Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest

Chapter 166 Ah~ The scent of wool (5k6)

Songyuan Main City, Wind Bell Square.

Attorney General's Office, in the meeting room.

"Grand Arbitrator" Randall looked at the priest in front of him with a complicated expression.

In Randall's mind, there was still a vague impression of the priest opposite him.

That was the priest who sat next to "Grand Shepherd of Purification" Anthony when he went to Red Maple City to judge Rodif.

At that time, Randall still vaguely remembered that the priest was only a second-level destiny of [Glorious].

But now, with Randall's soul perception, he can no longer see through the true spiritual level of the priest opposite him.

"...the 'holy judge' of the church in Sina City."

Landal then crossed his fingers and placed them on the bridge of his nose, looking at Luo Xiu with deep eyes, and tentatively greeted him:

"Welcome to Songyuan City, friend of the 'holy court'. So, what is your purpose?"

"You should know, Lord Arbitrator."

Luo Xiu smiled and said, "Of course it's for that matter."

...That matter? Landal's expression froze.

"Regarding the subsidy for the losses suffered by you holy judges in Hongfeng City, I will send an envoy in the near future to show our attitude and sincerity."

Landal said expressionlessly, waiting for the response of the priest opposite.

In Landal's cognition, the priest from Sina City can only be for this matter.

"...Oh, you are talking about this, Lord Arbitrator."

Luo Xiu's face showed a trace of surprise, but it soon disappeared without a trace, returning to the seriousness of the meeting.

"This is indeed an important matter, but I think... it is not more important than the upcoming 'war'." Luo Xiu said.

"... War." Randall's face was solemn, and he keenly caught the key words.

"Please tell me your purpose again carefully."

A sharp golden light flashed in Randall's eyes, and his eyes stared at Luo Xiu.

He still couldn't see through the true intention of the priest opposite.

He only saw that the priest raised his arm slightly and stretched out a finger upwards.

——Pop! Golden swaying flames burst out from Luo Xiu's fingertips, accompanied by a surge of strong spiritual surges.

The waves of spiritual surges transmitted through the air made Randall's pupils shrink slightly. He supported the table with both hands and slowly stood up.

"...Are you a clergyman of the triple destiny of [Glorious]?"

Landal looked surprised and said in a puzzled tone, "But last time, you were clearly..."

"Just half a month ago, I was promoted."

Luo Xiu's calm eyes met Landal's scrutinizing eyes.

He released some of his spirituality, which indeed deceived Landal's perception.

Luo Xiu, who has a quadruple destiny, deceived the "Great Arbitrator" who only has a triple destiny at the spiritual level, just like an adult bullying a child.

"As you think, my clergymanship in the Sina City Church is 'deacon'. And I am now talking to you as the 'Holy Inquisitor'."

"..."Landal fell silent.

After a moment of thought, Landal extended his right hand to Luo Xiu.

"Then, I understand."

Landal said solemnly, "Please allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Landal Schwitters, the 'Grand Arbitrator' in charge of this Law Office."

This is Landal's correct attitude towards peers, and also a signal of goodwill he conveyed to himself.

Luo Xiu understood this, and he also stretched out his right hand and shook hands with Landal.

"Luo Xiu Carlos." Luo Xiu nodded slightly and said to Landal, "Respected [Supreme] Arbitrator, I come to eliminate war."

After Luo Xiu and Landal formally introduced their identities to each other again, they sat back in their original seats.

"Since you are here as the 'Holy Inquisitor'... Luo Xiu."

Landal asked in an inquiring tone, "Then, you should also be qualified to represent the Church of Sina City and make a statement?"

"Of course." Luo Xiu nodded in reply.

"That's great."

Landal nodded and said:

"I originally planned to send an envoy to Sina City to give your church two thousand Norlan gold coins as a subsidy, as well as sufficient medicine and material subsidies."

When Landal finished speaking, a translucent blurry figure slowly emerged beside him.

That was the "spiritual body" of the great arbitrator, holding a light blue bracelet in its hand.

Landal took the bracelet from the spiritual body, pushed it in front of Luo Xiu, and said:

"It seems that it is not needed now, and I don't need to allocate manpower at this juncture... Luo Xiu, please accept our sincerity on behalf of the church."

"..." Luo Xiu pondered for a moment.

"I can indeed accept them on behalf of the church."

"But...compared with what we experienced later, these are not enough."

Luo Xiu shook his head slightly and pushed the bracelet back.

The priest did not accept the "subsidy" proposed by Landal, and threw the question back to him again.

This time, it was Randall's turn to have a headache.

He thought that Luo Xiu would be satisfied with accepting the "subsidy" he gave, so that the follow-up of the incident with Lord Rodif could finally come to an end.

But Luo Xiu seemed not satisfied with this.

"What do you mean by what happened afterwards?" Randall narrowed his eyes and asked.

"Sir Arbitrator, you should still remember."

Luo Xiu said slowly: "At that time, Lodiv was colluding with the heretics of the 'Ancient Hermitage', and the 'Ancient Hermitage' was a subordinate esoteric organization of the Holy Tower Theocracy."

"Hmm...I know." Landauer's face darkened.

"At that time, we killed a favored person of the 'Ancient Hermitage', Starro, the 'Spirit Beloved One'."

Luo Xiu continued to state, his tone became serious:

"However, the matter does not end here."

"In less than a month after that, the ancestral bishop of the 'original sect' personally led the heretics to launch an attack on the church."

"..."

"——You said 'original sect'?!"

Landauer's pupils shrank suddenly, with a look of extreme disbelief on his face.

"There is no need for me to hide this kind of thing from you, Mr. Arbitrator."

Luo Xiu's tone became more serious:

"The invasion of the 'Primitive Sect' has brought us huge casualties and losses."

"As you know, the 'Primordial Monastery' is actually a branch of the 'Original Sect'..."

"..."

Landauer's eyes became darker and his brows gradually furrowed.

"So, you suspect that the crime of collaborating with the enemy committed by Rodive at that time was far more than the crime of having an affair with the 'Ancient Hermitage'..."

"Yes."

Luo Xiu nodded and said seriously, "If this is not the case, I can only suspect that it is the inside of the [Supreme] person... But I believe that this kind of thing will not happen."

"...Yeah." Landauer's face was gloomy, but he nodded slightly.

——This is a warning, Landauer already understands it.

"Holy Inquisitor" Luo Xiu was telling him in insinuations that the matter with Rodive was far from over at that time.

However, it was Landauer himself who started the Lodiff incident.

He had no position to argue, so he could only quietly bear the accountability from the "church" representatives.

"I understand. I will re-evaluate and submit the subsidy entry to your Sina City Church."

Although this figure is expected to be several times higher than the original terms, Landauer can't say much at this juncture.

"So...do you have anything else to do?" Landauer asked angrily.

"Oh, of course."

When Landauer let go, the seriousness on Luo Xiu's face immediately disappeared, returning to his original friendly expression.

"In fact, we also got other information, and this is also my main purpose."

Luo Xiu slowly stated:

"We learned that at the same time that the 'Original Sect' took action, the 'Blood of Thorns' controlled by the Dark Principality also made changes in the Songyuan Territory."

"A large number of 'blood disciples' and 'body destroyers' emerged from their various strongholds at the same time, but they were suppressed again by our Holy Court."

"I heard that there is such a thing." Landauer nodded.

"But, what you don't know is that."

Luo Xiu paused and said: "The mastermind behind Operation 'Blood of Thorns' is actually an executioner of the Dark Principality, 'Shadow Strategist' Koros."

"'Shadow Strategist' Koros?" Landauer was stunned.

Landauer did feel familiar with the name, but he didn't know who it pointed to.

"...Or, let me put it another way."

Luo Xiu changed his tone again and said, "You may not be familiar with Koros, but you should have heard more about 'Black Fang'."

"Black fang!" Landauer exclaimed, and those two words came out of his mouth.

"I do know them. In recent times, there have been an endless number of assassinations caused by Black Fang."

Landauer held his forehead and said through gritted teeth: "Many palace officials and some upper-class nobles with important social status died tragically under their black knives."

"You know them, that's best." Luo Xiu nodded.

"In fact, their minions have also reached Sina City."

"In the 'Alchemy Institute' of Sina City under the Tower of Sage, a knowledgeable person I knew was killed by them."

"...His body was even found near the outskirts of Songyuan City." Luo Xiu looked silent.

"..."

"I've heard about this too."

Landauer slowed down his tone and said, "When our patrol arrived, the Master of Knowledge was already a cold corpse."

"And I am here to investigate the 'Black Fang'."

Luo Xiu's tone deepened and he said: "The people behind them are planning a war, and preventing Black Fang's next move is my main purpose here."

"..."

Hearing this, Landauer's eyes became deeper and deeper.

"Is this why you deliberately concealed your spiritual fluctuations when you came here?"

As if he suddenly figured out something, Landauer's face showed an expression of enlightenment.

In this way, many things will be explained.

"Holy Inquisitor" Luo Xiu, he hid his true spiritual level. The reason why he came to the branch of the Department of Justice was not to settle old scores with him, but to resolve the issue between "The Executioner" and "Black Fang". "The problems and troubles it brings.

As for the estrangement between their [Supreme] people and the church in Sina City caused by Rodive, it does not seem to be a big problem in the eyes of this "Holy Inquisitor".

Even if this matter suddenly rose to the level of "original sect", it was because I asked too much...

"Grand Arbiter" Landauer, he felt that he understood everything.

"Okay, I understand." Landauer nodded.

"So, what do you want us to do when you come here?"

"..."

"certainly."

Luo Xiu smiled and replied: "I seek your help."

Having reached this point, Luo Xiu understood that as long as the request he made did not exceed Landauer's ability, he would accept it quite obediently.

"My visit to Songyuan City this time is considered a special operation." Luo Xiu then said, "Therefore, on many occasions, I cannot reveal my true identity."

"So... Mr. Arbitrator."

Luo Xiu narrowed his eyes and made his first request, "I need to borrow your identity."

"Borrowing my identity?" Landauer was stunned, but he quickly understood what Luo Xiu meant.

"...Yes. Since I am the 'Holy Inquisitor' representing the church, I can lend you my identity token. You can use it to enter and exit some special occasions and make specific purchases."

Landauer nodded in agreement, took out a delicate crimson token from his arms, and handed it to Luo Xiu.

"Thank you for your generosity."

Luo Xiu thanked him and took the token, and then continued, "There is one more thing that is my personal request. I hope that as the [Supreme] Protector, you can tell me how to counteract 'Prophet' and 'Divination' The method of the art.”

"……Can."

Landauer nodded again. He reached out to his forehead and took out a handful of dim gray light.

"This is an 'ancient inheritance' that I have mastered. It is called 'Prison of the Thinker'."

Landauer said, “It builds a spiritual barrier deep within your soul to protect it from unscrupulous prying eyes.”

After saying that, the gray ball of light flew up from Landauer's palm and slowly flew to Luo Xiu.

Through panel detection, this is indeed the memory essence carrying the ancient inheritance "Prison of the Thinker", and is not adulterated with other things.

Luo Xiu then reached out to take it and pressed it between his eyebrows.

"alright."

"Thank you again for your generosity." Luo Xiu nodded and said, "This is all I need for the time being."

When he heard Luo Xiu say this, Landauer gradually relaxed in his heart.

Landauer sincerely felt that this might be the most grueling experience he had in dealing with the [Glorious] priests.

…

"Oh, by the way, one last thing."

Just when Landauer was relieved, the priest's voice sounded in his ears again.

This made Landauer's heart tighten again.

"Is there anything else?" Landauer asked with a somewhat unkind expression.

"It's actually nothing."

A calm smile appeared on Luo Xiu's face and he said slowly:

"I just suddenly remembered that in addition to solving the trouble caused by the Black Fangs, you also seemed to have mentioned compensation for the previous Lodiv incident?"

——See you soon!

Landauer's face was suffocated. He didn't expect the boomerang to come so fast and rush back to him in the blink of an eye.

"……yes."

Landauer asked in a low tone: "What's wrong?"

"I want to know about what you said about reassessing the amount of compensation to us..."

Luo Xiu asked in a brisk tone: "When can you give me a definite answer?"

——As expected, this is what I came for!

Landauer's expression was complicated. He was about to have an attack, but felt that he was in the wrong, so he had to endure it.

"...two days."

After Landauer thought for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "In two days, you come here to see me again, and I will give you a satisfactory answer."

"very good."

After hearing the answer he wanted, Luo Xiu stood up with a smile and stretched out his hand to Landauer.

"Then, we'll see you in two days. I'll look forward to the results of your assessment."

"...Hmph." Landauer snorted with a heavy nasal voice, stretched out his hand with difficulty, and shook Luo Xiu's palm tightly.

"Looking forward to our next meeting."

Landauer said with a ferocious expression.

…

When I left the Justice Department branch and came to Songyuan City Wind Chime Square again, it was almost dusk.

"Ah...the scent of this wool..."

Luo Xiu's face was now filled with the joyful smile of a winner.

His original purpose of coming to "Arbitrator" Landauer was actually just to get an identity token, but he didn't expect that he would get more than that.

Landauer indeed masters the secret technique of countering "prophet" and "divination". As [Supreme] people, their tempering of the soul level is far beyond ordinary people, and they are indeed involved in soul protection.

——The ancient inheritance "Prison of the Thinker", this can be regarded as a great gain from this trip, Luo Xiu thought.

This means that the group of fallen prophets raised by the "Executioner" will no longer be able to accurately grasp Luo Xiu's whereabouts, and the initiative will once again return to his hands.

On the other hand, the compensation for the Lodiv incident that was promised by Landauer himself was also the result of Luo Xiu's premeditated guidance.

In fact, the harvest was several times greater than expected!

Priest Leonard had a brief discussion with Luo Xiu about this compensation, and he had a clear psychological estimate of it.

——One thousand Nolan gold coins, this is Leonard's assessment of the loss.

But Luo Xiu also dragged the incident from the invasion of the original sect into it, and forcibly raised the severity of the incident.

In this case, the amount of compensation required for the extraordinary crisis involving the original sect will be at least several times higher. And the part that exceeds Leonard's assessment can go directly into Luo Xiu's own small treasury.

——As "preaching funds"!

In the eyes of Leonard and Bishop Fabian, the "Son of Glory" does enjoy such a privilege.

Two days later, after Randall's assessment is completed, Luo Xiu will go to him to settle the matter, and all the rewards obtained afterwards can be used as the principal for participating in the auction on the third day.

Luo Xiu secretly planned, and he had already drawn up the outline of the plan.

...

While thinking, Luo Xiu unknowingly came to the door of the "Wolf Hunting Tavern".

"I'm back..." Luo Xiu murmured.

He then walked into the tavern, went upstairs under the scrutiny of a group of sturdy veterans, and returned to his room.

The first thing Luo Xiu saw when he returned to the room was a white two-tailed cat, lazily lying on the windowsill and taking a nap.

"Intis." Luo Xiu called softly.

The white cat heard the voice, so it arched its back and gently jumped to the ground.

"When night falls, Intis." Luo Xiu said softly, "I need you to be able to sense any movement outside at any time. Our enemies may come at any time in any way."

As early as three days ago, the hidden mission [The Stained Wail] had made a warning that "Black Fang" would eventually come.

Calculating the time, they will confirm Luo Xiu's location and take the first exploratory action in the next two days.

"Meow~" Intis in the form of a white cat meowed lightly, and then jumped onto the windowsill again to seize the last moment of rest.

Luo Xiu no longer paid attention to her. He sat by the bed and began his daily routine of using skills to drain experience.

…

Until late at night.

Luo Xiu lay on the bed and fell asleep, while Intis stood quietly on the windowsill, observing everything outside the window with her dark green eyes.

Outside the window, from the bushes and branches of the trees, there was a rustling sound from time to time.

Suddenly, Intis' pupils shrank slightly.

She saw two ghostly figures shrouded in black fog.

They held black daggers in their hands, and they exuded a gloomy and deadly aura.

——Black Fang!

Just as Luo Xiu expected, this group of deadly assassins finally smelled the smell and came to the door.

It was like a thorn in the bone.

…