Storm of Gods

Chapter 108 Church Secrets
Seeing Barakli fly away, Lu Shuai's mind was still buzzing, he felt a little dizzy, and his body felt weak. But with the wild cheers and the whole audience chanting his name, Lu Shuai, who was about to collapse, suddenly felt an inexhaustible source of strength. He raised his long sword and once again received a thunderous roar of cheers from the audience.

Tianjing longs for another great figure like Luther to emerge.

Lu Shuai finally understood why so many people were desperate to become stronger; the feeling was simply intoxicating.

Zhao Qing's expression turned from sunny to gloomy. He had sent Lu Shuai up to use Luther's reputation to highlight himself and elevate his own honor, but he didn't expect Lu Shuai to win... Could it be that the overall strength of Shengze is not that strong?

In the third match, Luo Xue was about to take the stage. She faced the vice-captain, Lanse. However, this match was extremely difficult. Luo Xue's strength was clearly superior to Lanse's, but the two fought for the longest time. In the final moment, Luo Xue used the Eye of Insight to defeat Lanse, while Lanse did not use the Eye of Insight and ultimately lost.

The Tianjing Academy swept the Saint Ze Academy led by Simmons 3-0. Among those present, how many were truly knowledgeable and willing to question? Most people were very satisfied and even very pleased. The atmosphere was suddenly electric. It was truly a grand celebration.

Despite her victory, Luo Xue wasn't overly happy, as she had been a supporting character throughout the entire process. This was exactly Zhao Qing's plan: he would defeat the strongest opponent, Simmons, while she herself would engage in a fierce battle with the opposing vice-captain, with the situation turning around multiple times in the end. It was an extremely difficult fight, and although her match was of the highest quality, how many people actually knew about it?

Zhao Qing could no longer suppress his smile. This was the purpose of his painstaking efforts and huge expenditure to organize this competition. If Luo Xue had obeyed him earlier, she could have benefited as well. Unfortunately, this woman did not know how to appreciate it.

Li Xin was also in the Command Academy formation, right behind the substitute bench. This was arranged by Luo Xue. He could see that when emotions ran high, an energy would form in the arena and swirl around. No one around seemed to notice it, and he wondered if it was related to the so-called "glory".

Although they were far apart, Li Xin could still see Archbishop Matthew in the VIP section.

Matthew's attention wasn't on the match; he seemed to be focused on this power. Zhao Xun was right next to him, and ever since he started to doubt Matthew, this thought had been hard to suppress. Li Xin also tried to refute himself, saying that even if Matthew didn't save Luo Jin, it would only be considered unrighteous, but that wasn't actually the case. It was because Luo Jin's ability helped him watch over the Night Patrolmen. This was a church knife, and Luo Jin was also his student; their relationship had always been good. He had no reason to be wrong. What kind of bargaining chip did Zhao Xun offer that could sway him?
The archbishop didn't care about his status, nor did he care about the criticism when he married a widow, so his threats were even more ridiculous.

Could it be that Matthew and Zhao Xun were originally of the same ilk?
And you know what? If you reason it this way, then a lot of things actually make sense. As for why the two of them acted out the show, it's not hard to understand. They wanted to show certain people that divine authority and parliament were checking and balancing each other, and that they were colluding in private.

Then another problem arises: as a member of the church, one should be irreconcilably opposed to the fallen ones of the abyss. This goes beyond worldly interests, and this is the contradiction that Li Xin cannot understand.

The normal conclusion in this situation would be that Matthew had fallen and sided with an evil god or something. However, based on his observations and insights, Matthew showed no signs of corruption and had passed Chris's test... Suddenly, Li Xin remembered something: Zhao Xun was also unaffected by Chris...

Is there some kind of secret method that can remain undetected? Although Miss Aries said she would definitely reveal herself, everything has its countermeasures, and perhaps Chris isn't as powerful as she claims.

At this point, this is definitely a plausible assumption.

The match was over, and Zhao Qing was being interviewed by Hextech Bird News, talking non-stop. Lu Shuai was also there. Luo Xue's interview had ended. She glanced at the silent Li Xin, thinking that he was dissatisfied with her situation. She sighed inwardly. There was nothing she could do. Moreover, she was in danger herself. If the next match was like this, she would completely lose her presence. She would either have to be sensible and step down, or be kicked off the field.

After finishing the game, Simmons declined the interview and came to Li Xin. "Brother Li, this trip to Tianjing is over. We'll be heading back to Montecrita tonight. Welcome to visit the Holy Zeal Academy."

Li Xin looked at Simmons, "A real welcome?"

Simmons paused for a second... He was just being polite, but he could only nod awkwardly and then look at his teammates. "Ahem, the team is waiting for me. See you again sometime."

Simmons left with his team without looking back. To outsiders, they just seemed like losers who had no face to stay.

Simmons still harbors a lingering fear of Li Xin. The moment he was defeated, he suffered a period of amnesia, rendering him completely powerless, even when Simmons was on high alert. Moreover, Simmons keenly sensed that Li Xin was contemplating and preparing for something else, his attention completely elsewhere. He didn't want to think about anything that would trouble someone like Li Xin.

The members of the Tethys Cult, who were also losers, did not leave. There was no other way; two of their members were seriously injured and could not leave. This was commonplace in the Cult's battles. The opponent was ruthless, but there were no violations. They could only blame themselves for being less skilled. In fact, if the strength were reversed, everyone would fight to the death against the Ironblood.

No one can help but hate the Black Meteorites.

Today was undoubtedly a resounding victory, bringing long-awaited excitement and honor to Tianjing. Next up is tomorrow's main event: the battle between Tianjing and Tiexue. Both sides are overwhelmingly stronger than their opponents, but Tianjing won 3-0, giving them a slight advantage. It can only be said that the new generation of the Order Academy led by Zhao Qing, Luo Xue, and Lu Shuai is truly different.

The brightly lit city of Tianjing was filled with a festive atmosphere, except for a few out of place, such as the night patrolmen.

No one was too worried, because after all, there was an archbishop above them, and the city hall couldn't do anything to the captain without the archbishop's permission.

At present, the most important thing in Tianjing is the Four Nations Tournament. Luo Jin's matter has been temporarily put on hold. Almost all the manpower available to the Night Patrol has been mobilized to search for Hao Ye, but Hao Ye seems to have vanished into thin air and cannot be found anywhere. Several places belonging to the Zhao family are also being closely monitored by the Night Patrol. "Sister Casey, have you eaten?" Li Xin asked, looking at Casey's worried face. He couldn't help but think that Lao Luo was really a lucky person.

"I've eaten." Seeing that it was Li Xin, Casey's expression relaxed a little, but her eyes were still full of worry. "So far, there is still no trace of Hao Ye."

“The Order of the Instruction didn’t have it either. He was involved in this matter and must have known the seriousness of it. If he didn’t leave the city, he would have found an absolutely safe place,” Li Xin said.

"Could they have gone to the underground city?"

Li Xin wasn't too sure either, because the dice roll was made within the city, but he was inside the city when the roll was made, and then he left.
Seeing that Li Xin was also uncertain, Casey knew that she could only take it one step at a time. Escaping to the underground city was no different from escaping out of the city. "Today's great victory has raised the Zhao family's influence to a new level. If he is successfully elected as a member of the Senate, then we really won't be able to touch him."

Li Xin knew everyone had gone out to carry out their mission, and looked at Casey, "Sister Casey, I've been thinking about a possibility lately that's a bit alarming. Do you think the Archbishop and the Zhao family might be cooperating?"

Li Xin was initially worried that Casey wouldn't be able to accept it, but Casey wasn't surprised. Looking at Li Xin, she sighed softly, "This is what I fear most."

Casey comes from a noble family; she's seen this kind of thing far too often. Nobles will sacrifice anything for their own interests, let alone someone like Luo Jin.

“Sister Casey, what I’m trying to say is, is it possible that the Archbishop was cooperating with the Zhao family from the very beginning? I feel that the Archbishop didn’t really put in any effort in dealing with Mondlier. Before the City Hall intervened, he had many opportunities to use potions or abilities to force Mondlier to reveal his true form, but he was very disciplined. Even we could determine that Mondlier definitely had something wrong, so why wasn’t he sure?” Li Xin said. “Given the Archbishop’s position, even if he did something, who would dare to question it?”

If Luo Jin did it, it would be an unforgivable crime. Matthew, representing the highest authority of the Moon Goddess Church in Tianjing, is inherently opposed to evil. Even if he did it, what difference would it make if his methods were a bit crude? Besides, Mondlil is a user; this world doesn't have such strict procedures.

In reality, however, it almost drove Luo Jin to the brink of despair. If Li Xin hadn't brought Chris to his aid, Luo Jin would have faced a backlash from power no matter what tricks he used.

Casey remained silent. She had never thought about it before, but having experienced it all, she could feel the deep fear that Li Xin was experiencing as soon as he spoke.

"There's another thing. The person who knows Lao Luo's financial movements so clearly can't be Zhao Xun, otherwise he wouldn't have waited until today. Who do you think it could be?" Li Xin asked.

“Besides me, there’s only the Archbishop,” Casey said. There were many things that Luo Jin didn’t hide from Casey, and the situation of the Night Watchers was even less likely to be kept from Matthew. Both of them were able to keep track of Luo Jin’s movements and ways of doing things.

“I had Qi Badao inquire about it. The underground city does indeed keep an account book, but it has never been intended to be used. The reason it was used this time was because Uncle Luo suddenly broke the rules and demanded an extra 50,000 lira, which angered them. More importantly, someone is backing them up, a very influential person.” Li Xin continued. The gangsters acted like tyrants in the underground city, but they wouldn’t go against the big shots in the city. They’re not stupid.

At this point, both of them felt a chill run down their spines. If the archbishop was still colluding with the Zhao family, then everyone would become a laughingstock.

“There were some very strange things about the Lin family incident back then. Someone passed on information to the Night Patrol, and it was so precise, and the timing was so perfect that the other party was almost wiped out. When Lao Luo arrived, he caught one alive. We Night Patrol members all know that Lickers are not addicts. They don’t like to operate in broad daylight, let alone in groups. That sudden situation was more like someone had implanted worms and then lured out of control by raw flesh and blood,” Casey said. “But that living Licker died as soon as he entered the church. At that time, Lao Luo was still a squad leader and wanted to investigate, but his superiors ordered him to stop. He has never forgotten that case all these years.”

Li Xin knew that Lao Luo's appreciation for him wasn't just simple; it was guilt—guilt towards the Lin family. That's why he refused the first family banquet invitation, but went the second time because it was Aunt Fei's invitation. Keep in mind that he had even refused Matthew's promotion banquet.

"Sister Casey, do you think Uncle Luo, with his personality, would be so reckless as to trust Hao Ye?"

“Under normal circumstances, I don’t think so,” Casey said.

“I think so too. Uncle Luo must have his own plans,” Li Xin recalled the way Luo Jin looked when he saw him. It was hard to describe, but he was certain that there was no regret in his eyes about being schemed against.

“If Zhao Xun and Matthew were originally in cahoots, then it makes sense for Zhao Xun to arrange Hao Ye as bait.” Casey’s expression gradually calmed down. “We are all keeping an eye on the Zhao family, and it would be too easy for the Archbishop to hide someone.”

"Sister Casey, I have a question. Are clergy allowed to raise worms?"

This is a problem that is troubling Li Xin. In this world, the power of the gods is real, and there are hidden laws. Bishops are preachers, spokespeople of the moon god, and mortal enemies of the abyss. They can fall into depravity without restraint and without suffering any consequences.
Casey looked at Li Xin, as if she had made up her mind, and gritted her teeth, saying, "The church raises worms."

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(End of this chapter)