Glorious God Throne

June 17, 2025, in Silver City, the City of Stars.

The Central Museum, Silver City’s largest museum, recently acquired a batch of precious collections. This news had been featured for three consecutive days in the Morning Star Times, the newspaper with the largest circulation, and generated considerable discussion online. Although no images of the collections were released to the public, some basic information was available, including the types and names of certain items.

These happened to match the list of missing items Joey had provided. If he saw them, he would be able to guess their origin.

At one o’clock in the afternoon, a distinctively dressed visitor arrived at the entrance of the Central Museum, which had been closed to the public recently.

He appeared to be around 22 years old, dressed in a somewhat vintage style with a neat linen shirt and a miniature black cube-shaped button fastened at his shoulder. A classical short cloak was attached to his back, with silk-like black hair flowing down along the cloak. He wore men’s boots, a style rarely seen nowadays.

He reminded people of the mysterious mages from fantasy stories.

The young man’s gaze at his surroundings was undoubtedly that of a stranger, like any first-time visitor to this city. After just a glance at the Central Museum’s entrance to confirm he hadn’t come to the wrong place, he walked straight toward the museum doors.

The surrounding crowd parted like the sea around him, everyone unconsciously ignoring him while instinctively making way when meeting him face to face.

Thus, he walked in a straight line to the museum entrance.

Joey looked up at the large characters spelling “Central Museum” above the door, nodding slightly as if confirming again he hadn’t made a mistake. His gaze then lowered to the tightly closed doors.

“…” Though he didn’t say anything, his calm, contemplative expression clearly showed he was considering how to open these sealed doors.

The first impression he gave was…

It wouldn’t have seemed out of place if he had blown the doors open the next second.

Fortunately, someone appeared just in time to save these poor doors.

“Mr. Joey, you’ve finally arrived!”

A delighted voice suddenly rang out. Joey turned around to see a figure quickly darting out from behind a tree near the entrance, speaking with the excitement of a starving dog finally seeing a meat bun. This person rushed to him with superhuman speed, barely restraining himself from grabbing Joey’s hands.

“Ah, it’s you?”

Joey looked at the suddenly appeared person with unruffled calm, suspiciously pausing for three seconds before recognizing that this pitiful corporate slave with thick dark circles under his eyes was someone he had met once before.

Asa did look very different now.

Slightly messy hair, thick pandas eyes typical of overworked employees, multiple creases on his gray suit shirt that couldn’t be smoothed out… Joey’s gaze swept over to the vehicle discreetly parked at the corner of the museum near the large tree, and his expression became even more peculiar.

This guy couldn’t have been staking out in the car for several days, could he? As he thought this, Asa’s next words confirmed his suspicion. “I’ve been waiting here for you for three days. I’m glad you finally showed up. I was worried you hadn’t seen the news or received our message.”

…So, because they couldn’t be certain when and where he would appear, the Bureau had sent people to stake out at different locations? And this Central Museum, which they had deliberately mentioned in the news, was indeed the most likely place Joey would come to, so they specifically assigned Asa, who had previous contact with him, as an “acquaintance”?

The Bureau’s higher-ups had really thought this through. Though it was quite pitiful for this panda-eyed corporate slave – even if others took turns keeping watch with him, he probably couldn’t rest properly these past three days with such an important task. And now he had to be so attentive in front of Joey, the very cause of his suffering… tsk. Was this what it meant to be an adult in society?

After three seconds of fake sympathy in his mind, “Joey” silently raised the rolled-up newspaper in his left hand and calmly replied.

“I saw your announcement in the Times. I never expected the Times would flourish for so many years and even become one of the Empire’s top newspapers. I was quite surprised when I saw it at the news stand.”

Your tone doesn’t sound surprised at all… Asa silently criticized while instinctively analyzing the information revealed in Joey’s words.

…In his impression, or rather during his active period, the Times must have been a fairly famous newspaper, but hadn’t yet reached the top tier.

…So probably 80 to 100 years ago, which was when the Times began its rapid development.

…And during the intervening decades, he must not have paid attention to worldly affairs, hence his ignorance of the Times’ development. Was he isolated from the world, or in some kind of sealed slumber?

Asa’s brow twitched significantly.

…Indeed, he really was a mysterious figure from the old era! The Bureau’s internal speculation hadn’t been wrong!

His attitude became even more cautious as he gestured and led the way for Joey. “Since you’re here, please get in the car. The Director has been looking forward to your arrival.”

“Then I’m somewhat looking forward to it as well,” Joey smiled, following him to the inconspicuous car parked at the museum’s corner.

…..

Half an hour later, after winding through the city streets, the car finally arrived at a highly secretive special club.

Bai Yi, wearing Joey’s vest, watched as Asa presented a membership card and expertly greeted the receptionist, who didn’t even glance at them before leading them through a hidden corridor to a certain room.

This was clearly not the Special Affairs Administration Bureau’s headquarters or any of its branches, but rather seemed like the kind of secret venue politicians would choose for their tacit exchanges of interests. However, this didn’t surprise Bai Yi.

How to put it? He actually had a feeling this was exactly what he expected.

—This indicated that the other party wasn’t representing the Chenxing Empire this time, but rather meeting Joey in a more personal capacity, or solely as the Director of the Special Affairs Administration Bureau, before other high-ranking officials of the Chenxing Empire became aware.

—He wanted to show goodwill to Joey in a personal capacity, at most representing the Special Affairs Administration Bureau as an independent organization to establish connections with Joey, without wanting other forces to get a piece of the pie.

After two light knocks, an authoritative middle-aged male voice came from inside. “Come in.” Asa opened the door and gestured to the young man behind him, “Mr. Joey, please.”

As the door slowly opened, Joey’s view became unobstructed, and his gaze met a pair of blue-gray eyes.

Joey chuckled softly and walked in with ease.

Asa didn’t enter, thoughtfully closing the door from outside.

Waiting in the room was a middle-aged man approximately 45-50 years old, but unlike most men his age, he didn’t have a potbelly. Instead, he possessed an agility uncommon for his age. His collar was buttoned to the top without a single wrinkle, and even while sitting, his posture was ramrod straight. His fingers naturally hung at his sides, and one could faintly see the thick calluses formed from years of handling guns on his inner palms… Many details fell into Joey’s eyes in an instant, making him immediately understand—did this leader of the Chenxing Empire’s Special Affairs Administration Bureau have a military background?

And just as Joey was observing the Bureau Director, Chandler was simultaneously observing him, comparing the person before him with the analysis provided by various Bureau experts.

Vintage clothing, mixed-race features, an air of subtle incongruity with the times, elegant but not overly formal manners, never stating his surname and no family crests appearing on his clothes or works… Likely born to a well-off middle-class intellectual family in the last century, not nobility, or perhaps a fallen noble family that didn’t care about honor and fame—the latter possibility was lower, and after seeing him in person, the second speculation could be ruled out.

—So, he was born to a middle-class family in the last century, well-educated, art-loving, held a high position in the mysterious extraordinary organization known as the Artists’ Association, and was an extraordinary who had been isolated from the outside world for decades for unknown reasons before emerging.

“Mr. Joey, I’ve long heard of your reputation, and finally have the opportunity to meet you today.”

After pondering in his mind for what was probably just half a minute in reality, Chandler gave a simple greeting. The long-haired young man sitting across from him nodded with a smile and responded, “Mr. Chandler.”

He didn’t bother with polite social pleasantries and went straight to the point. “For you to dare meet me in person, I must say I’m impressed by your courage.”

After that livestream, everyone knew his path was in the spiritual system, and he could potentially control minds like the Curse Painting. For the leader of an extraordinary organization to dare meet him in person without fearing mental manipulation showed remarkable courage indeed.

Understanding the implied meaning, Chandler replied candidly, “It would be dishonest to say I’m not concerned at all. However, upon careful consideration, I have no grudge against Mr. Joey, and I come with sincere intentions to connect. I believe you’re not the type to trample on such sincerity.”

As he spoke, he suddenly pressed something on the table’s edge. A section of the wall beside them opened, revealing a cabinet containing neatly arranged items: a scroll painting, several pages of handwritten musical scores, two slightly worn musical instruments, and one each of a wooden and stone carving.

“These are the items I’ve found within the Chenxing Empire based on your list of lost items. Given the short time frame, this is all we’ve located so far. They’re yours to take back now.”

Chandler made a generous gesture indicating Joey could take everything.

Despite having anticipated this, Joey was still slightly surprised by such a straightforward approach. “You’ll just let me take them? Though these are indeed lost items from the Artist Association, finding them must have required considerable effort. What compensation would you like?”

Chandler seemed to have expected this question and simply smiled. “No compensation is necessary. Gaining the friendship of a powerful Spirit Forger is worth more than any compensation.”

His meaning was quite obvious. Yet this direct attempt at alliance and goodwill was hard to dislike. After all, this was the result of multiple experts’ strategic planning – his every word and action today came from their collective advice.

Therefore, the long-haired young man only showed slight surprise before revealing a knowing smile. Perhaps won over by Chandler’s forthright manner, he didn’t mind revealing some information about himself, letting the other party know their investment was worthwhile. “Let me correct you – it’s the friendship of the last and only Spirit Forger in this world.”

Chandler was genuinely stunned.

This revelation was completely unexpected.

But after the initial shock came immense joy.

They had won the gamble! Not only had they won the lottery, but they’d hit the jackpot!

“The last and only Spirit Forger?” Chandler repeated, barely containing his excitement at this unexpected information.

“Ah, but I prefer to be called an Artist. The ancient title of Spirit Forger feels somewhat uncomfortable. Even two hundred years ago, when the Artist Association was established, few people used that term anymore.”

A hint of nostalgia flashed across the young man’s face, quickly replaced by an inexplicable anticipation.

In his pitch-black eyes lay meaning that was difficult to comprehend.

“People nowadays may not understand what it truly means to be an Artist, but that’s alright. I will make the world witness again what the highest form of art that true Artists should pursue really is!”

……

One petal, two petals, three petals, four petals… In the hallway outside the room, Asher stood guard at the door, mindlessly staring at the floral patterns on the opposite wall, counting repeatedly in his mind until his head started to feel drowsy.

Just when he was about to doze off from counting, the tightly closed door suddenly opened. He didn’t know what the two people inside had discussed, but judging from their expressions, it must have been a positive outcome.

Asa shook his head to clear the floating flower patterns from his mind. Seeing Joey and Chandler walking toward the door one after another, he quickly took a few steps forward, ready to receive any orders.

At that moment, Asa heard his superior’s voice coming from the room. It carried a gentleness he had never heard before, and even contained traces of respect, which made Asa wonder if he was dreaming or hallucinating.

“Mr. Joey, please wait a moment.”

Under Asa’s bewildered gaze, his superior suddenly called out to Joey who was about to leave, and produced an exquisitely crafted invitation from somewhere, extending it to him.

“…This is an invitation to the annual ceremony from the artistic nation of Roland Kingdom. Please accept it – you might find it interesting.”

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