Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Gold is naturally non-monetary but money is naturally gold!” Gold was known for its scarcity in various planets and ‘world’ so this made this famous quote originated from Karl Marx, one of the greatest European philosophers in the 17th century, to still apply today.
It was exactly because gold was so expensive that no businessmen could resist its temptational value. Despite voicing out his doubts, when Charlie heard Zhang Lisheng’s insistence in using the Shrimp World No. 2’s gold mine to settle the debt for LS Group, his mood that had been depressed since a long time ago immediately eased at once.
Then, he heard another unexpected good news.
“Charlie, you look a lot older than before, it seems that people will really start to have their energy declined after 50.” Zhang Lisheng looked at the skyscrapers located in the desert outside the car window and casually took out several marble-sized yellow balls from his pocket. “Do you still remember that I’ve mentioned before that I’ll give you eternal youth and long life in the future? The ‘future’ at that time is ‘now’. Contact Edward and find a Hollywood makeup artist to learn how to make-up your face to look older. Then, we’ll go to a place where the government can’t monitor us and I’ll place the supernatural power contained in these few Gold Cores into your bodies. Oh, speaking of the Atlanteans, why don’t I see those pesky little light men in the sky of New Washington A?”
“The federal government has banned the Atlanteans from freely entering and leaving Noah on the grounds of material deprivation…” Charlie went stiff as his eyes stared obsessively without blinking at the small yellow balls being played by the black-haired young man in his hands. He muttered an answer and fell into a silence for a long time before asking in a slightly trembling whisper, “C-Can I see those mysterious energy balls, boss?”
“Of course, Charlie. One of them is already yours. Be careful with it. This is a young life of at least 800 years.” Zhang Lisheng passed the Gold Core to his representative. “And since the previous ‘future’ has become ‘now’, then I’ll make another promise to give you a new future. I’ve conquered the largest continent in Shrimp World No. 2 and have ordered an expeditionary army of hundreds of millions of troops to be organized. I believe that the entire ‘world’ will soon fall into my hands. Compared to Noah, this is a prosperous world with billions of people, which is also where my real foundation lies. In the future, I’ll divide a parish there and give you the authority to manage a land larger than the United States, with hundreds of millions of citizens in it.”
“O-Oh Boss, a-are you really a great god? I knew it! I knew this a long time ago! Compared to your generosity and greatness, the Lord’s power and grace are completely unworthy to be even mentioned! Yes, it’s not even worth mentioning at all…” Charlie could no longer hold back the excitement in his heart anymore as he said incoherently.
“Since I’m so generous and great, shouldn’t you work better in repaying me?” Zhang Lisheng with a slight smile. “For example, after Lisheng has escaped from its business crisis, you can secretly form a sect to share my generosity and greatness with the new migrants in Noah World.”
“Why does it have to be a secret, boss? This is the land of the United States. Having a religion is the freedom of the people …”
“Charlie, if there is no one standing behind that religion, then yes, it’s indeed the people’s freedom to have faith.” Zhang Lisheng interrupted the representative with a deep expression. “The US states on Earth have become so chaotic that they can no longer be controlled but for the newly born Noah World’s oasis cities, the government will certainly maintain its ‘purity’ to some extent. Believe in my judgment, things are not as simple as you think, otherwise, I wouldn’t have to go through so much trouble to plant the Gold Core’s power into you. I can just use my divine power directly and make you a priest.”
“Yes, boss. I’ll do everything according to your instructions. Don’t worry, as long as there’s money and job opportunities, it’s very easy to convert the impoverished new migrants into your believers. Well, let’s dip our toes in the field of cotton spinning, textile planting, and processing. This is the most labor-intensive industry at the moment, and it’s not that conspicuous. As for hiding the sect, I can discuss it with Edward and see if I can find an excuse to sign a contract to temporarily control the workers in the early days of the missionary. There’ll eventually be a way.” After a moment of contemplation, Charlie came up with an idea based on Zhang Lisheng’s pointer.
“This is what our Chinese people describe as ‘every skill and profession has its specialties’.” Zhang Lisheng nodded in admiration, “I only know that the government is still maintaining a basic order, but an outstanding capitalist and a good lawyer can help me solve all problems. However, rather than building a cotton plantation, we might as well build a comprehensive farm. I have some experiments to do anyway. Ah, these things can be taken slowly without any hassle. The priority now is to get my sister, Michelle Lavin, who don’t share the same biological parents like me, to migrate to Noah World as soon as possible. I don’t want her to do anything that will make my mom sad.”
“It’s a small issue, boss. The reason the federal restricts immigration is because it’s afraid of the large influx of immigrants, which will induce national unemployment and cause the entire social system to collapse. Even though the LS Group is in a financial crisis now, it still maintains a Corporate A Credit Rating” by the Washington and California state governments so we can legally bring in new immigrants as long as we have a long-term employment contract of more than five years. After all, the freedom of walking and migrating on the land of the United States is the right that every US citizen should have.” Charlie said respectfully.
“The freedom of walking and migrating on the land of the United States is the right that every US citizen should have? How ludicrous…” The image of the faces that had turned numb and lunatic being tortured in the slums in Feren appeared in Zhang Lisheng’s mind, prompting him to murmur sarcastically. Then, he fell into a moment of silence before suddenly asking, “Maddie didn’t come to Noah at all?”
“Yes, boss. Maddie has been unwilling to leave New York. The gods from the Shrimp World No. 1 have destroyed all orbiting satellites on Earth so we’ve lost contact with her. Later when the situation has stabilized, I had sent people three times to risk going back to New York to find her but the information collected was not very good…” Charlie said cautiously.
“Is she dead?” The young man closed his eyes. After silently bowing his head for a long time, he finally asked again.
“She’s been missing. She has completely disappeared out of the blue. There’s an absurd rumor stating that she has been captured by some goddess from the Shrimp World No. 1.”
“Captured by a god? Which god will capture a mortal from a foreign world…” Zhang Lisheng leaned his back against the back of the chair and muttered to himself, losing himself in his thoughts and no longer said anything more the entire day.
In the days to come, things were resolved one by one. First, Michelle smoothly migrated to Noah World. Then, Charlie and Edward were given supernatural power by Zhang Lisheng in the desert. Immediately after, several rounds of intense negotiations took place and the creditors and the LS board of directors successfully reached an agreement and signed a comprehensive plan using gold as repayment. Lastly, the LS farm that had been initially invested with 20 million dollars was newly built on a small oasis with an area of less than 200 acres completely covered by the desert located 150 kilometers north of ‘New Washington A’…
Unknowingly, it was already early spring, it had already been more than one month since Zhang Lisheng arrived at Noah World. From a god decisive in killing who ruled billions of believers, he reverted to become an ordinary member of the human society. gradually, the Wizard Li God started to adapt to his change of role.
In the early morning, in an immigrant community named Sandstorm Lake that was established in earlier times in New Washington A, in a corner of a double-story independent wooden residential house with its living room segregated to become kitchen cum dining room, Zhang Lisheng was bathing in the warm sun leisurely sipping iced Coke while chowing down on pieces of beef offal patties into his mouth.
After finishing up all the food on the place, he touched his belly and flashed a bright smile at a slim figure dressed in a gray formal long dress who was still busy working in front of the cooktop, before saying, “Oh mom, these offal patties are just too delicious! I’ve long felt that these mainstream US citizens should change their diet because its a waste to not eat these animal offals and most freshwater fish because of their prejudice and a large number of fish bones.”
“You eat too fast, baby. It’s bad for your health! And how many times have I told you? Don’t drink iced Coke in the morning! And not only that, don’t mention disgusting things like ‘animal’s dung’ on the dining table next time! It’s too rude!” Lili took out a big piece of freshly baked cake out of the oven. After cutting it into two halves, she cut another piece by the corner and brought it to her son. “After you finish this piece of cake, bring the rest to those gentlemen staying temporarily on the grass.”
“Oh? Those gentlemen staying temporarily on the grass? Mom, you really know how to put your words tacitly. Unfortunately, just a piece of cake is not enough to solve the problems of these lucky people who would rather wander around the city sleeping outside other people’s houses than finding a proper job.” Zhang Lisheng turned to look through the window at the three to four raggedly dressed homeless men sleeping on the lawn outside the house. Picking up the cake with a fork, he commented with a shrug as he ate.
“Aha! My capitalist brother is starting to condemn those lazy laborers again. Every time I hear such words, I’m glad that I’m a patrolman who protects the security of the mission. Even though I’m poor, I’m proud to rely on my hard work to live a happy life.” The second son of the Lavin family chimed in a strange tone when he heard the young man’s grumble.
This young man who was once flashy and eager to enjoy life had gone through the trials of life and had matured and found his position in life now. Relying on his tall and strong physique, he became a police officer like his father but his optimistic and humorous personality still remained. After meeting Zhang Lisheng who had been away for a long time, it only took him a few days of getting along for them to resume their previous friendly ridiculing manner.
“Oh Randy, you actually work as a patrol officer? I thought you were a clown in a circus who dressed as a police officer everyday with your red-painted nose as you give out flyers on the street…” In front of his family, particularly his mom, Zhang Lisheng’s lofty mentality of having all power in his hand naturally disappeared without a trace. Curling his mouth, he retaliated.
“Enough, you two! Shut up and eat your meal. Randy, you’ve just become an official police officer so you must buck up your energy when you’re patrolling. Remember to learn more from your partner. I’ve packed two large pieces of savory stewed steaks for you. They taste equally delicious even when they’re cold. Remember to share it with your partner during lunch at noon and get along well with him, okay? Don’t forget that you’re a newcomer so you have to be humble, understood?” Lili interrupted the quarrel between the two children.
“I’m full already. Don’t worry, Aunt Lili. My dad is a policeman so how is it possible for me to not understand what a new policeman should do?” Randy wiped his mouth and stood up.
Lili nodded kindly and handed a lunch box lined with tin foil to her stepson. Turning to look at her own son, she asked, “Baby, what is your plan for today? If you have nothing to do, why don’t you go participate in community labor…”
“Oh, I really hope that I can do something for the community, mom.” Zhang Lisheng spoke insincerely in a hurry. “But unfortunately, I have a very important thing to do. LS farm is selecting the type of cotton to plant so I must be there.”
