Myth Beyond Heaven

The temperature in the room plummeted. A wave of bone-chilling cold washed over Wei Jianhong and the others, dispelling any lingering doubts about Yun Lintian's seriousness.

Bartholomew's face grew solemn. "We can gather a hundred trillion, Mr. Yun," he admitted, "but such a sum would wreak havoc on the global economy. Are you certain this is the path you wish to take?"

"I'm very touched by your concern for the world, Mr. Bartholomew," Yun Lintian replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He swept a cold gaze over the room. "Every single one of you has built your wealth on the backs of others' suffering. Don't you find the irony in your words... amusing?"

Without waiting for a response, Yun Lintian reached out and gripped Wei Jianhong's shoulder. "Since Mr. Barty asks if I'm sure," he said, "allow me to demonstrate."

Wei Jianhong's appearance altered drastically in an instant. His face crumpled, his skin drying and withering as if he had aged fifty years in a blink.

"Ah…" A strangled cry escaped his lips as terror flooded him at the sensation of his own mortality rapidly slipping away.

Bartholomew and the others stared at Wei Jianhong, their minds reeling in disbelief.

A chilling smile stretched across Yun Lintian's face. "I have placed a curse on each of you, extending to your families. Any involvement in human trafficking, especially of children, will result in a ten-year reduction in your lifespan, a curse that will be inherited by your descendants."

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Bartholomew and the others desperately wanted to disbelieve, but the evidence before them was undeniable.

"I can see that you are not convinced. Let me show you again." Yun Lintian snapped his fingers.

A collective gasp erupted as everyone's bodies began to mirror Wei Jianhong's transformation. Skin sagged, hair turned white, and their once youthful appearances dissolved into decrepit shells.

Freya, a woman who worshipped beauty above all else, screamed in horror. This was torture beyond imagination.

"Please, stop!" Bartholomew rasped, the effects of the curse already making speech a struggle. "We concede defeat."

Yun Lintian chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. "So quick to surrender? I thought negotiation was your forte."

"We… we dare not anymore," Wei Jianhong pleaded, his voice cracking with fear.

With a wave of his hand, Yun Lintian lifted the curse, returning them to their previous states.

"Perhaps some doubt still lingers," he said, a hint of amusement returning to his eyes. "Let me dispel it by showing you your families."

A chorus of frantic denials rose from the group.

"No, no, we believe you completely!" Freya interjected, her voice laced with desperation.

"Please state your terms, sir," Bartholomew rasped. Yun Lintian was now a god of death in his eyes.

The playful facade vanished from Yun Lintian's expression. "Three conditions. First, a hundred trillion dollars must be donated to orphanages worldwide. You'll also make a public statement announcing this. Of course, I understand the difficulty. Ten years of installments will suffice."

"Agreed," Bartholomew readily conceded.

"Don't forget to find a trustworthy intermediary to manage the funds, ensuring they reach their intended recipients," Yun Lintian added pointedly. "Don't think I haven't noticed your calculating glances. I'm clearly giving all of you an opportunity to do good deeds."

Bartholomew and the others exchanged helpless glances. It was obviously a robbery.

"The funds will be managed efficiently," Bartholomew assured him, his voice devoid of its usual arrogance.

"Excellent. Maintain that seriousness for the next condition," Yun Lintian said with a chuckle.

"Second, all human trafficking under your control ceases immediately. Every future violation will trigger the curse, so you have one month to clean house." His gaze swept across the room before settling on a trembling Enzo Moretti. "And you, Mr. Moretti, I hear you have a fondness for children."

Enzo shuddered. "I…"

"Don't fret," Yun Lintian interrupted, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Consider this a chance at redemption. No more children, understood? And ensure the victims receive proper care."

"Thank you, sir. I swear I'll never touch them again," Enzo stammered, his voice thick with terror.

"You better not," Yun Lintian replied, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"The last condition, perhaps a reward for you," Yun Lintian elaborated, "is that you'll soon witness a dramatic shift in the world. Resources will resurface one by one, leading to a complete global restoration within a decade."

"Regardless of your business ventures, I have only one request: prevent another large-scale war, a global conflict if possible."

Bartholomew exchanged glances with the others before replying, "We can manage that."

War was simply another avenue for profit, one they could easily forgo.

"Don't think of it as a bad thing," Yun Lintian said with a smile. "Consider it for your own good. With such an abundance of resources, I believe you, as astute businessmen, can easily predict the consequences."

Bartholomew and the others exchanged hesitant nods. Once the world recovered, war would be inevitable. Human greed, after all, knew no bounds.

Yun Lintian's intention to spare their lives was clear. He sought to transform them into guardians of the world, tasked with preventing a future catastrophe.

It appeared as a reward, but in truth, it was a form of punishment. Stripped of their influence and wealth, they were undoubtedly vulnerable to those hungrier for power.

"Excellent," Yun Lintian said with a satisfied nod. He just wanted to use evils to fight evils.

Cai Yaoyao, a silent observer throughout the ordeal, finally understood the Hell Church's actions had always been a joke in Yun Lintian's eyes.

"Well, it's time for me to depart," Yun Lintian announced, rising to leave. "Oh, and by the way," he added before departing, "don't even think about another 'Covid' incident. My mercy might not extend that far."

Bartholomew and the others offered wry smiles. It seemed they would have to walk on a righteous path from now on.

Yun Lintian cast a final glance at Wei Jianhong. "Brother Wei," he said, "pay your hometown a visit soon. I hear there's a new school that just opened."

The underlying message wasn't lost on Wei Jianhong. Originally from a mountainous village, he understood Yun Lintian's suggestion – to invest in rural education.

"I know what to do," Wei Jianhong replied promptly.

With that, Yun Lintian, along with Lei Hao and Cai Yaoyao, vanished, leaving everyone speechless once more.

Bartholomew took a deep breath and addressed the room. "Everyone..." he began, "from this day forward, let us operate under a new name: The Heavenly Church."