Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 281, 280 Quivorvan
A gentle evening breeze blew in through the window cracks, ruffling Gu Zhili's hair and stirring her heartstrings.

Her voice was barely audible: "Actually... I've already figured it out, Master isn't a bad person..."

That wasn't what Feng Xiuhu wanted to hear, so he pressed on, "How did you figure that out?"

"Um……"

Gu Zhili spoke with a slight nasal tone: "Master's fierceness and arrogance are all for outsiders. But with his own family, he never puts on airs, and he's nothing like other masters..."

"For example, I've been here for so long, but I've never seen the master ask Xiyao to serve him at night... He's really more like a gentleman than those who claim to be gentlemen."

This was still not what Feng Xiuhu wanted to hear, so he had to be more explicit: "Do you like the master? Even just a little bit would be fine."

Gu Zhili was slightly taken aback. She glanced over subconsciously, but quickly looked away when their eyes met.

She lowered her eyes slightly, bit her lower lip, and after a long while, she mustered up the courage to speak: "I dare not lie to you, sir. I didn't really like you when we first met, but after I got used to you, I found you much more pleasing to the eye... I don't know how much of the credit this cup of wine had for me, but what I just said was all true. You are indeed a good person."

Feng Xiuhu frowned and said urgently, "Don't give me the 'friend card,' Ali. You have to believe in yourself. If you like someone, you like them."

Gu Zhili felt shy and couldn't stand such blunt words. She became even more nervous upon hearing this: "Don't say anything more. I know what I'm doing."

Feng Xiuhu was the one who knew the truth best. Now that he knew the facts, he didn't dare to push Gu Zhili too far.

So he took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket and said earnestly, "Ali, I truly consider you one of my own, so I trust you the most. Now there's something I don't feel comfortable entrusting to anyone else, so I can only ask you to handle it."

So there really was something important going on?
Gu Zhili secretly breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the letter in Feng Xiuhu's hand.

Feng Xiuhu unfolded the letter, which was covered with names and addresses written on it.

He handed it to Gu Zhili and said, "This contains the family members and addresses of the government officials. The day after tomorrow is Friday. I need you to lead the choir brothers to tie all these people up and bring them to the main hall. The officials will come to redeem them on their own."

Gu Zhili's expression changed slightly, and she subconsciously lowered her voice: "Your method is too outrageous, and it may bring trouble to the church."

Feng Xiuhu smiled confidently: "Don't worry, I've already reached an agreement with the officials. This is a stepping stone built specifically for them."

He carefully instructed, "But things must be done quietly. If you make too much noise and everyone knows about it, no one will dare to step on the steps anymore. So you're the only one who can handle this. The Barefoot Temple should have plenty of secret methods."

Gu Zhili nodded and said, "In that case, we can't hurt these family members. I happen to have a mind-controlling powder that makes people lose their minds and become obedient. I'll just lead them to the main hall to wait."

Feng Xiuhu gave a thumbs up: "Then it all depends on you."

……

Wake up the next day.

Feng Xiuhu didn't see Gu Zhili at the dining table, and only after asking did he learn that she had already gone out.

Feng Xiuhu knew that she must have gone to find the brothers in the choir to make plans first.

Actually, this matter didn't necessarily have to be handled by Gu Zhili. The reason for doing so was actually Feng Xiuhu's test. He wanted to find out whether Gu Zhili had truly "accepted her fate."

Although it was somewhat despicable, Feng Xiuhu also felt that he was not noble at all.

Slender Waist secretly cast a resentful glance at her from the side, her tone sour: "I've been thinking about Ah Li ever since I got up. The master really likes her very much. I'm afraid that in a couple more days, she'll move into the master bedroom."

Feng Xiuhu glared at Xiyao'er: "If she sleeps in the master bedroom, where am I supposed to sleep?"

Slender Waist, dissatisfied with Feng Xiuhu's feigned ignorance, put her hands on her hips and said, "How would I know where Master sleeps? He certainly doesn't sleep in my room; he might be sleeping in Sister Xiong's bed again."

Feng Xiuhu's eyes lit up: "That's right, go and call Guiyuan over. It's time to cash in on what we got last time." Xiyao'er stormed off.

……

The words are divided into two parts.

Today, the factory district church welcomed its new bishop once again.

The new bishop's name was Quivorvan, and he was transferred from Taijing.

Although he held the title of bishop, Quiverfan did not actually have experience in leading a church on his own. In his previous career, he spent most of his time residing at the Temple of the Mist in Taijing, learning from Cardinal Elder Findlay and assisting in church affairs.

Although he was not a student acknowledged by Elder Findlay, he was indeed someone Elder Findlay trusted enough.

In a sense, being assigned to Fancheng was a demotion, but Quivorvan did not feel frustrated; on the contrary, he felt honored.

Because Quivorvan knew that it wouldn't be long before Elder Findlay would come to Sail City on his routine rotation and become the most influential person in the city. As Findlay's henchman, he would surely be given important responsibilities and becoming an archbishop would be just around the corner.

In addition to this, Quivorvan's early arrival in Sail City was not simply to take charge of a sanctuary; he had an even more important mission.

He will act as a messenger to convey Elder Findlay's greetings to Elder Vadra.

Elder Findlay had specifically instructed that this mission was extremely important and must be carried out in secrecy, so Quivorvan planned to negotiate with Elder Vadra privately.

But that's a story for later. Right now, what Quevalvan needs to do is to officially take over the sanctuary in the factory district.

On the streets where the morning mist had not yet dissipated, the ornate iron gates of the church were wide open.

Along the path in the center of the garden, the welcoming procession stretched from the iron gate all the way to the main entrance of the church.

The holy emblems on the silver armor of the Divine Guards gleamed coldly under the dark clouds. They stood with their swords at their sides, and beneath the swords lay a newly dyed scarlet carpet.

Chief of the Guards, Byrne, had a solemn expression, his gaze fixed on the street outside the door.

"Mind your manners!"

He sternly rebuked the young guards beside him who were adjusting his arm armor: "Lord Quivor is a bishop appointed by the Temple. Show some respect."

These words, seemingly a rebuke of the Divine Guard, were actually a reminder to the priestly ranks on the other side.

Led by Saruto, the priests lined up in order from priest to deacon, many of them shivering in the cold wind, like frozen quails.

As the magnificent red and gold carriage slowly came to a stop outside the iron gate, twelve brass horns sounded simultaneously, their solemn and resounding voices echoing throughout the sanctuary.

As the curtain was lifted, a calm-faced Quiverfan stepped out and onto the red carpet, stepping over the backs of his two kneeling attendants.

The tip of the short staff in his right hand was inlaid with a milky white gemstone, which was emitting a faint glow.

As Quiverfan looked up, the loud horn startled the birds on the roof of the sanctuary, and the priests and guards on both sides turned to look at him.

This place isn't as bustling as Taijing, but the people here seem easier to get along with.

He thought to himself.

(End of this chapter)