Chapter 24

The point was, she never believed Qi Xing had absolutely no desires to begin with, and now she believed it even less.

He clearly had plenty of desires; he just refused to admit it out loud.

After the meal, Qi Xing drank some tea.

Elaine read several emails to him as a report.

"The first is an official email sent by the [Exorcism Association], proposing an urgent meeting with you at the Rome headquarters. This is the main reason we returned today."

"Next are several big figures related to the Church—the Vice Dean of the Roman Curia, the Commander of the Order of the Holy Lance, the Grand Master of the Brotherhood of Wolves, and Duke Vlad Țepeș, all of whom have sent personal letters requesting a meeting with you."

The others were fine, but the last one truly surprised Qi Xing: "Huh? Dracula came to Rome in person?"

"Of course not. You know that His Grace the Duke would never leave Romania."

Elaine picked up the letter sent by Dracula; it was a physical copy.

"However, Duchess Remina seems to have actually come to Rome in person."

Many of these old monsters disliked using email for formal written correspondence, let alone social media. However, Dracula himself knew how to use Facebook and IG, posting selfies and photos of his pets on social media—he was quite a cute old man. Qi Xing would occasionally go and like his posts.

"Help me write formal replies to the Vice Pope, the Commander of the Order, and the Grand Master of the Brotherhood, and see when we have time to arrange it." Qi Xing pondered for a moment and replied, "I will write a reply to Archduke Dracula myself—I actually quite like the old guy."

"Very well." Elaine raised an eyebrow. "Between the most famous vampire in history and Satan himself, you really do enjoy dealing with dark creatures."

"Maybe it's just because I was born in the Year of the Snake." Qi Xing said calmly, "This year is the Year of the Snake, and Dracula and Satan are both dragons and snakes—oh my, what a coincidence, isn't it?"

That joke wasn't funny. Although Samael, floating nearby, was amused, Elaine just darkened her face and took out the next letter.

This email had no signature and was sent through the [Exorcism Association]'s encrypted channel. The message was short and abrupt: "Qi Xing. Greetings. Are you home?"

For some reason, the sender clearly didn't want to converse too much in writing.

"Reply to him with [I am]." Qi Xing said, and Elaine did so.

But things were only just beginning.

"In short, the Commander of the Order of the Holy Lance, Dracula's wife, and a bunch of big figures from the Roman Curia—they've all run to Rome now."

After saying this, Qi Xing rolled his eyes: "Sigh, why is it like this?"

The nun glanced at the Loli Evil God floating nearby, looking around, and muttered: "I think the reason is quite obvious."

Three days ago, when Elaine was writing her report, she had hesitated about how much content to report to the [Exorcism Association] and the Roman Curia, and whether to hide some parts.

She had even considered just covering up the silver coin and the contract Qi Xing signed with Samael for him! As an assistant and essentially a monitor sent by the Church to Qi Xing, this was an absolutely derelict thought!

But at that time, Qi Xing had said to Elaine: "Don't worry about such small matters. Report whatever you feel needs to be reported. The matters of the silver coin and Samael can both be reported."

For a moment, this left Elaine bewildered. If she didn't know Qi Xing's personality, she might have even suspected he was testing her: "Is this really okay? The reaction from the [Exorcism Association] and the Roman Curia might be very intense."

"No problem."

Qi Xing's tone was very calm, but the content of his words was more intense,

"I haven't figured out the specific approach yet, but I have already decided to take action to change this absurd, quagmire of a world."

"I know that anyone who attempts to change the world will attract forces that oppose them. So I don't care; reporting the matters of the silver coin and Samael is actually better, as it allows them to surface early."

The experience on the cruise ship had moved Qi Xing.

By now, he had made a major resolution, so he disdained to hide it from others.

He was not the type of person who, after transmigrating and obtaining overwhelming power, would still try every possible way to hide that he was a transmigrator; he was not a coward who, despite being so powerful, dared not show the essence of his strength to the world.

A true powerhouse doesn't give a damn.

"If anyone finds out I have the silver coin and jumps out to cause me trouble, I'll just kill them all and hang their heads in the square."

Although there were still some things he hadn't figured out, after meeting Samael and learning the Truth of the world, Qi Xing had made his resolve.

Determination and will are the most important things; as for how to act specifically… honestly, doing it while thinking is definitely better than just standing there foolishly and hesitating.

This determination even made Elaine tremble at the time. So, she honestly wrote the report and submitted it to the [Exorcism Association].

As expected, a whole bunch of high-level officials from the Roman Curia and related organizations rushed to Rome in a panic. As soon as Elaine scanned the list, she saw a dozen or so minister-level big shots who were higher-ranking than her own superiors. For someone within the system, it was enough to make her scalp tingle.

What was worse was that if they came to cause trouble for Qi Xing… Elaine knew that no matter who the dignitaries were, they would be killed by Qi Xing.

"You can rest assured about that."

A voice interjected at this moment; it was neither Qi Xing, nor Elaine, nor even Samael.

Qi Xing and Elaine immediately turned to look. The front door of the villa was half-open, the main lock's keypad screen was flickering, and a tall, thin old priest pushed the door open and walked in with a smile.

He looked very, very old, with no hair, and his beard was completely gray. His slightly loose black priest's robe made him appear even thinner.

But he was still steady, like an old tree that had weathered many storms yet still stood tall; his back was as straight as a church bell tower, and his pace was light yet steady.

"Father!"

At the sudden sight of this old priest, Elaine immediately jumped up in shock, both surprised and delighted, seemingly at a loss for what to do.

"Good evening, Sister Elaine, don't be so nervous."

The old priest grinned as he greeted his apprentice. His voice was low and slightly raspy, as if reciting an ancient poem,

"Your stress seems to be a bit too high."

Qi Xing also stood up from the dining table and walked over to shake hands with his friend: "Long time no see, Father Amos."

"Welcome back to Rome, Qi Xing."

The old exorcist still had a half-smile on his lips, with a humorous glint in his eyes,

"Every time you return from killing monsters around the world, you are always afraid of how many new reports you have to write; that is even scarier than the monsters."

"That's good."

Qi Xing said calmly,

"Sometimes, I do wish the [Exorcism Association] feared me more than they fear monsters."

This remark probably wasn't very funny, to the point where Elaine, standing behind him, had an awkward expression.

But the old exorcist laughed out loud, his nostrils twitching slightly as he laughed, as if he had just heard a particularly funny joke. Moreover, his laughter was loud and infectious.

It was said of this old priest that his laughter could dispel darkness better than holy water.

Even Samael, floating behind Qi Xing, let out an "Oh my" upon seeing this old man, looking thoughtful.

Because he was also a powerhouse.

He was Cardinal Father Gabriel Amos, the founder and chairman of the [Exorcism Association], and the Chief Exorcist of the Roman Curia. A super old man who had experienced World War II, received medals for fighting the Nazis, fought tirelessly throughout his life, and had performed over sixty thousand exorcisms; he was exactly one hundred years old this year.

Qi Xing was [The Worlds Strongest Man].

Father Amos bore the title of [The Peak of Humanity in the Christian World] and was also the mentor of the exorcist nun, Elaine. As he aged, his body had declined, but his exorcism techniques and willpower had been honed to perfection. He could be called the pinnacle of the [exorcist] profession.

Although he was the chairman of the Exorcism Association, he was also a pragmatist. Therefore, he had always had a good relationship with Qi Xing, who ran around the world killing monsters.

"How did you open my door lock and come in directly?"

Qi Xing asked.

"I greeted you, didn't I?" Father Amos laughed, "You did say you were home."

Fine. Qi Xing didn't really care about such small matters. He was more concerned about what the old exorcist had said at the beginning: "What did you mean by saying I could rest assured?"

"I said you can rest assured because no one in the entire Roman Curia dares to truly cause you trouble, especially after seeing Elaine's report. Although some people doubt the full veracity of the report's content, at least the high-level Church officials know how great the power of [Judas's Thirty silver coins] is."

Father Amos explained calmly,

"Some people might think the Roman Church is some kind of fanatic group, but in fact, the Church is very pragmatic. For two thousand years, the Roman Church has never been foolish enough to confront the great power of a [Silver Coin Messenger] head-on. Especially when you yourself are already strong enough to grab St. Peter's Basilica, lift it up, and throw it into the sea; the Roman Curia won't be so foolish as to directly cause you trouble."

This statement surprised Qi Xing, and he couldn't help but look at Elaine.

On the contrary, Samael, floating behind him, couldn't help but laugh.

Actually, this was very normal. The [Thirty silver coins] were the manifestation of the authority wielded by the Evil God Samael, the Creator of the world, to control this universe. To a certain extent, humans who obtained the silver coins were holders of [Royal Power], often becoming great emperors, strong leaders, hegemons, or tyrants.

The Roman Curia would never be foolish enough to confront such people head-on. They understood politics, and they understood compromise. In any case, there was no eternal royal power in the world, and anyway, ninety percent of [Silver Coin Messengers] would eventually blow themselves up; conversely, the Roman Church had already lasted for two thousand years. As long as human society existed, the Church would be almost indestructible. Politics is the art of compromise.

Only a true powerhouse will not compromise.

"Then why did they invite me back to Rome?"

Qi Xing frowned.

"Qi Xing, you lack imagination."

Father Amos shrugged exaggeratedly,

"If you truly become the next tyrant of the world, becoming a dark emperor granted authority over the world by the devil, then the most important thing for the Church to consider is how to compromise with you, how much to compromise, and how to maintain our own religion and faith in a dark world that has been raped by you. Anyway, it's impossible for you to lord over everyone forever."

No, I am trying to save you all from this yellow world, why are you starting to worry about me raping a dark world into existence, and even thinking about how to kneel and how much to kneel beforehand?

Samael was laughing so hard behind his back that his stomach hurt. Qi Xing, however, suddenly felt speechless.

This plot development wasn't right, was it?

"There are also some people who definitely want to collude with you privately to secure future benefits—and some are probably just curious about the matters of the silver coin and the Holy Lance—but let's not mention this for now."

The old priest said this, then suddenly changed the subject and looked at his prize pupil,

"Sister Elaine, there are some voices within the Church questioning you and impeaching you."

His expression was very serious, which made Elaine inevitably nervous as well.

"What am I being suspected of?" She asked, her mouth feeling dry.

The old priest sighed: "Some suspect that you and [Master Leipu] have broken the three vows of a nun."

Broken… the nun's vows?

The three vows of a nun refer to: Poverty (vowing to give up personal wealth), Obedience (vowing to obey the orders of superiors), and Chastity (vowing not to xx)… Huh?

028: Anyway, pass the buck first

"Some suspect that you have broken the three vows of a nun."

Father Amos said.

Elaine, who was usually calm, was stunned the moment she heard her master say this, her eyes blank for a few seconds. Immediately afterwards, her cheeks flushed red at a speed visible to the naked eye, not even sparing her ears.

If her magic power were at the [Inner Ring] level, this shame would be enough to make her hair spontaneously combust.

"There is absolutely no such thing, Cardinal Amos. I have absolutely not violated my vows."

After freezing for a long while, she finally squeezed out a voice. But that habitually calm tone was gone, and her speaking speed was as fast as if she were fleeing.

"I can tell."

Father Amos glanced at his apprentice's flushed little face, then looked at Qi Xing, who had dead-fish eyes next to him. Although he had never been in a relationship, he had lived exactly one hundred years to this day, so he was considered knowledgeable and experienced, and he immediately understood a little.

"It's a pity that not everyone in the Church is so reasonable,"

after a moment of silence, the old exorcist continued slowly,

"Some people—it doesn't matter who exactly—believe that having a nun follow [Master Leipu] failed to properly complete the surveillance work, resulting in [The Worlds Strongest Man], the ace of the [Exorcism Association], being possessed by Satan, and putting the world in danger now, so they must hold you, Elaine, accountable."

"Furthermore, a certain Mother Superior—I won't mention the specific name—worries that you, Elaine, have already engaged in illicit relations with [Master Leipu] and broken your nun's vows."

In fact, a nun does not necessarily have to be a virgin.

Many nuns were originally poor women like widows, or women who had encountered drastic changes or difficulties in life, and thus took vows to become nuns and entered the convent.

As for this absurd yellow world, there were also many nuns who had been █ █ before. Although they did not turn dark or fall, they had hated sex ever since, so they took vows to become nuns.

Therefore, a nun does not need to be a virgin, but she must take a vow of chastity when becoming a nun. If you were a virgin when you became a nun, and suddenly you weren't two years later—that obviously would be a problem!

"She even proposed removing Elaine from her current position and replacing her."

Speaking of this, Father Amos's expression also became a bit sorrowful.

Replace her?

This remark finally made Qi Xing feel ridiculous: "Replace Elaine, and then what? Find an old hag of a nun to cook for me and provide support?"

"With the size of the entire Church, do you really think there are no other talented young exorcist nuns?"

Unexpectedly, Father Amos was very serious about this and said sternly,

"There are not only those with talent not inferior to Elaine's, but even young nuns who have been blessed and have amazing aptitude; they only need to follow you to gain some combat experience, and it is even possible for them to quickly rise to the level of an [Inner Ring] superhuman."