When Pan Long met the Shield of the Heavenly Father squad, both sides felt that the rumors had gone too far. The outside world had practically turned the other side into demons.
Pan Long had expected a band of religious fanatics. Perhaps they would open their mouths with "Praise the Heavenly Father," or perhaps they would look ready to interrogate him. Instead, he found a group of young men led by four or five steady middle-aged men. The younger men were full of energy and enthusiasm, while their leaders were composed, plainly thinking before they spoke or acted.
They certainly had the air of soldiers, but not the slightest whiff of zealotry.
When he spoke with them, they made no attempt to preach. They did not even slip religious matters into the conversation.
That last point was especially rare. The Holy Servants Pan Long had met before, including Sister Cadra and Crusader Eric, had all made a habit of bringing up religion in conversation. Yet the Shield of the Heavenly Father squad, who were supposedly even more fervent, did nothing of the sort.
Pan Long guessed they had received special training to avoid offending people with their words.
After all, Holy Servants were flesh and blood too. They had to eat, drink, attend to bodily needs, and earn money to support their families. Someone with no ties could say whatever he pleased. But with elders and children at home and the interests of a whole organization behind him, he had to choose his words carefully. Unless a matter involved principle, it was best not to invite trouble.
The Shield of the Heavenly Father squad was surprised too.
They had expected a giant: a man whose presence would leave them unable to speak, who held no reverence for gods, Goodness, or