Chapter 138: Strategic Meeting

After recounting the events of this period and introducing Suigintou to the high-ranking members of the church, Link entrusted Suigintou to Alieya's care. He then kept only those high-ranking officials skilled in conspiracy or strategy to hold a meeting, discussing how to unify the Red Moon Province within a year.

Whether this task was difficult or easy depended on the perspective, presenting a challenge to everyone involved. Yet, everyone embraced it eagerly, knowing this was an epoch-making grand strategy. Those who participated would become legendary figures whose names would echo through the ages. Even the three cardinals, usually indifferent to fame and fortune, were stirred with excitement.

In truth, the Father God Church had already formulated a development plan, but that plan was no longer applicable to the current situation. The original plan required several years to achieve unification, whereas the present mandate demanded completion within a single year. The methods and the degree of radicalism required were entirely different.

In light of this, everyone naturally thought of the organization specializing in dark operations: the Inquisition. Since a rapid unification had been decided upon, relying solely on the Assassin's Creed was insufficient. They also needed a frontal combat force—cold-blooded individuals who would not hesitate to slaughter enemies, and perhaps even madmen devoid of humanity.

No matter how one looked at it, such actions violated the teachings of the Father God Church. Furthermore, maintaining the faith of those operatives after plunging them into the shadows seemed exceedingly difficult. Therefore, no one dared to bring it up, tacitly leaving the final decision entirely to Link. As the spokesperson of the Father God, Link was the only one with the authority to establish the Inquisition and to alter or supplement the relevant doctrines under the premise of violating existing dogmas.

Link understood this well and had already begun drafting doctrines suitable for the existence of the Inquisition. However, to officially promulgate these matters, some preparation and stimulation were required to ensure the entire church supported the new dogmas.

None of these issues could be resolved overnight, nor were they suitable for public discussion. Thus, Link did not dwell on them and quickly shifted the topic to other matters—wholesome, uplifting topics destined to leave a good legacy. Consequently, everyone spoke enthusiastically, completing the strategic plan step by step.

This massive plan kept everyone in meetings for the entire day. Aside from breaks for meals, they spent all their time deliberating. Faced with such a monumental task, everyone exhibited unprecedented vigor; not a single person complained of fatigue. Finally, as the sun was about to set, the plan was preliminarily finalized.

When Link announced the end of the meeting, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and departed in twos and threes, their faces beaming with expectant and excited smiles.

However, Ling Feng, who was among the last to leave, seemed to recall something. He suddenly turned back and approached Link, asking, "Archbishop, has that child Suigintou ever appeared in public?"

Hearing this, Link was startled for a moment, then nodded and said, "Many people saw her on the way back and when leaving the palace. Why? Is something wrong? Although it's somewhat magical for a doll to speak, it's not entirely unacceptable, is it? There are plenty of unbelievable things in this world. Allowing those people to see Suigintou will only enhance our church's mystery and majesty in their eyes."

Ling Feng smiled bitterly upon hearing this. "Indeed, the child's appearance will shock people and elevate our church's prestige. But it would spell trouble if some learned scholars were to lay eyes on her. As far as I know, the only entity in this world capable of bestowing life and soul out of thin air is the True God—our exalted Father God. The only other way to animate a doll is through the long-lost Soul Transference technique, which transfers a creature's soul into a puppet. If those people lean toward the former explanation, believing it to be a manifestation of the Father God, they naturally wouldn't dare offend our church in the slightest and might even become devout followers of the Father God. However, if they suspect the latter, it will provoke a frenzy. You see, the soul can persist longer than the physical body; as long as the soul remains, one can achieve immortality. Acquiring the Soul Transference technique means a person can transplant their soul into another body at any time to prolong their lifespan. Archbishop, you should understand what this implies."

What did it imply? It implied an alternative form of eternal life!

Link instantly realized his mistake. Originally, he had allowed Suigintou to appear in public to enhance his own mystique and prestige, intending to attribute it all to the handiwork of the Father God and fool anyone who asked about it later. He had completely overlooked the existence of the Soul Transference technique. According to Ling Feng, this was equivalent to alternative longevity—something that could drive countless people mad, especially high-tier powerhouses above the seventh rank and influential bigwigs. Occupying lofty positions yet possessing limited lifespans, they would inevitably resort to any means necessary to extend their lives. Once word of this got out, they would swarm in like a plague.

With this thought, cold sweat broke out on Link's back. Although not many people had seen Suigintou, among them were erudite scholars such as Sylvanas and her teacher, Charles Green. Charles, in particular, was an eighth-tier powerhouse who, despite being over two hundred years old, was already beginning to experience physical decline—he was at least past a hundred and fifty. If given the chance to acquire a youthful body, he would undoubtedly fail to restrain himself.

However, Link had left too deep an impression on Charles, who might not resort to forceful methods to seize the so-called Soul Transference technique immediately. Even if he wanted to rob them, Charles would certainly weigh whether his own strength was sufficient. In Charles's eyes, Link was a peak ninth-tier powerhouse; attempting a robbery would require finding another peak ninth-tier powerhouse or a whole group of them, otherwise it would simply be sending oneself to the slaughter.

With this realization, Link's heart settled. He immediately smiled and said to Ling Feng, "Elder Ling Feng need not worry. Should anyone harbor malicious intentions and plot against our church, neither I nor the exalted Father God will sit idly by. During this recent crisis, the Father God bestowed a trial upon me, and having passed it, I am no longer who I used to be."

With that, Link released a trace of his coercion. Only Ling Feng could perceive it, but that overwhelming might caused Ling Feng's expression to change drastically. Had Link not withdrawn it instantly, the elder likely would have dropped straight to his knees.

Looking at the smiling Link, Ling Feng said with a mixture of shock and excitement, "Archbishop, your... your power? Could it be that you have already reached the peak of the ninth tier?"

Link smiled and shook his head. "No, in reality, I am only at the early stage of the seventh tier. However, the power bestowed upon me by the Father God is miraculous indeed; after my advancement, my coercion has reached the level of a peak ninth-tier powerhouse. Furthermore, even peak ninth-tier powerhouses will feel inferior when facing me. Only the legendary Saints can ignore my coercion."

"I see." Ling Feng nodded in understanding, his shocked state calming down somewhat, though he remained profoundly astonished. One had to remember that Link was only seventeen years old. A seventh-tier powerhouse at seventeen—throughout history, how many people could achieve such a feat? Moreover, Link's coercion was at the peak of the ninth tier, making it all the more miraculous. If this advantage were utilized properly, it could yield unimaginably massive benefits.

At this thought, a sudden inspiration struck Ling Feng, and he hurriedly asked, "Archbishop, does that mean those people who saw Suigintou also experienced your coercion?"

Link smiled and nodded, knowing that Ling Feng had grasped his meaning.

Instantly, a smile appeared on Ling Feng's face as well. "The Archbishop is truly wise! As long as those people know the Archbishop possesses the power of a peak ninth-tier entity, even if they salivate with greed over the Soul Transference technique, they will not dare to act rashly. Powerhouses capable of rivaling a peak ninth-tier existence are as rare as phoenix feathers and dragon scales in this world. Those individuals still hold a chance of breaking through to Sainthood; even with a ten-thousandth chance, they would never recklessly rush in to seize the Soul Transference technique. Because utilizing the Soul Transference technique means starting all over again and forfeiting the chance of attaining Sainthood. To become a Saint, the soul must be intact and completely fused with the physical body, whereas every use of the Soul Transference technique inflicts damage upon the soul."

"Precisely. Therefore, we don't need to worry about the issue of the Soul Transference technique for the time being. The longer this drags on, the more favorable it becomes for us. In a few years, perhaps even without me, our church will no longer need to fear those super powerhouses above the seventh tier." By the end of his sentence, Link's tone revealed a soaring ambition that set Ling Feng's heart pounding with excitement.

After that, the two men ceased discussing the matter and went their separate ways to attend to their duties. Link headed to Alieya's quarters to retrieve Suigintou.

The child was extremely timid around strangers. Because Link had been in meetings all day, she had several times wanted to come and find him, only to be pacified by Alieya. Suigintou was a good girl who didn't want to cause Link trouble, so despite her anxiety and unease, she had held back. As soon as the meeting concluded, Alieya had sent someone to inform Link of this.

"Father, I missed you so much! Wuwuwu~~~"

The moment they met, Suigintou threw herself into Link's arms and began to cry bitterly. Her pitiful appearance was enough to tug at anyone's heartstrings.

Link knew she wasn't deliberately acting cute; she was genuinely overjoyed to see him again. Her attachment to him was something outsiders could hardly comprehend. Much like a small child separated from its parents for too long, filled with anxiety, Suigintou had only recently gained life and naturally experienced an emotional upheaval after being separated from Link for a whole day.

After soothing Suigintou, Link turned to Alieya and said, "Thank you, Alieya. Sorry to have troubled you with this child today."

Alieya shook her head with a smile. "It's nothing. Suigintou is very cute, and I enjoy spending time with her." Pausing for a moment, she cast a complex gaze at the doll and murmured, "If only she could call me mother."

This remark stunned Link. Meanwhile, Suigintou shrank her head back and whispered secretly to Link, "Father, this human is so strange. She keeps trying to make me call her Mother, but I only have one Mother, don't I? What should I do?"

Link could only stroke his nose with a wry smile. If Suigintou didn't understand, how could he not? For Alieya to say such a thing right to his face was an expression of pent-up melancholy and frustration. She was likely feeling jealous that Link had suddenly acquired a daughter—even knowing the child was a puppet, the fact that Suigintou already had a mother proved too much for her to bear.

One might wonder: with so many young women already in the household, how could a female whose name hadn't even been known previously suddenly pop out of nowhere, complete with a child? Even knowing there was nothing untoward going on, it still felt uncomfortable in the heart.

A woman's heart was as unfathomable as a needle at the bottom of the sea. Although Alieya had mentally prepared herself for Link having multiple women, she at least expected to know who they were. To go out on a trip and return with an unfamiliar female—and a child at that—was more than anyone could comfortably stomach.

Of course, the true reason for Alieya's jealousy wasn't just this; rather, it was the eruption of long-accumulated negative emotions.

How many women in this world could remain indifferent to the man they loved taking other partners? Even with mental preparation, discomfort was inevitable, and Alieya had been suppressing her dissatisfaction until it finally erupted today because of Suigintou.

Yet Alieya was still Alieya; even when her emotions exploded, she expressed her feelings through subtle grievances rather than kicking up a fuss like an ordinary girl.