Xing Tie: Wait a minute! How come Weng Xing has two saviors?

These folders contain no world-destroying swordsmanship, but rather an ultimate understanding of ingredients, exquisite control of cooking time and temperature, an almost artistic sense of smell for spice pairings, and astonishing creativity in dessert design.

Bai Mo felt his understanding of cooking had instantly been elevated several dimensions. Before, cooking relied on experience and trial and error; now, he seemed to "hear" the subtle changes in the ingredients in the pot and "see" how the spice molecules blended in the air. His knife skills became more fluid, his seasoning more precise and bold, and his plating more natural and effortless.

However, the fact that "Lianmo Kitchen" was able to quickly gain a foothold in the discerning elite circle and become a "hard currency" is partly due to the perseverance of that guy, Elliott Warren.

Elliott, the son of the wealthy merchant, was almost scared to death on the spot by Bai Mo's "manly aura" that day, but later he insisted on becoming friends with Bai Mo.

For this reason, he even became a regular customer of "Lianmo's Little Kitchen". He not only came every day, but also invited his friends in the wealthy business circle, who were also rich and pursued novelty and style, to Bai Mo's little shop one carload at a time.

Every time he came, he would order the most expensive customized dishes, and the tips he left were so generous that they made Bai Mo's eyelids twitch. He even tried to "invest" in the restaurant, but Bai Mo politely but firmly asked him to leave, citing "small business, no investment."

But the results were remarkable. The distinguished guests brought by Elliott, with their discerning palates, were utterly astonished by Bai Mo's culinary skills.

The price of "Lianmo Kitchen" was artificially inflated by this group, making it a new place for the nouveau riche in Janusapolis to showcase their taste and wealth. Bai Mo looked at the staggering figures in the account book, his feelings complicated.

Is this what it means to be "he who eats another's food is bound to him, he who takes another's gift is bound to him"? It's like every time Bai Mo feels Elliot looks at him, something's off. That look of discovering a hidden gem...

Xi Lian's assessment was: "Xiao Bai Mo, just think of him as... um... a rich, naive long-term meal ticket? Anyway, he's having a great time. Besides, he gave up on pursuing me a long time ago. It won't affect our lives~"

Evelyn, the priestess with an entire priest family behind her, cascading purple hair, and who rose through the ranks based on her genuine talent, remained true to herself.

Almost every afternoon she would "coincidentally" pass by "Lianmo Kitchen," then "casually" come in for a sit-down, order a cup of tea or a small, delicate pastry, and then linger by Xilian's side.

She would discuss profound priestly theories with Xilian, analyze obscure fragments of oracle, and complain about certain incompetent people in the temple (her eyes would occasionally dart toward Elliott's usual seat).

In the end, Bai Mo couldn't quite explain what her relationship with Xi Lian was. She just sensed that Xi Lian seemed to be enjoying it.

However, something small was bothering Xi Lian: she had been stuck on the intermediate priest promotion exam for a while. The theoretical exam was no challenge for her, but when it came to the practical application of the complex rituals of Oronis, she always fell just short by a tiny bit. High Priest Vittorio didn't comment on this, only telling her to practice more.

That afternoon, Elliott came again, accompanied as usual by several well-dressed companions. After ordering a bunch of expensive dishes, he approached the counter, looked at Bai Mo wiping glasses, and lowered his voice, with a hint of "good buddy" in it: "Hey, Bai Mo, is Miss Xi Lian troubled by a promotion lately?"

Bai Mo glanced at him but didn't say anything.

Elliot continued, "I understand! Those old men in the temple sometimes just need a little... 'motivation'! Look at High Priest Vittorio, although he was rigid before, he actually..."

He rubbed his fingers together, making a "you know what I mean" gesture. "I think we should give this a try, Miss Xi Lian? Find an opportunity to invite the High Priest to 'Lianmo's Kitchen' for a meal! Brother Bai Mo, your cooking skills will definitely win him over! Then, if the High Priest is in a good mood, he might offer some pointers, or even relax the standards a little… hehe, wouldn't the promotion be a natural progression?"

Bai Mo paused, his hand still wiping the cup. He looked at Elliot, whose face was filled with the certainty that "I genuinely want to help" and "this trick will definitely work." Although Elliot was always a bit unreliable, the suggestion itself... Bai Mo thought carefully about Vittorio's performance that day and the atmosphere of the Temple that he had gleaned from Jacob, and actually felt that... it made some sense?

He relayed Elliot's words to Xi Lian verbatim. Upon hearing this, Xi Lian's pink eyebrows furrowed, her face filled with conflict: "Inviting Professor Vittorio to dinner? Is...is this appropriate? It feels like bribery..."

“Perhaps it can be seen as a student’s respect for their teacher and a request for guidance?” Bai Mo carefully chose his words. “Besides, what Elliott said… might not be without merit. You and I are both aware of the atmosphere within the Temple. Perhaps High Priest Vittorio also needs a way out?”

Xi Lian bit her lower lip, her sky-blue eyes struggling for a while. The bottleneck in her advancement did make her somewhat anxious, especially when she couldn't join in the conversation while watching Evelyn delve into the knowledge of intermediate priests, which left her feeling rather uneasy.

Finally, she sighed, "Alright! Let's give it a try! Xiao Bai Mo, this meal... it all depends on you! Make sure the teacher is satisfied! Otherwise, your sister Xi Lian will lose face big time."

The pressure was instantly put on Bai Mo.

However, Bai Mo wasn't too worried about it. It was simply a matter of practice makes perfect.

The next day, Vittorio and Jacob were invited to "Lianmo Kitchen".

Vittorio watched his apprentice, who was clearly not a first-timer, devouring his meal while leisurely introducing the dishes, and fell silent. That evening, Vittorio said nothing. He simply said with a forced smile, "Priestess Xilian, keep up the good work for your next promotion."

Three days later, Xi Lian successfully passed the intermediate priest promotion assessment. Because of this, Xi Lian once again complained to Bai Mo that Vittorio was really no good, and even his apprentice Jacob was more honest than him.

As for Elliot and Evelyn? Upon learning of Xilian's promotion, Evelyn brought an ancient manuscript from her family's collection, an analysis of the whispers of Oronnis, indicating her desire to "progress together."

Instead, Elliott, under the guise of offering his blessings, began asking Baimer what Evelyn liked...

His explanation was: "I've always only ever liked people with priestly talents..."

(Xi Lian (alert): Caw! When have I ever suffered such a loss?)

(Bai Er: When is it my turn to appear?)

Author: Oh? You really want to be persecuted?

Bai E: ...Then let's forget about it.

Author: Just kidding, the persecution has already begun, and it may even end soon.

Bai Er: You...!

Chapter 12 There's never any everyday life.

Half a year has passed quietly amidst the lively atmosphere of "Lianmo Kitchen" and the tolling of temple bells. The apparent tranquility almost makes one forget how the wheat fields of the Elegant Secret Pavilion were dyed black.

Bai Mo's "folder" collection is expanding at an astonishing speed. Xi Lian's low-budget version of "Years Revisited," while still brief and full of unexpected surprises, is no longer limited to warriors.

With Xi Lian's help, Bai Mo was able to glimpse the moments when the lives of those famous priests who left a deep mark on the temple's historical records came to an end.

[Folder named 'Cicero the Oracle' successfully named!]

[Folder named 'Ritual Builder Ella' successfully named!]

[Folder named 'Whispering Resonator - Morey' successfully named!]

These folders contained no swordplay, but rather a wealth of insightful interpretations of divine pronouncements, profound understandings of complex ritual structures, and unique ways of perceiving and resonating with the whispers of Oronis. Bai Mo, in turn, offered Xi Lian theoretical assistance.

"Little Bai Mo!" Xi Lian said more than once, patting her head with parchment.

"You're being way too blatant with your cheat codes! I've been painstakingly studying the classics, meditating, and practicing resonance, and you, just by glancing at how someone else 'died,' you think you know everything? By the grace of Oronis, is this fair? Is this reasonable?" Her deep blue eyes were filled with innocence and pity.

Bai Mo shrugged, looking helpless: "Sister Xi Lian, you'll have to ask Oulonis about that. Besides, wouldn't it be better if I could help you?"

(Olonius: Asking me won't help, this guy isn't under my jurisdiction. Also, don't put all sorts of accusations on the Titans!)

However, an unavoidable bottleneck also emerged. Those saints who truly stood at the pinnacle of priesthood and left behind immortal legends, their names are renowned, but the specific details of their deeds, especially the details of their deaths, are shrouded in a thick fog in history books and legends, full of mysteries, contradictions, or traces of deliberate erasure.

Xi Lian tried, but the result was either chaos or blurry fragments, unable to form an effective "image" for Bai Mo to capture.

This made Bai Mo and Xi Lian realize even more deeply that Xi Lian's ability to recreate a low-budget version of "Time Reappearance" based solely on fragmented written records showed that her extraordinary talent probably far exceeded Bai Mo's previous imagination.

(Xi Lian: See! It's not that I didn't try! It's just that the official version is too mysterious!?)

(Bai Mo: ...Fine, you're exceptionally talented, you're in charge.)

However... the air in the city-state has changed lately.

In Janusapolis, in the past few days, many more people have appeared, hurrying along, their faces covered in dust and filled with fear. At first, there were only a few scattered individuals, like lost birds.

But soon, the trickle turned into a raging torrent, crashing against the city gates. The stench of sweat, the putrid smell of festering wounds, and a deeper, thicker stench of despair mingled together, weighing heavily on every street, making it hard to breathe.

Xi Lian once accidentally opened a second-floor window and was instantly frozen in place.

"Bai Mo!" Her voice was a little tight, her sky-blue eyes reflecting the hellish scene below, "Come and see!"

On the street, a man with a broken leg leans on a sharpened wooden stick, leaving dark red footprints on his bleeding bandages with every step.

A woman clutched the lifeless swaddled baby in her arms, humming a broken, off-key lullaby with vacant eyes. The harsh shouts and rough shovings of the temple guards mingled with the suppressed sobs of the refugees and the shrill cries of the frightened child, creating a jarring and chilling atmosphere.

Xi Lian's slender fingers dug tightly into the cold window frame, her knuckles turning white. "By Eulonis..." she murmured, her face slightly pale, "Bai Mo, I'm a little worried... Bai E..."

“Bai E is incredibly resilient.” Bai Mo walked to her side, his gaze sweeping over the chaotic street, his brows furrowing slightly. “I believe in him. But… Janusapolis is probably going to be in for some trouble.”

Just then, the kitchen door was pushed open, bringing in a wisp of stale air from outside.

"Xi Lian! I'm here again to... uh, to learn!" Evelyn's voice rang out, but there was a hint of tension in her tone at the end. She strode in, as if trying to shake off the noise outside. "The city is in complete chaos, there are too many refugees. Only these few streets under martial law at the temple are still a place where we can breathe."

“Evelyn?” Xi Lian immediately turned around, her sharp gaze falling on her friend’s face. “You don’t look well? What happened?” Her azure eyes were full of concern.

"Ah? No, it's nothing serious." Evelyn forced a smile and waved her hand. "It's just... some of the refugees' accents sounded... kind of familiar." She took a deep breath, trying to lighten her tone. "Don't worry, Xilian! Shall we continue? That last time..."

Even so, Bai Mo, standing to the side, clearly "saw" that Evelyn's suppressed anxiety was silently leaping like a restless flame.

Evelyn tried to concentrate on talking to Xilian, but her fingertips unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, betraying her inner anxiety. The door of the small restaurant was flung open again, not by a customer, but by a thin man covered in dust and with bloodstains on his face. He staggered, his cloudy eyes searching the room anxiously, finally fixing on Evelyn.

"Miss...Miss!" the man cried out hoarsely, collapsing to the ground. "It's you...it really is you!"

Evelyn froze as if struck by lightning, her pupils shrinking. She recognized him as her family's old steward, Emmon. She rushed over to help him, her voice trembling, "Emmon? What happened...what happened at home?!"

Amon lifted his face, streaked with tears and grime, despair overflowing like a tangible force: "Gone...all gone, Miss! The Black Tide...suddenly surged in from the north, more powerful than ever before! The Type-Moon family..."

"No...it's impossible!" Evelyn's face turned deathly pale instantly, as if something she had always feared had been confirmed. She staggered backward, bumping into the corner of the table without even realizing it. "Father...Mother..."

Inside the cabin, only Evelyn's broken breaths and the hollow echo of the temple bells outside the window remained. Xi Lian held her friend tightly, feeling her uncontrollable trembling, as if her entire being was about to shatter from this sudden, devastating news. A bloodstained family crest fell to the floor with a jarring, sharp sound, announcing the end of a once-illustrious family. The air was heavy and suffocating.

It seems the world in Janusapolis is about to change. Bai Mo thought to himself.

“Bai Mo…” Xi Lian turned around and looked at Bai Mo.

"Hmm... Sister Xilian, I know..." Bai Mo put his hands in his pockets and looked out at the chaos. Inside his clothes, the half-faced 'Savior' was faintly burning...

But Bai Mo did not give Xi Lian a direct answer. What was he going to do? Save the world? Don't be ridiculous. With his past life and 36 years of experience, he was no longer that hot-blooded young man.

He just wanted to live a good life. As the title suggests, there was never any daily routine. But if anyone tried to disturb him... Bai Mo would make them prepare to be crushed.

Chapter 13 Bai Mo: Kill me? Really?

"I won't marry!"

“I will never marry Elliot!” Evelyn’s voice ripped through the heavy air of the hall, hoarse yet sharp with a burning intensity. Her slender back was taut, like a string about to snap. “My worth is not to be used as a bargaining chip in this kind of transaction! I would rather go to the temple for asceticism, I would rather go to the front lines to face the Black Tide! I would never…”

"Shut up!" A hoarse yet unusually violent shout, like a dull knife striking rotten wood, shattered Evelyn's declaration.

It was her great-aunt who spoke, her withered fingers gripping the back of the chair, knuckles white. Her cloudy eyes were fixed on Evelyn's face, burning with an almost insane rage. "You know nothing! All you know is kneeling here and suffering! What good is your little bit of priestly talent in this turbulent apocalypse?!"

Her withered arm suddenly rose, her fingertips whistling through the air, and stabbed fiercely at the dark marble floor beneath her feet, so smooth it reflected her image. Then she swept her hand across the intricate gold reliefs and ornate tapestries on the surrounding walls, her voice trembling violently with extreme excitement: "You have no idea how many 'Type-Moon' corpses are buried beneath this floor that supports us and these walls that shelter us from the wind!"

You think Janusapolis is paradise? Bullshit! This is a fortress! A sanctuary built layer upon layer with human lives! Every brick here is soaked in human blood!

The old man's chest heaved violently, a sickly flush rose on his withered face, and his eyes were fixed on Evelyn with a desperate, penetrating gaze:

"You think the man you married isn't to your liking? You think he's vulgar, rich but not noble?! You're so smart... so smart that all you can see are those pretty words from the temple? Don't you ever think that among all the people in the temple, it seems like you're the only one who understands that your talent is precious?!"

Where are the previous generations of Holy Maidens of the Temple now? They're all dead! And where are the Hunter and Ori families, those incredibly wealthy and powerful clans?! In the heart of the city! In the safest place! You don't know! You know nothing!"

She was breathing heavily, her throat making a hoarse, bellowing sound, each word like a poisoned ice pick, stabbing viciously at Evelyn:

"You have no idea what chaos has ensued outside because of that black tide! You have no idea how many people are crammed at the foot of the city walls, waiting to crawl in, selling their children for a piece of floor where they can lie down and stay dry! You only heard a few nice words and a few words of praise from inside the temple, and you think you've grown wings? That you can fly? That you can kick away the family that raised you and do whatever you want?!"

The final sound was a roar that seemed to tear at the vocal cords, carrying a destructive power:

"Wake up, Evelyn! Open your eyes and look! This is not some peaceful and prosperous world! This is the apocalypse! A world where you have to grit your teeth and dig your nails into the mud just to breathe! The family needs this way to survive! You—need it too!"

The two words, like two huge, rusty bronze bells, were struck simultaneously by despair and madness, exploding and echoing repeatedly in the magnificent yet suffocatingly cold hall.

The heavy, suffocating sound instantly extinguished the last trace of color in Evelyn's face, and shattered the self-deceiving illusion of peace and choice deep within her heart.

She staggered, her lips moving but no sound coming out; only her pale, paper-white cheeks and empty, unfocused pupils reflected her great-aunt's face, distorted with agitation.

Helios's thin, eagle-claw-like fingers held a newly acquired gold coin inlaid with a pigeon-blood ruby, which shimmered with an alluring yet cold light in the candlelight.

As he listened to his confidant's report, a glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes: "...A spiritual resonance so pure it's almost primordial? That old fox Vittorio has hidden a 'gem' that hasn't been carved yet! Tsk, it's such a waste that it's fallen into the hands of that old rigid who only knows rules and regulations!"

He slammed the gold coin onto the spread-out file on the table, right over the name "Xi Lian". "Go, find out her tastes, her preferences, her 'brother' who runs a small restaurant... use the sweetest honey and the softest cushions to 'invite' him over to her."

“Tell her I can give her what she could never get from Vittorio… ‘freedom’ and ‘value’. Remember, make her ‘willing’… the more willing she is, the better off she and her brother will be!”

At the same moment, the High Priest of Ascalon stood like an iron tower before a huge military map.

His fingers, like the battering ram, struck the relief symbol representing Janusapolis with a dull thud.

"The appearance of a saint... Vittorio, you are indeed playing a grand game. Are you trying to cultivate a 'true god' who is detached from worldly affairs and only obeys Oronis? So that you can break free from our constraints?"

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. "Unfortunately, this 'flag' is too dazzling... In this dark apocalypse, it is destined to only be planted on my city walls!"

He turned his head, shadows covering half of his hardened face, and ordered the man in black armor beside him: "Velto, as the Golden Child I discovered, it is time for you to serve me."

"I want every breath she takes, every moment of meditation, to be under my watchful eye! And that guy named Bai Mo beside her… I'll get rid of him when I get the chance. Vittorio wants to plant trees? Then I'll help him… pull out the weeds that are in his way too!" The cold command echoed in the secret room, carrying an unquestionable, iron-willed determination.

"The dust we encountered during the mission..." Vilto's eyes flickered, a longing rising in his heart.

"Kill them indiscriminately!"

"Just as I wished."

(Bai Mo: Kill me? Really?)

You have this idea, you are this—

The reason I can save your lives is this—)

“Teacher,” Jacob stood beside one of the three high priests of the temple, yet felt no sense of security. “Helios and Ascalon have already noticed Miss Xilian’s abnormality. She has progressed too quickly; in less than a year, she has almost become a high priest. If it weren’t for you, Teacher, keeping her rank under control…”

“It’s alright, let me pray to the gods one more time.” Vittorio solemnly set up the altar.

“O Olonis, your devout follower…” One second Vittorio was kneeling before the altar, the next he almost jumped up. “What? Such a clear oracle? What does it mean? That Xilian is of the Golden Blood, and that I must go find Aglaia of Ohmar right now?”

(Olonius: 666. I wasn't paying attention, and the demigod I chose almost got his base stolen.)

(Author's note: Absolutely! They've even forced the Titans to stop using riddles and start speaking plainly.)