The church was deathly silent in the dead of night, with only the sound of cold footsteps echoing through it.
Duanmu Huai walked in front, while Asia followed behind with her head lowered, not saying a word.
"What do you think punishment is?"
Just then, Duanmu Huai suddenly spoke, making Asia freeze.
"In many religions, people always like to punish themselves through punishment. So what's the meaning behind that? Do they use pain to prove the sincerity of their faith? Or to punish themselves for wavering in their beliefs?"
At this, Duanmu Huai sneered.
"But when all is said and done, it's nothing more than putting on a show."
"...?"
"To put it bluntly, punishment is nothing more than a form of equivalent exchange. They trade physical pain for relief from their inner guilt. So although many believers seem to enjoy using this method to punish themselves for their weakness and wavering, in the end, it's still just a transaction. They offer up their bodies, feel the pain, and use it to soothe their sense of guilt..."
As he said this, Duanmu Huai cast Asia a cold glance.
"Isn't that right?"
"I..."
Asia lowered her head and dared not speak.
Seeing Asia's guilty look, Duanmu Huai withdrew his gaze. When it came to punishment, the Inquisition and the players had their own unique views. To ordinary people, punishment meant things like leather whips and Tiger Benches, beating someone until they could barely stand. That was punishment, as far as they were concerned.
That was how ordinary people thought. But to an Inquisitor...
Are you serious?
You really think that way?
You've got to be kidding me, right?
Why?
The reason was simple. Just as Duanmu Huai had said, to the person being punished, it was like an equivalent exchange. They