Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest

Red Maple City, Glorious Church.

The sun set twice on the mountain top and rose again. Two days had passed in the rotation of day and night.

In the inner courtyard of the church, in the "Bishop's Room" of the Holy Office, Luo Xiu finally finished processing the last file and leaned back heavily.

He finally reviewed all the files that had been piled up since the establishment of the church during the war and had not been processed until now.

In his previous life, Luo Xiu had also had an unforgettable experience as a social animal. And his first job when he just entered society was planning and document management, so he had some natural experience in handling similar work.

It was not very difficult to review these files, but it took a lot of time and energy. At this time, Luo Xiu only felt dizzy, and his spirit had inevitably fallen into fatigue.

And what he wanted to do most now was to return to his "high priest residence", lie on the bed in the bedroom, and have a good sleep.

But now Luo Xiu felt his legs were extremely heavy, as if there was an inexplicable force dragging him down, making it impossible for him to stand up from the chair - laziness. When Luo Xiu finished his heavy work, his body, mind and soul were occupied by the evil called "laziness".

"...Huh." Luo Xiu took a long breath, enjoying this long-lost relaxation.

However, he was thinking about other things in his mind, about some bad signs found in the process of reviewing the files.

Including the previous quotation of consumables, and similar problems appeared in many subsequent files.

This made Luo Xiu smell a breath of "corruption".

The clergy of the "Place of Preaching" are very suspected of embezzling public funds. But most of them are not large, and the items are mixed. If you don't look carefully, it's really hard to find.

Now is the beginning of the establishment of the "Wartime Church". There are clergymen who are corrupt. At the moment when foreign enemies are rampant, this is not a good thing...

These files that were not concealed were presented to him. Do they think they can't find it? Or do they think it's not a big deal and are fearless?

Before, he asked the chief officer of the missionary station, the "Qilanta", to come to see him, but Qilanta has not appeared yet.

So, in the exploration of possible corruption in the "missionary station", Qilanta may still be the biggest beneficiary...

Luo Xiu thought about this, and he gradually made a preliminary judgment on the "missionary station" of the wartime church.

This may be the first opportunity he has been waiting for for a long time and finally found to "establish his authority".

...

Just then, the door of Luo Xiu's "Bishop's Room" was knocked.

——Dongdong, Dongdong. After four crisp knocks on the door, the people outside the door stopped, but waited quietly, waiting for Luo Xiu, the "presiding priest", to give a response of "approval" or "rejection".

"Please come in." Luo Xiu sat up straight, his elbows on the table, his palms supporting his head.

Squeak... a small sound of wood friction came, the door was pushed open, and Luo Xiu saw the visitor.

He was a priest with a haggard face. His skin was extremely white, which highlighted the dark circles around his eyes; his turbid gray-blue eyes seemed a little indifferent and lifeless, and the whole person revealed a listless atmosphere.

He was wearing a white gown of a "deacon", which well revealed part of his identity.

That was the chief officer of the "Preaching Place", the "Lord Qilanta" mentioned by the priest before... Through the panel detection, Luo Xiu had already understood the other party's identity.

The chief officer of the "Preaching Place", Chilanta Novice, his occupation is "Qihui Dazhu", and he belongs to the same "priest" department of the priesthood as himself... Luo Xiu quickly browsed through Chilanta's detection panel, and then he said to Chilanta:

"It's you, Chilanta. You are finally here."

"...You asked me to come, Master High Priest. I just finished my work, and I hope I didn't come too late." Chilanta responded.

His voice revealed laziness, and when he entered the room, he did not perform the sacrament to Luo Xiu, which made Luo Xiu's first impression of Chilanta not very high, and he also had some rough judgments about him.

Before, Luo Xiu asked the guiding priest to tell Chilanta "Come to see him tomorrow." Now it has actually exceeded the expected time by one day, which is enough to show that Chilanta's attitude is not good.

But Luo Xiu did not get angry, just smiled and said:

"Please sit down, Qilanta. I have reviewed the files you sent over."

At the same time, Luo Xiu stretched out his hand and gestured to Qilanta to sit down.

Following the direction of Luo Xiu's finger, Qilanta sat down in front of a wide chair beside him. After sitting down, Qilanta remained silent, waiting for Luo Xiu, the "chief priest", to speak first.

"Qilanta. I asked you to come here, mainly to ask you a few questions."

Luo Xiu said calmly, and at the same time he pointed to the "problematic" stack of files on the side, and said:

"These files should have been reviewed in advance by the clergy of the 'missionary station' you are in charge of."

"But there are obviously many mistakes in them. Didn't the clergy in charge of the review find them?"

"..."

Qilanta did not respond, but reached out to take a problematic file and glanced at it.

Then, he put the file back on the table and said in a lazy voice:

"This is normal... Lord High Priest. You have been here for too short a time, and there are some things you don't understand yet."

"Like this declaration of consumables, the difference is the profit that the merchants and the responsible clergy deserve. And we don't need to pay for this money, it will be paid by the general church above the diocese."

"Also, it is reasonable to purchase raw materials from civilian merchants...at a price higher than the market."

"Because we need to establish a cooperative relationship with merchants, so as to consolidate our faith among the people."

"And you, Lord Luo Xiu, the 'High Priest', all you have to do is write the two words 'agree' on it. You don't need to work hard for this, your attention should be on the greater sacred cause."

"..."

After Qilanta finished speaking, he returned to his previous silent state. He just stared at the "High Priest" Luo Xiu opposite with a pair of lifeless eyes, waiting for his reaction.

And when he heard what Qilanta said, Luo Xiu suddenly felt a strong sense of disgust in his heart.

That was not just a moral judgment, but a threat and challenge to his dignity as the "Chief Priest".

Qilanta's attitude was obviously fearless, and he wanted to make himself agree with the "established facts", but he didn't know that he had misjudged him this time.

"No, this is not the same thing, Qilanta."

Suddenly, Luo Xiu's previous gentle attitude was swept away, and his voice became cold, as if piercing the heart.

"I am very pleased that you can tell me this on your own initiative. However, this is obviously against the commandments."

"Since you admit that your 'preaching house' has the crime of tarnishing the holy light, then you should also be ready to accept the punishment."

"..."

"...Punishment?" Qilanta was stunned. He didn't expect that the young "Chief Priest" in front of him would change his face so quickly.

Before, Qilanta thought that the "Chief Priest" was young, and even if he did have the strength of the fourth destiny, he must lack experience in the workplace.

The new "Chief Priest" may not be weak, but if these established facts are distorted, even the "Chief Priest" will be confused and at a loss, which is enough for them to destroy important evidence.

If they are not interrogated on the spot with tough means, it is not enough to judge all their corruption crimes based on the records in the volume.

Qilanta originally thought so, but he did not expect that the "Chief Priest" would be a vigorous and resolute work style... Qilanta suddenly regretted coming here.

At the same time, Qilanta saw that the young "Chief Priest" opposite raised his arm, and a bright golden light ball appeared in his palm, and an extremely surging spiritual surge emanated from it.

Holy Art... When did the High Priest complete the prayer of the Holy Art? ! Qilanta was immediately frightened, and fear spread from the depths of his heart.

Although it was not a lethal holy art, Qilanta still felt an overwhelming force.

The next moment, the ball of light "shattered" and turned into strands of silk light that drifted away.

At the same time, a deep hole suddenly appeared at the bottom of Qilanta's feet, and countless fine golden threads emerged from the hole, binding his legs.

Then, a huge and slender golden light spear emerged from the hole and completely penetrated Qilanta's body from the back to the chest!

That was the holy art of the "Prison Evil Temple"!

"You! How could you..." Qilanta was a little panicked. He could not expect that the new "chaplain" would attack him without explanation!

This is too unreasonable... Even in his original church, those senior "priests" would never do such a thing...

Qilanta was thinking about this in horror. He just wanted to try to struggle, but found that he could not move at all.

At the same time, he heard the voice of "Child Priest" Luo Xiu:

"Qilanta, now is an extraordinary period, and the church is in need of people. I didn't want to do this."

"But your foolish behavior is too blatant, and you don't take me seriously at all. So, this is the first punishment for you."

As he spoke, a second ball of light appeared in Luo Xiu's palm. The light contained the terrifying "annihilation" power. Qilanta only took a look at it, and a strong fear kept surging from the depths of his heart.

He... he wouldn't really want to kill me... Impossible... Impossible... Qilanta thought in fear, but the fear had already made his back cold, and sweat had wet his collar.

"Of course, this is your last chance, Qilanta."

Looking at Qilanta's frightened look with his teeth chattering, Luo Xiu was very satisfied with the effect. He then continued:

"Tell me, are you the leader of corruption or the conniver of corruption?"

"..."

When the "high priest" Luo Xiu questioned with a cold tone, Qilanta was also enveloped by the surging spiritual pressure. He felt his chest was dull and painful, as if he was about to suffocate.

"I... am not... the leader..."

Finally, Qilanta squeezed out a broken sentence from his teeth. Under the cover of Luo Xiu's "spiritual net", he could not tell a single lie.

"It is... my subordinates... they think it is profitable... and promised to offer half of the profits to me..."

"..."

"I will give half of it to you... Chilanta, you really have a group of good subordinates."

After hearing the answer he wanted, a smile finally appeared on Luo Xiu's face and he said to Chilanta: "So, you are really not afraid of being discovered?"

"I thought... you... you wouldn't find this..." Chilanta's voice whimpered, "And as long as... you sign this... then you are... on a boat Of...ahem..."

Afterwards, Chilanta was suffocated and could not continue speaking, but Luo Xiu already understood what he meant.

He deliberately brought these questionable files to me for approval. And as long as you write "agree", these files that are supposed to be "evidence of guilt" will be completely tied to you...

Regardless of negligence or other reasons, letting such signs of corruption pass under the eyes will be a stain on "hosting the festival"... Fortunately, it was discovered in time, Luo Xiu thought to himself.

And when Chilanta took the initiative to admit this, Luo Xiu restrained his spirituality a little, allowing Chilanta to breathe for a while.

After that, he continued to say to Chilanta:

"So, Kilanta. Now, tell me who are the clergymen involved in the corruption."

"Okay... okay..." Chilanta nodded hurriedly, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Likoda Bilao, Arut Urbis, Savage Sheldon..."

Chilanta named seven people in succession, all of whom were priests of the "mission." It wasn't until he finished speaking that Luo Xiu nodded and secretly wrote down these names.

After that, he completely restrained his spirituality, causing the pressure around Chilanta to suddenly lighten.

"Very good, Chilanta." Luo Xiu smiled and said to Chilanta, "Thank you for your cooperation. I will consider how to deal with you as appropriate."

…

At noon.

In the inner courtyard of the church, in front of the statue of Xu Zhen.

During the war, all the clergymen of the church were notified of the temporary emergency gathering, so they rushed here to gather without caring about the work at hand.

I thought it was just an ordinary routine gathering, but when all the priests saw that Luo Xiu, who was "presiding over the high ceremony", was already standing on the altar, and beside him was kneeling beside him was Qilanta, the chief officer of the "missionary office". Only then did everyone have a vague premonition that something big was going to happen.

It was only when all the church clergy had gathered except for Anthony, Pamier and the clergy who were out to perform the "Holy Judgment" mission, did Luo Xiu speak loudly to all the clergy:

"Fellow Holy Comrades, I am announcing an important change."

"We are all familiar with the words in "The Sound of Glory", 'I often mourn, mourning the injustice that pervades the world; I often suffer, and the pain taints the radiance.'"

"However, the words of the hadith are just a warning. The real degenerates have already appeared around us."

With that said, Luo Xiu pointed to Chilanta who was kneeling on the ground, and then said:

"There is solid evidence that the chief officer of the 'Missionary House', Chilanta Novis, used his position to amass finances."

"And Kilanta has also confessed to me the names of the other degenerates who conspired with him."

Luo Xiu's eyes swept across the clergy in the audience, and the rich spirituality in his body suddenly emerged, making everyone feel shuddering.

"Likoda Bilao, Alut Urbis, Savage Sheldon..." According to the list given by Chilanta, Luo Xiu named these priests in turn, his sharp eyes It fell on them at the same time, and the priest whose name was called only felt a cold feeling on his back, and huge fear had risen and spread from the depths of his heart.

He named seven names in a row, and the eyes of all the clergymen would instantly focus on the named clergymen, making them feel ashamed.

"Priests whose names have been called, do you admit the crimes you have committed?"

Luo Xiu then asked the seven people in the audience. They looked at me, I looked at you, and then looked at Chilanta who was kneeling on the altar with his head lowered and not saying a word. Finally, they nodded silently in unison.

"You have truly failed to live up to the meaning of the word 'priesthood.'"

Luo Xiu said with a slightly regretful tone, and then his voice became low and cold, announcing the outcome of the treatment of these guilty persons:

"Based on the crimes you committed, I should have turned you over to the diocese and asked the archbishop to judge you. However, in this extraordinary period, I can give you a chance to atone for your sins."

"Likoda Bilao, Arut Urbis, Savage Sheldon... you, as the official priests, from now on, you will be relegated to the novitiate and be punished for half a year. Holy stipend.”

"You must re-learn the Holy Law and accept the supervision of the Holy Inquisition within the penalty period."

"Do you have any objection to this?"

"..."

"We have no objection." The punished people in the audience lowered their heads and whispered.

"Very good." Luo Xiu nodded.

His eyes then fell on Chilanta who was kneeling next to him.

"As for the treatment of Chilanta Novis, the original chief officer of the 'Missionary House'."

Luo Xiu said in a deep voice: "I will suspend all your positions and fine you one year's salary. From now on, you will belong to the 'Holy Inquisition', serve as an ordinary Holy Inquisitor, and be subject to the supervision of the two Holy Inquisitors." Strict supervision.”

"And your original position as head of the Mission will be taken over by Mayev. Do you have any objections to this?"

"...I have no objection." Qilanta lowered his head and said in a low voice.

"Very good, then, this is the first thing I want to announce."

When he said this, Luo Xiu's eyes swept down again, and he found that the clergymen in the audience looked at him in a fundamentally different way.

Before, most of the clergymen looked at Luo Xiu with contempt and suspicion. Until now, Luo Xiu exuded the spiritual surge of the true "fourfold destiny" and dealt with the first batch of "violated" clergymen in a swift and decisive manner, and their impression of Luo Xiu changed fundamentally.

That is the "chairman of the high priest" with an iron fist. He must not be despised just because he is young... Maybe one day, the righteous judgment of the high priest will fall on his head...

Most of the clergymen thought so, and they all felt different degrees of fear in their hearts.

"Then, there is another thing."

When he saw the reaction from the audience, which had almost reached the expected level, Luo Xiu then announced:

"'Xu Yu will not abandon any devout believers', and in this extraordinary period, I will not abandon you either."

"From now on, all the clergy of the wartime church will have their stipends increased by one-fifth, and there will be additional rewards based on your contributions to the church.

In addition, the medicines you use for treatment and recovery will no longer be recovered from your stipends, but will be rationed."

"I will discuss the details of the rewards and punishments with several deacons, and I hope you will follow them."

"I rely on your strength, and 'Xu Yu' will also witness everything you do. In extraordinary times, everything is for the final victory and peace, and may the holy light last forever."

After speaking, Luo Xiu touched his chest with his left hand, bowed slightly to the audience, and performed a pious and standard sacrament to all the clergy.

And with Luo Xiu's final salute, the clergy in the audience were immediately excited.

If the first announcement made by Luo Xiu was simply a display of "iron-fisted" means, then the second announcement that followed was to improve the treatment of all clergy without any bias!

Showing an iron fist and then giving all clergy new welfare benefits, this positive and negative, hard and soft, two things in parallel, immediately made all the clergy present trust and respect Luo Xiu exponentially increase.

——This new "officer high priest" is a person who is truly capable and has means. His majesty must not be easily provoked, let alone betrayed...

This is the consensus of all clergy at the moment.

"May you be blessed with holy light forever, Lord Luo Xiu, the 'high priest'."

"Everything is for the final victory and peace."

For a moment, all the clergy under the stage put their right hands on their left chests and responded to the "high priest" Luo Xiu on the altar with the same sacrament.

They shouted in unison, declaring their loyalty to [Glory] and the church to Luo Xiu. Their shouts echoed in the inner courtyard, as if they could penetrate the clouds and reach the ‘eternal’ sky.

This was exactly what Luo Xiu wanted. He looked at the clergymen below the stage, and the corners of his mouth gradually rose slightly, with a gentle smile on his face.

…