Chapter 38: Believing in the Gods

After Li Qiuchen collapsed, his vision blurred, and his ears rang with dizziness.

But he never allowed himself to fall asleep.

Just thinking of the Princess’s breathtaking beauty made him too afraid to close his eyes.

The Fool’s Food Ritual hadn’t been set up yet—he absolutely couldn’t let himself pass out!

So, enduring the pain of his shattered magic source and the burning agony throughout his body, Li Qiuchen clenched his teeth and refused to lose consciousness.

He remembered his days in the squad, the countless brushes with death, and how each one pushed him to grow.

He’d suffered setbacks, but with Reina around, he always recovered quickly.

Li Qiuchen had thought many times that their squad wasn’t particularly destined or chosen by the Divine—they just had the luck to survive to the end.

Of course, Belinda’s swordsmanship was unmatched, Hestia’s stealth was untraceable, Reina’s Healing Spell and recovery magic were formidable, Jocelyn’s armor was impenetrable, and the World-Destroying Demon Flame spared nothing.

As for himself, countless life-saving techniques had been learned through repeated adventures.

He was cautious, sharp, adept at magic, and gradually became a mage with a respected title.

But none of these were the reasons they became Divine Chosen.

He’d seen many stronger than them—swordmasters with unmatched skill, assassins who moved in total silence, Priests more favored by the gods, mages greater than himself.

But they all died—perishing in one adventure after another, in the onslaught of the Demon King Army, on the road to defeat the Demon King.

Li Qiuchen and his companions survived to the final assault on Demon King City.

So they became Divine Chosen, a team praised by thousands.

But Li Qiuchen knew deep down that every place they crossed alive was often paved with the sacrifices of those who came before.

Their survival wasn’t solely due to strength, but more often, just the right amount of luck.

It was precisely because of this that he held life so sacred.

He only considered himself lucky to have lived this long, but he had no intention of throwing his life away lightly.

After all, the odds were one in thirty-two.

As he struggled with his battered body, he could still hear Jocelyn’s shouts and Wright’s investigating breath.

Moments later, Uncle Wright, enduring the pain in his wrist, hoisted him up and ran at full speed.

Behind them, Jocelyn held the battered Kaili in her arms, following tightly.

They emerged from the mine, and the people around them seemed to have gathered together.

As everyone gasped for breath, Li Qiuchen could hear it all clearly.

After a brief silence, a thunderous cheer erupted.

Someone, tears streaming, lifted him up.

Even with his eyes closed, he felt the crowd surrounding him, carefully carrying him to a warm place.

A doctor immediately began treating his wounds.

Naili handed a towel to the doctor, seemingly in tears, her hot drops falling onto his arm.

Li Qiuchen finally opened his eyes.

Before him was the chapel of the Temple of the God of War, now a temporary rest room for the two of them, with two comfortable beds set up inside.

On the adjacent bed lay Kaili.

Inside, only Wright remained to care for them, with the distant door tightly shut.

Wright’s broken left hand was wrapped in bandages, the doctor having performed basic stitching.

Now he waved his magic staff, chanting over the unconscious and severely injured Kaili, “Sacred Light, please shine upon those who suffer.”

Holy white light slowly entered Kaili’s body, the sound of bones knitting together could be heard, and pure Faith Power transformed into Healing Spell, rapidly restoring Kaili’s condition.

Li Qiuchen was so shocked he nearly sat up, forgetting even his own injuries.

“Ow, damn…this!”

Isn’t this the Healing Spell from the Time Temple?!

Wright, are you a spy?

The Goddess of War doesn’t mind your accent, and now you’re using the Time Temple’s magic?

Li Qiuchen glanced again at the towering statue of the Goddess of War in the distance.

You’re even in her temple—right in front of her!

Wright noticed Li Qiuchen’s stunned expression and smiled a bit sheepishly.

After finishing the Healing Spell, he approached Li Qiuchen, staff in hand, and cautiously asked, “Qiuchen, are you a believer of the Temple of the God of War?”

“I haven’t been accepted by any deity yet.”

Li Qiuchen looked silently at this honest uncle, feeling he was truly unfathomable.

“Oh, as you know, the three faiths don’t get along very well.”

So, you absolutely mustn’t tell Kaili that I used this magic to heal her.

Wright instructed him carefully.

Li Qiuchen’s confusion only deepened.

“You… how did you manage that?”

“Before I left, Militia Regiment Seventeen changed Priests six times.

I learned some magic from each of them.”

Wright explained honestly, waving his magic staff at Li Qiuchen and chanting again.

“Sacred Light, please shine upon those who suffer.”

Militia Regiment Seventeen, though not famous among the legendary militias that rose during the Last Dark Dynasty, was a force composed of bankrupt farmers and surviving mercenaries, whose operations spanned from the Northern Frontier Principality in the north to coastal city-states along the Eternal Tranquil Sea in the south.

In the later days of the dynasty, their combat strength became so inconsistent that rumors even spread that the Yanaweis Principality intended to dissolve them.

Li Qiuchen searched his memory for information on this regiment and suddenly recalled their origins—Kuma Town.

Wright’s church record was from Kuma Town, and it was the regiment’s Priest who testified for him.

So, Wright fought all the way from the beginning to the end?

“Uncle, when you learned magic from those Priests, didn’t you ever encounter any conflicts or contradictions?”

Li Qiuchen was at a loss for words.

Even during the Last Dark Dynasty, when survival was everyone’s consensus, followers of different faiths still attacked and excluded each other.

“No, actually, in all the Sacred Canons and revelations I’ve read, there was never any condemnation of other faiths.”

The books didn’t even mention other religions.

Wright checked over the youth’s condition, ensuring his injuries had improved.

“What scriptures did you read?”

Li Qiuchen noticed the problem.

“‘Sacred Judgement,’ ‘Sacred Canon,’ ‘Holy Words of the War God,’ ‘Martial God Chronicle,’ ‘Woodfire Gleam,’ ‘Blood God’s Revelation.’ The six Priests who preached in the regiment only used these books.”

Wright replied without reservation.

Li Qiuchen frowned.

Those are basic scriptures from the Time Temple, Temple of the God of War, and Woodfire Church.

But what’s that last one, ‘Blood God’s Revelation’?

Is it a necromancer’s classic?

Could it be an evil god?

He’d heard of the first five—they were all introductory and mild in tone.

That probably explained why Wright could harmonize the powers of different faiths.

Of course, this also must have a lot to do with his physique and experiences.

Li Qiuchen pressed further.

“Uncle, did you never want to study a single faith more deeply? Most other books talk about Faith Unity and even denigrate other beliefs.”

“That’s exactly why I got tired of reading all those theologians’ annotations and explanations—they distort the sacred texts and think too highly of themselves.”

Wright, satisfied with Li Qiuchen’s recovery, sat on the edge of the bed and continued, “In the regiment, while others smoked, fought, or gambled in their spare time, I prayed to the Priests, again and again, and soon sensed the existence of Faith Power. With the bits of magic I learned, I saved quite a few comrades—though more still died to monsters.”

“The trials of life and death convinced me even more that only the Savior God is worthy of faith. I saved my comrades with sincere belief, and the gods answered me—healing wounds and relieving the dying from pain. So, I believe in the gods.”

Wright smiled honestly.

“Every god is worthy of faith.”

Li Qiuchen was speechless, his carefully prepared arguments swallowed by the older man’s sincerity.

He remembered a certain sharp-tongued Holy Maiden’s Eminence who insisted on faith unity, dedicated her life to it, yet lost her eligibility in the initial selection, even losing the ability to use Holy Light.

Truly, such different people.

But this difference made him remember her all the more—a once-proud Saintess candidate, later the aloof and distant Holy Maiden’s Eminence.

Holy Light remained gentle but cut off in the middle, divided into two paths.

In his memory, he heard the girl’s farewell.

“Then… goodbye, Ellen.”

Only in recollection did he realize there was a hint of sorrow in her voice.

Was it because of parting?

But they would meet again soon.

Li Qiuchen recalled how, after rescuing Belinda from the royal city and defeating the Shadow Lord, Reina was reselected as Saintess due to her achievements.

She bid farewell to them and returned to the Saint Palace for her baptism.

At their parting, he saw sadness in her eyes.

Why did it hurt?

They were so familiar by then—why not just say it out loud?

Li Qiuchen never did ask, simply watching her board the carriage of the Saint Palace.

That had always been her dream.

Li Qiuchen was genuinely happy for her.

Wright’s voice pulled Li Qiuchen out of his memories.

“Qiuchen, rest well and recover as soon as you can.”

Wright patted his shoulder.

“Remember, even if you’re a young old mage who doesn’t believe in gods, the gods will still heal you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re worth it.”

Wright replied matter-of-factly.

“When you chose to stand up, you became worthy.”

He stood up and reminded him again.

“Everyone outside is busy with the funeral for those lost in this incident and dealing with the Baron’s case. Just rest here. If you need anything, just ask.”

Li Qiuchen couldn’t help but voice a question that had long been buried in his heart.

“Uncle Wright, you’re so capable. Why weren’t you ever promoted in the regiment?”

Wright looked troubled.

“Fighting in the regiment was too intense. Whenever a superior noticed my abilities, appreciated me, and promised a promotion, they’d die in battle soon after. Eventually, I stopped expecting anything.”

He recalled a series of memories from deep within.

‘Wright, you’re a genius! Next week I’ll announce you as captain of the spear phalanx.’

Sergeant Kaina laughed heartily, patting his shoulder.

Three days later, a cavalry scout cried: ‘It’s bad! Officer Kaina was eaten by monsters!’

‘Wright, you’re wasted in a small place like this! I’ll soon be deputy commander—follow me as a bodyguard, I won’t mistreat you.’

‘Officer Haute was crushed by a monster!’

‘Wright, I just got here, but your pure Faith Power qualifies you as my deputy.

I’ll recommend you to your commander tomorrow!’

‘Orc attack! Priest! They’re not monsters—careful! Ah—!’

***

Gradually, he stopped expecting anything and prayed to the gods simply to survive the war.

Li Qiuchen blinked.

“Good thing I admire you, but I’m not planning to promote you.”

Wright rubbed his face with a calloused finger.

“I’d like to be your soldier, though.”

Seeing Li Qiuchen’s stunned look, he explained.

“Don’t be so surprised. If you joined the army, you’d definitely be a responsible officer.”

Wright didn’t linger, but left the room.

Li Qiuchen lowered his head and began to sense his condition.

His body was recovering rapidly.

Unfortunately, his magic source remained shattered.

It could no longer produce magic, like a leaky fuel tank—completely broken.

It was impossible to improve his power through training.

With Blue Crystal, he was like an old, battered vehicle with an external tank—barely functional.

But without the crystal, he was immobile.

The urgent priority was to find a way to repair his magic source.

Otherwise, he’d have no way to protect himself.

Not long after, Jocelyn entered with Naili.

“Uncle Wright said you’re recovering well?”

Jocelyn asked casually.

Remembering her last agile flip, Li Qiuchen felt pain.

“You played dead? Old Four, we’re as close as brothers from different mothers, and at such a critical moment, you played dead?”

Jocelyn showed not a shred of shame.

“It was a strategic retreat. You needed time, and I bought it for you. I was already burned out and couldn’t help—what’s wrong with lying down to rest for a bit?”

“What if I died?”

Li Qiuchen pressed, unwilling.

“You think I’d let you die for nothing? Relax, I’d smash my head against tofu and follow you.”

Jocelyn said, glancing at the still-unconscious Kaili.

“Forget it. Dying together sounds like a love tragedy—easy to misunderstand.”

Li Qiuchen waved her off.

Jocelyn leaned in to check his wounds, saying boldly.

“As your bro, I can’t let you die alone. This bond is sacred—don’t try to stop me!”

Li Qiuchen gave a bitter smile.

Since becoming best friends with Jocelyn, this girl’s resilience had only grown.

She could spar with him verbally and eventually even overpower him.

She looked like a cute and lovely girl, but tell her a dirty joke and she’d scoff—then tell one even dirtier.

“Looks like you’re really fine. Naili wants to talk to you for a bit. I’ll check on Kaili.”

Jocelyn gave Naili an encouraging look, then turned to the sleeping Kaili.

Naili’s face was anxious, her hands twisting the hem of her clothes, clearly conflicted.

“Cousin, Young Master Kairui…before he was affected by demonic energy, he knocked himself unconscious. That means he passed, right?”

Li Qiuchen was puzzled.

“Passed what?”

Suddenly, Naili knelt down, looking up at him pleadingly.

“Can you take Young Master Kairui as your apprentice? Please…please save him.”

Li Qiuchen helped her up.

He remembered that when they first met, Kairui had tried to bully her.

Now, she was begging him to save Kairui.

“I can’t be sure. Demonic energy infection is a serious issue. In his case, it’s more like a curse.”

Li Qiuchen didn’t refuse to help, but he only knew a few ways to delay it.

Even worse, his own magic source was broken.

With his own power cut off, how could he help Kairui?

“Cousin Qiuchen, please, I can give you all my money. These are nine Gold Tack that Cousin Nai De gave me. They’re all yours.”

Naili placed the glittering gold coins on the table—coins she’d kept all this time, never touching them even to pay off her gambling father’s debts.

Now, she handed them over in a single breath.

“Kairui and I have always been friends. Even though he went astray, I want him to have a chance to change. Please.”

Naili knelt, pleading desperately.

“Enough! I promise—I’ll do my best.”

Li Qiuchen agreed, then chided her.

“Take back all your coins and never flaunt them in front of me again. I’ve never seen anyone so eager to show off wealth.”

“Thank you, thank you!”

Naili bowed with tears, collected the coins, and left.

Jocelyn came over and tossed a black crystal onto Li Qiuchen’s bed.

“This is probably why that Mankor ran into the mine.”

Li Qiuchen looked at the dirty, clouded crystal on his bed, his eyes widening in disbelief.

“Soul Crystal?”