Chapter 201 - Face Paralysis (2/2)

“Why?” Shang Jianyao’s curiosity was covered by the monkey mask.

Song He glanced at him, smiled, and didn’t answer.

From the looks of it, this is secret knowledge that’s passed on within the Vigilance Church… Can a person with the ability of Provocation not awaken Extreme Terror at the same time? Or is this a deduction based on the corresponding price? Jiang Baimian couldn’t be bothered to scold Shang Jianyao. Her thoughts raced as she analyzed the situation.

Song He looked at Tan Jie and calmly said, “Since you are already an Awakened, you can choose to become a clergyman of the Church or maintain your current status. This won’t prevent you from listening to the bishop’s sermon and grasping the corresponding knowledge.”

Upon hearing this, Shang Jianyao raised his hand and put it down again, looking very hesitant.

Tan Jie thought for a few seconds and replied, “I’ll consider it.”

After settling Tan Jie’s matter, Song He turned to look at Han Wanghuo. “There’s movement from the merfolk and mountain monsters?”

Han Wanghuo nodded solemnly. “I’ve sent people to investigate. They show signs of an alliance. Before I came to the cathedral, I had already arranged for the town guards to set up the first and second lines of defense.”

Song He nodded and sighed. “Actually, with such a large city ruin and so many farmlands that are still open for cultivation, it won’t have much of an impact on the townsfolk’s lives if they accommodate a few Subhuman communities. Unfortunately, the hatred between the two parties has already been sown, and it has become increasingly firm after being watered with blood.”

Upon sensing Long Yuehong, Bai Chen, and the others’ gazes, Song He laughed self-deprecatingly. “In front of the Kalendaria, all living beings are equal. As Eidolon Nun’s clergy, merfolk and mountain monsters can also become qualified believers in my eyes. However, I’m a little timid. I don’t dare to enter the Subhuman settlement to preach alone.”

Han Wanghuo fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “I heard that this place was even messier when you first came to Redstone Collection. There were gunfights almost every day. You aren’t timid at all.”

Song He laughed. “Don’t mistake my youthful bravado for bravery. I had just registered my faith in Eidolon Nun then; all I wanted to do was show my piousness. But now, there’s a saying that goes: the older one is, the more timid they are.”

After ending the topic on Subhumans, Han Wanghuo and Tan Jie bade farewell and left.

As the Old Task Force followed outside, Shang Jianyao suddenly looked back. “One last question: Why is Viel still in the cathedral?”

He paid special attention to this hide-and-seek champion.

Song He knew that they were foreign Ruin Hunters and replied casually, “This is the reward for every Mass’s victor: they can stay in the cathedral for a period of time, bathe in the Goddess’s grace, and listen to the teachings.”

Jiang Baimian—who was wearing a graceful monk mask—immediately raised her eyebrows.

Shang Jianyao meant it when he said that it was the last question. He didn’t stay any longer and left the Vigilance Cathedral.

Han Wanghuo stopped in front of his derelict SUV and asked the Qian Bai Team, “I’m going to the Ashlanders. What about you?”

Tan Jie stood by the side and watched expressionlessly.

“We’ll continue investigating Helvig’s death,” Jiang Baimian replied.

Han Wanghuo nodded. “Be careful then. The merfolk and mountain monsters might attack the town at any moment.”

“Thank you,” Jiang Baimian replied politely.

After watching Han Wanghuo and Tan Jie drive away, the Old Task Force got into their jeep.

Jiang Baimian sat in the passenger seat. As she signaled for Bai Chen to start the car, she grunted. “From the looks of it, it’s unlikely that Helvig was killed by Anhebus.”

Long Yuehong didn’t ask why and tried to understand his team leader’s train of thought. “Because Anhebus wasn’t too enthusiastic about silencing Baz?”

“Yes.” Jiang Baimian expressed her affirmation. “If Anhebus really killed Helvig, he would definitely eliminate Baz and the others quickly. He wouldn’t let the secret be exposed at all. When we brought Baz to the cathedral, we didn’t encounter any obstruction. It took some time before Lopez arrived with his people.

“This means that Anhebus probably sent his subordinates to ask Baz and the others about the exact situation because Helvig had suddenly died. He had felt uneasy.”

Bai Chen—who was driving—looked ahead and said, “It’s more like what Brand said. Helvig’s enemies or DiMarco’s people did it.”

Jiang Baimian nodded and sighed. “Forget it. This isn’t the problem that needs the most attention right now. The focus now is on what to do with the batch of firearms. If Anhebus really donates them to the town guards, will it count as us completing the mission?”

Long Yuehong hesitated and said, “I don’t think so.”

“As long as Anhebus doesn’t say that it’s the batch of firearms that Helvig lost, it definitely doesn’t count,” Bai Chen replied firmly.

And Anhebus was not stupid.

Jiang Baimian gritted her teeth. “Shall we think of a way to obtain that batch of firearms and complete the mission first?”

Long Yuehong thought for a moment and deliberated. “Based on the present situation, Redstone Collection’s town guards really need this batch of firearms.”

“No problem. After we get half, we’ll donate this half and the supplies we previously saved to the town guards. We’ll also negotiate to have them give us a military exoskeleton after we resolve the problem regarding the merfolk and mountain monsters. When the time comes, the Subhumans will be severely injured. Redstone Collection will temporarily have no external enemies, and there will be plenty of time to get a new one from United Industries. This will be Anhebus’s chance to atone for his crimes.” Jiang Baimian revealed her plan. “Perfect!”

Shang Jianyao nodded heavily. “Anhebus is going to donate that batch of firearms to the town guards anyway, so between donating it to the town guards and us, it doesn’t make an actual difference to him.”

“Besides, Anhebus might not be willing to donate it to the town guards. He might have other solutions.” Jiang Baimian clapped her hands and said, “Let’s go to the lakeside villa and find an opportunity to complete the mission.”

Shang Jianyao echoed excitedly, “Let’s stir shit up! Let’s stir shit up!”