Chapter 152: A New Faith

“Sir, they’ve arrived,” Beck interrupted Wu Qingsong and Ram’s discussion.

“Thank you, everyone. Please step out for a moment. I’ll explain everything in detail afterward,” Wu Qingsong directed. “Ram, Harold, please stay behind.”

Wu Qingsong’s objective was, naturally, soul fragments.

Although collecting dispersed soul fragments could meet the current requirements of the skeletons and zombies, most could be kept in a dormant state to minimize soul fire consumption. To prevent their bodies of the zombies from decaying, inherently required more soul fire than skeletons.

Should an opportunity arise to create even more formidable undead beings, the demand for soul fragments would undoubtedly increase. 

While Wu Qingsong wasn’t concerned about the backlash from purifying the residual memories and pain within these fragments, the process was far from pleasant. If possible, he sought a better method.

He couldn’t offer the rabbitfolk and mousefolk a lifestyle akin to that of the Batiz clan, but at the very least, he could free them from slavery, ensure their safety, and provide them with employment to support themselves and their families. Although significantly lacking compared to the Batiz people’s approach, this initiative would be revolutionary within the Elven Empire.

Beck quickly led the temple’s caretaker into the room, a middle-aged rabbitman, accompanied by a young rabbitwoman, both visibly terrified.

“Master, this is Morin, the priest from the temple, and her daughter, Alice. According to those guys’ confessions, she serves as a temple maid.”

It seemed that some intimidation was used to find them.

“You can go now,” Wu Qingsong then instructed him.

Ram glanced at Wu Qingsong, poured a cup of hot water for each rabbitperson, and spoke to them kindly, calming them down. 

She usually handled administrative tasks and interacted with these rabbitpeople more than Wu Qingsong and Harold. With her reassurance, they finally calmed down a bit. Having Ram’s assistance truly made things easier.

Wu Qingsong nodded to Ram, who smiled and returned to his side.

“I don’t plan to punish you,” Wu Qingsong said. “Beck must have misunderstood my instructions. I’ll have a word with him later.”

“We wouldn’t dare!” the middle-aged rabbit person quickly said. “Lord Tagraedi, feel free to ask anything. I’ll share everything I know.”

“Did you establish that temple?”

The rabbitman hesitated for a moment, “Yes, my Lord.”

“Who typically worships there? Just rabbitpeople, or do mousepeople also participate?”

Wu Qingsong began by addressing the simplest yet most pivotal question, swiftly unraveling that due to limited resources and capabilities, the rabbitfolk and mousefolk in his city were actually sharing a temple. The deity they worshiped was ambiguous. For rabbitfolk, it symbolized the spirit of rabbit ancestors, while mousefolk likewise believed it to be their ancestral spirit.

Given the close similarity in their doctrines and appearances, and some legends even suggesting that rabbitfolk and mousefolk shared a common ancestor, this arrangement had been operated in a somewhat blurred manner.

Wu Qingsong’s other concern was whether this was the deity they had always worshiped.

As expected, these rabbit and mouse people didn’t originate from the same village but were captured from various places and sold to Esola, meaning their ancestral spirits weren’t the same.

“We are all very thankful to you, my Lord. Being under the care of a master like you truly feels like a blessing from the gods,” the rabbit priest flattering said.

Since their current deity wasn’t originally their focus of worship and considering the relatively short duration of their belief, Wu Qingsong saw a great opportunity and possibility for them to convert to a completely new faith.

“I think you are doing a great job,” he said. “However, the temple is too small. I wish to donate a proper temple where you could serve as the priest, guiding people to devoutly dedicate themselves to the deity. What do you think?”

Morin trembled with excitement, “My lord… my lord, this is…”

He wondered if he was losing his mind. He had never heard of such a stroke of luck, and neither had anyone in his entire family lineage. Could it be that the spirits of his ancestors had finally heard his devout prayers and responded?

“There are conditions,” Wu Qingsong said, satisfied with his reaction, and continued.

“Please, my Lord, tell me.”

“You must no longer worship your previous gods but instead must devote yourselves to a new one, Xuanyuan,” Wu Qingsong lifted the character he had written earlier and placed it before Morin.

“Lord?” Morin was thoroughly perplexed.

“He is a compassionate god,” Wu Qingsong explained gently. “He treats all beastpeople with equality, fairness, and kindness. He is also a powerful deity, capable of protecting every beastman who believes in Him. To spread His glory, any beastman who worships Him will receive additional rewards and may even gain their freedom soon.”

“My Lord, that sounds wonderful… but…” Morin remained hesitant.

“You only need to decide if you are willing or not. I will explain His teachings to you later.”

“My Lord, I am willing,” Morin finally declared, steeling himself. 

So many beastmen had converted to the deities of the elves without suffering any repercussions. Although changing faith as a priest was significant, being a priest, Morin indeed knew more about divinity than the uninformed rabbitfolk and mousefolk. 

“I am willing to convert to the magnificent God Xuanyuan, to spread His teachings and glorify His name.”

‘He’s a wise man.’

Wu Qingsong nodded contentedly. 

“I’ll write a note for you shortly. You can collect some grain, fabric, and any necessary items. Just take whatever you need. I’ll quickly arrange everything for the temple, but as Xuanyuan’s priest, you should carry yourself with more dignity. You can start spreading His glory now.”

Morin left, expressing profound gratitude. Ram and Harold looked at Wu Qingsong, waiting for his explanation.

“I need souls that hold devout beliefs,” Wu Qingsong gave them a brief overview of the Kingdom of Batitz, then added, “I have some other plans, too, for an experiment among these rabbitpeople and mousepeople.”

“Is there really a god named Xuanyuan?” Ram asked.

“Yes, indeed. An ancient, powerful, benevolent, and wise deity,” Wu Qingsong replied.

“Just make sure you don’t overdo it,” Harold cautioned, as usual.

“I’ll have Morin keep the preaching within the rabbitpeople and mousepeople. There shouldn’t be any problems,” Wu Qingsong responded.

With a plethora of debts and secrets to conceal, this minor matter seemed negligible in comparison and not worth fretting over.