Excessive ferocity due to caution

"A sacrificial torture device?"

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

"I did my homework long ago; sacrificial instruments of torture cannot be blessed."

Klein's tone carried a hint of anger.

Zhao Yi said calmly and unhurriedly:

"Indeed, how could the church not make some preparations in advance, given how cautious a marquis is?"

"I visited your study and found the secret compartment. Inside, I saw the books the church gave you."

"In that book, you sketched one instrument of torture and annotated three instruments of torture."

"This means that you have created three instruments of torture for yourself."

"Of these three instruments of torture, one has never been blessed."

Kleiner fell silent.

In the darkness, his slightly rapid breathing could be faintly heard.

Just as Ke Laibin was about to retort, Zhao Yi said again:

"I didn't find what I was looking for in your and the Sage's letters, but after much thought, I've come to wonder if the Church somehow subtly hinted to you that one of the instruments of torture is the most powerful, but the trials it requires are the most severe... Am I right, Marquis?"

"They are trying to dispel your doubts and prepare you mentally in advance."

Krebin's cold voice carried an even stronger anger.

"You come here to cause trouble with your own guesses; you must be the 'calamity' the sage spoke of?"

Zhao Yi smiled slightly:

"I knew you wouldn't believe me if it was just talk."

"But coincidentally, when I came to visit you at the manor, I met a fellow believer in the true God."

"He did not have the strong vitality of a marquis, nor did he receive the blessing of other instruments of torture. Instead, he truly dedicated his life to the true God and used the sacrificial instruments of torture."

"If such devout believers cannot receive divine gifts from the true God, doesn't that indirectly suggest that...the church is using the name of the true God to deceive people?"

Clapham's mind was in turmoil, and his mutterings to himself were tinged with madness:

"Just one more day... just one more day and my cultivation will be complete, and the true god will bestow divine gifts upon me!"

"I've done so much, God can see my efforts, He definitely can!!"

"You damned bastard...you've ruined my mind!"

"He deserves to die!"

Zhao Yidao:

"Marquis, with your abilities, killing me would be a matter of a moment. This is not the first time I have seen this torture device. If it weren't for my admiration for your feat of risking your life to capture the witch, I would never have risked my life to dissuade you."

"If you don't believe me, perhaps you can see for yourself how that devout believer lost his life?"

Krebin's breathing was wild and rapid:

"Where is that believer?"

Zhao Yidao:

"Right here at your estate."

Krebin:

"Have your friend bring him to see me."

squeak-

The tightly closed door opened.

The intense light outside made it impossible for the two people, who had been in darkness for so long, to open their eyes.

It took Qin Bai a while to get used to it.

He went to the earthen fire room as agreed.

After he left, the clock tower doors closed once again.

Zhao Yi asked:

"I'm afraid a believer alone cannot convince you."

"Marquis...shall we make a bet?"

Krebin's voice rang out in the darkness once more, this time sounding somewhat anxious.

"What are we betting on?"

Zhao Yi:

"Tomorrow, will your days of ascetic practice come to an end?"

"Someone from the church should come and take you to that holy site."

"And you could find a reason to feign refusal, such as saying you feel your ascetic practice hasn't been long enough, you've gained some insights, and you want to continue your ascetic practice for a few more months... and see their reaction."

Klein pondered, remaining silent.

Zhao Yi continued:

"If these people seem happy or respectful, it means they genuinely want to welcome you into the church."

"But if they look anxious and urge you to go to the church, it proves that they only see you as a sacrificial offering."

"And... the sacrificial ceremony is about to begin."

"If I'm not mistaken, the reason they made you undergo months of asceticism is a pretense; their real purpose is to prepare a sacrificial ritual."

Zhao Yi's words were as sharp as knives, making Ke Laibin feel dizzy.

"Since you only have one day, if I lose the bet, you can kill me."

After a long silence, Kleiner said in a sinister tone:

"Then I'll give you a chance..."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Klein opened the door, and Qin Bai dragged in a man who was about to die.

The boy was panting, gasping for breath.

Klein closed the door, took the man upstairs, and carefully examined his body.

"Who are you?"

The man replied mechanically, like a puppet:

"A believer in God..."

"What god?"

"God of Suffering".

When were the shackles put on?

"No...not long ago."

Klaibin's gaze was gloomy.

"Who put it on you?"

The man opened his mouth and gasped for a long time, drool dripping from the corners of his mouth, before finally managing to say with difficulty:

"Me...myself."

"I...I am willing...to offer my flesh and blood...entirely to...to the true God..."

He spoke these words with all his might, and the last glimmer of light in his eyes vanished.

The entire clock tower fell silent once again.

After a long while, Krebin opened the door:

"You all go out first."

The two exchanged a glance and prepared to leave the clock tower. As they were leaving, Zhao Yi said again:

"By the way, Your Excellency Marquis."

"Someone else will probably come looking for you today."

"Although what I'm saying may be a bit harsh for you, your manor... has always been under the church's surveillance."

After saying that, he left with Qin Bai.

After they had walked a distance, the clock tower doors behind them were tightly closed.

Qin Bai asked curiously:

"Brother Yizi, how did you know someone would go to see Clapham again today?"

Zhao Yi smiled slightly:

"Last night, I went to Clapham's study and tampered with the letters inside."

Upon hearing this, Qin Bai pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked up:

"You mean... those four trial participants!?"

Zhao Yi extended her finger and gently tapped his forehead:

"Did you see that?"

"Your brother killed Li Chenglong using this method."

"But back then, I was a knife."

"And now... I am the one wielding the knife."

PS: Second update.

She went to livestream herself playing with paper wedding dresses.

Remember to get some rest, everyone. It's getting colder, so wear more clothes.

I went out to buy groceries today and I'm freezing!

Good night!!