Chapter 254
Chapter 254
Chapter 254
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 254 – The Lan Qi Clan is Taking Root in the Empire
Inside the towering cathedral, the believers seated in the pews listened quietly to the Precursor’s teachings.
Bathed in radiant light, the priest whom they respectfully called Precursor stood in silver vestments at the very front of the sanctuary. Unhurried and composed, he unveiled mysteries to the assembled priests. His voice, every word he spoke, felt like harmonics sent down from heaven itself, rippling like waves throughout the hall and bringing deep comfort to all.
At times during his sermon, he would gently raise an arm, stirring up thunderous acclamations within the cathedral. At other times, he would softly place a finger to his lips, bidding everyone to listen with their hearts rather than speak with their mouths.
His gaze was warm from beginning to end. Whenever his eyes fell on the believers, they felt the greatest encouragement and support. Even those seated in the very back could sense the love and care contained within his look.
In less than an hour, the sermon ended.
The Precursor bowed slightly, as if offering thanks to every comrade present. And all the believers returned the gesture with equal courtesy.
Slowly, he stepped down from the pulpit. Every step seemed like part of a hymn praising truth itself. In the interplay of colored light from the stained glass, his figure gradually disappeared. Yet the fiery emotions he had left within their hearts lingered long, impossible to disperse. Their eyes blazed with fervor, involuntarily immersed in this state of enchantment.
When the Precursor left the cathedral, the Silver-Armored Priest who had been responsible for overseeing the town hurried after him, walking at his side.
“Precursor, my lord — the work of clearing the forests behind the town, expanding the city, constructing public service and tourism facilities, as well as repairing and widening the roads connecting to neighboring towns, has already begun.”
The Silver-Armored Priest handed over a report document.
“Very good. A benefit to the present, and a legacy for a thousand years. The name of Supreme Heaven’s Lord Church will not only be praised in the near future — perhaps even after a millennium, people will still revere it as divine.”
Lan Qi accepted the report with approval.
By day he worked as a tutor in the household of Viscount Francis, while in the afternoons he came to the cathedral to guide the clergy of the Supreme Heaven’s Branch.
Every day felt fulfilling and real.
In this town where the overall power level was low, with Boss Cat’s telekinesis helping, he could come and go from the cathedral easily without anyone noticing. And besides, few townsfolk dared to approach the cathedral anyway.
“For this great goal, we shall remain unyielding unto death.”
The Silver-Armored Priest saluted devoutly.
Although the townsfolk did not fully trust them, at the very least, their attitudes had begun to shift.
From forced hatred and fear, to a watchful wariness tinged with curiosity.
“Unyielding unto death.”
Lan Qi returned the salute with equal respect.
They upheld equality, working together for the same goal and faith.
In Lilorom City, fishing and aquaculture were already highly developed. Yet most specialty fish were consumed locally — the cost of exporting them was too high.
Fortunately, the town’s scenery was magnificent and unique. Semi-natural hot springs could be constructed, and the forests behind the town could be developed into a natural park. The whole town could be expanded into a large tourist city.
The redevelopment plans, personally drafted by Lan Qi, had been presented by the Silver-Armored Priest to Viscount Francis. Though shocked, the viscount could not reject them — he authorized the priests to begin construction.
Already, many northern residents were considering migrating south. Reports from the previous year’s final quarter showed a population increase trend in the southwestern province. Thus, Lilorom City not only promised to attract tourists, but also a large number of new residents.
Once the first stage was completed, they would take the most critical step — using the Supreme Heaven’s Branch’s channels across the province to heavily promote this dreamlike seaside city. If momentum was strong, they could expand even further, creating a virtuous cycle.
“From now on, avoid using force. Learn more instead. Those with artistic talent, study design. Those with craftsman or builder talent, hone your trades. Those who can absorb knowledge, master economics, finance, statistics, marketing, management — the provincial capital’s library has more than enough books for you to study.”
Lan Qi patted the Silver-Armored Priest’s shoulder and urged him.
With the formidable labor and execution ability of the Resurrection Church priests, the town was rapidly transforming.
Just a few days ago, Archbishop Kane, who oversaw the southwestern province, had been invited to visit Lilorom City. After a private meeting with Lan Qi inside the cathedral, he too wholeheartedly joined their cause.
The archbishop then returned to the provincial capital, ready to spread this model across a wider area, and sent even more Silver-Robed Priests to Lilorom City to learn.
“Yes! The Supreme Heaven’s Lord Church possesses incomparable power, and is the true god of wisdom. To ensure the Supreme Heaven’s Church becomes the leader of the Resurrection Church within the Protos Empire, we must become the wisest of believers. Only then can we truly understand the Supreme Heaven’s Lord and become real members of His branch.”
The Silver-Armored Priest spoke with burning eyes.
Now, besides building the city, they devoted themselves daily to frantic study. Under the Precursor’s inspiration, they had fully grasped the importance of wisdom.
They had even become addicted to learning, unable to stop.
Strength had limits. But knowledge, too, was power — and had no limits.
The two strolled out of the cathedral while talking. At the gate, the Silver-Armored Priest sent Lan Qi off.
Then, Lan Qi turned down a side path outside the cathedral.
When he emerged at the end, he had already changed back to his usual self.
A little black cat leapt out of the shadows, clinging onto Lan Qi.
“Lan Qi… you… what exactly are you doing…?”
Boss Cat now could barely see through him.
He seemed like he was acting — but not. Like he was forced into it — but also enjoying it.
“Relax, Boss Cat. I only led them into forming a positive form of worship and belief.”
Lan Qi caught Boss Cat in his arms and smiled.
“The Resurrection Church’s structure was originally loose, with little cohesion. I simply further sanctified the Supreme Heaven’s Lord whom they already revered, shaping him as a god of both power and wisdom. Once believers possess unwavering faith, they form a shared consciousness and collective identity, which diminishes individual thinking and makes unified coordination far more effective.”
“……”
Boss Cat froze for a while.
It sounded reasonable, but…
Isn’t this just brainwashing?!
Boss Cat looked at those believers — one by one, they had become fanatical study-maniacs. He didn’t know what to say.
Maybe it was because Lan Qi told them his secret to strength was learning.
Maybe it was because he had over-deified the Supreme Heaven’s Lord and reinterpreted His teachings in his own way, branding “knowledge is power” deeply into their minds.
Or maybe it was just that Lan Qi himself was the problem.
He was far too skilled at stirring up desire with words, at seducing hearts, even controlling others. These were not skills a normal student should possess!
Boss Cat dared not imagine what the southwestern province would look like in a few months under Lan Qi’s push.
And when the Supreme Heaven’s Lord discovered that all his warriors had been transformed into iron-willed strategists instead of desperate fighters, how would he feel?
Boss Cat was really afraid that the Supreme Heaven’s Lord would put out a bounty on both Lan Qi and himself!!
(End of Chapter)