Flowers of the Departed Souls - Chapter 23

It was one o’clock in the morning.

Everything seemed to have fallen into eternal slumber. Guangming slipped out of the chaotic dormitory. Outside, a few drowsy guards were watching. He cautiously avoided them. He didn’t know that this former temple had now become the base of this cult, and in his memory, the monk who once chanted there had become a teacher, a leader, of this cult. This transformation was complete, and this place had always held a sacred position in Guangming’s memory. But twenty-five years later, this place had become a source of evil, something no one could have imagined. Now, the shadow of the temple was hard to find, replaced by this Gothic-style building. From the 12th to the 15th centuries, when religion flourished in Europe, cathedrals became increasingly spacious and soaring. People were enveloped in a strong religious atmosphere, desperately hoping to get closer to God, and they believed that the higher the building, the closer it was to God.

The most prominent features of this Gothic architecture were its protruding doors and windows, slender spires soaring into the clouds, carvings of highly imaginative monsters, and local decorations with powerful expressiveness. This form developed from the cross-vaults and skeletal vaults of Romanesque churches and the pointed arches used by Arabs from the 7th century, skillfully employing flying buttresses. It was a creative structural system that improved upon the imperfections of the ancient Roman structural system.

When Guangming first entered the Divine Bird Fortress, he was confused and locked inside, so he didn’t examine it closely. But now, looking at this Gothic-style building, he felt awe-struck. It made him feel like he had arrived at a medieval European castle. In the dead of night, a few dark clouds floated above the towers. Guangming seemed to feel several black bats swooping past the tower tops, emitting sharp, metallic cries. For a moment, he felt like a lost traveler in the Middle Ages.

One thing was undeniable: the leader of the Divine Bird Cult, or rather, the Grand Master, must be someone who loved medieval art and was passionate about Liangzhu culture. It seemed he had a keen interest in all forms of art, and he was a genius, but he was also ambitious, infusing everything he loved with a demonic, evil power.

He slowly walked out, looking at the tall walls. This place didn’t used to have such high walls, making the fortress resemble a confined small town.

However, ever since Guangming left the dormitory, he felt a pair of eyes watching him. When he turned back, he couldn’t find anyone. He thought it was probably just his imagination.

In the distance, he saw a few people still guarding the gate, though they looked dispirited.

He was pondering how to lure them away, his mind still racing for ideas, when his back was suddenly hit hard. He almost jumped, turning around to see the woman named A-Lian, who had previously performed his baptism.

She said faintly, “I’ll distract them. You go. But you must take this letter out for me. It has the recipient’s name, address, and phone number on it.”

She handed a letter to Guangming. Guangming took it and put it in the inner pocket of his jacket. “If I can leave here, I will definitely take this letter with me.”

A-Lian nodded, her expression incredibly sad. “But don’t forget, they say the bird-headed human tattoo on your body can change a person’s soul.” Then she gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Of course, that’s just a rumor. It hasn’t changed anything about me.”

At this moment, A-Lian’s expression became as cold and firm as usual, like the biting wind in a winter mountain pass. “I’ll start a fire over there to create a diversion. You take the opportunity to leave. The condition is, my letter.”

Guangming nodded. At this moment, he remembered something else. “Wait, do you know who the Grand Master is?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen him. But I know that in three days, it’s the annual Divine Bird Cult Assembly. On that day, the Grand Master will definitely appear.”

Although Guangming desperately wanted to leave this hellish place and longed to contact Kelou and the others, even wishing to immediately destroy this cult and make them suffer the punishment they deserved for their cruelty, madness, and blind faith, now was such a good opportunity. In three days, at the Divine Bird Cult Assembly, all the important leaders would gather, and most importantly, he would see the cult’s most significant figure—the Grand Master. At that time, they could catch them all in one net. If Guangming left now, it would alert them and “stir the grass and startle the snakes.” They might scatter, and then he would miss the best opportunity. After that, more innocent people would suffer mental poisoning and seduction, and then fall victim to their cruel hands.

Guangming’s mind raced, weighing the pros and cons. He returned the letter to A-Lian. “No, I can’t leave yet. Give it to me again in three days.”

A-Lian looked at him and said faintly, “We may not have another chance to meet. Keep the letter with you. Please take good care of it. If you have a chance to get out, please deliver it to the recipient. Please promise me.”

A-Lian’s words sounded like a plea, but her tone carried an undeniable certainty that demanded compliance. Guangming thought, this letter must contain the woman’s most important secret, and now, it seemed she wouldn’t have another chance to see the recipient of this letter. He nodded. “Alright, as long as I get out alive, I will definitely deliver it.”

“Hurry back to your original place. If you’re discovered, both you and I will die terribly.” Guangming nodded and cautiously slipped back into the collective dormitory. Fortunately, everyone else was sleeping like logs; no one noticed he had left.

But that night, Guangming couldn’t sleep at all. He cautiously pulled out the letter. He saw that besides an address, there was a familiar name on it: Chi Ziming.