Chapter 35

“You’re not cut out for this!”

With Lynn’s mocking laughter, the Bearded Man stood frozen in place.

After a moment, he cautiously asked, “W-why?”

Lynn gave him a thorough once-over: “Tell me, what’s the core doctrine proposed in Chapter One, Verse Six of the Creation Scriptures?”

Although he had no idea what that had to do with anything, the Bearded Man thought for a while.

Finally, he obediently replied, “To love all beings in the world as I love myself.”

Clearly, this guy was quite the devoted believer.

Having suffered real-life trauma, it’s easy to turn to a cult as a crutch, as a mental refuge.

Meanwhile, Greya, who was eavesdropping from a distance, was completely taken aback.

He lowered his head and exchanged a glance with Afia, waves of shock crashing through his mind.

Greya knew that given Lynn’s nature, everything he just said was probably a lie.

This guy came from the Imperial Capital, a proper noble, how could he possibly believe in the Creationist sect, a fringe ideology?

Yet, his eloquent speech didn’t seem fake; he could even recite the Scripture’s content.

The only possible explanation was what had just happened.

In the carriage, Greya had given Lynn a copy of the Creation Scriptures.

As the saying goes, know yourself and your enemy; knowing a bit about this sect would help tackle it effectively.

But back then, Lynn seemed uninterested, flipping through the pages casually before tossing it aside.

Greya had been somewhat exasperated with his laziness.

But now, it seemed things were not as they appeared.

Did he manage to memorize most of the key information just from browsing it twice?

This memory was simply unheard of for Greya.

He suppressed his shock and continued to look over.

After hearing the Bearded Man, Lynn thoughtfully repeated, “To love all beings in the world as I love myself. Looks like you remember quite well.”

“Of course! My faith in the Goddess is absolutely devout!”

The Bearded Man said with confidence.

“Bullshit!” Lynn suddenly cursed, “You’re lying!”

The unique aura of noble authority erupted, turning the Bearded Man’s face pale.

“I-I didn’t!”

He stepped back a half-step, seemingly frightened, and retorted indignantly.

Lynn glanced at him with contempt: “If that’s the case, let me ask you, do you resent your wife?”

“Of course! I wish I could kill that wretch right now!”

Thinking about his tragic past, the Bearded Man’s temper flared, and his unfiltered words slipped out.

After saying that, he felt a rush of relief, as if he had finally voiced his pent-up frustrations.

But seconds later, he started to regret it.

With so many people around, and two armed guards on site, was it really appropriate to say something like that?

In an instant, the Bearded Man felt utterly pessimistic about his chances of getting back into the city and going home.

Unbeknownst to him, Lynn didn’t care about his “I want to kill her” remark; he just said calmly, “Why do you want to kill her?”

“Didn’t I just say? Because she’s carrying some unknown bastard’s child.”

The Bearded Man said mournfully.

“And there’s the problem.” Lynn shot him a glance, “Even if that child isn’t yours, it’s still an innocent life. If you can’t love the child in her womb, how can you claim to love all beings, as the Scriptures instruct?”

“You’ve violated the sect’s doctrine; this is a desecration of your faith in the Goddess.”

He said indifferently. On hearing this, the Bearded Man staggered slightly, as if pondering Lynn’s words.

After a moment, his face turned pale as he asked, “I-I can do as the Scriptures say, except… except for her child and her?”

Lynn merely shook his head: “Faith that is not absolute is simply no faith at all.”

“Greya, bring me the contract.”

Lynn beckoned.

At his words, Greya, who had been watching Lynn’s stellar performance, finally snapped out of it, realizing things might be starting to shift.

Thus, he hurriedly pulled out a piece from the stack of Transcendent Contracts, scampering over with a pen in hand.

Lynn took the paper.

After glancing at the line stating “Promise not to promote the Creationist ideology to others,” he immediately scoffed.

“Change this line.” Lynn pointed at the text, “Change it to ‘from now on, I will no longer believe in the Goddess.’

Greya looked perplexed.

He whispered in Lynn’s ear, “Isn’t this a bit too pushy?”

After all, the original contract didn’t stop them from believing in the Goddess; it just prevented them from spreading the ideology.

But Lynn’s demanded revision would directly kick him out of the believer’s club.

“Just make the changes as I said.” Lynn offered no explanation.

Before long, the new version of the contract was ready.

Lynn nodded in satisfaction and then handed it to the Bearded Man: “Sign it.”

The Bearded Man looked at the wording, instantly enraged: “Y-You said before that you wouldn’t force us to change our faith?!”

“But I also said that’s with conditions.” Lynn cast him a slight glance, “Except for those who are absolutely devout believers of the Goddess like me; otherwise, I will weed out anyone trying to fish in muddy waters one by one.”

“I won’t sign!” The Bearded Man waved his hand angrily. “I swear, I’m a true believer of the Goddess! Trust me!”

“So you’re saying when you get home, you’ll treat that child like your own flesh and blood, ensuring he’s well-fed and clothed, no matter how much you have to sacrifice to give him a life of luxury?”

Lynn stared at him, asking.

The Bearded Man’s expression stiffened.

“I-I…”

Clearly, he was caught in a dilemma and anguish.

Time for the final blow.

Lynn silently thought.

“If you can do as I say, then I might allow you to keep your faith.” Lynn looked at him coldly, “But don’t think I’m easy to fool; once you’re back, I’ll send someone to check on you daily.”

“If I find even the slightest trace of abuse towards your wife and child, you’ll face the consequences of betrayal.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a revolver from his pocket, weighing it in his hand.

This was a gun he casually picked up when leaving the cellar, loaded with explosive bullets; its destructive power was formidable.

After all, Lynn now wasn’t a Transcendent anymore, still lacking the qualifications to use ancient artifacts.

However, dealing with ordinary folks was more than enough.

Watching the Bearded Man sweat profusely, Lynn remained silent, applying pressure.

Under the influence of the Liars’ Devourer, his threats were ringing absolute true in the Bearded Man’s ears.

After what felt like an eternity, his already stooped back completely bent over.

“I’ll sign.”

The Bearded Man weakly replied.

Clearly, he ultimately chose to abandon his faith rather than take responsibility for raising some unknown kid.