Chapter 773 - 365: Talisman

Chapter 773: Chapter 365: Talisman

Old Fang’s eyes rolled around, then suddenly he smiled, "Young Master Xin, well then, I did take a little advantage of you just now. No more jokes. I’ll give you a talisman, it’s my treasured item from the bottom of my chest." Old Fang said, "Carry it on you usually, it can bring luck and ward off misfortune."

Saying this, he fumbled in his bosom for a long time before finding a worn yellow paper package and tossing it to Li Xin, "Remember to keep it close, don’t put it in Yazama Karashi, or else it won’t work."

Li Xin received the yellow paper package, inside which was a worn triangular talisman, with inscriptions of a seal on the outside, appearing very ancient... it might really be something good.

"How do I use this thing?"

"Just keep it close, top-grade talismans sense things on their own." Old Fang took a sip of tea, feigning indifference.

"Oh?" Li Xin looked doubtful, every time he saw Old Fang acting mysterious, he felt like he was being tricked, especially since no money was charged, which didn’t fit the rules of a Life Master.

"You’re not swindling me, right, not charging?"

"Young Master Xin, where’s the trust between people, ahem ahem, I’m leaving Dragon Capital soon, it’s too cold here, I prefer warmer places as I age." Old Fang said.

The price must be paid, but not in only one way.

"You’re leaving already, what about Hundred Martial Hall?"

"A new generation replaces the old, I’m just passing by on my way back home this time, we will meet again if fate allows."

Li Xin did not persuade him to stay, he knew Old Fang must have his difficulties, "Let’s exchange Messenger marks, it’ll be easier to contact for anything."

"I guess it’s doable, but, Young Master Xin, I’m retired, don’t look for me if there’s trouble, if there’s money to be made I can help you out, besides, I don’t do cash on delivery." Old Fang reminded.

"Take some snacks with you, eat them on the road." Li Xin said.

"Young Master is so considerate you could give me more." Old Fang rubbed his fingers.

Li Xin rolled his eyes and shouted, "Ma Liu, Ma Liu, pack some snacks for Old Fang."

The originally about-to-leave Old Fang’s eyes lit up and he immediately stopped, shouting, "Two portions, two portions, Young Master is so thoughtful."

The Gourmet Elder’s delicacies are enough to awaken the taste buds of a Great Angel, a very rare treat.

Soon Ma Liu came in carrying five food boxes, excited to see Old Fang, "Old Fang, how’s Dragon Mother?"

"She’s great, you’re quite lucky too." Old Fang chuckled, accepting the food boxes unapologetically, stepped out of the room with joy, and soon disappeared.

Hearing this, Ma Liu, face still smeared with flour, also showed a bright smile, reminiscing about the days at Li Long Inn when everyone was present.

"By the way, how’s Dalivin?" Li Xin suddenly recalled, having to thank Dalivin for the crucial information he provided.

Ma Liu froze for a moment, shook his head, "No news afterwards, Song of Hell should probably withdraw after completing the plan."

Li Xin nodded, "How’s the situation outside, is the plague under control?"

"I’m not too sure, I’ve heard it’s stabilized, Dean Chen is currently treating with full force, separating the sick from the healthy people, mobilizing Canon Law School’s manpower, coordinating with the Church Court and Night Patrol." Ma Liu said.

Dragon Capital encountered a great catastrophe, fortunately got through it, hopefully nothing else arises in this cold weather, but it always feels like Song of Hell won’t just let it go, though his current state really can’t afford too much concern, Church Court still unknown whatever plans and Sister Kathy hasn’t returned either.

Pope and Song of Hell really treat people like livestock.

...

Moncalleta, atop the remote Awuro Cliff Mountain from bustling Hedan, the gigantic Withered Wood Monastery stands tall on the cliff, its gray massive walls rise like a bastion straight into the sky, and the solemn domes above have layers upon layers of spinning Wish Power, like wind, like clouds, or like gasified spirits.

Moncalleta’s new King Hokele stands before the gate, followed by several close ministers with grim and angry expressions, they are Hokele’s recently promoted confidants.

An old nun bows to the king, her voice calm and firm, "Your Majesty, the Dean is in seclusion and refuses all visitors."

Even the courteous excuse slightly stiffened the smile on Hokele’s face, but he then recovered, maintaining the king’s smile, "I understand the monastery’s rules, but, I only came to visit the monastery according to the ancient covenant."

The Ola Royal Family has an ancient pact with Withered Wood Monastery, from the last era to now, recognized by New Era’s laws, as one of the Holy Lands, initially only women could enter Withered Wood Monastery, but Moncalleta’s king is the sole exception.

Hokele calmly took out a letter, smiling decently and irrefutably, "In Moncalleta, the king is always supreme, even a holy land is under my jurisdiction, but rather than exercising privilege, I prefer to respect the ancient covenant with the monastery, please give the letter to the Dean, she will agree."

...

"Dean, the king insists on visiting, he sent this letter."

In the Hall of Eternal Life, Sister Alasha, who was praying, took the letter without a trace of surprise, without opening it, quietly looked at the sealed mark of the Ola Royal Family on it, her gaze had a slight destiny-like intensity, and after a moment’s silence said, "Let him in." Alasha said, "Jialan, go greet this new king of Moncalleta."

Ambitious king, some things, once they start, will, no matter what, slide into that inevitable abyss of fate and will do so increasingly faster.

Kneeling before the statue of Saint Mary, Jialan stood up, said nothing, and obediently followed behind the old nun. As Alasha watched her, in her eyes, even deeper secret spiritual sight, Jialan seemed like an inconspicuous wisp, easily ignored and overlooked, but as she stepped out of the Hall of Eternal Life, her gray figure instantly became vivid, as if all the colors and light in her space were converging on her, not just beauty, but something soul-captivating.

Before the huge gates of the monastery, Hokele maintained his kingly smile, his close ministers behind him inspect this legendary place with curiosity, rumored to have ways to prolong life.

Visiting Withered Wood Monastery was a covert display of solidifying his throne, he is a mature king, he didn’t entrust all important positions to those who supported him when he was still a prince, but plays a careful balancing act, holding new and old interest groups he’s crowned with firmly in hand. Only, there are always ambitious ones who take his kindness for weakness, especially since the Earth Mother Goddess Church still has voices challenging him. Today his forceful entrance into Withered Wood Monastery as a holy land is a signal, the Ola Royal Family wielding the Golden Tree Laws, is the master of Moncalleta, he, as king, is always the one making choices.

Click... along with the sound of the latch, the monastery’s large doors rumbled open, Jialan gracefully stepped out from within, dressed only in a nun’s simple robe, with no extra adornments, her appearance seemed to envelop the gray-themed monastery in a layer of light, as if leaping from a black and white sketch into an oil painting.

Hokele’s calm was pierced by a stunning surprise, almost losing his royal composure, he straightened his already straight back, suppressing his emotions, gaze fixed on Jialan, she must be the rumored Sister Jialan, few have seen her, yet her fame persists, indeed with reason, this beauty transcends rational cognition.

Understanding in the heart is one thing, a racing heart is another.

"Your Majesty." Jialan slightly bowed her head, her calm voice breaking the crowd’s engrossed admiration, except Hokele still smilingly watching her, everyone else averted their eyes, her voice lightly said, "I am the Dean’s disciple Jialan, the Dean is in seclusion, I am here to greet you on her behalf, Withered Wood Monastery welcomes the king’s visit."

Hokele nodded, his gaze restored to composure, "Sister Jialan, thank you, Withered Wood Monastery is a Holy Land, and an irreplaceable faith for Hedan, I should have visited long ago."

Pausing slightly, he waved lightly to his ministers, "You wait here."