Embers Ad Infinitum

After Li Zhe, who was wearing a fiery red robe, described the feeling of bathing in the "breath of the gods", he looked at the two visitors in front of him and asked:

"What's the matter with you?"

Behind him, on the altar representing the gods, is a depiction of an iron-black furnace with a red door.

This is the holy symbol of their sect and the symbol of the "Scorching Gate".

Jiang Baimian winked at Shang Jianyao, asked him to take out the letter written by Means, and then introduced himself:

"We are foreign relic hunters. On the way, we met Means from Shifang Trading Company. They were attacked by the 'Mountain Fox' bandit group and helped them get out of trouble.

"This is his letter to you."

When Li Zhe suddenly realized this, his body twitched as if he had been burned, and he performed that brief dance.

"May the breath of the gods bathe them." He gave his blessing at the end of the dance.

Then, he performed a tapping dance like an impromptu performance, expressing his gratitude to Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao:

"Dancing for you."

Shang Jianyao imitated his actions just now and responded:

"May the breath of the gods bathe you too."

Li Zhe was stunned for a moment:

"Are you also a member of the sect?"

"I think so, but I haven't got your permission yet." Shang Jianyao answered calmly.

"Huh?" Li Zhe didn't understand what he meant.

Jiang Baimian was already used to it and reminded him:

"Read the letter first."

"Okay." Li Zhe unfolded the letter and read the content written in a familiar handwriting.

After reading it, he smiled and said to Shang Jianyao:

"It turns out that you also respect Zhi Sui and want to join our sect."

"Yes, yes." Shang Jianyao responded without any hesitation.

Li Zhe calmed down his expression and asked seriously:

"I'm formally asking you, are you sure you want to join our 'Melting Pot Sect'? Although we don't have too many rules, it also means that you will abide by some things and you can no longer be as unrestrained as before."

Shang Jianyao was silent for a moment and then asked:

"Will this affect my ability to save all of humanity?"

"Ah?" Li Zhe once again couldn't keep up with Shang Jianyao's thinking, and Jiang Baimian didn't help explain.

The "devotee" hesitated and said:

"probably not……"

Anyway, there is no rule in the sect’s holy scriptures that prohibits believers from saving the world.

——In the holy scripture, this part of the content is reserved for the elders, especially the "Scorching Gate".

Shang Jianyao asked:

"Will that affect my investigation into the cause of the destruction of the old world?"

Li Zhe's forehead sweated even more:

"Theoretically no. We don't interfere with the work of believers. Even if you are a robber, you can still believe in the 'Scorching Gate' as long as you don't kill innocent people indiscriminately."

While talking, Li Zhe had an idea:

Who is this?

After joining the sect and becoming a clergyman for so many years, this was the first time he encountered such an indescribable strange problem at this stage.

Before, when he felt most helpless, he was asked, "devotees, do you have to pay for food if you join the sect?" "devotees, does the sect give you a wife (husband)?" "devotees, do you have to be cremated after death to comply with the teachings? ?" "Devoters, if you dance well enough, can you get the favor of Zhi Sui?"

After hearing his answer, Shang Jianyao nodded:

"I have no problem, I'm sure to join."

Li Zhe was inexplicably relieved.

At this time, Jiang Baimian asked curiously:

“I heard that belief in the same priest often develops into several sects due to different missionary areas, lack of contact with each other, differences in the mainstream cultural characteristics of the corresponding places, and different interpretations of oracles and classics.

"Is this the case with the group that worships the Searing Gate?"

Hearing this, Li Zhe sighed slowly and said:

"Yes, and they were originally a family."

"Then why did they split?" Jiang Baimian asked.

On the one hand, she was motivated by interest, and on the other hand, she wanted to show Shang Jianyao the possible problems of joining the sect.

Li Zhe said with a solemn expression:

“There is a deviation in their understanding of the teachings.

"We think the emphasis is on 'scorching' and 'flame', which makes up the 'melting pot' concept, and then extends to 'dance' and 'hot pot.' Within our denomination, August is the sacred season, and the heat of August is Another breath of God.

"They think 'dance' is more important than 'fire' and is a better way to please Zhi Sui.

"Moreover, they accuse us of straying from the right path."

Shang Jianyao asked curiously:

"Why did it deviate?"

"They believe that food must be processed directly with flames to reflect piety. Hot pot separated by a vessel is a second-rate choice and cannot be used as a holy meal. It is hypocrisy!" Li Zhe said, becoming a little excited and looking like he was about to fight. Explode the heads of heretics and maintain the righteousness of hotpot.

Jiang Baimian's expression was a little weird:

“So, what is their sacrament?”

"It's barbecue." Li Zhe controlled his emotions and answered.

Although Jiang Baimian had expected it, he couldn't help but twitch his facial muscles.

The difference was beyond her imagination.

——In "Pangu Biology", from time to time, employees of the "Security Department" get back a few computers from the old world. Some of the data on them can be restored, but some cannot.

Jiang Baimian once read some of the recovered materials and felt that some of the things recorded in them were ridiculous and could not understand them.

This includes disputes between the Sweet Tofu Party, the Salty Tofu Party and the Spicy Tofu Party.

She originally thought that this might be just some jokes on the Internet in the old world, but who knew that today, in the real world, she actually encountered a real-life example!

After hesitating for a moment, she asked with interest:

"So, can your sect have barbecue?"

"It's okay, but try not to." Li Zhe expressed his attitude tactfully. "I know that barbecue may be the most convenient way to handle ingredients in the wild, so I don't force the choice when taking risks."

Hearing this, Jiang Baimian glanced sideways at Shang Jianyao and found that he seemed to be hesitant.

Jiang Baimian chuckled secretly, then asked:

"What is that sect called? Can their followers eat hot pot?"

"They call it 'Frenzy Dance'. The teachings stipulate that there is no other choice but to eat hot pot." Li Zhe was unwilling to say more about the situation of the heretics and looked at Shang Jianyao and said, "You will not leave Tarnan in the near future. Bar?"

"At least not within a week." Jiang Baimian answered on behalf of Shang Jianyao.

Li Zhe said "hmm":

"In three days, at two o'clock in the afternoon, we will have a baptism ceremony. If you come to participate, you will officially become a member of the sect.

"Haha, remember, two o'clock in the afternoon is the holy hour of the sect, so try to arrange daily prayers during this time.

"There is no time limit for our ordinary Mass services. High Mass and baptismal services can only be between 2 and 3 p.m."

"What is the baptism ceremony like?" Shang Jianyao asked enthusiastically.

Li Zhe pointed to the door of the mass room:

"It's similar to an ordinary mass, but the baptized person cannot wear the clothes he has prepared. He must take off his clothes and wrap himself in the red bath towel in the church.

"Whoever stays in the Mass room longer will be favored by the priest."

Jiang Baimian listened with interest and interjected:

"What difference does High Mass make?"

"Only once a month, in addition to the ordinary mass, there is a hot bath and a collective dance to praise the gods." Li Zhe explained simply.

After talking about the issue of joining the church, Jiang Baimian talked about the purpose of the "Old Diao Group" coming to Tarnan:

"We have something we want to see the Source Brain and ask it directly. I wonder, Devotee, if you have any way to impress the Mechanical Heaven to get us permission?"

After Li Zhe listened quietly, he sighed and said:

"I have been in Tarnan for so many years..."

Having said this, he pointed outside the church:

"Those people in the town have stayed here longer, and the caravans coming and going each represent a certain power, but no one has seen the 'Yuan Nao', and most of them don't even know the existence of the 'Yuan Nao'."

Li Zhe’s implication is:

I have no way.

Seeing this, Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao couldn't force it. After a few pleasantries, they said goodbye and left.

As an associate member of the "Melting Pot Sect", Shang Jianyao performed a dance in front of the holy symbol representing the "Scorching Gate" before turning around.

Li Zhe was quite satisfied with this.

…………

The Tarnan Hunters Guild is also on the busiest "Riverside Avenue", located in the middle area.

The layout inside is very similar to that of the Hunters Guild in Weed City. There are also multiple tables with corresponding electronic products to assist hunters in accepting and handing in tasks.

The only difference is that the size of the Hunters Guild here is not too large, there are not many clerks, only three, and because there are machines to do the work for them, it seems quite leisurely and can even be distracted and in a daze.

Long Yuehong and Bai Chen walked up to a round-faced female staff member and looked inside through the empty glass panel below.

"Hello." Long Yuehong took the initiative.

The staff member suddenly raised his head, with a daze in his eyes.

"What's the matter?" She asked in Gray dialect after a moment of slowness.

She didn't use a dialect, but a language similar to that of Hongshiji.

Long Yuehong had already discussed it with Bai Chen and said bluntly:

"We want to visit President Gu Bo."

"Ah, let me ask for you." The staff member picked up the black phone in a slight panic and dialed a number.

After the call was connected, she said a few words, "hmm" twice, then raised her head and said to Long Yuehong and Bai Chen:

"President Gu asked you to go over to room 201 on the second floor."

Uh...that's enough? So simple? Long Yuehong was a little surprised.

He still remembered that when he was in Weed City, he wanted to meet with several senior leaders of the Hunter Guild and needed to find a reason.

Maybe it’s because the guild here is not large in scale and doesn’t have so many rules and interests? Long Yuehong became more and more accustomed to thinking about the information contained in these differences, although he often couldn't think of the answer.

After exchanging glances with Bai Chen, they walked towards the stairs.