Due to Luo Jin’s stern warnings not to neglect his duties and to take all the work and study arrangents of the Canon Law School seriously, especially the activities of the Black Rose, Li Xin rarely participated in the training on ti.
He arrived, but Captain Simmons from the Saint Grace Canon Law School was absent due to so matters, so Vice Captain Lancer led the team, while Vice Captain Zhao Qing from the Black Rose was also absent.
However, without them, the atmosphere was unexpectedly more relaxed. With Zhao Qing not present, Malone and others felt much freer, and a morning full of training arrangents was less about formality; everyone chatted more openly. For Saint Grace, arrangents were already made yesterday, so there wasn’t a need to go all out, and they were promised so compensation. The travel mindset and the excellent hospitality from the Celestial Capital Canon Law School made for a harmonious atmosphere.
In the afternoon, perhaps because the superior was absent, Hao Ye, who had always felt uneasy, also took leave. Without Hao Ye, the atmosphere at Black Rose improved greatly.
After Hao Ye took leave, Li Xin also disappeared. Fortunately, Luo Xue was already accustod to this situation. Although it felt a bit strange, she couldn’t just ignore the people from Saint Grace. She inquired about Simmons’ situation, but the Saint Grace people were tight-lipped, and Luo Xue couldn’t ask more.
At this ti, Zhao Qing, dressed in civilian clothes, quietly arrived at the confessional of the Moon God Church, took off his hat, and gently knocked on the wall. The wooden board slid open, and a dim light shone through the grille.
"Father, I have sinned," Zhao Qing said softly.
"All mortals have sins, speak of them, and God will forgive you," the priest said gently.
"My closest kin did sothing they shouldn’t have, desecrating the divine and tarnishing the family’s honor. I’m lost, what should I do?" Zhao Qing said heavily.
"Child, you must bravely speak your mind, God will bless you and grant you redemption," the priest said.
Zhao Qing took a deep breath, his eyes gradually firm. Letting this drag on was dangerous; it was after much deliberation that he ca, "I am a subject of the Moon God, I seek redemption. May I confess to you in person?"
"My child, the mont you muster the courage to step in here, God has already begun to protect you," the priest stood up and opened the door, and Zhao Qing looked up to see Archbishop Matthew.
He had thought long and hard and finally decided to take this step, a step concerning his destiny.
Following quietly behind Archbishop Matthew, they soon arrived at a secret room in the church. The surrounding lights were warm, giving a safe and comfortable feeling.
"There is no one else here, what do you wish to confess?" Matthew said, his face showing neither excitent nor anticipation.
Zhao Qing knew that this archbishop, who held great influence in the Celestial Capital, was no ordinary figure. He also knew this opportunity would only co once, and there was no room for boasting.
Zhao Qing knelt respectfully, kissing the archbishop’s shoes, "Respected Archbishop, I inadvertently discovered that my father has fallen into the abyss. Abyssal Worms have parasitized him, rely suppressed through so ans. I also know he’s been trafficking humans from the Underground City, and these people have been sacrificed to the demonic forces of the abyss. My soul is in constant tornt. For the divine, for the family’s honor, I mustered the courage to co before you, seeking your guidance. I am his child, but I am also a child of the divine. It pains to make this decision."
Zhao Qing lowered his head, his voice slightly heavy and trembling, as if using all his strength.
Matthew’s gaze turned slightly deeper, but his voice remained calm and gentle, "My child, this is not your fault. But you must know, without evidence, one cannot accuse a Count and upper council mber."
Zhao Qing paused, lifting his head, his eyes bright. He knew the archbishop was intrigued because the archbishop’s greatest enemy was Zhao Xun. The enemy of an enemy is a friend. Zhao Qing wanted to bring down Zhao Xun, and it couldn’t be done alone; he needed soone who could match Zhao Xun, which was the archbishop.
"I have evidence. I have intel on his human trafficking and know the locations. Once the Night Patrol is deployed, the culprits can be caught red-handed. Moreover, I believe you have ways to expose the Abyssal Fallen. However, I hope you will not bla the entire family, considering Zhao Family’s contributions to the Celestial Capital, and give a chance for redemption. I will follow your lead," Zhao Qing said, prostrating on the ground without hesitation.
Matthew didn’t imdiately respond, but quietly observed Zhao Qing.
Zhao Qing knew his actions seed sudden and impulsive; the archbishop would surely have doubts or even see it as a trap, "Respected Archbishop, you don’t need to doubt my sincerity and determination. My mother died at his hands, many died at his hands, and I’m doing this to avenge my mother. She always told to stand in the light, never fall into darkness, and never give up."
Zhao Xun’s nature and preferences were no secret among the upper echelons of the Celestial Capital. Out in public, he maintained a dignified facade, but in private, noble indulgences doubled, and even Zhao Qing’s mother was taken by force, dying shortly after giving birth.
Zhao Qing lived in shadows. In one aspect, he resembled Zhao Xun: using any ans to achieve goals. He was always waiting, voluntarily going to the Dragon Capital to avoid scrutiny, build strength, and find a thod. Bringing down Zhao Xun wasn’t the goal; it was about leaving no loose ends and not affecting the family. Initially, he intended to wait for Zhao Xun to go mad due to the Abyssal Worms, but later realized Zhao Xun was in control, becoming healthier and stronger, showing no signs of a short life.
He couldn’t wait any longer. While in Dragon Capital, he conceived this strategy, premising Archbishop Matthew’s capability existed. Now, with Montreal’s downfall and Matthew’s promotion, everything had aligned, along with Luo Jin, the mad dog.
He believed that no matter Matthew’s suspicions, he couldn’t overlook this opportunity, a once-in-a-lifeti chance, especially since Matthew had nothing to lose. As Zhao Qing lifted his head again, he finally heard sincerity from Matthew.
"What do you want?" Matthew asked.
"Respected Archbishop, as I just ntioned, I hope you won’t let Zhao Family fall due to one person’s fault. I wish to inherit the Count’s title," Zhao Qing said. Normal succession without rit would an a reduction to Viscount; bla Luthor for that. However, achievents and support could avert such a reduction, especially following Luthor’s demise, becoming a sort of transaction,
"From now on, I have only the priest. Your will is my everything."
Once he inherited the Zhao Family and sided with Matthew, the archbishop would beco the most authoritative person in the Celestial Capital, giving Zhao Qing confidence. Nothing mattered more than benefits, the true bargaining chips in negotiation.
Matthew gently stroked Zhao Qing’s head, "God has accepted your confession and acknowledged your courage. Now you must act as if nothing happened, protect yourself, and patiently await the opportunity. I believe you are a smart child."
"My respected and benevolent Father, I will follow all your arrangents," Zhao Qing’s voice brimd with respect and sincerity, carrying so excitent.
He had taken another significant step away from Zhao Xun’s shadow, although a new superior in the archbishop, it was an entirely different concept. The archbishop needed him to inherit Zhao Family’s power, becoming a support for the Church, while also requiring him to balance the Luo Family and Granfield. Losing balance would resurface issues. He understood these matters clearly; hence the archbishop couldn’t possibly be unaware. From every angle, this move was a checkmate on Zhao Xun.
Soon, a satisfied Zhao Qing quietly exited through the church’s back door, pressing down his hat, observing his surroundings before cautiously leaving.
The arrow was already notched, the most critical step undertaken, with timing calculated for Hao Ye’s death.
While ordering Hao Ye, he also arranged for soone to deliver a note to Li Xin, expecting Li Xin to witness a tragic scene upon return. Not killing Hao Ye was impossible, yet a mutually damaging conflict would suffice. Even if Hao Ye notified Zhao Qing, it didn’t matter because killing Li Xin would have left no errors.
At this mont, within the secluded confession chamber of the church, the light flickered slightly, and a shadow erged slowly from the darkness, face gloomy, eyes full of ridicule and killing intent, "I should have painted him across the wall back then."
Matthew looked at Zhao Xun, "This kid has a hint of you too, considered comprehensively, and tid well. The mix of benefit and emotional cards almost moved ."
The archbishop adjusted the fla of the candle’s wick, making the fire steady.
(Dear readers, four updates with twelve thousand words, please support with a monthly ticket, thank you!)
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