Trying Out the Branding

Big Beardy just emerged from the high-level monk conference, but he was still in his humble rags and canvas shoes. Like an old man just getting out of a refugee camp, he looked nothing like a senior ascetic who was equally ranked as the bishop. In fact, Hao Ren had no clue about the ascetics' ranking in the church at first. He only learned later that these ascetics were highly regarded in the church. Not only did report directly to the pope, they were also qualified for top decision-making in matters pertaining to the church if necessary. It was all due to their unquestionable loyalty to the goddess. They were also the best adapted to the goddess' decree, and had strongest spiritual resonance with the goddess. The devout ascetics were considered to be the guards of the goddess, so Big Beardy was allowed to participate in bishop-level meetings.