Chapter Seventy-Four: Beat You Within an Inch of Your Life

“That’s basically what happened.” Anxiously watching the people before him, Zhou Tian confessed everything and then closed his eyes, bracing himself for their reproach.

Following the Pope’s arrangement, Zhou Tian had undeniably gained some advantages in this venture. Yet, while Zhou Tian secured his starting capital, the other members of his team suffered considerable losses because of this matter. What had once been a well-formed combat squad now faced exile, all due to Zhou Tian’s actions. It was impossible for him to claim he felt no guilt. And now, having dragged them into trouble for his own sake, Zhou Tian naturally felt uneasy facing Vivian and the others.

With his eyes shut, Zhou Tian was fully prepared to accept their scolding and punishment.

But unexpectedly, after hearing Zhou Tian’s account, Vivian and the others replied with calm expressions, “We know about it. The arrangement was made because we insisted on accompanying you. The Pope only acted on our request. You don’t need to feel guilty.”

“What?”

“I said, this arrangement was our own request, so you don’t need to feel guilty!”

Touching Vivian’s forehead, Zhou Tian muttered, “No fever.”

Vivian’s face flushed as she slapped Zhou Tian’s hand off her forehead, exclaiming angrily, “Hmph! We didn’t decide to go with you out of concern for your safety. We just didn’t want to lose access to those alchemy products once you left. Don’t get any strange ideas.”

“Whatever the reason, thank you.”

“No need for your thanks.” Face still red, Vivian shot Zhou Tian a glare, then turned to the others, “Pack up, bring everything we can carry. We’re heading to the Monster Forest, a place so desolate not even birds bother with it. If we don’t bring everything we need, there won’t be anything suitable to buy even if we have the money.”

Amid the clatter of packing, Zhou Tian quietly slipped away.

He had little to take himself; anything necessary could be bought from the system store, and he was not demanding when it came to material needs. Even in a place like the Monster Forest, Zhou Tian would not feel out of place. What prompted him to leave now was Vivian’s reminder—since arriving in this world, nearly every creature Zhou Tian encountered was far from ordinary, subtly influencing his outlook.

As an earthling, Zhou Tian knew well the importance of money. When negotiating with the Pope, he had raised the issue of funds. Yet, during his time here, he had never truly experienced the role of money in this world, and subconsciously, he had begun to disregard it—something originally so vital.

Vivian’s words brought him back to reality: the Pope had promised to grant him a sum of money.

Now, with the responsibility of acting as bishop in the Monster Forest, Zhou Tian doubted he could maintain his comfortable lifestyle without sufficient funds.

The church’s wealth stemmed from donations; the more populous the area, the richer the church. By contrast, in the Monster Forest, Zhou Tian could easily imagine there would be no donations from followers. Thus, the Pope’s promised funds were crucial.

However—

“What’s this? Are you kidding? The Pope promised a substantial sum, yet you hand me just this pittance—what’s the meaning of this?” Furious, Zhou Tian grabbed the priest before him, nearly stuffing the bag of coins into the man’s mouth.

For the church, money was never an issue, so when agreeing to Zhou Tian’s request, the Pope paid it little mind. The note he gave Zhou Tian carried no specific amount, creating an opportunity for some to make things difficult for him.

“Bishop Zhou Tian, what are you doing?” A familiar voice sounded nearby, prompting Zhou Tian to glance in that direction.

“And you are?”

A vein throbbing on his forehead, Ryan felt murderous. “Bishop Zhou Tian, you truly are quick to forget people. I am Ryan. Surely you haven’t forgotten me so soon?”

“Oh, it’s you, you old rascal!” Zhou Tian recalled who Ryan was, but even upon remembering, he showed no courtesy, nearly causing Ryan to choke with rage.

As a cardinal, especially one holding the position of Vice-Chief Justice, Ryan was not accustomed to such treatment. Looking at Zhou Tian’s scowling face, Ryan grew more incensed. If not for Zhou Tian’s status and his mysterious relationship with the Pope, Ryan might very well have acted on his murderous urge.

“Bishop Zhou Tian, mind your tone. As a bishop, you—”

“If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, get lost!” As if Ryan were nothing more than a stray cat or dog, Zhou Tian waved dismissively and interrupted him without the slightest courtesy.

Even clay has a temper; as a cardinal, Ryan had never suffered such humiliation. The composure he managed in Zhou Tian’s presence evaporated, and his trembling finger pointed at Zhou Tian as he shouted, “Zhou Tian, you—”

“Go play in the mud. I have business to attend to. Once I’m done, we can talk.” Cutting Ryan off again, Zhou Tian turned his attention to the priest, clenching his other fist as he threatened, “Speak—who’s behind this mess? Daring to mess with my affairs, you must be tired of living.”

Never before had the priest encountered such a rogue bishop. He was terrified. To fight—he wouldn’t dare, given Zhou Tian’s rank. But if he did nothing, Zhou Tian’s demeanor suggested he’d suffer a beating. Under pressure, the priest’s gaze involuntarily fell on Ryan.

Even for a bishop, even an exiled one, the priest would never have dared tamper with Zhou Tian’s funds unless someone powerful was pulling strings. Clearly, among those capable of such acts in the Holy City, only Ryan had both the motive and the means.

Though unspoken, the priest’s behavior was a clear confession.

If it had been another bishop, they might have made a note of the incident, disciplined the priest, and left. But Zhou Tian was not so easily appeased.

Though rarely angry, especially before Vivian and the others, Zhou Tian reserved his temper for enemies. With adversaries, he was far less forgiving.

“So it’s you, you rascal, behind all this!” Zhou Tian ignored Ryan’s status, bluntly calling him out before charging straight toward him.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Ryan’s voice was stern, but he calmly stepped back, preparing to cast a spell at Zhou Tian.

“Immortal Binding Rope!” Despite his dislike for Ryan, Zhou Tian wasn’t arrogant enough to think his own strength could overcome him. Ryan’s abilities as a cardinal made him a formidable figure within the church—facing such a powerhouse, Zhou Tian would be hopelessly outmatched.

Thus, before any real confrontation, Zhou Tian deployed his magical artifact. With Ryan unprepared, Zhou Tian’s Immortal Binding Rope swiftly ensnared him.

Ryan was momentarily stunned, but upon realizing what had happened, he remained unperturbed, casting a contemptuous glance at Zhou Tian. “You think a rope can restrain me? How naïve!” With that, he tried to summon his magical strength to retaliate.

But—

“Why… why can’t I summon my magic?” As he attempted to act, Ryan was horrified to find his powers completely sealed by the Immortal Binding Rope. Not only was his magic immobilized, even moving a finger was difficult.

“Heh, heh!” Zhou Tian, delighted by Ryan’s predicament, approached with a sinister smile, flexing his hands.

“What… what are you going to do?” Ryan was afraid. If it had been anyone else, he might not have worried. But Zhou Tian’s earlier conduct had shown that ordinary reasoning simply didn’t apply—what others wouldn’t dare, Zhou Tian might well do.

“Beat you up!” Sure enough, Zhou Tian’s calm reply sent cold sweat running down Ryan’s face. As Ryan pondered how to plead for mercy, Zhou Tian suddenly launched his assault.

Smack—a slap landed not only on Ryan’s face but on the hearts of Ryan and the priest. In their disbelief, Zhou Tian mercilessly delivered slap after slap upon Ryan.

Smack.

“You dare hit me?”

Smack.

“I won’t let you get away with this.”

Smack.

“I’ll kill you.”

Smack.

“…”

Zhou Tian refused any conversation, responding to Ryan’s words only with more slaps. At first, Ryan retaliated with threats, but after a dozen blows, his tone softened. By the time Zhou Tian’s hand was sore, Ryan’s face had swollen into a pig’s head.

Ryan was scared—this time, he truly regretted his earlier decision.

Originally, Ryan had no major conflict with Zhou Tian; his actions were only due to Vivian’s anger toward Zhou Tian. He never expected that a mere attempt to reduce Zhou Tian’s funds would lead to such a savage beating—a cardinal treated like a child, relentlessly slapped. If not for being in the Holy City, Zhou Tian might well have finished him off altogether.

A true man knows when to bend. Ryan, not wanting to be beaten to death over such a trivial matter, began to plead for mercy, sniveling and trembling, as Zhou Tian continued his assault.