Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 182 - 181 Priest

Chapter 182: Chapter 181 Priest

At the break of dawn, Yang Yi and his companions had already arrived in Phoenix.

The driver had basically slept the entire way, with Yang Yi doing most of the driving. The reason Yang Yi drove was because he hadn’t touched a steering wheel in a very long time and he was itching to do so.

Upon arriving in Phoenix, the rest of the journey became easier since buses were available after daylight, and in the United States, buses don’t require ID for boarding.

The final destination was a place called Kyleville, a small town not far from San Antonio. That’s where Brian was headed to find someone.

After a day on the bus, Yang Yi rested on board for the entire day. By evening, Yang Yi and Brian got off the bus in Kyleville.

Brian had always been in a hurry, unwilling to waste a single moment. Yang Yi thought that upon reaching Kyleville, Brian would immediately start looking for the person, but this time, Brian was not so anxious.

Glancing at the sky, Brian spoke in a serious tone, "Let’s grab something to eat, then find a place to sleep."

"Alright, so we’re not looking for that person right now?"

"It’s not time yet, we’ll go tomorrow."

Brian seemed very composed, but Yang Yi couldn’t help asking, "I just have a question. You haven’t been in contact for almost thirty years, are you sure you can find the person you’re looking for?"

Brian hesitated, which was rare for him, then said in a low voice, "I should be able to, as long as he’s not dead. I’ll definitely find him. I know where he will be, he has to be there!"

Brian’s mood didn’t seem good, and Yang Yi didn’t bother him further. They found a run-down motel and made do for the night.

The next morning, Brian’s mood was still low while having breakfast. Yang Yi wanted to chat more with Brian, but Brian always seemed preoccupied.

Brian’s behavior was unusual, but considering what he was about to face, such a reaction was actually quite normal.

While Yang Yi was silently having breakfast, Brian suddenly looked up and said to Yang Yi, "Today, whatever happens, it has nothing to do with you. No matter what happens to me, it also has nothing to do with you. Just watch and don’t say anything, don’t meddle."

Yang Yi nodded and said, "Got it."

Brian finished his coffee and said in a serious tone, "Let’s go."

Although Brian had just had a conversation with Yang Yi, his entire demeanor changed. Just moments before, he had been distant, but now, he had regained the confident and strong presence that was Brian.

After leaving the restaurant, Brian strolled down the street for a bit and then stopped abruptly, saying seriously, "This place is very different from my memory. I need to ask for directions."

"No need, just tell me where to go, and I can find it with my phone’s GPS navigation."

Yang Yi took out his phone, Brian paused for a second, and asked in a low voice, "Phone GPS?"

"Yes, where to?"

Brian exhaled and said, "I really need to study how to use these smartphones. Alright, try searching for Kyleville Church."

Yang Yi entered the destination into his phone and soon said, "It’s not too far from here, a twenty-minute walk."

Brian spread his hands and said, "Then lead the way, we’re going to the church."

Yang Yi was puzzled, but he led the way.

After a twenty-minute walk, Yang Yi saw a church. It wasn’t very big, but it looked like it had a lot of history.

Today was Sunday, the day of worship, and crowds of people were steadily entering the church. Standing on the street opposite the church, Yang Yi looked towards Brian and whispered, "We’ve arrived, what’s next for us?"

Brian replied in a deep voice, "We’re going to worship, but wait a moment."

Yang Yi knew that Brian was now a devout believer, but he hadn’t expected Brian would choose to worship at this time. However, whatever Brian wanted to do was fine, and naturally, Yang Yi wouldn’t object.

As the people waiting to worship had mostly entered and the time reached eight in the morning, Brian whispered, "Follow me."

Brian walked through the church’s main entrance.

The church’s hall was vast, capable of accommodating at least five hundred people, and at that moment, the congregation almost filled the church.

Brian chose to sit on a bench in a back corner. An elderly Caucasian woman nodded at Brian as he sat down next to her, and then smiled, "Hello, I haven’t seen you before, is this your first time here?"

"Hello, it’s not my first time, but it’s been a very, very long time since I last came, decades even."

The old lady returned Brian’s polite smile and then nodded courteously at Yang Yi.

At this moment, Yang Yi was feeling only confusion and awkwardness.

Yang Yi was an atheist. He believed in nothing but himself, and sitting in the church made him feel uncomfortable, so he whispered to Brian, "Maybe I should just go out and wait for you..."

Brian grabbed Yang Yi, who was about to stand up, and whispered, "Don’t move, be quiet, just sit with me."

What followed was quite normal: the choir sang hymns, and a priest began to explain the gospel to the congregation.

Moreover, the worship service lasted much longer than he had imagined, continuing from eight o’clock until eleven. But once the priest began to explain the gospel, Yang Yi found it not so difficult to endure because the priest leading the service was quite interesting.

"Amen."

Accompanied by a chorus of voices, Yang Yi stood up with Brian and made the sign of the cross over his chest.

At last, it was coming to an end. The congregation began to leave the church, some chatting with the priest, while Brian sat back down, so Yang Yi sat down as well. He watched as people started leaving, until only he, Brian, and the priest at the altar were left in the church.

The priest was putting things away when Brian stood up and walked towards him.

Yang Yi hurried to follow, walking alongside Brian.

The priest paused in his task, and only as they drew near did Yang Yi get a clear view of the priest’s appearance.

The priest’s hair at his temples was slightly grizzled, and he looked kind and compassionate with a face that wore a friendly smile, appearing to be a middle-aged man in his fifties who seemed very benevolent at first glance.

Brian approached the priest who stood up straight and said, "Hello, my brother, may the Lord bless you. Is there something you need?"

Brian slightly lifted his head and then, looking at the priest, said in a grave voice, "Hello, Paul, you really became a priest, and at this very church too."

The priest’s expression briefly stiffened, and his eyes locked onto Brian’s face. But quickly, he nodded and then smiled, "It’s you."

Brian nodded, "It’s me."

The priest closed the Bible, then glanced at Yang Yi. After making a gesture of invitation, he descended from the altar and said in a deep voice, "Please follow me."