ATPnovel Chapter 205 The High Priest of the Nanzhao Temple personally visits
Chapter 205 The High Priest of the Nanzhao Temple personally visits
this day.
Three black, flat-headed carriages arrived at the gate of the Prince's Mansion, each with two drivers, looking no different from an ordinary merchant caravan.
But the person leading the group made Old Zhang, the gatekeeper of the Prince's Mansion, twitch his eyelids.
He was an old man wearing a dark purple robe, his hair was neatly combed, and he was leaning on a snake-head cane.
Even though it was broad daylight, the light around him seemed to dim a third when he stood there.
"Please inform the Prince of Zhenbei," the old man said in a hoarse voice, like sandpaper.
"The High Priest of the Nanzhao Temple requests an audience!"
Old Zhang dared not delay and immediately sent someone to report.
At this moment, Lin Chen was in the pavilion in the back garden, being pestered by Wen Ruoxi to play chess.
Now Wen Ruoxi doesn't even go to Zuiyue Pavilion anymore, and spends all her time pestering Lin Chen.
"Husband, please let me have a turn..." Wen Ruoxi pouted, holding the white chess piece in her hand for a long time, not knowing where to put it.
"I've already given you a three-piece handicap, isn't that enough?" Lin Chen crossed his legs, popped a grape into his mouth, and said, "If I give you any more, this game is unplayable."
"I don't care, I just want to win!"
"Fine, fine, you win, you win." Lin Chen casually tossed a black piece onto the chessboard.
"So, I admit defeat. Are you satisfied now?"
"You!" Wen Ruoxi stomped her foot in anger. "You have absolutely no romance! You're always so straightforward!"
Lin Chen coughed awkwardly, about to reprimand Wen Ruoxi, when Lin Wu strode over:
"Your Highness! The High Priest of the Nanzhao Temple is requesting an audience, accompanied by several carriages full of horses!"
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow slightly: "The High Priest has come in person? For Blue Phoenix?"
Wen Ruoxi chuckled, "Are you here to discuss the marriage? Or to interrogate me?"
"Go and see for yourself!" Lin Chen shrugged and stood up.
"I'm going too!" Wen Ruoxi said with a smile, linking her arm with Lin Chen's.
forecourt.
The three carriages had already unloaded their cargo, and more than a dozen large boxes were neatly arranged.
The boxes were made entirely of fine sandalwood and carved with totem patterns unique to the Nanzhao Kingdom.
The high priest bowed respectfully upon seeing Lin Chen emerge.
"Wu Jiu, the High Priest of the Nanzhao Temple, greets the King of Zhenbei."
"No need for formalities." Lin Chen waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the box, a clear understanding forming in his mind. He chuckled softly.
"It must have been tiring for the High Priest to make the trip in person."
"I wouldn't dare." Wu Jiu's attitude was almost excessively respectful.
"Holy Maiden... no, Phoenix is fortunate to have won the Prince's favor. The entire Holy Temple has prepared some small gifts to express our gratitude."
As he spoke, he gestured for his attendants to open the first box.
The lid was lifted, revealing a dazzling array of jewels.
It's all jewelry.
Jadeite bracelets, pearl necklaces, gold-inlaid jade hairpins, ruby earrings...
The selection is dazzling, and each piece is exquisitely crafted. Any one of them could feed an ordinary family for ten years.
Wen Ruoxi exclaimed "Wow!" and her eyes widened in surprise.
"These are Phoenix's private collection from her time in the temple, as well as jewelry passed down through generations of holy maidens," Wu Jiu said.
"The temple has taken charge and sent everything as a gift to the phoenix."
The second box was opened.
Inside were dozens of jade boxes neatly stacked.
"The temple possesses various unique medicinal poisons and venomous insects," Wu Jiu explained.
"There's the Rejuvenating Gu for healing, the Crippled Gu for detoxification, and..."
He paused, then took out a small, palm-sized, purple-gold box from the bottom of the box and presented it to Lin Chen with both hands:
"These are three Breakthrough Pills treasured by the Temple, which are remarkably effective in breaking through the bottleneck of the Grandmaster level."
Lin Chen took the box, opened it, and looked inside.
Three pills, each the size of a longan, lay in the velvet, pure white and emitting a faint fragrance.
"Good stuff." Lin Chen nodded. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
Although he didn't like it, it was still someone's kind gesture.
The third box contained medicinal herbs.
Thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum, ten-thousand-year-old ginseng, snow mountain lotus heart, nine-leaf poisonous dragon grass... all are rare treasures that cannot be found on the market.
The fourth box contained silk fabrics, including the unique cloud brocade and Miao embroidery of the Nanzhao Kingdom, with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
The fifth, the sixth...
As we drove along, the front yard was almost completely filled with cars.
Wen Ruoxi counted on her fingers: "Jewelry, poison, medicinal herbs, fabric... how much is all this worth?"
"Vulgar." Lin Chen glanced at Wen Ruoxi.
"I'm just plain materialistic!" Wen Ruoxi declared confidently. "That's what gives Smurfette her confidence!"
At this moment, Lan Fenghuang also came over from the west wing.
Seeing the courtyard full of boxes and Feng Jiu, Lan Fenghuang was stunned.
"High Priest?"
When Wu Jiu saw Lan Fenghuang, his expression was complicated, but he smiled and said:
"The little phoenix has grown up!"
"Grandpa Feng, you..." Lan Fenghuang's eyes were slightly red, and she didn't know what to say for a moment.
Wu Jiu sighed softly, "Since you have chosen this path, the Holy Temple will be your maternal home. This dowry is to ensure you have a grand and glorious wedding."
Lan Fenghuang's eyes immediately reddened.
"Thank you, Grandpa Feng!" Lan Fenghuang's voice was a little choked up.
Wu Jiu glanced at Lin Chen and said with a smile:
"The Temple will always be your support. If you suffer any injustice, you can always go back."
The voice wasn't loud, but Lin Chen heard it clearly.
He grinned and said, "High Priest, you're overthinking it. Although I, Lin Chen, am not exactly a respectable person, I never mistreat my own women."
Wu Jiu gave Lin Chen a deep look, and suddenly said:
"Your Highness, may I have a word with you in private?"
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "Sure."
The two walked down to the corridor.
Wu Jiu took out a black wooden plaque from his sleeve and handed it to Lin Chen.
The wooden plaque is about the size of a palm and feels cold to the touch. A coiled venomous snake is engraved on the front, while the back is covered with dense runes.
"What is this?" Lin Chen asked.
"The Temple's Guest Elder Token," Wu Jiu said in a deep voice.
"With this token, you can mobilize 90% of the temple's resources, including intelligence, manpower, and funds."
Lin Chen toyed with the token: "What are the conditions?"
"There are no conditions." Wu Jiu shook his head. "This is the sincerity of the Holy Temple. We only ask that Your Highness... treat Lan girl well."
Lin Chen looked at Feng Jiu meaningfully and said with a smile:
"High Priest, with all this dowry and tokens, it's like I'm abducting a woman."
Lan Fenghuang stayed voluntarily; I didn't force her.
"I know," Wu Jiu said, his expression unchanged.
"That's why the Temple is even more grateful. As for Lan's personality... if she doesn't want to, no one can force her."
He paused, then said:
"Furthermore, the Holy Temple wishes to establish a good relationship with Your Highness. Nanzhao is located in a remote area and lacks resources. If there is an opportunity in the future, we hope Your Highness will take care of us."
"No problem." Lin Chen put the token into his pocket. "I'm a man of great loyalty. If you treat me well, I'll treat you even better."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Wu Jiu breathed a sigh of relief. "Then... this old man will not bother you any longer."
"Don't rush," Lin Chen called out to him. "You've come all this way, have some food before you leave."
"this……"
"It's settled then." Lin Chen turned to the butler, Lin Fu, and instructed him.
"Instruct the kitchen to prepare additional dishes for lunch to entertain our distinguished guests!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Wu Jiu couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to stay.
Lunch was served in the front hall, with Lin Chen accompanying them, as well as Lan Fenghuang and Wen Ruoxi.
During the meal, after a few drinks, Wu Jiu became more talkative.
"Is Your Highness aware that things have been quite unsettled in Zhongzhou lately?"
"What's wrong with things?" Lin Chen asked, continuing to eat.
"The Netherworld Sect has closed its mountain." Wu Jiu gave Lin Chen a deep look.
"I heard it was because a swordsman named Dugu Qiubai came to their door, killed their twelfth elder with a single sword strike, and fought the Netherworld Sect Master to a standstill."
"Oh?" Lin Chen said casually, "I know about this. Why, is it making such a big fuss?"
"It's more than just big." Wu Jiu smiled bitterly. "Now all the sects in Zhongzhou are saying that the Netherworld Sect has lost face big time this time."
A peak Celestial Being could come and go freely at their mountain gate, and even slay a terrestrial immortal… The Netherworld Sect's reputation, built up over thousands of years, has been halved.
Wen Ruoxi's eyes lit up: "Senior Dugu is that amazing?"
"More than just impressive," Wu Jiu sighed.
"After this battle, Dugu Qiubai's name has shaken the Central Plains."
Many sects were inquiring about his background, but after hearing that he was a subordinate of the prince…”
He paused, then looked at Lin Chen: "Your Highness, you must be careful."
The sects in Zhongzhou value their reputation above all else. The Netherworld Sect has suffered such a great loss; they certainly won't let this go easily.
"How can they not let this go?" Lin Chen casually sipped his wine. "Send a few more mortal immortals to their deaths?"
"They might not dare to do it openly," Wu Jiu shook his head, "but if they do it secretly... it's impossible to defend against."
The demonic arts of Zhongzhou are unpredictable, employing poison, curses, and Gu techniques that are difficult to defend against.
Upon hearing this, Lan Fenghuang's expression changed slightly: "Grandpa Feng means..."
"I was merely reminding Your Highness," Wu Jiu said, glancing at Lin Chen.
"The prince is currently enjoying great influence, and he has repeatedly offended various factions in Zhongzhou. They won't let this go so easily."
Lin Chen smiled and put down his wine glass:
"Thank you for the reminder, High Priest, but I'm not afraid of trouble."
If they dare to come, I dare to meet them. I'll kill one if they come, and two if they come.
Lin Chen spoke casually, but the murderous intent in his words sent a chill down Wu Jiu's spine.
This Prince of Zhenbei... indeed has even deeper trump cards.
hope……
After the meal, Wu Jiu took his leave.
The three carriages, now empty, slowly drove away from the Prince's Palace.
Lan Fenghuang stood at the door, watching the carriage drive away, remaining silent for a long time.
"You can't bear to part with her?" Lin Chen walked to her side.
"No," Blue Phoenix shook her head. "I just didn't expect... the Temple to be so generous."
"That's because they're smart." Lin Chen put his arm around her shoulder. "You're not a saintess for nothing; this is an investment for them, understand?"
"invest?"
"Hmm." Lin Chen nodded. "You're one of my people now. If they treat you well, it's a way of showing goodwill to me. It's a good deal."
Lan Fenghuang was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:
"Your Highness, if... if I have truly suffered mistreatment in the palace, will you allow me to return to Nanzhao?"
Lin Chen turned to look at her: "Will you be wronged?"
"I……"
"You won't." Lin Chen chuckled.
"Because I won't allow it. My women, Lin Chen's women, can only enjoy happiness, not suffer. Whoever makes you suffer, I'll make them regret being born."
Lan Fenghuang looked at Lin Chen, tiptoed, and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thanks."
"Just thank you isn't enough." Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, then put his arm around Lan Fenghuang's waist and leaned down to cover her.
Seeing this, Wen Ruoxi rolled her eyes and turned to leave.