Baiyu naturally did not answer her question.
This involved all aspects of the Black Moon and many secretive matters, such as the Black Moon Divine Country, Kaz, and so on. There was no need to spread it and cause unnecessary trouble.
Baiyu’s mysterious demeanor made Jiang Xi even more interested.
Due to the influence of Extraordinary Abilities, she often teetered on the edge of losing control, but she was not afraid of losing control, so she was inherently interested in these strange gods, but unfortunately had few opportunities to interact with them.
The funeral ritual took a long time.
Baiyu did not wait for the ritual to end before Yuwen Ba informed him that someone wanted to see him.
To be personally notified by the prefect.
The status and position of the person coming were self-evident.
In the turbulent times of Linjiang, the Church of the God of Steam and Mechanics division suffered the greatest loss.
Tang Xiaoyu was seriously injured.
After entering the Divine Country with Baiyu, she directly got lost in the Black Moon Divine Country and was finally violently seized by Kaz to provide Blood Qi for summoning a Demon God Beast.
Like a human-shaped storage battery.
Of course, she was not the only one with such an outcome; Pang Fei, Qiong Jiu, and others also fell into the trap unexpectedly.
The reason why it is said that the Church of the God of Mechanics suffered the greatest loss.
Is that not only did priest Tang Xiaoyu have an accident, but an Extraordinary, Allen, who held a Simulation Realm and served as the church’s enforcer for many years, also died in this storm.
Allen was indeed a spy.
During the first conversation under Hades Prison, he vaguely detected that Kaz had a conspiracy, so he tried to use this to uproot the Abyssal Ascetic Association.
But things thereafter somewhat went beyond control.
Everyone was tied to the central stone pillar in the God Pool of the Black Moon Divine Country. He seized the opportunity, through an encounter with the Young Commandant, to approach the God Pool intending to resolve the crisis.
At that time, Kaz already suspected him.
So, he no longer disguised himself and pretended to help Kaz fend off the enemy, waiting for an opportunity in the blood pool.
But unexpectedly, it was later uncovered by Baiyu.
Life is always full of surprises.
Plans are like that too.
Allen’s plan could be said to have no major mistakes, yet he still died, perishing under the Demon God Beast summoned by Kaz, with the power of a Demon God, unshakable by ordinary people.
Thus, the entire Steam and Mechanical Church division in Linjiang, namely the Sinking Iron Church, was now terrifyingly empty.
The only combat capability to present was the priest Tang Xiaoyu.
And, she was still non-combat personnel.
Baiyu walked into the dark, somber church, gazing around; many people were praying and attending services, pleading for protection from the God of Steam and Mechanics.
He did not stop, passing through the main hall to a side hall.
Here, it was much more hidden.
Commonly, the side hall was not open to ordinary believers; only church members could enter. However, exceptionally devout believers could also enter, to receive private guidance from church priests.
"Baron, your piety has moved our Lord, and God shall bless you. As for your troubles, the Church of the God of Steam and Mechanics will help resolve them."
Baiyu, based on the information given by Yuwen Ba, entered the side hall.
He saw a middle-aged man in bright silver armor, with full silver hair, smiling kindly as he sent off a well-dressed, corpulent man.
A baron - the lowest aristocratic rank.
The noble titles of the East Prosperity Imperial ranked as duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron, inherited without alteration. Of course, these titles were merely honorary, indicating identity and status, not actual power within the empire.
Besides some nobles with real power, most noble ranks simply held status, reputation, and wealth without substantial influence.
These nobles had limited political sway, so they usually chose alternative paths to increase their power and defend their identity.
Such as financing the Bounty Hunter Association, establishing their bounty hunter squads.
Cultivating Martial Artists, Extraordinaries.
Marrying into noble families with real power.
Or aligning with the church, etc.
The current Baron evidently belonged to the latter group, affiliating with the church faction, after all, the church’s status was special. Although the Armed Department and the Anomaly Bureau harbored great hostility towards the church, they still struggled against it.
This was because the church was too powerful.
The Armed Department and the Anomaly Bureau were official organizations of the East Prosperity Imperial, while the church was a self-governing divine organization, thus one could not be too close.
Not just in the East Prosperity Imperial.
But in many other countries as well.
On one hand, the church was needed to stabilize people’s hearts, providing spiritual belief and pillars to the general populace, reducing the risk of their aberration, maintaining societal order and stability.
There was the concern that the church, using divine authority, would usurp royal power, infiltrate imperial high-levels, and undermine the unity and governance of the empire itself.
If one day the East Prosperity Imperial and the Church of the God of Steam and Mechanics were at war, where would those imperial citizens who were believers of the God of Steam and Mechanics go?
Though this possibility was low.
But as high-levels of the empire, these issues needed consideration.
Baiyu sat down to the side, finding Yuwen Ba, An Ruyi, and Lin Qingsong also present.
The silver-haired man’s tone was cordial as he turned around, smiling.
Baiyu felt a moment of daze.
At the moment the man turned, Baiyu seemed to see a grand, magnificent silver-white road behind him, brimming with flowers, a gentle breeze blowing, and silver sunlight scattered on the ground.
His spirituality issued a warning, pulling Baiyu back from that state.
A High Sequence Extraordinary!
"This is from the Steam and Mechanical Church, from the Eternal Sanctuary headquarters personally handling this matter, one of the Three Holy Swords, the Silver Blade, August Cavendish, Chief Judge."
Yuwen Ba introduced Baiyu.
The Maple Leaf County was the stronghold of the God of Steam and Mechanics, with the Eternal Sanctuary located in Zenith City.
August, due to carrying special Sealing Objects, dared to come alone to Linjiang City, so his speed was very slow, taking several days to arrive.
"Just call me August." August’s voice was very affable, devoid of any airs: "Baiyu, I’ve already gone through the situation earlier.
Although still a student, you’ve already shown the demeanor of a true strong person.
I’m here, personally representing the church to thank you, and an acquaintance asked me to personally grant you the imperial honor. Originally, this matter should have been done by Prefect Yuwen."
Augustus smiled slightly, taking a delicate wooden box from the side.
Baiyu was pondering about some reward.
The result was a medal lying quietly inside, a document, a seal, and a sealed letter.
Baiyu accepted it with confusion.
Augustus smiled: "The empire has decided to grant you the title of baron."