With that said, Mo Han reached out and undid the restraints on the Dark Saintess. The moment they were free, Mo Han bolted away like a startled rabbit.

Seeing Mo Han’s action, the Dark Saintess couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "What's wrong? You have moments of fear too, don't you? Where did all that courage from just now go?" Mo Han gave an awkward laugh. "Hehe, it was actually a misunderstanding. I don't know how I ended up in that grove, and you just happened to be there. I figured it wasn't safe for a girl like you alone in the woods—what if some pervert showed up or something? So, I very kindly helped escort you out. Hehe, what a coincidence! You don't need to thank me; I’m just naturally helpful like that. I have urgent business, so I'll take my leave now. We can chat again some other time."

With that, he tried to turn and slip away.

Seeing his shameless demeanor, the Dark Saintess couldn't help but laugh and scold him, "Stop right there! You take advantage and now you want to run? Whether you were kindly escorting me or holding me captive, you know the truth. I've never met anyone as thick-skinned as you."

Hearing the Dark Saintess's words, Mo Han turned back, putting on a look of feigned confusion. "Who took advantage of you? You have quite the nerve! Tell me first, and I'll teach him a lesson for you; how utterly despicable."

The Dark Saintess saw his roguish act and could only shake her head helplessly, saying, "Naturally, it was you. No one else has ever dared treat me this way. You're the first, so I certainly can't just let you off."

Mo Han struck an expression of being wronged. "That's unfair! You saw it yourself. I sacrificed my own reputation just now to shield you. How can you say I took advantage of you? I'm still a pure virgin, mind you! Don't get the wrong idea. If anything, I'm the one who suffered a loss."

Hearing his specious argument, the Dark Saintess snorted and retorted, "I'm a girl, and it's the first time a man has held me like that—and you suffered a loss? You are responsible, one way or another, or you aren't leaving today! Wherever you go, I'll follow, accusing you of insulting a respectable woman."

Mo Han managed a wry smile upon hearing her. "Listen, Big Sister, aren't you awfully free right now? Doesn't your Church have plenty of matters waiting for you to resolve back there? Why don't you head back and finish your duties, and we can discuss this matter next time?" The Dark Saintess smiled. "What do you think? You must clarify things with me today."

When Mo Han realized she wouldn't stop pressing him, he became slightly annoyed. "If it weren't for you people from the Dark Church sneaking around and then trying to capture me, why would I have brought you here in the first place? I was forced into it! And that action just now was to protect you. Do you think I enjoy holding you? What more do you want?" Hearing Mo Han’s words, the Dark Saintess trembled with anger, and after a moment, she actually began to sob quietly. This immediately threw Mo Han into a panic. He quickly walked over to comfort her. "That’s not what I meant. Don't be upset. Fine, it was my fault, alright? Tell me what you want to do. Anything you wish—whether you want to ravish me or kill me, it’s up to you. Go on." He then adopted an expression of someone ready to meet martyrdom.

Seeing his state, the Dark Saintess couldn't help but laugh and curse him, "Go to hell! You wish!"

When Mo Han saw her smile, he quickly patted his chest. "Thank goodness, you smiled. Otherwise, I would have been truly worried to death."

Just then, the Dark Saintess spoke softly, "Are you, like everyone else, very disgusted with our Dark Church, thinking we are all bad people?" Mo Han answered earnestly, "That's not true at all. I believe whether someone is good or bad isn't determined by what they say, but by their actions. Even if you have the best reputation, if your deeds are wicked, you’re worse than those with bad names. And for those with bad reputations, if their actions align with their conscience, no matter what others say, I believe they are unquestionably good people."

Mo Han continued, "Furthermore, I truly believe you are a good person."

Hearing Mo Han's words, the Dark Saintess was deeply moved and said, "Do you really think so? You are the first person who thinks I am good. Everyone else just calls me a wicked woman when they see me."

Mo Han quickly replied, "Of course, it's true. I don't think you are bad; those people just lack insight. As long as you act in accordance with your conscience, why should you care what others say about you?"

Listening to Mo Han, the Saintess cried with emotion and said, "Thank you. Thank you for not looking down on me, for understanding me."

Mo Han quickly interjected, "Why are you crying again? Stop it, stop crying. Women who cry often get wrinkles and become ugly."

Hearing Mo Han's words, the Dark Saintess immediately stopped crying and asked, "Really?" Mo Han paused, momentarily stunned. Damn, women are women, he thought, they really get scared by the mention of wrinkles.

He laughed and said, "If you stop crying, then there won't be any wrinkles."

At that moment, the Saintess suddenly removed her veil. Instantly, Mo Han was confronted with a face of unsurpassed, delicate beauty. Her curved eyebrows, bright eyes, high-bridged nose, small mouth, lips as red as if ready to bleed, and skin as white as jade—Mo Han was utterly stunned, his saliva nearly dribbling out.

The Dark Saintess, blushing, asked, "Am I beautiful?" Mo Han answered in a daze, "Beautiful, absolutely stunning. Anyone who says you aren't beautiful must be blind."

Hearing Mo Han's praise, the Dark Saintess's face lit up with joy as she asked, "Really?" Mo Han quickly affirmed, "Of course."

The Dark Saintess then said shyly, "Besides my Master, you are the first person to see my face. I once swore an oath before my Master: the first person to see my face, other than my Master, will be my husband. You are the first person to see my face."

Hearing the Dark Saintess's words, Mo Han replied casually, "Oh, alright then."

A moment later, he snapped back to reality and jumped up, saying, "What did you just say? Seeing your face means you’re my wife? Ugh! Then just pretend I didn't see anything! Where is there such a strange oath?"

He muttered to himself, If Dali found out about this, she’d skin me alive. I go out once and end up with another wife.

Little did he know, the Dark Saintess said with firm resolution, "I will absolutely keep the oath I swore. You are my husband."

With that, she turned and ran off swiftly. From the distance, her voice echoed, "And my name is Liu Yanran. Don't call me Saintess anymore. I will come find you again."

With a string of silver-bell-like laughter, she vanished into the night.

This left Mo Han gaping, muttering to himself, "What kind of world is this? I’ve only ever heard of men forcing marriages, never women forcing a marriage on someone... It’s over. How am I ever going to explain this to Dali?" Mo Han then chuckled wryly, "But seeing how beautiful she is, perhaps I haven't lost out after all, hehe. Liu Yanran, what a lovely woman." "Jump to