Don't follow the rules

Chapter 568 The Church of the Cross (Part 31)

"It is human nature to create myths."

Without anyone stopping them, Ning Yao and Chunyu Kong entered the Cross Church like two ordinary tourists.

"What did you mean by that just now?" Ning Yao asked. "You know I'm most afraid of riddle-makers."

Before Chunyu Kong could answer, a nun approached them with a smile and handed them a Gospel book.

Ning Yao smiled and took the Gospel book, but his face suddenly darkened: "That's it? Don't you have any sense? There are two of us who came in and you only gave us one book? You built such a big church and you're so stingy with this? You have no sincerity at all. What kind of religion are you spreading? Then let me ask you, where did all the money donated by the congregation go? Tell me! Did you use it to buy little boys?"

The nun's smiling mask was almost shattered by Ning Yao's unexpected attack. She clearly paused to process what was happening before pulling out another Gospel from her bosom and handing it to Chunyu Kong with both hands, trying to speak gently, "May you find peace, and may the Lord bless you."

Ning Yao: "What about me?"

Sister: "All given, all given."

Chunyu Kong lowered his eyes and gently stroked the booklet, which still retained his body heat, with his fingertips.

The book cover is made of a relatively stiff material, and the text on the surface is printed with gold foil. The edges of the pages have been carefully polished, so there is no sharp or prickly feel. The pages are closed tightly, as if they have never been opened, but the paper is slightly yellowed.

It's probably a new book that's been sitting around for a long time.

He turned to a page.

The Gospel of the Cross (New) – According to the White-Clothed Weavers of Silence

Preface: Words are like weaving; all things are formed by this warp and weft.

Chapter 1: Silence existed before time began to weave its tapestry.

This silence is Bass, and then chaos arises, breaking it apart and scattering it like dust. Then Bass appears, wrapped in bandages, lying in the dust, to gather the broken pieces and retrieve the lost ones.

"Huh... what is this all about... do you even understand it?" Ning Yao asked dryly.

Chunyu Kong pursed his lips, offering no reply, but instead flipped through the booklet in his hand rapidly.

"Avoidance" was obviously an answer, and Ning Yao considerately did not continue to pursue this awkward situation. He had completely lost focus at this moment and could no longer concentrate on this pile of incomprehensible text. Helpless, he could only turn his head and begin to look around the interior of the church.

The interior of the Cross Church is not as simple, beautiful, tall and magnificent as its exterior suggests. In some ways, the interior layout can even be described as quite "compact". It is hard to know what the designer's original design idea was, but it gives people an absurd sense of humor, like a small loft apartment where the layout is carefully planned and arranged, which is "unaffordable for the poor and not coveted by the rich".

The place doesn't look very spacious. There's a small foyer after entering the main gate, but the view is quickly blocked by a curtain wall made of dark blue velvet. There are wing corridors on the left and right sides, but they are also covered by curtains. Judging from the external architectural layout, they seem to lead to the two bell towers. The front leads directly to the chapel most frequently used by believers. Through the gaps in the slightly lifted curtains, you can vaguely see the neatly arranged seats.

Ning Yao looked up and saw not the exquisite religious murals or statues of his stereotypical image, but a simple, narrow wooden dome that stretched from the entrance all the way to the prayer hall.

He narrowed his eyes; the shape of this dome looked...

"Wait, isn't that a ship?" Ning Yao called out to the nun who was preparing to leave, pointing upwards with some disbelief. The nun glanced in the direction he was pointing and smiled, "Yes, you are very perceptive. The dome of our church's front area is shaped like an overturned wooden boat, and it has quite a story. Unfortunately, I'm not good at explaining, and the guide happens to be off today. If you two are interested in the decoration and history of our church, there are special visitor guides and audio guides here. Please feel free to use them."

After saying this, the nun seemed to have finally completed some kind of mission, and with a look of "relief," she gracefully withdrew.

Chunyu Kong was still engrossed in reading the Gospels. Although he heard their conversation, he didn't even lift his eyelids, seemingly not intending to pay any attention to it.

Ning Yao shrugged, walked over to the shelf where the visitor guides were placed, and randomly pulled one out.

[Visitor Guide to the Church of the Cross]

Key Highlights and Activities (5-star recommendation): The Coffin of the Prophets at the Main Altar, architectural wonders, doctrines and history, and participation in worship.

Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission is free. You are welcome to bring your family and friends.
Suggested visit duration: 1-2 hours. You may feel tired afterward; the church will provide a rest area and refreshments.
Church address: #￥%&*/锟斤拷烫烫烫屯屯屯

Brief introduction of main attractions:
1. The coffin of the pre-deity at the main altar:

The true God, Hugh, gave a divine decree that no idols should be made for Him. Therefore, all churches enshrine only the statue of the one true God's messenger, Bastet, for worshippers. All tourists are also welcome to visit and take photos.

(Do not desecrate idols)
(To protect the cultural relics, the statue was sealed inside a glass coffin.)

2. Architectural wonders:
The Church of the Cross was originally built between the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, and the existing main building dates back to the 9th century. It is still under construction and renovation. Because it is built above the ruins of an ancient Babylonian defensive fortress, it appears to be suspended in mid-air from certain perspectives.

3. Historical Background:
The true god Hugh once descended upon this place and sent his divine messenger Bastet to bless the people. Bastet planted violets on the battlefield, and a pure white church rose from the ground.

4. Religious activities that tourists can participate in:
Observing a mass, visiting cultural relics, listening to sacred music, worshipping, praying, making wishes...

5. Tourist Taboos:
Respect cultural copyrights, receive the true gospel.

Purchasing counterfeit souvenirs sold by unlicensed vendors inside the church is strictly prohibited! Visitors who wish to purchase souvenirs should go to the cultural and creative products store on the first floor!
The cultural and creative products store on the first floor is the only officially authorized partner store of the Cross Flower Church. Counterfeit souvenirs are a great disrespect to the true God and His messengers! Counterfeit souvenirs seriously infringe upon our religious beliefs. Anyone who purchases counterfeit products will have their purchases confiscated by church personnel upon discovery, and no compensation or return will be provided.

Ning Yao closed the visitor guide, his mind racing with complaints, so much so that he almost couldn't grasp the main point. He paused for two seconds before finally uttering a sentence:
"Speaking of which, wasn't this church recently acquired and renovated by Du Jingxiu? He just plastered on a layer of white putty and dares to call himself a cultural heritage site dating back to the third century?! He's really shameless when it comes to making money."

Chunyu Kong was still flipping through that incomprehensible gospel, his thoughts a jumbled mess, and he had no interest in listening to Ning Yao's complaints. But surprisingly, he responded to every single one of them: "Making money, it's business, there's nothing shameful about it."

"How pathetic! So damn pathetic!" Ning Yao, as if he had been cheated out of his money, rushed over and snatched the gospel from Chunyu Kong's hand.

Chunyu Kong wasn't angry. He simply let Ning Yao carry the pile of messy tourist brochures while he put his hands in his pockets and relaxed: "These books are full of hints and riddles. They probably have a high reading threshold for people who aren't believers. Since they won't be able to figure them out in a short time, let's just read them as we go."

"Where to?" Ning Yao followed.

"Of course, we'll follow the same route as the tourists."

Thank you so much for the donation, Lingza! I'm so sorry for taking so long, my darling, sob sob.