Chapter 1698: Hidden Kindness Beneath Harsh Words
Chapter 1698: Chapter 1698: Hidden Kindness Beneath Harsh Words
Mu Yi’an and Mu Han Yan, they really came. Kang Qingyuan and the others exchanged glances.
"Come in." Wen Rongsong said arrogantly.
As Ye Yi’an walked into the central hall, Mu Han Yan felt her eyes brighten.
The hall was six or seven zhang wide and over ten zhang high, with sunlight streaming through the eight high windows, giving a sense of majesty mixed with mystery.
Three white-haired priests sat arrogantly on a high platform opposite them, looking down at them. If they guessed correctly, these should be the priests in charge of the examination.
At some distance, another young priest sat alongside them. This priest looked extremely refined, seeming about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, yet carried a certain youthful naïveté not fitting his age. Unlike the other older priests, his face showed no arrogance, but rather a worried and troubled look.
Probably another descendant of the Priest Family, otherwise he wouldn’t be sitting here at such a young age. Mu Han Yan had never had a good impression of spoiled rich kids like this, who rose to fame relying on family influence. Of course, at this moment, Lady Mu would not care to think that in many people’s minds, she was indeed like this spoiled rich kid, not better than others, perhaps even worse.
After just a glance at him, Mu Han Yan turned her head away, not noticing that as she did so, the young priest instinctively raised his head, staring at her, utterly dazed.
Not only her, but others also did not notice the unusual expression on the young priest’s face, with Wen Rongsong and the others’ eyes remaining fixed on Mu Yi’an and his group.
"Are you Mu Yi’an?" Wen Rongsong glanced at Mu Yi’an and asked.
"Indeed I am." Ye Yi’an responded calmly with a nod.
"I am the Left Priest Wen Rongsong of Feng City Temple. This is the Right Priest Liang Gusong, and this is Kang Qingyuan, the Prayer Priest of the temple." Wen Rongsong introduced the two nearby.
Divine Continent doesn’t have countries; the temple directly governs the whole continent. Thus, priests have levels of rank among each other, and they were the three highest-ranked priests under the Master Priest of Tianfeng City. Naturally, they needed to be introduced.
Upon hearing Kang Qingyuan’s name, Mu Han Yan instinctively looked at the lean old priest, but he didn’t even glance at them, just lowered his head sipping tea.
This old man has deep wisdom; he’s not one to be trifled with. Mu Han Yan thought secretly.
Kang Zihe was injured like that; Kang Qingyuan absolutely wouldn’t be unaware. If it were anyone else, they’d show some anger and hostility, but this old man seemed calm as if nothing happened.
As the saying goes, barking dogs don’t bite, but biting dogs don’t bark; this old man certainly belongs to the latter. Mu Han Yan definitely didn’t believe he would just watch her become a priest, so she secretly heightened her alertness.
"Mu Yi’an greets the esteemed lords." Ye Yi’an remained composed, without looking at Kang Qingyuan, making a salute with hand gestures.
"No need for formalities. By rights, Mu Priest is still our senior, and with the ability of a Ninth-level Divine Priest to reach such an old age, it’s not easy." Wen Rongsong said with some sentiment.
Though he harbored ill intentions toward them, outwardly he feigned kindness, displaying enough respect to Ye Yi’an. This was to prevent Ye Yi’an from growing suspicious and jeopardizing the plan.
"You flatter me." Ye Yi’an replied blandly.
"Are these two your Mu family descendants? Why is one named Mu and the other Ling?" Wen Rongsong asked jovially.
"Mu Han Yan is my Mu Family relative, Ling Baobao is a descendant of the Ling Clan in Keshan City. Seven thousand years ago, the Ling family’s fortunes declined, leaving Keshan City to wander the continent. Recently, he passed through our fief, and fell in love with Mu Tu’s daughter Yuyu at first sight, intending to marry into the Mu Family once the priest examination is over." Mu Yi’an said.
Ling Baobao pulled a wry face, pursing his lips, seeming like he was nauseated. Although this was pre-arranged, hearing it now still made him feel uncomfortable. He didn’t have any aversion toward Mu Tu’s precious daughter, but as soon as marriage was mentioned, images of Miss Yuyu’s dark and rotund face flashed in his mind, making him extremely uneasy.
Mu Han Yan also quietly wiped cold sweat away. Ling Baobao needed an identity to participate in the priest examination, so she was aware of this marriage plan; it was just a facade. However, she was completely unaware of stories about the Ling Clan from Keshan City and their fall seven thousand years ago, clearly Ye Yi’an was making things up; anyway, it was nearly ten thousand years ago, who would investigate, who could find out the truth?
This old man indeed has a real knack for being a god-man.
"Then congratulations to your Mu Family. We were worried about Senior Mu having no successors, yet suddenly there are two exceptional descendants emerging. Now the Mu Family is sure to make a grand appearance." Wen Rongsong said insincerely.
But in his heart, he secretly vowed: Initially thought it was just Mu Han Yan, but unexpectedly there are two, no matter. I’ll eliminate them both at once, ensuring your legacy never rises. Dare to defy the priests of Feng City Temple, this is your fate!
Since these two managed to pass the test of the Qi Refining Stele outside and enter the temple, their identities were naturally unquestionable; no suspicion at all. Little did he know, Ye Yi’an’s act had already frightened the two young priests outside, making them too nervous to verify their identities.
"Thank you for the kind words, my lord." Ye Yi’an bowed slightly and said.
"Since you are descendants of Senior Mu, we won’t bother with formalities, you must know the risks involved, shall we begin then?" Wen Rongsong said.
"Alright." Ye Yi’an nodded.
Though he had intimidated the two priests outside, he still feared unforeseen complications, eager for the examination to end as quickly as possible.
"Wait!" At this moment, the young priest suddenly spoke.
"Priest Sikong, what’s the matter?" Wen Rongsong looked at Ye Yi’an with displeasure.
"Such lowly people, unworthy of qualifying for the priest examination, simply a waste of time." The young priest glanced at Mu Han Yan and Ling Baobao with disdain and said.
"Who is this lord?" Ye Yi’an asked with displeasure. He had noticed this priest earlier, but Wen Rongsong hadn’t introduced his identity, leading Ye Yi’an to believe he was a junior relative of a priest coming to watch the excitement, not taking him seriously. Hearing his disrespectful comments, Ye Yi’an felt a bit annoyed.
"Senior Mu, this is Sikong Qinglan, the Prayer Priest of Huayu Temple, here to Tianfeng City to discuss matters with our Master Priest. He incidentally arrived during the priest examination and decided to observe," Wen Rongsong introduced, then said to Sikong Qinglan, "This broad appointment of priests without constraint is a decree from Lord Divine. Does Priest Sikong hold some discontent with Lord Divine?"