Spirit Hall branch, Gengxin City
The incense smoke curled lazily above the small altar, the faint glow of the angel statue flickering in the dim light. Bishop Robert knelt with his hands clasped tightly, whispering his final words of prayer.
The silence was broken, not by sound, but by presence.
His breath caught as he felt it: a weight, an awareness that pressed against his skin. Slowly, he turned his head , he saw standing in the stillness behind him, blonde hair like spun sunlight, purple eyes as deep as endless night.
"Y-Young Master…" His voice trembled.
Qian Renxue stood with casual poise, one hand gently stroking the fur of a small sleeping cat she carried. Her expression was soft, but her gaze was sharp, stripping away facades.
"I apologize for disturbing you during your prayer," she said evenly, her voice like flowing water, smooth.
He forced a smile, bowing low.
"My prayer is finished, Young Master. In fact, you arrived at just the right time."
Qian Renxue let the corner of her lips curve into a faint smirk. She turned, placing the sleeping cat upon the window sill where it curled into the morning light.
The cat on the window stirred slightly, then curled tighter into its dreams.
Then, with her hands clasped behind her back, she continued:
"You must already know—the Angel Corps has come to review the latest batch of weapons delivered by the Blacksmith Association."
Robert, regaining a fraction of composure, straightened and answered quickly.
"Yes. They are currently being checked in the depot. The Blacksmith Association transferred the orders a week ago, and everything has been accounted for."
Qian Renxue's eyes lingered on him, unreadable. Then she tilted her head slightly, her golden hair shimmering in the sunbeam that entered through the stained glass.
"I have heard only good reports about the new Bishop of Gengxin City."
Her gaze sharpened suddenly, and Robert swallowed.
"But… I have also heard of obstacles. Ones placed by the Patriarch of the Strength Clan., Tai Tan"
Her steps echoed softly as she turned, walking slowly past him, forcing him to keep his eyes lowered.
"Tell me, Robert. How exactly have you worked to pacify the civilians' disgust toward Spirit Hall? And how have you faced these… obstacles?"
The young Bishop hesitated. His tongue felt heavy, as if confessing before her was the same as confessing before the Angel God herself. Finally, he bowed his head.
"For this, Young Master, we must start from the beginning. It may take some time."
Qian Renxue stopped walking and let the silence stretch. Then, looking toward the brightening sky outside, she answered calmly, almost lazily:
"We have all the time in the world. Please continue."
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Outside the Spirit Hall branch of Gengxin City
The clang of metal echoed as members of the Angel Corps moved in disciplined lines, hauling crates of gleaming new weapons from the depot. The sunlight glinted off polished blades and armored spearheads, their edges catching hints of crimson light as if eager to taste battle.
She Long stood with his arms folded, eyes sweeping the courtyard. His brows furrowed slightly as he glanced toward the looming cathedral-like structure of the Spirit Hall branch.
"Tell me, Ci Xue," he muttered, his tone half serious, half curious, "why do you think the Young Master came here personally, to Gengxin City of all places?"
Ci Xue didn't take his eyes off the Angel Corps members directing the weapons carts. His voice was steady, practical.
"Perhaps to meet Lou Gao. You know how much of a storm the fiasco here caused back in Spirit Hall."
She Long rubbed his chin, his curiosity unquenched.
"Hmm… maybe. But I can't help but wonder…"
At that, Ci Xue finally turned his head, his expression hardening into cold seriousness.
"Your curiosity will only trip you up, She Long. Our task is clear: watch, guard, and ensure nothing interferes with Young Master's work. That is enough."
She Long exhaled loudly, shrugging his shoulders as though shaking off the tension.
"C'mon, Ci Xue, there's no way anything will go wrong here. This is the Spirit Hall branch, of all places. No one would dare—"
His words were shattered by a booming voice that rolled like thunder from the gate.
"SPIRIT HALL! How dare you renege on the payment owed for the hard labor of Gengxin's blacksmiths?!"
Standing before the Spirit Hall gate was a small group of burly men.
At their head waddled a rotund figure whose very shape made him stand out, about 1.6 meters in height, yet his waistline seemed to measure the same. His round face was marked by protruding ears, squinting eyes, and a tangled beard that barely hid the smugness curling on his lips.
This was Tai Tan, Patriarch of the Strength Clan, one of the Four Great Clans that had once sworn loyalty to the Clear Sky Clan.
The shout he had unleashed rolled through the square like a war drum. Civilians peeked from behind doors and stalls, murmurs spreading like wildfire. Other people, drawn by the noise, clustered together. More and more people began gathering, their eyes caught by the sight of a Spirit Hall gate being challenged openly.
Tai Tan's lips twitched upward, though his small eyes remained sharp.
(Author Note : The event in Gengxin city is taking place some time after Qian Renxue had her 5th soul ring. And Spirit Hall's pursuit of Tang Hao and Ah Yin has already started as some one had found out Ah Yin is actually a soul beast.)