Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Charlie took out a card and put it into a slot in the lift. A button panel immediately turned over, displaying a few buttons that led to the higher levels. Charlie pressed the button, sending the lift up to the top floor.
When the lift opened, Lu Zhiyu saw an anteroom with a Western classical style. Girls dressed in maid uniforms were standing on both sides of the room. On the wall facing him, was a red inverted cross with the words, VENTURE, inscribed below. This translated meant Vatican. Lu Zhiyu was curious as to how the Vatican Clan first came about.
They had borrowed the name from the thirteen clan in a novel. Lu Zhiyu had thought that its formation was only for fun, but it did not seem to be so. He could feel a field emitting out from the top of his head, and had never experienced such power before, even the mental strength was totally different.
As a maid ushered both of them forward, they each put on black cloaks, and walked past a corridor filled with oil paintings. The oil paintings were painted by renowned artists, and were mostly depicting subjects like hell and the dark continents. In fact, most of the scenes were derived from Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Soon, a dark golden world appeared before them. It was a huge hall. This should be the rooftop of The Shard, where only authorized personnel could enter. The floor level was not reflected on the lift button, nor was there any staircase leading to it.
This appeared to be a sacred place. There were dark golden pillars, carved with ancient myths and legends of the dark. The atmosphere was grim and mysterious, its people wearing black cloaks with their faces hidden in the dark.
On top of the dark dome, hung paintings of the angels and the gods. However, their eyes looked evil. They seemed to be smiling, but their smiles made one shudder. There was no gentleness or light in them, and they seemed to be staring at the souls on earth as if they were laughing at them.
The only windows were on the utmost top of the hall. As the sun shone in, its beams could only brighten up some of the areas. Hence, the lights were hazy and dreamy. Yet, underneath was utter darkness.
Suddenly, a light shone in the center of the hall. A man in a black robe was sitting beside a piano on the stage. As everyone looked at him, he started to play a melodious piece of music. Lu Zhiyu recognized that it was the prelude of Croatian Rhapsody. The rhythm carried a tinge of gloominess, and in the darkness, anger was being aroused. Lu Zhiyu seemed to see the ruins at sunset, the lonely figures, the graves, and sadness.
Many people started to chant. A special, sacred atmosphere filled the entire hall. It was not an aura of Divine Light, but instead, of the Dark.
“The beginning of the world. Millet or sheep, man had been expelled from the Garden of Eden.”
“Sent into exile, banned from power. The descendants had filled the earth.”
“Under the moonlight, light bloody sweetness. Who has awakened the dead?”
“…”
The rhythm became faster, as the fingers on the keys became heavier. Seemingly, melodies akin to pilgrimage music filled the hall, and everyone, in black cloaks, gathered toward the stage. They looked quietly at the man playing the piano. Many of them lifted up their hands to pray. Everyone was holding an inverted black cross.
As the pair of hands on the keys moved quicker, the rhythm was filled with indignation. Lu Zhiyu could sense that the man’s emotions were getting stronger. It was like a volcano that could explode at anytime. He had used music to stir up the emotions of everyone, matching perfectly with the atmosphere.
“I want you to sacrifice your most precious thing in life, your joy and glory.”
“Once again, come to me, and enjoy the madness of ruling eternal life.”
When the music ended, no one applauded. Everyone looked solemn and dignified. Many of them drew the sign of an inverted cross, using the cross that they were holding in their hands, as they prayed to the man. When the man walked to the front of the stage, Lu Zhiyu saw that he was only a little more than 20 years old. He was slender, handsome, and graceful, and seemed to be a nobleman.
“We have a few more brothers and sisters today. I hope that we can unite altogether. No matter where you are from, or which race you belong to, since you are here, you are one of us. I would like to invite our new members up to the stage.”
As Charlie signaled to Lu Zhiyu, Lu Zhiyu walked up to the stage. There were three other people with him, and around one hundred people down at the base of the stage. The four of them removed their caps, and when everyone saw Lu Zhiyu’s face, they screamed.
Even the youth on stage looked at Lu Zhiyu and said, “Oh, perfect. You are born to be in our Clan. Perfect. Beautiful. You are without blemish.”
Lu Zhiyu nodded his head slightly, then shifted his gaze to look at the other three. He recognized two of them. One of them was a renowned female singer. She was the most recent number-one singles artist on the United States Billboard chart.
When Lu Zhiyu recollected himself, he saw the man on stage saying a prayer and placing a black inverted cross each around each of their necks. After the initiation rite had ended, he walked away.
The rite seemed simple. However, before one could become a member, he must be recommended by an existing member. The Clan would then run a check on the person. Those who did not qualify, or who seemed suspicious, would not be accepted into the Clan. Logically speaking, Lu Zhiyu could not be accepted into the Clan.
However, the man seemed interested in him. After looking through his particulars, checking on his background, and finding out his problems, he had invited Lu Zhiyu to join their Clan after all.
After the initiation rite, they came to the highlight, the prayer ceremony that Lu Zhiyu had been looking forward to. They held this ceremony once a month. This was the Vatican Clan’s secret prayer ceremony, which had attracted so many renowned people, as well as the rich, to join them.
According to Charlie Andrew’s memory, every time they had this prayer ceremony, their lifespan would be extended. They would be younger and healthier, and their diseases would be healed. The man who stood before Lu Zhiyu was a living example. He was Nicholas Debye. Although he looked only a little more than 20 years old, he was actually nearly 50 years old. He was currently head of the Debye Group. All these were possible, due to the power of the ceremony.
This power must be what Lu Zhiyu had sensed earlier. It had shielded itself from his telepathic power. Lu Zhiyu had read it in Charlie Andrew’s mind. It was the legendary—Cain’s Left-hand.