Full-Time Public Enemy

The river had widened, and this spot was only about a hundred meters from the riverbank. Most of these wooden sheds had now collapsed, though half of one still stood, barely holding together.

Eusebius huddled under the wooden shed, idly picking lice off himself and grumbling about his tedious task. The post-rain sunshine was pleasant, yet his current assignment was a grueling one.

A few days ago, a "Prophet" had reportedly emerged from a small fort, and the masters in the main city took it very seriously. They had assigned him to keep watch here every day. If he saw the Prophet, he was to race back immediately to report so the city could prepare a welcome.

Those fools in the fort, they couldn't possibly believe there's a Prophet who can directly communicate with that ethereal, possibly non-existent Great True God, could they? Are there even any gods in this world? If gods truly existed, where were they when we were suffering? Joining a religion is just about huddling together for warmth, isn't it? We're all a bunch of helpless souls; only by sticking together can we avoid being bullied. Beliefs, shrines, churches—they're all just names. Those idiots better not get tricked into believing in things that don't exist...

Eusebius had been an orphan since childhood and had endured many hardships to survive. He was a practical man: he had joined the shrine because it offered him benefits. If he ever found it could no longer protect him, he would abandon it without a second thought.

The fact that he still referred to the Elders, Association Directors, Grand Directors, and the Chief Director in Potsdam as 'masters'—the same term he used for nobles—sufficiently demonstrated his attitude.

However, Eusebius had been quick-witted and capable since he was young. So, even though those 'masters' knew he wasn't a devout believer, they still entrusted him with many tasks.

Hmph, even among those 'masters,' how many truly believe the Great True God actually exists? The city has prepared a grand welcome ceremony, likely with ulterior motives, deliberately setting up this 'Prophet' to be humiliated. These 'masters' are all shrewd. The Prophet has many followers in the fort; they must expose him publicly, otherwise, those followers from the fort might stir up trouble.

Just as Eusebius was mulling over these things, filled with a smug satisfaction as if he had "seen through all truths," his lice-picking hand suddenly froze. His gaze fixed on the river, his mouth gradually fell agape, his jaw nearly unhinged in astonishment.

What am I seeing?! How... how did those people cross the river? The one in the lead... why is a natural bridge appearing out of thin air beneath his feet?!

It wasn't until Chen Gu had crossed the entire expanse of the river and stepped onto this bank that Eusebius jolted, a sudden realization dawning on him with the force of revelation: this was a divine miracle!

He furtively sized up Chen Gu, a guess forming in his heart—This is the Prophet!—but in that instant, he felt as if the figure radiated myriad golden rays. Eusebius cried out, his eyes stinging, swelling, and instantly gushing tears!

Eusebius hastily bowed his head, utterly terrified, recalling a saying from the shrine: "Those who disrespectfully spy upon Our God shall surely suffer calamity!"

Chen Gu chuckled inwardly. So the power of a Radiation Missionary can be used like this too. This Best Actor truly is a natural performer! Look how masterfully I play the holy charlatan, enough to deceive the entire world.

Chen Gu walked at a leisurely pace. Inside the wooden shed, Eusebius was already trembling and had sunk to his knees. In that fleeting moment, he had transformed from a false believer into the most devout follower of the Great True God!

When Chen Gu and his people arrived at the wooden shed, Eusebius was kneeling by the roadside. He crawled forward and kissed the instep of Chen Gu's shoe.

Chen Gu: "..."

Time to change shoes again, he thought.

Eusebius's voice trembled with emotion. "Prophet! Eusebius, faithful servant of Our God, reverently welcomes Your Excellency's arrival in Potsdam! Your coming will surely spread the light of Our God across this benighted land!"

Chen Gu nodded faintly. "Rise."

Eusebius rose but remained deeply bowed, his demeanor exceedingly deferential. "His Excellency the Chief Director ordered me to await you here. A grand welcome ceremony has been prepared in the city. However, those false believers harbor malicious designs; they require the divine might of Our God to chasten them!"

Like beans tumbling from a bamboo tube, he spilled everything, selling out the Chief Director and the others...

Chen Gu's expression showed neither anger nor surprise. He merely said calmly, "Our God has already informed me of everything. You need not worry. Our God has arranged all, just as Our God preordained that you would witness this miracle here."

Eusebius instantly broke into a cold sweat and dropped to his knees once more, repeatedly confessing his sins.

Chen Gu waved a hand. "Go and report back to them."

Eusebius hastily assented and sprinted towards Potsdam.

Chen Gu's followers, having overheard Eusebius, became furious with the faithful in Potsdam. "They are all false believers!"

"Prophet, you must enact the punishment of Our God upon them!"

Chen Gu showed no reaction, his mind already on his mission.

The powerful figures in the city's shrine don't trust me, he mused. And someone in the city has even paid a full one thousand five hundred Gold Coins to have me assassinated en route.

This is a good thing. It seems the imperial family members supporting the heretical cults are beginning to show themselves. If I can catch one, I can uproot an entire network.