The First Apostle

Pastor Lavoisier's conversion was like a boulder cast into a placid lake, its ripples spreading far beyond Zhou Beichen's expectations. Once this formerly stubborn old man had embraced his new faith, the enthusiasm and energy he unleashed were astonishing. He threw himself into the construction of Earthly Heaven almost without sleep or rest, as though he intended to make up for all the wasted years and wrong turns of his past through twice the devotion. Even Zhou Beichen, a former trader accustomed to seeing lunatics in the capital markets, was secretly amazed.

Zhou Beichen fulfilled part of his promise, handing the largest newly built stone house—one that could barely be called a "schoolhouse"—over to Lavoisier's care. Clutching several clay tablets with relatively smooth polished surfaces—their primary writing tools at present—Lavoisier entered the schoolhouse as though carrying sacred relics. Looking at the dozens of pairs of eyes below him, of varying ages and filled with curiosity, confusion, and even a hint of wildness, he felt not apprehension, but an almost holy sense of mission.

Here, he would sow the seeds of the New Covenant and impart knowledge that would truly benefit the building of Heaven.

Yet reality soon revealed its harsh side.

One teacher facing dozens of students who were nearly all illiterate, with wildly uneven comprehension and attention spans, could only accomplish so much. Lavoisier had to begin with the basics of reading and counting, which required tremendous patience and repetition. Yet the knowledge he possessed beyond basic education—whether it was his deeper interpretation of Covenant Church scriptures, though those now needed to be reinterpreted within the framework of the New Covenant; his experience in material allocation and personnel organization from managing warehouses; or even the scattered records on Colchis geology and ancient machinery that he had glimpsed while sorting old archives—was urgently needed to meet the settlement's increasingly complex demands.

Thus, Lavoisier's roles began piling up without end.

During the day, he was a patient teacher in the schoolhouse, though at times he would sweat anxiously over his students' slowness.

In the evenings, he assisted Zhou Beichen with daily affairs and planned the distribution of supplies. The management methods that had once been mocked in Lart for emphasizing efficiency and record-keeping received Zhou Beichen's highest praise and full support here.

Late at night, by the faint glow of an acetylene lamp, he studied the incomplete technical drawings collected from Korfalon's belongings and the settlement, trying to understand how Colchis Clay could be improved or pondering how to refine the creaking transmission mechanism of the windmill.

Whenever someone in the settlement came down with a fever, headache, or minor injury, and old Buck was too busy or at a loss, people would habitually seek out the "learned" Pastor Lavoisier to try their luck. Remarkably, with some ancient herbal knowledge and calm judgment, he was able to treat a few simple ailments.

He was like a sponge cast into a raging current, frantically absorbing everything while desperately squeezing out every drop of himself. His eye sockets had sunk deep, and his wrinkles seemed to have grown deeper, yet in those once-clouded eyes burned an almost fanatical, undying flame. Watching the settlement become more orderly with his involvement, knowledge slowly spread, and technical problems overcome bit by bit, he felt an indescribable sense of fulfillment. This was a realization of worth through being needed and respected that he had never experienced within the Covenant Church.

Zhou Beichen and Lorgar watched it all.

"This old guy... he's really working himself to death. Feels like he'll be squeezed dry any day now." During one late-night meeting, Zhou Beichen looked at the neat but exhausted-looking supply report Lavoisier had sent over and could not help sighing to Lorgar. Beside the report was a preliminary sketch for improving the waterwheel. The lines were crude, but the idea was clear.

Lorgar's gaze swept over the sketch, and a complicated emotion appeared in his violet eyes. He saw in Lavoisier a pure, untainted devotion, something different from the theory of investment Zhou Beichen had taught him, where everything could be quantified. That devotion itself was like a powerful source of energy, driving Lavoisier beyond his limits.

"Father, Brother Lavoisier's piety and diligence are assets to the settlement. But if an asset is overexploited, it will eventually be depleted." Lorgar's voice was low. "His body is not immortal. We need more people like him... people with knowledge and management skills, to share the burden and carry on his work."

Zhou Beichen nodded, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop. "Yeah, one Lavoisier isn't enough. The schoolhouse needs more teachers, the workshops need craftsmen who understand technology, and the administration needs clerks who can sort out accounts and coordinate affairs... Looks like we'll have to make a few more purchases." That glint that only appeared when he was preparing for a risky investment began flashing in his eyes again, and his target was clearly Lart once more.

Just as Zhou Beichen began calculating the targets and route for his next "talent acquisition plan," someone knocked on the stone house door.

It was Lavoisier himself. He looked even more haggard than he had a few days earlier, yet his spirits were unusually high. In his hands was a new roll of clay tablets.

"Pastor Beichen, Divine Son." He gave a slight bow. His posture was more respectful than before, but there was less of his initial panic and more of the steadiness of one of their own. "These are the literacy lesson plans for the next stage, along with some additional suggestions for the Faith Guard rotation system..."

Zhou Beichen accepted the clay tablets and gave them a quick scan. The contents were detailed and clearly organized. He set them down, looked at Lavoisier's sunken eye sockets, and unusually softened his tone. "Lavoisier, work is important, but you need to rest too. If you collapse from exhaustion, this schoolhouse and all these affairs will be left in the dark."

Lavoisier's face showed a trace of gratitude, but he immediately shook his head, his gaze firm. "For Heaven, for the Divine Son, even if these old bones of mine burn to ashes, it will be worth it."

He paused, as if making up his mind. Taking a step forward, he lowered his voice, though it carried the resolute determination of a volunteer stepping forward. "Pastor Beichen, Divine Son, I heard your conversation just now. About... needing more talented people."

Zhou Beichen and Lorgar exchanged a glance but did not interrupt him.

Lavoisier continued, "I think... I can go back. Back to Lart."

Zhou Beichen raised an eyebrow slightly. "Go back? By yourself? Aren't you afraid..."

"I am afraid." Lavoisier admitted it openly, but his eyes showed no retreat. "But I fear even more that Heaven's construction will stagnate for lack of talent. I know Lart well. I know the people there who, like me, are deeply disappointed with the current state of the Covenant Church, who have ambitions but nowhere to use them. Among them are clerks skilled with numbers, low-ranking physicians who understand herbs, master craftsmen being exploited, and even several low-ranking pastors like myself, ostracized because they refused to go along with the rot... I know where they are, and I know how to contact them without alerting the church's spies."

His voice gradually grew more excited. "I can contact them in secret and tell them everything here—order, hope, the Divine Son's true glory! I believe some will be willing to follow me and come voluntarily to this Earthly Heaven! This will be safer than risking another kidnapping, and more likely to bring us people who truly believe in our cause!"

Zhou Beichen stroked his chin and studied Lavoisier carefully. The proposal had indeed caught him by surprise. Sending Lavoisier back carried the obvious risk that he might turn against them or flee. Yet on the other hand, Lavoisier's understanding of Lart's internal situation, as well as his status as a former colleague, might make it easier for him to gain the trust of those potential recruits.

It was like sending a senior manager familiar with the local market to poach talent. The results might be better than the boss going in person.

"Are you confident?" Zhou Beichen asked solemnly.

"Not completely, but it's worth trying." Lavoisier answered frankly. "I am willing to stake my life on it. This journey is solely to recruit worthy people for Heaven, and I harbor no other intentions. If I cannot bring back help, then I, Lavoisier, will have no face to return and stand before the Divine Son again!"

His words carried the piety of someone burning his bridges. Zhou Beichen looked toward Lorgar, asking for his opinion with his eyes.

Lorgar stared at Lavoisier, those violet eyes seeming able to see directly into the color of a soul. After a moment, he slowly nodded and said to Zhou Beichen, "Father, I believe in Brother Lavoisier's loyalty and judgment. His wisdom should be used in a broader field."

Zhou Beichen pondered for a moment before finally making his decision. "Fine! We'll do as you say!" He rose, walked over to Lavoisier, and firmly patted his thin shoulder. "But you can't go alone. I'll send a team of capable Faithguard Army men disguised as merchant caravan guards to travel with you. They'll be responsible for protecting you, and also... ensuring the plan proceeds smoothly."

It was both protection and surveillance. Lavoisier understood perfectly, but bore no resentment. Instead, he nodded solemnly. "That is only proper!"

The plan was drawn up quickly. A small "merchant caravan" was soon assembled, carrying the few local specialties the settlement could offer—several bricks of purified salt, some crude glass beads, and a small amount of tanned sand beast hide—as cover and trade goods. The Faith Guard selected five of its sharpest and strongest members, dressing them in the clothes of ordinary wanderers.

On the night before departure, Lavoisier offered one final prayer before Lorgar and received the Divine Son's blessing. Zhou Beichen stood nearby, watching the old pastor whom he had once knocked unconscious and carried back. Now, martyr-like light burned in the old man's eyes as he prepared to enter the tiger's den once more for their cause.

A strange sense of déjà vu rose in his heart. He instinctively muttered under his breath in Chinese, which only he could understand:

"His name was Peter. He was the first apostle, born lame, with a will of steel. He was the one the Lord loved most, and the one who loved the Lord most."

Lorgar's senses were exceptionally sharp. He turned his head, a trace of confusion in his violet eyes. "Father, what are you saying?"

Zhou Beichen came back to himself. Looking at Lorgar's young face, both divine and human, then at the determined Lavoisier, fully prepared for departure, a complicated and unreadable smile appeared on his face. He pointed at Lavoisier and softly said to Lorgar in a language he could understand this time:

"Nothing, Lorgar. Look, you have your first apostle too."

As dawn began to break, the small "merchant caravan" left the highland settlement amid swirling dust, heading toward Lart. Zhou Beichen and Lorgar stood side by side at the edge of the highlands, watching their figures disappear beyond the desert horizon.