Chapter 695: Chapter 695. A Cultivator’s Life

The Temple of Divinity’s warrior priests comprised thirty thousand cultivators. They all wore white robes that covered their holy armor. The armor was produced by the best blacksmiths and enchanted by the best engravers, who were recruited from all over the land.

These warrior priests were the core force of the Jin Dui Sect, one of the three main bodies within the Temple of Divinity responsible for military matters. These warriors only numbered thirty thousand, but they were the best of the best. All of them were at the Martial Realm, with the bulk of the army at the Mystic Stage. The leaders and superior officers were all Spirit Stage warriors.

The leader of the Jin Dui Sect was Jin Guan. He was a Peak Spirit Stage cultivator. He was now organizing his troops outside the wall of Saint’s Rest.

Zhang Daofeng and Mu Qin watched from the wall.

“Are you sure you want to join the march?” Zhang Daofeng asked Mu Qin.

“Of course. I want to make sure I put a swift end to this pointless opposition,” Mu Qin answered. “Are you sure you don’t want to join?”

“One of us has to guard this city,” Zhang Daofeng replied. “If you march with our troops, then I must stay.”

“I don’t think that is necessary. All our faithful followers will take up arms to protect this city if the enemy attacks, but suit yourself,” Mu Qin said. “I alone am enough to teach those heretics a lesson. Once I wipe out their Lord Stage cultivators, I doubt they will still dare to continue this campaign. This should keep the casualties to a minimum.”

“The Holy Mother is wise and merciful. I regret that you must deal with this personally. I feel so useless,” Zhang Daofeng said.

“This incident is highly unusual, so it is fine that I involve myself,” Mu Qin said. “That said, I suspect there is someone behind the scenes who pulled the strings. Once we repel this opposition, I want our people to turn every rock until they find out the culprits. We can’t let this incident repeat itself.”

“I will organize the Xin Lai Sect to send agents all over the world to investigate.”

“Have the Khei Ji Sect interrogate our people who might be suspicious as well.”

“You suspect we have traitors among our midst?” Zhang Daofeng asked.

“We can’t rule anything out,” Mu Qin answered. She saw Jin Guan send her a hand signal, indicating the troops’ preparations had been completed. She told Zhang Daofeng, “I’m off. I will leave the city in your hands.”

When she arrived, all the warriors of the Jin Dui Sect took to the sky. Since all of them were Martial Realm cultivators, they did not need to march by land.

Mu Qin didn’t say anything to rally her warriors. Nor did her warriors need her encouragement. Just the sight of her was enough. That’s how much they worship her. They would gladly die for her sake.

She flew toward where the Farghous’ army was known to camp. Her warrior priests flew behind her.

—————

“Damn it! Can’t you keep your soldiers in check?” Huang Ti criticized Dim Loog.

They had received news about Mu Qin’s coming. It was Zhang Daofeng who warned them. All three Lord Stage cultivators from the three countries had gathered where Farghous was camping, so were their armies.

“Hmph! Those traitorous pilgrims had it coming,” Dim Loog said. He would rather appear guilty than admit his failure in reining in his soldiers. He asked something to divert the attention. “Do we have news from the team that went to hunt the Soul Flayer?”

“Sura sent me a message talisman yesterday, informing me that they are close,” Hou Huang said. “They should arrive today.”

“He did…? I haven’t received any news from Huang Er,” Huang Ti said. He glanced at Huang San, who nodded his confirmation that they were still unable to contact the princess. The fact that Sura Yao could send a message while Huang Er couldn’t troubled him.

“Even if they arrive today, we still need time to make the talisman,” Hou Bang said. “They can’t help us with the coming conflict. What should we do? If the Holy Mother is as powerful as Zhang Daofeng said, even the three of you won’t win against her.”

“Do you suggest that we retreat and avoid fighting her?” Huang Ti asked.

“I would rather die!” Hou Huang exclaimed.

“Farghous’ soldiers are no cowards! I will be damned if I don’t act exemplarily,” Dim Loog stated.

“I guess the only cure to hot-bloodedness is the wisdom that comes with age,” Huang Ti remarked.

“I can’t believe it. Do you truly suggest that we choose the cowardly path and avoid the fight?” Dim Loog asked Huang Ti. He had fought the old king, so he knew that Huang Ti was not a coward.

“What my father and Sir Hou Bang suggested was that we show restraints for the sake of our main objective,” Huang San said. “Even Zhang Daofeng, whose cultivation is higher than you three, believes that he needs to enlist the aid of other Lord Stage cultivators from the world to face the Holy Mother. If we lose any of you in this fight, it will reduce our chance of victory when we can finally face her together with the hierophant. We must conserve our strength until that time comes.”

“We will lose our dignity if we retreat!” Dim Loog exclaimed.

“Losing a little dignity to ensure our victory is a small price to pay,” Huang San uttered.

Huang Ti nodded approvingly. The way Huang San carried himself before these other sovereigns showed him that he had been correct in supporting Huang San in his bid for Echos’ throne.

Even though Huang San’s argument was sound, not everyone was convinced. Huang Hou said, “Don’t be ridiculous. A sovereign’s dignity is of utmost importance. How can we face our subjects if we show weakness and cowardice?”

Hou Bang sighed. He had known that his empress would be the hardest to persuade to retreat.

“I will face the Holy Mother! I will get revenge for my cousin. I will do it even if I must face her alone!” Hou Huang proclaimed.

“You won’t,” Dim Loog said. “I will be there to support you.”

Huang Ti shook his head. “Sigh… Since it is so, I guess I must look after you youngsters to keep you alive until reinforcement arrives.”

Dim Loog commanded his aide, “Prepare the troops for battle!”

Hou Huang and Huang San did the same.

After leaving Dim Loog’s command tent, Huang Ti told Huang San, “Take Huang Zen and stay behind the army. Do not join the battle. I have a bad feeling about Huang Er… If something has happened to her, you are the remaining two to carry our Huang line.”

“Father, I’m sure sister is fine. She probably just lost her talismans,” Huang San consoled.

“After everything that happened, I no longer dare to hope for the best…” Huang Ti said. Huang San thought his father’s face seemed especially weary. After a long sigh, Huang Ti added, “Perhaps it was indeed divine punishment that had befallen our clan, for something I did in the past. I hope this punishment doesn’t extend to you and Huang Zen. I’m willing to bear heaven’s wrath as long as you two are spared.”

“Father, I don’t believe heaven is so cruel that it is responsible for what happened to our clan,” Huang San said. “No, I believe it is the work of the devil, and we can’t win against the devil by cowering back. I will stay behind the army, but I won’t run from a fight if it comes my way.”

“Sigh, I’m both proud and worried by your hard-headedness. Just try your best to stay safe, okay.”

“I will. You, too, father. You faced someone who is probably the most powerful person in Aetheria. I’m more concerned about your safety. Do not force yourself if things become too much to handle. You must prioritize safety. Don’t be ashamed to flee.”

Huang Ti chuckled. “Look at us… Sometimes, I wonder how our life would be if we were not the governing clan of a kingdom. Perhaps you won’t need to fight with your brothers and sisters. Perhaps we will live in peace with all my grandchildren still alive…”

“There is no peace on the path of cultivation,” Huang San said. “We chose a cultivator’s life. That means we chose the path of conflict. We strive to be the best, and our ancestors achieved it. That’s why we sit at the top of our kingdom. There is nothing wrong with our lives. We just encountered some roadblocks, but we will overcome them. Believe in yourself, Father. Believe in me. Believe in our clan.”

Huang Ti smiled. He patted Huang San’s shoulder. “I’m glad it’s you who took over my throne.”

Huang Ti’s affectionate gaze remained on Huang San for a while. Finally, he said. “Don’t die.” He then flew away to join his two Lord Stage partners in preparing to face what they believed to be their strongest opponent.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep