Lord of Prayer

Chapter 156: Chapter 121: Automatic Program

In the hospital room.

Jiang Che picked up the vinyl record and examined it. She had already guessed that the two Crowned Kings had been here. “What did Hermes and the King of Music say to you?”

“What else could they say? The old-timers came by to praise the younger generation, of course. They said I did a good job and told me to keep up the good work.” Zhou Chen stretched lazily, acting as if he had never even touched the Hammer of Casting.

“You seem to be recovering well. In that case, let’s conduct a routine debriefing.”

Jiang Che pulled an official tablet from her bag and began questioning him in a business-like manner. “Please describe what happened inside the Curse Source.”

“After Li Xiaoxiao died, Destined Death manifested and came to life. With the help of the King of Music’s BGM, I took it down. Then Hermes suddenly appeared, picked up a red hammer from the source of the pollution, ignited the Curse Source, and saved Erin…” Zhou Chen shrugged. “That’s about it. I passed out after that.”

He had already coordinated his story with Hermes and the King of Music. Plus, at the time, the Curse Source was sealed off by the King of Music, and the rest of the operation team was tied up fighting Abyssal Demons. So, what actually happened was entirely up to whatever he decided to say.

“Please describe the battle in more detail, as well as what Hermes and the King of Music said to you…”

「An hour later.」

Jiang Che organized and revised her notes, uploaded them to the database, and nodded. “Alright, that’s everything.”

“This process is way too long,” Zhou Chen grumbled, picking up his thermos to drink some water and soothe his throat.

“It’s a necessary procedure. If you don’t want the people from headquarters sticking their noses in, you have to put on a show,” Jiang Che said calmly.

Originally, a specialist sent from headquarters was supposed to be in charge of Zhou Chen’s investigation. Since he was involved in so many important incidents, it would have been impossible for him to avoid being locked up and interrogated for two or three days. However, thanks to Jiang Che’s firm refusal, the in-depth investigation was ultimately dropped.

Of course, a standard investigation still had to be conducted. But on Jiang Che’s turf, she was the one who called the shots on how the questioning was done.

So, after going through the standard procedure, the matter was considered closed.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you to see Erin,” Jiang Che said, standing up.

In six days, the severely damaged Golden Bamboo Star Association headquarters had been restored to its original state. Most of the Operators, meanwhile, were cleaning up the Mirror World battlefield day and night.

Outside a high-monitoring ward in the underground medical department, Zhou Chen saw Erin lying on the bed through a glass window.

Like a Sleeping Beauty, she was sleeping peacefully.

Her complexion was healthy, her lips were rosy, and all the indicators on the Life Detection Device showed she was in optimal condition. Yet, she was trapped in a deep slumber, showing no signs of waking.

“According to examinations by the research department, the medical department, several Crowned Kings, and the Great Sages, the Curse on Erin has completely vanished.”

Jiang Che looked at Zhou Chen, her perpetually unchanging tone carrying an undisguised note of approval. “You shattered her fate of certain death. You did well.”

Zhou Chen gazed at the sleeping Erin. “So what’s wrong with her now?”

“Her Soul is currently too weak, like that of a newborn infant. It can’t support her physical body, so she has fallen into a deep sleep. No one knows when she will wake up.”

Jiang Che said, “Duke Elizabeth’s intention is to transfer Erin to the headquarters’ medical facility for treatment and strict protection. Even though the Curse has been removed, he’s still afraid that Erin will suddenly die in two months.”

This world is full of strange and unpredictable things: deadly Curses, terrifying Curse Spirits, wicked Forbidden Objects… After enduring countless hardships to finally escape their clutches and find a path to survival, just when you think it’s all over, those things can suddenly reappear in the most mundane of moments, bringing despair and terror. Only at the very end do you realize you never truly escaped them at all…

The simplest example is the Abyssal Cursed Object, Annabelle. No matter where it’s thrown, it always returns to the victim’s home to claim their life. And that’s to say nothing of a high-Status Curse like Destined Death. It could very well make a comeback when everyone has let their guard down.

Even with the diagnostic reports from the Crowned Kings and the Great Sages, Duke Elizabeth was still incredibly worried.

“Transferring her to headquarters is indeed the best option. She’ll receive better treatment and protection there,” Zhou Chen nodded.

Jiang Che continued, “Duke Elizabeth wants to thank you in person, but many things have been happening in the Laine Kingdom recently—attacks, riots, protests, kidnappings… He’s completely swamped and doesn’t have the time right now.”

The good news is, your Advancement materials have arrived. When do you plan to advance?”

’Advancement…’

To be honest, Zhou Chen couldn’t wait. Not only would it completely repair his Soul, but he would also gain Derivative Abilities. After using the Forbidden Object, Hidden Dragon, he had realized just how awesome it was to have a Displacement Skill.

But before his Advancement, he needed to save up some wish value. Then he could wish for a smooth Advancement and to gain Derivative Abilities.

“Let’s wait another day or two. I need to get back into shape.”

Speaking of which, Zhou Chen suddenly remembered something important. “Where are my Forbidden Objects?”

Jiang Che glanced at the ladies’ watch on her wrist. “I have a meeting that’s about to start. Go ask Xiao Yan in the research department.”

·

“Well, well, well, look who it is.”

Inside the office, prompted by Xiao Yan’s teasing shouts, dozens of researchers burst into enthusiastic applause. Among them, two young women’s eyes were shining and their faces were flushed, clapping with extreme vigor.

Zhou Chen was stunned. “What’s going on?”

Xiao Yan laughed. “You don’t know? You’re a huge celebrity in the Golden Bamboo Star Association now. Everyone knows about you playing the hero and saving the damsel in distress. See? The hero defeats the Demon and saves the doomed princess—what a classic storyline. Especially when the main characters are so good-looking. The girls in the Civil Affairs Department next door are going crazy shipping you two.”

“Ah, this…”

“More importantly, the King of Music personally composed your soundtrack! Do you know who she is? The King of Music and Art! She’s the embodiment of art itself. She decides what colors are in fashion every year. She’s the number one superstar in the world, and every one of her songs gets over a hundred million plays. For the past few days, I’ve heard that song of yours playing on a loop in every single department.”

’It can’t be that big a deal, can it? It’s not some pop song, it’s a pure piano piece…’ Zhou Chen scratched his head. ’Looks like I’ve become a little famous without even realizing it?’

“Anyway, what are you here for?” Xiao Yan asked.

“To get my Forbidden Objects.”

“Oh, right. Follow me.”

Xiao Yan led Zhou Chen to a huge warehouse. He showed a credential to the front desk, and the warehouse manager immediately began typing something into the computer with a flurry of keystrokes.

Before long, the sound of machinery whirred to life. A conveyor belt installed on the warehouse ceiling began to move, carrying a metal safe that swung over and slowly descended to the front desk.

Xiao Yan entered the password and opened it. “Your things are all inside.”

Zhou Chen looked into the safe. The Bloodthirsty Chainsaw, Blindfolded Sunglasses, and Soul-Shocking Copper Whistle were all lying quietly inside. As for the other Forbidden Objects, since they had been borrowed, they had already been returned to the Star Association.

To his surprise, the Bloodthirsty Chainsaw, whose saw blade had been shattered and rusted, now looked brand new—sharp and gleaming.

“Great Sage Chen Bojun happened to be free a few days ago, so he went ahead and fixed it for you. He was also going to ask if you wanted to change the chainsaw’s design into a Chainsaw Sword.”

“Of course I do! A Chainsaw Sword would be so cool!” Zhou Chen replied without a second thought.

Xiao Yan shrugged helplessly. “You’re a little late. He left two days ago. Great Sage Roland is still here, but he doesn’t have time to modify it for you. Great Sage Chen Bojun only helped you because he has a soft spot for violent, crude weapons like this.”

“Oh well, forget it then.”

Zhou Chen didn’t feel it was too much of a pity. Now that he had the Hammer of Casting, he could actually change the Bloodthirsty Chainsaw’s design himself. He could even forge it into a pure Essence Forbidden Object and contain it within his Soul for convenient use.

·

Carrying the chainsaw, he returned to his hospital room. After another detailed examination by the doctors, Zhou Chen closed his eyes, and his consciousness ascended to the Round Table Hall.

He was shrouded in white mist, sitting on an ancient throne made of Obsidian. Countless brilliant, colorful Wish Bubbles floated around him.

“Is it possible to create a program that automatically fulfills wishes?”

Zhou Chen gazed at the boundless expanse of Wish Bubbles, his fingers tapping on the tabletop. As he thought, a bold idea gradually formed in his mind.

’A person’s energy is finite, unless you stop being human.’

’I can’t possibly stay here every day looking at wishes and fulfilling them. That being the case, why not just create a program to fulfill wishes automatically?’

’—A program that would filter and sort wishes, then automatically mobilize the Power of Wishes to grant the ones with a “low investment and high return.”’

’For example—curing baldness.’

’As everyone knows, every bald man has an extremely strong obsession with having hair, and the Power of Wishes required to cure baldness is minimal. It perfectly fits the “low investment, high return” principle.’

’In fact, when it comes to physical health, all patients have an intense desire to be cured of their illnesses.’

’So, if I could really create an automatic wish-fulfillment program, the first priority would be to help patients realize their wishes for restored health.’

Then came the problem.

How could he create an automatic wish-fulfillment program?

’If I make a wish for it, the wish value in the Wish Bottle definitely won’t be enough…’

Zhou Chen’s body descended, arriving next to the Wishing Fountain. He looked at the puddle of water at the bottom of the basin.

This spring water was liquefied wish value, a remnant left over after forging a “miracle.” The Power of Wishes it contained was far greater. Although using it would deplete the supply, if he could really create a fully automatic wish-fulfillment program, then by running it 24/7, the consumed spring water would quickly replenish and even begin to grow steadily. It would absolutely be worth it.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhou Chen tried making a wish: “I wish for a program that can automatically fulfill wishes!”

The next second, the puddle of Wishing Spring Water lit up, and more than half of it evaporated into thin air. Only a pathetic, bottle-cap-sized amount remained, so thin it looked like it could dry up at any moment.

The light surged into Zhou Chen’s mind. As his consciousness expanded, he felt his connection to this space grow much closer. It was as if he had imperceptibly grasped some kind of Ability.

A few minutes later, the feeling of expansion in his mind slowly subsided. Zhou Chen followed his instincts and focused his will. Immediately, he felt more than half of his Spiritual Power being drained away.

A pale golden figure appeared before him.

The figure had facial features similar to his, but its eyes were dull and lifeless, like a robot’s.

“Er… It drained my Spiritual Power to create a Clone, and this Clone is the automatic wish-fulfillment program?” Zhou Chen quickly discerned the nature of this Clone.

No, to be precise, it wasn’t a Clone. It only looked like him. In reality, it was a cold, rigid, blank “program.”

’My connection with this space has grown even closer. Logically, this kind of thing should only happen after an increase in Status… Did the wish I just made deepen my connection to this space?’

’Next up is the programming…’