Chapter 153: Chapter 35 - The Bishop Comes Pursuing_4
Yan Shi said, "If we head further west out of Tian Gang Province, we should be entering the Province of Light of the Empire of Huasheng. Going through there will take us into the territory of the Empire of Sunset City. By then, we will search one province at a time. With the inquiry bracelet provided by Her Majesty the Queen, I hope we can find the princess soon. Actually, we have one more route to consider. That is, to follow along the edge of the territory of the Ya Lian Clan, heading northwest. We would pass by the outskirts of the Holy Church’s land and then enter the territory of the Sunset Empire. In this way, we can bypass the Tian Gang Mountain range, and although it’s a longer way, it might save us some time."
Upon hearing that they were to pass by the Holy Church, Xuan Yue was taken aback and immediately exclaimed, "No, no, we absolutely cannot take the Church route."
Yan Shi was taken aback and asked, "Why? We’re not heretics, what’s there to be afraid of. The territory of the Church is considered the safest place on the continent."
With an awkward smile, Xuan Yue replied, "Err, let’s not. It’s much more interesting to cross the Tian Gang Mountains! Perhaps we could even visit the renowned Tian Gang Sword Sect."
Ah Dai naturally knew that Xuan Yue was afraid of being caught by her father, so he chimed in, "Yan Shi, let’s take the Tian Gang Mountain route. My uncle was from the Tian Gang Sword Sect, if given the chance, we really should pay them a visit. Before his death, he was still thinking about that place."
Yan Shi laughed heartily and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? I had already decided to take the Tian Gang Mountain route. Teacher Xi Wen had passed down martial arts to Ah Li and me. This time, it would be nice to pay him a visit."
Xuan Yue heaved a sigh of relief and complained, "Yan Shi, you’re so annoying, scaring me like that."
Yan Shi was puzzled and said, "What’s so scary about going to the Holy Church? You’re even practising Light Magic. Ah! I know, are you afraid of being recruited by the church to be a Goddess? In fact, even though the church would recruit mages practicing light magic, they would still respect your own choice. You don’t have to be afraid."
Xuan Yue gave him a glare and did not continue explaining. After half a day’s brisk march, everyone finally left the Elf Forest. Tian Ying landed on the ground with the elves and said, "Head westward from here to enter the territory of the Ya Lian Clan. We can only escort you until here. Take care on your journey, we’ll be waiting for your good news in the Elf City."
Yan Shi responded, "Uncle Tian Ying, please take care too, we will complete the mission given to us by Her Majesty as soon as possible. Ah Li and I left two horses on the other side of the forest, could you please look after them for us? We’ll reclaim them when we return." After bidding farewell to Tian Ying and the elves, they all set off in the direction of the Ya Lian Clan.
After they set out, Ah Dai wanted to share the Top-Grade Magic Crystal with Yan Shi and Ah Li, but they declined, saying they had no use for it. Reluctantly, Ah Dai temporarily stored it in the Dragon’s Blood for safekeeping.
Just two days after Ah Dai and his party left the Elf Forest, there was another group of visitors to the forest.
The Red Robe Priest Xuan Ye led twelve senior priests and twelve Silver Armored Judges of the Court of Justice into the Elf Forest. Ten days ago, based on the report by Ying Er, he learned that his daughter was planning to go to the Death Forest, which shocked him intensely. Well aware of the terror in the Death Forest, he knew that even a half-baked mage like Xuan Yue, much less himself, might not be able to come out unscathed. Out of desperation, he hurriedly took the twelve senior priests away from the Holy Church and entered the territory of the Sudor Federation, without telling his wife. As they had no firm idea of Xuan Yue’s route, they had to rely on Ying Er’s guidance into the territory of the Red Hurricane Tribe and followed the trail left by Ying Yi to the outside of the Elf Forest during his visit. When passing through the Pu Yan Clan territory, due to Xuan Ye’s esteemed status, he was not detained and received a confirmation from the Clan Leader Yan Fei, much to his surprise. Yan Fei was also shocked to learn that the pretty young girl was the beloved daughter of the Red Robe Priest. He immediately sent people to escort Xuan Ye and his party through the Pu Yan Clan territory towards the Tian Yuan Clan.
After ten days of rushing, Xuan Ye finally brought his group to the outskirts of the Elf Forest. By the time they arrived, Moon Scar and the others had already left this direction two days ago.
A silver figure flashed past, and Ying Yi floated out from the forest, knelt down before Xuan Ye, and said shamefully, "Greetings, Red Bishop."
Xuan Ye with a stern face said, "Stand up. Where’s the young lady? Did she enter the Elf Forest?"
Ying Yi nodded and said, "On that day, I followed the young lady and her friends into the Elf Forest. Halfway through, we were ambushed by a group of thieves from the Guild, who seemed to be aiming to capture some Elves."
Xuan Ye was surprised and said, "These thieves are getting bolder, even daring to capture elves in the Elf Forest. Continue."
"Yes, later on, the young lady and her friends fought against the thieves. But unexpectedly, the thieves had seven obtainers among them. Just when I thought the young lady and her friends were at a disadvantage and was about to help, the young man named Ah Dai suddenly unleashed the Sword of Hades. He killed the one of the obtainers and scared the rest away."
Xuan Ye turned pale and exclaimed, "What? You’re saying the Sword of Hades is with Ah Dai? How could that be? That’s the Nether King’s personal weapon. We’ve been searching for the Nether King for years."
