Chapter 252: Overture of Unease

Facts proved that Brother Wading's friend had a very reliable information channel; the upper echelons had indeed fallen into a rather strange state of indecision.

They failed to receive feedback in a timely manner as usual, yet the matter did not come to a standstill.

The Inquisitor returned extremely impatient, complaining that wasting time at the long table was meaningless; they needed something more practical.

Rather than letting him bicker with a group of bishops who dared not even look at corpses, it was better to speak with destroyed heretic strongholds and gathered evidence; by then, there would naturally be nothing left to dispute.

Green received an almost explicit hint: he could continue doing what needed to be done, as long as he did not make too much of a stir.

As for what constituted "making too much of a stir," there was no clear standard, but it absolutely included the sudden loss of a dozen cultivators overnight; if it happened again, there would be no way to explain it away under any circumstances.

This meant they needed to use their power more cautiously, reducing the team size and shortening exploration time. Correspondingly, this also required more reliable personnel.

One must consider that the sudden incident on the rainy night had caused very bad repercussions, no less than any disastrous battle with heavy casualties; some people might be unable to enter the sewers for a short time, and even staying underground might be inappropriate.

As for reliable and capable individuals, only two remained: Brother Wading and Green himself, plus a few cultivators whose faith, courage, or sanity had withstood the test. For Green, this was enough; the Heavenly Father had already screened out the needed people during the test.

Next, they only needed to make preparations, take these people to find those heretics' lairs, and make them realize that the sewers would not become a barrier protecting them, even if these sewers were as bizarre as they were.

Like the Inquisitor, he was willing to start searching immediately; after all, no one knew when the next rainy day would arrive or how long it would last.

But before jumping into the wet, cold waterways without looking back, there were matters regarding the partners to resolve.

"I must tell the Professor that the experimental venue he wanted is temporarily out of reach; he will have to find a way himself. As for animals, whatever can be bought on the market is what he can have."

"I fear the Professor will not be very satisfied with this reply. And those people, those who appeared near the clinic, is it necessary to notify them?" Brother Wading reminded.

The priest pondered for a moment, realizing it was not as simple as he had thought. "Uh... we have already increased the manpower."

Although he believed Kraft knew he was under a certain degree of observation, or rather surveillance, going directly to the person's face to inform them was another matter entirely.

Especially when the promise had not been fulfilled, showing up at their door would seem very inappropriate.

"Who could those people be?" First, the nobles' subordinates could be ruled out; they would either come directly or send an invitation in a more formal manner, rather than acting somewhat sneakily.

"Could they be competitors coming to investigate?"

"From Dunling to Westminster, half of the most prestigious doctors acknowledge him; what fellow practitioner would come to compete with him? Has Morris been resurrected?"

"Then I should go check the academy cemetery; I hope they do not have the habit of digging up their own people's graves." Since Green felt there was no problem, Brother Wading naturally did not object.

Perhaps a certain name in an offhand remark touched Green's nerves; in an instant, he changed his mind. "No, let the brothers sent to the clinic pay more attention and try to catch those people. The Professor should also receive a reminder."

"By the way, what has he been doing recently?"

"Moving between the academy and the clinic, saying there is some progress; we do not need to worry too much about him being idle."

"May we all make some discoveries."

"Have you made any discoveries, Luo Bin?"

Across from the hottest clinic in the New District recently, in the attic of a tavern, a young man lying idly on a bed asked his companion by the window.

They had lived here for some days; the clinic's prosperity had led to a clearly related rise in surrounding accommodation costs, fortunately, this money did not need to be paid by themselves.

"Be patient; nothing today." The young man called Luo Bin leaned against the window; from below, it was difficult to see the face hidden in the shadows, while the street scene was fully visible. "Patience makes us complete and lacking in nothing."

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"Probably Volume Fifty-Six, third or fourth section, Saint Yager discussing waiting and patience with someone."

"Genius; I have always thought you were the best candidate to succeed Brother Wading as deputy; Father Green will like you." The young man lying on the bed sat up, took out the Holy Scripture, and searched. "Actually, it is Volume Fifty-Six, second section, but that is quite good too."

"We still have much to learn. You really should be quieter, my brother; reading more books is also good." Luo Bin focused on the passersby outside the window, trying to distinguish suspicious figures.

"Do you really think anyone would do something unwise within Dunling City?"

"Who says it is impossible? I think you have heard; the escort team was attacked outside the city. Anything the heretics do is to be expected."

"Because they are heretics?"

"Yes." Brother Luo Bin affirmed, continuing to observe the street. The unplanned dirt-and-stone mixed road of the New District ran diagonally past the clinic, growing similarly twisted alley branches that inserted themselves between buildings.

There were more blind spots than it appeared; any place could become a hiding spot for uninvited guests, harboring gazing eyes like the sewers harbor flies and mosquitoes.

But he did not feel repelled; being born here made one very familiar with this environment, even creating a sense of intimacy, and possessing an innate ability to identify outsiders.

For instance, the person currently passing by the queue at the clinic entrance. That person might have thought they were dressed simply and blended in with the surrounding crowd, yet they subconsciously avoided stepping into shallow puddles to dirty their boots.

The trouser legs were too low, not meeting the needs of walking in poor road conditions; the clothes were simple yet long-sleeved to the wrists, and the fabric seemed different from ordinary linen, with fewer wrinkles and a closer fit.

"Look, they are here."

He waved to summon his companion lying like a corpse, pointing at the fellow who darted into the small alley and quickly disappeared. "What do you think this person is?"

"A thief? Doesn't look like it."

"I don't think so either, so I told Brother Wading." Luo Bin pushed his companion's head, which was trying to poke out, back into the shadows.

"Even so, it is normal for someone dressed differently to pass by occasionally. If Wading really told Father Green and sent more people, only for them to sit here with us staring blankly, what then?"

"Then the people sent will thank me for the holiday I secured for them and speak well of me before Wading."

"Still, we must be careful; Father Green is not one to blame anyone for caution. Moreover, it seems someone has appeared a few times; his sleeves are particularly long, and I have a bit of an impression." Being serious and attentive is a good habit; Luo Bin approved of this greatly and often received positive feedback from Father Green.

"By the way, you just said fifty."

"Hmm... forgot. You keep watching; I will flip through it again."