Work Prophet
Chapter 293 - 51 Argument

Chapter 293: Chapter 51 Argument

Facing the Church’s number one enemy, Quintus at least didn’t fall too far behind in terms of momentum, even though he was alone, surrounded by the followers of Sabbath, his expression remained unchanged.

Li Yu nodded, "Mm, I just heard about some of your deeds as a Quintus Priest, and I learned that you are very good at preaching, especially in spreading the word among the common people. It seems you have come to Green Field on a personal request from High Priest Kerkwon."

"It has nothing to do with High Priest Kerkwon, I came on my own to scout the enemy." Quintus said without a hint of fear, "Now that you’ve found me, you can capture or kill me as you please."

"You misunderstood, Priest Quintus. I have not forbidden people from other sects to come and listen to the sermons this time."

Upon hearing this, Quintus was taken aback, "Then why are you looking for me?"

"Just like I said before, I’ve heard you’re very good at preaching, so I came to ask for your opinion. What do you think about the people who were on stage just now?"

"Pure nonsense!"

Since Li Yu had invited Quintus to give his opinion, he did not hold back, and blurted out these four words.

As if that wasn’t satisfying enough, Quintus added, "Forgive my bluntness, but those people on stage don’t seem like they’re preaching at all, more like actors from a theatre troupe, the kind that performs farces.

They lack the dignity of divine officers. It’s hard to believe that we were once defeated by such a group of clowns. If it weren’t for you and your sect constantly giving money to those villagers, you would never be a match for us."

"Are you sore about your loss?" Li Yu raised his eyebrows.

"Of course." Quintus said, "Prophet Merlin, you know it in your heart, too. If it wasn’t for those ugly tricks of yours, the Silver Moon Church would never be a match for the Double Rest Sect in a fair competition."

"Then what do you consider a fair competition?"

"It’s simple. Find a village, each side sends people, without the aid of any external objects. Whoever can convince those villagers to believe in the god they represent, that person is the better missionary."

"The better missionary, and then what?"

"What do you mean ’and then’?" Quintus frowned.

"So, you’ve proven you’re the better missionaries, but what have the people in that village gained?" Li Yu asked, "They still can’t fill their bellies, they still don’t have enough clothes to keep warm in winter, when they get sick they can only wait to die..."

"That’s a lie!" Quintus declared without hesitation, "That deacon named Anton is lying. The Church has always been helping the poor, sending them food and clothing every year, and priests also treat illnesses and save lives... It’s not as indifferent as he described."

"Really, then why are there still so many people who starve or freeze to death every year?" Li Yu asked back.

"We can’t save everyone." Quintus said, "The Church’s manpower and financial resources are limited." He then looked earnestly at the other commoners nearby, "The Church would like to distribute blankets and bread to everyone just like the Double Rest Sect, but there are too many followers of Pisya, well over a million people.

"We must give these things to other people who need them more..."

Quintus had forgotten his initial purpose for coming here, completely engrossed in the debate with Li Yu, he regained confidence in his own expertise.

Until he heard Li Yu say, "Those people your Church can’t save, we will save."

"That’s impossible." Quintus shook his head, "No sect can save everyone. The Silver Moon Church can’t do it, and the Double Rest Sect is even less likely. I know you have some money, obtained from slaying dragons, and earned from selling giant dragon blood, but it can’t be much."

"Despite such spending, it won’t last a few months, and even if it were tenfold, there would ultimately be a day when it would run out. Ensuring that no one goes hungry, that is the true lie."

"The only reason you think this way is that you know nothing of the divine power of the Sabbath," Li Yu said. "How about we make a bet?"

"Bet on what?" Quintus was very cautious.

"Let’s bet on whose believers live a happier and wealthier life. If the Silver Moon Sect truly cares about the people of this land rather than its own interests, there should be no reason to prevent the faithful from living better lives."

Upon hearing this, Quintus fell into silence. After a long while, he spoke again, "You know I cannot make this decision."

"That’s okay; you just have to admit that I am right."

"Is that all?" Quintus said in surprise. "I thought you would take this opportunity to demand conditions and have me join the Double Rest Sect as well."

"I never force anyone to join my sect. As I said, if there are others in the Silver Moon Sect who truly care about the people of this land like you do, you will naturally make the right choice when the time comes."

"Are you really that confident in yourself?!" Quintus didn’t know where Li Yu’s confidence came from.

"Isn’t that what a god is supposed to do, achieve what others cannot?"

Li Yu said, "Besides, those Sabbaths are not clowns. I admit the first Green Field open-mic missionary event wasn’t perfect, but that’s what reform is about. It always requires continuous trial and error. These are necessary early sacrifices."

Despite Li Yu’s words, Quintus still shook his head, "Even so, I don’t have high hopes for them."

"Is that so? Then let the results speak for themselves."

......

Because there were too many participants, the contest couldn’t be finished in one day, so Li Yu set the second round for two days later. By returning to Bratis then, he also gave the advancing competitors more time to prepare.

Unlike the first round, the second round would have a theme specified by Li Yu, around which contestants would preach.

This round would test more of the competitors’ understanding of the doctrines and their improvisational speaking ability.

Li Yu didn’t intentionally make it difficult by choosing obscure topics; he let the ten advancing contestants expound on why they encouraged believers to maintain a balanced diet.

What delighted Miss Rabbit the most was that Li Yu also affirmed the significant dietary value of carrots.

He even hinted that carrots would be heavily promoted among the followers of the Double Rest Sect in the future, which left Lady Pisya grinning from ear to ear.

But afterwards, she heard Li Yu admonishing her to eat more vegetables.

According to his knowledge, the nobles of the Bratis Continent ate bread and meat every day, generally lacking in vegetable intake. By modern standards, their diet was even less healthy than that of serfs.

Even when it came to bread, the nobles ate white bread while the serfs gnawed on whole grain.

However, Ireya did not realize that Li Yu was worried about her lack of vitamin intake; she thought she had been eating too much meat recently and that the excess fat on her lower belly had been noticed by Li Yu, which made her feel a bit guilty.