Chapter 77: Chapter 72: The Chief Bishop’s Baptism

In the afternoon, Li Xin was called to the Canon Law School’s office by a very beautiful senior. He initially thought someone was trying to chat him up, and felt happy for about three seconds before realizing it was Old Luo.

“Uncle Luo, what are you doing here? If you came a bit earlier, we could have had lunch together.” Li Xin’s voice carried a hint of resentment.

“Being the Grand Wind Discipline Officer at the Canon Law School, it’s only natural I’m here. But you, I’ve received quite a few complaints about you.” Luo Jin knocked on the table. “I haven’t even established my authority as the Wind Discipline Officer before rumors spread that I’ve been showing favoritism.”

“Cough, cough. Uncle Luo, let’s get straight to the point. Don’t keep scaring me; I’m still young and need nurturing and growth,” Li Xin said with a cheeky smile.

“What’s your opinion on the Four Nations Competition?” Luo Jin asked.

“I don’t know. If we win, wouldn’t it just benefit Zhao Xun?”

“That’s not for you to worry about. Victory belongs to the entire Celestial City. As a member of the Black Rose and a special recruit at the Canon Law School, you need to show outstanding performance to silence the critics; otherwise, my first big move as the Wind Discipline Officer will fizzle out.”

“Understood, rest assured, Uncle Luo. I’ll definitely work hard and give my all,” Li Xin said. As long as he had a clear goal, it was fine. The Church probably needed this victory to boost people’s spirits, since the main sponsor of the Celestial Capital Canon Law School was the Moon God Church. No matter Zhao Xun’s intentions, the Church couldn’t afford to lose.

“Later, you need to visit the Church with me. Kathy is going to pick up Xueyin. The Chief Bishop will perform a baptism for you,” Luo Jin said.

“Baptism? Like washing hair?” Li Xin’s mind conjured up an image of hair washing, wondering if it was the same.

“It’s a blessing ceremony that will summon the radiance of divine favor. If you’re fortunate, you’ll receive the Moon God’s protection, which is extremely beneficial for you. With divine favor, the side effects of your Divine Relic will diminish greatly, or even be completely neutralized,” Luo Jin said with a laugh. “When meeting the Chief Bishop, keep your wits about you.”

“Yes, Uncle Luo!”

Despite his tough words, Li Xin was genuinely grateful. Old Luo downplayed it, but it was likely that he had begged for this favor.

Half an hour later, the four of them rode Kathy’s luxurious private carriage to the Church. As the leader of the Night Patrol, Luo Jin had a car too, but upon seeing Kathy’s ride, everyone made the right choice decisively. Xueyin even provided a good reason: Old Luo’s carriage smelled too much of smoke.

Upon arrival at the Church, everybody recognized them. Today, Kathy wore exquisite boots made of white top-layer calf leather, clean and tidy, with denim jeans snugly fitting her rounded hips, neither too big nor too small, radiating youth and a touch of maturity, bringing a sense of delightful contentment to those watching.

Inside the Church, Chief Bishop Matthew was meticulously wiping down the chairs used by worshippers during prayer.

“Uncle Matthew, we’re here. You look a few years younger again.” Upon seeing the Chief Bishop, Kathy immediately went up with a beaming smile.

“Haha, it’s always delightful to hear from our little Kathy. You bring more sunshine wherever you go, unlike Luo Jin, who always wears a stern face as if everyone owes him money,” Matthew laughed.

“Uncle, that’s not true. Captain Luo works really hard.” Kathy protested, immediately shaking Matthew’s hand.

“Alright, alright, you always defend him. Don’t shake, I’m coming apart,” Matthew quickly waved her hand off, turning his gaze to Li Xin and Lin Xueyin.

Making eye contact, Li Xin could sense the surging life force within the Chief Bishop and a very comforting warmth, different from what he saw at City Hall. “Greetings, Chief Bishop.”

According to the Night Patrol’s customs, Li Xin performed the folded finger salute, while Xueyin had long been taught to perform the Half Moon Ceremony.

Lin Fei never let Xueyin’s etiquette lack any teaching. Even though life in the Underground City was financially tight, it was spiritually rich.

Matthew appraised Li Xin and Lin Xueyin, nodding with satisfaction. “Not bad, I think there’s an opportunity. Let’s start now, shall we?”

Xueyin cocked her head curiously. “Chief Bishop, so straightforward? I thought you’d talk for hours first.”

To these words, seeing Xueyin’s earnest expression, everyone couldn’t help but laugh. Matthew gently patted Xueyin’s head, “Why?”

“Everyone here loves to discuss incomprehensible philosophies; In the Underground City, they don’t,” Xueyin said. Life in the Celestial City was initially exciting and stimulating, with spacious and bright classrooms and eloquent, knowledgeable teachers, along with a bunch of troublesome kids. But as time passed, she realized there were many rules, a lot of hassle, and many people liked to preach. In the Underground City, no one told others what to do.

Inexplicably, Xueyin missed that kind of authenticity.

“Oh, indeed. Sometimes I say things I don’t even understand myself. Talking nonsense is also part of life,” Matthew said. “Li Xin, Xueyin, you two follow me. Let’s start with Xueyin.”

At the center of the Church was a female statue with indistinct features. In Daoyuan, all divine statues were vague, and the statue’s hands made a cupping gesture, but they held nothing.

… A bit simplistic… Different from imagined, shouldn’t it be adorned with gold and silver? This didn’t seem to be a place for idle questions.

Lin Xueyin stood two meters from the statue, forming the Half Moon Ceremony with circular gestures using her index fingers and thumbs, bowing in prayer.

“Don’t be nervous. The worst result is feeling like you’ve taken a bath,” Matthew laughed, extracting a dark red crescent pendant from his robe. Wrapped around his arm was a thick black hemp rope, and his palms clasped the crescent pendant. “Ruler of the night, embodiment of tranquility, controller of calamity power, supreme Moon God, please cast your gaze upon the mortal world. Your devoted servant is calling…”

The language the Chief Bishop used was neither Daoyuan’s common language nor the native language of Lelong, but the Divine Language—a tradition passed down through the Church over millennia for use in related arrays, divine power, and other aspects. It was known as Hera’s Language, named after a great scholar, Hera.

The next second, a faint red light radiated from Matthew, followed closely by the statue behind him emitting a subtle glow. Though this light seemed gentle, it carried an unparalleled dominance, as if from a deity. Xueyin’s eyes widened with curiosity, and a circular red array appeared around her feet, enveloping her in light.

This power made Xueyin feel very comfortable, and gradually, her body too began to emit a faint glow, which finally dissipated. Sweat appeared on Matthew’s forehead as well.

Meanwhile, Luo Jin and Kathy exchanged glances; Kathy’s face broke into a smile. Xueyin was indeed lucky. Chief Bishop Matthew used his cultivation to bless Xueyin. Although Xueyin wasn’t an Awakened, hence unable to be noticed, the blessing bestowed using the Chief Bishop’s divine power at the minimum would ensure health and exemption from calamity. The Moon God’s authority was night, silence, and calamity power, essentially the Power of Calamity, which followers avoided. By believing in the Moon God, one could wield calamity power without harm.

Xueyin didn’t quite feel anything; she merely found it very comfortable and her vision clearer.

Matthew chuckled, “Alright, little Xueyin, study well from now on.”

Initially happy, Xueyin’s face tensed slightly upon hearing this, feeling perhaps it wasn’t such a great blessing after all.

“Li Xin, step here,” Matthew directed.

Li Xin approached the statue, and looking at its indistinct features, felt an unexplainable fear as if the statue was also watching him.

Afraid of overthinking—the place had plenty of mystical things—Li Xin quickly corrected his stance, cleared his mind, performed the folded finger salute with his right hand, solemn and respectful.

“No need to be nervous,” Matthew kindly reassured.

Once again, the Chief Bishop exerted his power, red light enveloping Li Xin, and it smoothly flowed from his body, dissipating.

?

“I haven’t done a baptism in ages; I’m a bit rusty. Let’s try again.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep