CH-018

From Matthew’s reaction of being familiar with church regulations, Shu Li immediately realized why Matthew couldn’t find the sheep.

His common sense was limited by the Church.

When a person accepts incorrect common sense, that part of knowledge becomes a blind spot.

To give a simple example: when someone is choking on a foreign object, many people will subconsciously pat the person’s back. In fact, this back-patting is not only unhelpful but might make it easier for the object to enter the airway.

So, what common sense error did Matthew make?

In fact, in the Bible, there is a saying: “Only the shepherd can lead the lost sheep home.”

Thus, priests themselves would teach their believers this way.

Sheep are animals with a very poor sense of direction.

Unlike horses or other animals, once a sheep gets lost, it has no way to return.

This also fits many people’s impression of sheep—clumsy, cute, and obedient, with zero combat power or self-protection ability, even stupid beyond belief. Therefore, many terms use the sheep as a symbol of sacrifice or victimhood, such as “scapegoat” and the “Black Sheep Effect” in psychology, as well as various idioms and short phrases suggesting “sheep are ignorant.”

This perception remained unchanged until the beginning of the 18th century.

However, in reality, science and research at the beginning of the 21st century proved that sheep have extraordinary memory capabilities. They can independently walk out of a maze in a laboratory. Some even say that if they get lost, a sheep can become its own GPS.

Therefore, Shu Li’s first reaction was that if the sheep hadn’t been taken away, it would return home on its own.

Matthew lacked this common sense, so he wasted a lot of effort.

Last night, he was probably searching wildly across the mountains and forests, overturning every patch of grass where a sheep might appear, never imagining that the sheep might have already been eating in its own pen or sleeping in its mother’s embrace.

As long as no person was missing, everyone might have noticed whether the sheep had returned.

But because a child disappearance case occurred, no one cared, and no one discovered the issue with the sheep. It wasn’t until the next day that someone glanced at the sheepfold.

After both sides came clean, Shu Li and Matthew faced off in the forest for a moment.

He had already made preparations—if Matthew refused to comply, he would personally move to take the man down.

This was also why Shu Li thought of using the excuse of helping to find something to call the man out alone, rather than exposing their crimes in the forest warden’s house from the start.

If both people in the forest warden’s house were Doctor Matthew’s accomplices, Shu Li alone would struggle against six hands and would surely be overwhelmed; furthermore, with Finnian as a hostage, he would be wary of “breaking the vase to catch the rat.”

Additionally, if Matthew agreed to travel with him, it further demonstrated the correctness of Shu Li’s deduction.

This step could minimize safety risks.

First, the two people in the forest warden’s house did not know Matthew’s situation and would not act rashly or cause unnecessary complications.

Second, he could create a one-on-one situation.

In this one-on-one situation, Shu Li could disarm Matthew in advance.

Relying on his own background in jiu-jitsu and wrestling, as well as his practical experience participating in national competitions, the odds of success against a medieval thug who relied only on raw strength and had mediocre fighting skills were very high.

Third, Shu Li had instructed that when the time came, someone should be sent to contact him. Thus, whether they thought he had returned to the church or believed Shu Li was still at the forest warden’s house, everyone would first pass by the forest warden’s house to ask the warden again: “Where did Priest Alis go?”

Furthermore, anyone who could realize from the phrase “half a day with no results” that there was no need to keep searching for the merchant carriage probably wouldn’t be too stupid.

This person could ultimately become Shu Li’s helper and help him tie up loose ends.

Seeing that Matthew had no reaction for a long time, Shu Li was just about to strike, but the man lowered his head in silence and surrendered.

Shu Li thought he would receive a murderer’s confession, but he didn’t expect the first sentence out of the man’s mouth to be—that he was a military undercover agent for the Metropolitan Holy See Army.

Shu Li’s heart instantly began to struggle; he didn’t want to hear such heavy secrets at all.

But the other party was already like a chatterbox that couldn’t be closed once opened.

Matthew said he was dispatched to the Northern Territory a year ago, specifically the area centered around Carson City—a zone encompassing 21 small and medium-sized towns. His undercover identity was that of a traveling doctor. At the same time, he rattled off a string of his military unit numbers. He then began to supplement in a low voice: “My true mission is to steal the latest weapon design blueprints developed by the Duke of the Northern Territory.”

Don’t say anymore!

I don’t want to hear it!

Shu Li didn’t want to hear such lethal things.

Before Shu Li could react with a refusal, Matthew had already taken large strides toward him with a solemn expression. He suddenly stood still in front of him, knelt on one knee, and performed a solemn salute toward him.

This movement was so crisp it seemed rehearsed countless times, dignified and calm, to the point where one would feel—if they reacted too strongly, they would instead seem to be making a fuss over nothing.

As he lowered his eyelids, his gaze also dimmed a bit. “After obtaining the weapon blueprints, I intended to send them out, but I was discovered by the elite cavalry directly under the Duke of the Northern Territory. I had just dealt with one of them when I unexpectedly ran into Finnian. At that moment, I knew I couldn’t stay in this area for long; I couldn’t remain. I originally only wanted to keep him under control.”

The events that followed were clear and required no further elaboration.

From beginning to end, Matthew had no intention of taking Finnian’s life; he simply couldn’t expose his identity before recovering the blueprints, which was why he couldn’t allow Finnian to appear.

At this point, a flicker of struggle flashed in Matthew’s eyes.

But he quickly suppressed it, his tone remaining firm: “Priest Alis, I am not heartless. I never intended to maliciously harm anyone, let alone abandon or deviate from the teachings. Taking things to this point was out of necessity. But please believe me, my piety to the Lord and my loyalty to the Church have never changed.”

Shu Li felt the other’s burning gaze and could only follow his words shallowly and gently, like sliding dumplings along the edge of a pot. He pulled out a well-intentioned lie, saying: “If I didn’t trust you, why would I meet you alone? However, those two people in the forest warden’s house aren’t your people, are they?”

“Correct. After I stole the weapon blueprints myself, I still needed to deceive others to act. So, I picked two people who were relatively easy to coordinate with. I first used some drugs to make them sick, then falsely claimed they were possessed by demons and needed to move with me.” Matthew spoke very gently.

However, this process was certainly not that gentle.

Things like intimidation and bribery couldn’t be let known to the priest.

After Shu Li obtained the information he wanted, he felt relieved internally. “You should just take the blueprints and leave as soon as possible.”

Matthew asked: “Then how shall we go?”

It’s very easy.

Shu Li thought to himself.

The reason Finnian turned into this deep forest on his way home was certainly not to play more, but to take a shortcut—a shortcut home that only he knew.

When a person is in an unfamiliar place, they want to find a way out.

Regardless of age, the instinct is the same: either walk toward the direction of light or move toward the sound of water.

“There’s a river here, right?”

No one expected that after walking out of the deep forest, the exit actually led straight to the backyard of the village head’s house.

Although the rain had stopped, the weather remained gloomy.

The host family had no heart to manage the sheepfold, so the flock had been kept in the pen the whole time, with no one letting them out.

Shu Li didn’t follow them into the house.

He originally intended to leave; after all, he was an escapist who didn’t want to court trouble. However, he hadn’t organized his thoughts for a moment and didn’t know how to handle the situation before him. Besides that, his mind couldn’t help but drift to details from the original novel.

According to the development of the story, the outbreak of the continental war occurred three years after the protagonist Leslie entered the military academy, which was ten years from now.

So, was it precisely because Matthew stole the weapon blueprints for the Holy Church, successfully deterring those restless duchies, that peace was maintained on this continent for ten years?

“…”

Shu Li bowed his head in deep thought.

Before the law, murder should pay the price.

But if Matthew’s mission truly influenced the peace of the next ten years, if he interfered with this process, would it cause the entire continent to head toward another trajectory?

Should he report it?

Before Shu Li could reach a conclusion, Matthew came out of the sheepfold with a smile, completely lacking that cold and aloof appearance from the beginning.

“You won’t be able to continue being an undercover agent after you go back this time, right?” Shu Li said.

He had been discovered one after another.

A rare complex expression appeared on Matthew’s steadfast face, containing both regret and hard-to-conceal joy. “Although my journey on this sacred path of protecting peace hasn’t been long, I have been undercover for these three years, unable to go home or see my family for a long time. I have missed them for a long while.”

He paused, then said: “In fact, if you weren’t a priest, I wouldn’t have been able to be so honest. I haven’t said these things in so long that I almost forgot what kind of person I should be.”

Shu Li remained silent, feeling the warmth and human touch coming from the other party. “…”

Seeing that Shu Li didn’t respond, Matthew immediately explained: “However, after I see my relatives, I will immediately return to the Metropolitan Holy See Army to resume my post.”

“I believe you.”

Shu Li unconsciously accompanied him partway down the village road.

Returning to the trade route, this was where they truly parted ways.

He didn’t intend to walk any further.

He didn’t come out today for this matter.

Shu Li reminded him: “Since pursuers have already detected your trace here, his loss of contact will surely attract someone’s attention. I suggest it would be better for you to leave quickly. As for those two people in the house, I will handle them for you.”

Matthew also knew this was the logic, so after repeatedly nodding in thanks, he prepared to leave.

Shu Li watched him walk away for two steps before seeing him return once again, running in his direction.

“Priest Alis, can I receive your blessing here?”

Shu Li was stunned, then smiled. Seeing the man begin to bow, his own right hand also followed, rising up. “Matthew…”

“Priest, my true name is Edric.”

Just as he finished saying this, Shu Li noticed him look up, seemingly wanting to see Shu Li’s reaction upon hearing this name. However, Shu Li didn’t know what this name meant.

Thus, he simply spoke, “Edric…” Between the words, he also lowered his eyes and moved his hand to the top of the other’s head.

Just at that moment, a gunshot suddenly rang out in his eardrums; the sound was as loud as a firecracker going off right next to him. Shu Li subconsciously wanted to flinch back, but Edric fell directly into Shu Li’s arms.

The smell of bl00d and gunpowder smoke left Shu Li’s entire brain completely blank; he just mechanically caught the man.

Shu Li couldn’t make a sound; only his heart was pounding wildly against his chest.

What’s happening?

What’s happening?

What’s happening—

His gaze moved forward.

In the cold air, the cavalryman wearing a silver mask maintained the posture of holding the gun, motionless. No expression could be seen beneath the mask, but there was a chill that one couldn’t bear to look at.

The other party didn’t need to speak; Shu Li knew he was harshly giving an order—”Don’t move.”

In this instant, the air solidified.

Shu Li didn’t move.

Meanwhile, Edric was still struggling hard, even trying to stuff the weapon blueprints into Shu Li’s embrace. But the blueprints slipped from his failing hand and fell to the ground, no longer reachable.

The tall, masked cavalryman just watched their movements quietly, his hard armor glinting with a cold light, holding a flintlock in his hand, continuing to control the whole situation with the muzzle.

A terrifying dead silence permeated the air.

It wasn’t until Edric collapsed on the ground that the cavalryman spoke.

His voice was very low and flat, as if he had seen through the thoughts of the young priest before him; he felt both bored and annoyed.

He commanded: “Pick up the parchment roll.”

The muzzle was extremely close, almost jabbing into Shu Li’s face.

Shu Li’s fingers were practically trembling, but he deathly suppressed his panic. He had to seize the initiative; otherwise, only death awaited him.

His voice nearly failed when he spoke, so he could only slow his speaking rate, his face remaining unchanged: “…Why did you kill him?”

“Pick it up.”

“You can kill me, then bend down and pick it up yourself.”

Shu Li was certain that even if he complied, it didn’t mean the other party would let him go.

The cavalryman stared at Shu Li’s unyielding gaze and coldly glanced at his robe. “A priest of the Savoy pastoral area? How ridiculous. Can your holy office control the gunfire of my Northern Territory?”

Amidst these words, Shu Li took a large step, almost pressing himself against the muzzle. “Even if he committed a crime, he has a chance for atonement.”

These words made the cavalryman feel it was laughable. “Are you talking about… confession? So as long as one clearly states the crimes they’ve committed, even with murder and arson, I can become a person without guilt? So the Church…”

Shu Li interrupted his words, “But the first step of confession is to kneel down and admit you are wrong. I’m afraid you can’t even manage the first step, can you?”

The cavalryman’s brow twitched, his gaze heavy.

Shu Li’s aura became increasingly domineering, leaning closer and closer, almost forcing the cavalryman who was looking down at him to lower his head like a penitent just to meet his eyes. “Do you know that everything you are doing has already been judged by the Lord. Every spark of your gunpowder is under His gaze. Do you think it’s a coincidence? Look again—can a second bullet really come out of that gun?”

Just as these words fell—no sooner said than done—Shu Li immediately grabbed the gun barrel. While turning around, he used the momentum to bring the cavalryman’s arm to his own neck—

He was about to perform a shoulder throw when a dark shadow of an attacking long whip flashed in his peripheral vision, forcing him to immediately let go and dodge to the side.

That long whip was as flexible and powerful as a snake. Seeing it couldn’t touch the corner of Shu Li’s clothes, it hooked the parchment roll on the ground and pulled it into the cavalryman’s hand within seconds.

The horse beneath the cavalryman also became flustered on the spot due to the recent commotion.

Thus, the cavalryman controlled the horse with one hand and held the whip with the other. The original gun was casually tossed to the ground like how some animals shed their tails to survive. He glanced briefly at the parchment roll and quickly stared back at Priest Alis’s face.

He sneered: “Truly courageous. You should be glad that this is a period where the Church and the Northern Territory have just signed a peace agreement; a newly appointed priest cannot just die at will yet.”

Shu Li: “…”

Just then, Herens’s voice searching for him came from the distance to near: “Lord Alis! Father! Where are you?”

The cavalryman glanced at the distant figure, then looked back at Shu Li. In the process of mounting his horse, there was a high-and-mighty nonchalance, not like he was afraid of causing more trouble, but more like a relaxed leisure—the leisure of not being in a hurry.

He chewed on the pronunciation of “Alis,” then said: “I’d like to see just how much longer you can be protected by the Lord.”

After these words fell, the cavalryman galloped away.

Only at this moment did Shu Li’s suppressed heartbeat begin to throb violently once more; he was so nervous he almost wanted to vomit. When he reached for the gun barrel nearby, his hand still couldn’t help but tremble.

However, he took another look—sure enough, that cavalryman had only been holding an empty gun the whole time to intimidate him.

He knew that with that cavalryman’s temperament, after actually firing the gun to kill the first person, it would be impossible for him to still negotiate with a second person.

That set of rhetoric about the deity had also temporarily bluffed the other party.

It seems he can continue using it next time.

Letting someone go happens either 0 times or countless times.

Only when Herens’s footsteps finally approached did Shu Li realize he had still been holding his breath.

But after letting out a sigh of relief, his chest felt like a suddenly released bowstring, instantly and terrifyingly empty. The robe clinging to his body had long been soaked through with another’s bl00d, colder and heavier than rainwater.

Shu Li looked down at Edric’s pair of eyes that had not yet closed, calm and hollow. Thus, Shu Li slowly raised his hand to close the eyelids for him, as if completing a belated ritual.

At this moment, he should have said some prayers. But he couldn’t remember a single one, as if someone had burned the Gospel in his heart until only ashes remained.

Even though he had seen many instances of life and death back at his internship unit.

He had long understood that many things were beyond his control.

And more often than not, he was just a bystander.

Herens, standing nearby and seeing the priest’s solemn expression, didn’t dare to ask what had happened.

After a long time, he heard Shu Li speak: “We came here to find Finnian in the first place. Since the matter is over…”

But Shu Li’s words got stuck there; he didn’t want to say more, only letting out a sigh. “Let’s go back.”

“There are still many things waiting to be done.”

Just as his steps were about to move, he suddenly remembered a cemetery behind his residence where no one could disturb him.

Thus, very quickly, Shu Li’s spirit rallied once again.