You are my wife, don't doubt it!

Karlstedt was a little surprised and looked at Yu Bo, who shook his head and said, "I didn't say anything."

"You are very smart." Karl Schederling praised sincerely.

Shen Jie and Yu Luying glanced at Xiao Yao at the same time, and both of them were thinking, OK, it turns out that the teacher is not being polite when he praises you for being smart.

"What is the purpose of Freemasonry?" Xiao Yao shook his head and asked, "To destroy the world?"

"That's hard to say," Karlstedt shook his head. "Maybe he's just pursuing a false ideal of world peace and thus resorting to any means necessary."

Xiao Yao, Shen Jie, and Yu Luying looked at each other, with a look of confusion in their eyes.

"It's impossible to unite such a force by simply doing evil," Karlstedt spread his hands, shrugged, and shook his head three times. "So no matter what their real purpose is, they have to give what they do a high-sounding name. Even in their hearts, they really believe that what they are doing is actually the right thing and is for a noble goal. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Xiao Yao nodded, "I understand this very well."

"In fact, everyone's stance and ideas are different, right?" Shen Jie interrupted.

"Of course, of course," Karl Schederling nodded, "But if their actions threaten this world and threaten the death of human souls, we can't just sit back and do nothing."

"Of course, that's right." Xiao Yao nodded politely in agreement.

A polemical thought suddenly emerged in his mind: Is it possible that the people who think that what you are doing is actually the right thing and is for a noble goal are actually you... or us?

Just as Xiao Yao trapped himself in the trap of moral nihilism, there was a gentle knock on the door of the room. Yu Bo walked over quickly and opened the door. Xiao Yao looked back and saw him take a tray full of sumptuous dishes from outside the door, turned around and handed it to a bald man, and then took another tray of dishes from outside the door.

"Now that things have come to this, let's eat first!" Karlstedt clapped his hands, stood up and said proudly.

After reciting the pre-meal prayers, Karlstedt personally poured red wine for the three kids and the others: "This is our wine made in Portugal. Although I can't say it's the best in the world, you're welcome to taste it together - ah, wait, are you adults?"

"It's okay," Yu Bo picked up the wine glass and took a sip: "China doesn't care about this."

"Oh!" Karl Schederling made a very surprised expression.

"But we have other political correctness," Yu Bo explained.

"Oh!" Karl Schederling continued to shrug and said, "Every place has its own right."

Lunch started in a relatively relaxed atmosphere. Karl Schederling was very talkative and good at livening up the atmosphere, causing laughter at the table.

"It's good to work in Makao," said Karlstedt. "With my pass, I can travel inland more freely, unlike other priests and celibate members who can only use the 72-hour landing transit time to visit our friends."

Xiao Yao thought that Karl Schederlin's Chinese was fairly fluent, except that it had too much of a written language flavor, and he still hadn't mastered the four tones very well.

It’s already pretty good, isn’t it? Yu Luying answered him silently in her heart.

"It's a pity that I might be transferred to the Philippines," Karlstedt said, "and someone else will take over the work here - that would be troublesome."

"No, no, no, celibate members are not monks. We are lay people. We also have to participate in social labor. We live in the secular world, just like everyone else."

After some small talk, the topic turned to the real issue of the threat posed by the Freemasons.

From Karl Schederling's words, Xiao Yao learned that the Vatican had long regarded Freemasonry as its mortal enemy.

"In 1738, Pope Clement XII issued an order prohibiting church members from joining Freemasonry. Violators would be expelled from the church." Carl Schederling said: "In 1717, the first Freemasonry was established in Britain. Freemasonry is the devil's church."

Xiao Yao secretly stuck out his tongue.

"During the French Revolution, Freemasons learned in secret places to cut off the heads of dead people, put the heads on swords and parade them in their secret places." Karl Schederling said: "When the French Revolution started, Freemasons cut off the heads of dead people on the public streets, put the heads on swords and paraded them on the public streets!"

Put the head on the sword? Xiao Yao thought. Oh, it means to parade with the head on the tip of the sword...

"In 1741, the Watchers of the Ming Industry were secretly established in Vienna with the support of Queen Maria Theresa and the permission of the Vatican," Karl Schederling continued. "When the Watchers were first established, they had only one purpose, which was to fight against Freemasonry, eliminate Freemasonry's influence on the world, and prevent Freemasonry from eroding society and the church."

"Oh." Xiao Yao replied.

So after talking for a long time, it sounds like it's just a private matter between your two families - it's not quite right to say private, a grudge. What does this have to do with the Hall of Shadow World and the invasion of Shadow? Xiao Yao thought.

As if seeing through the doubts in the boy's heart, Karl Schederling got to the point: "It is also due to the continuous observation of the Freemasons that the Mingye Watchers discovered the existence of the Shadow World very early. The Freemasons discovered them first and tried to use some means to open the channel between us and that side in order to achieve their ulterior motives."

"What is the ulterior motive?" Yu Luying, who had been silent the whole time, spoke up. "What is it?"

"According to the information we have, it is roughly called: cleansing this filthy world." Karlstedt replied: "Of course, it is carried out according to their ideas, standards and will."

"Purging, what a good word to use, doesn't it mean cleansing?" Shen Jie pondered, "Then specifically, does it mean to cleanse a person's mind and will through the temple, forcing the other person to repent and confess publicly?"

"That's just the beginning, and one of the ways to use it," Karlstedt told Shen Jie, "Think about it, this is a technology that can change people's hearts and control their souls. They can use it to do whatever they want."

"To make people repent, to make them brain dead, to make them commit suicide, to make them become fools, to make them become completely different people, or to make them become puppets of a certain person or organization..." Yu Luying said, "It's chilling to think about it. It's a mass brainwashing technique."

"That's right. This weapon shouldn't exist in essence because it violates the free will given to humans by God," Karlstedt nodded. "No matter what the original intention was, whether it was good or evil, even God or the angels would not forcefully change a person's mind. As the saying goes, holding a sharp weapon will lead to murderous intent. Once you start using it, it will definitely not produce good results in the end, and even the user himself cannot control it."

Xiao Yao, Shen Jie and Yu Luying looked at each other, and all three of them felt like they were being implicated.

"We speculate that the real purpose of the Freemasons is to merge the shadow world with the real world," Karl Schederling said leisurely, "which is what they call the Great Mission, and all of this has already begun."

The three little ones looked at each other, and each of them was horrified.

Xiao Yao raised his hand and asked, "After 300 years, why is it only starting now?"

"Both of us," Karl Schederlin said, spreading his hands, "whether it's the Mingye Watchers or the Freemasons, our understanding and utilization of the Shadow World has always been at a stage of wandering outside the door, and for the past 300 years, we have been committed to balancing their power and preventing them from opening that door."

Xiao Yao nodded and said, "That makes sense - so, since this power is so dangerous, you called the three of us here today to ask us to never use the power of the Spirit Fortress again?"

"On the contrary," Karl Schedlin shook his head and said, "You should have guessed that we invited you to meet today in order to invite you to join the Mingye Watchers."

The three little ones looked at each other.

Karlstedlin continued, "You must continue to use your power, under the supervision and restraint of the Mingye Watchers, to use your power for the right path and fight against the evil forces, until one day, we completely close the channel."

"In other words," Xiao Yao pondered, "we use the power of the fortress so that we will no longer be able to use the power of the fortress in the future."

"Absolutely right." Karlstedt clapped his hands in approval.

"You mentioned it just now," Xiao Yao said calmly, "under the supervision and restraint of the Mingye Watchers, I want to ask, why do we do this? I mean, why do we put shackles on ourselves?"

"Xiao Yao!" Yu Luying called out, and Yu Bo also glanced at him.

Karlstedlin was not in a hurry, as if he had expected this question. "Because you respect and abide by order, and your heart is pure and kind. During this period of time, Mr. Yu has been observing you, supervising your use of power, and observing your every move."

Xiao Yao glanced at Yu Bo, who looked straight into his eyes.

"You have proven yourselves, your strength, and your pure will," Karl Shidlin spread his hands and said, "So Mr. Yu vouches for you. We allow, no, we sincerely invite you to join us and work together to prevent the threat of Shadow from this world."

"I'll join!" Yu Luying answered without hesitation, her voice steady and firm.

"Silly girl!" Shen Jie was shocked.

"Yingying..." Xiao Yao also felt that Yu Luying agreed too rashly and quickly.

“Hahahaha…” Carl Shidlin laughed, “Miss Yu’s sincerity is commendable, but it would be prudent for her to fully understand us and make a decision after careful consideration.”

"Yes, yes, yes. We still need to understand first, then consider, and then decide." Shen Jie said quickly.

"No need," Yu Luying insisted without hesitation: "I believe in my uncle and his career."

"Yingying..." Yu Bo was a little touched.

"What's more, this is something that has a lofty sense of mission," Yu Luying said, "For the past ten years, I have been doubting the meaning of my existence. I feel that I am a child who should not have been born. Grandpa, mother, father, no matter who it is, no one, no one wants me to be born."

"Silly sister..." Shen Jie murmured.

"Yingying..." Xiao Yao and Yu Bo said.

"I have been asking God, why did you let me come to this world?" Yu Luying continued, "Is this a punishment, or... no matter what, I have never found out what my mission is in this world... or what is the meaning of my existence.

“And now, I think I’ve found it.

“From Xiao Yao, I found the meaning of love and being needed.

"From Shen Jie, I found another kind of love, true friendship, being willing to give up and share everything for a friend.

“I have always misunderstood my mother. In fact, my mother loves me very much and is a good mother. It’s just that her way of expressing herself is problematic.

"And Grandpa... Although I dare not say that I have completely forgiven him, he still has me in his heart...

“Even if I can’t be sure of all of the above, even if all of this is just self-deception, at least I am willing to believe in Uncle Yu Bo and am willing to dedicate myself to worshipping… to a worthy cause.

"I have always been skeptical about the existence of God, and I am not sure about it. In other words, I think he exists, but he never cares about the life and death of mankind, at least my life and death. I have never heard his voice," Yu Luying concluded her speech. "But now I know that I covered my ears and didn't want to listen to his voice. So I did a lot of wrong things, many things that violated the commandments and my conscience. I am used to blaming others, but I am unwilling to admit that I have problems. Just like what Job said to God, I only heard about you before, but now I see you with my own eyes..."

"Uh, wait a moment." Xiao Yao reached out and gently hugged Yu Luying's shoulders. Her sudden enthusiasm made him feel a little uneasy: "If she joins you, does that mean we can't get married?"

Carl Shidlin shook his head and said, "Since the reform in 1965, our members are now divided into single members and married members. You three don't have to worry about the impact on your personal lives."

"That's fine," Xiao Yao confirmed cautiously, "What will you do if I don't join?"

Karlstedtlin laughed. "What can we do? Will we force you? Will we say, if you don't join us, we will destroy you?"

When saying "destroy you", Karl Schederling made a particularly naughty gesture and expression, which made Shen Jie laugh.

"So, I can make a decision after fully understanding you and considering it carefully?" Xiao Yao said.

"Of course." said Carl Schederling.

That’s okay, Xiao Yao thought to himself.

"Just one thing," Carl Schederling added, "When you are outside, try not to mention the name of the Mingye Watchers. If you want to talk about it, you can call it 'the organization' or 'The Work'."

"I understand. Don't worry, we will keep it a secret." Xiao Yao nodded and promised, then turned to Yu Bo: "Can I ask a few more questions?"

"You can ask any questions you want, as many as you want," Yu Bo replied, "As long as they are answerable and do not violate the organization's confidentiality requirements, I will tell you everything I know."

"So, you, your father, and your brother, the Yu family, are all members of the organization?" Xiao Yao asked.

Yu Bo glanced at Karlstedt, who nodded: "Yes - but you may not believe it, I just found out about it too."

"What?" The three little ones were all shocked.

"The organization is a single-threaded communication," Yu Bo explained. "In order to fight against the Freemasons, we learned from each other's organizational experience. The membership list is only in the hands of the core layer, and at the grassroots level - for example, my upline is Mr. Shi, and Shi Hui is my downline, I only know these, so it is possible that members of the two organizations know each other, but they don't know each other's identity."

"Ah this..." Xiao Yao said: "Then what is the lost holy garment used for?"

Yu Bo looked at Karlstedt again, and the latter shook his head slightly without being noticed.

"Okay," Xiao Yao said, "Why did Zhao Xiaomei know about the sacred garment and plan such a large-scale attack to take it away? Where does her power come from?"

"Zhao Xiaomei is an assistant to the organization," Karl Schedlin took over the conversation. "Mr. Yu Bo and I didn't know about this before - so we have reason to believe that there is a bad person in the organization, or a traitor."

"Ah..." Xiao Yao said.

"After all, what the Freemasons are best at is disguise and infiltration," said Yu Bo.

Chapter 333 The miserable granddaughter-in-law

2023-09-23

After the meal, Xiao Yao wanted to take the two girls to play at the beach for a while, but Yu Bo drove them back to Shanghai himself.

The three little ones put on their eye masks again, turned around and around the bends on the mountain road, and finally returned to the entrance of the Shengai Hotel. They took off their eye masks and got into Yu Bo's car.

Shen Jie sat in the passenger seat, chatting with Yu Bo; Xiao Yao and Yu Luying sat in the back seat, holding her little hands. All three of them looked like they had a lot on their minds and didn't talk much.

For Xiao Yao, being able to hold Yu Luying's hand at this moment is something that makes him feel extremely at ease - as long as there is no fire in the backyard, there are always more solutions than problems.

Apart from this, there is not much that can make him feel at ease.

First of all, Yu Luying's sudden enthusiasm made Xiao Yao feel very uneasy, and judging from the firm look in her eyes, she would not be able to be calmed down by a few words.

After returning to Shanghai, where should I stay? Should I stay in a chain hotel or stay in that 20-yuan-a-day place and be the neighbor of the beautiful jade?

Xiao Yao wanted to go home. He missed his doghouse and his precious daughter. He didn't want to wander around and sleep in the open anymore.

However, he didn't know whether he should take the risk.

Of course, there is also this “Mingye Watcher”, or “the organization”, “The work.”

Xiao Yao and Shen Jie did not immediately agree to join the "organization" on the grounds that they had not yet been baptized and needed more understanding and consideration. However, for Yu Bo's sake, becoming "assistants" was something they could not refuse.

Becoming a member can obtain mission funds allocated by the organization, share the organization's secret knowledge and intelligence, apply for special sacred objects and equipment, and greatly improve the realm and skill level through the organization's special training.

In comparison, becoming an assistant is a very unprofitable thing - no money, no equipment, no equipment, no training, no anything, only obligations.

"Provide appropriate financial assistance to the organization based on your ability", is that what it means?

So poor.

You, an outside force, are also engaged in illegal fund-raising, right? Xiao Yao thought with some sarcasm.

"What are you thinking about?" Yu Luying began to reproach.

What is the reward? Well, the organization will pray for all the helpers during the daily mass...

Thank you so much to your family, you are so generous.

As for the benefits - if this can be called a benefit, it is that in terms of "assisting" the organization, one can do better than members... depending on one's mood.

Don't pinch me, it hurts! Xiao Yao thought to himself, I am just not very conscious and I am lagging behind, you have to give me some time.