Volume 1 Chapter 143: Michelle's Reflections

Mr. Smith, however, said, "Tell me about this mission first. What impression do the spiritual masters of Huaguo leave on you?"

Michelle replied, "The spiritual masters of Huaguo—I feel they are very merciful. Not only do they treat human beings well, but they also care deeply and meticulously for ghosts."

She recounted every single detail of the mission she had undertaken today alongside Chi Xingwan and Chu Fangfei, her tone unconsciously tinged with envy.

"Mr. Smith, do you think our previous practices in the Mi Nation were wrong? I witnessed benevolent souls today, and I am certain there must be kind people in our Mi Nation as well, who remain kind even after death. They do not deserve to be destroyed."

She eagerly anticipated that Mr. Smith would utter the response she longed to hear, but he remained completely expressionless, not even twitching a brow. He asked instead, "Are you saying that yesterday, underworld emissaries escorted the murderer's soul to testify?"

"Yes," Michelle blurted out. "Fortunately so; only then did the living truly realize they had wronged an innocent girl for a full six years."

Smith propped his chin in his hand. "How did they contact the underworld emissaries? And how did they persuade the emissaries to help?"

"Ah?" Michelle said blankly. "I'm sorry, I don't know."

Instead of rebuking her, Mr. Smith offered comfort, "You needn't blame yourself. You are not one of their own, so naturally, they would keep things from you."

Michelle felt that something was amiss, though she could not quite put her finger on it. She could only murmur softly, "They treated me very well."

"Hmph, the people of Huaguo are best at putting up a superficial front," Mr. Smith said with disdain. "Michelle, you are still young and lack experience; don't let them deceive you."

Michelle wanted to protest that she was already in her twenties, no longer a child, and that she could tell who was treating her with sincerity and who was not.

Mr. Smith took a deep breath, his expression growing solemn. "Michelle, you have done well. You have brought back a very important piece of intelligence. It seems we must re-evaluate the Huaguo Spiritual Masters Association. Their connection with the underworld has actually reached a level beyond our comprehension, and they have kept it so tightly concealed."

"I—Mr. Smith, that's not what I meant," Michelle said anxiously, realizing only then that she had inadvertently leaked secrets.

Mr. Smith gave her a warning look. "Michelle, have you forgotten that you are a citizen of the Mi Nation?"

"No," Michelle retorted instinctively. "I have never forgotten. I simply hope our country becomes better and better, for the living and the dead alike."

Mr. Smith stood up and patted Michelle on the shoulder. "I understand your intentions, Michelle. I am not doubting you. I will report what you've said to the internal leadership of the Association, but you must understand that the Association has existed for a long time; change cannot happen overnight."

Catching a glimmer of hope, Michelle said joyfully, "Mr. Smith, I understand. If the Association has any need of me, I will not hesitate."

***

Mr. Smith sat back down. "Next, let's talk about Chi Xingwan, the Super Class-A spiritual master of Huaguo. What do you think of her?"

Michelle pondered for a moment. "Consultant Chi is extremely powerful. I cannot see through her."

Mr. Smith furrowed his brow slightly. "Are you certain she didn't employ some method to conceal her strength from others' prying eyes?"

Michelle shook her head. "I detected nothing. She is indeed stronger than me, and I believe she is far stronger. She is simply too composed."

Over the past few days, Chi Xingwan had completely won Michelle over, not only due to her formidable power, but also because of her genuine sincerity toward spirits.

Michelle felt that if she were to pledge her loyalty to someone in the future, that person would have to be someone like Chi Xingwan.

"I understand. Go back and rest for now. We will remain in Huaguo for some time longer, and you will continue to stay by Chi Xingwan's side," Mr. Smith instructed.

Michelle asked in surprise, "Mr. Smith, isn't the Spiritual Masters Exchange Conference coming to an end soon?"

Mr. Smith curled the corners of his lips into a smile. "Let it end. If we wish to stay, we can simply remain behind."

"Why must we stay?" Michelle asked.

Smith glanced at her dismissively. "Michelle, there are things you ought not to know, so do not ask."

Michelle bit her lip. "Pardon me, I will take my leave."

She left Mr. Smith's room, but instead of returning to her own quarters, she knocked on the door of the deputy head of the delegation, Ms. Daisy Short.

Daisy opened the door and looked surprised to see her. "Michelle, is something the matter so late at night?"

Facing Daisy, Michelle felt much more at ease. "Ms. Daisy, I have some doubts in my mind. May I consult you?"

Daisy smiled. "Of course. Come on in."

After taking a seat and hesitating for a moment, Michelle said, "Ms. Daisy, I just came from Mr. Smith's room. He said we won't be returning home quite so soon, but isn't the Spiritual Masters Exchange Conference about to conclude?"

"Yes, it is drawing to a close," Ms. Daisy sighed. "And our objective this time still hasn't been achieved."

***

"What objective?" Michelle asked.

Ms. Daisy shook her head. "It's nothing. To be frank, the Spiritual Masters Exchange Conference is merely a game played by the higher-ups; it has nothing to do with you youngsters. You should just focus on enjoying yourselves."

Michelle then recounted to Ms. Daisy the events of the past few days' missions. "Ms. Daisy, I can't help wondering: are our past practices wrong? Should we really be treating spirits as our adversaries?"

"Michelle, I used to ponder that question as well. But you must understand, pacifying a spirit is far more difficult than destroying one."

"Ms. Daisy, I know that, but should we abandon it just because it's difficult?" Michelle asked with a trace of sadness.

Ms. Daisy walked over to her side and gently embraced her. "Michelle, it is not your fault; you need not feel sorrow."

"Ms. Daisy, I want to make a change," Michelle said.

"Very well, do as you see fit," Ms. Daisy replied. "Michelle, we are old now. The future belongs to your generation."

Encouraged by Ms. Daisy's support, Michelle found a measure of comfort, but then her tone shifted. "So, why are we staying in Huaguo?"

Ms. Daisy's expression froze momentarily. "That is not something you should know. Do not probe further."

"Mr. Smith said the same thing earlier. But why? As representatives visiting Huaguo, are we not even allowed to know the purpose of our own mission?"

Ms. Daisy stroked her hair. "Child, this is an order from the Association."

"Is it something bad?"

"You only need to know that some people cannot wait. They refuse to be relegated to second place. As for me, and you as well—all of us are merely pieces on a chessboard, with no right to choose."