Chapter 34: Spear of the Sun God

"What necessity is there for him to speak with me?" Shang Luo countered. "You have already seized control of the situation; there was no need for negotiation."

"The sun bears witness to all things in this world. Helios, God of Oaths, would never take by force. Those immortal elixirs were born from your hands; they belong to you. Must taking something from your possession require your consent?"

"Then why did you kidnap me?"

"Because you have violated the laws of nature. Just as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, all things in this world must reach their end—even the sun god is no exception. Yet you, you alchemists, violate the most fundamental order of the world: you do not die as equally as others. My father wishes to know why."

"And you?" Shang Luo asked in return. "Miss Phaethon. It seems you are no mortal yourself. As a transcendent, your very existence is proof that fairness has been broken. When you speak of 'dying equally,' from what position do you stand?"

"I once swore an oath to the River Styx—the Great Underworld River. Once this world is restored to its original state, everything we have drawn from the Styx will be returned with interest. Even the sun god himself shall sink into the Styx and return to silence forever. There should only be one sun in this world." She pointed upward. "That one is the only sun that should remain."

"Heh, and what will you do to me? Use your spear to silence me?"

"Your hour has not yet come," Phaethon replied. "You should live out your life peacefully, just like anyone else. This world has always belonged to humanity—to you, not to me. Therefore, we require your cooperation in our experiments so that we may uncover the truth of the Shenzhou alchemy. If you cooperate, you may leave safely. The day your transcendent power is stripped away can be postponed."

"And if I refuse?"

"Hmm, good question." Phaethon stroked the head of the white lion. "Have you heard the story of Icarus? The son of the master craftsman Daedalus, who once challenged the height of the sky and the brilliance of the sun with wings of wax. He drowned because his wax wings were pierced by the sun's rays. So..."

She slightly raised the tip of the golden spear in her hand. "This is the very spear that once pierced Icarus. I would not mind piercing another—though you would not die; I have no authority to judge mortals, that is a matter for the earth below. But I can judge you as a transcendent."

"But am I truly a transcendent?"

"Are you not?" Phaethon paused.

"Would you like to... what do you call it? Feel my pulse?" Shang Luo held out his hand.

"Wait." Phaethon set the spear aside.

"Lolo, move over." She patted the white lion's head. The dozing lion tilted its head and collapsed onto the floor mat to continue sleeping.

Stepping over the white lion, Phaethon reached out and gripped Shang Luo's wrist.

"..." She froze again. "Nothing? How is there nothing at all? You Shenzhou people clearly eat those magical radishes cultivated by alchemy every single day; how is there not a trace of phlogiston in your bloodline?"

"Why do I feel like you're insulting me?"

"Sorry... I'm sorry..." She took a few steps back to her original position, her voice dropping to half its previous volume. "I'm sorry, I always assumed you were a transcendent, which is why I treated you that way. Please forgive my rudeness. But!"

She raised her head. "I still hope you will assist us in finding the source of the alchemy. Otherwise, we will have to resort to some coercive measures against your friend—you wouldn't want to see his years of painstaking cultivation go to waste, would you?"

"Does this change anything from before? Where is your respect for mortals?"

"But we are doing this for... for the greater future of all mankind!"

"And what does that have to do with me? You want to kidnap me physically, and now you want to kidnap me morally? Does the River Styx allow you to commit criminal offenses? Even the Imperial Guards carry credentials when enforcing the law—where are yours?"

"This... this..."

[Mr. Shang Luo.] The silent Helios finally spoke. [Please forgive our offense. If you wish to leave, you may exit the vehicle immediately.]

"My friend is in your hands; how could I leave alone?"

[I am pleased to see the radiance of humanity in both of you; my strength has increased once more. If you remain in the vehicle, may I assume you are willing to enter into a transaction with us?]

"I suppose so."

[Then, as long as you assist us in researching the secrets of alchemy, not only can I release your friend, but I can also grant you one wish. Any wish at all. Do not question my ability; I shall borrow from the River Styx and charge it to my own account.]

"Why do you sound just like Apollonia?"

[As you Shenzhou people often say—not of the same family, not of the same house. Apollonia often shares my thoughts, but she is always too young. She does not consider issues from the most long-term perspective for humanity, nor is she prepared to give everything for her mission; in this, she is not even as capable as Phaethon. How about it, Mr. Shang Luo, can you accept these terms?]

"I cannot decide for myself," Shang Luo replied. "I need to discuss it with my friend. After all, I have no right to hand over power that does not belong to me. I just happen to know the recipe for the elixir."

[Certainly, certainly, we can discuss it. Then we shall meet when we arrive; I have matters to attend to. Phaethon, host our guest. Furthermore, deal with the tail behind you; you are being followed.]

"A tail?" Phaethon leaned over to look out the rear window, her expression changing instantly. Pressing a button beside her, she opened the sunroof and, using the white lion as a footstool, poked her head out—

Several black sedans were trailing far behind, maintaining a distance of 150 meters. There were no markings on the vehicles.

"It seems it has nothing to do with me," she said, sitting back in her original position. "It is those Mayan creditors, the people from United Fruit."

"They are getting in your way; do you not intend to pierce them with your spear?"

"I said I would not use the Spear of the Sun God against mortals... but perhaps not. My temper is not that good."

After saying this, she picked up the intercom:

"Stop the convoy."

"But Miss Phaethon!" Palca’s voice came from the other end of the intercom. "They are creditors! They are here to inquire about the hotel I sold yesterday..."

"Repaying debts is a matter of course. Did you not win money yesterday? Why did you not pay them?"

"Because I promised Mr. Shang Luo that I would donate that money. That money is not mine. As for yesterday's matter, I simply sold the shares in my possession normally; United Fruit has no right of first refusal."

"I understand. Tch, troublesome." She hung up the intercom. "Luckily, I am always prepared. Lolo, get up; there are some mortal affairs you need to resolve." She patted the white lion's face.

"As for you, Mr. Shang Luo... why did I suddenly notice that you and my lion share a name? Wait here for a moment; I will be right back. Please do not touch my spear, do not touch it under any circumstances. It is a highly dangerous magical artifact filled with powerful phlogiston that mortals cannot withstand. If you touch it, I will certainly know."