"Get up, get up!" the mountain of a man shouted enthusiastically at the two of them. Shortly after, he stepped out of the elevator and said to Han Shuo with a big warm smile, "Bryan, you have finally come. We have been waiting for this day for almost ten years!"
The big fat guy was extremely welcoming. Although this was the first time he had ever met Han Shuo, he acted as if he had known Han Shuo for ages. He did not show the standard reserve that one would normally show when meeting a stranger. This took Han Shuo by surprise.
Han Shuo reciprocated in kind. He also chuckled as he said, "I was hunted for a few years, and later fell into the Church of Light's despicable, treacherous trap, so I haven't had time until now. But hey, here I am!"
"Haha, youth indeed breeds heroism! Ever since the day I first sat in this position, I have wanted to finish those three old things of the Church of Light. However, I have been unable to accomplish this goal for several hundred years. But unexpectedly, in the short time of ten years or so, you have managed to fulfil our goal. I have no choice but to admit that I'm getting old! As he and his bright face stepped in front of Han Shuo, it was as if a huge fleshy mountain had shifted to block the scorching sun, leaving a huge shadow on the sand.
"Then our goals are the same," Han Shuo said happily.
"Of course! We are all on the same side. That has been true from the beginning!" the big fat man emphasised, explaining the position of both parties.
Han Shuo smiled and did not speak. He had never considered himself a member of the Calamity Church. However, the Calamity Church had long recognised him as one of their own for reasons related to the Skeleton Staff. Han Shuo was once again torn between laughter and tears.
"Come, let's go downstairs. Since this is your first visit to our headquarters, I'll have someone show you around. It's been a long journey to get here and you must be tired. Go and have a bath and rest. We can talk business later when you are more comfortable," the Pope of the Church of Calamity said as he led Han Shuo to the lift with a smile on his face. Then he raised his voice and instructed one of the people inside the elevator, "Belinda, you've had a chance to get acquainted with Bryan. I will leave this task to you. Serve Bryan well and attend to any needs he may have."
"Understood, Your Holiness!" the lady who had come to the surface with the big fat man replied respectfully.
Oval cheeks, a long, straight nose and small, rosy red lips. Beneath her slender, arching eyebrows were a pair of blue eyes as bright as sapphire. She had pale, white skin and a graceful, voluptuous figure - all the qualities a beauty should have. Unfortunately, the greenish-black birthmark on her left cheek was simply too conspicuous and detracted from her overall attractiveness. She was Belinda, the first member of the Church of Calamity that Han Shuo had met.
Han Shuo felt giggly in his heart to meet this alchemist again after so many years. He still remembered that when he first met Belinda, he had been deeply shocked by the golem she had produced, as well as many of the previous interactions he had had with her.
The Belinda now seemed to be in fear and awe when she faced Han Shuo. Back then, she had tried to kill Han Shuo and had been held captive by him for some time. But when they met again, Han Shuo had become a character she could not afford to offend. She was worried that Han Shuo might still hold a grudge against her and might take some form of revenge.
Standing next to Belinda was the dark grand magus Edwin. He looked at Han Shuo in an obviously sycophantic manner, bowed and said warmly, "Lord Bryan, Belinda and I will take your lordship on a tour and familiarise him with the headquarters."
Just like Belinda, Edwin was one of the first few experts of the Church of Calamity that Han Shuo crossed paths with. Back in Sunshine Valley, this dark grand magus went to great lengths to hunt down Han Shuo. He had once been cursed with malicious words by Han Shuo.
Han Shuo looked at the duo he had not seen for many years, nodded at them with a smile, and said, "Long time no see!"
"Long time indeed. Haha, I thought your lordship had forgotten about nonentities like us!" Edwin replied somewhat bitterly.
"How could I! You two are the first people I ever met from the Calamity Church. It is not so easy to forget something like that."
"Edwin, serve Bryan well. It is an honour for you. Do you understand?" the ghoulish old man, who cultivated in the elemental energy of darkness, instructed Edwin in a brooding tone. As he possessed demigod strength, his glare had given Edwin a good scare.
"Understood, Master!" Edwin replied hastily.
"Bryan, please come in. Make yourself at home. You always belonged here," after giving Edwin an intimidating reminder, the thin old man let out a hollow laugh, turned his body to the side respectfully and motioned for Han Shuo to enter the lift. Han Shuo took note of Edwin's master's reverent and respectful attitude towards him and stepped inside as he nodded smilingly.
With the Pope of the Church of Calamity accompanying him in person, Han Shuo and the group slowly descended into the underground headquarters via the lift. As he took in the surroundings with his eyes, he used his consciousness to sense the wondrous energies in the boundaries that surrounded the underground structure.
"This facility was first built a few hundred years ago. During the lowest point of our Church, we faced the onslaught of every country on the Profound Continent, led by the Church of Light. During that time, like a stray dog, we had to relocate from time to time. For lack of a better option, we finally settled here and have been underground ever since. Haha, but thanks to you, that is about to change. You, as Master of the Skeletal Staff, are the hope our Church needs," the Pope explained the brief history of this facility as they descended into the earth.
"The reputation and glory of the Church of Light has fallen catastrophically in recent days. Their hold on the Profound Continent is steadily deteriorating. Aside from that so-called 'Saintess' on their sacred mountain, they probably have no outstanding experts to deploy. I think it won't be long before they're finished," Han Shuo said calmly to the Pope. They looked like two old friends.
"Yes, all thanks to you!" The big fat man tactfully praised Han Shuo. As the Pope of the Church of Calamity, this Fatty was outstanding in his behaviour and dealings with people. He was very sophisticated in his speech. "You are welcome!" Han Shuo replied.
Han Shuo and the Pope chatted happily as the elevator they were in descended hundreds of metres. Eventually, it arrived in front of a majestic entrance to an underground palace.
Upon arrival, the big fat man stopped chatting with Han Shuo. He told him, "Alright, I'll have Belinda and Edwin take you around to familiarise you with this place. I'll inform the cardinals of your arrival. We can talk real business tomorrow, after you have rested properly."
"Sure!" Han Shuo nodded. He was indifferent to the arrangement.
Since Han Shuo's consciousness covered a wide area, he already had some idea of the size of the headquarters. Even the distribution of members within the facility was clear to him under the probe of his consciousness. Although he had not seen the compound with his own eyes, he felt as if he already knew this place.
When the Pope and the slightly built old man left, Wolf and Burt Zili followed. They probably wanted to tell the fat man about some of the things that had happened outside. Edwin and Belinda seemed rather reserved as all these people disappeared. Their glances towards Han Shuo were a bit anxious and panicked. They were nervous and seemed to be at a loss as to how to deal with Han Shuo.
In the past, the duo would not have been so uncomfortable in front of Han Shuo. But now, the gap in identity and status between them was simply too great. They had no choice but to be very cautious.
""This... Erm... Lord Bryan, where would you like to visit first?" Edwin said with a nervous smile as he looked at Han Shuo with complicated emotions in his eyes.
Han Shuo could easily tell that Edwin was in an awkward position and knew that Edwin was worried that he still held a grudge against him for what he had done back then. Belinda was the same. All this time, she hadn't even had the courage to look Han Shuo in the eye. Over the past few years, she had inevitably heard about Han Shuo's glorious achievements. She felt bitter as she watched Han Shuo take giant step after giant step towards the pinnacle of glory.
"Guys, do you really need to be so overcautious with me? After all, we could be considered acquaintances. The things you did back then weren't that serious. Besides, I never got hurt or lost a hair. What are you so afraid of?" Han Shuo asked with a smile.
Upon hearing Han Shuo's words, the two forced a smile on their faces. Edwin bowed respectfully to Han Shuo once again and said earnestly, "Lord Bryan, what each of us did before was indeed wrong. But when we later learned that your lordship is in possession of the Skeleton Staff, we no longer dared to have any intention of harming you. The Church of Light is our mortal enemy, and I had an immense blood debt to the Ferguson your lordship killed. I couldn't be more grateful to your Lordship for killing Ferguson, not to mention all those Church of Light experts you slaughtered. If your lordship wishes to pursue the matters we did then, we will have no objection.
"Yes, you are the hope of the Church, a figure that even His Holiness the Pope himself would welcome. We will not and could not oppose you. Just do whatever you want to do to us," Belinda said in a low voice, asking Han Shuo to mete out the punishment like a sheep waiting to be slaughtered.
Han Shuo couldn't help but burst out laughing. He shook his head and said smilingly, "I have long forgotten about such trivial matters. I didn't expect you to still be haunted by them, let alone so deeply. Be at ease. With my identity and strength now, how could I have troubled you both for something so trivial? You were worried for nothing!"
When they heard these words, their faces lit up. They carefully lifted their eyes to Han Shuo and noticed that Han Shuo didn't look like he was joking. They let out a sigh of relief before hastily expressing their gratitude. "Thank you, my lord. Thank you, my lord!"
"Let's go. I want to have a good look at this place. This is my first time in the Church of Calamity and I'm quite curious," Han Shuo said, smiling to soothe their nervousness.
All three of them knew that their attitudes towards each other had obviously changed due to their very different identities. The two who had acted arrogantly in front of Han Shuo now had shy smiles on their faces. They explained the circumstances of this place and did everything they could to avoid offending Han Shuo in any way.