Mazu Doesn't Protect Foreigners, Young Master

"Maybe she would!"

As soon as Bai Zhu said that, Milluki stepped up before the offering tray.

He looked at the roast chicken, then the incense, then Bai Zhu.

"What's the procedure?"

Bai Zhu froze.

"What procedure?"

"The procedure for worshipping this... Lady Mazu."

Milluki wiped his hands on his clothes, his face unusually free of any joking.

"I want to buy a family package for my whole household."

Bai Zhu fell silent for three seconds.

Milluki grew a little impatient waiting.

"Say something."

Bai Zhu raised a hand and patted his shoulder, his tone extremely serious.

"Young Master, Mazu doesn't protect foreigners."

Milluki froze completely.

"Say that again?"

"Mazu doesn't protect foreigners."

"Why the hell not?"

Milluki immediately bristled.

"Do gods discriminate by region too?"

Bai Zhu spread his hands.

"How would I know? It's not like I'm her customer service representative."

"You just said she might accept!"

"Might, not definitely."

Milluki pointed at the roast chicken on the offering tray.

"The chicken's already been put out, and now you're telling me she won't protect us?"

Bai Zhu shifted the roast chicken closer to himself.

"I offered this."

"I'll pay extra."

"This isn't about money."

"Then what is it about?"

Bai Zhu thought for a moment.

"It's an issue of religious affiliation."

Milluki stared at him.

"Don't fob me off with words I don't understand."

Bai Zhu sighed.

"To put it simply, her domain is mainly the sea around my hometown. Your side... would be cross-border service, and the paperwork is complicated."

Milluki's face darkened.

"This is religious fraud."

"Young Master, don't put it so harshly."

"Then what would you call it?"

"Cultural differences."

Milluki took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his anger.

He looked at the smoke rising from the incense and suddenly lowered his voice.

"Bai