Chapter 1795: All the Changes She Brought
Mu Hanyan was initially worried that so many people flooding into Huayu City might cause trouble, so she instructed Sikong Qinglan to be vigilant and to severely punish any wrongdoers without delay. The priests beneath were also on high alert, and the capable Mu Clan members, including Mu Tu, were selected as temple guards to patrol all day long. However, later they found their worries were unfounded.
To have the opportunity to become a citizen of the temple’s main city, who wouldn’t know how rare this chance is, and who would dare misbehave? Each one adhered to the law cautiously, even spontaneously organized to repair the city walls.
In just over a month, the once dilapidated, desolate, and lifeless Huayu City had taken on an entirely new look, full of vitality and prosperity. Mu Hanyan had long seen the plight of the people on the Divine Continent, who were displaced and struggling. After discussing with An Xiaxin and others, they exempted half of the taxes for the citizens, as they hadn’t collected any taxes over the years anyway, so exempting half was inconsequential.
Upon the issuance of the decree, the entire Huayu City erupted in cheers, and thousands of citizens paid homage in the direction of the Divine Hall’s Chief Priest. The priests finally enjoyed the respect they deserved, no matter where they went, the citizens bowed and saluted with eyes full of heartfelt reverence.
While enjoying the people’s admiration, the priests felt even more grateful and reverent towards Mu Hanyan. They knew very well who they owed their current status to. Without Mu Hanyan, how much longer could the Huayu Temple have stood, and where would their current position have come from?
Whether for ordinary citizens or these young priests, the legendary God was too distant, and even the self-proclaimed Divine Servant and Lord Divine was too remote. For them, Mu Hanyan was their God, the God of Huayu Temple!
"Master Priest, it’s about time to leave." Sikong Qinglan said to Mu Hanyan.
After waiting for so many days, the anticipated revenge still hadn’t arrived, and with the date of the ceremonial journey approaching, Sikong Qinglan and others grew a bit anxious.
Whether they attend the ceremonial journey or not, it didn’t matter to other temples; no one took them seriously. But they themselves didn’t want to give up. This wasn’t just a chance for Huayu Temple to re-establish itself, the so-called Heaven and Earth Treasures also held great significance for Huayu Temple.
Although Huayu City has now regained vitality, it is far from prosperous, lagging behind other temple main cities. To restore its former glory and transcendence, who knows how long it would take, the Heaven and Earth Treasures are the best shortcut.
Even though no one knows what the so-called Heaven and Earth Treasures truly are, the legends handed down from the temple are unquestioned.
"No more waiting, let’s go." Mu Hanyan withdrew her gaze.
No matter the anticipation, the revenge hadn’t occurred, and Mu Hanyan couldn’t fathom what was happening but remaining here couldn’t delay the real business, right? Actually, she was also filled with curiosity about the legendary Heaven and Earth Treasures.
"Are all the arrangements in place?" Mu Hanyan asked.
"Everything is arranged, just waiting to set off." Sikong Qinglan’s spirit lifted as she spoke.
The plan had long been decided, Shen Yuhe, Sikong Qinglan, Wen Gaoren, Mu Tu, and Ling Baobao would accompany Mu Hanyan to Tianyang City, while others remained stationed at Huayu Temple.
Such arrangements were made because the ceremonial journey inevitably involves sacrificial rites, or offering prayers, and Mu Hanyan had no interest in performing acrobatic dances under everyone’s gaze. This kind of task was most appropriately handed to Sikong Qinglan, the professional.
And for the sake of the legendary Heaven and Earth Treasures, each temple’s Master Priest would certainly strive to seize it. However, the method of contention remained unknown, and Wen Gaoren, being experienced and possessing superior cultivation to An Xiaxin and others, might provide crucial assistance.
Shen Yuhe was involved because her mother came from Tianyang City, and her grandfather’s family had a certain influence there, which could provide assistance while visiting, preventing the inconvenience of being unfamiliar with the locale.
Mu Tu, of course, was there to assist, and could also serve as a guard. The strength showcased by the black-faced uncle during the previous encounter with Xiang Qiuzhan’s bandits even surprised Mu Hanyan; the Spring Cup did not disappoint, as disregarding combat skills, his strength was not far behind a Seventh-level Knight.
If taken by surprise, even a Seventh-Order Divine Priest might struggle under his butcher knife; combined with his years of wilderness hunting experience and ferocity, he was indeed stronger than the temple guards such as Yan Qingshan.
Mu Hanyan only now realized that the wilderness was not completely devoid of life; it could sustain beasts, and even Exotic Beasts thrived amidst sparse grassland and low thorns. Both ordinary beasts and Exotic Beasts, having survived such harsh environments, were more formidable than their counterparts on the Holy Court Continent, which could be considered the Divine Continent’s selective advantage.
Many land-owning civilians or refugees would venture deep into the wilderness to hunt for some meat, and Mu Tu’s martial arts were honed this way.
As for bringing Ling Baobao, it was naturally to satisfy his grand ambition of tasting all the culinary delights.
Under the escort of An Xiaxin and others, a sturdy and large carriage left the temple, heading outside the city.
Though the Huayu Temple was not yet wealthy, they replaced the cart-pulling old ox with four Red Charcoal Cloud Smoke Beasts. After all, as the Master Priest traveled, losing face was not an option.
Sikong Qinglan sat in the spacious, comfortable carriage, listening to the crisp sound of hooves, which seemed as melodious as celestial music, recalling leaving Huayu City in disgrace, feeling as if it were a lifetime ago.
Glancing at Mu Hanyan opposite, Sikong Qinglan reminisced about the past months, her eyes inexplicably moist.
"Alright, you should go back." As the carriage exited the city, Mu Hanyan said to An Xiaxin and the others.
"We’ll escort the Master Priest a bit further." An Xiaxin said, reluctant to part.
"No need, Huayu Temple requires your attention, don’t let anything go wrong." Mu Hanyan said.
An Xiaxin was left because she had served as Left Priest exercising duties of the Master Priest for a long time, gaining prestige among the priests and guards, and her temple management capabilities surpassed Shen Yuhe and Sikong Qinglan. However, Mu Hanyan also knew her temperament was not significantly stronger than the other two, merely forced by circumstances. Faced with any crisis, she feared An Xiaxin might struggle to cope.
"Rest assured, I will not fail your trust." An Xiaxin said with determination.
"Remember my words, whoever dares to defy Huayu Temple’s authority or harm the citizens of Huayu City, they shall be met with retribution, tooth for tooth, blood for blood." Mu Hanyan emphasized once more.
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