Dai Li looked at Mo Han with confusion, and Yun Xiang’s face turned even paler. Mo Han spoke, “Jeez, do you think I’m unwilling to take in Yun Xiang?” Everyone nodded in unison.
Mo Han feigned anger, “Do I look like that kind of person? Dai Li, Anna, you think so too? You deserve a slap, ah, you’ve truly broken my heart.”
Dai Li quickly said anxiously, “I didn’t mean it like that, Mo Han, please don’t misunderstand.”
Anna chimed in, “But that’s what you said yourself, Mo Han Gege, you can’t blame us.”
Mo Han said, ‘What I meant was that Yun Xiang shouldn't call me Young Master. I’m not used to hearing ‘Young Master.’
Anna argued back, “Oh, so that’s what you meant! Then I understand what Mo Han Gege meant. It’s just that Mo Han Gege didn’t make it clear! How can you blame us?” Dai Li nodded with an equally innocent expression.
Mo Han feigned grievance, “You all, ah, honestly, why do you always have me wrapped around your little finger?”
Hearing Mo Han’s tone made Dai Li and Anna erupt in happy laughter.
Mo Han turned to Yun Xiang, “Yun Xiang, if you don’t mind, call me Big Brother from now on. Just call Dai Li and the others sisters.”
Dai Li and Anna also nodded, “That’s right, Yun Xiang, Mo Han is right.”
Yun Xiang immediately shook her head, “How can this be, Young Master? There is a clear distinction between master and servant; Yun Xiang dares not overstep.”
Mo Han exclaimed loudly in agitation, “Nonsense! People are all the same. Where is the distinction between nobility and lowliness? All beings are equal. Aren’t we all the flesh and blood cherished by our parents? Some people are just born better off than others. Take that Viscount Luther, for instance—I think he’s not even fit to be compared to a pig. Aren’t you far better than him?”
Mo Han continued, “You should rely on your own efforts to make people acknowledge you. If you don’t even believe in yourself, if you lack confidence, no one can help you. Remember one thing I say: Are kings and generals born to their station, or do they rise by merit?”
The bystanders, including Feiyun, couldn't help but look at Mo Han with respect upon hearing his words. Dai Li and Anna gazed at him with faces full of adoration.
Everyone was left contemplating the deep meaning within Mo Han’s words.
Yun Xiang whispered the phrase, “Are kings and generals born to their station, or do they rise by merit?”
After a moment, Yun Xiang raised her head and said firmly, “I understand now. Thank you, Mo Han Big Brother.”
Mo Han smiled faintly, “Hehe, that’s more like it.” He suddenly noticed everyone staring at him with looks of awe. In an age where hierarchy was rigid and commoners were considered less than livestock, his words struck them with immense impact.
Yan Shi said excitedly, “Boss, it is truly my fortune to follow you.”
Latin and Jack nodded in agreement, “It is our honor as well.”
Mo Han teased, “Hehe, don’t look at me like that. I’m not interested in men.”
This earned him a round of collective eye-rolls.
Dai Li, Anna, and Yun Xiang all smiled, feeling that following Mo Han was the greatest happiness imaginable.
After all the commotion, Mo Han spoke, “Alright, since we’re family now, let’s help bury Yun Xiang’s father together.”
Everyone agreed with a nod—there’s strength in numbers. In just two hours, the task was completed.
Having finished, Mo Han announced, “Done! Let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
At Mo Han’s prompting, everyone realized how hungry they were. Yan Shi’s stomach even rumbled audibly, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
By this time, the sky had turned dark.
They casually found an eatery on the street and devoured a hearty meal. Yun Xiang, watching the small Mo, which was only the size of a puppy, consume an astonishing amount of food, grew curious and asked, “Big Brother, aren’t you afraid your little dog’s stomach will burst from eating so much?”
Mo Han laughed, “I truly wish it would burst, but that’s impossible. Your appetite is probably only a tenth of his, hehe.”
This caused Little Mo to let out a few displeased whines, while everyone else laughed heartily.
Yun Xiang remained bewildered.
Mo Han smiled and said, “You’ll understand why I said that later, Yun Xiang.”
Yun Xiang obediently nodded, “Yun Xiang understands.”
Just as everyone was enjoying their meal, more than a dozen people burst through the doorway. Among them were priests and several wearing silver armor—Bright Warriors of the Church of Light—who immediately surrounded the group.
Finally, two figures entered through the door. Mo Han recognized the chubby Viscount Luther from earlier. Luther pointed at Mo Han and spat, “Priest Vick, it’s him! He’s impersonating a priest of the Church of Light! Arrest him immediately!”
Mo Han focused his gaze. The middle-aged priest named Vick was staring at him with an arrogant expression—a pointed chin and triangular eyes. He didn't look like a good person at all. Mo Han wondered how the Church of Light could have appointed such a man as a priest, which immediately soured his mood.
Vick spoke haughtily to Mo Han, “Are you the one impersonating a priest of my Church, and also insulted and extorted ten thousand gold coins from Viscount Luther?”
Mo Han replied, “Are you asking me? I didn’t hear you clearly. Say it again.”
Vick bellowed, “You are the one falsely claiming to be a priest of my Church, and you cheated Viscount Luther out of his gold!”
Mo Han replied mischievously, “Oh, you asked me to repeat myself, and you actually repeated yourself? How obedient.”
Hearing Mo Han’s words, Vick’s entire body trembled; he nearly choked Mo Han in his rage.
Mo Han continued, “Furthermore, on what grounds do you assume I am an imposter?” Vick snarled viciously, “Of course! The moment I saw you, I knew you were a swindler. Be smart, return the money you cheated from Viscount Luther, and then turn yourself in to the magistrate, and I will spare you.”
Mo Han replied haughtily without turning his head, “What are you, to speak to me like that? And if we judged good and evil purely by appearance, then you are an irredeemably wicked person.”
Mo Han thought to himself: Trying to out-pretend me? You’re still too green.
Upon hearing Mo Han’s retort, Vick’s face shifted color. He was about to lash out but couldn't ascertain Mo Han’s background, so he dared not act rashly.
Vick’s tone lost some of its arrogance, and he asked respectfully, “Your Excellency, just who might you be? Please state your identity.”
Mo Han responded dismissively, “You are not worthy of knowing.”
Hearing Mo Han’s answer, Vick could hold back no longer and spoke up, “Don’t think you can deceive me by playing coy and mysterious here. Be sensible and surrender now, or don’t blame me for being impolite.”
Yan Shi and Latin, who were beside Mo Han, were about to intervene but were stopped by Mo Han.
Mo Han smiled faintly and spoke, “If you have the guts, try it. A mere priest dares to be presumptuous in front of me?”
Vick was choked with anger, muttering, “You…” He truly wished he could swallow this young man whole.
But hearing the tone Mo Han used, which showed no regard for him, Vick still dared not make any sudden moves.
Seeing that Mo Han had intimidated the detestable priest with just a few sentences, the others smiled silently, waiting to see Mo Han’s next performance.
Mo Han spoke with arrogance, “You may not recognize me, but surely you recognize this.”
Saying this, he murmured an incantation and waved his hand. Instantly, a continuously expanding circle of white light erupted around Mo Han.
Everyone swept by the light circle felt their strength and confidence increase significantly, as if they possessed inexhaustible vigor.
Vick cried out in alarm, “Light of the War Drum!”
He jumped towards...