Chapter 252

It turned out that Brother Vading's network of informants was reliable—the upper echelons had indeed fallen into a peculiar state of indecision.

They had not received timely feedback as usual, yet the matter had not been shelved.

The Inquisitor General returned in high irritation, complaining that sitting idle at the long table was pointless; they needed something more concrete.

Rather than waste time bickering with bishops too timid to even glance at corpses, better to speak with destroyed heretic strongholds and seized evidence—then there would be nothing left to argue about.

Green received an almost explicit hint to continue doing what he needed to do, as long as he didn't make too much noise.

There was no clear standard for what constituted "too much noise," but it definitely included losing a dozen or more cultivators overnight—another such incident would be utterly impossible to explain away.

This meant they had to use their forces more cautiously: reduce team size, shorten exploration time. Correspondingly, they needed more reliable personnel.

The rain-soaked incident last time had caused a devastating impact, no less severe than any bloody battle; some individuals might not be able to re-enter the sewers for a while, not even to remain underground.

The only reliable and capable people left were Brother Vading and Green himself, plus a few cultivators whose faith, courage, or sanity had withstood the test. For Green, this was enough—the Father had already sifted out those needed for the trial.

All that remained was to prepare, take these people, find the heretics' hideouts, and make them realize the sewers would not shield them—not even if the sewers were as strange as they were.

Like the Inquisitor General, he was eager to begin the search immediately, since no one knew when the next rain would come or how long it would last.

But before leaping headfirst into the damp, icy sewer, he had to settle matters with their partner.

"Tell the Professor his experimental site is off-limits for now—he'll have to find his own. As for animals, whatever he can buy at the market is what he'll get."

"The Professor won't be pleased with that answer. And what about those people—the ones seen near the clinic? Should we notify them?" Vading reminded him.

The priest paused, realizing it wasn't as simple as he'd thought. "Er... we've already increased our manpower."

Though he believed Kraft knew he was under some degree of observation—or surveillance—going to him directly to inform him was another matter entirely.

Especially after failing to fulfill a promise, showing up like that would be inappropriate.

"Who could they be?" First, one could rule out noble retainers—they'd come directly or send formal invitations, not skulk about like this.

"Could they be rival competitors?"

"From Dunling to Westmin, half the most respected physicians recognize him. Who among his peers would dare compete? Would Morris rise from the grave?"

"Then I should check the academy cemetery—hope they don't have a habit of digging up their own dead." Since Green saw no issue, Vading naturally had no objection.

Perhaps a name slipped in idle talk had struck a nerve in Green—he changed his mind instantly. "No, tell the brothers at the clinic to watch more closely—try to catch those people. The Professor should be warned too."

"By the way, what's he been up to lately?"

"Moving between the academy and the clinic—he says he's made some progress. We don't need to worry about him idling."

"May we all make discoveries."

"Any findings, Luo Bin?"

In the attic of a tavern directly across from the city's newest, most popular clinic, a young man lay idle on his bed, asking his companion by the window.

They'd been staying here for days; the clinic's prosperity had noticeably raised nearby lodging prices, though thankfully they didn't have to pay for it themselves.

"Be patient—nothing today," said Luo Bin, leaning by the window; his face, hidden in shadow, was hard to see from below, but the street below was fully visible. "Patience perfects us, leaving nothing lacking."

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"Probably Chapter Fifty-Six, third or fourth verse—Saint Yeg and his discourse on waiting and patience."

"Genius. I've always thought you're the best candidate to replace Brother Vading as his deputy. Father Green will love you." The young man on the bed sat up, pulling out the Holy Scripture to check. "Actually, it's Chapter Fifty-Six, second verse—but still impressive."

"We still have much to learn. You really should be quieter, my brother—read more books." Luo Bin kept his gaze fixed on the passersby below, trying to spot suspicious figures.

"Do you really think anyone would do something foolish inside Dunling City?"

"Who says it's impossible? I'm sure you've heard—the escort convoy was attacked outside the city. What wouldn't heretics do?"

"Because they're heretics?"

"Yes." Brother Luo Bin affirmed, still watching the street. The unplanned, dirt-and-stone roads of the new district slanted past the clinic, branching into crooked alleys that pierced between buildings.

Dead angles were more numerous than they appeared—anywhere could hide an intruder, just as sewers harbor flies and mosquitoes, concealing watching eyes.

Yet he felt no aversion; having come from here made him deeply familiar with such environments, even fond of them, granting him an innate ability to recognize outsiders.

For instance, the man just passing by the clinic's entrance. He may have thought his plain clothes blended him into the crowd, yet he still unconsciously avoided stepping into shallow puddles to keep his boots clean.

His pant legs were too short for poor road conditions; his clothes were simple but had wrist-length sleeves, the fabric clearly different from ordinary hemp—fewer wrinkles, tighter fit.

"Look—he's here."

He gestured to the man lying on the bed, pointing to the figure darting down a narrow alley and vanishing. "Who do you think he is?"

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

"I thought so too—that's why I told Brother Vading." Luo Bin pushed his companion's head back into the shadows.

"Even so, isn't it normal for someone dressed differently to pass by now and then? If Vading really told Father Green, and reinforcements were sent, only to find they're just sitting here with us, what then?"

"Then the reinforcements will thank me for giving them a vacation—and speak well of me to Vading."

"Still, be careful. Father Green rarely blames anyone for caution. Besides, someone's appeared a few times—his sleeves are unusually long. I remember." Careful attention was a good habit; Luo Bin approved of it and often received positive feedback from Father Green.

"By the way, you just said fifty."

"Hmm... forgot. You watch—I'll check again."