Hearing Jiang Baimian's words, Shang Jianyao immediately became silent.
After a few seconds, he suddenly laughed:
"But They won't save all of humanity."
Jiang Baimian was stunned for a moment, then inexplicably relieved, and laughed:
"Yeah, we can only rely on ourselves, just like that song you always play."
Compared to the monster in the No. 1 Swamp Ruins laboratory, that kind of gaze was even more unimaginable, completely beyond her comprehension, making her feel momentarily agitated, fearful, and uneasy.
After all, the knowledge she had learned and the life she had experienced made her more inclined to believe in science, believing that everything could be analyzed, understood, hypothesized, verified, grasped, and reproduced. The so-called gods and Ruling Deities did not exist, or if they did, they were just more powerful mutated creatures.
The experience just now had somewhat subverted her worldview.
However, after chatting with Shang Jianyao for a few sentences, she shook off this emotion and cheered up again:
Even if there really are Ruling Deities, gods, They don't save all of humanity, so what relationship do They have with us?
Moreover, why can't we analyze, understand, hypothesize, verify, grasp, and reproduce the Ruling Deities?
Jiang Baimian knew that this idea carried some self-deceptive spirit, but in the current situation, it was the best way to help her recover her state as quickly as possible.
In the brief silence, a burst of footsteps came from outside the door.
Baz and a middle-aged man in a black robe quickly entered Bishop Renato's room.
Church guards holding various weapons were scattered in the corridor, blocking it off.
"I am 'Admonisher' Song He." The middle-aged man in the black robe looked at Bishop Renato, who was restrained by Shang Jianyao, and introduced himself.
In Redstone Town, where masks were prevalent, he rarely wore a disguise. He was of the Ashlander race, with slightly sparse eyebrows and slightly graying temples. His face had few wrinkles, making it difficult to determine his exact age.
At first glance, Jiang Baimian remembered his rather upright, square face and cleanly shaved beard.
"Admonisher?" She asked doubtfully.
It sounded like some rank within the Vigilance Church.
"A clergyman directly under the bishop, responsible for daily evangelism and preaching." Song He explained simply.
Jiang Baimian didn't ask further:
"Take a look and see if it's really Bishop Renato."
Considering the presence of Baz and the others, they spoke in Red River dialect to show sincerity.
Song He walked to Shang Jianyao's side, squatted down, and looked at the "Heartless" man trying to lift his head. His expression became more solemn.
After a few seconds, he sighed:
"It's the bishop.
"He's suffering from 'Heartless Disease'."
He immediately ordered the church guards outside the door to bring in handcuffs, ropes, and other items to tie up the struggling "Heartless" Renato tightly.
After doing this, he turned around and said to Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian:
"Please wait a moment, I must immediately report the bishop's condition."
"Okay." Jiang Baimian expressed her understanding.
Song He immediately walked to the door and said seriously:
"Everyone stays here, no one can leave, and no one can tell others about the bishop's illness."
"Yes, Admonisher." The church guards responded respectfully.
After watching Song He leave, Jiang Baimian turned her head and said to Baz:
"You guys seem to trust Admonisher Song very much?"
"Yeah." Baz nodded. "He was one of the first Admonishers to come to Redstone Town to preach."
"How old is he?" Jiang Baimian immediately noticed a problem.
Judging from his appearance, Song He's age didn't match the fact that he was one of the first to come to Redstone Town to preach.
How could someone who obviously wasn't over fifty have come to Redstone Town to preach in the early New Calendar or the late Chaotic Era?
Could it be that he was gifted and eloquent enough to serve as an Admonisher at just a few years old?
"I'm not sure, he should be about the same age as my deceased grandfather, even if he's not seventy, he's close." Baz answered, thinking.
Jiang Baimian was slightly surprised:
"He looks very young."
"Yeah, he never seems to age, they say it's a gift from the Ruling Deity." Baz said that he felt the same way.
Shang Jianyao interjected in a low voice:
"Maybe this is already the nth generation of Song He. Every time Song He starts to age, a new Song He comes to replace him."
"..." Baz, who lacked entertainment, looked blank, but the more he thought about it, the more terrifying Shang Jianyao's description seemed.
"Don't listen to him, he just likes to tell horror stories." Jiang Baimian scolded, then asked, "Then why hasn't he become a bishop?"
He's been an Admonisher for so many years, he must have some merit.
Could it be that the Vigilance Church stipulates that only those who have received the Ruling Deity's blessing and awakened their abilities can serve as a bishop?
"The Admonisher himself refused. He always says that what he has now is enough, he is very content, and to ask to become a bishop would only seem greedy and no longer be favored by 'Yougu'." Baz repeated Song He's words.
At this time, Bishop Renato, who was suffering from "Heartless Disease," had his mouth stuffed and couldn't make beast-like noises. He could only twist and turn, trying to break free from his restraints.
Not long after, Admonisher Song He, wearing a black robe, returned to the room and said to Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao:
"The Fear Bishopric will soon send a new bishop to handle Renato's situation. During this time, I will be responsible for the church affairs in Redstone Town."
After speaking, he crossed his hands and placed them on his chest, taking a step back:
"Vigilance is a reminder from God."
After performing the ritual, Song He looked at Jiang Baimian and the others and said sincerely:
"I have a request."
Seeing that he was being so humble, Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao exchanged glances and said:
"Please speak."
"Please don't spread the news that Bishop Renato is suffering from 'Heartless Disease.' Before we figure out why he fell ill, the corresponding rumors will damage the church's reputation." Song He didn't hide anything and frankly stated his concerns.
"Understandable." Jiang Baimian felt that Song He was very friendly. She hummed and said, "We will keep this a secret."
A bishop who was blessed by God would actually suffer from "Heartless Disease." This was a considerable blow to the Ruling Deity's image and the church's authority, which would make believers doubt whether the Ruling Deity could protect them.
After the investigation, Renato would likely be labeled with blasphemy... It wasn't that Jiang Baimian harbored ill will toward the Vigilance Church, but rather that similar treatments were too common.
Shang Jianyao nodded in agreement:
"With our friendship, no problem."
When did we become friends? Self-proclaimed? Jiang Baimian found it amusing.
Song He didn't refute Shang Jianyao's words and reminded Baz again before turning to order the church guards in a rather authoritative manner.
He had a natural charisma that inspired trust.
Watching him arrange everything in an orderly manner, Jiang Baimian lowered her voice and praised:
"I think he's more like a bishop than Renato, more suitable for this position."
"It's a pity he's unwilling to serve, otherwise Redstone Town wouldn't be as divided as it is now." Baz echoed.
At this time, Song He called Baz over and began to explain some things.
Jiang Baimian stayed in the room, calmly watching them in the corridor.
After twenty or thirty seconds, her brows suddenly furrowed slightly.
"I'm going to the bathroom." She said loudly.
Song He pointed to his right side and said:
"It's at the end."
He didn't stop her, appearing very trusting and at ease.
"I'm going too." Shang Jianyao followed behind Jiang Baimian.
Arriving at the bathroom, Jiang Baimian pulled him into a stall in the women's restroom.
"Did you notice?" She asked seriously.
Shang Jianyao hummed:
"Song He is very suitable for making friends."
Jiang Baimian nodded slightly:
"I just examined my emotional and attitudinal changes and found that the transition from vigilance and defensiveness to friendliness and trust was too fast.
"Although I would indeed agree to keep the secret, I definitely wouldn't agree because Song He is very friendly and a trustworthy friend. The only reason for making the decision would be my own style and personal beliefs."
"Maybe because the situation is stronger than people." Shang Jianyao helped add.
Jiang Baimian glanced at him sideways:
"So, what are your thoughts?"
"He is an Awakened." Shang Jianyao replied.
Jiang Baimian puffed out her cheeks:
"One of his abilities should be to make people feel friendly, trustworthy, and willing to listen. He didn't use his ability before, he only used it when he made the request... It doesn't seem to require verbal inducement...
"This is truly a suitable ability for evangelism."
She wasn't angry that Song He used his friendliness ability on her.
Compared to "persuasion" with dozens of guns pointed at her, a similar "request" was completely acceptable. It was even closer to an insurance measure.
She could understand his desire to keep the secret, and since she hadn't been forced to change her will, she naturally didn't feel any anger.
"What would his price be?" Shang Jianyao was quite curious.
Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said:
"Could it be related to his unwillingness to become a bishop?"
"I think it's related to how young he looks." Shang Jianyao expressed his opinion.
"Can that be the price? Who wouldn't want a price like that? It might be one of the manifestations of his abilities..." Jiang Baimian laughed and scolded a few times, then sighed, "The Vigilance Church is truly full of hidden talents. They've deployed two Awakened in Redstone Town, maybe even more."
Judging from Song He's words, a bishop should have several Admonishers under him.
"Maybe the lack of communion is to save money." Shang Jianyao sighed from his own perspective.
After discussing this matter, they went to the bathroom out of habit and then returned to Bishop Renato's room.
Seeing them, Song He nodded slightly and said:
"I have learned about Baz's matter and am preparing to send church guards to invite An Heba Si over. It's best if everyone can talk face-to-face and resolve it peacefully.
"Do you two want to observe and witness, or leave now?"
Before Baz could ask the "Qian Baisiao Squad" to stay and provide the necessary protection, Jiang Baimian laughed and said:
"Of course we want to observe, this is also related to the mission we accepted."
ps: It's the end of the month, please vote for the monthly ticket~