Chapter 319 - Submission

Chapter 319: Chapter 74 SubmissionJin Fu had his dinner and leisurely made his way to his lover’s residence. Their tryst hadn’t lasted long when a knock sounded on the grand entrance.

"Who is it?" Jin Fu frowned slightly. This was the place for his secret rendezvous with his lover, scarcely known to anyone. Even if someone purposefully probed his affairs, they wouldn’t disregard his dignity to such a degree—to catch him in flagrante delicto?

"Lowly Tai Hongyun, by the command of the esteemed Qing Ling, I request the presence of the bishop for a conversation."

"Tai Hongyun?" Jin Fu opened the door. That name had once shone brightly in the Holy Court, but ultimately, due to his unruly character and targeted by others, he was relegated to the nominal Fourth Trial Knight Guard.

Jin Fu was acquainted with the name Qing Ling; having recently spent a considerable time within her plane, he should recognize its master.

"You seem much more obedient now, Tai Hongyun," Jin Fu commented as he gazed down at Tai Hongyun, who knelt on one knee. "Have you come here to threaten me?"

"I dare not," Tai Hongyun replied. "I am merely striving to fulfill a task assigned by the esteemed Qing Ling. Please, bishop, accompany me."

"I will not." Jin Fu sneered coldly. "Who does she think she is? I’ve just presented my report yesterday. What now, she wants to start an investigation on me?"

"I am unaware. We can only execute the tasks that our superiors command."

"Then go back and tell Qing Ling if she wishes to see me, she can come herself. Perhaps I’ll consider meeting her."

As Jin Fu made to send him away, Tai Hongyun hurriedly added, "The esteemed Qing Ling mentioned she wished to discuss the matter of long-distance teleportation gates with you and also stated that you must provide an explanation for the murder and arson committed within her plane."

Jin Fu paused, "These words won’t intimidate me. Tell her to come in person, as I’ve said before."

Tai Hongyun ignored him and persisted, "The esteemed Qing Ling also mentioned that one of your seven cardinal sins remains unresolved."

"What did you say?" This time, Jin Fu was somewhat panicked. Someone whose cardinal sins remained unresolved? In the snow plane, he had exerted his power only once. If there was anyone left unresolved, it could only be the masked man who came through the portal.

After a moment of deliberation, an impatient lover waited inside the house. Draped in a gauzy dress and barefoot, she descended the stairs, "Oh, what’s taking so long? What kind of person is this? A salesman?"

"Go upstairs," Jin Fu said indifferently with a sidelong glance.

His lover, having never seen Jin Fu’s serious side, quickly scampered upstairs.

Then Jin Fu went inside to change his clothes, "Let’s go. I’ll meet your master. I’ve seen her sincerity."

Tai Hongyun curled his lip; these high-ranking individuals always played with pretenses. Was it so hard to admit their fear?

"This way, please." Tai Hongyun led Jin Fu out to a carriage and they proceeded through the night to the front of Qing Ling’s door.

Jin Fu alighted from the carriage and unceremoniously pushed the door open and entered.

Qing Ling had been waiting in the living room for some time, "Good evening, bishop."

Jin Fu did not offer a friendly countenance as he bluntly said, "What matter warrants a nocturnal invitation from the esteemed Qing Ling?"

"Nothing much, just that someone wishes to meet you, hoping you can accommodate," said Qing Ling with a smile, nodding towards the direction of the secret room.

Jin Fu was taken aback, "It’s not you?"

"Of course," Qing Ling said. "What would I possibly want from you? You caused such a stir in the snow plane, and I didn’t interfere. What’s the point of raking up the past now?"

This statement caught Jin Fu off guard. Could it be that his covert actions on the snow plane had been detected by her? That made no sense. His movements were so carefully hidden. Or was it that the snow family still retained some of their old influence?

"What are you waiting for? Don’t let the person inside grow impatient. Anger him, and I’ll spill all your affairs with Lei Shan!"

Jin Fu’s eyes hardened. How did she find out? Looking back at the smiling Tai Hongyun standing outside, he certainly lived up to his reputation as the top student in the 745th session of the Holy Court’s Holy Academy. His capabilities were indeed extraordinary.

"Fine, I’ll go." Now that the leverage was in someone else’s hands, Jin Fu had no choice but to meet the person in the secret room. Whether Qing Ling had solid evidence or not, once the matter was raised, and the trial courts involved, something was bound to surface.

As Jin Fu entered the secret room, he was calculating how to suppress the issue. His career could not end here.

Entering the secret chamber, the door closed automatically. Jin Fu looked up to see a man radiating pure white Holy Light standing with his back to him, hands clasped behind.

"You’ve finally arrived," Lu Hong said in a low voice, "In three more minutes, this blessing will no longer belong to you."

"It really is you," Jin Fu recognized the voice, "You actually survived under the Seven Deadly Sins."

"The Seven Deadly Sins?" Lu Hong said mockingly, "They were originally mine, do you think they could kill me?"

"What do you mean?"

Lu Hong laughed, "Haven’t you realized yet?"

As he spoke, the white Holy Light around him grew even more dazzling, and the fear emanating from the depths of Jin Fu’s soul made him feel an urge to kneel.

"Holy Light without flaw..." Jin Fu exclaimed in horror, "How... How is this possible?!"

"What is impossible? I am the reincarnated Holy King, guided by the Heavenly God to return to the mortal realm and take charge of the Holy Court."

"Reincarnation? Are you joking? There’s no such thing as reincarnation in the Star Sea, or is it that the underworld wouldn’t take you?" Jin Fu forced himself to stay calm, he had never felt as flustered as he did today; storytelling shouldn’t be so far-fetched, is this a novel or what?

"Impudent!" Lu Hong shouted, the pure white Holy Light burning like a scorching sun, searing Jin Fu’s skin. Meanwhile, the Seven Deadly Sins in his Space Ring flew out and frolicked around Lu Hong, the corruptive power within them barely contained, as if eager to return.

"The Seven Deadly Sins..." It was a powerful magic artifact crafted by the Holy King himself, given to his believers, but the first imprint within it still belonged to its maker.

"Are you really the reincarnated Holy King?" Jin Fu still found it hard to believe.

"What do you think?" Lu Hong removed his mask and turned around.

"Baron Yitian?!" Jin Fu exclaimed, "You’re Baron Yitian Tukuru?"

"It’s me," Lu Hong said unafraid of revealing his identity, "If I weren’t the reincarnated Holy King, how could I possess extraordinary strength?"

"But why... why would you help the Sacred Empire?" Jin Fu asked, perplexed, but the respectful form of address he used gave Lu Hong an eight out of ten chance of victory.

"Although I am reincarnated, the place of my return wasn’t for me to choose. The borders of the Empire and our Alliance are tightly controlled, how could I possibly make my way back? Moreover, with the Holy Court’s internal factions in disarray, in what manner should I return? To be executed once more, to fall into obscurity again?"

A series of questions left Jin Fu kneeling on the ground, "This old servant wishes to become a loyal follower of Your Highness, the Holy King."

Believing was a simple matter; the Holy King possessed the purest Holy Light of the Alliance, a power that couldn’t be replicated. The Holy Light of the Holy Court was unique; although similar to that of knights and priests, a closer discernment revealed intrinsic differences. The priests and knights in the Sacred Empire’s territories had a Holy Light filled with compassion, mercy, and warmth, while the Holy Light propagated by the Holy Court of the Eagle Alliance was noble, pure, and majestic. Perhaps neither Holy Light was complete, but each had its own legacy.

Besides the impeccable Holy Light, the Seven Deadly Sins’ voluntary submission also explained everything. No further proof was needed; with just these two factors, imitation was utterly impossible. No fraud would attempt to counterfeit these two aspects; conversely, if one could create confusion here, one didn’t need to be the Holy King to become the Holy King. Even if full of bluster, a bishop must believe.

"Rise," Lu Hong looked at Jin Fu, considering how formidable this middle-aged bishop was. The man was no fool; his belief in Lu Hong as the reincarnated Holy King was mainly driven by the opportunities it presented for his own ascent, and to avoid the crisis from his allegiance to Lei Shan.

Jin Fu could be of use, but caution was necessary. Today, he chose to submit to preserve his own interests and continue his rise; on another day, for different benefits, he might betray Lu Hong.

Of course, Lu Hong did not intend to linger long in the Eagle Alliance. Once the Quest of the Eagle was over, he would find an opportunity to return to the Empire and resolve the issue with the Nagas.

"I will participate in the Quest of the Eagle," Lu Hong said, "And I need to use the power of my vital essence to crush my opponents and secure victory."

Jin Fu said excitedly, "Your Majesty, do you intend to use the victory in the Quest of the Eagle to announce your return to the entire Alliance?"

Indeed, Jin Fu was completely correct. A public declaration would prevent the other bishops from acting against Lu Hong, securing his safety against threats from their forces. With this protection and control over the impeccable Holy Light and the power of the Seven Deadly Sins, retaking the Holy Court would be like turning the palm of a hand.

Lu Hong smiled slightly, "Do you know why I chose you?"

"This old servant is dull, please enlighten me," Jin Fu implored.

"It’s precisely because you are clever," Lu Hong patted his shoulder, "Find me a plausible excuse. I don’t want to be questioned for using the power of my vital essence during the competition."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, this old servant will clear all obstacles for you."