Shui Ling'er spoke slowly, "Oh, if the Archbishop requires evidence, I happen to have quite a bit on hand. Our Church has always dedicated itself to the salvation of all peoples; we cannot allow certain individuals to tarnish the image we hold in the public's eye. I hope the Archbishop can handle this matter fairly and swiftly."

La'er quickly replied, "Yes. I will certainly resolve this matter as soon as possible to uphold the image of our Church." Victor, this is all your own fault for being too careless. I've done all I can, La'er thought to himself.

La'er then inquired, "But regarding the matter of the priest who impersonated a bishop, how does Your Holiness, the Saintess, plan to address it?" Shui Ling'er stated coolly, "I am aware of everything. I have my own plans. That's all for now; I'm rather tired. You may leave." There was an undeniable authority in her tone.

Though La'er was deeply reluctant, he had no choice but to take his leave.

Meanwhile, Mo Han and his group had reached the borders of the Kayan Duchy after half a day of strenuous travel. This duchy comprised only five cities, with the capital being Weiyun City—a moderately sized urban center, by all accounts.

Mo Han smiled and proposed, "Let's enter the city, rest up, and continue our journey tomorrow. Today, we should take the opportunity to wander around. Everyone can buy whatever they like; someone else is covering all our travel expenses anyway."

As soon as the girls—Dai Li and the others—heard they could go sight-seeing, they became delighted.

Anna cheerfully exclaimed, "Brother Mo Han, you are the best!"

Mo Han chuckled, "Heh heh, little girl, stop with the flattery."

Anna said with a pout, "I'm telling the truth! You're wrongly accusing me!" Seeing the situation, Mo Han responded with a mixture of laughter and exasperation, "Alright, alright, it's my fault. Don't be wronged." Only then did Anna break into a happy smile.

The group entered the city and found an inn to settle in. Just as they were about to head out, Yun Xiang said, "Big Brother, I think I'll stay behind. I'll tidy up here. You all go have fun."

Mo Han feigned anger, "Yun Xiang, I’ve already said it: since you’ve joined us, we are family. How can one part of the family go out shopping while leaving another behind? If you continue to be so distant, I'll actually get angry."

Yun Xiang hastily replied, "No, Big Brother, that’s not it. Big Brother, please don't be angry, I’ll go then."

Mo Han smiled and said, "Heh heh, that’s more like it. You go with Dai Li and the others and buy some things you really like. Sister Dai Li will cover the cost for you, understand?" Dai Li chimed in, "Yes, Yun Xiang, tell Sister what you like, and I will certainly buy it for you."

Yun Xiang lowered her head and murmured, "Mmm, I understand." But her eyes turned red. "Big Brother Mo Han, Sister Dai Li, you are truly so kind to Yun Xiang. Besides my father, Big Brother, and older sister, you two are the kindest people in the world to me."

Mo Han smiled lightly, "Heh heh, and you consider this the best? You are easily satisfied, little girl. Alright, let’s go."

The crowd walked through the streets, their eyes dazzled by the numerous goods. The three women, Kelly among them, were happily touching things here and looking at things there, thoroughly enjoying themselves. In no time, the hands of Mo Han and the other men were full of purchases.

Ugh, women really lose all reason when they shop, Mo Han lamented internally. It wasn't that he minded the expense, but the sheer volume of items made carrying them inconvenient, and he dared not secretly stuff everything into his spatial ring in public. It was agony.

While Mo Han was still sighing over this predicament, a few people approached them head-on. One of them spoke first, "Well, look who it is. If it isn't the rookie Flying Cloud Mercenary Group."

Mo Han recognized the speaker's voice instantly and replied, "What? Chris, is this the attitude you show when you meet your Master? Not even a shred of courtesy."

The person approaching was indeed Chris, accompanied by several others—warriors and mages. Among them were two High Swordsmasters and one extremely ugly High Magus. The old man wearing the High Magus insignia on his chest looked at Mo Han and asked haughtily, "Chris, is this the priest who humiliated you?" Chris replied respectfully, "Yes, Teacher Du Yi, this is him."

The mage named Du Yi aggressively addressed Mo Han, "Kid, is this you who used tricks to insult Chris?" Mo Han grinned wickedly at the old man and said, "Old man, would you like to hear a suggestion from me?" Du Yi asked impatiently, "What suggestion? Hurry up and say it. If you kneel down and beg for mercy right now, I might consider letting you off."

Mo Han ignored him and smiled, saying instead, "My suggestion is this: it’s not your fault that you’re ugly, but it’s wrong of you to walk down the street frightening people. One must have some decency."

The remark caused everyone nearby to laugh.

"You..." Du Yi hated it most when people commented on his looks; many had died by his hand because of such jibes. And this kid’s tongue was unusually sharp.

Du Yi said menacingly, "Very good. You are indeed as sharp-tongued as Chris described."

Du Yi then declared, "Kid, do you dare to spar with me?" Mo Han replied arrogantly, "Who do you think you are? To agree to a match just because you say so—that would make me lose face entirely."

Du Yi was enraged. "Fine then, what will it take for you to fight me?"

Mo Han remained defiant. "I’ll tell you when I’m in a better mood. I’m not feeling up to it these few days."

Seeing that Mo Han wasn't taking the bait, Du Yi resorted to goading, "I didn't expect you to be such a coward, just a turtle hiding in its shell. You truly disgrace your Light Church by refusing to compete with me."

For people on the Dragon Ascend Continent who valued chivalric spirit, this tactic might have worked, but for Mo Han, it was a joke; he felt nothing at all. Moreover, he wasn't even a member of the Light Church.

Mo Han scoffed, "I say, ugly old man, how can you even say that? You, a Magus, bullying me, a mere Novice Priest? It’s dishonorable even to speak of it, yet you dare to say I’m disgraceful?" Mo Han then dramatically put on a pitiable expression and shouted, "Everyone, look quickly! Magus Du Yi is trying to force me, a Novice Priest, into a fight! Alas, there is no justice in this world!"

Mo Han's words attracted a crowd of onlookers, many of whom directed looks of contempt toward Du Yi. Seeing the priest displaying such a pitiable expression, the crowd began to chastise, "You, a Magus, bullying a Novice Priest—how could you stoop so low?"

Du Yi and his group were alternately red and pale with anger. It was you who kept needling us, and now you turn around and act pitiful to gain sympathy. This person is utterly detestable.

Du Yi pointed at Mo Han, unable to utter a full sentence, only managing a choked sound: "You..."

Du Yi inwardly wished he could blast Mo Han with a magic spell right then, but he dared not act. There were too many people here. If he killed a priest here, the extremely protective Light Church would wipe out his hideout by nightfall. The power of the Light Church was not something Du Yi could afford to provoke.

Du Yi said furiously, "You clever brat, you just wait! Let’s go."

But just as Du Yi and his party were about to leave, a loud roar suddenly cut through the air: "Who dares bully someone from my Light Church! Step forward, you!"

Mo Han looked closely and saw an old man barefoot, wearing a strange, very old white robe embroidered with the image of the Light God. His trousers only reached his calves, and he carried a rod that was entirely green in his hand.

As soon as Du Yi saw the newcomer’s attire, his face changed drastically. Isn't this a Penitent Monk of the Light Church? He secretly cursed his bad luck, wondering why he would run into a Penitent Monk here, someone so rarely encountered.

(These Penitent Monks are also called Guardian Elders; there are eight of them. They are usually not stationed within the Light Church but travel widely, appearing only when the Light Church faces a grave crisis.) Jump to