Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1780: Fists Make the Rules

"If the Master Priest refuses to go, then I have no choice but to take you there." Zhuge Qiu spoke threateningly, not bothering to hide his intentions any longer.

"How dare you threaten the Master Priest!" Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming stepped forward simultaneously, blocking in front of Han Yan.

The other priests also drew their longswords, and under the illumination of the lights, a cold gleam shone.

Protecting the dignity of the Master Priest was everyone’s responsibility and their oath.

Not long ago, two wars — more accurately, unilateral abuses — reignited the long-dormant bloodlust in their hearts, and all the priest guards of Huayu Temple, even the citizens of the city, no longer felt despondent and hopeless as they once did, nor did they allow themselves to be bullied. A surging battle spirit rose within them.

Zhuge Qiu was slightly surprised; he thought that once he took action, the priests of Huayu Temple would be easily subdued. Who would have thought they would encounter such resistance? Except for the initial moment when An Xiaxin showed some fear, neither the priest guards nor the citizens showed any trace of fear now, only a determination to fight to the death.

A temple on the verge of ruin, yet its priests and citizens showed such unyielding battle spirit. Looking at those priests and guards with drawn swords, and then those citizens holding hoes, shovels, and big hammers, especially the man among them with eyes like copper bells wielding a pig-slaughtering knife like a strong iron tower, Zhuge Qiu suddenly realized that Huayu Temple seemed different from what he understood.

However, as a Penalty Priest, Zhuge Qiu also had experienced countless bloody battles. Not to mention being a priest breaking the laws, even notorious wild bandits who died at his hands innumerably could not scare him.

"How bold, you dare defy the temple laws? Do you intend to rebel?" Zhuge Qiu roared fiercely, naturally exuding a murderous intent. His lean figure seemed to grow larger, like a towering longsword, reeking of blood, daunting for anyone to face.

Such murderous intent, such aura, not everyone can possess. It requires the baptism of countless blood and the test of life and death countless times to forge such murderous intent and aura. Although their battle spirit was elevated, and they swore to protect the Master Priest’s dignity, many still couldn’t help but feel fear upon seeing Zhuge Qiu’s cold gaze.

This cannot be blamed on them. The people of the Divine Continent rely more on cultivation of Divine Sense, making them more sensitive to this pressure of murderous intent, and both in terms of strength and experience, compared to Zhuge Qiu, they fell short.

"The temple’s laws are not your laws. You do not represent the temple," Han Yan’s face was calm, as though she felt nothing.

Zhuge Qiu was secretly amazed; usually, once he unleashed such chilling murderous intent, even the most cunning priests would obediently confess guilt, and even the most brutal bandits would tremble. Yet Han Yan remained calm.

Either her Divine Sense was too weak, her sensations too numb, or her Divine Sense was too strong, having experienced too many life-and-death trials, with a stronger spirit than ordinary priests.

By rights, Han Yan’s ability to become the Master Priest meant her Divine Sense would not be weak, leaving only the latter reason. Yet seeing that young and strikingly beautiful face, Zhuge Qiu doubted she had gone through many life-and-death temperings, questioning how strong and resolute her spirit could be.

"Here, my words are the temple laws; I represent the temple!" Although his heart was uncertain, as a Penalty Priest, if he was scared away by Han Yan like this, he’d lose all semblance of authority. Zhuge Qiu held the sword hilt and walked towards Han Yan with a snicker.

Arrogant, domineering. Clearly, Zhuge Qiu never intended to appeal to any reason, nor think about any temple laws, blatantly here to defend Long Wudang.

Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming slowly raised their longswords. Even if they knew they could not match Zhuge Qiu, they never forgot their oath.

"Step down," Han Yan gestured with her hand.

Of course, she understood the capabilities of Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming, how could she let them sacrifice themselves?

Although she still did not understand the extent of her own realm, defeating Ou Mingzhi meant she was not weaker than a Ninth-level Divine Priest, perhaps even Tenth Rank, with a pure strength comparable to a Ninth Rank Swordsman, plus the overwhelming power of a sword from the Eight Desolate God Fall, she was confident in her ability to battle Zhuge Qiu.

"Well then, ignoring your status as Master Priest, daring to spar with me, an old man like myself, indeed shows commendable courage." Zhuge Qiu might have been somewhat apprehensive about Han Yan’s status as Master Priest, but when it came to strength, he completely disregarded her.

"Master Priest... be careful!" Yan Qingshan and Qi Ming intended to warn Han Yan not to underestimate Zhuge Qiu, but considering her strength, there was no need for their reminder. Therefore, they only spoke with concern.

Others shared worried expressions, An Xiaxin and Shen Yuhe, Sikong Qinglan exchanged glances, seeing in each other’s mind the thought that if the Master Priest was at a disadvantage against Zhuge Qiu, they would collectively intervene, ensuring not a single lapse for the Master Priest.

Zhuge Qiu pressed closer, and the air around seemed to solidify, becoming extraordinarily thick.

At that moment, a rumbling sound of hooves erupted, and the earth trembled along. Subsequently, a torrent surged into Huayu City, the hoofbeats pounding like anvils on everyone’s hearts, feeling exceptionally heavy.

"Bandits!" Everyone’s expressions slightly changed.

Though this group was clad in various outfits, some with cloaks of varying lengths, the fierce body shapes, scars and hostility on their faces made their identity easy to guess.

However, there had only ever been tales of bandits attacking villages, no one had dared infringe upon the temple’s main city. Had Huayu Temple really declined to such an extent, that even bandits dared to disregard them?

Soon, the bandits riding Red Charcoal Cloud Smoke Beasts arrived, numbering roughly in the thousands.

Although Huayu City housed only a few dozen families, the Mu Family had relocated here, but the total number was far less than the bandits, more importantly, regular citizens even if trained in martial arts, were no match for these inherently vicious bandits who lived by the sword’s edge.

Seeing those ferocious faces under the lights, the citizens of Huayu City secretly broke into a cold sweat. With the strength of the Master Priest and some of the Dual Priests, facing less than ten opponents was feasible, but other priest guards were much weaker, some barely stronger than the fierce bandits, possibly even weaker, coupled with overwhelming numerical disadvantage, Huayu City seemed destined for calamity today.