Eldritch Horror Theatre

Fu Qian was quite certain that the lunging figure hadn’t touched a single horsehair.

Even earlier, he had noticed the eager individual waiting by the roadside.

Along this unavoidable route back to the city, the person had stood behind a perfectly straight, emerald-green tree, locking a calm and tranquil gaze onto the carriage.

And the highly discordant actions that followed were, in all fairness, executed with masterful skill.

After startling the carriage horse, they followed up with a seamless sequence of movements and were now curled on the ground in a textbook-perfect posture.

This Realm of Bliss was truly extraordinary. He hadn’t even entered the city yet, and he had already witnessed two lines of business.

Even with Fu Qian’s discerning eye, it was hard to pick out many flaws. For a moment, his face revealed genuine admiration.

”Them again.”

Ka Ke demonstrated her profound composure in that moment. Bracing herself against the front panel to avoid bumping her head, she reached out to soothe the blue horse before she had even sat fully upright. Her words barely held a trace of anger.

”Them? Are they actually an organization?”Fu Qian’s ability to catch keywords was undoubtedly on point. He instantly realized the nature of this situation was far worse than it appeared.

”Yes, people from the Almsgiving Society.”

Ka Ke answered naturally, directly offering the organization’s name.

”They are nearly the largest gang in the city, spread across every district. They advocate receiving alms while simultaneously giving alms to others, cultivating the wondrous method of karmic circulation.”

This... alright, he had to admit, this method was indeed rather ingenious.

With just a few words, Ka Ke had exposed the true nature of the person on the ground. Fu Qian listened intently and did not withhold his praise.

She hadn’t just been talking nonsense. There really were organizations and societies within the Realm of Bliss, complete with names and ideologies full of glaring absurdities.

If he understood correctly, this meant that this current extortion attempt was simultaneously an act of giving the victim ”an opportunity to give alms.” In essence, good deeds breeding good deeds?

This trick of creating something out of nothing, stepping on their own left foot to lift the right—the phrase ”wondrous method” hardly felt adequate to describe it.

Besides that, Ka Ke had used another phrase—the largest gang.

So in the City of Bliss, there was actually more than one such organization?

It sounded like a place riddled with gangs and contending factions... Why did it feel like the overarching style was veering straight toward the City of Sin?

”Take it.”

He couldn’t ask for more details at the moment, however, because Ka Ke had already stepped down from the carriage. She reached out toward the huddled figure on the ground, holding a flawless, unmarked Golden Coin between her fingertips.

”Thank you.”

The figure accepted it naturally and climbed to their feet with composure.

After exchanging a mutual bow of greeting with Ka Ke and offering a gentle word of thanks, they left without saying anything else.

...

”Truly an endless source of wonder.”

Having observed the entire process, Fu Qian noted that he had learned a great deal as Ka Ke returned.

”I don’t agree with their philosophy, but at least they don’t interfere too much with others.”

Seeming to doubt the sincerity of his praise, Ka Ke commented casually as she gracefully sat back down.

”So there are those who do interfere with others?”

Fortunately, Fu Qian had never cared much about seeking validation. As the carriage began to move again, he continued probing for new information.

”Of course. For example, the Brotherhood.”

Not disappointing him, Ka Ke uttered an even more familiar-sounding name and immediately followed up with her critique.

”A unity of mind, practically functioning as one body, proudly walking in the Bright Light... It sounds incredibly strong, but to me, it is merely weakness.”

”Why do you say that?”

Since she was so eager to talk, Fu Qian naturally didn’t mind asking more questions.

”Hiding themselves behind fabricated concepts, delusionally hoping to build a tower from sand and take shortcuts to touch wisdom, rather than tempering themselves and facing things head-on. In the end, it’s just self-deception, the choice of the lazy... So, once we reach the city, I highly advise you to avoid any contact with them.”

The clattering hooves grew sharper as the horses picked up their pace. The carriage had already reached the edge of the town, and Ka Ke finished her commentary with a pointed warning.

”Is it that serious? If I’m not interested, will they actually force me to join?”

Finally stepping into this City of Bliss, Fu Qian curiously observed the outside surroundings while asking casually.

It was far more ethereal and translucent than the graveyard from earlier. Beneath the Bright Light, the environment possessed an almost shadowless quality, its gold and white stone sparkling brilliantly.

Although a sweeping glance revealed no overly magnificent architecture, the variety of structural designs was rich, and the people’s clothing was remarkably diverse.

Drawn by the commotion of the carriage, people looked over in twos and threes, each wearing the same calm, tranquil expression.

The atmosphere was certainly immersive enough, but given Ka Ke’s earlier description, this initial glimpse inevitably felt quite bizarre.

Such a place was actually riddled with gangs? Hippie Saints? Double flower red pole Buddhas?

”Yes.”

While Fu Qian was struggling to picture such an aesthetic, Ka Ke gave a definitive, affirmative answer.

”Intimidation and beatings are both possible. This is their path of practice. They do not consider it an evil deed, but rather, enlightenment.”

...

This City of Bliss truly was... remarkably human.

Although he wasn’t overly surprised by Ka Ke’s response, Fu Qian still secretly marveled that his assumptions had been proven right.

Was this a case of foundational logic determining the superstructure? Truly, the profound influence that the concept of ”immortality” had on human consciousness could not be underestimated.

No matter what reasons or standards had allowed them to enter this Realm of Bliss, the consciousness of these people before him was fundamentally different from the humans and even the transcendents on the outside.

And if all that was still conceivable, then the fact that beneath the temptation of true liberation in a higher tier, this City of Bliss had ultimately developed into a kind of Vice City made one sigh at the bizarre marvels of the human heart.

Naturally, Fu Qian had never forgotten his mission objective—the exact thing they pursued: the true liberation of the Upper Heaven.

From this initial understanding, it clearly wasn’t going to be an easy task. Besides that, there was one more point—

”Then what if they exhaust all their methods and I still refuse? Will they kill me?”

The carriage was already slowing down, but Fu Qian hadn’t forgotten their earlier topic and suddenly elaborated on it.

”How could that be? Murder is an absolute felony, undeniable and unpardonable.”

This time, Ka Ke was clearly startled. Her expression showed the largest fluctuation it had since they first met.

In this place where death had been banished, simply uttering the word ”kill” seemed to be an inherent evil.

”But it can still be done?”

Fu Qian, however, was in no rush to correct himself.

”It can... but that is a sin far heavier than being reduced to a beast of burden, and the victim will quickly begin their next cycle of samsara.”

Understood. So, if a person is killed, they won’t die.

At that moment, Fu Qian sighed deeply in his heart.

Not dying meant they couldn’t just restart.

Life after life, falling into samsara for eternity.