God's Gift

"Everyone, are you willing to hear the teachings of God?"

Cacilius still wore his kindly expression. If not for the pile of gang leaders sprawled before him, the atmosphere might even have felt a little holy.

A few pretty words couldn't change Hell's Kitchen, but a bigger fist just might.

And now, at least, these gang leaders were willing to listen to the teachings of the Great Father.

"Reverend, please explain the Great Father's doctrine to us. We'd be glad to learn about it."

Murphy struggled to his feet and ingratiatingly flattered Cacilius, his face full of fawning smiles. The other gang leaders did the same.

They had no choice. This reverend was freaking terrifying. He'd waved a hand, and they'd all gone down at once, without the slightest ability to fight back.

They might be gangsters, but no one who rose to prominence in the underworld was a fool. After witnessing such immense power, how could they dare resist?

Whatever he said today was right!

"Mr. Murphy, thank you for your understanding and acceptance," Cacilius replied with a smile, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

He slowly walked to the center of the meeting room, then abruptly changed his tone. "But the Great Father despises drug pushers above all. And He despises those who make them even more. You are unworthy of entering the Great Father's kingdom!"

Cacilius's words were like blades of ice, instantly slicing through the warmth and harmony in the room.

His gaze turned sharp and cold. The gang leaders who had still been harboring a shred of hope turned as pale as paper at the words "drug pushers."

"How many of you have the blood of innocents on your hands? How many have pushed others into the abyss for money and profit?"

Cacilius's voice was low and powerful. Every word struck at their hearts like a heavy hammer.

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on the gang leaders involved in selling drugs.

Their eyes began to dart about. Some looked terrified, some despairing, and others tried to hide their panic behind fawning smiles.

As for fighting back, they wanted to—but they couldn't even stand. How were they supposed to resist?

"The Great Father is merciful, but His mercy has its limits. For those who have utterly forsaken their humanity and endangered society, His wrath will be as unstoppable as a raging fire."

As Cacilius spoke, he slowly raised both hands. Dazzling light began gathering in his palms.

"Today, I will judge you in the name of the Great Father!" With a furious shout, beams of light shot out like lightning, striking the gang leaders who sold drugs.

They didn't even have time to scream before the powerful magic tore them to pieces. They vanished into the air as wisps of black smoke.

The meeting room fell into deathly silence. Only Cacilius's cold, resolute voice echoed through it. "Remember, wherever you are and however powerful you may be, if you defy the Great Father's teachings, you will face the punishment you deserve."

After the execution, more than half the gang leaders in the room were gone. The drug pushers, Murphy among them, had met a gruesome end.

The profits from selling drugs were so high that they couldn't help being tempted. After all, they couldn't get involved in other lucrative businesses, like avocados.

But Xia Ling didn't approve of any of this. No matter what excuse they had, once they sold drugs, there was nothing more to say. They could just go and die.

Among the surviving gang leaders, hot-tempered Jack and the seasoned Aiden were still alive. There weren't many survivors, but, unexpectedly, there was still a market for the Golden Spirit.

At the very least, some of them still had a bottom line.

After the slaughter, the surviving gang leaders looked at one another, shocked and afraid, yet also feeling an indescribable sense of relief.

"Reverend, we... we're willing to change our ways." Jack, the hot-tempered gang leader, was the first to break the silence. His voice trembled, but he sounded resolute. "We're willing to give up those filthy businesses and find a new path."

Aiden, the seasoned and thoughtful man, slowly nodded in agreement. "Yes. Since the Great Father has given us a chance to start over, we should cherish it. The darkness in Hell's Kitchen can't go on. We need to change."

Hearing this, a hint of approval flashed in Cacilius's eyes.

Now that these gang leaders had been dealt with, there would be far fewer obstacles to preaching in Hell's Kitchen.

As for Kingpin, Cacilius didn't plan to make a move against him for now.

After all, Kingpin wasn't merely a gang leader. Unlike these dregs of society, his death wouldn't be without consequences.

Kingpin's real name was Wilson Grant Fisk. He was an extremely successful businessman who carefully invested his illegal earnings in legitimate companies, building a vast business empire and gaining enormous influence in society.

Making a move against him now would draw far too much attention.

"If you truly repent, the Merciful Father will naturally forgive your sins."

Cacilius's voice grew much gentler. He continued, "Since I've shown you the Great Father's severity, it's time to show you His mercy as well."

Jack and Aiden exchanged glances, unsure what sort of reward the reverend could possibly offer them.

"You two, come forward."

At Cacilius's command, strength seemed to return to the two gang leaders' bodies, and they abruptly stood up.

There was a trace of fear in their eyes as they looked at Cacilius, but they had no choice but to steel themselves and step forward.

"I will share a portion of the Great Father's gift with you. Only the devout can receive greater rewards."

With that, Cacilius waved his hand. Green light swept around the two men.

Under everyone's gaze, an astonishing miracle descended.

The wrinkles on elderly Aiden's face seemed to smooth away in an instant, and his skin began to grow smooth and supple.

Hot-tempered Jack felt his chest loosen, too. The internal damage he'd suffered over the years from excessive smoking and drinking seemed to heal in an instant, and his whole body felt much lighter.

Now, there was no doubt in either man's mind.

The reverend before them had to be God's messenger, an angel of the Great Father.

And the Great Father had to be an immeasurably benevolent God. They would serve Him forever, and after death, they would enter His kingdom and dwell by His side!

The onlookers were no less excited than the two men. Seeing the miracle, they all fell to their knees and prayed devoutly to the Great Father.

Watching them, Cacilius smiled. The Sovereign Lord's mission had finally made a breakthrough. Now it was time to bring this city into the fold of the great Sovereign Lord.