Free Web NovelChapter 73: Chapter 73: The High Priest Appears
The murmuring crowd fell into an awed silence as Feng Yanshen entered the courtyard.
He stood tall, wrapped in a calm aura so deep it felt like the moon itself had taken human form.
His long robes flowed like white clouds, and a thin white blindfold covered his eyes...yet everyone felt as if his unseen gaze pierced through flesh and soul alike. None dared breathe too loudly in his presence.
Yue Yue, however, nearly choked on her breath.
She had just arrived at this temple... and already she had to face the fourth villain.
She truly felt like heaven was playing with her life.
Before she could even calm her heart, his deep voice echoed across the courtyard, steady and composed.
"Rise."
The order was gentle... yet it left no room for refusal. Everyone stood slowly. Yue Yue quietly tried to step backward, inch by inch, hoping to slip out before the High Priest’s attention fell upon her.
But it was already too late.
Yue Yue felt her gaze collide straight into the direction of the High Priest...even though he was blindfolded.
It was ridiculous, but she truly felt like he was somehow staring at her, and only her, as if all her sneaky expressions and small attempts to step away had been completely exposed.
Her back stiffened at once, and a forced smile climbed onto her lips before she quickly lowered her eyes like a guilty child pretending she had done nothing wrong.
Beside her, Lin En suddenly tugged her hand and dropped back to her knees, dragging Yue Yue down along with her.
Yue Yue almost wanted to cry. Inwardly she shouted, Why are you dragging me?! I don’t want to kneel again! But Lin En’s grip was stronger than her complaints, and in the next breath, both of them were kneeling properly in front of Feng Yanshen like obedient schoolchildren.
Lin En sobbed softly as she spoke, her voice trembling like a bullied flower in the wind.
"Your Highness... please... give me justice. I am only a small female from a faraway star... I have no family, no backing... but that does not mean I should be wronged by others..."
Her hiccups came out one after another. Tears streamed down her cheeks in such a pitiful way that Yue Yue almost forgot this was part helplessness and part natural drama talent.
Even as another female herself, Yue Yue’s heart clenched. She nearly wanted to hug her and hand her a handkerchief.
She quietly peeked up at Feng Yanshen. He was tall, silent, and standing like a mountain in front of them.
Then an idea flashed in her mind.
Wasn’t this villain supposed to be another dangerous male? If Lin En gained his protection... wouldn’t that solve two problems at once? The female lead would no longer target her husband, and the fourth villain would shift his attention elsewhere.
Perfect. Two birds with one stone.
Her eyes sparkled mischievously.
But the moment Feng Yanshen stepped closer, a chill ran down her spine. His presence engulfed them like cold mist.
And his hand slowly extended outward.
Toward... them. freewebnσvel.cøm
More importantly...
Toward her.
Yue Yue’s mind blanked.
Why is his hand coming in my direction? Shouldn’t he be blessing Lin En? Yes, Lin En...fragile, crying, pitiful Lin En! Take her hand! Not mine!
Before she could slide sideways, his deep voice echoed, calm and solemn.
"Females are the blessings of heaven. You should not kneel before anyone."
The words were noble.
The gesture was divine.
The target... was wrong.
Yue Yue froze.
Yes, he was right after all; he was bound to fall for the gentle and pure female lead... Then why was his hand stretched toward her instead of Lin En?
She tried to shift sideways. The hand... followed.
She shifted again.
The hand followed again.
Her smile twitched painfully.
Could this man stop targeting her?!
Before she could escape, Wei Han gently but firmly placed her small hand into the High Priest’s palm.
Yue Yue stared at the servant in disbelief.
Wei Han lowered his head and whispered,
"You cannot let His Highness wait, Lady Yue."
She wanted to throw him across the courtyard.
Feng Yanshen’s hand wrapped around her fingers; it was cool and steady, lifting her up from the ground effortlessly. Yue Yue panicked and quickly tugged Lin En upward too so it would at least look like he was lifting both of them, not just her.
She did not want to become anyone’s center of attention...especially not this dangerous man.
A faint smile curved at Feng Yanshen’s lips.
Slowly light gathered on his palm...it was soft, warm, and flowing like moonlight. It spread across Lin En’s injured hand.
Before their eyes, the bruises faded, the torn skin repaired, and the blood vanished as if erased by time itself. Gasps spread among the surrounding females and servants.
Lin En blinked in stunned disbelief, then tears flowed again, this time mixed with relief.
Before anyone could speak, Yue Yue leaned in sweetly, trying to do matchmaking; she didn’t want to lose such a good opportunity. Her honey-coated words made several onlookers tremble.
"Your Highness truly lives up to your reputation. Not only powerful... but also compassionate. The temple is indeed blessed to have you."
Several male attendants stiffened.
Bold. Too bold. How dare she speak so casually to the High Priest?
Surely she would be thrown out...
But Feng Yanshen only smiled.
"My apologies," he said softly. "A female was harmed within my jurisdiction. Be assured... you will receive justice."
His words flowed smoothly...
Yue Yue’s lips twitched.
So he had heard everything earlier?
He had stood there silently... listening... pretending to be aloof... while secretly paying attention to every word?
Holy priest on the surface... secret jerk underneath.
She instantly withdrew her hand from his...but his fingers tightened for a second longer than necessary before letting go.
Her heart skipped. She glared at him inwardly. This man was dangerous.
His expression, however, never changed. It was the same calm, respectful, and holy.
Then his tone chilled.
"As for the offender, remove her from the palace grounds. She is no longer permitted to reside in this sacred place."
Mei Lian fell to her knees in shock.
"Your Highness...please...I...I was only...!"
Her pleas were useless. The temple servants showed no mercy... they grabbed her arms and dragged her away as she cried and screamed, disappearing beyond the courtyard gates.
