Chapter 2613: The Name of God

Zu An was speechless.

"So, all this time, they weren't from the same faction?"

"Can you tell me the specific circumstances of your encounter with that person?" the masked black-robed man asked anxiously.

Zu An retorted crossly, "You came here shouting about avenging your companion, claiming you were the one attacked, and now you're not fighting either. Why should I answer your questions?"

The masked black-robed man bowed to him. "I apologize for my previous rudeness," he said. "I hope you can forgive me. In return, I will present you with a satisfactory gift afterward."

"What kind of gift exactly?" Shang Hongyu asked, blinking. She didn't want her lover to be misled by such a vague promise.

"It will certainly satisfy you; I swear in the name of the Bright Mirror Envoy," the masked black-robed man stated solemnly.

Since the other party had put it that way, neither of them felt it appropriate to press further.

Zu An pondered for a moment, then roughly recounted his encounter with the Historian of Ages in the demonic world. The masked man interrupted several times to ask questions.

After listening to his account, the masked black-robed man couldn't help but exclaim, "Based on the details you just provided, that individual truly appears to be a Historian of Ages. The Spring and Autumn Brush he wielded and the Historical Records of Ages confirm it beyond a doubt. However, I'm curious: how did you learn his identity? Logically, he should never reveal his true nature as a Historian of Ages to outsiders."

"I have my methods," Zu An replied, naturally not explaining Mi Li's existence. "Can you tell me specifically what grievances exist between your Bright Mirror Historians and the Historians of Ages?"

The masked black-robed man understood that as a master of a world, Zu An must have had numerous fortuitous encounters, perhaps one of which led him to learn about the Historians of Ages. Seeing that Zu An chose not to elaborate, he didn't press further. "Although we are all known as historians," he began, "the philosophies and deities we revere are fundamentally different. We Bright Mirror Historians use history as a mirror, adhering to objective facts, and faithfully record history as it truly happened.

"However, the Historians of Ages have lost their integrity as historians. They disregard objective history, choosing instead to manipulate it. Often, the same event, when recorded by their 'Spring and Autumn Brushwork,' will create a perception in others that is entirely contrary to the actual truth.

"Therefore, we are absolute sworn enemies. That individual, having hidden among us for so long, was clearly plotting something sinister. Fortunately, you inadvertently eliminated him this time; otherwise, a great catastrophe might have unfolded in the future."

As he continued, his voice was filled with a sense of lingering dread. The thought that his old friend had been a hidden Historian of Ages, and what the other party truly intended, sent shivers down his spine.

Zu An seized the opportunity to ask, "You just mentioned that you believe in different deities. Could you tell me which deities each of you reveres?"

He had a faint suspicion that the deities the masked man referred to were not merely figures from mythological legends in various worlds, but rather a broader concept of gods spanning across myriad realms.

The masked black-robed man's expression grew strange. "Knowing the names of deities makes it difficult to remain uninvolved," he warned. "You will inevitably be drawn into their conflicts. Are you certain you are prepared?"

Shang Hongyu tightly gripped Zu An's hand, her eyes filled with concern. Although she was aware of her past life, she was quite content with their current situation. Zu An was joyful and carefree in this world, and she saw no reason for things to change. Conversely, if he became entangled in other affairs, there was a high probability he would leave this world, which was the last thing she wanted.

Zu An also hesitated. After all, being the master of this world was quite carefree. Was he truly prepared to face such unknown risks?

Yet he knew this might be his only opportunity to learn the deities' names. Mi Li, after all, had always spoken in riddles, never able to directly mention such beings.

However, the masked black-robed man's tone suggested he was able to disclose this information.

He recalled how Jiang Luofu had been summoned away by a mysterious entity, as well as Gong Suyin and the Wushan Goddess...

There were too many mysteries he needed to unravel, and he probably needed to seek a higher level of power to do so.

"Of course I'm prepared," Zu An affirmed, though he didn't fully trust the masked man. "But I have a question: I've heard that the names of deities cannot be spoken, as doing so invites their attention and can easily lead to annihilation. Why, then, can you tell me?"

"Your friend was likely protecting you; what he said is true. Learning a deity's name when one is too weak only invites destruction," the masked black-robed man explained, his voice tinged with pride. "As for why I can speak of them, it's clearly connected to my identity. As a Bright Mirror Historian, my purpose is to objectively record the history of myriad realms. Furthermore, as the master of a world, you are indeed qualified to learn some of its secrets.

"Of course, given your current strength, I can only reveal the names of two deities. This is because you are intrinsically linked to a particular karmic connection. The protection afforded by this karmic power, combined with my unique identity as I speak, will prevent you from being annihilated by the immense power of the gods."

Upon hearing this, Zu An's expression grew solemn. It appeared Mi Li truly hadn't lied to him; these prerequisites alone were quite stringent.

The masked black-robed man's voice took on an almost epic, documentary-like quality. "The deity we Bright Mirror Historians revere is Meng, the God of Memory," he stated. "We record everything that has occurred, is about to occur, or has been obliterated in the world—be it human memories or the memories of the world itself. We document every single thing that has ever existed across myriad realms. Even if living beings perish or worlds are destroyed, as long as our records endure, they will never truly cease to exist."

Zu An was taken aback. He had expected the names of these deities to be grand and majestic, not so simple and unadorned.

He quickly became alarmed, wondering if such a thought might be considered blasphemous.

He felt a pang of nervousness, but fortunately, no divine wrath descended from the heavens.

"Your philosophy is truly noble," Zu An said, and it was no mere flattery. The fervent sense of conviction the masked man displayed while speaking was undoubtedly genuine.

Furthermore, their act of recording everything genuinely benefited many. In a sense, as long as the memory persists, those beings or worlds achieve a form of immortality.

Pleased by Zu An's acknowledgment, the masked black-robed man suggested, "Since you resonate so strongly with our beliefs, perhaps you would consider joining us, revering the great God Meng, and becoming a Bright Mirror Historian yourself?"

"I know far too little about these deities; joining without proper understanding would seem insincere," Zu An said, politely declining. It was preposterous; he knew nothing of the other deities. Moreover, he was, in a sense, the very god overseeing death and reincarnation in this world; how could he rashly align himself with a single faction?

"You have a point; I was too hasty," the masked black-robed man conceded, not pressing the matter. "I've just explained the deity of our path, the God of Memory. Now, I will tell you about the other deity revered by the Historians of Ages. They believe in chaos and mystery, and their god's name is 'Mili'."

"What did you say that god's name was?" Zu An asked, his mind reeling at the mention of the name.