In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

"Damn it! It's the city defense troops and royal knights!"

Someone peered through the window and recognized the newcomers, instantly turning pale with shock. "They're not here to arrest us, are they?!"

These words struck the others like a heavy hammer blow.

The truth is that things have been so calm these past few days that many people have almost forgotten that they were participating in an illegal gathering. In fact, coming here every day to check in, collect eggs and beg the saintess has become a daily routine, and they feel uncomfortable if they don't come for a day.

Now, when snot gets into their mouths, everyone finally knows to shake it off.

But unfortunately, it was already too late. The royal knights had already kicked open the door and entered – there was no escape now. Where was the secret door? Help!

"Everyone, stay still! Hands behind your heads, squat down!"

The leader was also an old acquaintance, Knight Commander Chen of the Royal Court Knights. He brandished his sword in the air and shouted with an unfriendly look, "We received a report that someone is holding an illegal assembly here... Who is in charge? Come out!"

"……it's me."

Xu Shi straightened his clothes and stepped down from the stage. "I am Xu Shi. May I ask this sir, what crime have we committed by merely preaching and giving alms here?"

"Xu Shi? The one from overseas?"

Knight Commander Chen frowned, as if seeing him for the first time. "Instead of managing your trading post properly, what kind of thing are you doing... You've broken the law, do you know that?"

Ok?

Foreigner?

Upon hearing this, the others were surprised. "So you're not from around here? No wonder we've never seen you before..."

People don't really have much of an impression of Xu Shi himself, or Xia Ke'an and the like—outsiders and trading posts are commonplace, but when it comes to specific individuals, it's not necessarily the case. Xu Shi and his group rarely show their faces in public anyway, maybe during the battle against the Sea God? But back then, there were too many people around, who would really stare intently at a stranger? Their energy was all focused on seeing off family and friends…

"do not know."

Xu Shi remained expressionless and spoke with utmost honesty, "Having been in the Hualan Empire for so long, this is the first time I've ever heard of such a law."

"...This is not an excuse for you to get away with it."

Knight Commander Chen said solemnly, "In any case, this kind of activity is not accepted by imperial law, and we need to shut it down. As the organizer, you also need to come with us to verify the situation."

"Actually, I can talk to Brother Cheng later... Never mind, you're just on official business, so it won't hurt to go with you."

Looking at the incorruptible knight commander before him, Xu Shi thought for a moment and then chose to compromise, "I can't make things difficult for you, can I?"

"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Xu."

Seeing his cooperation, Commander Chen naturally didn't make things difficult for him and politely gestured, "Please."

"As for the others... they will be detained here for the time being, and not even a fly is allowed to fly out."

The general public doesn't have such a good attitude, and when they heard him say that, the scene immediately became chaotic.

"Huh?! Let me explain, I'm innocent!"

"I just came to collect the eggs, I didn't do anything..."

"Please let me go back. I have a three-year-old mother and an eighty-year-old baby who is still nursing at home..."

"Shut up, everyone!"

Someone slammed their spear into the ground and shouted, "Any further disturbances will result in death!"

These words were more effective than anything else, and everyone immediately became as obedient as quails.

But even if they keep their mouths shut, their minds can't help but keep moving.

In short, they were filled with regret, and many people immediately felt resentment towards Xu Shi and his group.

You despicable outsiders! It's all your fault for forming these sects; now look what's happened, your blood will really splatter on us when you die...

"...Please be patient, everyone."

At the critical moment, Xia Ke'an's voice came, "I have heard the divine decree. The Holy Fire Cat God told me that as long as the divine fire burns, the divine path will not be broken... We will all be safe."

Looking up, she remained calm and composed, just as she had impressed everyone these past few days—elegant and serene.

To be fair, although the Holy Fire Cat Cult hasn't been around for very long, the white-haired loli saintess is actually quite popular, almost as much as the saintess of the Holy See. A key factor is that the Holy See's saintess is a relatively mysterious figure who rarely appears in public and would never be like Xia Ke'an, who would listen to your troubles and answer your questions one-on-one in the confessional.

Most importantly, she doesn't cover her face; the little girl looks adorable...

Her words put everyone at ease—how could they have forgotten about this? The Holy Maiden herself could hear divine pronouncements and foresee the future, so how could she not know about her own safety?

If she says she's fine, then she should be fine... Even her and Xu Shi's demeanor gives people a sense of inexplicable peace of mind.

Although Xu Shi, the nominal leader, doesn't often appear in public, his aura of "uniting as one" has never stopped—the Holy Fire Cat Cult gives alms to the people and helps them solve their problems. These are the behaviors that can accumulate positive energy most effectively during this special period, and the effects they bring will certainly not be weak.

Many people may not realize that their devotion to Xu Shi is not much less than that to Xia Ke'an.

This is the confidence that S-class superpowers give me.

In short, everyone is much more relaxed now than at the beginning. Even though they are trapped in this church and can't get out, it's hard to see anyone as anxious and restless as ants on a hot pan.

"I hope it's really as the saintess said, that nothing will happen... Please, God..."

Which god do you worship?

"Of course it's the Holy Fire Cat God!"

"That's alright... Speaking of which, I suddenly remembered, didn't someone say before that these outsiders were actually the great heroes in the fight against the sea god?"

"Yes, yes, I've heard about it too, but neither the Papacy nor the Royal Family has confirmed whether it's true or not... However, it seems that the story of the Poseidon Stone originated from their trading posts?"

"Who knows? The Papacy and the royal family did it too."

"Sigh... I don't think as much as you guys do. I just hope the Holy Fire Cat Cult can continue to operate. They give out food every day... Speaking of which, I'm getting hungry. Did any of you bring any food?"

"What food are you bringing? Wasn't it bread that was given out today?"

"Oh yeah, then I'm just going to eat, eat, eat, eat!"

……

Looking at it this way, everyone actually hopes that Xu Shi and the others are safe and sound. To use a less-than-pleasant phrase, isn't this a case of "whoever feeds me is my mother"?

However, what they didn't know was that Xu Shi and his party, who were "escorted out" by the royal knights, immediately sat in the carriage as soon as they stepped out and started chatting casually with the people who had come to arrest them.

"You've arrived right on time, Commander Chen."

Xu Shi was very satisfied with the other party's performance. He reached out and patted the other party's shoulder, saying, "It's just that your acting skills still need to be improved. Ordinary people can't see anything wrong with it, but from my perspective, your acting is a bit too obvious and it's easy to give yourself away."

"Mr. Xu is right, I didn't know how to act anyway."

Knight Commander Chen shook his head and said, "It's just that the Grand Duke and His Majesty gave me instructions, so I had to come... Your acting skills are quite good, though."

"You're much more interesting than your brother; you even know how to flatter?"

“These are my heartfelt words.”

"I'm hungry……"

Xia Ke'an didn't care what her bad father was saying to the other person, and instead listlessly leaned on Pan Ling's lap. "Will they prepare food for us when we go to the palace?"

The foolish disciple twitched his lips. Was this still the same saintess who remained unmoved even when the building was about to collapse, and who could easily calm people's hearts with just a few words?

You're the best actress, aren't you... Anyway, even though she now knows that the other person is an old lady who pretends to be young every day, no, I mean, a big sister, she still couldn't help but reach out and ruffle the other person's hair, comforting her like a child, "Yes, yes, if they don't have any, they'll make some for you."

"Great! I didn't get enough of that cake from last time!"

Upon hearing this, the elderly woman was completely revitalized and almost jumped for joy.

Pan Ling was both amused and exasperated, but she had to admit that her junior sister was cuter when she was small...

It's not that the adult isn't pretty, it's just that he gives off a slightly seductive vibe, which makes her feel a little jealous...

……

Amidst laughter and conversation, the convoy "escorting prisoners" entered the palace grounds.

As the saying goes, if you're going to put on a show, you have to go all the way. The group that "organized an illegal assembly" naturally had to go through the motions in jail... But it was obvious that everything had been arranged there beforehand, and it was no less luxurious than a vacation suite.

The white-haired loli finally got to eat the cake she had been longing for, while Xu Shi, as the "organizer of the gathering," was specially isolated and taken away for questioning.

Then, the next day.

Dongfang Xiao then convened a grand court assembly, a rare occurrence, requiring all civil and military officials to attend; if they didn't come today, they wouldn't need to come at all.

Her topic was also very simple and direct.

"Recently, I have heard that a group of outsiders named Xu Shi held a private gathering, distributing supplies under the name of the 'Holy Fire Cat Cult' to win over the people."

She sat solemnly on the throne, with a female official beside her reading the decree: "According to the law, this act is an unforgivable crime. However, last night I personally met with Xu Shi and had a long talk with him. I realized that his teachings are for the benefit of all people, and I also remember that he had rendered meritorious service in the war against the sea god. Therefore, I will not pursue the matter."

"Moreover, the current situation is turbulent, the fate of the world is changing, the divine artifacts are changing, and the lives of the people are in dire straits. Therefore, I wish to introduce new learning from overseas to bring about change and development for the empire."

"In view of this, I wish to appoint Xu Shi as Imperial Tutor and grant him the title of Earl. His religion also has the function of guiding people towards goodness, so it shall be temporarily established as the state religion. This is my decree."

The edict was short, but it was enough to leave everyone present speechless.

What the hell did I just hear?!

The common people might not know who Xu Shi was, but these princes and ministers certainly did—he had personally demonstrated his weaponry to them back then!

At that time, Cheng Gujian had already defied public opinion and begun to accept and promote these novelties... So this point was not important in Dongfang Xiao's edict. Instead, it seemed like he was just saying it after the fact, or just reciting it again.

The truly important thing is something else: you want to become his disciple and establish his sect as the state religion?

No one present was a fool; everyone knew that this was their Empress, who was planning to completely break with the Papacy.

No wonder the little empress is making such a big fuss today—if she doesn't make a big fuss about this, what else is worth making a big fuss about?

After learning this, everyone looked at Cheng Gujian, who was standing to the side, to see what his attitude was.

The other person simply sat on the offered seat with their eyes closed, nodding intentionally or unintentionally, clearly indicating their agreement.

Indeed, if he didn't agree, the edict probably wouldn't have been issued...

It must be said that there are advantages to having a one-man show. Now that Cheng Gujian has expressed his opinion, no one will be foolish enough to jump out and bang their head on the ground, putting on a show like "Your Majesty, please reconsider." Even if they have opinions, they have to keep them to themselves and complain after court or discuss them later. Those who oppose it now will definitely not have a good ending.

It was at this moment that Xu Shi strode into the palace gate—of course, not in that charlatan's outfit, but following local customs, he changed into a proper suit commonly worn by men in the Hualan Empire.

"...Student Dongfang Xiao greets teacher."

The little queen stood up from her seat, walked to her in person, knelt on one knee, and performed the proper student etiquette.

There will be no problem at all, even if it is taken as her showing her determination... The only thing that puzzles everyone is, Your Majesty, didn't you kneel a little too quickly?

"Your Majesty, there is no need for such formalities. Please rise."

Xu Shi smiled and helped her up. "I only started teaching and giving alms because I couldn't bear to see the suffering of the people. Calling me a teacher is too kind of me."