Chapter 1927 - 2026: Torn Between Wanting to Die or a Fate Worse Than Death

Mu Hanyan finally realized, she had originally found it strange that even the Life God Temple among the Five Great Divine Temples couldn’t handle Xiang Qiuzhan, and she managed to kill him. Logically, she should have received some rewards, so why had there been no response? Turns out, it was because people didn’t believe her.

It’s no wonder, if it weren’t for the existence of the Chaos Heavenly Fire, she would indeed have had no chance of killing Xiang Qiuzhan at that time. Even now, if Xiang Qiuzhan had realized he was no match and intended to escape, without using Sword Dao Cultivation, without using the Destruction Sword Dao, she might not have been able to keep him. After all, there was a residual soul of a Demon Dragon hidden in his sword, and he still had a great chance of escaping by sacrificing that residual soul.

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Zhao, for coming all the way here," Mu Hanyan’s eyes sparkled with a golden light as soon as she heard there would be rewards from the Main Shrine.

Though the Great Priest Mu didn’t lack cultivation resources now, one couldn’t just rely on depleting existing resources. Since the Huayu Temple had more than a hundred new priests, the originally prepared elixirs were already somewhat insufficient. The booming trend in Huayu City was fantastic, but it couldn’t become wealthy overnight. Besides, apart from them, nearly a thousand disciples from various families were waiting to pass assessments to become priests.

The cultivation resources granted by the Main Shrine could exactly solve this urgent need.

Therefore, Mu Hanyan’s attitude towards Zhao Xinghu became much more polite. Who would refuse money? Not taking advantage is like being a fool.

"It’s not difficult, it’s not difficult, this is my duty," Zhao Xinghu said righteously.

"Lord Zhao, I don’t know how we can prove that the person who died by my hand is indeed Xiang Qiuzhan, who is wanted by all the temples?" Mu Hanyan asked.

Xiang Qiuzhan and his sword had turned to ashes, and she really had no way to prove his identity.

"There is no need for Priest Mu to worry about this, I have my own ways. In any case, as long as the person who died by Priest Mu’s hand is indeed Xiang Qiuzhan, I can find evidence," Zhao Xinghu said confidently.

"Then I’ll trouble Lord Zhao to use his resources," Mu Hanyan, though unable to think of what method he might have, relaxed since he said so.

"However," Zhao Xinghu suddenly changed his tone and said, "my cultivation has encountered some issues and I’m stuck at a bottleneck. A slight carelessness might lead to losing control. In order not to delay the main priest’s important affairs, I must find a way to break through the bottleneck quickly. I have to request the main priest’s help with some things."

"Please, Lord Zhao, as long as it’s within my capability, I will do my best to assist," Mu Hanyan slightly furrowed her brow. Although Zhao Xinghu spoke tactfully, why did it feel like a threat?

"No need to trouble the main priest, just help me find some elixirs," Zhao Xinghu said with a smiling face.

"What elixirs?"

"Two Divine Essence Pills, four Heart Refining Pills, seven Dragon Transformation Pills, and additionally, ten Mystical Intent Pills," Zhao Xinghu said.

Holy crap! Why don’t you just rob a bank?! Mu Hanyan’s face darkened, almost blurting out a curse. If it weren’t for considering Zhuge Qiu, she would have already exploded. Is the title of pampered lady just for show? Asking bribes from her, are you looking to die or live a fate worse than death?

Mu Hanyan had never taken the elixirs Zhao Xinghu mentioned, but she had seen them at the Gao Family Black Market before. Each of these pills was worth at least a million, with the most expensive Divine Essence Pill going up to tens of millions. Its Dan Power and efficacy were certainly proportional to its price.

With Zhao Xinghu’s cultivation as a third-tier Divine Heart Priest, how could he need such expensive pills to break through a bottleneck? Clearly, he was opening his mouth wide, looking for an opportunity to extort.

Previously, seeing him speak so righteously, Mu Hanyan had thought he was just some proud and arrogant priest by nature, but she hadn’t expected his character to be so vile.

"Lord Zhao sure thinks highly of me, such high-grade elixirs are rare and expensive. How could our Huayu Temple possibly come up with them?" Mu Hanyan suppressed her disgust for Zhao Xinghu and said, her expression also becoming much more indifferent. Provoking her too much, she could solve it simply and brutally with a sword, but that would attract inquiry from the Life God Temple, which would be troublesome. To deal with such people, other methods need to be thought of.

"It’s okay, it’s okay, I happen to know where I can buy some. As long as Priest Mu gives me some silver taels, I will find a way to procure them myself," Zhao Xinghu continued with an enthusiastic tone, oblivious to Mu Hanyan’s change in expression.

Mu Hanyan almost spat right there. She’s seen shameless people, but never this shameless. When others ask for benefits, they at least add a notion of a loan, albeit one with no return. But he didn’t even bother with the word "loan," one simple "ask" solved everything.

"Sorry, Lord Zhao, as you might have seen, Huayu City is in a state of rebuilding, needing money everywhere, I truly cannot spare any extra silver taels," Mu Hanyan’s tone had become completely cold.

"Priest Mu, you better think clearly, whether you can get the Main Shrine’s reward or not, all depends on my word," Zhao Xinghu finally noticed the change in Mu Hanyan’s tone and his face darkened as he coldly laughed.

"Lord Zhao, are you threatening me? Do you know what happens to those who threaten me?" Mu Hanyan raised an eyebrow, her eyes flashing with some sharp gleams.

"Masters, please calm down, let’s discuss this matter at length!" Zhuge Qiu, having some understanding of Mu Hanyan’s character and being deeply worried about her strength, quickly intervened to mediate, fearing she might impulsively take action against Zhao Xinghao.

Saying so, Zhuge Qiu moved between the two, attempting to pour some tea to ease the tension.

With him standing in between, the two were less likely to turn against each other right there, yet neither spoke again, and the atmosphere turned unusually frigid.

"Let’s do it this way, Priest Mu doesn’t need to decide immediately. In any case, it will take some days for me to investigate Xiang Qiuzhan’s case further. Priest Mu can give me a response after careful consideration. The Main Shrine’s reward is not something that a few pills can compare to; I think Priest Mu will come to understand it," after a moment of silence, Zhao Xinghu spoke.

"Someone, escort Lord Zhao back to his room to rest," Mu Hanyan said to the guard standing by.

No matter how vile Zhao Xinghu’s character was, his visit to Huayu City was indeed under the order of the Life God Temple, and Mu Hanyan could not immediately tear her face with him. However, that was for now, as for later...

Zhao Xinghu immediately stood up, waved his sleeves, and with a scowl, followed the guard to the guest room.

"Priest Mu, Zhao Xinghu is insatiable, you shouldn’t stoop to his level," after Zhao Xinghu left, Zhuge Qiu bitterly smiled and said to Mu Hanyan, his face visibly showing some embarrassment.

"How did the Life God Temple let such a shameless person become a Penalty Priest?" Mu Hanyan said with some disdain.

Although the temple and the Holy Court were sworn enemies, in the end, it was only a difference of ideologies. So, Mu Hanyan didn’t have much hatred for the temple itself, possibly related to Fen Qianji.