Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Chapter 599: Chapter 599: An Old Lady Fell to the Ground

Leaving the Holy City Helogig, the Saintess officially began the most important pilgrimage of her life.

This lengthy pilgrimage would traverse the entire world, taking more than three years to complete. Afterward, Feng Yu would relinquish her role as the Saintess, retire behind the scenes, and be succeeded by her appointed successor who would inherit her mantle.

The successor to the Saintess was nominated by various churches, and the headquarters of the Goddess Sect would further screen them, until only one girl was left who was acknowledged by both the Saintess and the Goddess.

Before relations between Humans and Subhumans deteriorated, there had been records of Subhuman girls serving as the Saintess of the Goddess Sect.

However, that history has been thoroughly erased by someone unknown.

Ever since the Humans expelled the Subhumans, there has never been a Subhuman serving as the Saintess of the Goddess Sect.

In the Human World, it is taken for granted that only Humans can serve as the Saintess of the Goddess Sect, as they are the race truly favored by the Goddess.

In Wansheng Country, there are actually quite a few churches of the Goddess Sect, and before the outbreak of war, churches from both countries exchanged in several border cities.

But ever since the war broke out, the Goddess Sect in Wansheng Country had lost contact with its headquarters.

Such history was repeating itself for the second time.

At the establishment of Wansheng Country, many Human nations were unwilling to recognize Wansheng Country, reluctant to engage with it, and even joined forces to suppress it.

For this reason, the headquarters of the Goddess Sect had severed contact with Wansheng Country’s Goddess Sect for a century, which led to the development of different philosophies and thoughts within Wansheng Country’s Goddess Sect.

At that time, Wansheng Country’s Goddess Sect even once believed that they were the true orthodoxy, and the Human Goddess Sect was the heresy.

Later, as relations between the two countries eased, communication between them gradually became more frequent, slightly bridging the cultural rift.

However, this situation did not continue indefinitely.

Feng Yu looked out of the carriage window to see the world passing by, the snow-covered landscape transforming into a barren grassland. She had left the Holy City Helogig three days before and had consoled two churches along the way.

Truth be told, Feng Yu also wanted to visit the Goddess Sect churches in Wansheng Country, but when she proposed this request, it was met with opposition from all sides.

Not to mention the Luo Ze Empire’s Royal Family, more than three-quarters of the Church’s headquarters were against it, believing it far too dangerous to go to Wansheng Country, insisting that, despite the number of people accompanying her, the Saintess must not be allowed to take such a risk.

Time and again, she raised the issue, but the Church’s decision did not change.

Feng Yu had no choice but to abandon her thoughts of visiting Wansheng Country.

Unable to truly visit every church, Feng Yu felt deep guilt and regret.

Perhaps, by the time she returned, the two countries would have reconciled. Then, suggesting a visit to the churches of Wansheng Country might have a chance of success.

Suddenly, the scenery before Feng Yu’s eyes slowed down, eventually coming to a complete halt.

She leaned out of the carriage and asked the accompanying Priest,

“What’s happened?”

The Priest’s face showed difficulty, but he could not lie to the Saintess,

“Lady Saintess, an old woman in tattered clothes has collapsed in the middle of the road. Don’t worry, many Priests and Nuns are already attending to her, and we should be able to continue our journey shortly.”

Hearing the Priest’s words, Feng Yu pushed open the door of the carriage, stepped down, and looked along the road, only to see several Priests and Nuns emitting a soft light in their hands, administering aid to the old woman who had collapsed on the road.

They noticed the arrival of the Saintess and sent a representative to greet her respectfully:

“Lady Saintess.”

Feng Yu asked, “How is she doing?”

“To be honest, the situation is very bad,” replied the priest representing them. “Her body is extremely exhausted, as if she hasn’t eaten for several days. We’re doing our utmost to save her, but given her old age, the Holy Maiden must be prepared for the worst.”

Feng Yu did not hesitate, nor did she heed the priest and nun trying to dissuade her at her side. She walked over to the old woman, bent down to check her condition, and then used the Holy Light power overflowing from within herself to aid the old woman lying on the ground.

The old woman’s withered fingers twitched slightly, causing everyone present to rejoice overwhelmingly.

“It’s no wonder she is the Holy Maiden. The Holy Light power she possesses is truly beyond our reach.”

Feeling warmth spread throughout her body, the old woman opened her parched lips and called out in an extremely weak voice, “Water…”

Feng Yu immediately asked a priest to bring some water and gently poured it into the old woman’s mouth.

Upon tasting the water, the old woman grabbed the water bottle, sat up from the ground, and gulped it down, taking a long, satisfying breath,

“I’m alive again! Thank you all.”

“Now that you’re alright, could you please move aside? We need to get going,” a priest said.

The old woman’s face, full of wrinkles, was apologetic as she smiled, “I’m sorry, so sorry, it was my fault. You are truly like goddesses on earth, and I will never forget your kindness for as long as I live.”

After speaking, the old woman picked up a cane scattered on the side, shakily stood up, and began to hobble away.

“Wait a moment, old lady,” Feng Yu felt a pang of pity watching the scene unfold, “Could you tell me why you were here?”

“I’m just an old hag, there’s nothing worth mentioning. You all look like you have important matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you any longer.”

The old woman smiled resignedly, but she hadn’t walked many steps before her body began to sway, and she started to topple forward. To prevent her from falling and hurting herself, several priests and nuns quickly helped her steady herself.

“I really am a clumsy old hag, can’t even walk properly.

If my children, grandchildren, and husband were still with me, it would be so much better.

Otherwise, I would not have traveled this far alone…”

“Old lady, may I ask what happened to your relatives?” inquired Feng Yu.

Helped by the priests and nuns to sit on the grass, the old woman sighed deeply, “It’s a long story. I used to have a family full of children and grandchildren, but then, the terrible war took them from me, one after another… till at last, I was left all alone…

But maybe, not entirely alone.

The reason I left home was to find my family.

Perhaps they are idle in the poor countryside, or thwarted dreams in the bright cities; maybe, like you and me, they have already packed their bags for an unforeseen journey.

Wherever they are, I’ll find them, they are my beloved children, I don’t know if this old woman can be of any help, but I will still offer them my compassion.

As long as they can accept my compassion, I believe that one day, we will come to understand each other, and become a true family once again.”

Everyone present was moved by the old lady’s tale. Feng Yu, empathetically wiping the corners of her moist eyes, wanted to help the old woman in front of her find her potentially existing relatives,

“Old lady, what is your name? Perhaps, with that, we can help you find your family.”

“This old lady…” Before the old woman could respond, a knight from the escort ahead of the Holy Maiden’s procession strode confidently towards them.