Demarcating boundaries, peace treaties, and farmland leasing agreents.
If these three matters were to be discussed in the usual way, it would be impossible to settle them within a few months! Moreover, by that ti, the boundary line would definitely have shifted north.
Yan Xing was very satisfied with the many advantages he had gained. Just a mont ago, he was complaining about Priest Temple’s untily death, which delayed his opportunity to make money.
Now... Priest Temple, you really died at the damn right mont. Your death was spectacular, a contribution to everyone’s cause. We will all rember your na. You will undoubtedly leave a bold mark on the annals of history.
"Lord Earl, how would you like to cooperate with you?"
Count Theodore glanced out the window again; the circular spires of the Temple were now very close. He hurriedly said to Yan Xing, "Rember, you represent Thunderous Swamp. As long as you step forward to take over the investigation of Priest Temple’s assassination case, you can help alleviate so of my pressure. Nuta City must lift its lockdown as soon as possible. The supply of materials to the front lines must not be interrupted in any way. And..."
At that mont, the carriage stopped.
Count Theodore finally said to Yan Xing, "Display the crudeness of the Swamp Tribe, just like you did at my dining table. They may look down on the Swamp Tribe from Wildwind Highlands, but they will never ignore them. Also, crudeness doesn’t an stupidity. With here, you can play your part to the fullest."
"Understood!" Yan Xing made an OK gesture.
The old Earl, thinking it was a customary gesture of the Swamp Tribe, imitated the OK sign as well.
The carriage ca to a steady halt. The compartnt door opened, and Count Theodore stooped as he exited. Yan Xing followed him out.
Before them stood a magnificent Temple. The main structure was a vast, square, open-air prayer hall. Dozens of stone columns, each three ters in diater, rose to support the hall’s do. Around the periphery of the main hall stood eight Angel statues, each over ten ters tall.
The Holy Knights of the Temple, clad in radiant armor adorned with decorative wings, stood solemnly around the Angel statues, their devout appearance suggesting they were bathing in holy light from heaven.
Compared to such a resplendent Temple, Count Theodore’s Lord’s Mansion seed quite understated. It was also clear that the Temple held considerable power in Nuta City.
Indeed... Under the banner of God, if the High Priest presiding over the Temple so much as farted, his followers would probably feel compelled to sniff it and analyze it as so divine oracle. Today’s performance is not going to be easy.
When Count Theodore, the Lord of Nuta City, arrived, a Priest from inside the Temple imdiately ca out to greet him.
Standing at the foot of the Temple steps, the old Earl touched each of the gemstone rings on his fingers and asked the approaching Priest, "Where is Priest Temple’s body?"
The Priest replied, "My Lord. Priest Temple was assassinated while touring the Beast Fighting Arena. His body has now been transported to the Temple’s Consolation Room to undergo purification rites. Priest Temple was an apostle of God, and we must hold a dignified funeral for him so that his soul may peacefully return to Heaven. We also implore you, Lord of the City, to find Priest Temple’s murderer promptly and provide an explanation to God."
Unbelievable, Yan Xing thought, listening from the side. Even I couldn’t bring myself to say sothing so shaless. The assassination took place at the Beast Fighting Arena, yet they didn’t preserve the primary cri scene and instead moved the body here. Forget about any clues from the scene. The body has been purified, so the clues have probably been washed away too. Now the Temple is clearly making the old fox investigate, and in the na of God, no less. Well played! And this is just what’s happening outside the Temple; who knows what else they have waiting for the old fox to walk into inside.
Count Theodore continued to fidget with the rings on his fingers and asked again, "Who all is waiting for in the Temple?"
The Priest answered, "Grand Priest Lancelot is currently presiding over a eting. Attendees include Lady Karol, emissary of Duke Silvermane; Mr. Gale of the Golden Oak Chamber of Comrce; Viscount Kels; Colonel Billy..."
Listening to the Priest rattle off the string of nas, Count Theodore’s expression still flickered. Quite the lineup!
"They all arrived very quickly. I set off for here imdiately upon hearing news of Priest Temple’s assassination, yet I’m still late..."
The Priest said, "Lord Earl, your status is different from theirs. You hold a high position and manage Nuta City on behalf of Marquis Anderson. With assassins harboring murderous intent currently in the city, it is natural for you, My Lord, to travel with a protective escort. Grand Priest Lancelot will not bla you for the delay. Please follow , Lord Earl. All the esteed lords and masters hope you can swiftly bring justice for Priest Temple."
"Yes, we need to bring justice for Priest Temple. We all need justice," Count Theodore affird.
With that, Count Theodore stepped onto the Temple stairs and walked towards the prayer hall. Yan Xing, with Donna, followed behind the old Earl. The accompanying Theodore Family Knights and the Eternal Domain’s Werewolf Warriors followed suit, their tal armor clanking and rattling.
The eting was held in a small room within the prayer hall. By the ti Count Theodore and Yan Xing entered, it was already crowded with influential figures from Nuta City’s various industries and sectors. Those of lower status stood listening in the corners, while those slightly higher up were afforded a chair.
At the round table in the center sat five people. The man in the main seat was portly and dressed in the ornate ceremonial robes of a High Priest. He was Grand Priest Lancelot, the presiding High Priest of Nuta City’s Temple. Seated to Grand Priest Lancelot’s right was a glamorous and alluring noblewoman, presumably Lady Karol, the emissary of Duke Silvermane.
Count Theodore directly took a vacant seat to Grand Priest Lancelot’s left and then said to a man on the other side, "Mr. Gale... Priest Temple’s assassination has nothing to do with your Golden Oak Chamber of Comrce, does it? You go and observe from the side!"
Mr. Gale, the head of the Golden Oak Chamber of Comrce in Nuta City, was a shrewd-looking middle-aged man. He said to Count Theodore, "I was invited by the Grand Priest..."
Count Theodore snorted. "Invited? Priest Temple was just assassinated. Did Grand Priest Lancelot receive a divine oracle in advance, know this would happen, and invite you ahead of ti? Gale, you are a rchant. Stick to what rchants should do. I am still the Lord of Nuta City. Please leave this seat for soone who truly has the status to be here."
Realizing his slip of the tongue, Gale looked towards Grand Priest Lancelot. After the Grand Priest made a slight gesture with his hand, Gale vacated his seat.
Yan Xing promptly plopped down into the seat. Donna and Olaf stood attentively behind him.
Swamp Werewolves! Everyone noticed Olaf’s appearance and speculated about the identity of this human Knight who had just ousted Gale.
Count Theodore introduced, "This is Knight Yan Xing—Lord of the Eternal Domain, Beast Tar of Thunderous Swamp, a good neighbor to Nuta City, and my dearest friend."
Then, the old Earl introduced Yan Xing to the others seated around the conference table.
Yan Xing, in a worldly-wise manner, cupped his fist in greeting to each of them in turn. "A pleasure to et you all. I hope you’ll look favorably upon . Donna, give so sweets to the esteed lords and masters."
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