20demayo Chapter 1 Absolute Power at the Top of the White House
Chapter 1 Absolute Power at the Top of the White House
The federal capital, Mingdu. As the city on the Douluo Continent where technology and soul power are most closely integrated, Mingdu is shrouded in a pale blue halo of soul guidance shields year-round. At the city's highest point stands a magnificent, pristine white building, resembling a divine realm—Capitol Hill, the White House. This is not only the political heart of the Sun Moon Federation but also the pinnacle of power on the entire continent.
Today, the air seemed to freeze inside the "Dome" at the top of the White House, and even breathing sounded out of place.
The person giving the report was a middle-aged man in a general's uniform; he was a major general on the executive committee of the Federal Parliament. At that moment, he was bowing his head, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, not daring to raise his gaze even slightly, for fear of disturbing the figure at the end of the long table.
There sat a man. He wore a well-tailored white military dress uniform, over which was a heavy, sleeveless satin robe in contrasting blue and red, predominantly Saxon blue, with blue and red tassels at the collar. A drape of the same fabric was fastened to his right shoulder, and a star and a sun and moon sash were worn on his left breast. There were no insignia on his shoulder boards, because his rank no longer needed any rank to prove it.
His golden hair shone like the sun, and his face was so handsome it was almost otherworldly. His hands were clasped together on the table, his fingertips long and slender. Behind him, a faint golden cross could be seen, and a halo behind his head emanated a chilling aura.
Mo Runshu. Speaker of the Sun and Moon Federation, one of the continent's recognized top fighters, a level 99 Quasi-God level Limit Douluo, possessing a demigod status.
"Sanctions?" Mo Runshu chuckled, his voice gentle and refined, yet carrying a chilling undertone. "You mean, the Spirit Pagoda, which built its fortune by monopolizing the soul spirit business, has the authority to sanction the Federation?"
He slowly raised his head, his eyes seemingly reflecting the rising and falling of the sun, moon, and stars. It was the divine radiance bestowed upon him by his martial soul, the Goddess of the Sun and Moon; merely looking at him sent shivers down one's spine.
"Tell the Spirit Pagoda, and those two old fogies, Xingluo and Douling, who are still playing the constitutional monarchy card," Mo Runshu tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his tone as indifferent as if he were discussing the weather, "that if they don't sign the agreement within three days, I will personally go to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters and send them on their way. As for Xingluo and Douling... if they want to test the power of the Federation Legion's level 4 to 11 fixed-mount soul-guided cannons, I don't mind launching a war of unification."
A casual remark sent a chill down the spines of all the generals present. This was their chairman—domineering, and possessing the means to be so.
"Yes!" the generals responded in unison, and filed out as if they had been granted a pardon.
When only the two of them remained in the council chamber, a cool, aloof figure emerged from the enormous floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, the bustling night view of Mingdu unfolded, with soul-guided airships weaving between skyscrapers and countless lights twinkling like a galaxy on earth.
Yue Mianmian wore a long silver dress, the hem embroidered with intricate star patterns. She had rare long silver hair, deep violet eyes, and a star crown composed of starlight floating above her head. As the vice-chairperson of the Sun and Moon Federation, she rarely appeared in public, because her martial soul, [Starry Angel], possessed a dark aura that made mortal souls tremble.
"Runshu, you're too impatient." Yue Mianmian walked to his side and sat down gently. Her tone was a little reproachful, but mostly doting. "The Spirit Pagoda has two quasi-gods backing it up, and there's also the shadow of that old stubborn guy from Shrek Academy. Although we are the highest leaders of the Federation, Shrek has been detached from worldly affairs for too long."
"Shrek?" Mo Runshu's lips curled into a playful smile. "That academy that only accepts monsters has indeed been a bit restless lately. But, Mian'er, what did your [Prophecy Angel] see?"
Yue Mianmian frowned slightly, extending her slender finger to lightly tap the table. A point of silver light spread out, transforming into a blurry image. In the image was a golden ocean, with a golden dragon and a silver dragon intertwined, surrounded by shattered earth and weeping soul beasts.
"I saw... the resurrection of the Dragon God, and the great calamity ten thousand years later." Yue Mianmian's voice was somewhat ethereal. "The Golden Dragon King's child has already been born."
Mo Runshu's eyes sharpened instantly: "Tang Wulin?"
"Yes." Yue Mianmian nodded. "According to the original trajectory, he would become the key to destroying the world, and also the hero who saves it. But now, our appearance has changed too many variables."
"Change?" Mo Runshu stood up, and the phantom of the cross sword behind him suddenly solidified. The terrifying fluctuation of soul power caused the surrounding air to explode. "If fate is against me, then I will shatter fate. If Tang Wulin is a variable, then I will hold him in my palm."
Just then, the doors to the council chamber opened silently.
Silver light bathed the old scabbard. His eyes were lowered, a few strands of his long black hair were lifted by the wind, brushing against his pale jawline. The long wind could not stir the frost on his brow; only within the cracks of the Hades Sword lay the long-extinguished stars. Those stories of killing and obsession had all burned to ashes on the tip of the blade. As he turned, the swirling snow fell on his cloak.
It was none other than Harosa, the head of the Heavenly Dou Dark Department and the Underworld King Douluo.
"Big brother, sister-in-law." Harosa's voice was low and soft, with a hoarseness that seemed to have been hollowed out by the years, like the wind blowing through a worn-out sword sheath, carrying an unyielding weariness and desolation.
"How did things go?" Mo Runshu asked.
"Those rats of the Holy Spirit Cult have a stronghold in East Sea City." Harosa's eyes flickered with eerie green flames. "And, I found an interesting little fellow there. His life force... is so rich that even I, a dead man, feel a longing for it."
"Donghai City?" Yue Mianmian's beautiful eyes flickered slightly. "That's where destiny began. That little guy, that must be Tang Wulin."
"Not only that." Harosa pulled a piece of intelligence from his pocket and handed it over. "That Silver Dragon King's avatar named Gu Yuena is also at East Sea Academy. They... met."
Mo Runshu took the intelligence report, his fingertips lightly stroking the paper, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
"A divine beast in human form, an avatar of the Silver Dragon King, with the bloodline of the Golden Dragon King," Mo Runshu said slowly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "This is truly a good show."
Yue Wanwan looked at Harossa and asked, "How is my sister Mu'er doing in Heaven Dou City? Did she get hurt when she broke through to the demigod level?"
Harosa replied, "I did well; I didn't get injured during the breakthrough."
Mo Runshu's voice was steady and powerful, his gaze still fixed on the intelligence report, as if his previous comment about "a good show" was just stating a perfectly ordinary fact.
"Everything is going well with Mu'er, so please don't worry, sister-in-law," Harosa replied respectfully, then added, "She asked me to convey that she will also go to Donghai City to join us when the time is right."
"Very good." Yue Wanwan nodded. "Tell Xiao Mu not to worry. We'll keep an eye on things in Donghai City."
Yue Wan smiled slightly, and the wings of the Star Angel behind her unfurled, instantly enveloping the entire council hall in dark elements.
"Runshu, are you going on another incognito trip? What about the affairs of the Federation...?"
"With me here, who would dare to act recklessly?" Mo Runshu said calmly. "Besides, some things can only be seen more clearly from outside the game. Tang Sect, Shrek Academy, Holy Spirit Cult... this pool is too murky; it's time to stir it up."
Night fell over the entire Parliament building. The classical and solemn stone building stood quietly under the warm yellow lights, its spire disappearing into the deep black sky. Scattered lights shone through the windows, making this building, a symbol of order and power, appear even more solemn.
On the steps, a man and a woman stood side by side, a couple. The man was tall and dignified, his sharp features barely concealed by the darkness, yet softening unconsciously when he looked at the woman beside him. He turned slightly to the side, shielding her between the light and shadow, one hand naturally around her waist, his movements restrained yet tender.
The woman nestled beside him, her figure slender, gazing up at the night sky atop the building, her profile softly outlined by the streetlights. A gentle evening breeze ruffled her hair, and the man reached out to tuck a stray strand behind her ear, his fingertips brushing against her cheek, eliciting a soft chuckle.
There were no noisy neon lights, only the calm light and shadow of the parliament building falling on the two of them. In the solemn and dignified environment, their eyes reflected only each other, and a silent intimacy quietly spread in the night. The coldness of power and order was gently melted by this moment of tenderness.
Meanwhile, in a corner of Donghai City, a young man with blue eyes was wielding a hammer, forging a piece of metal with clanging sounds. Unbeknownst to him, atop the White Palace in the distant Mingdu, two supreme beings capable of destroying the world had already set their sights on him.
At this moment, the gears of fate began to rumble heavily.