Linley lingered in the kingdom for a few days, making sure everything about the kingdom and the mine was settled, before leaving alone and heading south, eventually arriving once again at the mountain village hidden deep in the mountains.
It was the same stone mansion, the same round lake. But this time, Desri didn't wait for him to come up before showing himself. Instead, he was already standing under the old tree with his hands behind his back when Deslie stepped into the village, as if he had expected him to come.
" Linley," Desri looked at him, his tone flat, "You didn't come here to discuss the laws."
"I can't hide it from you, sir." Linley clasped his hands in a respectful bow, cutting to the chase. "I have indeed come here with an important matter that I wish to discuss openly with you, sir."
Desri didn't ask any questions, but simply stepped aside and led him into the simply furnished room. A pot of tea was brewed, and the two sat down facing each other. The half-withered green plant by the window was still there, as if nothing had changed.
"Speak," Desri said.
Linley paused for a moment before speaking, "Sir, you come from the Radiant Church and have served Radiant Church for decades. The matter I wish to discuss today is related to the Radiant Church, and also to our past relationship. If I have offended you in any way, please allow me to finish speaking."
Desri held his teacup, saying nothing, but simply watching him quietly.
"To be honest," Linley said, "My side intends to eliminate the current Radiant Church."
Desri paused very slightly in his work. Without looking up, he simply asked, "Why?"
"Because this Radiant Church no longer deserves to be called 'Light'." Linley's voice deepened. " Holy Grace Ritual, human sacrifice, using souls as nourishment to sustain their so-called divine kingdom. I've personally seen the people imprisoned in those underground dungeons, and I've seen those mages used as 'materials'. A Radiant Church that thrives by devouring human souls—keeping it alive is tantamount to harming countless lives on the Yulan Continent."
Desri remained silent for a long time.
He left the Radiant Church because he was fed up with all of this. He knew better than anyone how many shady dealings were hidden behind that magnificent temple. But he never imagined that someone would tear that layer off completely in front of him.
"Do you know that you are going against the entire Radiant Church?" Desri said slowly. "Its foundation is not only Pope Heidens in the open, but also the hidden forces of fanatics and Ascetic."
"Rest assured, sir." Linley raised his head, his gaze open and honest. "I have already fought against Leiming of the Fanatic Legion, and Bebe and I together can definitely defeat Chief Judge Steller. Besides, my teacher, Grandpa Doehring, recently broke through to the Deity Level."
Desri's pupils contracted slightly. Although he lived in seclusion in the mountains, he was not oblivious to worldly affairs. He had heard about Doehring Cowart's arrival in the Deity Realm, but he had always been skeptical. Now, hearing Linley confirm it in person, the scales in his heart sank even further.
"So that's how it is." Desri put down his teacup. "No wonder you dared to touch the Radiant Church."
"But sir, what I want to discuss isn't asking you to help me destroy it," Linley said solemnly, "But rather, I want to ask you to do something even bigger after the Radiant Church is destroyed."
Desri's eyes flickered, but he didn't reply.
"The roots of the Radiant Church are not only in that one temple, but also in the hearts of millions of believers in the Light," Linley said. "It is this Radiant Church that now offers sacrifices of souls to nourish the Kingdom of God. But the word 'Light' itself should not be buried along with it. You have cultivated the Laws of Light for so many years, and you know better than anyone that there is indeed true power of Light in this world—it should not be dragged into the mud by a corrupt Radiant Church."
He paused, then said, word by word, "I would like to ask you to establish a new Radiant Church after the old Radiant Church is destroyed. A new papacy that only spreads faith in the light, without sacrifices, without taking lives, and without cannibalism. So that those who believe in the light can still have a place to express their piety, instead of being uprooted and left with nowhere to go."
Desri was slightly taken aback. He had cultivated the Laws of Light for hundreds of years, and had seen this power in its purest form, as well as when it was twisted into something that could devour people. He had never imagined that a junior who had cultivated for a few decades could understand the true meaning of Light.
"Do you trust me?" Desri asked.
"You left the Radiant Church because you couldn't stand its evil deeds; you practice the Way because you respect its true nature," Linley said. "I can trust someone like that."
The room remained quiet for a long time.
Outside the window, the branches and leaves of the peach grove rustled in the wind. Desri looked into Linley's open eyes, then looked down at the half-withered but still alive green plant by the window. After a long while, he slowly nodded.
"Alright," Desri said, "I promise you. If the old Radiant Church truly falls, I'm willing to step forward and establish a new Radiant Church that only preaches faith and doesn't devour human souls. But I hope you can do one thing."
"Please speak, sir."
"The 'light' of this new Radiant Church will no longer be shrouded in darkness." Desri looked at him, emphasizing each word, "It may reside only in a remote corner, but it must be pure. If you are willing to bear witness with the lives of the people of this land, then I have made this promise."
Linley stood up and bowed solemnly. "Rest assured, my lord. What I desire is not the power of a Radiant Church, but rather a world on the Yulan Continent where sacrifices will no longer be necessary. If you are willing to make this vow, I, Linley, guarantee with my life that this new Radiant Church will never repeat the mistakes of the past."
Looking at the young man, Desri suddenly felt that the light of his life had found a decent place at this moment.
He stood up, walked to the window, gazed at the rolling mountains, and slowly exhaled. "Then it's settled. I'll wait for that day."
A mountain breeze blew through the peach blossom grove and into the house. The two sat facing each other, and a pot of tea gradually cooled.
That night, Linley didn't rush down the mountain. He stayed in the village and talked to Desri about light, faith, and this world. Only when dawn broke did he get up to say goodbye and set off alone down the mountain.
Behind him, Desri stood at the entrance of the mountain village, watching the departing figure for a long time without moving. He murmured to himself, as if speaking to the mountains, " The Radiant Church... it's time for it to end. But the word 'Light' shouldn't disappear with it from the Yulan Continent."