Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!

Chapter 553: Chapter 521: Father and Son Reunited

A servant stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, ”Reporting to the High Priest, a coup has taken place in the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor has been imprisoned by the rebels, his fate currently unknown.”

”According to the latest intelligence, three major families have revolted, and other families are striving to rescue Your Majesty. However, some mysterious figures in black have appeared, preventing them from entering the palace, and I’m afraid the situation inside... does not look good and is extremely critical.”

The Sea Race High Priest Lunus did not respond, nor did he turn around.

The Beastman looked at the High Priest’s back, not daring to speak further, unable to decipher his thoughts.

Twenty years ago, the High Priest had announced his seclusion from the world, focusing on cultivation, and would never step out of the Divine Hall unless faced with world-ending disasters.

The only times he secretly left were for that legendary Young Priest.

The change of imperial power shouldn’t be a significant issue for the High Priest, right?

The servant only intended to make a routine report, after all, the High Priest never paid attention to these matters. If not for this incident involving the Royal Family and causing serious implications, there might not have even been a report.

But why did the High Priest specifically have him investigate the palace coup?

Another person came in from outside and reported, ”Reporting to the High Priest, two distinguished guests request an audience! They are holding your token, and one of them... is Prince Jia Lan from the Royal Family.”

Lunus gave a slight tremor, clutching the Scepter tightly.

Although the time when the High Priest and the Empress had a brief but unknown relationship was long sealed by time, known to very few, a few close attendants in the Divine Hall still knew some of the inside story.

Seeing the High Priest’s reaction, they could guess that the ”Young Priest” he protected so well, whom even they had never met, was indeed this Prince Jia Lan!

After a long time, Lunus turned and walked down from the high platform, speaking slowly, ”Invite them in.”

”Yes.”

Outside, Shen Tang and Jia Lan didn’t wait long before someone came to pass on the message, ”Honored guests, please follow me.”

Shen Tang tugged at Jia Lan, only to find him standing still.

She turned her head in confusion to look at him, ”Ah Lan?”

Jia Lan’s face didn’t look good.

Or rather, since arriving at this place, he hadn’t been quite himself.

To be honest, even Shen Tang felt an unusual oppressive aura here.

The Sea Domain Divine Hall was stationed at the edge of the polluted area, and the pollution was spreading too quickly, blackening large sea areas.

The rampant virus caused the pollution to spread, but this power could not be simply covered by biochemical viruses, it leaned more towards a form of death and dark energy. The virus and pollution gave birth to a vast amount of ominous death aura, fueling this mysterious force, becoming more terrifying, and suffocating...

Shen Tang looked at him worriedly, ”Are you okay?”

Jia Lan clutched his chest, pressed his lips, and shook his head, ”I’m fine, let’s go in.”

The two followed the servant to the main hall of the Divine Hall.

The High Priest had been waiting for a long time.

Although he was an elder, his appearance was not much different from his youth, remaining handsome, yet more mature than a young man. His calm, light-golden eyes seemed to have witnessed a thousand sails.

”Welcome to the Divine Hall,” Lunus’s voice was low and melodious, carrying a gentle smile.

He looked at the two visitors, more precisely, at Jia Lan.

The calm, deep golden eyes only showed a ripple, like an undercurrent hidden deep under the sea, when they landed on him.

”Greetings, High Priest.”

Jia Lan was also observing this mysterious Sea Race High Priest. He spoke somewhat awkwardly, his complexion unnatural.

Though knowing the other was his father, and their appearances bore some resemblance, Jia Lan was very unfamiliar with this father. To him, they were just meeting for the first time, strangers sharing blood ties.

Lunus sighed lightly, eyes showing regret, but he didn’t mind.

He walked up to Jia Lan, slightly lifted and then dropped his thin lips, ”Apologies, I have not been able to accompany you, failed to fulfill my duty as a father... you have grown a lot.”

Lunus looked deeply at his son, his right hand slightly raised then fell, only saying softly, ”Have you been well all these years?”

”Thank you... for your concern, Father, I have been well and have found the love of my life.” Jia Lan said, looking at Shen Tang beside him, a smile appeared on his handsome face.

”Hehe, I’ve seen the young lady. She truly is excellent, meeting her is your good fortune.”

Lunus also looked at Shen Tang, nodding in satisfaction. His gaze seemed to penetrate many things, and Shen Tang unknowingly straightened her back, smiling in response, ”It was my honor to meet the High Priest in the Spiritual World a year ago!”

Listening to their conversation, Jia Lan looked surprised, apparently unaware of when they had met.

However, that was no longer important.

They both remembered the purpose of this trip.

Shen Tang and Jia Lan had agreed beforehand that the matter must be proposed by him personally.

Only if he spoke would the High Priest consider it.

”Father, I have a request!”

Jia Lan’s voice still held signs of unfamiliarity, but he mustered up the courage to speak directly, ”The Sea Race Palace has been overthrown, and the previously exiled Side Consort Sivall incited a rebellion, conspiring with external forces to imprison Mother and the Royal Princes and their families. I beg you to take action and help me rescue them!”

Lunus nodded, inviting the two to sit, ”No need to rush, I have already heard about this.”

Jia Lan clenched his fists, a flash of light anger in his eyes, ”Since you already knew... why didn’t you act to save them sooner?”

Lunus sighed lightly, seemingly helpless, ”Born as the High Priest of the Divine Hall, there are many things beyond my control. Violating the Divine Hall’s precepts could trigger unexpected events, leading to irreparable consequences...”

Speaking to this point, he glanced at Jia Lan, his gaze filled with deep, restrained paternal love and more complex emotions, finally saying only, ”The Divine Hall has never involved itself in the fluctuation of imperial power; this matter is unrelated to my duties, and I cannot leave the Divine Hall or neglect my responsibilities.”

Jia Lan heard this in silence, unsure of what to say.

The Sea Race High Priest indeed had no obligation to interfere in imperial power struggles.

But whether considering public or personal relationships...

He looked at Lunus, struggling to speak, ”Will you truly not intervene?”

Lunus also gazed deeply at his long-unseen son, gently touching his cheek, an affectionate but awkwardly unnatural gesture, quickly withdrawing.

Looking at the face so similar to his own younger self, his thoughts were complicated—the Priest Clan’s lifelong service to the Divine Hall and the sea area should have severed kinship, yet he couldn’t let go of this blood tie.

He said, ”Child, I need a reason.”

Jia Lan was stunned, thought for a moment, and replied, ”I beg you to rescue Mother. If you agree, I will dedicate my utmost effort to the Divine Hall in the future when needed!”

Shen Tang turned to him, worriedly calling, ”Ah Lan...”

Jia Lan held her hand, ”Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

All things come at a cost.

Lunus, ”Alright, child, I agree with you.”

Jia Lan and Shen Tang were both pleased, intending to return to the Imperial Palace with him immediately.

However, Lunus commanded, ”But I have one condition, you must stay in the Divine Hall, and until I return, you cannot leave.”

He patiently instructed, ”No matter what happens, you must not leave this place.”

”You only need to stay here, leave everything else to me.”

”The Divine Hall will take good care of you.”

Having said this, Lunus turned and left.