Mo Han inwardly groaned, how could he run into the Holy Maiden even in a place like this? The world truly was small.

And it just so happened that this Gongsun Yunyan was also present—why couldn't she show up at any other time, but precisely when he was speaking?

Still, he managed a smile and began, "Esteemed Holy Maiden, what a coincidence. Are you also out for a casual ride?"

Hearing Mo Han's words, Shui Linger nearly tumbled off her horse. Did she look like someone out for a casual ride? This infuriating man, who had angered her yesterday, showed not a shred of remorse upon seeing her today. It was too much.

She merely huffed and remained silent.

Gongsun Yunyan, clad in her crimson armor, couldn't help but ask in surprise at the tone Mo Han used with the Holy Maiden, "Linger, is this how all the priests in your church speak to you? That’s a bit much, isn’t it?"

Shui Linger replied curtly, "He’s a weirdo. Ignore him; all he does is boast."

Behind Shui Linger, Rall offered Mo Han a friendly smile.

Hearing Shui Linger's dismissal, Mo Han felt a wave of awkwardness. He thought to himself, This damned girl. After I risked everything to save her last night, she shows me no respect like this. I should have let her suffer a bit first before rescuing her.

Mo Han then spoke up, "Since the Holy Maiden doesn't welcome me, I suppose I should take my leave."

Hearing this, Shui Linger mentally cursed him: Idiot, why aren't you ever this fast when I need you? Why run the moment you see me? Just as she was about to speak, Gongsun Yunyan beside her interjected with a sneer, "What's wrong, Mister Priest? Didn't you just claim you could easily breach my Fijian City? Now you're leaving before the fight even starts? If you lack the skill, don't brag. You're truly disgracing the Church of Light."

At Gongsun Yunyan's words, the surrounding crowd burst into laughter.

Shui Linger, however, lowered her head and muttered softly, "Told you to stop boasting. Now you’ve talked yourself into a corner, let’s see how you get out of this one." Her tone was laced with concern, and Rall, standing near her, broke into a gentle smile upon hearing her words.

Just then, Anna, standing beside Mo Han, quickly spoke up, "Don't talk nonsense! Brother Mo Han is the most capable. He doesn't boast; if he says he can breach it, he can."

Gongsun Yunyan retorted dismissively, "Oh, little sister, don't be so naive as to be fooled by this charlatan."

Hearing Gongsun Yunyan's jab, Mo Han's temper instantly flared. He hadn't wanted any trouble, but who was this woman, daring to mock him and then mock Anna? If he didn't teach her a lesson today, she would think she ruled the world.

Mo Han maintained a calm demeanor and asked, "Then, if I do manage to breach your Fijian City, what will be the terms?" Gongsun Yunyan replied as if it were impossible, "Impossible. As long as I am here, Fijian City will never fall."

Mo Han let out a cold laugh. "Never fall? What a joke. In my eyes, this Fijian City is utterly vulnerable."

Listening to Mo Han's arrogant declaration, Gongsun Yunyan's face flushed crimson. She spat out resentfully, "Fine! Then tell me exactly how you plan to defeat my Fijian City."

Mo Han smiled. "Stating it outright holds no appeal. How about we make a wager? Do you dare?" Gongsun Yunyan retorted indignantly, "There is nothing Gongsun Yunyan dares not do. Name your terms."

Mo Han stated, "I possess two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins. Let us wager that sum. The loser must compensate the victor with the gold, and furthermore, the loser must acknowledge the victor as their master and perform the full three bows of deference. How about that?"

As Mo Han finished speaking, the surrounding people gasped audibly. Two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins—what an astonishing stake!

Shui Linger was also taken aback by Mo Han's proposal. She knew that two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins was nearly a month's expenditure for her army of one hundred thousand men. This wager was far too steep.

Standing nearby, Shui Linger exclaimed in shock, "Stop talking nonsense! Where do you even have that much gold?"

Mo Han smiled. "I wouldn't wager if I didn't have the means. I am not the sort to default on a debt."

With that, he walked over to Daili, smiled, and asked, "Do you trust me?" Daili nodded without hesitation, producing a crystal card from her embrace and handing it to Mo Han.

Mo Han offered her a grateful smile.

Turning back to Gongsun Yunyan, he announced, "Here is the two hundred and fifty thousand gold. General Gongsun, you may inspect it if you wish."

Gongsun Yunyan nodded. "There is no need, but I didn't bring that much gold with me."

Mo Han smiled. "That is quite alright. Everyone here is a witness, and the Holy Maiden is present as well. I hardly believe a figure of General Gongsun's renown would default on a promise, would you?" Hearing Mo Han's words, Gongsun Yunyan was provoked. "Of course not; I wouldn't stoop to that."

Mo Han pressed on, "And what about the matter of apprenticeship? General, have you considered your terms?" Gongsun Yunyan replied haughtily, "If you can breach my Fijian City, my word stands."

Mo Han cheerfully agreed, "Very well. In that case, I shall ask Holy Maiden Shui Linger to serve as the referee. You have no objection, I presume?" Gongsun Yunyan nodded, assenting.

Mo Han walked with a smile to Shui Linger's side. "Holy Maiden, for the sake of fairness, these gold coins shall be temporarily entrusted to your safekeeping. I will retrieve them later." His tone exuded an immense confidence.

Shui Linger had initially intended to dissuade him, but hearing the certainty in his voice, the words caught in her throat. She could only nod and say, "Then be careful. Don't come crying to me if you lose everything."

Mo Han smiled faintly at her words, turned, and walked back to his original position.

At that moment, Gongsun Yunyan spoke up, "You may begin, if you wish."

Mo Han replied with a smile, "Indeed."

He then pointed toward the small islands rising significantly above the river's surface in the middle of the river to the left of the woods. "Do you see that small island? That is the key."

Gongsun Yunyan scoffed, "A joke. Don't try to fool me. What use is that tiny island?"

Mo Han remained unhurried. "Why the rush? I will explain in due course."

He then addressed the crowd. "Everyone here can see that island rises at least thirty zhang above the lake surface. If I were Jerison, I would first send a small contingent of troops to that island. If I stationed just ten catapults there, their normal range of three thousand meters would be extended to at least four thousand meters or more due to the elevation advantage. If I were attacking your city walls from there, your own catapults within the city, constrained by the terrain, would be unable to even strike my island. In a fight where you can only take hits and not return fire, what do you think the outcome would be? Once your walls are breached, my cavalry stationed on the road to the right of the woods would press the advantage. The result requires no further explanation, I trust."