Love and passion, cutting up the wasteland.

Chapter 517: Embers of Fire (Combined Chapter)
Almost at the same moment the wolf riders issued the warning.

The man in black had already crossed most of the grass, and his speed surprised them. The wolf cavalry began to doubt: Even if they had surrounded him, if he wanted to leave, could they really stop him?

However, they were surprised.

The man in black heard the warning.

He stopped very obediently.

At the same time, he spread out his hands to indicate that he had no weapons in his hands and to show goodwill.

"I am just a priest of the Order of Embers," he said. "You are from the swamp? There should be no hostility between us."

——This person who calls himself a priest.

When I saw the wolf cavalry, I was actually equally surprised.

Under their seats...

Is it the Boneyard Wolf?

Being able to ride such a ferocious beast and coordinate with such agility, galloping across the grassland is like a pack of wolves hunting.

Not to mention the knights above.

The priest had a smooth journey throughout the journey and had encountered bandits before, but this was the first time he was stopped.

If he is really an enemy.

Now he has been caught.

Fortunately, the priest knew.

This is all thanks to the Grand Commander!
His eyes lit up.

The wolf riders were still confused.

"The Order of Embers..."

To be honest, I've never heard of it.

The most famous and influential religion in the world is undoubtedly the foundation of the Holy Nation, the Auckland Holy Church.

Many other denominations besides these.

In fact, they are all heresies derived from this basis.

This Order of Embers.

From which corner did it come out?

However, the other party's next words.

That was truly beyond their expectations.

"I came here for no other reason than to be inspired by the Grand Master to go to our holy city, the promised land of the future." After confirming the Wolf Cavalry's affiliation, the priest suddenly became humble, "He is right here."

"What Grand Commander..."

The leader of the wolf cavalry was just about to say that we don’t have such a person here.

He choked immediately.

"I know you call him the 'Red King'."

"This is just his code name in the secular world, but only people in our sect know that his true nature is after the end of the world..."

"The first spark of fire that ignites the embers."

"... Chu Huo." Lu Meng asked, "So that's what you call me?"

"Of course, Grand Commander!"

The priest's face was filled with excitement.

The wolf riders still brought the charlatan to Lu Meng's tent. After all, the other party mentioned the name of the Red King and did not seem hostile.

And Lu Meng also left the town of Scone.

The first official contact with the sect he left behind.

However, the style of painting was still beyond his own imagination.

"...fire from the sky destroyed the world, everything turned to ashes, the children of the scorched earth grew from the green plains, Oakland and Nark fought, both were annihilated, but both were waiting to return."

"Foolish lunatics worship the flames of hell as holy, but they only burn themselves to pieces... In the catastrophe, only the embers remain forever, and the true hope and salvation are hidden in them."

"You are the fire that was born from it, the fire that reignites the world."

"The so-called first flame is the future's first flame."

The priest blinked his eyes and said, "I have seen too many clear evidences along the way."

From Scone to the swamps.

Then, on the land of Shan, this simple but indeed impregnable line of defense...

The Order's prophecy.

Verify one by one.

Lu Meng: "Who told you this?"

"Priest Huo."

Xiao Huo, you...

Undoubtedly, before Lu Menglin set out, he only established a general framework for the development of the sect and stipulated some basic doctrines.

For the details later.

Naturally, he had no way to interfere.

Those in charge of the cult are all companions who once fought together and withstood the test, so there is no need to worry about losing control.

Or.

What is out of control is the other direction.

Road dream.

Deified.

In the 21st century with a sound legal system... oh no, in the past "golden age", this person would have to be shot to death.

Of course, in the eyes of the Holy Kingdom.

Probably the same.

"It is an honor to meet you in person, Grand Master. Please allow me to introduce myself." The priest performed a simple courtesy, "Engineering Priest Meyer, everyone in the Order is looking forward to your guidance."

During the development of the Order of Embers.

The high-level people that the followers can actually contact are Huo Buyang, Huang Jie and others, but they all know that the founder and affiliation of the sect are other people.

That is the Grand Master, the leader of the entire organization.

As for the first fire, it is his essence.

He was the first person to give enlightenment both in a practical and theological sense.

Lu Meng nodded.

At least, there was no mention of him being Oakland's second son.

Otherwise, he might have to be Phoenix's younger brother.

They come, the security.

From Mail, he also learned about the current development status and work of the Order of Ashes.

They have already entered the swamp.

Moreover, it has taken over almost all the work of reconstruction and development of the ruins.

Different from the Oakland Holy Church.

The Order of Embers rarely chants.

In other words, their classics are actually the ancient science books left by Lu Meng, but they have been adapted in the form of classics.

First created.

It is the "Narko Healing Book".

Then, there is "Blessing of the Forge Hammer", "The Bible of Architecture and Civil Engineering", "Postpartum Care of Ewes"... and all kinds of messy branches.

Even the most gifted priests.

Often, one can only master one of them.

The more they study, the more they realize how profound the doctrine is, and the status of priests in the order is also related to the extent of their study and practice.

Of course, this is the rhetoric.

To Lu Meng's ears, it naturally transformed into something else.

"Free medical care, compulsory education... and free education?" he confirmed.

From the development history of folk religion.

For poor people, even promoting the idea that talisman water can save lives can gather a large number of supporters and believers, not to mention means that have substantive effects.

Before the Enlightenment.

Compared with the feudal aristocracy, the clergy is actually more enlightened. You can say that they want to monopolize knowledge, but objectively they also promote the preservation and research of knowledge.

For example, the priests of the Holy Kingdom.

At least they know more words in a scripture than ordinary saints.

Knowing all this, Lu Meng tried to take advantage of the strengths of the Order of Ashes and eliminate its drawbacks from the very beginning of designing it, combining the dissemination of skills and relief in the process of missionary work to make religion a channel tool.

Now the results are beginning to show.

It can be said that the routes to the lower and middle classes were opened up at the same time: whether it was ordinary people who were simply seeking shelter or some wealthy people with their own development needs, they were all very happy to contact or join the Cult of the Embers.

As for cost.

Huo Buyang was trying to maintain the business by utilizing the assets left by Lu Meng and combining it with the business flow of military stores such as Tieju Store.

The young man has a talent for logistics.

It has been initially demonstrated.

Now according to Lu Meng's instructions, once the core members of the Embers Cult are combined with the swamp, the potential that can be unleashed will be unimaginable.

However, the development of the Cult of Embers, especially the speed of its missionary work, still exceeded Lu Meng's imagination, and some things that were not planned must have happened.

He asked for the roster of the order from Meier.

Now their activities are mainly in the Shek Kingdom and the swamp. It is safe wherever they are and there is no need to hide.

Lu Meng was flipping through it.

There were indeed some familiar figures among them, which surprised him a little.

Just like drawing cards.

He didn't have to go out of his way to recruit and search for people himself. Through the influence of the cult, he had already absorbed these potential talents, which saved him a lot of effort.

Suddenly, his fingers paused.

The doubts were solved.

"Bud..."

The famous bard.

Such a character, in the game, is often just a background board, and any settings that need to be explained are left to him.

What legends are there on the mainland?

It can all be attributed to him - saying that it was this bard who compiled the story and made it known to the world.

However, it is conceivable.

Once such a bard, a top star in a sense, becomes a reality, the influence he represents is quite terrifying.

In the cult, he is simply a human preaching machine.

At least in the missionary work, Bud certainly made great contributions.

but.

Why would such a person become a member of the Cult of Embers?
It stands to reason that the other party traveled around the continent.

I have seen all kinds of religious groups.

I will not easily convert to a certain doctrine.

"Grandmaster, are you concerned about Mr. Bard?" Maile noticed Lu Meng's gaze and explained, "Actually, Mr. Bard, strictly speaking, is not a member of our sect."

"Ok?"

"But he is indeed acting with us."

"Then why is he..."

"It's all because of you, Grand Commander." At this point, a hint of enthusiasm and longing flashed in Maile's eyes, "Mr. Bud came here for you."

"To be honest, the stories that the congregants tell about you—"

"Most of it is learned from Mr. Budd's ballads."

Lu Meng: "..."

He got it.

——A fun person.

In a sense, stories are the bards' food and their means of survival.

If we count the changes in the mainland today that are worth noting, one of them is undoubtedly the emergence of "Lubei Travel".

Start with the nameless one.

Flapping wings.

It has left an impact that cannot be ignored.

After careful investigation, the perceptive Bard found a clue and took the opportunity to stay in the cult.

Of course, this doesn't mean that other places aren't worthy of attention.

The dead bees are spreading, the skeleton army is spreading, the insect lord is moving...

In contrast.

At least it's safe in the Order of Embers.

Bards also need to survive, so it would be great if they could orchestrate others while protecting themselves.

Lu Meng had a premonition.

The fact that he was so highly respected by the Cult of Ashes and was even called the "First Flame" was largely due to Bard.

after all.

Who doesn’t like a hero in a story?
Even in Lu Meng's opinion.

This person is not actually himself.

But looking at Maile's expression... this priest who firmly believed in the First Fire Theory did not feel disillusioned after seeing their Grand Commander with his own eyes.

Instead, as he followed Lu Meng in inspecting the base, he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, especially at the crazy expansion speed of the engineering department.

The impression deepened.

"Where is Mr. Bud now?" Lu Meng asked.

"He is also with Priest Huo in the swamp, saying that he wants to retrace the journey of the Red King." Meier replied, "Originally, when he heard that I was going to report to you, the Grand Master, Mr. Bard also wanted to come along..."

"But it seems that I am not used to the local climate. I had diarrhea in Shizhen for three days before I left. I guess I can't get out of bed yet."

“That’s really hard work.” Lu Meng smiled.

After all, it is a swamp, filled with hot and humid miasma.

Fortunately, the medical department is there to provide support. If it were in the past, this poet who had spent all his family wealth on traveling would probably not have had the money to hire a doctor from the Double Blade Group.

Even if you invite someone, you still have to be careful.

Lu Meng was not opposed to Bud's joining, and even welcomed it.

Although this bard is not a member of the cult and cannot be as loyal as the believers, he is still very useful in expanding and consolidating the influence of the Order of Ashes.

Even if he felt bored in the future and lost interest in Lu Meng, he would leave and continue traveling.

The Cult of Ashes itself has also reaped the benefits.

The only price is:
During this period, Lu Meng will most likely become the protagonist of the folk songs compiled by the other party, and the songs will be sung in a way that even he himself will not recognize...

It’s hard to say whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing.

"Pastor Mail, you must have worked hard on the long journey to Shem." Lu Meng sighed sincerely and ordered the soldiers to take him and treat him well.

He could slowly learn about the affairs of the Order of Embers, and there were many details that he didn't have time to learn.

And he sent a message to Xiao Huo.

To Mer, to the land of Shem.

The round trip is quite a distance, and most of the time it is a journey done day and night.

"Hey, it's not hard."

Maier lifted up his black robe and gestured, "It's all thanks to the Order."

I saw that below the waist of this priest, there was a pair of mechanical legs. They were gray in color and covered with springs. The gears turned delicately and powerfully. He stood on the ground as if he was standing on tiptoes, ready to start sprinting at any time.

Lu Meng had discovered it before.

The environmental information of the panel has already appeared:

[Scout's Leg (Left)]

[Scout's Leg (Right)]

Quality blue "standard".

The total speed of running is 30%, but the speed of stealth and swimming is greatly reduced.

It was with the help of this pair of mechanical prostheses that Mailer was able to reach the land of Shan at the fastest speed and avoid bandits and beasts. His speed was so fast that even the wolf riders were surprised.

As for Maier himself.

It was by joining the Order of Ashes that he was able to stand up again from an abandoned useless person and gain hope for a new life.

It does not exclude or even encourages machinery.

It is also an important doctrine of the Cult of Embers under the name of Narko, and it can even be said to be the most obvious external difference from the Auckland doctrine.

Many joined the cult.

They are all disabled people who lost their limbs due to congenital or war. They are not even considered the lowest class in society because there is a high probability that they will die in this wasteland.

But even the Order of Embers.

Robotic prosthetics are also extremely limited.

Unless he is a high-ranking priest who has made outstanding contributions.

Otherwise, several people often take turns using the prosthesis, and they may not even have the right one for their needs.

“……” Lu Meng seemed to be thinking about something.

"Your Highness, the Red King." At this time, a guard came to report, "There are new refugees coming."

Lu Meng leaned on his knife and asked, "Which wave is this?"

"The seventh wave has more people than the previous ones."

"Where's the direction?"

"East."

"Sure enough..." He ordered that all the refugees be received and settled.

At present, the commune huts in the stronghold are springing up like mushrooms after a spring rain, and some are even gradually becoming vacant. They have no other use except to increase the number of buildings.

It is more than enough to resettle and transform refugees.

However, the trend behind this is very worrying.

(End of this chapter)