The Young Girl at Sunset

The Pontiff's serene expression remained undisturbed. He shook his head. 'Last night's theft could not have been Francis's doing! A true thief would never be so witless as to flaunt his plunder the very next day! Furthermore, the Divine Envoys report that a Level Ten Aqua Cloud Banner was forcefully compelled to acknowledge mastery. Francis utterly lacks such formidable power – even Du Chen, the Divine, his supposed patron, could not wield such unimaginable might. This is a feat that only Divine Emperor Prince, in his prime, could have accomplished!'

Bairu bowed low. 'Your Holiness is truly sagacious! I share that conviction, which is why I merely dispatched agents to discreetly monitor Francis, careful not to alert him... Yet, the Painting God's authentic works are beyond imitation. Though Bairu is but a humble servant, I possess a modicum of artistic discernment, and I could never be mistaken – the 'Young Girl at Sunset' in Belmonde's hands is unequivocally an invaluable masterpiece by the Painting God!'

A profound silence settled within the sanctuary. The Pontiff remained deep in thought, while Bairu, head bowed and silent, dared not disturb the deliberations of the one who represented the gods themselves.

After a significant pause...

'Last night, the Aqua Envoys' Camp suffered a theft. Today, Belmonde is found in possession of a 'Young Girl at Sunset' painting by the Painting God! What are we to infer from this?' the Pontiff articulated calmly. 'Bairu, as the representative of the gods, I wish to hear your insights!'

Bairu offered a faint smile. 'Your Holiness, whether Francis is implicated in the theft is irrelevant! As for why Belmonde possesses an authentic work by the Painting God... that, too, is not the crux of the matter!'

'Oh? Do elaborate!' A flicker of amusement danced in the Pontiff's eyes.

Bairu chuckled. 'The true crux is... Bairu perceives an opportunity. An opportunity to verify if Du Chen, the Divine, truly exists, and to what astonishing extent his power reaches!'

Without waiting for the Pontiff to inquire, Bairu spoke with booming clarity.

'The day prior, the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys sought to apprehend Francis. Zigurd stepped forth to champion his cause! At that juncture, the Battle God Academy held far greater significance in Your Holiness's estimation than the elusive Water's Embrace Lake, which manifests only once a decade. Thus, Your Holiness intervened on Zigurd's behalf, securing Francis's safety!'

The amusement in the Pontiff's eyes deepened.

Bairu, covertly observing, rejoiced inwardly at the Pontiff's reaction, and hastened to continue.

'But, Your Holiness harbored a thought: how much better it would have been had Zigurd not interceded to shield Francis then! For in such a scenario, Francis, pressured to his absolute limit by the Water's Embrace Lake faction, would have been forced to resist with all his might. Yet, with his mere retainer Brook, they could not breach the Aqua Cloud Banner. Hence, Francis would have been compelled to seek aid from Du Chen, the Divine. And in so doing, Your Holiness would have had the chance to witness his true 'ace in the hole' – the true extent of Du Chen, the Divine's, power!'

'A lamentable turn, that Zigurd intervened after all. And as the representative of the gods, one could only choose to aid Zigurd, sacrificing the chance to observe Francis! It is indeed a slight disappointment!' The Pontiff's face, however, revealed not a trace of regret, only a persistent smile.

Indeed, such had been the Pontiff's thoughts at that time!

Bairu declared, 'Then this time, the opportunity to compel Du Chen, the Divine, to reveal himself has arisen once more...'

He took a deep breath, then rapidly spoke a lengthy discourse.

'Your Holiness, regardless of whether Francis is the thief, and irrespective of whether the painting in Belmonde's possession is the stolen one, the fact remains that it is an authentic work by the Painting God. This provides irrefutable evidence, enough to convince the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys! I have already entreated Godfather Cullen to distract Zigurd, so Your Holiness may serenely observe the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys and Francis engaging in a full-blown confrontation...'

The Pontiff feigned a challenge. 'Should the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys learn of this, they will indeed become irreconcilable foes with Francis, and a fierce battle will ensue! However, having lost their Aqua Cloud Banner, Brook alone would be sufficient to dispatch them. Francis would not need to summon Du Chen, the Divine, for such a skirmish!'

'Your Holiness, the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys indeed pose no existential threat to Francis, and thus cannot compel Du Chen, the Divine, to manifest and protect him... But what if we involve the Dragon Clan!?' Bairu lowered his head, a soft chuckle escaping him.

Rarely did the Pontiff laugh aloud. 'This task, I entrust to you!'

'Rest assured, Your Holiness, Bairu will ensure Francis finds himself in mortal peril, thereby drawing out Du Chen, the Divine! Naturally, none of this will be officially linked to the Holy Church!'

Seated on his reclining chair, watching Bairu depart with zealous vigor, the Pontiff slowly closed his eyes.

Bairu had proven worthy of the patronage he had received over the years; he was a man who not only executed tasks but executed them well! A pity, however, that his schemes were a tad too intricate! If Mas possessed half of Bairu's cunning, or Bairu half of Mas's unswerving loyalty... then all would truly be perfect!

Yet, who was the true culprit last night!? To breach a Level Ten sacred artifact, what incredible power must that entail!? But the thief, upon escape, seemed capable only of transforming into water light, and many confirmed he was not extraordinarily powerful... What did *that* imply!?

A Secret Technique! The thief possessed a Secret Technique capable of breaching high-tier sacred artifacts with merely low-level power!

The Pontiff's eyes snapped open! A sharp, knowing glint flashed within them...

Moments later...

The Pontiff issued his commands. 'Prepare my sedan! The representative of the gods shall personally preside over the Moon Lake theft inquiry! Furthermore, if that thief, who can transform into blue water, is apprehended, ensure it is kept utterly secret. Bring him directly before me! I shall interrogate him personally!'

Bairu's words had once again plunged the recently calmed Moon Lake into turmoil!

He addressed the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys: 'Esteemed Envoys, I have just made a discovery in Francis's foster daughter's possession: an authentic masterpiece by the Painting God, 'The Young Girl at Sunset'! Be calm, I implore you, maintain your composure! Allow Bairu to complete his statement... His Holiness the Pontiff is utterly impartial; this time, he will not countenance protecting Francis! Yet, we cannot disregard the possibility of someone deliberately framing Francis! Given the Moon Lake theft, and with only our three factions present in the Eye of Heaven Forest, it is only fair to say that both the Papal Curia and the Dragon Clan are currently under suspicion! To unveil the truth, I earnestly request that you, Divine Envoys, in the name of your revered deities, solicit assistance from the Dragon Clan! Our Holy Church shall also offer its fullest cooperation!'

Following this, the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys hurried to the Dragon Clan.

With Dragon God Samuel in seclusion, Thorog, acting with delegated authority, affirmed, 'Indeed, only our three factions reside within the Eye of Heaven Forest. Until the culprit is apprehended, it is theoretically possible that both our clan and the Holy Church bear suspicion for the Moon Lake theft! His Majesty the Dragon God has already affixed his grand seal for you, thus you are honored guests of our Dragon Clan within the Eye of Heaven Forest! The Dragon Clan will by no means remain passive regarding the Moon Lake incident. As clues have now emerged, I shall personally lead the Dragon God's Royal Guard to assist in your inquiry!'

Finally, after conferring with the Dragon Clan, Bairu proposed, 'For the sake of impartiality, let us summon Francis to the boundary line between our two factions – Moon Lake – for the investigation. Both sides shall jointly preside over the inquiry!'

All these arrangements were executed with swift discretion, while Du Chen, utterly oblivious, was still meticulously organizing his plunder!

Just then, little Beibei scurried back, cautiously glancing at the unconscious Mas, then cupped her small hands to her mouth and whispered, 'Papa, I have something truly awful to tell you!'

Du Chen's brow furrowed. He exchanged a wry smile with Deboning, who was helping him sort. This little imp... she's too endearing for her own good!

'My treasure, what terrible news could it be!?' Du Chen chuckled.

Little Beibei produced 'The Young Girl at Sunset' painting and recounted Bairu's strange behavior earlier. Du Chen listened while continuing to sort his spoils. 'This painting actually made Bairu act so unusually... Damn it! This is...'

At that moment, Du Chen opened another satchel, only to discover, astonishingly, that it contained *another* 'Young Girl at Sunset' painting!

Almost instantly, Du Chen knew things had taken a dire turn! How could such a coincidence occur!? Two nearly identical paintings, one stolen and the other seen by Bairu... The Papal Curia was likely already secretly mobilizing to deal with him!

Aside from the snores of Mas and Aliza, no other sound broke the silence in the tent. Du Chen rubbed his nose, pacing back and forth. 'Beibei, where did you get your painting? You have so many toys, Papa can't remember!'

'Papa, have you forgotten? More than a year ago, on Battle God Isle...'

Slam!

Du Chen slapped his forehead. 'Damn it, Papa remembers now!' He suddenly commanded, 'Brook, watch my signal later. Beibei, where are your other toys? Bring them all out... Andy, come help, there are many of Young Miss's toys in the cabinet, pick them all out!'

Before long, a voice called from outside, 'Godfather Francis, Mars, the Battle God! His Holiness the Pontiff commands you to proceed to Moon Lake at once, without delay!'

Du Chen, seeing that preparations were nearly complete, instructed, 'Wake Mas. Andy, carry all those items we just prepared. Don't look so glum; these things are so light, they won't tire you out!'

When Du Chen arrived at Moon Lake, carrying little Beibei, with Deboning leading the still groggy Mas, he found the atmosphere utterly transformed! Near the Aqua Envoys' Camp, hundreds of Dragon Clan members stood in distant confrontation with over a thousand Black-armored Warriors, an oppressive aura of hostility radiating forth. The Pontiff's golden palanquin was parked remotely at the forest's edge, while opposite, in the sky, Thorog sat majestically atop a giant golden dragon! All eyes were fixed upon Du Chen. The vast Moon Lake was steeped in an eerie silence!

The moment Donna and the other Divine Envoys spotted Du Chen, they abruptly rose and flew towards him. Devoid of their sacred artifacts, they pointed accusatory, empty hands at Du Chen, shouting, 'Francis! Confess at once and surrender the other stolen goods! We might still grant you a dignified death!'

Bairu stood beside Donna, accompanied by a robust middle-aged man Du Chen didn't recognize, likely from the Dragon Clan. Bairu's face was grim. 'Godfather Francis, His Holiness is observing you. You must speak the truth!'

Du Chen, feigning bewilderment, gazed around, utterly perplexed. 'Brother Bairu, what is happening here!? How could—'

'You still dare to deny!? Sisters, kill him!' Donna leapt high into the air, reaching out to strike Du Chen down!

Deboning let out a cold sneer, about to act, when Thorog's shout echoed from afar, 'Divine Envoy, it would be wise to clarify the situation first! After all, we cannot yet confirm Francis is the thief!'

Donna landed with a frustrated huff, pointing at Du Chen and berating, 'Francis, the Aqua Envoys' Camp was robbed last night, and just now, your foster daughter was seen with one of our lost paintings! How do you explain that!?'