"Evil must be met with decisiveness. There's only one right way to handle malevolence—destroy it outright. Hesitation can risk everything, so it's best to end threats quickly, or at least cripple them before engaging in dialogue."
"There's no need to reason with malevolent entities, just as good cannot coexist with evil. When your kindness and goodwill overflow, but the other only has thoughts of devouring or killing you, dialogue is worthless."
While Josh was still bewildered, Eileen looked down at the first floor filled with holy light, her expression unusually calm.
Having spent much time with her bishop, she was inevitably influenced by him, and he often imparted lessons like the ones she just recited.
So, when she sensed something on the first floor, her only thought was to destroy it to prevent further trouble.
Thinking this, Eileen glanced at Josh, who was still dazed.
Safety was paramount, especially with Mr. Josh present.
"What just happened, Sister Eileen?" Josh came to his senses and looked at the nun, whose pretty face and slight frame belied the ferocity he'd just witnessed. He couldn't help but gulp.
"I sensed something filthy downstairs," Eileen explained calmly.
"So I eliminated it immediately to avoid further complications."
Josh was stunned, only managing to nod numbly.
Seeing Josh's reaction, Eileen remained unfazed. She scanned the house and then said, "Let's keep looking, Mr. Josh. I believe the appearance of those filthy things downstairs wasn't random but a sign."
Eileen looked toward the end of the hallway and continued, "Perhaps the powerful spirit is tempting us to follow a path it has set, so we should consider going the opposite way."
Hearing this, Josh's brow twitched as he pondered her words. He followed her gaze and murmured, "I remember there's an attic above. When I was scared as a child, I would hide there for hours."
Eileen blinked and was the first to move.
"Let's go then, Mr. Josh."
Josh took a deep breath and silently followed beside Sister Eileen.
They walked down the hallway to a staircase and paused as they faced the ominously dim ascend.
Eileen conjured a flashlight that surprised Josh.
"Everything comes from the mind," Eileen said offhandedly, becoming accustomed to her powers.
Moreover, the black mists couldn't obscure her vision anymore.
This ability to sense her surroundings gave her a peculiar feeling.
As the bishop had said, sometimes you don't need to use your eyes to see, but rather, use your feelings and experiences.
Josh's eyelids twitched; he was trying to imagine other objects, but nothing appeared.
This nun, looking like a college student, seemed to conjure things effortlessly.
Eileen didn't pay attention to his struggle and continued up the stairs toward the attic.
Josh hurried after her.
They reached the top floor and indeed found something—an attic larger than it should be under the influence of the world of the deceased, with dimensions unlike those in the real world.
Ahead was a door, blood-red as if painted with fresh blood.
Such a door couldn't possibly exist in the real-world version of the house.
Josh could only assume that this house was a facade, but looking at the blood-red door, he suddenly remembered something.
"Sister Eileen, I've seen this door before."
Eileen looked over.
"Dalton once drew a similar picture, with a red door appearing against a black background."
"Mr. Josh, it seems we've found the source," Eileen said. "If Dalton has drawn this door, then it must be a place he has been."
Saying this, Eileen transformed the crucifix in her hand into a revolver, held it in both hands, and aimed at the red door.
"There's someone blocking our path."
Josh was puzzled.
But then, a man wearing a black jacket with a face full of stitched scars suddenly burst out, snarling as he charged at them.
His speed was so fast that Josh couldn't see the ghost's figure clearly.
But to Eileen, whose eyes glinted with a faint golden light, the speed gradually slowed down.
Then, with a loud bang.
Eileen pulled the trigger, and a white bullet burst from the barrel, striking the ghost directly, causing his soul to scatter into a mist.
"Let's go."
Easily dispatching the ghost, Eileen led the way forward and personally opened the door.
A long corridor lined with red candles appeared before them.
The atmosphere was entirely different from the outside environment, carrying a sinister and evil aura.
"Sister Eileen?" Josh couldn't help but feel a surge of fear at the sight.
"It's okay."
Hearing the nun's response, Josh suddenly saw the usually silent and expressionless nun smile.
"Because the bishop is here."
Josh blinked, rubbed his eyes, and looked forward.
A broad figure indeed suddenly appeared
before him.
"Hard work, Eileen. How was the journey here?" The familiar voice made Josh's eyes widen; it was indeed the young bishop's voice.
"Very simple, Bishop," Eileen quietly replied, as if recalling the journey.
"Heh."
The bishop, who had been watching all along, smiled slightly, pleased.
Among many clergy, Sister Eileen was indeed outstanding. Some clergy members occasionally overflow with misplaced kindness.
But along the way, Eileen truly embodied being ruthless and taciturn; encountering filth, she simply acted.
"Well done. From here, I'll take over," the bishop said lightly.
"I've seen that guy."
In the bishop's eyes, nothing could hide. His gaze pierced through the eerie corridor, reaching a theater-like hall.
It was like a real opera stage.
And he saw a child's spirit chained.
On the outskirts was a throne with a dark figure with a red face sitting on it.
But now it seemed ready to retreat as if facing a great enemy.
"Yes, Bishop."
Eileen, looking entirely unlike the fierce fighter she had been along the way, nodded obediently.
"It seems to want to run," the bishop smiled, unconcerned as a layer of holy light appeared around him.
This made Josh realize that the young bishop hadn't done anything yet, but the eerie corridor began to slowly turn ethereal.
Like the red candles above, melted by the intense flames.
What Josh didn't know was that when the bishop appeared, the numerous lurking spirits were retreating fast from the scene.
Including the seemingly powerful red-faced spirit, which now seemed restrained by something, unable to move. If it tried to escape the boundary, it would burn.
The bishop turned back to Josh with a smile, then calmly said to Eileen, "I'll teach you one more thing. No matter how absurd the tool or weapon that only appears on TV, you can create it. It all comes down to imagination, which is a manifestation of your power. Don't be constrained by common sense, rules, or data."
Saying this, the bishop didn't wait for Eileen's realization.
Beside him appeared a new, somewhat out-of-place object in the world of the deceased.
It was a bronze-colored, several meters long cast iron cannon barrel, robust in appearance with a dragon engraved on it.
This exquisite cannon barrel, housed in a sturdy wooden frame with glowing metal and two wheels on the side, looked somewhat out of place.
"This is..."
Josh, a teacher by profession, was dumbfounded, rubbing his eyes again to confirm the presence of this enormous cannon, resembling a car, then gasped.
If he wasn't mistaken, this kind of cannon, only seen in historical artifacts or museums, was a 16th-century creation from England.
"Amusing, isn't it?" the bishop said, patting the cannon known in China as the "Red Barbarian cannon," and smiled.
"Eileen, what do you think?"
Eileen nodded, "I think I understand, Bishop. Everything is a manifestation of our power. We shouldn't be constrained by the objects themselves. If possible, next time I'll manifest a helicopter."
"Haha, good that you understand," the bishop slapped the Red Barbarian cannon again, focusing on the red-faced spirit, which was now roaring towards him, unable to leave its holy cage.
"Then we should head back."
Under his calm voice, white light quickly gathered at the cannon's muzzle.
The next second.
A deafening sound erupted.
Bright light burst from the muzzle, like bright stars descending on the world of the deceased.
As the cannon fired a beam twenty meters in diameter, expressing its presence with a roar, the gloomy and dark space was instantly illuminated, filled with warmth.
The light displayed a splendid spectrum of colors, changing from white to soft pink, blue, and then to fiery gold, directly forming a magnificent spectrum.
Josh was stunned; this display of power, unlike the nun's, made him finally understand the difference between the two.
As the dark world of the deceased brightened, the house also melted away in an instant.
He stared, speechless, at the broad figure standing with hands clasped behind, unable to speak.
Beside him, Eileen reached out to catch a white feather falling from the sky, her smile radiant.
A roar of terror rose, but under the piercing, rapid beam that could tear through the sky, forming visible cracks in the air, it vanished in the next second.
And the beam continued to extend forward, destroying everything in its path, countless energy arcs sparkling around it, forming a massive energy explosion that kept the surrounding black mist at bay.
Even distant spirits couldn't escape, burned to ashes by the aftermath.
"Bishop York, Your Excellency," Josh's voice rose nervously, unintentionally adding honorifics.
"Dalton..."
"He's fine," the bishop said with a gentle smile.
"Don't worry about the cannon; it looks like it destroys everything, but I
control it. I can ensure it doesn't harm anyone I choose not to."
Saying this, the bishop shook his head, patted the Red Barbarian cannon, allowing it to slowly vanish, and muttered softly.
"I seem to have forgotten something."
Tilting his head, the bishop suddenly remembered the task of stuffing a few spirits into the mysterious toy house, then looked around at the scene entirely manifested by holy power, and his mouth twitched.
"Never mind."
Then he pointed ahead, only a few meters away, to the child, telling Josh, "Your son is here."
At that moment, Josh finally noticed Dalton, staring with innocent eyes at everything.
"Dalton!"
Josh called out, rushing over.
Because of his call, Dalton instinctively looked up, seeing his father, and his confused little face immediately burst into a joyful smile.
"Daddy!"
Dalton ran towards him.
Father and son embraced tightly, crying with joy.
Such a scene could touch anyone's emotions. Seeing the bishop standing silently, Eileen quietly stepped forward to stand beside her mentor.
"Very good," the bishop said with a smile.
"Yes, Bishop," Eileen replied. "I also like seeing this kind of scene."
"Heh," the bishop's mouth curved up, scanning the world of the deceased, then said, "Now that the evil spirit has been eliminated and the child found, let's go back."
"Yes," Eileen bowed slightly.
With a snap, their figures vanished. At that moment, Josh felt dizzy, startled, trying to hold onto his son.
But as his head spun, a voice reached his ears, prompting him to instinctively open his eyes.
Upon opening his eyes, he found himself back.
The sounds of commotion and crying that rose before him made him look over.
His wife and mother were already embracing a waking Dalton.
"My goodness, you had me so worried!" Riley clutched Dalton tightly, her voice trembling but filled with joy.
"Mom, you're holding me too tight; I can't breathe," Dalton said.
"Oh, sorry," Riley, belatedly realizing, became flustered again.
Seeing this, Josh couldn't help but smile, then looked around.
The young bishop he had begun to respect and appreciate, the nun, and even the beautiful woman had disappeared.
Only Elis and her assistant stood behind, smiling as they watched.
"Bishop York has already left," Elis said with a gentle smile, seeming to know what he was thinking.
"Lorraine and the others are seeing him off. If you want to express your gratitude, there's still time."
Josh nodded, quickly got up, and rushed past Elis and others towards the doorway, heading down to the first floor.
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Riley and her son embraced each other, crying tears of joy.
Kris and Tuck exchanged glances, both looking towards the elderly woman standing quietly in front of them, merely smiling as she watched.
"Ellis, aren't you going over?" Kris whispered.
As Ellis's assistant, he knew how much she valued being a non-staff member of the church and admired that young bishop.
That bishop, whose reputation had already spread within the industry during his priesthood, was someone Ellis had seriously introduced to them when they were new.
"I'm not going." Ellis seemed to sense Kris's thoughts, recalling past events with a smile.
Ellis remembered the bishop's instruction to take his written proof to any church for registration. She instinctively picked up the certificate that the bishop had casually written and her eyes filled with a touch of envy.
"But, I really do envy the Warrens a bit, being able to connect with the bishop like that. Who wouldn't want to connect with him?"
Kris and Tuck looked at each other, puzzled.
...
Outside the house.
"Bishop York, what are your plans recently?"
York stood at the courtyard gate with the Warren couple.
Rolin said, "If possible, I would like to take Judy to visit you."
York, watching Hannah and Eileen talking while moving the mysterious toy house back into the car trunk, raised an eyebrow.
He remembered baptizing Judy, the daughter of the Warrens, among the children he had baptized during his priesthood.
Thus, York glanced at Ed next to him.
Caught off guard, Ed coughed awkwardly, admitting that indeed, he was planning just that.
"I suppose I'll be staying at Pluto Church for a while," York said calmly.
He had resolved the imminent rift that was about to erupt.
Now, except for some fluctuations in Japan, everything else was calm, stable, and unaffected.
"If you have time, bring Judy over. I haven't seen the child for a long time," York said.
Ed and Rolin smiled.
"Bishop York, you might not know this," Ed said proudly.
York looked at him curiously.
"Judy recently won first place in a violin competition." Ed's face beamed with pride for his child.
"She keeps talking about showing you the award, but unfortunately, we haven't been able to find you for the past year."
With that, Ed actually pulled out a photograph from his pocket, which had been there for who knows how long.
"Bishop, look, Judy has grown so much."
"Heh," York chuckled, not pointing out Ed's thoughts, and took the photo.
He still remembered Judy well, being one of the four children he had baptized.
After all, it is common for a priest who baptizes a child to become the child's godfather.
So, these four children really should call him godfather.
Of course, they were just nominal relationships, not as solid as the relationship between Archibald and Gabriel, who had entered the chamber.
Gabriel had baptized Archibald and had taken on the responsibility of overseeing his religious education.
At that time, Gabriel had ensured Archibald's safety and success in his final priesthood exam.
Now, it seemed Gabriel had other motives, like tying Archibald to him. If Archibald faced difficulties later, with Gabriel's connection, it would be hard for him to refuse.
This is the exchange of favors in society, not just about fighting and violence, but about the exchange of human emotions.
And him...
Well, better left unsaid.
York shook his head for the first time, feeling embarrassed by his own laziness.
Collecting his thoughts, he looked back at the photo of the Warren family, his eyes softening.
Ignoring the beaming Rolin and Ed, York looked at the girl standing between them, holding a trophy, her shy smile suggesting bashfulness.
"She's grown so much," York remarked.
"Judy seems to have shot up even more since then."
Rolin responded with a smile, "Bishop, children grow up so fast, it feels like they change every day."
"Indeed." York looked at Judy again before returning the photo to Ed.
"Bring her over when you have time. I'll be at Pluto Church waiting for you, I happen to be free lately."
Ed and Rolin exchanged a glance.
"Okay, Bishop."
"Well, I'm off."
Though as he said that, York added, "Of course, if there's a difficult paranormal event, you can also tell me about it,"
Watching Hannah wave, he walked towards the pickup truck.
"Although I'm not supposed to intervene now, Sister Eileen is free anyway, and I even have a new monk who is idle."
With that, he left the Warrens puzzled.
"Bishop York is still as righteous as ever," Ed watched York's broad back recede, both impressed and admiring.
"He hasn't changed at all."
Rolin smiled in agreement, "If Bishop York changed,
then he wouldn't be Bishop York."
Ed chuckled at the double meaning.
Just then, a shout came from behind.
"Wait... wait! Bishop York!"
Turning around, the Warrens saw Josh running out of the house, his expression anxious.
Understanding Josh's intent, they turned back to see that the truck had already started moving away.
Josh, seeing this, was distressed, but by the time he reached the Warrens, the truck had gone too far.
To stop it now would be unnecessary and somewhat impolite.
"Mr. Josh, if you're really grateful, you might as well shout now. Bishop York can probably still hear you," Ed said, unable to bear seeing him so troubled.
Josh paused, then shouted.
"Bishop York, thank you for helping our family! Thank you!"
His voice carried on the wind.
Still responsible for driving, York's mouth curved into a small smile.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Hannah turned to look at York, sensing his happy mood.
She thought seriously and said, "Father, it seems quite nice to be thanked by people, doesn't it?"
York laughed, "Of course, it's nice. If possible, I'd hope you'd come out of your room and experience the real world, not just stay online collecting paranormal events for me."
Hannah remained silent, not responding.
York shook his head, knowing her well. If Hannah took action, she might be even more formidable than the experienced Ellis.
She had all the protections he had given her: the cross, and even the talismans and magical circles he had tried making. Thus, even if she encountered a powerful evil spirit, she could at least ensure her own safety.
Moreover, her skills with firearms might even surpass those of Eileen, especially in modifying weapons and bullets.
"I don't care, I just want to stay by your side now," Hannah suddenly burst out.
"Unless you give me that toy house that can seal evil spirits."
"You wish," York retorted.
"Give me back the sculpted hand first."
York glanced at the sculpted hand Hannah was holding, somewhat helpless.
"It does have a spirit-calling effect, but it could attract powerful beings. Don't mess up and make me clean up after you."
"Don't worry, I'm not a novice, and I still value my hard-earned life," Hannah retorted, then her eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Did you bring this sculpted hand to catch some evil spirits to put in the toy house?"
As these words echoed in the car, Eileen was struck by a thought.
"What? You need help?" York didn't hide his intentions.
It was all a bit different from what he had expected.
With him there, even if it wasn't him but someone else using the sculpted hand for spirit communication, no evil spirits came out to talk.
This puzzled him; perhaps the evil spirits could sense his presence, or maybe the sculpted hand itself had a protective effect.
"Can I try it alone?" Hannah asked.
"I've noticed that spirit communication seems to fail with you around."
York pursed his lips, thought seriously, and finally said only one thing.
"Be careful."
"Yay!" With approval, Hannah cheered, her excitement evident as she flapped her thighs.
"Father, I'll catch a few more evil spirits for you."
"You just want to watch a battle of evil spirits, don't you?" York laughed.
"You really think I don't know what you're up to?"
"Humph," Hannah didn't respond, just picked up the sculpted hand to examine it.
...
Stanford City.
A 24-hour convenience store.
A taxi slowly arrived and finally stopped.
After a while, Hillery got out and paid the driver.
He looked different from before.
Now, Hillery was dressed in very simple clothes.
But the clothes' configuration and the style that indicated his identity were clear.
He was a church clergyman.
"Goodbye, Monk Hillery," the taxi driver called out, waving.
"Goodbye, Hunter," Hillery smiled, watching the taxi that had brought him leave.
This driver, named Hunter, was a devout believer who often took his children to church for worship.
When he recognized the message conveyed by Hillery's clothes, he thought about giving him a free ride.
"How could I let you give me a free ride," Hillery chuckled. "I am a monk under Bishop York."
After saying this, Hillery looked up at the convenience store in front of him.
A year had passed, and the convenience store had not changed at all.
Every plant and tree remained the same.
Whether it was because he was home or because he was about to see his father, Old Mike, a smile hung high on his face.
"I'm back," Hillery said softly to the sign marked [Maxi Convenience Store] before slowly walking towards the store.
As he reached the door, a familiar voice greeted him.
"Welcome."
Hillery's smile did not
fade as he looked towards the cashier.
Standing there was a real church monk, a dark-skinned, strong-looking man who added, "Welcome back, Hillery."
Hillery approached the counter and said with a smile.
"Todd, nothing's changed, right?"
"Nothing's changed," Todd replied, glancing at Hillery's attire.
"I'm still not used to seeing you like this."
Hillery laughed, even happier.
"Todd, you're not jealous of me, are you?"
This dark-skinned man was none other than Old Mike's personal monk, Todd, who chose to stay with Old Mike when he retired, working as a real convenience store cashier at Maxi Convenience Store.
"What do you think?" Todd's expression remained unchanged as he scrutinized Hillery's clothes again before adding.
"You're not by Bishop York's side to protect him; what brings you back this time?"
"I haven't seen you in a year, Todd, and you're still so cold," Hillery shrugged.
"Can't it just be that I wanted to come back? To see all of you?"
Todd didn't respond, just frowned, his gaze sharpening.
As a former personal monk, he had always taken pride in his monk's identity, strictly adhering to a monk's duties, so he was somewhat displeased with Hillery's unilateral actions.
This was clearly evident to Hillery, who immediately surrendered, saying helplessly.
"I've changed, Todd. You can't look at me with the same disdain you had for trash."
With that, Hillery protested.
"This is a vacation that Bishop York gave me to come back and see you all."
Todd was taken aback, realizing he had misunderstood Hillery. His gaze shifted away from Hillery's, slightly embarrassed.
"See, you've always been like this, silent about anything not in your favor," Hillery spread his hands, grabbing a chocolate bar from beside the cashier.
"I'll take this as your apology. You can't charge me for it. If you charge, it should be your money, even if you complain to the old man, I still have a point."
Saying this, Hillery unwrapped the chocolate as he walked toward the wall-mounted cashier.
"Besides, the bishop didn't just give me a vacation to come back and see you, he also asked me to bring a message to my old man."
After saying this, Hillery popped the chocolate into his mouth, then said.
"Todd, open the door for me."
Hearing this, Todd inside the cashier finally acted, silently pressing the switch to open the hidden door on the keyboard.
The wall immediately split and retracted to reveal an elevator.
Hillery stepped in nonchalantly.
But before the door closed, he heard Todd's voice.
"I apologize, Hillery. I'll pay for the chocolate."
Hillery smiled and replied.
"Thank you."
As his words fell, the elevator doors closed, cutting off both sides, then swiftly descended...
___________________
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