Chapter 655: Chapter 654: Not Qualified to Participate in This Game
The castle was ablaze with lights, with some people singing and dancing on the spacious plaza lawn, and others gathered in small groups, toasting and making merry.
Though called a charity dinner, in reality, it was a high-end gathering.
After infiltrating the castle, Yang Fei targeted a young nobleman of similar build to himself and knocked him out to change into his clothes.
Then, he strolled around the castle with impunity, and no one checked his identity. After all, besides him, there were many other Eastern faces present.
Yang Fei was experienced in such situations; he knew that as long as one is bold and confident, suspicion would not be aroused.
A timid and overly cautious demeanor would immediately alert security personnel to your issues.
Having not spotted Nord in the public areas outside, Yang Fei intended to search the rooms inside the castle with composure.
Just then, a group of people walked in, their number so great that it caused quite a commotion, drawing many eyes their way.
When Yang Fei’s gaze landed on the newly arrived crowd, his pupils contracted slightly.
Vatican members?
He moved his feet lightly, trying to keep himself hidden behind a pillar.
Because he recognized several faces.
As far as he knew, these individuals were dignitaries within the Vatican, of the Red-robed Cardinal rank, and particularly, they were members of the special Judgment Department.
Yet to Yang Fei’s surprise, those few Red-robed Cardinals he knew were following an old man in a black robe, looking extremely respectful towards the white-haired figure.
Yang Fei’s gaze rested on the face of the white-haired, black-robed old man.
Then, as his gaze shifted towards him, Yang Fei’s heart suddenly pounded; he felt as if the old man had glanced his way.
However, he was certain that when he looked over, the old man had not turned his head in his direction; he was moving forward with focused determination.
Yet the feeling of being scanned by the old man felt so real!
What was going on?
An illusion?
Or a hallucination?
Thinking of Monica’s Charming Eye, Yang Fei immediately went on high alert, daring not to gaze upon the old man any longer.
But his peripheral vision kept track of the group as they headed towards the castle’s main building, and it seemed that no one in the group had noticed him.
Could it really be an illusion?
With that thought, Yang Fei remained hyper-vigilant, not daring to let down his guard for a moment.
After a brief hesitation, he followed the Vatican members into the castle’s main building.
The group of Red-robed Cardinals entered a room, which was guarded by many Vatican experts outside, and there were also royal guards stationed there.
Yang Fei did not approach any closer.
Yet he was intensely curious about what they were discussing inside.
After some thought, he slipped into a restroom next door, unleashing his powerful perception to eavesdrop on the sounds from the neighboring room.
However, no matter what special materials the room was made of, it was highly shielded, and despite his keen hearing, he could hear nothing.
Thinking of the white-haired, black-robed elder, Yang Fei hesitated whether to use his Divine Soul Power to spy for a moment.
Earlier, just attempting to get a closer look at the elder had given him the false impression of being scrutinized; if his guess about the old man’s formidable strength was correct, should he use Divine Thought to probe, he would undoubtedly be discovered immediately.
In the end, Yang Fei gave up on the idea of spying.
Curiosity killed the cat.
His primary mission for coming here was to locate Nord; as for other matters, it was best not to meddle and thereby avoid unnecessary complications.
In the spacious and luxurious grand room, the current head of the Edwards family, Edward Hughes, was receiving several distinguished guests.
The room originally contained only Hughes and Nord Smith, but with the arrival of the Vatican members, the number of people quickly grew to more than a dozen.
However, soon after the white-haired, black-robed elder said, "You may leave," all those from the Vatican withdrew, leaving only three people in the spacious room.
Nord and Hughes both held the white-haired, black-robed elder in great respect; they rose, walked over to shake hands with the old man, and performed the highest greeting ceremony of the Vatican.
"It’s been a long time, my old friend. To think you’ve taken the trouble to come here in person for this important matter," Hughes said while holding onto the elder’s hand.
He, too, was a white-haired septuagenarian, but even in the presence of this Vatican elder, he still exhibited great humility, calling him friend, yet treating himself as the junior.
Nord’s behavior showed even greater respect.
Though he was the decision-maker of the Smith family, his status seemed much lower compared to the two individuals before him.
After all, in the upper echelons of the Western world, what mattered most was noble pedigree.
Though Nord had been granted an earldom by the monarchy, he paled in comparison to Duke Hughes.
And this elder from the Vatican held an exceptionally esteemed and weighty position in the Western hierarchy.
The old man took a seat. With a gentle and peaceful appearance, he seemed very approachable. He looked up at Hughes and asked, "How are the discussions going regarding that matter we spoke of?"
"The royal family is very pleased with your proposal. Divine authority before all, and under divine authority, the monarch’s word is paramount," Hughes responded.
Nord nodded in agreement, "The Smith family will support this great decision without reservation."
The black-robed elder smiled contentedly and said, "In this era, what we are doing is like reversing the course of history, which will encounter formidable resistance. Do you still have confidence?"
Hughes smiled slightly with disdain, "What do you mean by reversing the course of history? Throughout human civilization, so-called history is nothing but an endless cycle of repetition.
Each major change is simply a process of resource recovery and redistribution, a transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
The vast majority of people in the world are merely pawns and cannon fodder in the struggle for power, and after it ends, they just need a palatable excuse to pacify them.
History is written by the victors. In recent years, the rulers have given those ants more say, so much so that they actually believe they can ascend to Heaven and influence the direction of the world."
Nord chuckled, his eyes filled with deep contempt.
The black-robed elder also began to laugh, waving his hand, "Our enemies have never been the ant-like masses, but rather the self-proclaimed new power elites of recent years."
Hughes nodded, "Yes, you are right. However, those people have shallow roots. Compared to our old-established powers with centuries of heritage, they are easily vanquished. As long as we unite, the changes will be easy to bring about."
Nord added, "Indeed, in the face of absolute power, reason is futile."
Then, looking expectantly at the black-robed elder, he asked, "Great Priest, is Heaven about to descend upon the world again?"
Upon hearing this, Hughes also looked at the old man, tense and full of anticipation.
The elder nodded slowly.
Nord’s face flushed with excitement, "Finally, the era that belongs to us has arrived."
Edward Hughes glanced indifferently at Nord, his look tinged with scorn, but deep inside, he was even more thrilled.
What’s the Smith family excited about? In the end, you’re still just working for others.
It’s different for my Edwards family.
With Heaven’s return to the world, my ancestors of the Edwards family will also come back, so no matter how the rules of this world change, the Edwards family will always stand invincible, forever one of the controllers of power."
"By the way, elder, may I ask you a favor?" Nord said, calming down and gazing at the old man with hopeful eyes.
The elder gave him a look and chuckled, "Are you referring to the matter of your son and nephew going missing and being killed?"
Nord was taken aback, not expecting someone of the elder’s exalted status to be aware of such matters, and he felt a thrill of satisfaction, seeing it as a sign that his family indeed carried weight in the eyes of these true power brokers. He immediately nodded, "Indeed, nothing escapes the great Great Priest."
"That young upstart from the Eastern world is certainly interesting, but he is not yet qualified to play in this game. Don’t worry, Nord, it will be taken care of," the black-robed elder stated.