Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 213: Establishing Authority (5k9)

Red Maple City, Glorious Church.

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

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

He had finally finished reviewing all the files that had been piled up since the church was founded 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. When he first entered society, his first job was planning and document management, so he had some natural experience in handling similar work.

Reviewing these files is not a very difficult task, but it takes a lot of time and energy. At this time, Luo Xiu only felt dizzy, and his spirit was inevitably exhausted.

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

But now Luo Xiu felt his legs were extremely heavy, as if an inexplicable force was dragging him down, making him unable 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 let out a long sigh, enjoying the long-lost relaxation.

However, he was thinking about something else in his mind, about some bad signs he discovered while reviewing the files.

This included errors in the previous quotation for consumables, and similar problems appeared in many subsequent files.

This made Luo Xiu smell a scent called "corruption".

The clergy of the "Preaching House" are highly suspected of embezzling public funds. However, most of them are not large in amount, and the items are mixed, so it is really difficult to find out unless you look carefully.

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

These files, which were not concealed in any way, were presented to them. Did they think they could not find out? Or did they think the matter was not serious and therefore had nothing to fear?

Before, he asked the chief officer of the missionary center, the "Qilanta", to come and see him, but Qilanta has not shown up yet.

So, in the exploration of possible corruption in the “mission house”, Chirantha may still be the biggest beneficiary…

As Luo Xiu thought about this, he gradually formed a preliminary judgment about the church's "missionary station" during the war.

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

……

Just then, there was a knock on the door of Luo Xiu's "Bishops' Room".

——Knock, knock, knock. After four crisp knocks on the door, the person outside the door stopped knocking and waited quietly, waiting for the "officer" Luo Xiu to give a response of "approval" or "rejection".

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

Hiss... A slight sound of wood rubbing against each other was heard, and the door was pushed inward. Luo Xiu saw the figure of the visitor.

He was a clergyman with a somewhat haggard face. His skin was extremely white, which highlighted the dark circles around his eyes. His cloudy gray-blue pupils seemed somewhat indifferent and lifeless, and his whole body revealed a listless aura.

He was wearing the white robe of a "deacon", which revealed part of his identity.

That was the chief officer of the "Place of Preaching", 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 "Place of Preaching", Chilanta Novice, his occupation is "Great Blessing of Qihui", and he belongs to the same clergy of "Priest" as himself... Luo Xiu quickly browsed through Chilanta's detection panel, and then he said to Chilanta:
"It's you, Chiranta. You're here at last."

"…You were the one who asked me to come here, Lord Daishi. I have just finished the work at hand, and I hope I am not too late." Chilanta responded.

There was a sense of laziness in his voice, and when he entered the room, he did not perform any sacrament to Luo Xiu. This gave Luo Xiu a low first impression of Qilanta, and he also had some rough judgment of him.

Previously, Luo Xiu had asked the guiding priest to tell Qilanta to "come and see him tomorrow." Now, the time has exceeded the expected time by one day, which is enough to show that Qilanta's attitude is not good.

But Luo Xiu did not get angry, he just smiled and said:
"Please take a seat, Chirantha. I have reviewed the files you sent me."

At the same time, Luo Xiu stretched out his hand and gestured to Qilanta to take a seat.

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 "master of the ceremony," to speak first.

"Chilanta. I asked you to come here mainly because I want to ask you a few questions."

Luo Xiu spoke calmly, pointing to the "problematic" pile of files beside him, and said:

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

"However, there are obviously many mistakes in this. Didn't the clergy who were in charge of the inspection discover it?"

"..."

Chilanta did not respond, but reached out to take the file in question and glanced through it.

Then, he put the file back on the table and said in a lazy voice:
"This is normal... Master Daishi. You have been here for too short a time, and there are some things you don't understand yet."

"For example, the difference in the declaration of consumables is the profit that the merchants and the clergy responsible should get. And we don't need to pay for this money. The general church above the diocese will pay it."

"Also, it is reasonable that we purchase raw materials from private merchants at prices higher than the market price."

"Because we need to establish cooperative relationships with businessmen, that will consolidate our faith among the people."

"And you, Lord Luo Xiu, all you have to do is write the word 'agree' on it. You don't need to work hard for this. You should focus on greater sacred causes."

"..."

After Qilanta finished speaking, he returned to his previous state of silence. He simply stared at the "high priest" Luo Xiu opposite him 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.

It was not just a moral judgment, but a threat and challenge to his dignity as the "chief priest".

Chilanta's attitude was obviously confident, and he presented "established facts" to try to gain his approval, but he didn't know that he had misjudged the person this time.

"No, it's not the same thing, Chirantha."

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

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

"Since you have admitted that your 'missionary' has committed the crime of tarnishing the Holy Light, then you should be ready to accept punishment."

"..."

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

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

The new "High Priest" is not necessarily weak, but if he distorts these established facts, even he will be confused and at a loss, which is enough for them to destroy important evidence.

If they were not interrogated on the spot using tough measures, the records in the volume alone would not be enough to prove that they were guilty of all corruption.

This was what Qilanta had originally thought, but he did not expect that "presiding over the grand sacrifice" would be a vigorous and resolute work style... Qilanta suddenly regretted coming here.

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

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

Although it was not a lethal sacred technique, Qilanta still felt an overwhelming force.

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

At the same time, a deep hole suddenly appeared under Qilanta's feet. Countless fine golden silk threads emerged from the hole and bound his legs.

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

That is the sacred magic of the "Holy Temple of Imprisonment of Evil"!

"You! How could you..." Qilanta was a little panicked. He had never expected that the new "High Priest" would attack him without any explanation!

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

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

At the same time, the voice of "Master of the Ceremony" Luo Xiu came to his ears:

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

"However, your foolish behavior was too blatant, and you did not take me seriously at all. Therefore, this is your first punishment."

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

He... he wouldn't really want to kill me... Impossible... Impossible... Qilanta thought in horror, but the fear had already sent chills down his spine and sweat had soaked his clothes.

"Of course, this is your last chance, Qilanta." Seeing Qilanta's teeth chattering in fear, Luo Xiu was very satisfied with the effect. He then continued:

“Tell me, are you the leader of corruption or the one who condones corruption?”

"..."

When the "high priest" Luo Xiu questioned in a cold tone, Qilanta was also enveloped by 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 intermittent words from between his teeth. Under the cover of Luo Xiu's "Spiritual Net", he could not tell a single lie.

"Yes...my subordinates...they thought it was profitable...and promised to give me half of the profits..."

"..."

"I'll give you half of it... Qilanta, you really have a group of good subordinates."

After hearing the answer he wanted, Luo Xiu finally smiled and said to Qilanta, "So, you are really not afraid of being discovered?"

"I thought... you... you wouldn't find out about this..." Chilanta said with a sobbing voice, "and as long as... you sign this... then you are... on the same boat... ahem..."

Qilanta was unable to continue speaking due to suffocation, but Luo Xiu understood what he meant.

He did it on purpose, deliberately bringing these problematic files to me for review. As long as I wrote "agree", these files that were originally "evidence" would be completely tied to me...

No matter it was negligence or any other reason, letting such signs of corruption pass right under one's nose would be a stain on the "Hosting the High Sacrifice"... Fortunately, it was discovered in time, Luo Xiu thought.

When Qilanta took the initiative to admit this, Luo Xiu restrained his spiritual power a little, allowing Qilanta to catch his breath for a while.

Then he continued to say to Chiranta:

"Well, Chiranta. Now, tell me who are the clergy involved in the corruption."

"Okay... okay..." Chiranta nodded hurriedly and said in a hoarse voice, "Likoda Birao, Aruto Urbis, Savage Shelton..."

Qilanta said seven names in a row, all of which were clergymen from the "Preaching House". Only after he finished did Luo Xiu nod and secretly memorize these names.

Afterwards, he completely restrained his spirituality, causing the pressure around Qilanta to suddenly ease.

"Very good, Qilanta." Luo Xiu smiled and said to Qilanta, "Thank you for your cooperation. I will consider the appropriate treatment for you."

……

noon.

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

During the war, all the clergy of the church received a notice of an emergency assembly, so they ignored the work in their hands and rushed here to gather.

They thought it was just an ordinary routine meeting, but when all the clergy saw that the "high priest" Luo Xiu was already standing on the altar, and next to him was kneeling the chief officer of the "missionary station" Qilanta, everyone had a premonition that something big was going to happen.

When all the clergy of the church had gathered except Anthony, Pamier and the clergy who were out on the "holy judgment" mission, Luo Xiu spoke loudly to all the clergy:
"My fellow saints, I am about to announce an important change."

"We all know the words in The Radiant Voice, 'I often mourn, mourning the injustice that is prevalent in the world; I often suffer, suffering that taints the radiant light.'"

"However, the text of the Hadith is only a warning. The real fallen ones have already appeared among us."

As he spoke, Luo Xiu pointed at Qilanta who was kneeling on the ground and continued:

"There is solid evidence that the head of the Mission, Chilanta Novice, has used his position to amass financial resources."

"And Chirantha has confessed to me the names of the other fallen ones who conspired with him."

Luo Xiu's eyes swept across the clergymen in the audience, and the rich spirituality in him suddenly emerged, making everyone feel a chill.

"Likoda Birao, Aruto Urbis, Savage Shelton..." According to the list given by Chilanta, Luo Xiu named these priests one by one. His sharp eyes fell on them at the same time. The priests whose names were called only felt a chill on their backs. A huge fear rose and spread from the depths of their hearts.

He called out seven names in a row, and the eyes of all the clergy were instantly focused on the clergy who were called out, making them feel ashamed.

"Clergy whose names were called, do you admit the crimes you have committed?"

Luo Xiu then pressed the seven people in the audience. They looked at each other, then at Qilanta, who was kneeling on the altar with his head bowed and not saying a word, and finally nodded silently at the same time.

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

Luo Xiu spoke with a slightly regretful tone, and then his voice became low and cold, and he pronounced the outcome of the punishment for these criminals:

"According to the crimes you have committed, I should have sent you to the diocese and let the archbishop judge you. However, in this extraordinary period, I can give you a chance to atone for your sins."

"Likoda Bilao, Arut Urbis, Savage Shelton... you, as official clergy, will be demoted back to novice clergy from now on, and will be fined half a year's salary."

"You must relearn the Holy Law and accept the supervision of the Holy Inquisition during the punishment period."

"Do you have any objection to this?"

"..."

"We have no objection." The punished people in the audience lowered their heads and said in a low voice.

"Very good." Luo Xiu nodded.

His eyes then fell on Chilanta who was kneeling beside him.

"And the treatment of Chilanta Novus, the original head of the Mission."

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

"And your original position as the chief officer of the 'missionary station' will be taken over by Mayyev. Do you have any objection to this?"

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

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

When he said this, Luo Xiu glanced down again. He found that the clergymen in the audience looked at him with fundamentally different eyes.

Before, most of the clergy looked at Luo Xiu with contempt and suspicion. It was not until now that Luo Xiu exuded the spiritual surge of the true "Fourfold Fate" and dealt with the first batch of "violated" clergy with great vigour that their impression of Luo Xiu changed fundamentally.

He is the "Chief Priest" with an iron fist. We must not look down on him just because he is young... Maybe one day, the chief priest's justice will fall on us...

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

"Then there is the second thing."

Seeing that the reaction from the audience had almost reached the expected level, Luo Xiu then announced:
"I will never abandon any of my faithful followers, and I will not abandon you during this difficult time."

"From now on, all clergymen 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 taken back from your stipends, but will be rationed instead. "

"I will discuss the details of the Holy Law of Rewards and Punishments with several deacons. I hope you will follow them."

"I rely on your strength, and 'Moment' will also witness everything you do. In extraordinary times, everything is for the final victory and peace. May the Holy Light last forever."

After saying this, Luo Xiu placed his left hand on his chest, 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 suddenly became excited.

If we say that the first announcement made by Luo Xiu was simply a display of his "iron-fisted" approach, then the second announcement that followed was to actually improve the treatment of all clergymen without any bias!
He demonstrated his iron fist and granted all clergymen new benefits. This combination of positive and negative, hard and soft measures immediately increased the trust and awe of Luo Xiu among all the clergymen present exponentially.

——This new "Chief Priest" is a person who is truly capable and has the means. His authority must not be challenged lightly, let alone betrayed...

This is the current consensus of all clergy.

"May the Holy Light shine upon you forever, Lord Luo Xiu, the 'High Priest'."

"Everything is for the final victory and peace."

At that moment, all the clergymen in the audience placed 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 the 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.

……

(End of this chapter)