At eight o’clock the next morning, Chu Feng finished washing up and had breakfast, then drove his Jeep towards Valente Manor.
An hour later, Martin, the butler, greeted him. "Mr. Chu, please drive your car in! Miss Valente has specifically instructed that your car can now directly enter Valente Manor."
Originally planning to park outside, Chu Feng drove his car straight into the estate upon hearing Martin’s words. Follow current novᴇls on ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt
"Mr. Chu, please follow me. The lady and guests have been waiting for you in the reception room for a while!"
"Mr. Martin, do you know who wants to meet me?" Chu Feng asked, looking at the butler walking in front of him with some confusion.
"You will know shortly." The impassive butler didn’t answer Chu Feng’s question but instead quickened his pace.
CREAK. With a light sound, the butler forcefully pushed open the door to the reception room.
Tatyana, sitting in the main seat, and several people dressed in clerical clothing instantly appeared before Chu Feng.
"Chu, you’ve finally arrived! We’ve been waiting for you for a long time." Seeing Chu Feng enter, Tatyana’s beautiful eyes lit up. She rose, a fragrant breeze wafting from her, hugged one of his arms, and pulled him to a seat at the table.
"Chu, let me introduce you. These two are Bishop Ernest Connell and Bishop Joshua Mozer from The Holy See, and those gentlemen are the Monks accompanying the bishops."
After Tatyana’s gentle introduction, Chu Feng was puzzled. He seemed to have no involvement with The Holy See.
"Hello, Mr. Chu. It seems you’re wondering why we sought you out, aren’t you?" the silver-haired Bishop Connell said with a smile, as if perceiving the doubt in Chu Feng’s eyes.
"Indeed. I don’t recall having any interactions with people from The Holy See."
"Mr. Chu, in fact, we took note of you the first time you entered this manor."
What did these people from The Holy See want with me? Chu Feng was suddenly startled.
"Mr. Chu, don’t be nervous. Actually, we’re here this time to invite you to join the Religious Tribunal of The Holy See."
"The Religious Tribunal? Isn’t it already defunct? I remember it’s called the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith now, isn’t it?"
Hearing Chu Feng’s words, the two aged bishops exchanged glances, surprised that he was so knowledgeable about The Holy See.
"Mr. Chu is correct," Bishop Mozer explained to Chu Feng. "The former Religious Tribunal has indeed been replaced by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. However, we’re inviting you to join a brand new Religious Tribunal. This reestablished organization is dedicated exclusively to the Bizarre and legendary Demons!"
Could it be that the Demon Chapter from the Demon Hunting Records is about to be relevant? Chu Feng was shocked.
"Wait a minute! Demons? Have those actually appeared now?"
"Not yet, but the Lord has given us a revelation that Demons will appear in the near future."
Chu Feng, who never believed in God, was at a loss for words after hearing Bishop Mozer’s statement.
"Mr. Chu, would you be willing to join the Religious Tribunal?"
"I need to think it over carefully!"
Faced with the two elderly men, Chu Feng, not wanting to refuse outright, resorted to stalling.
Sensing Chu Feng’s inclination to refuse, Bishop Connell gazed at him with deep eyes and gave a slight smile.
"By the way, Mr. Chu, I forgot to tell you," Bishop Connell said. "The Holy See provides an annual stipend of fifty million US dollars for powerful Exorcists like yourself. Moreover, aside from when there are missions, we will not disturb your everyday life."
As soon as Bishop Connell finished speaking, Chu Feng decisively made his choice.
"Bishops, I think I’ve made up my mind! I agree to join the Religious Tribunal!"
"Very good, Mr. Chu, welcome aboard!"
The two bishops exchanged a glance and then let out a soft chuckle together.
The Monk waiting nearby immediately presented several sets of formal attire and identity documents from the Religious Tribunal.
"Bishop Connell, may I ask if someone like me, who was not previously a believer, can directly become a bishop?" Chu Feng asked with some disbelief, looking at the bishop’s garments that had been placed beside him.
The two bishops both revealed a mysterious smile.
"Chu, in light of fifty million US dollars, you could be a believer, couldn’t you?"
"I think you’re right. Amen!" Chu Feng feigned realization and made the sign of the cross.
"Bishop Chu, remember to visit the Vatican when you have time; we will hold a consecration ceremony for you."
Seeing that their goal had been achieved, the two bishops left Valente Manor directly, as they were set to take a flight back to the Vatican today.
"Bishop Connell, isn’t it somewhat inappropriate to allow an Exorcist who isn’t yet a believer to be directly ordained as a bishop?" the Monk beside Bishop Connell cautiously asked on the car ride to the airport.
"Monk Merton, the Religious Tribunal has just been reestablished. The priests in The Holy See, blessed by the Lord, are not yet strong enough, yet the steps of the Demons are drawing ever closer. We don’t have much time! Besides, it’s merely the status of an honorary bishop; gaining a powerful Exorcist’s allegiance is worth it!"
Having said that, Bishop Connell closed his eyes wearily.
「Meanwhile, inside Valente Manor.」
"Chu, congratulations. You’re going to be a Bishop now!"
"Tatyana, don’t mention it. To me, it’s just an extra fifty million US dollars a year!"
Chu Feng didn’t care much for the title of Bishop; instead, he examined the fabric of the Bishop’s garments before him.
"Chu, you’ll understand in time," Tatyana said. "What being a Bishop brings you is not something money can measure!"
"That’s a matter for the future! Goodbye, Tatyana." Packing up his things, Chu Feng quickly sidestepped Tatyana’s approaching embrace and slipped out of the reception room.
Am I that frightening? Tatyana wondered, looking doubtfully at her own perfect figure.
Phew, that was close! That foreign woman has ulterior motives! Flirting and then not taking responsibility? Isn’t that just asking for me to take a cold shower?
Once in his car, Chu Feng drove away from Valente Manor as if fleeing.
Back at home, Chu Feng suddenly felt like he had nothing to do. James hadn’t called, so there probably weren’t any new clients. He opened his social media, only to find a bunch of people wanting freebies!
What’s going on? Aren’t there a lot of wealthy people in America? Don’t they ever encounter anything Bizarre?
Sighing internally that the Bizarre weren’t very ’dedicated’ these days, Chu Feng turned his hopes to his email.
Let’s see if there’s a destined client among all these emails, Chu Feng thought, looking at the dozens of new messages. He clicked them open with anticipation.
After a while, having read all the emails, Chu Feng sat in front of the computer with a thoroughly bewildered expression.
What is all this nonsense?
There were emails inquiring about Chu Feng’s Exorcism experiences, messages looking to chat or make friends, and even a few with sexy photos making lewd propositions.
After going through dozens of messages, not a single one turned out to be valuable.