I Speak for the Pontiff!

Crash!

The inner sanctum door, where Du Chen and Mas had been enjoying their wine, was roughly thrust open. Four white-robed women entered, their hands clasped behind their backs, followed by several disheveled clergymen, whose faces were etched with ill-fortune as they stared at Du Chen.

Upon their entrance, the status and standing of the four white-robed women became immediately apparent. The one who had named Beibei led the group, with the other three trailing in a neat line behind her. The leading white-robed woman first cast a fleeting glance at Beibei, a cold sneer forming in her heart. *My God’s servant, there is no escaping!*

Then, her gaze shifted to Du Chen…

Golden hair cascaded behind his head, his blue eyes sparkled with a keen intelligence, and his chiseled handsomeness was framed by a white robe that lent him an ethereal, extraordinary aura.

*Damn it, could it be him!?*

The white-robed woman's steps faltered, her figure swaying for a moment. This shock was far more potent than the deathly shadow Deboning had cast upon her.

*No, it cannot be! Absolutely not!*

She meticulously scrutinized Du Chen, a sigh of relief escaping her heart. Yes, the man before her bore an uncanny resemblance to the individual depicted in the Portraits of her God, which adorned her bedroom. Yet, upon closer inspection, profound differences emerged, the most glaring of which was his age!

This man appeared to be barely twenty, whereas that individual, even with the most potent age-defying techniques, would, if alive today, be at least a millennium old! At the very least, his face would not display the callow freshness characteristic of a youth!

Next was his strength. The man before her was dressed as a standard white-robed cleric, a Six-Star Battle God emblem pinned to his chest. That individual—no, that *God*—would never so debase himself as to wear a Six-Star Battle God emblem, thereby diminishing his divine status!

Moreover, the temperament of the man before her diverged too dramatically from the one in the Portraits; they were veritable antitheses. This man exuded the aura of a quintessential upright gentleman, affable and approachable, while the other…

*It’s merely a resemblance. The world teems with lookalikes!*

With this thought, the proud and frigid expression resurfaced on the white-robed woman’s face.

Du Chen, too, was observing her. She appeared to be in her forties, but her skin was meticulously preserved, remarkably delicate. Her demeanor was dignified, and a cascade of purple hair flowed unbound behind her head, not styled into a bun – a detail significant in Noble Etiquette, meaning this woman in her forties, still unmarried, was to be addressed as “Miss.”

Her white robe was equally peculiar. It was not the Western noblewoman's gown Du Chen was accustomed to, but rather resembled the wide-sleeved, long dresses of his previous life’s ancient era. This attire, on her form with prominent, non-native features, stood out as entirely incongruous! What’s more, her haughty demeanor was infuriatingly annoying! And highly vexing!

Du Chen spoke, “What is the meaning of this, ladies!? Trespassing within a church is a violation of the Holy Church's Code! You proclaim yourselves Divine Servants; surely you are not ignorant of the regulations set by His Holiness Pontiff Sama IX, the esteemed representative of the gods in this world?” His words carried an unyielding resolve! Du Chen’s station as a White-Robed Archbishop afforded him the right to be firm!

Unexpectedly, the white-robed woman proved even more unyielding. Seeing Beibei leaning against Du Chen, she said coldly, “Are you Rimel’s father? Hand over Rimel, then compel the one who attacked the Cloud Banner to commit suicide as atonement! This will spare you the transgression of lax supervision, the lightest of penalties, as you are, after all, Rimel’s father!”

As she spoke, she raised her arm, pointing it at Du Chen. Her slender, pale finger extended from her voluminous sleeve, and in her palm, she gripped a small flag—identical in every way, save for its size, to the Great Cloud Banner on Turco Port’s beach!

The other three women also grew vigilant, wary of The Master who had rescued a child beneath the Cloud Banner making an appearance! The white-robed woman brandished her arm, pointing the small flag at Du Chen, “Do you comprehend!? Act quickly! I have already been exceedingly merciful!”

“Heh! Haha!”

Du Chen suddenly laughed, his hands clasped behind his back, for his fingers were itching uncontrollably, and his heart, too, yearned!

*“Whoever dares to snatch you away, Daddy will steal everything from their entire family!”* His words from before entering the city seemed to echo in his ears…

And what the white-robed woman held was a sacred artifact! Judging by the Great Cloud Banner’s ability to repel Deboning, it too must be an immensely powerful sacred artifact!

Du Chen tilted his head, his gaze sweeping askance over the white-robed woman. “How utterly domineering! What if I choose not to comply with your demands? Am I to interpret this as a threat against a White-Robed Archbishop of the Holy Church!?” He lightly tapped his left foot, pressing it into his own shadow – for Deboning was concealed there!

“Your chance is gone. Die!” The white-robed woman suddenly raised her arm high, brandishing the Cloud Banner!

Du Chen also roared, “Act!”

Matters had escalated to this point; there was no room for further deliberation! These four women had terrified Mas to a pale green, and their words indicated a blatant disregard for Pontiff Sama IX. Furthermore, they dared to demand someone despite full knowledge of Deboning’s formidable strength, indicating their identities were undoubtedly extraordinary! *But who cares who you are?! To dare treat human girls like chattel, to dare snatch my Darling, and now to brazenly storm my sanctuary – well, then do not fault me for my incivility!*

But just then, a thunderous shout reverberated: “Stop! Or the Pontiff will personally intervene to punish him!”

Boom!

A figure descended from the heavens, smashing through the church roof, landing between Du Chen and the white-robed woman amidst a flash of emerald light. At that instant, the Cloud Banner in the white-robed woman’s hand had already shimmered, conjuring a misty vapor, and Deboning, still cloaked in stealth, had revealed his gleaming, icy iron hook, its cold radiance already locked onto the white-robed woman’s throat…

“Phew… thankfully, things haven’t reached an irreversible stage!”

The newcomer let out a long breath, then bowed to both sides. “Esteemed guests, would you both please hear me out?”

“So, it is Godfather Bairu! Long time no see! May the gods bless you!” Du Chen recognized the arrival as his old friend, Godfather Bairu, with whom he had confronted Philip on Mount Tianshan years ago! He made a subtle gesture, signaling Deboning to melt back into concealment.

Though the white-robed woman’s party also ceased their actions, she sneered, “Does your Pontiff dare to punish us?”

Red-robed, curly-haired Bairu offered a slight smile. “Ladies, please forgive my prior urgency; was not the situation dire? I had no choice but to resort to that expedient, uttering those words. Otherwise, whose name could possibly compel you to pause for now?” He shot Du Chen a meaningful glance, signaling him to maintain patience, assuring him that he would provide a satisfactory explanation.

Then, Bairu, observing Papal Curia etiquette, bowed slightly to the white-robed women, speaking in a deeply formal tone.

“Godfather Bairu of the Papal Curia’s Divine Temple greets the Divine Envoys! Today, Bairu, by Divine Edict of His Holiness the Pontiff, arrived in Turco Port to welcome the Divine Envoys. Unexpectedly, just as my ship docked, I witnessed the Divine Envoys’ Cloud Banner change hue and point directly to this location. Bairu understood an unforeseen incident had occurred. Thus, I immediately rushed to the church to investigate, only to discover this very scene. Haha, my apologies for my earlier impudence, Divine Envoys; I humbly ask for your forbearance!”

Following this, he puffed out his chest proudly and stated gravely, “Bairu, on behalf of His Holiness the Pontiff, welcomes the Divine Envoys!”

The leading white-robed woman snorted, pointing at Du Chen. “The grace and glory of our God are boundless; He has bestowed upon His daughter the title of Divine Servant and named her Rimel! However, this man’s subordinate attacked the Cloud Banner and abducted one of our God’s future Divine Servants! Bairu, since your words now represent the Pontiff, we will retract the Cloud Banner and await your explanation!”

As Bairu listened, his lips twitched. *Damn it, what was Mas, who was supposed to welcome Francis, doing? How did he let these two factions come to blows!?*

*Useless!* Thankfully, he had arrived, and with the Divine Authority bestowed by the Pontiff. Otherwise, the trouble would have been immense!

Bairu once again shot a pleading glance at Du Chen, who was still coldly staring at the white-robed woman. “My friend, Bairu, on behalf of His Holiness the Pontiff, asks if you would please return the future Divine Servant in your arms to the Divine Envoys for now? Of course, you may keep your daughter! Then listen to a few words Bairu has to convey!”

Immediately after, he turned to the white-robed women, his face stern, and said, “Divine Envoys, this…”

He frowned, recalling the vengeful and retaliatory methods of the Divine Envoys in the past, and deliberately omitted Du Chen’s origin and name, merely stating: “This gentleman is also a cherished guest of His Holiness the Pontiff, and simultaneously, he holds an important position within the Papal Curia, as a White-Robed Archbishop! Divine Envoys, today Bairu, on behalf of His Holiness the Pontiff, requests that you temporarily take the abducted Divine Servant back to rest under the Cloud Banner. All explanations, including matters concerning Rimel and the attack on the Cloud Banner, His Holiness the Pontiff will personally convey to your esteemed master in the Eye of Heaven Forest!”

Bairu had presented a compromise, a temporary delay!

The white-robed woman snorted, signifying her agreement to Bairu’s suggestion – a gesture of respect, also, to the Pontiff!

Du Chen narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the white-robed woman from head to toe… and the sacred artifact in her hand! He suddenly smiled, an eminently amiable smile. “Since Godfather Bairu speaks on behalf of His Holiness, how dare I not comply?” He handed the infant girl, whom Beibei had rescued, to Bairu, for him to pass on to the white-robed woman.

*But who would dare accept something returned by the Thief Ancestor?!*

*The white-robed woman was about to take it… This was certainly going to be interesting!* Du Chen smiled!

After respectfully seeing off the Divine Envoys, Bairu looked back at Du Chen, sighing deeply. Then, rallying his spirits, he chuckled, “Where’s Mas? Damn it, that fellow isn’t here, so his task falls to me, doesn’t it?” With a hearty laugh, he invited Du Chen to another quiet room. Once they were seated, he continued, “Never mind those Divine Envoys for now, Francis, can you contact that friend of yours from Mount Tianshan who annihilated Philip in a single move?”

Du Chen sneered inwardly. *No wonder Bairu was so courteous to him, a subordinate one rank below him, and had sided with him just now – it was all because the Pontiff needed to find that fabricated Master, wasn’t it?!*

He chuckled, “I should be able to, and this time I’ve also brought a small gift for His Holiness the Pontiff from that friend of mine!”

Bairu laughed heartily, “Excellent! Let’s be frank, as discerning individuals, there’s no need for such pretense! The Dragon God is pressing hard, and His Holiness desperately needs your friend’s help!”

“I believe the small gift my friend has for His Holiness the Pontiff will be quite sufficient to resolve all this; it will be very easy!” Du Chen stared at Bairu, thinking to himself, *Brother, I’ve clearly told you that I possess immense value to you. Your help just now, in the Pontiff’s name, was not in vain. So, isn’t it time you gave me an explanation about those women?*