Main Text, Volume Two, Chapter Ninety-Five: Departure (End of Volume Two)

It was her. He had not expected that she had already returned. The moment Yumu saw her, his eyes lit up, and a weight that had pressed on his heart finally fell away.

The one speaking was none other than the priestess Naga, with whom Yumu had parted only half a month ago.

Though her appearance had changed little, among the crowd Yumu recognized her at a glance.

“Hmph. No matter the reason, rules are rules. Otherwise, why would the three of us have set them down in the first place? So long as I live, I will never allow you to act as you please within the territory of my Holy Sun Church. You had best withdraw at once.”

After hearing Naga’s words, Shang Yun indeed changed his attitude.

The old scorpion woman said angrily, “Bishop Shang Yun, have you thought this through? Is it worth severing ties with my Free Alliance for the sake of some nobody?”

Shang Yun gave a cold laugh. “To save all beings is the very foundation of our doctrine. Besides, this man has come to the lands of my Holy Sun Church, and so is under the grace of our faith. He ought to receive the blessings of the God of Light. I advise you to leave. I will not let you have your way.”

“You... Fine. Very well. Since you are determined to interfere, then we shall see.” Enraged and humiliated, the scorpion woman was about to leave, but then she turned back and said, “He is on your Holy Sun Church’s ground now, so I have nothing to say if you protect him. But I do not believe he can remain here for a lifetime. When he leaves, we shall see how he escapes my grasp.”

Shang Yun said with serene indifference, “Once he leaves this place, the matter becomes between the two of you. It is beyond my concern. I will not see you out.”

The scorpion woman pointed at Yumu with a frosty gaze and snapped, “Boy, you’d better wait for me.”

At once, Shang Yun cast a barrier before Yumu and rebuked her sharply, “Stop! You dare strike before my eyes? What do you think you are doing?”

“Hahahaha... I am, after all, a figure of standing. Would I stoop to plotting against a junior? This is merely a warning, little thief. Farewell!”

With a shrill, unrestrained laugh, the scorpion woman turned and departed.

Hearing their exchange, Yumu was startled. He hurriedly checked himself over and, finding no injury, finally relaxed.

After the scorpion woman left, Shang Yun led the others back into the church, leaving only Naga, who flew toward Yumu.

Yumu went to meet her. “Naga, you’re back?”

“Mm. I returned not long ago.”

“Are you well? Did you find Sister Naye?”

A shadow crossed Naga’s face. “I did. She has already returned to the embrace of the God of Light.”

“Was she found on a mountain peak?”

Naga was slightly stunned. “How did you know?”

Yumu explained in detail what had happened at the time.

After listening, Naga sighed. “Yes. The remains in the eagle nest were indeed Sister Naye. The silver eagle that harmed her has already been purified by the bishop and gone to serve the God of Light.”

Yumu was secretly shocked.

It seemed that the religion in this world was nothing like the gentle and tolerant faith of his former life.

Naga took out a brilliantly shining pearl and said quietly, “It was this Thunderlight Pearl that cost her her life.”

Yumu stared at the pearl. It was the very one the two of them had obtained in the Holy King's Tomb. So it had ended up in Naye’s hands, while the spirit crystal had gone to Naga.

So that was it. The silver eagle had been after this pearl.

He could not help asking, “Where did the silver eagle hide it? Why did we not discover it then?”

“This Thunderlight Pearl had long since been swallowed into the silver eagle’s belly. We found it only after we cut it open.”

Only then did Yumu understand. So the eagle’s fearsome bolts of lightning had relied on the power of this pearl. No wonder they had been so devastating.

“And the young eagle?” he asked again, unable to restrain himself.

“The young eagle did commit the sin of eating people, but considering its youth and ignorance, and that such behavior was only its nature, it has already been taken back for instruction and reform, so that it may harm no one else.”

“Oh.”

Yumu thought to himself, they make it sound noble enough with their words, but in truth the Holy Sun Church behaves no differently from the secular world. What they do is the same old business of killing the mother and seizing the child. Yet cultivation is a world of the strong preying on the weak; too much pretension only makes one seem hypocritical.

Lowering his voice, Yumu asked, “That ghost cave—have you investigated it again?”

Naga nodded slightly. “After I told the bishop about it, he went to investigate in person. He nearly suffered a great loss, but found nothing. After that, he issued a clear order forbidding anyone from entering there again.”

“I see.” Yumu nodded thoughtfully.

“When did you return here, and why were you being hunted by that scorpion woman?” After finishing with the past, Naga turned to the present.

“I only came back today. As for the scorpion woman, it was like this...” Yumu briefly explained how he had come into conflict with Ye Yun.

Then he said to Naga, “You must have pleaded with the bishop just now and saved my life. Thank you.”

Naga waved it away. “It was nothing. Besides, even if I had said nothing, the bishop would never have allowed her to run wild here. So there is no need to thank me.”

“You are too modest.” Yumu knew the truth was probably not so simple. Naga simply did not want him to feel indebted to her, and so had said this.

But Naga went on, “Although the scorpion woman has withdrawn for now, I doubt she will let this matter rest. If you leave this place now, she will surely hunt you again. It would be better to stay here temporarily. Wait until things calm down before departing. That would not be too late.”

Yumu shook his head. “I still have urgent business and must leave at once. Besides, I fear the longer I delay, the harder it will be to escape.”

In the city, those who wanted his life were not limited to the Fire Venom Path.

Moreover, arrows in the dark were harder to guard against than open spear points. Even if the Holy Sun Church could protect him for a time, over the long run someone would inevitably seize the opportunity. Better to leave now, before his enemies had laid a net all around him.

Naga looked slightly disappointed. “In that case, I will not keep you. Where do you intend to go after leaving?”

Yumu was taken aback, then thought for a moment. “I have two places I need to go. First is the Forest of Ten Thousand Spirits on the Batu Continent, where I hope to find my brother Meng Fang. Second is the Sage Continent, where I would like to visit some old friends. Which to go to first, I have not yet decided.”

“Oh, so that is how it is.” Naga said, “This time, my tomb expedition yielded some progress. With the church’s approval, I have already been promoted to High Priestess. In the near future, I will travel the world to spread the doctrine. Perhaps before long, we will meet again in our wandering.”

Yumu stared. “You are going out to travel the world?”

On closer inspection, Naga seemed unchanged, except that there was now a strand of red cord among the rope tied around her waist. Was that the mark of a High Priestess?

Naga nodded. “Yes. After becoming a High Priestess, one must go forth to preach and spread the doctrine. It is the foundation of our faith, and also a form of training.”

Yumu cupped his hands. “Congratulations. Congratulations.”

Even Naga could not tell whether he was congratulating her promotion or her upcoming travels, and could only nod in thanks.

Yumu cupped his hands again. “Since that is so, I shall take my leave here. May we meet again before long, out in the world.”

“Very well. Until we meet again.”

After their farewell, Yumu turned and walked away, gradually disappearing from Naga’s sight.

By the river, at the dock, in a secluded corner, a figure emerged.

Yumu turned back in silence and looked at the city shrouded in darkness. He stood there in a daze for a long while. In the end, he turned and leaped into the surging river, vanishing beneath the torrent.

Somewhere in the sky, the scorpion woman suddenly froze.

“Hm? How did he suddenly disappear? Did the Holy Sun Church hide him? Hmph. I refuse to believe you can hide him for a lifetime!”

With a wave of her hand, several figures appeared beside her. She swept them with a glance and said coldly, “Watch this stretch of river closely. At the slightest disturbance, report immediately. I will go arrange more men and widen the cordon.”

“Yes, my lady!”

After issuing her orders, the scorpion woman turned and flew back toward the city.

Yumu slipped beneath the water and transformed, drifting downstream with the current. With the water-dividing power of the bamboo hat, he reached the cave entrance in less than half a day. Entering the opening and diving into the cave, he finally let out a breath.

By then, he was already dozens of miles from Free City. He should be safe now. Yumu did not believe the Fire Venom Path could extend its net this far.

After resting a little, he walked out of the cave.

Outside, the morning sun had just risen. Seeing daylight again, Yumu drew several deep breaths of the fresh air.

Going around the boulder, he could not help but sigh. Since leaving Free City, nearly a year had passed. He had experienced so many stories, met so many new people. He had had friends and enemies. He himself had grown from a little demon only just beginning to take shape into a true cultivator.

Contained within it were struggle, hardship, laughter, and tears. Looking back, it all seemed like a dream.

Free City, I will return one day. Farewell, my friends. Farewell, my enemies.