Full-Time Public Enemy

But after they had walked more than ten kilometers, some merchant caravans turned back, approaching them dejectedly. "Yesterday's heavy rain destroyed the bridge," they said. "We won't be able to cross for quite some time."

The essential route to the city of Potsdam was bisected by a large river named the Reverse Lock River. The river was wide, and its current usually gentle. However, when the rainy season brought heavy thunderstorms, the water level would surge dramatically. A wooden bridge, the only one nearby leading to the other bank, had been swept away the previous night.

"Who knows how many months it'll take if we expect those royals to fix the bridge. We should return to the cave to settle down first, then look for a boat to cross the river," the merchants planned.

Hearing this news, the other travelers were disheartened. They were more anxious than the merchants; after all, the merchants only stood to lose money, whereas being trapped here could mean starving to death for the travelers.

However, the followers looked calmly at Chen Gu. "Prophet, what shall we do?"

Chen Gu smiled faintly. "Our God commands us to go to Potsdam, so we will follow His arrangements. As long as our faith is firm, we can surely make this journey. We will reach Potsdam on time!"

The merchants shook their heads repeatedly. Is this man out of his mind? they thought. The flood has blocked the road, the bridge is broken, and there are no ferries. What, is he going to fly over?

But the followers unwaveringly continued behind Chen Gu, heading towards the Reverse Lock River. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Old Charles had no fondness for the merchants but pitied the other travelers. He said to those following behind, "Come with us. Our God will surely reveal His divine power and allow us to cross the river. If you follow us, you too can make it across."

"Nonsense," the merchants muttered, walking away without looking back.

The other travelers were somewhat perplexed. At that moment, one believer stepped forward and declared loudly, "I believe! Please, Prophet, allow us to follow behind."

Chen Gu had orchestrated all this for this very reason: to "reveal the miracle" for more people to see. Thus, he nodded slightly.

The believer was overjoyed and hurried to keep up. The other travelers considered it. Following along wouldn't cost us anything, they thought. At worst, it's a wasted trip. But what if we really can get across?

The group marched on, and it wasn't long before they reached the riverbank.

The river, usually only over ten meters wide, had swollen to forty meters wide. The murky, turbulent water churned ceaselessly, obscuring its depth. Anyone who dared wade through would likely be swept away.

The wooden bridge was gone. A few merchants remained on the bank; they had stayed behind to try their luck, hoping to find a ferry.

"You all should go back; it's impossible to cross," said these few merchants.

Chen Gu, however, stepped toward the raging river. "Follow me," he said to those behind him, "and the light of Our God will illuminate our path."

"Yes!" all his followers responded with unwavering conviction.

As Chen Gu was about to step into the river, the merchants watched in disbelief. These people must be fools, they thought.

However, the moment Chen Gu's foot touched the water, pieces of wood and stone suddenly rose from the river, providing a foothold beneath him! Then, as Chen Gu took his second step, more wood and stone surfaced, perfectly supporting him.

Thus, Chen Gu walked forward calmly, without even glancing at the roaring river beneath his feet, as if he truly believed with unwavering faith that God would let him cross. His followers, too, stepped one by one behind him, walking on this special "bridge"!

On the bank, the merchants were dumbstruck. What is happening? What did we just witness?!

When all the followers had set foot on this "bridge," the other travelers, overcome with joy, followed suit without hesitation.

Of all the people, only Boluo cursed under his breath. Why should I be the one to endure all the hardship and effort, only for that guy Chen Gu to take all the credit? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to conjure these pieces of wood and stone from the river, form a bridge, and make it strong enough to bear the weight of so many people? But since Chen Gu held a higher rank, Boluo could only swallow his anger, all the while scheming. Once my Energy Level rises, I'll definitely 'revolt'! I'll make Chen Gu do the work, and I'll be the one to show off!

The forty-meter distance, in reality, didn't take long to cross. Chen Gu quickly reached the opposite bank. Only then did the merchants snap out of their stupor and hurriedly try to push onto the bridge.

But as soon as one of them set foot on it, the wood and stones sank with a CRASH. The man plunged into the river, shouting in shock, and only barely scrambled out with the help of his companions, utterly humiliated.

Chen Gu shook his head gently from the opposite bank. "Those who do not believe in Our God cannot walk this path," he said.

The travelers who had followed, almost in that instant, became the most devout followers of the "Great True God"!

As the last traveler reached the bank, the "bridge" completely submerged into the river. The merchants on the other side were still speechless, struggling to believe what they had just seen. Immediately after, they broke out in a cold sweat. They had dared to openly doubt such a great deity!

「...」

On the Potsdam side of the Reverse Lock River, a long stretch of the road had also been destroyed by the torrential rain. More than two hundred meters from the riverbank, on a slightly elevated earthen mound, a few simple wooden shacks had once stood, where merchants regularly sold food and beverages.