Chapter 50: Forty-four, I ask you what is Article 8 of Chapter 7 of the Rhein Covenant?
After a light sleep, Ulu was yet again awoken by a coughing fit.
He could no longer recall how many consecutive days this had been, a fact which brought him annoyance and irritation to the point that upon waking, he couldn’t help but inwardly shout furiously, “Visas, you…”
But before he could finish, the coughing intensified, though it ca from next door.
Only then did Ulu realize that the coughing that disturbed his peace wasn’t his own, but his neighbor’s, which sounded like the innkeeper, who was in poor health.
“What’s wrong?” Bai Wei’s leisurely voice resounded in Ulu’s mind.
Originally intending to question Bai Wei about what he had done to his body, Ulu remained silently sullen for a mont before muttering, “Nothing, just checking if you’re still around, dead or not.”
...
“Strictly speaking, I can’t die, or perhaps I’ve already been entirely dead for a long ti,” Bai Wei said indifferently. “And I must say, you’ve beco increasingly disrespectful towards . Before, you would call ‘Lord Visas.'”
“A half-dead existence doesn’t deserve my respect.”
After dropping that harsh remark, Ulu rolled out of bed.
Although the coughing wasn’t his own, Ulu still felt agitated because he vividly sensed that Bai Wei was becoming more and more “active.” Originally, Bai Wei was like that legendary ancient being, reserved and exuding a mysterious aura, conversing with him only a few words each day, mostly seeming to be asleep.
But now, it was as if he had fully awakened, hence his increased activity.
This gave Ulu the impression that this dangerous ancient being was using his body to slowly complete a rebirth, and the mont Bai Wei would take full control of his body would be the mont of his true rebirth (from Ulu’s perspective).
Naturally, this boded nothing good for Ulu; he wasn’t a true Vissas Disciple and certainly had no desire to see this old, undying thing co back to life.
Thankfully, Ulu wasn’t entirely without ans of dealing with the situation. Somo City was just as dangerous for both him and Visas. If he detected that Visas was indeed using his body to be reborn, he would detonate himself imdiately, contact Bishop Corey, and then, he could die along with Visas.
Though the threat of “I won’t let you get your way, even in death,” wasn’t entirely reliable, it was better than nothing. Moreover, from a certain perspective, it was quite effective, at least providing so consolation for Ulu.
“So, what should I do today?” Ulu asked solemnly in his mind. “You don’t plan to have stay in the inn all day, do you? What about the ‘truth’ you promised to show ?”
“Of course,” Bai Wei was well aware of Ulu’s sches but wasn’t concerned about them. “I’ve told you that I’d let you see with your own eyes. If you’ve rested enough, we can set out now.”
“Without ending this symbiosis with you, the monster, there’s no real rest for .”
After stating this, Ulu began to pack his things, ready to leave.
Then, he heard Bai Wei’s casual voice again: “Ulu, I hope you’re not mistaken about one thing.”
Ulu froze: “What?”
“I’ve said before, I want to see what soone like you would beco with power. It’s an interesting matter for , akin to watching a pet. Do you understand? So, a pet being a little capricious, a bit rebellious, I can understand,” Bai Wei’s words were light, yet Ulu could feel the temperature in them dropping, “However, if I feel you’re overstepping the line, like baring fangs at , or being too noisy, which I perceive as disrespect, I wouldn’t mind… slaughtering you ahead of ti. Do you understand?”
At that mont, Ulu felt a chill sweep over his body, giving him an involuntary shudder, and that strong sense of unease seed to remind him of the true nature of the being he was dealing with.
He then realized just how presumptuous his words had been.
His cold sweat broke out instantly, resulting in a reflexive response: “I’m sorry, Lord Visa…”
But his remaining dignity made a stand at that mont, preventing him from completing the formal title.
However, by then, Bai Wei had already retracted the crushing pressure and returned to his joking tone: “Ah, no need for titles. They didn’t use them for long ago either. Of course, if you insist on using them, I won’t stop you.”
Feeling the pressure dissipate, Ulu also realized he was soaked in cold sweat. He pressed his lips tightly together and ultimately said nothing, grabbing his things and walking out the door.
Approaching the counter, he saw the coughing innkeeper and Lea, who was cleaning with a broom.
When Lea saw Ulu, she subconsciously wanted to jump up and greet him, but under the proprietress’s gaze, she obediently bowed her body, “Good morning, sir.”
The proprietress finally showed a satisfied expression, then turned to look at Ulu, her eyes carrying an apology, “I’m sorry, sir, I should have prepared breakfast for you, but my body really isn’t in good condition, and this child hasn’t learned yet…”
Lea imdiately raised her head and said very seriously, “Don’t worry, sir, I’ll learn it soon, please stay a few more days.”
Faced with such enthusiasm from both of them, Ulu felt a bit uncomfortable. He nodded his head and was about to leave.
Then, he heard the proprietress behind him say, “Ah, sir, later I’m taking Lea to the church to see a doctor, we won’t be here all day, but don’t worry, we’ll be back in the evening.”
Ulu turned around, glanced at the proprietress, who was trying hard to stay spirited, and Lea, who was pretending to be a lady, and after a “Hmm” he left.
Then, under Bai Wei’s direction, he arrived at a small chapel on the west side of Somo City.
In Somo City, aside from the Great Cathedral itself, there were hundreds of small chapels like this, serving the believers by treating their illnesses and resolving their doubts.
And the priests of these chapels also had to pass an assessnt to enter.
Ulu found such a chapel, entered, and found it quite crowded. He found a spot off to the side and sat down, while inwardly asking Bai Wei, “What do you want to see here?”
Bai Wei then asked, “The ‘Rhein Covenant’, how much can you recite?”
Ulu’s expression suddenly beca odd, “Why are you asking this? Of course, I can recite it all.”
“Oh?” Bai Wei feigned surprise, “Previously, you would recite it for an assessnt, right? After so many years, can you still recite it?”
Ulu was unsure whether Bai Wei really didn’t know or was pretending not to know, but he still explained in a deep voice, “The ‘Rhein Covenant’ is a divine object infused with the Rhein God’s divinity. As long as you truly understand and recite it once, you will never forget it afterward.”
“Is that so? Then tell what the seventh chapter, eighth verse of the ‘Rhein Covenant’ says.”
Ulu’s brows instantly furrowed, “Are you joking with ?”
Bai Wei said indifferently, “I’m just testing you.”
Ulu took a deep breath but still recited it faithfully.
“Great, you really rember.”
“…And you know the contents of the ‘Rhein Covenant’?”
“Nonsense, of course not, I’m not a follower of Rhein.”
Ulu: “…”
He really wanted to blow up but didn’t dare to.
“So, being able to recite this book fluently is the standard for you priests, right?” Bai Wei asked again.
“Of course,” Ulu said, “at least… for priests who can pass the assessnt.”
“In that case…” Bai Wei lifted his middle finger, pointing toward the church priest approaching them, “Why don’t you test him?”
Ulu’s eyebrows furrowed again, he didn’t understand Bai Wei’s intention, but he didn’t have the ti to think about it, as the priest who looked to be about his age had already approached him.
“What can I do for you, faithful one?” asked the priest with a smile.
Ulu took a deep breath, and although he didn’t know why, he decided to go ahead with Bai Wei’s suggestion, “Do you know what the seventh chapter, eighth verse of the ‘Rhein Covenant’ is?”
Then, he saw the priest’s smile gradually fade, the dull pupils not showing wisdom but a clear sense of confusion.
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