The next day, Liu Hui stumbled out of his room yawning, only to find his parents watching the morning television news at half-past seven.

"Son, there's breakfast and congee on the table, hurry up and eat it while it's hot," his mother called out.

"Ah, I really drank too much last night; my head still feels a bit off now." Liu Hui rubbed his forehead, stretched his body, and then sat down to eat.

His father watched the TV and chuckled, "Truly, Heaven's net is vast, though it seems wide, nothing escapes it. We were just talking yesterday about why that family planning cadre from Shenshao City hadn't faced retribution, and look, he was killed last night by someone calling himself Black Mask. What a satisfying outcome."

Liu Hui immediately turned his attention to the TV. They were watching Sky Channel, which was currently reporting on the murder case in the commercial district from the previous night involving Black Mask. The reporter named Yang Simin had luckily snagged an exclusive scoop, and the station was now airing the footage she secretly filmed of the murder scene. The title card for the video read: "The Instigator of the Shao Clan Orphans Meets His End in Hong Kong; Black Mask Appears to Uphold Justice and Bring Clarity to the World."

The on-scene footage was incredibly clear, showing the entire process of Black Mask leaping down from the sky and taking down Wang Yunxu. However, the scene of Wang Yunxu's gruesome death had been pixelated because it was simply too bloody. In the video, two police officers appeared and fired at Black Mask; Black Mask miraculously used his long sword to block the bullets, then leaped onto a tall building before vanishing. The entire sequence was breathtaking, feeling much like watching a blockbuster movie in a theater.

After the footage ended, the reporter, Yang Simin, appeared. She addressed the camera, saying, "Dear viewers, a crime-fighting vigilante known as Black Mask emerged in our city last night. In full view of the public, this Black Mask killed a family planning cadre from Shenshao City—a cadre whose actions our station had previously reported on in earlier news segments. According to the latest information we've received from the police, after dispatching the family planning cadre, Black Mask also eliminated the entire leadership of a triad known as the Zhonglian Gang later that same night. Police sources reveal a commonality in both murder cases: Black Mask placed a black token in the mouth of each deceased, inscribed with the words: 'Heaven's wrath may be forgiven, but self-inflicted harm cannot be escaped,' followed by the signature 'Black Mask.' Unfortunately, the police state these tokens are evidence, so we have been unable to view this legendary plaque. Now, let's conduct some on-the-street interviews with Hong Kong citizens to gauge their reactions to the Black Mask incident..."

The TV then switched to footage of the reporter interviewing citizens on the streets of Hong Kong.

"At first, I thought this Black Mask was quite cruel because he killed an innocent citizen; he wasn't the superhero I imagined. But when I learned that the person killed was the main person responsible for the 'Shao Clan Orphans,' I realized Black Mask is truly admirable, worthy of the title 'Hero.' Black Mask, I support you!" one interviewed citizen declared to the camera, making a victory sign.

"I don't think Black Mask should have appeared. Although there is a lot of filth in this world, we should trust the law, we should trust the relevant authorities; they will surely provide us with a satisfactory answer," declared a middle-aged man righteously.

Reporter: "Do you know the victim?"

"Ahem, I was the victim's colleague," the middle-aged man stammered.

Reporter: "Which department do you mean by 'relevant authorities,' and which jurisdiction's laws will deliver justice for those orphans?"

The middle-aged man immediately covered his face and fled.

"Black Mask is so cool! I especially love that move where he just gestures, and that giant white sword flies right into his hand. It's just like the cultivators in Xianxia novels—totally awesome! If I could learn that move, I wouldn't be afraid of Big Bear bullying me anymore," said an envious student, looking about seventeen or eighteen.

"I am a Hong Kong police officer. I hope Black Mask will turn himself in immediately and bravely accept responsibility. His emergence will change the social climate. Others will inevitably imitate him, leading to many private acts of revenge, which will cause social disorder. Black Mask is not an enforcer of the law and has no right to take a life," a police officer stated seriously.

"Haha, Hong Kong finally has its own superhero! I'm done watching Spider-Man and Superman; I'm only obsessed with Black Mask. Black Mask, if you want to arrange a hotel room, be sure to call me," an edgy girl from the nineties said, her eyes full of stars, holding up a piece of paper with a phone number written on it.

"I must find this Black Mask; his vertical leap talent is terrifying. I believe that if he agrees to my professional guidance and enters the Olympic high jump competition, he will definitely win the gold," an excited man who looked like a coach exclaimed.

"Pfft," Liu Hui couldn't help but laugh when he saw this.

"Son, what's so funny? I don't think he's wrong," his father remarked, displeased.

"It's nothing, Dad. Look at that coach-like guy—suggesting Black Mask participate in the Olympics? Doesn't he realize Black Mask just killed someone? Wouldn't a murderer participating in the Olympics be walking right into a trap?" Liu Hui explained.

"Son, I don't care what you think. But I find this Black Mask very much to my taste; I really admire that spirit of acting on Heaven's behalf. I forbid you from laughing at him," his father said sternly.

"Okay, okay, the son was just saying things casually. Why are you getting angry, old man? Are you perhaps that Black Mask yourself?" His mother walked over, immediately suppressing his father.

"Hehe, when did I get angry? I was just saying what a beautiful day it is today, right, son?" the father replied with a fawning smile.

"Son, let's go to the balcony and have a good talk, and ignore your father," his mother said to Liu Hui.

"Okay." Liu Hui quickly finished the congee in his bowl and followed his mother out to the balcony.

Liu Hui and his mother stood on the balcony, gazing at the distant horizon. It was a fine day; the sun had only recently risen, and the surrounding clouds were magnificent, layered with vapor and showcasing a myriad of atmospheric changes.

"Son, it's been a long time since we've had a real chat, hasn't it?" his mother said.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I've been too busy with work and neglected your feelings. I promise to spend more time chatting with you from now on," Liu Hui apologized immediately.

His mother looked at Liu Hui with loving eyes and smiled, "Silly son, you're doing important things; how could I blame you? I just have a few things I want to tell you today."

"Mom, what is it you want to tell me?" Liu Hui asked curiously.

"I believe you already know about my background? But you never asked, so I never elaborated in detail," his mother said.

Liu Hui scratched his head, "Well... I thought you didn't want me to know, so I didn't ask much."

"Hehe, when I was young, I didn't want people to know, but now that I'm older, my perspective has changed, and I actually want you to know," his mother chuckled.

Liu Hui asked, "Mom, why is that?"

"Silly son, I watched your romantic journey unfold and felt a bit sad for you, which is why I want to tell you about my own path, so you don't repeat my mistakes," his mother looked at Liu Hui dotingly.

"Mom..."

"Son, when your mother was young, I fell in love with a man and even had a child with him. But because of that particular era, I became separated from that man and child. In the years immediately following our separation, I was in agony every day, living in a daze, feeling that life held no meaning. If I hadn't met your father later, I might not even be alive today," his mother began reminiscing about her past.

"Mhm, I've heard bits and pieces of this story," Liu Hui replied vaguely.

"Compared to the man I loved before, your father is simply crude and unworthy of mention. His looks, education, and conversation skills were worlds apart from that man; you could say the difference was heaven and earth. The only thing they shared was the love they held for me. But by the time I realized that commonality, several years had already passed," his mother sighed reflectively.

"Mom, I don't understand any of this. What exactly are you trying to tell me?" Liu Hui was utterly confused.

"Son, I'm trying to tell you that many things in this world aren't absolute. Take me, for instance. Initially, I thought I couldn't live after leaving the man and child I loved. But then I met your father, and under his care, I accepted him. I later understood that life is never perfect; it doesn't stay in an ideal state forever; there will always be deviations. So, what do you do when deviations occur? Do you stubbornly stick to the original path, or do you actively adapt to the change? If I had stubbornly followed the old path, this family wouldn't exist, and neither would you. But because I adapted to that deviation, I gained another kind of happiness, which led to your existence. Although being with the person I loved most might have brought greater happiness, having you all has made me content now," his mother explained.

"This seems a bit too profound. I only understood half of it," Liu Hui admitted.

"What I mean is, you must grasp the happiness that belongs to you. Otherwise, regretting it after happiness has slipped away is meaningless," his mother stated.

"Mom, you mean..." Liu Hui was beginning to grasp her point.

"Exactly. I want to talk about your emotional life. We've watched your relationship with Liang Jingyue, and we were very pleased. But you've separated now, and you can't contact her. That's also unavoidable—it's that deviation in life I mentioned, the imperfection. But you clearly lack the mindset to cope with this deviation. Do you truly intend to give up on romance and live alone? If you do, you will miss out on so much beauty. I think even Liang Jingyue wouldn't want to see you like this if she knew your current state," his mother said, stroking Liu Hui's head.

"But I can't let go of her in my heart. How am I supposed to handle this?" Liu Hui understood what his mother meant, but he couldn't truly forget Liang Jingyue and start a new relationship.

"The pain in my heart back then was no less than yours now, but I got through it and started a new life. Since you can't find Liang Jingyue now, and I suspect she is deliberately avoiding you, why don't you try starting a new relationship? What is the only thing that heals emotional wounds if not emotion itself?" his mother suggested.

"Mom, I understand everything you're saying, but where am I supposed to start a new relationship? I just don't feel anything for other girls," Liu Hui sighed.

"Son, you're not being honest. Do you think I can't see the special look in your eyes when you look at Hu Xian'er? Or that satisfied gaze you occasionally show when you see her, like a husband looking at his wife? It's not just me; even your father noticed it. That's why we often invite Hu Xian'er over, hoping you two can deepen your mutual understanding," his mother smiled.

"No way. I always thought Hu Xian'er and I just had a normal colleague relationship. How did it turn into a romantic relationship in your eyes?" Liu Hui asked in confusion.

"Son, you can pretend there's nothing between you and Hu Xian'er, but you can't lie to your own heart. Think about it now: if Hu Xian'er went on a date with another man, and they started a new family and had a bunch of kids, would your heart ache?" his mother asked.

Liu Hui pictured that scenario and indeed felt a pang of pain in his chest, pressing his hand against it in shock.

"See? I wasn't lying to you. You've fallen in love with Hu Xian'er without even realizing it. Your father and I are very fond of Hu Xian'er too, so we both support you," his mother said proudly.

"But, Liang Jingyue..." Liu Hui struggled internally.

"We aren't asking you to give up Liang Jingyue. We just hope you can break free from the cage of your heart, start feeling the warmth of emotion again, and explore another possibility. As for where your ultimate allegiance lies, that is for you to choose," his mother clarified.

Liu Hui suddenly understood and smiled, "I get it. I will try exploring another possibility in life."

His mother smiled, "That's more like it. We are mother and son, and I certainly don't want my tragedy to be repeated in your life."

Three days later, Liu Hui contacted Xiaoyaozi in the Cultivation Plane using the Planar Trader. He gave Xiaoyaozi one thousand Level Four Demonic Beast Crystal Cores in exchange for ten thousand bullets of various calibers engraved with the Ice-Fire Array formation, along with twenty-five Low-Grade Protective Talismans. Xiaoyaozi received the premium spirit stones he desperately coveted, and Liu Hui obtained equipment to enhance Zhou Tengyun's strength. Both parties were immensely pleased.

A few days later, Zhou Tengyun formally led his team out. Liu Hui handed over the special ammunition and protective talismans to Zhou Tengyun, along with instructions on how to use them. Zhou Tengyun was delighted to receive these items, as the African battlefield was extremely dangerous, and every marginal increase in strength meant a better chance of survival. As for the sudden appearance of Black Mask that night, the two tacitly avoided the subject, agreeing to let that secret remain buried forever in their hearts.

About a week after that, the Intelligence and Planning Department, which Liu Hui had specifically established, began yielding results. The department head, Yang Xiao, and Yang Dong approached Liu Hui to report on their progress.

"Boss, we haven't disappointed your expectations. Our first phase of religious structuring is complete," Yang Xiao said excitedly, handing over a stack of papers.

Liu Hui took the papers; the cover read: The Holy Canon of the Church of Light in the Primordial Chaos Magic World. He flipped through the contents, nodding as he read.

"Boss, what do you think?" Yang Dong looked at Liu Hui expectantly.

"Mhm, it's much more rigorous than I imagined, with practically no loopholes. How did you manage this?" Liu Hui said satisfactorily.

"Boss, since you authorized us to form this department, we specifically recruited several senior assistants to handle this matter," Yang Xiao explained.

"What kind of senior assistants?" Liu Hui inquired.

"Boss, to ensure absolute perfection, we hired a senior scholar specializing in religious studies, a seasoned psychological expert, a master of oratory, a professor of behavioral science, a god-tier online writer, and two high-level con artists. Including the two of us, this nine-person team managed to produce this canon," Yang Dong elaborated.

"Hehe, very well done. The people you found show great creativity. Now that the first phase is complete, we must immediately begin the second phase of structuring. You all did excellent work this time; I'm giving you bonuses," Liu Hui said, pleased.

"Thank you, Boss, thank you, Boss!" Yang Xiao and Yang Dong rejoiced, bowing repeatedly. They never imagined that relying on sheer imagination could make them favorites of the boss one day.

After dismissing Yang Xiao and Yang Dong, Liu Hui reread the Canon of Light several times before heading down to the basement to summon Alexander from the Magic Plane using the Planar Trader.

As usual, Alexander quickly appeared on the screen of the Planar Trader.

"Respected Teacher, greetings. It is a pleasure to see you," Alexander said respectfully.

"My dear Alexander, you look quite well," Liu Hui smiled.

"That is all thanks to Teacher solving my previous troubles, which is why my spirits are so high," Alexander replied cheerfully.

"By the way, how is your development progressing now?" Liu Hui asked.

"Respected Teacher, we have now completely cleared out the large canyon we inhabit. The land contaminated by slime saliva has been flushed clean with fresh water, and the swamps have been walled off to become fertile fields. I believe that in a few months, we can start planting in the canyon, and then we will be self-sufficient, no longer needing to trouble you every time," Alexander explained.

"Mhm, you've done well. How is your strength developing now?" Liu Hui inquired.

"Respected Teacher, the strength of our Human Race is now formidable. Those early practitioners of Sacred Battle Qi have now reached the level of Level Five Warriors. By the way, John told me about the Level Five Warrior standard; John is the person who used to be the gardener for the nobility in the world beyond the mountains. He has read many books that included hierarchical classifications for warriors. So, I used the standards from those books to categorize the warrior levels, and now all the warriors know the grading system," Alexander explained.

"How strong is a Level Five Warrior?" Liu Hui asked.

"A Level Five Warrior can generally kill a Level Four Demonic Beast single-handedly, although they will likely sustain injuries themselves," Alexander stated.

"How far have you progressed in your Light Magic?" Liu Hui asked.

"A few days ago, I finally broke through and became an Advanced Mage. I can already use high-level magic now, and it is indeed much more powerful than low or intermediate-level magic." Alexander became visibly excited when discussing his magical cultivation; mastering great power seemed to be every man's dream.

Liu Hui was somewhat numb to Alexander's rapid magical progress, so he simply asked briefly before moving on to other topics: "How large is your population now?"

"Since we occupied this canyon, we have begun expanding into the surrounding mountains. During this expansion, we brought the populations of eight major mines under our control. We now have over twenty-one thousand people," Alexander reported.

"Have you taught them all Sacred Battle Qi?" Liu Hui asked.

"I taught everyone to learn Sacred Battle Qi, but only about half can manage to learn this specific type of Battle Qi. The other half cannot sense it no matter what. So, I passed on the method from magic—accumulating magic power through meditation—to this remaining half. As a result, only about half of those who couldn't cultivate Sacred Battle Qi could sense the fluctuations of magic particles and accumulate power in their bodies. So, the remaining individuals who couldn't learn anything amount to about five thousand people," Alexander explained.

"My dear Alexander, didn't you say managing these people was becoming troublesome? I will teach you a method now. As long as you strictly follow the steps I give you, I guarantee you will manage them easily, and they will respect you and never betray you," Liu Hui suddenly said mysteriously.

"Teacher, are you serious? If that's true, it would be wonderful. I'm nearly driven mad by this problem already," Alexander exclaimed with joy.

"My dear Alexander, you now know that the Elves worship the Goddess of Nature as their deity. Do you know which deity your human race worships?" Liu Hui asked.

"The Goddess of Nature only protects the noble Elves, and only under the Goddess's protection do the Elves become nobility, ruling this world. But that Goddess of Nature will never deign to bless people like us humans," Alexander said, his voice heavy with dejection.

"Heh heh, dear Alexander, do you truly believe this world has only one Goddess of Nature? What if I told you that your human race also has a deity who could shelter you?" Liu Hui looked at Alexander with a slight smile.

"Teacher, is that true? Can we humans also have the blessing of a god?" Alexander pressed quickly.

"Ahem, Alexander, you naturally lack divine protection, but you can create one for yourselves! Wouldn't that give you the divine blessing you seek?" Liu Hui proposed.

"Create a deity ourselves? Deities are supreme; how could we possibly create one?" Alexander was utterly baffled.

"My dear Alexander, I have already created this deity for you," Liu Hui chuckled.

"Dearest Teacher, please, tell me about this deity quickly then," Alexander said happily.

Liu Hui then pulled out the stack of documents and began to instill the history of the Church of Light into Alexander.

"This world of yours was not always as it is now. In the very beginning, when this world formed, the cosmos was boundless, filled only with chaos and darkness, devoid of any living beings. After countless eons nurtured within the chaos, a deity was born therein—a deity of utmost nobility and power, supreme above all. He called himself the God of Light."

Liu Hui paused, noting Alexander's rapt attention. Relieved that his hook was set, he continued, "This God of Light spent countless ages in the boundless darkness. Gradually, he grew dissatisfied with the endless void, and so he decided to create a world according to his ideal. He raised his mighty divine power, waved his hand, and commanded, 'Let there be light,' and thus, light came into being. The God of Light named 'light' as 'Day' and 'darkness' as 'Night.' The brightness receded, and darkness returned; from then on, the world experienced the alternation of day and night. This was the first day of creation by the God of Light."

"On the second day, the God of Light was still displeased with the empty vista before him. He waved his hand again and declared, 'Let the heavens be filled with stars.' And so, the cosmos became dotted with countless stars, large and small. The God of Light arranged the sun, moon, and stars in the sky according to a certain order, assigning them their respective duties to govern the day, night, and seasons."

"On the third day, seeing the land still undifferentiated chaos, the God of Light was displeased and decreed, 'Let the waters gather together, so that dry land may appear.' And so, the waters converged, and the land emerged, thus forming the continents and the oceans."

"On the fourth day, the God of Light commanded further, 'Let vegetation and all manner of greens spring forth from the land.' And so, the earth brought forth grass and trees, all sorts of fruits and vegetables appeared, heavy with seeds, and the entire land was vibrant with life."

"On the fifth day, the God of Light spoke: 'Let the waters teem with fish, and let the skies be filled with countless birds; let there be all kinds of beasts and insects upon the land.' And so, all manner of fish, winged birds, animals, and creeping things appeared in the world. Fish swam freely in the water; birds soared through the sky unhindered. Beasts roamed the earth at will, and insects danced among the flowers and grass."

"On the sixth day, the God of Light looked upon the bright sun, the vast earth, the world adorned in a hundred colors, beasts leaping, insects buzzing, fish swimming, and birds singing, and he was immensely satisfied. He then declared, 'I shall create humanity in my own image, that they may rule over all the things of the earth and the beasts that move thereon.' Thus, the God of Light molded figures from the earth, breathed a breath of ethereal essence into them, and the human race was born from the hands of the God of Light."

"However, because the creation of a world demanded an enormous expenditure of divine power, the God of Light, upon completing the creation, exhausted his strength and fell into a long, deep slumber. While the God of Light slept, other deities slowly came into being in this world. Because the human race lost the protection of the God of Light, their status began to decline. Their dominion over the earth's myriad things and beasts was usurped by the rising Elven race, and humans themselves were reduced to slavery under the Elves, losing their former civilization and glory."

"Thus, the humans lived wretched lives. This continued for millennia, until not a single human remembered they were a noble race descended from the God of Light, merely surviving precariously under Elven rule. But now, the long-slumbering God of Light has begun to awaken. He discovered that the humanity he created has been enslaved by other races, and therefore, he must unleash his great power to save them. Consequently, all humans who believe in the God of Light will receive divine salvation and live good lives; those who do not believe will continue in degradation, forever oppressed by other races."

Liu Hui finished narrating the history of the God of Light, which he had fabricated entirely, only to find Alexander staring blankly, unresponsive. He felt a pang of anxiety and called out, "Alexander? Alexander?"

"Oh, dear Teacher, forgive me, I was just lost in thought," Alexander apologized sheepishly.

"Alexander, what do you think of this God of Light I created for you? Is it not utterly convincing? As long as your human race believes in the God of Light, you can manage human affairs perfectly. No matter how far they are from you, they will forever respect you and never betray you," Liu Hui said with a smile.

"Teacher, why do I feel that what you said about the God of Light is so familiar, as if I have experienced it myself in my heart?" Alexander asked, a look of confusion on his face.

"Uh, haha... Alexander, I am truly impressed with you; you’ve stepped into the role so quickly. That's right; if you want to trick others into believing in the God of Light, you must first believe in him yourself. Well done, well done. It seems all that study of Machiavellian cunning was not in vain. Alexander, you are ready to graduate," Liu Hui exclaimed, momentarily stunned, then pleased.

Alexander paused only briefly in his confusion before asking immediately, "Esteemed Teacher, now that the God of Light has appeared, how should I utilize him to govern the entirety of the human race?"

"For that, you must establish the Church of the God of Light, with the God of Light as the sole true deity, and then, based on this church, create the Holy See of Light to manage its followers. With this administrative body, managing the entire human race will be exceedingly convenient, as easy as moving your own limbs," Liu Hui explained.

"What kind of administrative body is this? And why would they respect me?" Alexander inquired, curiosity piqued.

"Heh heh, this Holy See is an administrative structure centered around the Pope. You will be the Pope of the Holy See of Light—the only one capable of communicating with the God of Light. You will convey the God's decrees and report on the condition of the followers back to the deity. By building a series of management departments around yourself, you can gain complete control over humanity," Liu Hui chuckled.

"The Pope? The only one who can communicate with the God of Light?" Alexander glanced at Liu Hui, a spark flashing in his eyes.

"Precisely. In name, you are the only one who can communicate with the God of Light; no one knows whether what you say is true or false. Therefore, your words represent the God of Light. You can speak entirely according to your own desires. If you approve of something, you declare it good; if you dislike it, you reject it—a power that is immense," Liu Hui elaborated.

"But what does the God of Light look like? I have no idea; how can I describe him to other humans?" Alexander countered.

"Heh heh, imagine the appearance of the God of Light in your own heart. The more mysterious the God of Light appears, the better; after all, no one else knows you are deceiving them," Liu Hui advised.

"Teacher, I understand. Now, please tell me the specific details," Alexander, having grasped the concept, immediately asked Liu Hui to instruct him on the particulars of establishing the Holy See of Light.

Thus, Liu Hui spent five hours discussing the concrete matters of organizing the Holy See of Light with Alexander. Experiencing these mythical concepts for the first time, Alexander was tremendously excited. Coupled with his sharp intellect, he quickly comprehended everything after Liu Hui's detailed explanations.

Liu Hui closed the communication link with Alexander. He stretched languidly. Alexander’s domain was about to enter a period of massive development, and Liu Hui would soon reap substantial rewards from the magic world. In his own world, the Starry Sky Group, after a period of necessary concealment, was on the cusp of a major breakthrough, set to ascend rapidly in the coming days. At the very least, he couldn't lag behind Alexander's progress.

Today marks a super-sized chapter—8,600 words. The second phase of this book is finally concluded, wherein Liu Hui journeyed from the continent to Hong Kong, struggling to survive in the cracks, yet ultimately forging a domain for himself.

The story now enters its third phase. In this stage, Liu Hui’s Starry Sky Group will evolve into a true multinational behemoth, unveiling various super-technologies one after another. Furthermore, the Starry Sky City, long planned by Liu Hui, will finally commence construction, bringing tremendous shock to the world.

In this third phase, Liu Hui’s romantic life will also see new developments. Will he finally unite with Liang Jingyue? And how will he navigate his feelings for Hu Xian'er? Hidden Fish Sailing forth will unfold these narratives for you one by one. Stay tuned!

P: These notes and reflections do not count toward the paid word count.