Hereafter.
The red-robed cardinal who spoke earlier frowned and asked, "Could it be that Zhang Wei believes in Satan? It's not impossible."
Hearing this, Matt's mouth twitched. If they continued to guess wildly, it would tarnish Mr. Zhang Wei's reputation. He quickly said, "Mr. Zhang Wei could not possibly believe in Satan. I can guarantee this. I have met Mr. Zhang Wei several times and even chatted with him. I have never felt any aversion to God from Mr. Zhang Wei. Danoch and Fry can testify to this."
"Furthermore, the power Mr. Zhang Wei uses is not the power of Satan, but the pure power of an Eastern ghost exorcist."
As soon as he said this,
"Then why can he ignore God's protection? It's truly miraculous."
The red-robed cardinals looked on with curiosity.
Regarding this,
Matt knew he had to provide some explanation, or it would be difficult to clarify. He quickly responded, "I think it might be because Mr. Zhang Wei is... a believer in the Jade Emperor. Ah, yes, a believer in the Jade Emperor. Mr. Zhang Wei really likes the Jade Emperor. He has mentioned the Jade Emperor to me many times, and has told me about him multiple times, to the point where I now understand the Jade Emperor very well."
"The Jade Emperor?"
"Yes, the Jade Emperor! He is the leader of the celestial beings in Great Xia, just like our great God. God is the Lord of the West, and the Jade Emperor is the Lord of the East. He is very powerful. Legend has it that he resides in the thirty-sixth heaven, where he established the Heavenly Court, which is similar to Heaven. Then he commands these hundred thousand heavenly soldiers and generals, as well as many other celestial beings..."
When mentioning the Jade Emperor,
Matt's chatter opened up. Even when facing the Pope and the red-robed cardinals, he couldn't stop talking, recounting information about the Jade Emperor as if he were listing treasures, speaking volubly.
On the other side,
The Pope and the others were stunned. As high-ranking officials of the Holy See, they naturally knew about other religions. The Jade Emperor, as one of the greatest myths of the East, was naturally something they had heard of, though not in as much detail as Matt.
When they heard Matt describe how the Jade Emperor attained Golden Immortal status after three thousand tribulations, and then attained the status of Jade Emperor after countless more tribulations, they were both surprised and amused.
Surprised by... the astonishing myth of the Jade Emperor, who had endured so many trials to become a great sage. This was no less impressive than God's experiences, and perhaps even surpassed them.
Amused by... how Matt, a mere priest, knew so much about the Jade Emperor.
After speaking for nearly twenty minutes,
Matt finally noticed the expressions of the Pope and the others, feeling a bit awkward. He could also discern their unspoken sentiments. He coughed awkwardly and said, "Cough, these were all told to me by Mr. Zhang Wei. Um, yes, that's how it is. That's why I think Mr. Zhang Wei believes in the Jade Emperor. So, is it possible that because Mr. Zhang Wei is powerful, he believes in the Jade Emperor?"
He looked at the Pope and the others, hesitated, and then spoke, "These 'Biblical stories' of the Jade Emperor, he should be as powerful as our great God. If so, believing in him, as a fellow divine lord, should be able to disregard the protection of God, who has fallen into the realm of the undead. Is that right?"
The Pope and the others nodded:
"Indeed."
"God is great and most powerful, but it cannot be denied that the deities of other religions also have powerful stories."
"So that's how it is. It turns out Zhang Wei is not a believer in our benevolent God."
One red-robed cardinal showed disappointment.
At this moment,
Another red-robed cardinal said, "Hey, although Mr. Zhang Wei believes in the Jade Emperor, and from what Matt said, the Jade Emperor is quite powerful, but everyone, God is the most powerful. I believe that as soon as Zhang Wei comes to the Vatican and witnesses God's greatness, and hears God's miraculous stories, he will surely follow God."
His words were met with nods from other red-robed cardinals:
"Yes! That's for sure!"
"I agree. I heard that Taoism and Buddhism in Great Xia are gradually declining, and modern people no longer like to worship them. But our great God's glory has always existed."
"I think so too. If Zhang Wei comes to the Vatican, he will surely understand how great a being God is and become a pursuer and believer of God with us."
"God will not mind embracing a heretic. He is benevolent and tolerant."
As they spoke,
Many red-robed cardinals became somewhat impatient:
"Quickly invite Zhang Wei here as soon as possible. While he is still young and doesn't understand the difference in power between the Jade Emperor and our great God, let him truly witness it."
At the same time,
Listening to the words of the red-robed cardinals, Matt did not interject. Firstly, he was just a grassroots priest and couldn't speak up. Secondly, and most importantly, he did not agree with their words.
Matt glanced at the red-robed cardinals present and muttered to himself... Yes, I thought the same way back then, and now I am a member of the Jade Emperor sect. Ah! May the Jade Emperor live as long as heaven!!
Afterward,
After further conversation with Matt.
When they learned from Matt about Zhang Wei's power, how he had grown to the Half-Step National Guardian level in a short period, and could refine National Guardian level artifacts, and that he had killed many Ghost Kings, even Half-Step National Guardian level monsters.
At this point,
Matt hesitated and, as if driven by an impulse, said, "Your Holiness the Pope, Your Eminences the Cardinals, you say, Zhang Wei is so powerful, could it be because he believes in the Jade Emperor?"
"Hmm?"
The Pope and the others were stunned. The next moment, they all shook their heads:
"How is that possible? It must be because Zhang Wei has extraordinary talent."
"Haha, Matt, you really know how to joke."
"Believing in God is what grants the greatest protection and radiance. Only under God's gospel can one be the most powerful. Your current strength is the best proof of this."
In their words,
The Pope and the others showed expectant gazes:
"It is truly a pity that such a talented young man does not embrace God's fold."
"I agree."
...
Subsequently,
Under the instructions of the Pope and the others, Matt accepted the task and prepared to set off the next day for the "Stealing Country" to invite Zhang Wei to the Vatican.
At this time,
Matt emerged from the Pope's room and returned to Danoch and the others.
Danoch and the others rushed forward to inquire about the situation. Upon learning that Zhang Wei was coming to the Vatican, Danoch and the others were stunned.
"Ah? Jade Emperor... no, Brother Zhang Wei is coming to the Vatican."
Danoch's mouth widened. Then, as if he had thought of something, he lowered his voice and said, "Speaking of which, do you think this is... another deity coming to visit God's home? The Jade Emperor coming to the West."
...