Zhang Fang shook off his hand and excitedly said, “Last night, I had a dream, a dream of hell on earth, where corpses were strewn everywhere. A god descended from the sky, and he appeared in this very posture!”
As he spoke, Zhang Fang stepped forward and grasped Father Hubert’s pendant.
Father Hubert: !!!
“Child! It is my Lord who has entered your dream to save you!” He exclaimed, embracing Zhang Fang with excitement.
Zhang Fang looked infatuated, gently stroking the pendant. It seemed as if he hadn’t heard Father Hubert’s words, muttering to himself, “This god said my country is about to turn into hell and will grant me the strength to save all beings.”
Father Hubert: !!!
“Child! You are the lucky one in this world! You have been chosen by my Lord! My Lord will grant you strength to accomplish what you want to do!” Father Hubert released Zhang Fang and reverently clasped his hands together in front of his chest.
Manager Wei stared at them in disbelief, thinking that this place indeed had a dark aura about it! Look! Ever since Young Master entered, he seemed possessed!
He reached out to pull Zhang Fang away, intending to rescue him.
Father Hubert would not let Zhang Fang leave and immediately blocked their way, politely speaking to Manager Wei, “Sir, please release him! This child is a warrior chosen by my Lord! My Lord will grant him the strength to save all beings!”
Zhang Fang touched his head, speaking to himself, “Going west? No, I haven’t been there…”
Seeing Zhang Fang in such a dazed state, Manager Wei quickly shook him vigorously, shouting, “Young Master! Wake up!”
“This child is receiving guidance from my Lord! Sir, please calm down! Do not disturb my Lord’s guidance!” Father Hubert would not allow Zhang Fang to be disturbed at this moment, calling people over to pull Manager Wei away.
“What nonsense! Let go of me! Let go of my young master! Where are you taking him!” Seeing Zhang Fang in a daze being taken away by Father Hubert, Manager Wei struggled angrily.
“Sir, please calm down! We will not harm that child!” Two young men attempted to restrain Manager Wei.
Manager Wei would not trust them. In his view, foreigners were all wicked! They had ill intentions! Now he just wanted to save Zhang Fang!
Zhang Fang was taken to the statue by Father Hubert, his whole body trembling as if electrified, in a muddled state. He timidly said, “No, I can’t…”
Father Hubert looked seriously at Zhang Fang, feeling quite anxious.
“Is it really true? Can I really do this?” Zhang Fang gazed at the statue, his eyes seeming to see light, filled with hope.
“Then, I’ll give it a try. Thank you!” Zhang Fang quickly made a gesture, crossing his hands over his chest. This gesture was exactly the same as the one Father Hubert had just made.
Father Hubert took a deep breath; although he wanted to question this young boy eagerly, he restrained himself.
Zhang Fang’s expression shifted from a dazed look to clarity, blankly looking around and curiously asking Father Hubert, “Who are you?”
Father Hubert excitedly introduced himself, “Child, I am the priest here.”
“Priest? What does that mean?” Zhang Fang asked, curiosity etched on his face.
Father Hubert began explaining the church’s situation to him. After a lengthy explanation, he finally asked Zhang Fang, “Child, you are the hero chosen by my Lord! My Lord will grant you strength! What do you want to do?”
Zhang Fang furrowed his brow, touching his head, and whispered, “What’s happening to me? First, I had that strange dream last night. Then, I suddenly became uncontrollable…”
Father Hubert feared he wouldn’t believe him and quickly explained, “This is my Lord guiding you! You said you dreamt of hell on earth and corpses everywhere. My Lord appeared to grant you strength! And you mentioned going west!”
Zhang Fang’s face showed a strange expression, staring at Father Hubert with skepticism, then he looked around the church.
He turned to leave, but Father Hubert stopped him.
“Child, you will become the hero who saves all beings! My Lord will grant you strength, and I will do my utmost to help you accomplish your goals!”
Zhang Fang looked at Father Hubert as if he were a monster, questioning him, “Did you put some curse on me?”
Father Hubert felt anxious, not knowing how to explain to the young man. He could only grab Zhang Fang’s hand, trying to keep him there.
“What are you doing! Why are you holding me captive!” Zhang Fang struggled with him.
They pulled at each other for a while until Zhang Fang suddenly closed his eyes and fainted. Father Hubert caught him immediately.
“It must be the Lord who wants him to stay!” Father Hubert thought with conviction, carrying Zhang Fang to the backyard to settle him down.
He laid Zhang Fang flat on a bed and covered him with a blanket, ready to see how Manager Wei was doing. Suddenly, he heard Zhang Fang, with his eyes closed, sit up halfway, murmuring, “Okay, I’m going west. I will complete the mission!”
After saying this, Zhang Fang lay back down, his eyes never opening.
Father Hubert held his breath, fearing to disturb Zhang Fang. He had already decided that he must take this young man west! To help him fulfill the mission entrusted by the Lord!
Zhang Fang slept deeply from morning until night. Father Hubert stayed by his side without leaving.
Seeing him wake up, Father Hubert nervously approached and greeted, “Child, you’re awake. Would you like to eat something?”
Zhang Fang touched his head, propping himself up, and asked with a puzzled expression, “Where is this?”
“Child, you were meant to leave, but you stayed behind with my Lord,” Father Hubert said gently.
Zhang Fang frowned and murmured, “This place is too strange. I must leave…”
Hearing this, Father Hubert hurriedly reached out to stop Zhang Fang from getting out of bed. Before they could touch, Zhang Fang suddenly fainted again.
Father Hubert respectfully made a gesture, murmuring, “Lord, I will take good care of this child!”
Zhang Fang and Manager Wei remained in the church for several days. At first, Zhang Fang did not believe Father Hubert’s words. However, after interacting with others in the church, Zhang Fang’s attitude toward Father Hubert changed.