America: John Wick 1924

Chapter 30 Li Yu's First Contact with the Black-Robed Patrol

Protestantism advocates "justification by faith," believing that everyone has the right to interpret the Bible, and that believers can communicate directly with the Father through faith without the need for a hierarchical system headed by the Pope.

In short, Protestantism is more secular than Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Because of this characteristic, the religious aura of a pastor is much less pronounced than that of a priest.

Not only can both men and women serve as pastors (but priests can only be male), they can also marry (priests must remain celibate).

This is why there are "priest and little boy" jokes, but not "pastor and little boy" jokes.

A significant number of pastors are even widely involved in social activities and have their own full-time jobs, fulfilling their pastoral duties only in their spare time.

When Li Yu has some free time, he can take on several other jobs while continuing to work as a pastor. No one will object to this, because it's perfectly normal.

Because of their high level of secularization, Protestant pastors don't spend their days in churches or monasteries pretending to be mysterious or noble. Therefore, one of their daily tasks is to visit fellow believers, showing concern for their well-being and seeing if there's anything they can do to help.

In other words, pastors often play roles such as "volunteer," "neighborhood committee director," "psychologist," "celebration master of ceremonies," and "family dispute mediator."

Jane noticed the playful expression on Li Yu's face, a hint of disappointment flashing in her beautiful eyes, and cautiously asked:
"Um...you don't want to?"

"Unwilling? How could I? For me, being able to change the world with my own hands is a very meaningful thing."

As Li Yu spoke, he stood up, stretching his limbs as he continued:

"Sister, where is the broom? Let's sweep the whole street clean quickly."

Seeing Li Yu's eagerness, Jane blinked, and the disappointment in her beautiful eyes instantly disappeared, replaced by heartfelt joy.

Li Yu didn't just brush off Jane; he genuinely didn't dislike doing volunteer work.

Rather than chanting prayers, he prefers to make the world a better place through concrete actions—even if only by a little bit.

In his view, "slaying villains" and "sweeping the streets" are the same thing—both are about removing filth to make the world clean.

……

……

According to Jane, the parishioners of the Stone Chamber Church are mostly residents of this street—Maple Street.

After leaving the church, Li Yu and Jane each carried a broom and walked side by side toward the center of Maple Street.

Maple Street is an east-west oriented main street.

Jane's house and the Stone Chamber Church are both located at the eastern end of Maple Street, a moderate distance from the center of Maple Street.

At this moment, Jane's steps were unusually light, skipping and hopping.

Just by looking at the way she walks, you can tell she's in a very good mood.

“The residents of Maple Street are very kind. I believe it won’t be long before you’ll be able to get along with them.”

Just now, Jane said that while cleaning the streets, she would introduce Li Yu to the church members on the street.

Li Yu smiled:

"I hope so."

Upon entering the central area of ​​Maple Street, the surrounding scenery changes significantly—there are many more houses on both sides of the street, and the atmosphere of daily life is much stronger.

Just then, a commotion broke out.

Immediately afterwards, Li Yu and Jane saw a large group of people—mostly middle-aged women in their forties and fifties—surrounding the door of a house, peeking out and chattering.

The noise that Li Yu and Jane heard was coming from this house.

"Huh? What's going on?"

Jane frowned slightly, her face showing worry, and quickened her pace a little.

Li Yu silently followed.

"Everyone! What happened?"

As soon as Jane's voice rang out, the crowd gathered in front of the house turned to look, their expressions filled with jubilation and excitement.

"Sister Lovegood, it's been a long time!"

"Sister Lovegood, you're finally back!"

"Sister Lovegood, and who is this gentleman?"

"Huh? He's wearing a priest's robe..."

He kept referring to her as "Sister Lovegood," showing her no respect whatsoever.

The crowd split into two groups: one group surrounded Jane with questions, while the other group looked Li Yu up and down with suspicion.

Jane raised her hand and gestured for everyone to be quiet.

"Everyone, what exactly happened?"

A woman sighed and turned to look at the house from which the constant noise was coming from:
"Sigh... Mrs. Brooke's nephew is here again asking her for money..."

Jane looked displeased upon hearing this.

"Why is he here again...!"

Li Yu leaned closer to Jane and whispered:

"Do you know this person?"

Before Jane could answer, a woman standing nearby spoke up loudly:
"Who among those who live on this street doesn't know Mrs. Brooke's nephew?"

Another woman chimed in:
"That guy is a complete scoundrel. He doesn't have a proper job, and he's a drunkard and gambler! Whenever he's short of money, he comes to Mrs. Brooke for it!"

Another woman added:

"I heard he recently joined a weird organization, what was it called again... ah, right, the 'Black Robe Patrol'! He joined an organization called the 'Black Robe Patrol'! He doesn't do anything productive all day, just wanders around the streets aimlessly!"

Upon hearing the name "Black-Robed Patrol Group," Li Yu raised an eyebrow, a faint glint of cold light flashing in his eyes.

Yesterday, Una specifically reminded Li Yu to be careful of the "Black Robe Patrol Group".

Li Yu never expected that this non-governmental organization, whose purpose was to "expel Chinese," would appear before him in this way at this time.

"What a wonderful coincidence..."

Li Yu murmured in a voice only he could hear.

Boom!
Suddenly, another loud noise came from inside the house.

At first glance, it sounded like a heavy object being pushed over, which was particularly frightening.

The woman shrank back and said in a trembling voice:

"I...I'll go call the police!"

After saying that, she ran off to find the phone.

Li Yu glanced at the still-unsettled house and said softly:

"...In short, let's get him to calm down first."

Before he finished speaking, he had already started walking.

Jane followed without hesitation.

The crowd remained where they were, staring blankly at the unfamiliar Chinese pastor whose name they did not even know.

……

……

The gate to the house was unlocked.

Li Yu grasped the doorknob, twisted it, and pushed it, thus gaining easy access inside.

As soon as he entered, he heard an angry roar:

"Damn it! Old woman! Where's your money?! Where did you put it?!"

"You insatiable bastard! I won't give you another penny!"

"Shut up, you old hag!"

Li Yu and Jane followed the sound to the hall.

Overturned furniture, overturned drawers, filthy floors... everywhere you look is a true depiction of a "burglary".

In a corner of the hall, a burly man with broad shoulders and a thick waist was tightly gripping an old woman's collar.

(End of this chapter)