"Oh? Daoist Dan Hezi, you're here so early?" An old monk with white hair and beard took off his sunglasses, tossed them onto the car, and walked towards Mo Chuan and the other two, hands clasped in prayer.
"..." Mo Chuan didn't know where to begin with the multitude of things that felt off.
"Not at all, we just arrived," Dan Hezi replied with a smile. "Master Wu Hai, you certainly have a good temperament, arriving by car."
"Hahaha—" Wu Hai let out a few dry laughs, clearly not intending to elaborate.
After the six exchanged greetings and waited for a while longer, three people in military uniforms and three young men and women dressed like scholars approached.
Among them, Mo Chuan recognized some familiar faces—Zhao Qingfeng representing the military and Hui Yang, whom he had met a few times in Huzhou.
"Brother Feng, you're here too?" Mo Chuan asked with genuine surprise.
"Ah, the military didn't want to provide personnel to protect these Neon devils, so they spent a long time recruiting from within the ranks. In the end, it was old man Bing Huo who specifically requested us, singling out us three unlucky souls."
Although Zhao Qingfeng appeared to be complaining, the truth was that Xin Lei had informed Zhao Qingfeng through Bing Huo that Mo Chuan would also be attending. Zhao Qingfeng, having followed Mo Chuan's progress for a long time, knew this young man possessed exceptional talent. Coupled with Xin Lei's mention of Mo Chuan's interest in joining the military, Zhao Qingfeng was determined to nurture this promising talent. He planned to "pluck the fruit" as soon as the young man graduated and had even selected two trusted subordinates to accompany him for support.
Hui Yang, on the other hand, was there because he was a descendant of the sage Xun Zi. When the descendants of Confucius, Mencius, and Zeng Shen were unable to attend such an event, he brought along the heads of the Zhu and Cheng families to lend an air of formality. (Confucius, Mencius, Xun Kuang, Zeng Shen, Zhu Xi, Cheng Yi, Cheng Hao).
Following them, the Minister of Rites of Long Guo and personnel from the Diplomatic Department also arrived.
After a brief period of pleasantries and conversation, the teleportation array soon lit up.
The first to arrive was the diplomatic delegation from the Roth Empire, characterized by their broad shoulders, robust physiques, and blonde hair and blue eyes, making them appear more like a delegation from the Ministry of Defense than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The burly man with a full beard at the forefront shook hands warmly with the Minister of Rites. The latter even gave the official, Tian Guan, a hearty bear hug. Despite the Minister of Rites feeling a painful jolt to his bones and a sloshing in his brain, it nonetheless demonstrated their close personal relationship.
The second group to arrive was from the Cross Alliance.
It was quite interesting that the Cross Alliance, located in Europa, had experienced such changes after the Spiritual Energy Resurgence. The Holy Cross religion had become a reality, complete with the seven Archangels, Heaven, and the Bible. However, werewolves, vampires, and ghosts had also become real.
As a result, the nations of the Cross Alliance had reverted to a medieval state, establishing an alliance led by the Papal court. All allied nations, including Gaul, Germania, Sicily, and Iberia, followed the Pope's directives, and activities such as hunting witches and demons frequently graced the headlines.
Therefore, the people from the Cross Alliance were all depicted in the style of medieval church frescoes, resembling priests, missionaries, knights, and nuns, adorned in black cassocks, silver-white armor, and golden artifacts.
The cardinal in red at the front exchanged pleasantries with the Minister of Rites and then took his position on the other side of the delegation—separated from the Roth Empire by the Long Guo team. The Roth Empire side responded with a cold snort, clearly not pleased with their presence.
After some time, representatives from Sahr, Delhi, the Extreme Sun Empire, and others arrived one after another, but there was still no sign of the Neon diplomatic delegation.
The Minister of Rites' expression gradually darkened. Aside from the international media reporters who were excited to have sensational news to report, most of the people present were beginning to watch the situation unfold as if it were a spectacle.
"Minister... should we contact the Neon people..." a junior official from the Ministry of Rites whispered.
"No need," the Minister of Rites replied, clearly incensed but maintaining a calm tone. "A mere speck on the map, a small nation. Their disregard for rules is a reflection of their barbarian origins and lack of etiquette. As a nation of etiquette and music, we must not overstep our bounds."
A silent anticipation settled over the assembly once more, while the discussions among the reporters in the distance gradually grew louder, and the sounds of phone calls and camera shutters rose in a continuous chorus.
Even from a considerable distance, Mo Chuan could feel the cold aura emanating from the Minister of Rites. He glanced back at Qing Lianzi, who seemed indifferent, so he said nothing further.
Just as the atmosphere at the scene was growing increasingly frigid, the teleportation array suddenly lit up, and several Neon diplomats in suits, accompanied by a man and a woman dressed in opulent attire, appeared in view.
*Click, click, click...*
The flashes instantly transformed into blinding bursts, bombarding the newly arrived Neon diplomatic delegation with a barrage of photographs.
The man in the luxurious attire led the group to the front, directly approaching the Minister of Rites.
"This is our Crown Prince," the Neon interpreter introduced.
The Minister of Rites frowned, clearly surprised by the Crown Prince's unannounced arrival. However, seeing no need for excessive politeness with these Japanese pirates, he immediately questioned them directly: "May we inquire as to the reason for your country's prolonged delay and late arrival? If you are facing any difficulties, Long Guo can certainly offer assistance."
The Crown Prince gave a sneering laugh and, disregarding the expressions of those present, whispered a few words in Japanese to the Neon officials behind him.
Evidently, he treated the Long Guo Ministry of Rites as if they were invisible.
Several young Long Guo officials nearby could not tolerate this, and some even prepared to step forward to argue.
However, the Minister of Rites glared at them, took a deep breath, and spoke again, "Your country has shown disregard, yet you still wish to negotiate?"
It was impossible for the Minister of Rites not to be angered, but he keenly observed that the Neon diplomatic team did not seem united. The Crown Prince and the two or three officials he whispered to formed one faction; the four or five silent officials led by the elegantly dressed woman formed another faction; and one or two officials who kept trying to speak were clearly unable to insert themselves into the conversation of the first faction.
The Minister of Rites narrowed his eyes slightly and then said, "Does your country still wish to proceed with negotiations?"
As an official was about to speak upon hearing this, he was fiercely glared at by an official next to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince then slowly replied, "Of course, we wish to negotiate, Minister... it's just that we felt unwell using your teleportation array, so we hope to postpone today's meeting until tomorrow..."
The Minister of Rites' face instantly turned grim. He sternly rebuked, "Is this the sincerity of your Neon?! To send such an impolite individual to embarrass yourselves here?! Your tardiness alone is grounds for a diplomatic incident, and now you audaciously demand to postpone the meeting?! Do you think this is your Tokyo?! That you can summon and dismiss us at will? If you no longer wish to negotiate, I will immediately report back and request an increase in trade sanctions and embargoes!"
The Neon officials, led by the Crown Prince, also turned pale. Their initial intention was merely to annoy the Long Guo people. They had not expected their opponents to refuse to be provoked and, having maintained all proper etiquette, were ready to turn hostile.
On Mo Chuan's side.
Hearing the Minister of Rites' angry reprimand, everyone looked displeased. With a series of crackling sounds, Master Wu Hai's prayer beads shattered on the ground.
"Master, do not fall into anger over these Japanese pirates," Dan Hezi advised.
"Amitabha, this humble monk merely felt a sense of aversion seeing these clowns acting like buffoons."
"Master, do not ruin your cultivation."
"I am not afraid," the Master said, clasping his hands. "If the heart harbors afflictions, they can be overcome."
Qing Lianzi and Mo Chuan, upon hearing this, seemed to have discovered a new continent and turned to look at Wu Hai.
Under their questioning gazes, with a tremendous tearing sound, Wu Hai ripped open his robes, revealing his muscles and the Vajra guardian deity depicted on his back, saying, "I shall deliver them from evil and overcome my own sins."
"The Master's Buddhist teachings are indeed profound," Dan Hezi, Qing Lianzi, and Mo Chuan exclaimed in unison, clasping their fists.