Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return

Chapter 1734: 1734 Is Truly Destitute

”My lord, Lord Sikong has returned!” Cheers of joy echoed from the crumbling city walls, and the city gates opened as several middle-aged men in tattered outfits came forward to greet them.

”Brother Yan, Brother Qi.” Sikong Qinglan jumped down from the carriage, warmly greeting the two leading men.

Seeing this, Mu Hanyan also got off the carriage.

”Lord Sikong, who is this?” Upon seeing Mu Hanyan, the men were slightly taken aback.

”This is Lord Mu Hanyan. These two are my friends, Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming, both citizens of Huayu City.” Sikong Qinglan introduced. Huayu City was evidently the rundown small town in front of them.

”Greetings, Lord Mu!” The two men immediately saluted.

”Brother Yan and Brother Qi, there’s no need for such formality.” Mu Hanyan returned the salute with a smile.

At this moment, she realized that the two were likely no older than around their thirties, but their faces were weathered, and their clothes shabby, making them look much older than their actual age.

”My lord, please don’t be so formal, for we are merely followers of Lord Sikong.” Seeing Mu Hanyan return their salute, the two were flattered and hurriedly stepped aside.

Just like on the Holy Court Continent, followers of the Temple Priests were either admirers of their strength or merely guards or servants. In the case of Hua Yuezi and the two men, it seemed they belonged to the latter category. However, even on the Holy Court Continent, Mu Hanyan never treated Hua Yuezi as mere servants but as friends or even family, so naturally, she wouldn’t look down on Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming, she remained courteous and completed the greeting ritual.

Seeing Mu Hanyan’s gentle smile, exuding warmth and grace without a hint of pretense, Yan and Qi were instantly filled with goodwill.

”My lord, the Left Priest and Right Priest have been waiting for a long time.” Yan Qingshan said to Sikong Qinglan.

”Oh.” Sikong Qinglan responded, showing a troubled expression but quickly perked up, saying, ”Let’s go, let’s not keep them waiting.”

Under the guidance of Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming, Mu Hanyan entered Huayu City.

If earlier, the bleakness of Huayu City seen from afar left Mu Hanyan’s heart only half cold, then upon entering the city, her heart turned completely cold.

Decaying city walls, ruined houses, and desolate streets, this Huayu City felt even more desolate than many ancient relics. After all, even ancient relics had the protection of prohibitory barriers. In Huayu City, Mu Hanyan immediately noticed, the power of the barrier was pitifully weak, with the fierce northern wind almost indistinguishable from those of the barren wilderness.

It was not until they gradually approached the temple that the barrier’s power began to strengthen, and the cold winds felt a bit less harsh and biting on the face. Clearly, the Huayu Temple, abandoned by the Divine Lord, could no longer support Huayu City’s barrier, barely maintaining it near the temple.

It was late in the evening, and among the rows of civilian houses near the temple, smoke from cooking fires gently rose. It seemed these were the remaining citizens in Huayu City, no more than a few dozen families.

Hearing the sound of the approaching carriage, many opened their doors curiously to look out.

Seeing these citizens, Mu Hanyan’s heart grew even colder. Each of them was clothed in rags, with sallow complexions, living conditions seemingly worse than those of the Mu Family, only slightly better than the homeless refugees.

No wonder Ye Yi’an was hesitant about Sikong Qinggang’s invitation before, and hadn’t even mentioned it to her. Life at Huayu Temple was indeed difficult.

Huayu City wasn’t large, and soon, the group arrived at Huayu Temple situated in the city center.

Two women clad in priest robes came forward to greet Sikong Qinglan.

”Lord Sikong, welcome back. You’ve had a hard journey.” One woman said with reserved politeness.

This lady appeared about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with a pretty face. Though her priest robe was somewhat old, it was kept clean and neat, imparting a sense of coolness, and naturally, a priest’s pride.

”Lord An, you are too kind; this is merely my duty.” Sikong Qinglan responded courteously.

”Brother Qinglan, did those old guys give you a hard time when you went to Tianfeng City?” Another lady asked, her bright, lively eyes twinkling.

She seemed slightly younger than the other lady, with a cherubic face, her smile revealing two small dimples, making her seem lively and animated.

”It was alright.” Sikong Qinglan replied vaguely.

”Did the Feng City Temple agree to our request?” The dimple-cheeked priest’s eyes lit up with joy, asking expectantly, oblivious to the reluctance in Sikong Qinglan’s eyes.

Young priests clad in priestly robes around them also looked at Sikong Qinglan with anticipation, as did the townsfolk.

”I’ll explain the matter with Feng City Temple later. Let me first introduce you; this is Lord Mu Hanyan, and these are our Huayu Temple’s Left Priest Lord An Xiaxin and Right Priest Lord Shen Yuhe.” Sikong Qinglan, feeling a bit ashamed, refrained from saying more in front of so many people, and instead focused on introducing everyone to one another.

”Greetings, Lord An, Lord Shen.” Mu Hanyan bowed and said.

The Dual Priests were both young women in their twenties, and most of the young priests around were also women, which explained why Sikong Qinglan was always so shy.

”Lord Mu, there’s no need for such courtesy. It’s such an honor to have you personally come to our Huayu Temple,” An Xiaxin, with a trace of a smile on her cold face, said. Even if the smile was forced, it still appeared more friendly.

But... wait a minute, what does she mean by ”personally come” or ”such an honor”? Is there some misunderstanding?

”Lord Mu, the distance between Feng City Temple and our Huayu Temple spans thousands of miles, the journey must have been arduous. Please come in and have a rest.” Shen Yuhe’s cherubic smile was indeed friendly, and she led Mu Hanyan inside as she spoke.

Upon hearing Shen Yuhe’s words, Mu Hanyan immediately realized they must have mistaken her for someone from Feng City Temple. It was no wonder, with Sikong Qinglan going to Tianfeng City for help, and she returning with him, his vague explanations earlier, coupled with his unusual courtesy towards her, it was no surprise the Left and Right Priests were mistaken.

”You’ve misunderstood, I am not a priest from Feng City Temple.” Mu Hanyan quickly clarified.

”What?” An Xiaxin and Shen Yuhe were taken aback, then turned their gaze to Sikong Qinglan.

”Feng City Temple rejected our request, their demands were the same as other major temples. Lord Mu here is actually here to participate in the priest examination at our Huayu Temple.” Sikong Qinglan looked at everyone with helplessness and said.

Upon hearing his words, everyone wore expressions of disappointment, no, more than just disappointment, it was despair.

Mu Hanyan knew, of course, this despair wasn’t because she was attending the examination at Huayu Temple, but because of Feng City Temple’s rejection. Though she didn’t know what exactly Sikong Qinglan had requested from Feng City Temple, the decay of Huayu City told her that without support from other temples, this temple might not sustain for much longer.