Chapter 11: Visiting the Priest at Night

Late at night, Lin Qi left the dormitory.

The campus was quiet, only occasionally some birds, too cold to bear, chirped vaguely from the treetops. Clumps of snow rustled as they fell to the ground, the dull thuds sounding unusually sharp. Lin Qi walked on the snow without making a single sound. He carefully headed towards the faculty dormitory building, avoiding several night watch guards along the way.

The darkness and cold gave Lin Qi the best cover. Without alerting anyone, he slipped into the deep and shadowy teacher dormitory building. He walked familiarly down a smooth, clean corridor and arrived at a dormitory door at the end. Cautiously glancing left and right, Lin Qi picked the lock of the dormitory door with a piece of wire.

This trick of picking locks was something Lin Qi learned from Vic. Aspiring to become a grand master thief, Vic had a unique talent for these sneaky skills. Lin Qi and his brothers had all learned a few tricks from Vic for self-protection.

Pushing the door open silently, a pale, large bottom was facing the doorway.

Father Barin sat naked on a round stool, muttering as he counted the Copper Coins in a money pouch. An assistant priest should always be properly dressed and dignified. If his superiors saw Father Barin in such a state, he would surely be sent to the Church’s Penitentiary.

Beside Father Barin lay a large wine bottle and a small wine cup. He chuckled softly, counted out ten Copper Coins from the pouch into a small money box, then poured himself a cup of wine. He raised the cup, softly praised ‘May my God bless,’ and downed the fine wine in one gulp.

Drinking alcohol was also a great sin in the Church, but Father Barin enjoyed it immensely. His fair, plump face bore a stout, red nose that was flushed as if filled with blood. He happily counted his money, drinking a small cup every time he counted ten Copper Coins. He even hummed a little tune, occasionally wriggling his hefty body so that his pale flesh jiggled constantly.

“Praise my God!” Finally putting the few Silver Coins and a heap of Copper Coins from the pouch into the money box, Father Barin playfully wiggled his buttocks and let out a cheerful, loud fart. He knelt on the ground proudly, clasped his hands in front of his chest, and prayed devoutly, “Respected God, my Father. The Gods in the sky are watching over me, please bless the pious Barin!”

Sighing deeply with emotion, Father Barin said with utmost piety, “Just today, the pious Barin sold another three hundred and seventy-five Indulgence Scrolls. The Church gained more funds, its strength grew a little more, all thanks to the pious Barin’s efforts. Great God, O Gods, please let the Bishop of University City pass away soon to serve you, and let the pious Barin take his position!”

Rubbing his bright red nose vigorously, Barin lamented, “That greedy and lustful Bishop, he is not fit to be a servant of the Gods. Let him go to Hell, along with his lackeys! The pious Barin is the best candidate for Bishop of University City!”

Bowing deeply, he devoutly kissed the floor, and the half-drunk Barin ended his evening prayers.

Lin Qi closed the door behind him and walked up behind Barin, gently tapping Barin on the shoulder.

Barin let out a shriek. Waving his arms and wobbling his fat, he rushed to a corner of the room and pulled out a heavy battle-axe from an inconspicuous large porcelain vase. Flustered and furious, Barin turned around and, without even seeing Lin Qi clearly, swung the axe at him.

“Nobody takes a single Copper Coin from me! This is the Church’s property!” Barin’s eyes were bloodshot as he lunged at Lin Qi like a hungry wolf robbed of its meal.

Lin Qi raised his right hand, caught the handle of the battle-axe, and kicked Barin away with a flying kick.

“Damn it, Father, you are a respected priest! How can you chop at people with an axe?” Weighing the single-edged horned battle-axe in his hand, Lin Qi disdainfully tossed it onto the bed, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward the bronze money box on Barin’s table.

Barin, who also had a burning desire for money, keenly noticed the hidden greed in Lin Qi’s eyes. He said nervously, “Mr. Lin Qi, if you dare touch one of my lovely coins with a single finger, I swear I won’t let you off!”

Having known Father Barin for three years, Lin Qi was well aware of his character. He glanced regretfully at the money box, smacked his lips, and sighed with feigned ‘hurt.’ “Oh, come on, what do you take me for? We’re old friends, old pals! How can you distrust my character like that? This is your money; I won’t touch it!”

Rubbing his hands together vigorously, Lin Qi narrowed his eyes and smiled. “How much did Mr. Gron give you? Respected Father!”

Father Barin watched Lin Qi warily, hurriedly draping a robe over himself. He muttered very cautiously, “Oh, that’s none of your business, dear Mr. Lin Qi. I’m just a middleman. Mr. Gron made a request, I passed his request to you, and you help him fulfill his needs. It’s that simple, isn’t it? Just that simple!”

Putting a finger to his lips and blowing on it gently, Father Barin warned in a low voice, “I take my rightful share of the benefits, and you have your cut. We’ve had a pleasant cooperation these past three years, haven’t we?”

Looking at Father Barin’s nervous expression, Lin Qi nodded thoughtfully.

Father Barin, this scoundrel mingling within the Church, was the spokesperson for many high-ranking figures in University City. Important people had all sorts of desires and needs, but they were important people, of noble birth, and couldn’t directly interact with those of the middle or lower classes. Hence, the oddity that was Father Barin emerged. The big shots in University City discreetly conveyed their certain requests to Father Barin, and Father Barin was responsible for contacting people like Lin Qi to solve various problems for these important people.

These shady dealings had their own unique rules. Lin Qi really shouldn’t ask how much Father Barin got out of it.

Helplessly shrugging his shoulders, Lin Qi reluctantly shifted his gaze from the money box and muttered under his breath, “Alright, alright, lend me one Talisman, a real, effective Talisman. When I get the money, I’ll pay you back double!”

Father Barin’s eyes darted, and his eyebrows quickly twitched. “The price of materials for making Talismans has been fluctuating recently. Each Talisman costs three Silver Coins more!”

Lin Qi glared at Father Barin angrily. “Then I’ll give you six extra Silver Coins! But now, immediately, right away, give me a Talisman! A powerful, effective Talisman that can block all sorts of attacks. Don’t try to fool me with the junk you push on the common folk!”

Father Barin grinned, deftly pulling a small white scroll from his sleeve.