83: If you do not abandon me, I will be willing.

Chapter 83: If You Don't Mind, Xiao Is Willing... The Hall Master left, feeling satisfied and triumphant.

He felt his handling of the situation was spot on and shouldn't affect Spirit Hall's plans.

As he left, he couldn't help but let out a couple of loud laughs.

Everyone watched the Hall Master leave, lost in thought.

The nobles, in particular, were gnashing their teeth in anger; they were all slippery fellows who didn't dare to formally break ties with the Temple!

Could they just sit by and watch the Temple continue to flourish?

If it dared to use Divine Punishment on their "black gloves" now, wouldn't it be hitting them directly in the future?

The nobles looked at each other, but not one of them stepped forward to challenge it.

Yu Mengzhang scanned the area; there was nothing unusual.

He naturally knew how much fear, rejection, and disgust those nobles felt in their hearts.

But, he didn't care.

How could a giant Dragon perched in the sky care about the thoughts of a group of ants?

If they actually dared to do anything, he would simply crush them to death.

Yu Mengzhang walked back into the Temple; the "Green Lizard" quite enjoyed the excitement and stayed outside to join in, and soon the lively sounds rose again.

Yu Mengzhang, meanwhile, sat cross-legged in cultivation beneath the statue.

Not long after.

"Knock, knock, knock...!"

A faint knocking sound came from the door.

A man dressed entirely in black robes walked in.

He was hunched over and immediately knelt upon entering, first bowing formally to the statue, then facing Yu Mengzhang.

"Greetings, High Priest..."

"Rise." Yu Mengzhang frowned slightly.

The man pulled back his hood, revealing a weathered face.

It was none other than City Lord Xiao of Nuoding City.

He had actually hidden his identity and come to the Temple!

City Lord Xiao said in fear and trepidation, "High Priest, I have come because I wish to share the Temple's burdens..."

Yu Mengzhang raised an eyebrow, looking at him in confusion.

City Lord Xiao said respectfully, "High Priest, you may not know, but in Nuoding City, those nobles are the true black sheep..."

"Why are you here?" Yu Mengzhang suddenly interrupted him, asking directly.

!!!

City Lord Xiao's heart skipped a beat. Although he didn't dare look up, he could imagine that Yu Mengzhang's golden eyes must be fixed on him, exerting intense psychological pressure.

City Lord Xiao swallowed hard and said with a trembling voice:

"Because... because I, I'm worried about being retaliated against by those nobles. I'm just a lowly Baron, my official rank is just high..."

"But, High Priest, everything I say here is true. Although I am also a noble, I have never done anything against heaven or reason, nor have I competed with the people for profit..."

"Even my son hasn't enjoyed any special treatment..."

City Lord Xiao hurriedly defended himself, proclaiming his innocence.

In his words, however, those nobles were rotten to the core, truly killing without shedding blood.

Inflating prices, layer upon layer of exploitation, forceful seizure... while on the surface they donated money to build bridges, that wealth all came from the oppressed commoners.

City Lord Xiao said angrily, "Nuoding City's tax revenue is poor because many commoners are enslaved by the nobles. They aren't slaves in name, but in reality, each noble's estate is a state within a state! I have been bullied by them for a long time!"

Yu Mengzhang looked at City Lord Xiao's angry expression; it didn't seem faked.

This was something Yu Mengzhang had never considered.

At the same time, those commoners wouldn't resent the nobles, but rather the thugs and rogues who did the nobles' bidding.

City Lord Xiao's words gave Yu Mengzhang a new perspective.

If he killed those nobles... would there be Karma?

Yu Mengzhang narrowed his eyes and looked at City Lord Xiao, "What are your thoughts?"

City Lord Xiao was delighted, knowing that Yu Mengzhang had been moved by his words.

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he suddenly stopped.

He had originally just wanted to frame those nobles to prevent them from ganging up on him.

But if he followed the original plan now, would it displease the High Priest?

He was playing the role of a loyal official who loved the people!

"I... I want to give the people of Nuoding City a bright and clear world! I want to bring all those nobles who oppress them to justice and make them pay the price they deserve!"

City Lord Xiao spoke with righteous indignation.

Yu Mengzhang looked at City Lord Xiao with a bit more respect upon hearing this, even though the man's heartbeat was strong—a clear sign of a guilty conscience.

But in such matters, one judges by actions rather than intent; if he could actually do it, it would count as a deed of Karma.

"Very well, I shall give you a push. Provide me with the evidence and details of the most heinous nobles, and Divine Punishment will naturally descend."

Yu Mengzhang said calmly.

"I shall do so immediately...!"

City Lord Xiao was about to rise but knelt down again, his face flushed and looking rather conflicted.

"What else do you want?" Yu Mengzhang asked.

City Lord Xiao hesitated, "I have been a coward my whole life. I never expected that only today would I find my true heart and be reborn... High Priest, you are like a second parent to me. If you don't mind, I am willing to acknowledge you as..."

???

"Begone!"

Yu Mengzhang waved his hand, quite speechless.

Adding his two lives together, he was only in his twenties.

City Lord Xiao was in his forties or fifties, yet he actually wanted to acknowledge him as an adoptive father?

Wasn't he a bit too old for that?!

City Lord Xiao's old face turned red, he gave a sheepish smile, put on his hood, bowed, and left the Temple... On the other side, Yu Xiaogang was fleeing Azure Dragon Mountain in a panic. He was only halfway down when a hand appeared on his shoulder and held him in place.

"Stop..."

!!! Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened. Hearing that voice, he instantly became unable to move, and fear rose in his heart.

"Yu Xiaogang, you're playing with fire again..."

The voice that had suddenly appeared was instantly in front of Yu Xiaogang.

It was none other than Tang Hao, staring coldly at Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang said with a long face, feeling helpless, "His Majesty, please listen to me, I'm being framed! How would I dare..."

Bang...!!!

Tang Hao suddenly punched Yu Xiaogang in the stomach.

"I can't be bothered to listen to your excuses, and I don't care about the details. Regardless, as long as you've done such a thing, no matter the reason, you need a beating to help you remember!"

Yu Xiaogang immediately hunched over like a large shrimp, coughing up a lot of fluid.

"Don't... don't..."

Another of Tang Hao's fists came crashing up.

Bang...!

Yu Xiaogang was punched upright again, falling backward, his left eye socket turning black and blue!

Falling to the ground, he looked up at the starlit sky and cried.

Who could understand how wronged he felt!!!

...In a thicket on the back of Azure Dragon Mountain, Xiao Wu was leading several children to catch fireflies. Tang San was among them, unaware of what his teacher was going through.

He just stole glances at Xiao Wu from time to time, his heart thumping.

"So cute..."

Tang San secretly swallowed.

However, seeing Xiao Chenyu next to Xiao Wu, he couldn't feel happy.

He had thought it was a date between Xiao Wu and himself, but he hadn't expected so many people to be there!

Xiao Wu shouted, "Everyone, catch them well! This is the Azure Dragon Squad's first mission..."