A common tavern that connects all fantasy worlds

The man waved to the camera, and looked at his clear figure in the monitor feedback in front of him with deep eyes.

"Hello, host, audience friends, just call me David."

When Selene approached him, he thought that he had found a group of "new vampires" somewhere, and the team needed to be mobilized again... Only after he was dragged here did he realize that the tavern lacked someone who could speak well and "pass the image" People who want to do a TV show.

He doesn't know anything about Mayan culture, let alone "Mayan prophecies", and he can only talk about what he was taught on the show.

The host is already asking: "Mr. David, that email mentioned the five major prophecies of the Maya, and also said that the Mayan solar calendar will end on December 2012, 12. Is it true?"

David then replied according to the predetermined and rehearsed statement: "First of all, let me talk about the five major prophecies of the Maya. The cultural relics mentioned in the email are currently considered by the academic circle to be fake. Drawing. The main reason is that these things made some mistakes in the depiction that the Mayans would never make, such as the wrong generalization of portraits, the wrong description of the characteristics of Mayan gods, and so on.

"Not only the materials of some 'cultural relics' cannot be preserved for more than 100 years, but traces of modern tools such as electric drills, as well as poor-quality old ones can be found.

"Considering that some audience friends may not understand, the counterfeiting of cultural relics is actually very common... There will be cultural relics dealers in every era who create fake cultural relics for profit, and the accuracy of some of the identification methods we can use is quite limited-at least we can't In order to determine the authenticity, the "cultural relics" are destroyed to analyze their internal materials, craftsmanship, etc. Some fake cultural relics have reached the level that even experts cannot distinguish, which adds a lot of difficulty to archaeological work.

"From this point of view, the cultural relics mentioned in this email are not even qualified to be called 'fakes' in terms of counterfeiting technology. Of course, the so-called prophecy is nothing more than a supplement. It may be to fabricate a prophecy first and then manufacture fake cultural relics as 'evidence' to enhance its value."

The host nodded and continued to ask: "So, the 'end of the world' prediction about 2012 is also fake?"

"This is a bit complicated." David knew that the point was coming, he was silent for a few seconds, recalled what was explained in the tavern before he came, and then answered: "This last prophecy is still a bit interesting , because the 'solar calendar' is mentioned in it, according to our current understanding of Maya culture, that is indeed the calendar used by the Maya; according to the situation we have so far, this calendar does end after the fifth era."

The TV station employees present were already listening with bated breath, because they were also very interested in it.

Thanks to the "information superhighway" construction plan proposed by the current president, the Internet in the United States has been developing at an extremely fast speed in recent years, and has entered thousands of households. "Mail" and "electronic office" have become new buzzwords.

The first "mail gossip" that appeared under such circumstances caused a sensation all over the world with its alarmist, ostentatious content and novel form, and the TV crews present were no exception.

Half of the credit is due to the mysterious impression of Mayan culture in everyone's cognition, and the other half is due to the transmission method itself, which is still very rare in this era.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd of onlookers and the host, David continued: "...the description of the Mayan gods in the email can basically be considered true, especially the description of the god of death,'Rooji Ishtab After the hero brothers defeated the god of death in the underworld, they became the new god of death and the patron saint of suicides. Her other identity, Shitabai, will be transformed into a beautiful snake that haunts the rainforest at night, punishing male villains, such as drunks, thieves, and others. man of'."

After saying this may be the most important sentence today, David also relaxed, and began to talk on the TV show according to Boss Xue's instructions:

"But we all know that the best lie is [-]% fact, and only the most crucial [-]% is fiction.

"The next statement in the email that 'the end of the world began with the fall of Ishtab or Shitabai' is not found in any extant Mayan literature. Besides, the descendants of the Maya who are still living in Central and South America Disagree with this theory about the 'end of the world'; even 2012 December 12 as the end of time is a misconception, the long calendar used by the Mayans is 'cyclical', that is, 21 is not 'end of time', but just 'end of a record'.

"None of us are going to scream 'my life is over' because the diary has run out and has to turn the pages?

"In addition, there is actually no standard answer for converting the Mayan calendar into the modern AD chronology, which many historians are also studying; there are many conversion methods at present, and the 'turning pages' obtained by each method time points are different.

"The person who spread this message may have some purpose, or maybe he just wanted to play a prank, but these so-called 'magic prophecies' he put forward are only contrived. Superstitions about the 'end of the world' have been found in every culture throughout the ages. It’s not uncommon to see it in Zhongdu, but we haven’t hit it once, and we’ve lived well until now.”

After David finished his speech, the host of the TV station applauded immediately, and after the camera turned back, he made a conclusion: "Thanks to Mr. David for his wonderful explanation, our colleagues also interviewed the Maya in Guatemala. Descendants, but also the inheritor of the Mayan culture, Mr. Felipe Gomez, a famous scholar. The camera will be handed over to the scene."

After the "ON AIR" red light indicating that the signal was in operation was turned off, the host breathed a sigh of relief and turned to shake hands with David: "Thank you, Mr. David, we have all been exhausted by this rumor recently. Someone called the TV station. Luckily, Mr. Maui found you...You are really young and promising."

"My honor." David also smiled, reached out and shook her hand.

In this way, the task is considered complete.

The so-called "Mr. Maui" is a high-level TV station, and is actually a devout Christian believer who has maintained close communication with the church; I contacted him and said that scholars who know this field can refute this "pagan heresy" in public on TV programs, so David came here.

What he said is also true, it is indeed to refute this rumor, but the ultimate purpose... In fact, it is just to prove that sentence from another angle, strengthen the impression that the email has created in people's minds, and let no one Those who notice also have a positive perception of it.

"The rope girl Ishtab is the snake girl Shitabai."

This is what Xue Li wanted.

Because of the efficient cultural destruction of the colonists, whether these two gods with very similar names are the same person, I am afraid that even the descendants of the Mayans may not be able to tell.

In another world, at least in the world where Max bought the book of Mayan mythology, this statement may actually be true.

Mayan mythology, a primitive religion, originated in an era when transportation and information transmission were not so developed. Even something as serious as mythology may be distorted, misunderstood, or even fused with similar content in other cultures in the process of transmission.

For example, the Mayan culture, the Inca culture, and the Aztec culture are not the same thing, but after long-term coexistence and mutual transmission, before the final destruction comes, there is already me in you, and you in me. Descendants of the mythology can't tell what content in the myth was there from the beginning and what was later absorbed from other places.

Two gods with similar names, different powers, and different jurisdictions are actually the same individual. This kind of thing happens in various ancient civilizations around the world. Famous ones such as Freya and Frigga, there is a saying that she The two are actually one person.

After completing the interview, David walked out of the TV station, politely declined the staff to see him off, and saw Selene outside who was chatting with Daig about something.

"...Complete. By the way, why do I have to play such a role? An expert in the study of Mayan civilization? Do I look like it?"

He said.

Selene turned her head and repeated the answer she had already given: "There are only a few who have time now. The image of Max can't be on TV saying that he is an expert in the study of Mayan culture...there is another one who has already drunk Drunken Captain Jack Sparrow."

David, who came to the tavern for the first time, managed to match these two names with people, and nodded helplessly.

"So we can go back now?"

Selene took out the communicator, first contacted Boss Xue, and reported, "The program has already been broadcast."

Response from the other side: "Thank you, we will arrive at our destination soon. Daige, take the guests back, today's drinks are free."

Chapter 37 The Foundation of Existence

After explaining to Selene, Xue Li heaved a sigh of relief, sat on a stone and turned off the communication.

At this point, all possible preparations have been made. Next, let's see how effective these methods are and whether they can restrain a god...

Even if it is an evil god, Shitabai's power is obviously not something that these people present can resist, even D who doesn't know where the limit of his strength is.

The descriptions of gods in different cultures may be different, but at least one thing is common: the so-called "god" is the ruler, either the ruler of the universe, or the ruler of some aspect of it.

Generally speaking, the description in the priesthood is the area where the god has the strongest ability. For example, the six-eared macaque that even the gods in the sky can't tell, can be heard by listening to it... How should I put it, their name is "listening to the truth" .

But of course, gods are also bound by their priesthood.

The place where several people are now is at the junction of mountains, deserts and green land. There are neither modern buildings nor ancient Mayan ruins nearby, which is outside the territory of real civilization.

When I asked the king of amphibians why he put the golden skull here, the guy still had the backbone not to speak, so angry that Amelia almost lifted the coffin board directly and exposed him to the sun .

But even if he didn't say it, Xue Li could still guess it.

After doing such things as sealing the gods and stealing power, it is naturally impossible to put the sealed items in the town openly and under the noses of others.Even if there were towns or villages here, they would definitely have to be moved and bulldozed. It would be best if no one found this skull for hundreds of thousands of years.

Judging from the results, they did achieve their goals.

When they came to this place, Xue Li and the others couldn't see where the things were buried from the ground at all, and even had to borrow geological scanning equipment from other worlds, wasting another day or so.

This stone box engraved with nine symbols was only dug out of the ground by several people until today.

Open the stone box, and the golden skull is inside.

Different from another more well-known skull-shaped cultural relic, this one is more like something that has been handed down from the past. The carving style is very rough, and the shape is not [-]% accurate in an anatomical sense, but anyone can see it at a glance. Know that it is based on a human skeleton.

At sunset, Xue Li held this exquisite work of art in amazement.

"A cultural relic from the Mayan culture... This is the real thing. It's definitely not the kind where second-hand cultural relic dealers blindly carve a bunch of modern objects on it and then make it old."

While speaking, he threw the thing to Amelia next to him.

After I found it, this thing seemed not so important... Although it was said to be a seal, neither Shitabai's divine body nor her divine soul would be trapped by such a thing.This level of sealing ceremony is more conceptual. The skull and the Nine Kings together construct the completion of the act of "driving the gods away from reality and depriving them of power" at the mystical level.

Santa Nicole is just a transformed snake demon, her level of life, and even her status in the bar of the King of Snakes is not very good, she will not have such a detailed understanding of such advanced mystical theories.

However, there is also a guest in the tavern who has personally executed the seal of the gods.

Although it seems unreliable, Jack Sparrow's knowledge in this area is still credible. Not only did he seal Calypso together with the other eight pirate kings... he even once had an affair with the sea goddess .

No wonder Davy Jones hated him so much.

Amelia, who was sitting on the lid of the metal coffin with her legs up, took the skull and was about to play with it like her boss, when D, who had been silent at the side, suddenly said:

"coming."

Of all the people present, only his senses were the most sensitive.

Some kind of powerful coercion is already approaching here. In terms of scale, it is probably two or three orders of magnitude larger than the blood countess, which means hundreds or thousands of times.

It might be a bit counterintuitive to use this "digital" description to describe the sense of threat, but this is how he really feels.

He is not without doubts about Boss Xue's plan. Can a group of humans, a vampire undergoing reverse transformation, and a mixed race really defeat the gods?

For the sake of my own life, maybe I shouldn't participate in this kind of thing and just run away quickly?

But as the girl named Leila in his own world had told him, he was just such a nosy person.

And he likes the wine in that tavern very much, and he also likes the people there, and he can't imagine the days when he can't go there to rest, drink, and observe other guests.

Following his reminder, the other people present finally became alert and each clenched their weapons tightly.

From the far end of the wilderness, a figure seemed to be walking slowly, but quickly came to the front within a few minutes.

The Goddess's footsteps were not considered fast, and she obviously didn't tear up the space or shrink the ground into inches...but it just happened, so reasonable.

Soon, everyone could see the white and beautiful face, and the long black hair cascading down from the shoulders.

Just looking at the appearance, Goddess Shitabai is simply the most beautiful woman in the world, even more beautiful than Santa Nicole Chaos who is still performing on the stage of "Milk Whirlwind".

"Nine out of nine...here."

Strangely, what she spoke was not Old Yucatan... but American English, which was perfectly standard.

Now the two brothers Seth and Rich could understand it completely, and couldn't help looking at each other... They could understand what the goddess said, but they couldn't understand the situation everyone was facing now.

Shitabai on the opposite side stopped in front of everyone, completely ignoring the gun in Amelia's hand and the knife drawn from behind by vampire hunter D, and just looked at Xue Li.

"People from another world, people who suddenly formed karma with this land and this body. What have you done, can you tell this body?"

she says.

Everyone present felt some kind of strong incompatibility... The way the goddess spoke was no longer strange, it was deliberately awkward, as if an ignorant person was trying to imitate Shakespeare, or she seemed to be sleeping hundreds of thousands of times underground. The old guy of [-] years was suddenly entered with a bunch of modern vocabulary.

Xue Li smiled instead.

If the king of salamanders is released now, and he is told to see the goddess in this state, I wonder if he will be frightened and bite his wet, disgustingly long tongue.

Not only has the way of speaking changed into this strange appearance, but the goddess has not rotted, and she does not carry the kind of hostility that has always existed on her body.

Before answering the goddess' question, Boss Xue nodded to her first, and asked first, "Goddess... Are you Ishtab or Shitabai now?"

The goddess's eyes, which seemed to contain the Milky Way, slightly bent, and she uttered a fresh voice like spring water: "You asked this question, so the change of this body is also related to you."

She didn't pay attention to D and Amelia who were on the verge of losing their guard, walked over and took Xue Li's hand, let him sit on the ground, and sat down facing the human being .

D did not draw a knife.

Just now, his mind was intimidated by the goddess in front of him, and he stopped for a moment.

Although his spiritual sense was far sharper than that of anyone present, it was only at this time that he could roughly understand what it was like to face a god directly.Although it would not cause him to completely lose the will and ability to resist, it was the first time for him to be in such a weak position, which made him feel insecure again after a long absence.

Looking at the people around him again, Amelia was only nervous because of the sudden movement of the other party, and the same was true for several humans; as for Boss Xue...he couldn't tell whether this person understood what he was facing, maybe it was just Too well-informed and used to all kinds of things.

"This body has found eight of the nine traitors, but on the way here, there is no need to continue..." Goddess Shitabai said, "The existence of this body is beyond the 'Shitabai' In the name of the name, the story of the two sisters 'Shikeban' and 'Uts-Korer' has been transcended, that is, the shackles of these bold people on 'Shitabai' have been broken."

If Xue Li hadn't caused such a result by himself, it would not be easy for him to understand.

To put it simply, the Nine Kings tried their best to steal the power of the goddess "Shitabai" and seal "Shitabai"; failed.If you have to analyze it, you may probably refer to set theory.

Xue Li nodded, and boldly asked the goddess in front of him: "So, do you still have to take the lives of these people present?"

"...this body no longer needs a sacrifice of flesh and blood." Goddess Shitabai, or "Sheng Ji", said so.

Still, she turned to the coffin where Amelia was sitting.

"Only the existence of 'Shitabai' needs to be proved by vengeance."

"Yeah, as long as you still have the 'Shitabai' part in your concept..." Xue Li scratched his head, and said something that even the friends who were with him behind him couldn't quite understand: "But how to say Well, although using the new media that emerged in the new era, this legend has caused a certain degree of group cognitive shift in just two days... But those people are only sketchy under the influence of curiosity after all. have this knowledge. They can't act as a 'connection'."

Whether it is Shitabai or "Shengji", they are all myths that have been circulated in this land, and the Mayan civilization is the foundation of their existence... If even civilization itself does not exist, myths and myths that are symbols of civilization and God, can it continue to survive?

Unfortunately, the Mayan civilization has been destroyed by the colonists for a long time... Even those descendants of the Maya in Guatemala may not necessarily still retain their beliefs.

[106. No. 106]

Why didn't Calypso kill all nine pirate kings?The deeper reason is that her own existence depends on them.

Here too, except for the remaining king of salamanders, no one in the world knows the true origin story of the goddess and what happened to her.If you have to transfer the "connection" to another place, not only the characteristics and memory of the goddess itself will change, but she may also be forgotten and disappear at any time.

The only remaining betrayer has become the link to maintain the truth, I am afraid no one would have thought of this!

However, the beautiful goddess in front of her just looked up at the gradually darkening sky and said, "This body... has been changed by your actions..."

Chapter 38 New Testament

Although some schools of thought define God as "the supreme and perfect controlling force, the maker of the most fundamental operating rules of the universe", it is clear that in the eyes of most people, God is actual, physically existing, and even personified. of.

Metaphysical things are too far away from the lives of most ordinary people.

Gods are not only the reflection of group consciousness, but also the norms of group consciousness; on the one hand, as people’s longing and imagination, gods cannot exist independently without being separated from people in concept; on the other hand, gods also represent the moral principles that people pursue and hope to abide by .

It is precisely because of this understanding that Xue Li was able to change the image of Shitabai through a rumor; the god who appeared in front of everyone was "Sheng Ji", the god of the underworld, and she was given the "punishment" for hunting men in the rainforest. The meaning of "a person with bad conduct", so no matter how powerful she is, she can't hurt anyone here without reason.

It's just that what is spread through the mail is only cognition rather than belief, and most people on the Internet only listen to it as a story. Such a fragile connection cannot allow her to continue to exist in this world.