"I am truly grateful to you, Saintess," the Beast Emperor said, bowing his head toward Shui Ling'er. "On behalf of all my people, I thank you."

Shui Ling'er smiled faintly. "This is simply part of the duties of the Church of Light, Your Majesty. There is no need for thanks."

With that, Shui Ling'er leaned close and whispered a few words into Lyle's ear. Lyle nodded, turned, and strode from the grand hall, presumably to make the necessary arrangements. After all, they couldn't simply travel with the captive as they were; the sight alone would surely terrify the masses on the road.

Shui Ling'er then turned back to the Beast Emperor. "Your Majesty, I must now take my leave. Every extra day the Nether Clan remains here is an added danger. I need to return to the Holy Capital swiftly, lest the Nether Clan attempt a rescue, which would complicate matters immensely."

Hearing her urgency, the Beast Emperor dared not press her to stay and quickly agreed. Seeing Shui Ling'er depart, Mo Han swiftly took his leave of the Beast Emperor as well. Since the matter had been resolved perfectly, it was time for him to go. The Beast Emperor naturally granted Mo Han's request.

When Mo Han and Shui Ling'er stepped out of the Imperial Palace, Mo Han noted that the sky was already high noon. He drew a deep breath and declared loudly, "Ah, such relief! The mission is finally complete, and I haven't failed in my trust. Ling'er, you're wonderful for coming to my rescue just in time. Such a good girl. Later, I'll give you a massage as repayment."

Mo Han’s words earned him a slight glare from Shui Ling'er. She removed her veil and faced him. "Dream on, you fool. When did I ever tell you that our Church of Light would intervene in this affair? You went ahead and used our name to leverage the negotiations! It’s a good thing I was the one who showed up today; if it had been someone else, I’d like to see how you would have explained yourself."

Mo Han grinned wickedly. "Heh, who told your Church of Light to be so famous? If I didn't borrow your prestige, how could I have held those people in line? Besides, I wasn't lying. Even if I hadn't spoken up, once you knew the Prophet was truly of the Nether Clan, you wouldn't have stood idly by, right? I just announced it for you first. Instead of thanking me, you're blaming me. Ah, what injustice I suffer."

Hearing Mo Han's nonsense, Shui Ling'er couldn't help but laugh, playfully scolding him. "Only you can twist words so absurdly, making the dead sound alive, and turning nonsense into logic. Now it sounds like I’m the one at fault. So, do I need to apologize to you, Your Excellency the Envoy?"

Mo Han puffed out his chest triumphantly. "No need for that. I am a very magnanimous person; I usually don't bother myself with such trivialities. I shall generously forgive you this time."

Shui Ling'er sighed at his audacity. "Your skin really is... beyond saving. I can’t be bothered to argue with you. I need to rush back to the Holy Capital to escort the Nether Clan captive. What about you? Will you come with me?"

Mo Han was about to agree, but then he recalled Liu Yanran. He realized that even if he were to leave, he at least owed her a word. She had suffered so much for his sake; leaving without a proper farewell would be too much for his conscience. With this thought, Mo Han replied with a smile, "Heh heh, Ling'er, why don't you go ahead? I'll catch up to you later. We can rendezvous then. Be careful on the road."

Shui Ling'er gave him a meaningful look and asked coolly, "I heard the Dark Saintess is also here. Don't tell me you intend to stay here and keep her company?"

Mo Han quickly adopted a serious expression. "Where did you get such an idea? I still have a few things to wrap up. I promised the Bull-Man tribe I would bid them farewell. Furthermore, Xiao Mo is still at the inn; I need to go retrieve him. Stop overthinking things. Heh heh."

Shui Ling'er giggled coquettishly. "I’d be a fool to believe that! I won't waste any more time on you. Go find your sweetheart and enjoy yourselves. Don't worry about me."

Mo Han inwardly let out a wry smile, just about to respond, when a melodious voice drifted from behind him. "Brother Mo Han is certainly with me. Don't get ahead of yourself thinking Brother Mo Han would like you."

Mo Han inwardly groaned. That girl, Liu Yanran—why did she have to show up at this precise moment? Wasn't this just causing trouble for him? Shui Ling'er’s eyebrows shot up, and she responded coldly, "I didn't expect the Dark Saintess to eavesdrop on people's conversations. That truly surprises me."

The speaker was indeed Liu Yanran. Ignoring Shui Ling'er’s derision, she walked over to Mo Han's side and spoke gently, "I knew you wouldn't abandon me and run off by yourself."

With that, she intimately linked her arm through Mo Han's, casting a look of clear provocation toward Shui Ling'er. "What's wrong? Aren't you in a hurry to get back to the Holy Capital? My Master asked me to pass a message to you: although we are adversaries, this matter concerns the safety of the Longteng Continent. My Dark Church won't stoop to petty anger over this. Therefore, we won't make trouble for you this time. You had better leave quickly, or don't blame us if we change our minds."

Shui Ling'er’s face turned ashen as she stared at Liu Yanran, retorting coldly, "Hmph. Do you think I’m grateful for your consideration? Even if you wanted to oppose me, do you think it would be that easy? Feel free to try."

Liu Yanran just laughed sweetly. "I can't be bothered fighting you. I’m going on a date with my Brother Mo Han now. Don't you dare follow us." She then gripped Mo Han’s arm and tried to pull him away.

Mo Han felt both amused and distressed. This girl really says anything that comes to mind! he thought. Going on a date with me—it sounds more like she’s the one pursuing me.

Shui Ling'er completely ignored Liu Yanran and simply stated coldly, "Go if you want to. Who's stopping him? His legs are his own. Where he chooses to go is his freedom. In any case, he's a notorious philanderer. Why are you telling me all this?"

Mo Han could only offer a bitter smile. He was standing still and somehow ended up being scolded—he was more wronged than Dou E.

Hearing this, Liu Yanran became delighted. "Brother Mo Han, she said it herself! Why are you still standing here, waiting to be scolded? Let’s go! I have something I need to discuss with you."

Mo Han asked in surprise, "What is it? I didn't hear you mention anything." Liu Yanran smiled mysteriously. "I just found out myself. Come on, let's go quickly." Then she tugged Mo Han away.

Seeing this, Mo Han could only look apologetically at Shui Ling'er. "Ling'er, you go on ahead. I’ll come find you once I’ve sorted things out here."

Shui Ling'er was clearly unimpressed, stating coldly, "You don't need to find me. Go enjoy yourselves with your sweetheart. Don't worry about me." With a huff, she turned and left.