelsen, who would from time to time provoke Dingdang, getting suspended and tied up in various locations and settings, but at least he didn’t cause trouble for others: except when his narcissism led to a traffic jam after being beaten by his own sister. Monina, on the other hand, was a girl who was a little violent towards her brother but nice to everyone else. It was clear that she fully supported Dingdang’s authority, although I really didn’t understand what kind of authority Dingdang really had. But this Miss Dark Goddess was indeed very obedient under Dingdang’s command, such as trying to beat up Yelsen outdoors to avoid damaging the furniture...

As for Dragon God Lin, she turned out to be exactly like the impression I first had of her: an extremely shy, timid, and cowardly girl. It’s said that her personality is related to her clumsiness and young age. According to the Divine Race’s view, this Golden Two-headed Dragon was still underage, roughly equivalent to a middle school student who had yet to graduate in human terms. She was drafted into Dingdang’s combat team as a combat apprentice, and as the apprentice with the least experience, she naturally became the errand girl. Although the seniors never bullied their juniors, this Dragon God Girl’s inherent nature made her seem like a doormat at first glance. According to an exasperated Monina, because of Lin’s make-do appearance, their team was once rumored to be a "hellish battle group that lets the newbie run around doing hard labor for little pay to support a bunch of useless seniors," of course, this rumor didn’t last too long, because Dingdang’s mascot captain figure was just too well-known in the Divine Realm.

But then again, there really are a lot of pure-hearted individuals in the Divine Realm, huh? Bulliable just because she hasn’t graduated from junior high? Look at Earthlings, these days kids in the 7th grade are becoming dads...

As for Kenser, this uncle is the one I find to be the most unique member of Dingdang’s team. I mean, look around, a bunch of mascots, dummies, sharp-tongued, long-suffering faces, and right in the middle, you have an Odin standing out in the crowd—who wouldn’t find that conspicuous?

While everyone in the team was busy searching for fun around the world and touring Shadow City behind Dingdang, this white-bearded uncle, who always wore a grey and white robe that seemed to be in the style of classical mythology, was the only one doing anything serious. He compiled a report from us that was actually comprehensible and, along with Bingdisi’s personal situation report, submitted it to the Divine Realm. Although he claimed it was just a minor favor, it immediately gave me a solid and reliable impression of the uncle: after all, it’s hard not to, compared to the other time-wasters.

As for Bingdisi, theoretically the individual with the highest rank in the delegation...

As her host and personal friend, Sandora and I took on the responsibility of personally accompanying Bingdisi on a tour of the beautiful sites of Shadow City. I originally thought that a place like Avalon would be more to Bingdisi’s liking, because you see, she’s of the Divine Race, and even though she chose the wrong profession, she is still a Light Goddess, right? This golden haloed being should definitely be living in a resplendent temple floating above holy Immortal Lakes, leaving home every day after a full meal bathed in golden light to go create clouds and rainbows. But what she actually said was,

"What’s so great about that kind of place? They’re all over the Divine Realm. My place looks just like that. If I want to see immortal lands, I might as well look at the flower beds from my own window at home! Just show me around your main base, like the barracks, factories, residential areas—do you guys have a shopping street here in the Mortal World? The last time I went shopping in the Mortal World, it seemed like a fun place huh!"

That’s it.

I now think that not only Miss Lin has the gift of foresight. It should also include our Archbishop Lilina, this odd fake lolita who had planned our itinerary before the Divine Envoy’s arrival: eat spicy hotpot, play card games, sit on the sofa discussing world peace, and stroll down the knockoff street in the old city district. Now two items have been fulfilled.

However, to prevent accidents, I dared not let them wander around until these Heavenly Gods understood the special environment of Earth, so the spicy hotpot and the old city district day trip will have to wait. For now, I’m just showing Bingdisi around Shadow City. After all, this place is gradually prospering now.

"This is where the heroes of the Azeroth gather," after a tour of the military district in the fortress, I eagerly led this enthusiastic Light Goddess to the nearby Stormwind City District, "This is the Human area, modeled on Stormwind City architecture. Being able to survey sights from all realms in a single stroll around Shadow City is a characteristic feature here. That grand cathedral over there is where the Holy Knight and Priest hang out."

Walking through the Azerothian Human area with Sandora, I tried my best to play the role of a guide.

The residential districts for the envoys from various worlds in Shadow City were all constructed by the Builders (Imperial Demolition Office) after levelling the original buildings, and they were built exactly according to the native customs of the corresponding worlds, attempting to fully restore the architectural features of the Otherworld. Just like now, walking on the streets of the Human area, you couldn’t see a trace of a high-tech city, surrounded by those heavy stone buildings typical of Stormwind City, even the street signs were made of wood—giving a strong impression of touring a theme park, and without someone reminding you, you’d definitely think you had traveled through time.

Of course, all of this is just a first impression. If you observe closely, you can still find differences from the authentic Otherworld scenery. For example, a human Mage clutching a pocket computer and memorizing Arcane formulas, a Holy Knight yelling into a phone completely unaware that his tin can armor was blocking the signal, a Stormwind City Infantryman zooming past on a motorcycle—his armor tearing up the motorcycle seat, leaving a trail of sponge, and on a street corner with a bag, next to a sign that read "Fortune Telling, Certification, Marriage Agency, Real Estate, Calligraphy & Painting, Name Changing, Train Tickets—One-stop Service", with a set of stationary, Eight Diagrams, I Ching, Xiangqi, Go, Checkers, Military Chess, Gomoku, and a poor Priest being accosted by Uncle Hei Chao trying to sell bootleg discs.

Above is the unique lifestyle formed by heroes from various worlds in Shadow City, and similar... um...

"Bingdisi, wait for me, Sandora is notifying the City Management Team and the detention room... Damn it, stop running! I see you! Stand still!"

Before Bingdisi had the time to react with a curious look, one of the two Imperial Leaders accompanying her transformed into a streak of yellow light, chasing after a certain black-clothed uncle who was fleeing headlong, while her close girlfriend next to her started contacting the relevant departments: "City Management Team, I am your Leader, assemble now in the Azerothian human district, yes, he’s out again, and Ah Jun has run into him..."

As for on the street, only a few stunned pedestrians watched the Imperial Leader disappear into the distance, bowing awkwardly amid flying counterfeit discs and train tickets.

Ten minutes later, I returned.

"Did you catch him, Ah Jun?" Sandora leaned in curiously.

I had a defeated look on my face: "Don’t even mention it, he truly lives up to being the person who has resisted half of the city’s management by himself, he’s an all-agility warrior—wasn’t that guy an MT? How is he so good at running away?"

"There’s a kind of warrior in the world that resists with agility," Sandora nodded seriously at me.

Couldn’t that old bastard find something else to do when he’s bored?! Although warriors are allowed to move freely when off duty, is Sicaro only good for selling pirated DVDs and reading palms? I now feel like the Shadow City Management Team is set up just for him!

"Um, can I interject now?" Bingdisi, who had been stunned for more than ten minutes, finally nudged my arm, "What was that all about just now?"

Sandora and I turned around simultaneously: "The bane of city management!"

"It seems very interesting," Bingdisi nodded seriously, "So there are such interesting people here... Ah Jun, take me to see the Grand Cathedral!"

I didn’t know what this goddess, whose thought process was different from ordinary people, suddenly wanted to do at the Grand Cathedral, but indeed, the attention caused by the chase for Sicaro just now was a bit high; changing the scene would be a good idea.

Since no one dares to build another "Royal Building" in the Imperial Capital, the residential districts of all races in Shadow City are not allowed to set up an Imperial Palace. The Azerothian human district’s Grand Cathedral is the most magnificent building here, constructed entirely of stone and fortified layer by layer with arcane and Holy Light—a huge arched dome structure that maintains the consistently solid and grandiose style of Stormwind buildings. It can accommodate thousands of holy professionals to worship inside at the same time. This cathedral’s name is the Wish of Holy Light Church—a rather familiar name, right? Yes, it’s directly named after the Wish of Holy Light Church in the Land of Plague, which was one of the hardest-fought bridgeheads by the Saviors Army during the war of salvation. However, it eventually fell into the hands of the undead and Variant Demons. As the Imperial Fleet flew over the East Plague Land, this temple that represented the bloody will of the mortal race was destroyed by the flames of the Ghost Energy Impact Cannon, just like other fortresses occupied by demons. As a remembrance, after the victory of the war of salvation, the Resistance Army rebuilt this Grand Cathedral on the scorched earth of the East Plague Land and decided that in the following years, every church that represented the front line of the Saviors Army’s advance would be called "Wish of Holy Light."

A story worth entering the epics, though I think this will lead to all sorts of geographical confusion...

In front of the Grand Cathedral is a large stone plaza, in keeping with the construction habits of Stormwind’s humans, the center of the plaza features a sculpture related to this church. The clerics of the world of Azeroth worship Holy Light, and its religion does not have a clearly defined God, so this sculpture is not of God, but of a beautiful goddess with giant wings spread wide, hands open as if gently embracing the people of the world. This goddess exists for real in the mortal world, so due to some religious taboo, the facial lines of the sculpture are shrouded by a permanent Holy Light and cannot be directly viewed by people. However, I always suspected that the human sculptors really couldn’t remove the sense of dullness from the "goddess’s" real face while restoring it 100%, and this was a make-do option out of helplessness...

"This is a sculpture of Alaya. During the war of salvation, that foolish cat single-handedly created a barrier of Holy Light that covered almost one-fifth of the continent, holding back the Variant Demons of the East Plague Land for a whole day, allowing the soldiers of the Saviors Army to withdraw safely to Ghost Land. She is known to the Blood Elves as the Great Miracle."

Up until now, I haven’t dared to tell that group of warriors, whose faith is fervently zealous, that Alaya actually got lost on the path to Quel’Danas—it was Qianqian who should have been covering their retreat.

Regretfully, Qianqian also got lost.

"Wow! This place isn’t half bad!" Standing in front of the grand cathedral and feeling the powerful Holy Light radiating from the collective prayers of thousands of holy professionals inside—although it couldn’t compare to the God’s divine technique Holy Light—Bingdisi still lifted her head in satisfaction, "I have lots of these cathedrals too. The Light Divine Race relies on cathedrals for a living—you guys wait outside for a bit, I’ll be right back!"

I was immediately stunned, "What are you going to do?"

By this time, Bingdisi had already run to the cathedral entrance and called out without looking back, "Going to collect protection money!! Belief in the Holy Light comes with a fee!"

Sandora and I were instantly dumbfounded.

And even more dumbfounded when, a few minutes later, the female hooligan came out with a large cloth bag in her arms, her complexion not yet normal: "I hadn’t even said anything yet, and those holy professionals started offering money voluntarily..."

"What exactly did you do?"

"I rushed up to the pulpit, released Holy Light and wings, and then collected money." Bingdisi responded honestly.

"It must be because they mistook you for the Battle Nuns," I slapped my forehead, "That’s a fanatical organization made up of female holy professionals from several realms under Imperial rule who believe in the Holy Light, devotedly worshipping Alaya. Its core strength comes from female Holy Knights and Priests personally saved by Alaya during the salvation war. They collect offerings from the cathedrals once or twice on specific days to replenish military supplies. Judging by the date, today was also the day...you’d better give it back quick! Someone else there already manages protection money!"

Bingdisi was taken aback, muttering before she left, "This place runs protection money as a group?"

I said, "Sandora, was she always like this?"

"Normal, she even set up the biggest interstellar gang in the realm I rule, remember?" Queen sighed and shook her head, "She means no harm and doesn’t hurt others, just treats it as a game, you can’t fathom the thoughts of the Divine Race."

After showing Bingdisi around the human district, we set off for the undead district. It wasn’t on the way, but I really didn’t want to cause trouble for the living anymore. Those boring bags of bones shouldn’t be interesting enough to catch Bingdisi’s attention, could they?

The idea was nice, but reality is often unsightly.

"I, Bingdisi, am the Shadow Lord!"

"The Gospel of Dark will live on!"

"Death is fair, emptiness is eternal; ultimate truths also hide within shadows!"

"Gather at my feet! Feel the endless grace of darkness! Relish in the soothing embrace of icy shadows!"

"The Dark Goddess will bless you forever—thank you for your patronage, next!"

The Skeleton Lord called upon hurriedly stepped forward and knelt on both knees in front of the dark pulpit that Bingdisi had pulled out from who knows where, "Great Dark God above, the flame of my soul seems to have been dimming lately, making my movements slower and slower."

Bingdisi, wrapped in swirling dark mists, put her foot on the lord’s shoulder and raised her hands high to give a blessing, "My confused child, you just need more calcium—next!"

Sandora and I stood dumbfounded behind this female hooligan, watching as the huge undead congregation area filled up with assorted meats and calcium supplements; skeletons, ghosts, and spiritualists were everywhere, trailing all the way down to the spirit tower with two necromancers hanging at the top, holding a "End of Line" sign and waiting to be called...

I had forgotten that this self-proclaimed Light Goddess, who promotes universal love and Holy Light, actually came from three generations of darkness.

In sum, Bingdisi’s capacity for making a ruckus far exceeded my imagination. She broadened her network, collected protection money, and spread her dark teachings right under the noses of the Imperial Leaders in the Imperial Capital without any pressure, and Sandora was just giving a "she’s always been like this, just get used to it" face. Originally, we were supposed to guide her around Shadow City, but it ended up with the female hooligan bustling excitedly all over the city as Sandora and I followed behind like worried parents.

Finally, the first day came to an end: as dusk approached, lucky for us, Bingdisi still acknowledged meal times, or Sandora might have gone berserk with hunger by now.

"Hey, Chen, I had a great time today, but I’m kind of bored now! What shall we do tomorrow? Is there any other fun place in Shadow City? Those Holy Knights in the Stormwind District were too eager in paying protection money! And those skeletons in the undead district just kneeled at the sight of me, there’s no challenge at all!" freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

What if you keep talking? I’ll send you to Sicaro tomorrow to do business under Erli Bridge, then you’ll know what a challenging career is!

Internally my spirit of snark was nearly burnt to ashes, while Sandora was grinding her teeth next to me; I had to hurry and comfort her, "There, there, we’re heading home for dinner now, just endure it a bit longer, it wasn’t easy for them to build all these houses..."

"Oh, right, Chen, I noticed just now, it seems like the space-time control hub here is getting ready for a big move, installing so many temporal lines. What are you up to?"

"Huh, so you can directly see changes in space?" I was envious of Bingdisi’s ability for a moment, "Actually, it was Qianqian’s idea, then Sandora scaled it up..."

Then, I told Bingdisi about the upcoming grand festivity that would unite multitudes of races from countless realms (...), which wasn’t a secret, and with the gods’ powers, they could probably see such things with their very eyes if they wanted to.

"Wow, sounds pretty interesting," Bingdisi’s eyes lit up immediately, "Intercourse among All Realms? You Mortal Race are so much better than the Old Man Alliance; such a fun idea you guys came up with! Since that’s the case, maybe I could give you some suggestions...hey! Don’t look at me like that! I’m serious about wanting to help this time!" (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendations, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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