Only God
Chapter 255 - 219: Follow the Prophet or Follow God?_2

Chapter 255: Chapter 219: Follow the Prophet or Follow God?_2

"Very interesting, leader of the Pattern Garden."

The Hermit Naya slowly said,

"In Kagawus’s Temple, the priests possess prophetic powers far beyond ordinary people.

Undoubtedly, they represent Kagawus and thus can lead the believers in serving Kagawus.

But if you cannot represent God, then how can you serve God?

Does your God delight in your service?"

Xilan stared at Hermit Naya and took a deep breath.

This was undoubtedly a difficult question.

Hermit Naya used Xilan’s words as a weapon, instantly placing him in a dilemma.

However...

Xilan, who had followed the Prophet for years, knew that the Prophet had already answered this question.

"Hermit, what use are gold, silver, jewels, and the blood of livestock to a high God?

Does God not have an inexhaustible supply of gold, silver, and jewels? Does God need to live by slaughtering livestock and drinking their blood?"

Hermit Naya paused and asked,

"Then why do you serve?"

Xilan stared at the Hermit and said word by word,

"I want to tell you,

the Supreme God does not need people to serve Him, it is people themselves who need to serve the Supreme God, it is people themselves who are willing."

Daniel shivered all over, his mind filled with Xilan’s words; he heard the rain falling with the thunder onto the earth.

He knew that the Hermit before him was not just a Hermit; he represented the entire heretical faith challenging the New Rule Garden.

And in that brief reply, this follower of the Prophet articulated the faith of the New Rule Garden that was different from other temples, stating the Church’s own truth.

"Hermit, love does not blame, it does not coerce,"

the rain echoed outside the New Rule Garden, Xilan softly said,

"Service is a form of love,

not that God needs people’s love,

but that people themselves are willing to love!"

Hermit Naya’s pupils contracted, his aged fingers trembling involuntarily.

This was the first time he had heard of such a God.

A God that doesn’t demand service...

What kind of God is that?

And from Xilan’s unyielding face, Hermit Naya could see the passion for faith that sacrificed everything, like an undercurrent hidden beneath the calm.

He hadn’t seen such passion in a long time.

In each of the city-states, the temples of Kagawus held high esteem, those priests serving God, from the countless sacrifices made to the Divine Statues, from the countless beliefs offered to the Divine, enjoyed immense wealth and honor.

Hermit Naya was greatly disappointed by this and, unable to change anything, he accepted Kagawus’s enlightenment and lived on Solitary Island for many years.

He stared intently at Xilan, seeing his own inner turmoil.

Because of this, he could not wait any longer, he had to ask that fatal question he had prepared.

"If one day, your Prophet is denied by God, will you follow your Prophet, or will you follow your God?"

Hermit Naya asked with a hoarse voice.

The bystander Daniel stood stupefied.

Always good at contemplating and versed in the Scriptures, he had never considered such a question.

And Xilan, who had followed the Prophet for years, felt as if a sword was pressed against his throat when he heard the question.

If he answered in favor of following the Prophet,

then...

the New Rule Garden would not be believing in God, but in believing in a mere mortal Prophet.

If he answered in favor of following God,

then...

the path of the Prophet would not lead to the kingdom of God, and this New Rule Garden built by the Prophet would lose its meaning.

Xilan’s hands trembled.

No matter the response, the answer would pierce through the entirety of the New Rule Garden.

What if he didn’t answer? Or said he didn’t know?

Xilan denied this possibility.

Not answering would mean letting this fatal flaw grow unchecked, handed over to enemies for attack, causing the entire New Rule Garden to split.

Daniel held his breath, sweat flowing over his body, as thunder outside exploded next to his ear, plunging him deep into a stormy whirlpool unable to extricate himself.

The New Rule Garden was mired in a muddy silence.

Xilan bowed his head, his lips tightly sealed.

He did not know how to respond.

If the Prophet were here, he would surely know what to say, but he was not the Prophet, just a follower of the Prophet, how could he make a decision and respond?

What would the Prophet say?

Hermit Naya watched Xilan, foreseeing his reaction before the debate tonight.

Early on, before stepping into the New Rule Garden tonight, Hermit Naya had already gained ample understanding from the Preachers, thus he could ask such a soul-striking question.

Initially, when he received Daniel’s message, Naya had not planned to step into the New Rule Garden tonight.

However... those rustic garments of the Preachers, their earnest passion while preaching, all invariably made Hermit Naya take notice.

Compared to those pampered, richly adorned priests, Hermit Naya couldn’t help but feel compassion for these heretical believers.

That’s why... he decided not to alert others, stepping into the New Rule Garden alone.

Xilan still remained silent.

Naya gave ample patience, quietly waiting for Xilan’s defeat.

For a long, long time.

The rain still ravaged outside the New Rule Garden.

Hermit gazed directly at Xilan.

And after a moment, Xilan slowly raised his head.

Naya thought, it was all over, they ultimately could not provide a perfect response.

A church not representing God, a group of believers merely following the Prophet, how could they give a perfect response?

Then, Xilan’s lips trembled, slowly saying: