Kapitel 37: The True Essence of Tengen
The headquarters of the Star Plasma Vessel Cult, the House of the Star Child.
In the grand hall, Sonoda Shigeru, the legal representative of the Star Plasma Vessel Cult, along with the organization's board members, sat in silence.
"...Did we fail?" someone muttered, lowering their head. The atmosphere was heavy. Soon, people began whispering in small groups, discussing their next steps. The hall filled with a cacophony of voices.
Step... step... step...
Clank... clank... clank...
The sound of footsteps echoed, accompanied by the dragging of chains on the ground. The noise stopped at the grand entrance.
The hall fell silent as all eyes turned toward the door.
Knock... knock... knock...
Clear knocking reverberated through the chamber.
No one dared move.
Only Sonoda Shigeru walked toward the door.
Moments later, the door creaked open.
Sonoda's gaze landed on the visitor, lingering on their starry eyes for a moment.
"Ah, you've come," he said.
"We undertook this endeavor with a 'nothing to lose' mentality. Did we fail as expected?"
He approached the idol in the center of the room, his expression contemplative.
"The origins of the Star Plasma Vessel Cult can be traced back to the Nara Period. Back then, Master Tengen was not only spreading Buddhism across Japan but also urging sorcerers to adhere to moral standards. This allowed ordinary people a chance to survive, to huddle together for warmth. Thus, the Star Plasma Vessel Cult was born."
"However, the current relationship between the Jujutsu world and our organization is at an all-time low. This twisted relationship has given rise to what is now the cult of 'Souls and Vessels.'"
"From the beginning, we have represented the position of non-sorcerers. Though sorcerers with excessive privileges are generally forbidden from harming non-sorcerers, the two sides could have coexisted peacefully."
He turned to the visitor.
"And yet, it happened... The taboo explicitly recorded in our doctrine! The Star Plasma Vessel Cult, now an absolute monotheistic faith, believes in one deity—Master Tengen. And yet, Master Tengen intends to merge with the Star Plasma Vessel?!"
His expression twisted with anger.
"If this assimilation occurs publicly before the congregation, the cult will collapse beyond repair."
"But if we go too far, it will provoke retaliation from sorcerers..."
He sighed deeply. "Honestly, we've given up. We're just making a desperate last stand."
"If Tengen loses control, won't it jeopardize all of humanity?" the visitor interrupted coldly.
"So what? If we perish alongside the stars, so be it."
"Do you presume to speak for everyone?"
"Stars will inevitably fade, and humans are destined to die," Sonoda replied.
"And what about Kuroi Misato?" the visitor pressed.
"Who?" Sonoda paused. "Oh, the maid?"
"She was a non-sorcerer, as were most of those who stood in your way and were eliminated by you over the years," the visitor continued.
"It was their honor to sacrifice themselves for the great cause, for the Star Plasma Cult, for non-sorcerers!"
"No, it was for your benefit," the visitor sneered, stepping out of the shadows to face the corpulent figures. "You've truly lived in luxury."
"Crowdfunding bounties, orchestrating kidnappings, murdering women and children...
"Of course, you wouldn't dare challenge sorcerers directly, so your victims were all ordinary people."
"This time is no different—a desperate, last-ditch attempt to protect your own interests."
Gen Sojun smirked disdainfully. He had thought these people might be formidable, but they were nothing more than cowards hiding behind lofty ideals.
These individuals were experts at cloaking their greed with righteousness. The Star Plasma Vessel Cult was rife with such hypocrites.
Gen Sojun surveyed the grand hall. Fortunately, they were all gathered here today.
"Then—allow me to send you all to your deaths!"
He raised his chains, unwilling to listen to another word.
"We can give you money... You are also a Star Child; we can worship you..."
The congregation clamored in desperation.
At the peak of power, loyalty is false; in twilight, devotion becomes real.
These people acted purely out of selfishness.
Moreover—
"Heh..."
Gen Sojun grinned menacingly.
"Even your god fears me."
When Gen Sojun left the Star Plasma Vessel Cult headquarters, he was drenched in blood.
He returned to Jujutsu High with an aura of death.
He was heading straight to the appointment—to meet Tengen.
The Star Plasma Vessel incident had dragged on for several days. Gen Sojun hated complications.
The sooner it was resolved, the better.
He descended underground via an elevator, walking through the path leading to the Hall of Death Stars.
Standing before the grand doors of the hall, he pushed them open.
Inside stood a figure—or what could barely be called human.
It was hard to believe someone could appear so aged.
The being before him had lost all semblance of humanity. Bloated and obese, its flesh folded into countless layers. Its head resembled a wide jar with a narrow base. While its eyes gleamed with intelligence, another pair of eyes rested beneath its drooping lids. Its nose was two gaping black holes, and its mouth was a mere slit.
It was playing with a short dagger.
"You've arrived," it said, lifting its head.
Noticing Gen Sojun's murderous aura, the being spoke politely. "When one stands at a certain height, many things become inevitable. Even if one is unwilling, others will push you forward."
Turning toward the inner sanctum, it continued, "I never wanted to choose assimilation.
"But I can't hold out much longer. Take the Star Plasma Vessel away. In exchange, how about doing me a favor?"
Gen Sojun followed it inside.
The being handed the short dagger back to him—it was the key used to set up the barrier earlier.
Gen Sojun regarded the true form of Tengen, which bore no resemblance to the cult's idol.
A figure from a millennium ago, Tengen must have undergone assimilation at least once. After assimilation, it would take on the form of the Star Plasma Vessel, leaving no one aware of its original appearance.
To fully resolve the Star Plasma Vessel incident, there were only two options: either allow Tengen to lose control and have someone eliminate the aftermath, or delay the next evolution again.
As for what would happen next...
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