He continued to lead his men, blocking Yan Xing's path.

Yan Xing dropped his cigarette butt on the ground and gestured for his subordinates to lower their guns.

"If you serve the gods, then devote yourselves wholly to serving them. Seeking personal gain in the name of the gods… isn't that the greatest blasphemy?" Yan Xing spoke leisurely to the Temple Knights before him. "In these past two days, how many innocent people have died? How many are still buried under the rubble?

How many will be unable to survive the coming winter because they've lost their homes?

How many of them are devout believers of the gods?

How many have come to the Temple to pray, asking the gods for a blessed life?

What role did the gods play in this disaster?

And how will your Temple explain to the gods what happened here?"

This barrage of questions from Yan Xing made the Temple Knights' expressions turn exceedingly grim.

They all knew the Temple had secretly instigated the turmoil in Nuta City; some of them had even disguised themselves as mercenaries to participate in the riots.

Temple Knights received systematic training in the Temple from a young age. Besides combat skills and Magic, they also learned how to be devout believers.

Faith granted them firmer wills and a greater spirit of sacrifice for the Temple.

They had never doubted the Temple; the Temple was the gods' spokesperson in the Mortal Realm. It was the object of their loyalty.

Yan Xing's questioning, coming from an outsider, had a profound impact on these Temple Knights.

Seeing the Temple Knights rendered speechless, Yan Xing continued, "Count Theodore has entrusted the reconstruction of Nuta City to my Eternal Commerce Guild. As servants of the gods, since you failed to rescue the gods' children in this disaster, why not contribute to rebuilding their homes?

Right now, many people are still waiting for rescue in the rubble, and some may not survive the night.

I hope to resolve matters here quickly so that my people can fully engage in the rescue efforts.

I also sincerely invite you to join in saving the gods' children."

The Temple Knights gazed into the dark night, their expressions complex.

Yan Xing seized the opportunity to launch a psychological offensive against them.

Soon, a response came from within the Temple.

High Priest Lancelot invited Knight Yan Xing inside for a discussion.

Yan Xing chuckled lightly. "We all know what's going on, so let's dispense with the tricks.

I am Yan Xing, Peace Officer of Nuta City and President of the Eternal Merchant Guild. It's not too much to ask High Priest Lancelot to come out here for a discussion, is it?

I don't have time to waste.

If the Temple refuses to care for the gods' children, then I will save them."

The Temple Knight who had been blocking Yan Xing spoke up, "Please wait here a moment, Knight Yan Xing. I will go speak with the High Priest."

The knight dismounted and turned, walking up the steps leading to the Temple.

A few other Temple Knights also dismounted and followed him to see the High Priest.

This time, the wait was somewhat longer.

After about an hour, High Priest Lancelot, accompanied by a group of Priests and Temple Knights, finally descended from the Temple.

Yan Xing leaped down from his shadow-steed's back.

His attendants quickly set up a folding table and chairs, creating an impromptu negotiation site.

When High Priest Lancelot approached, Yan Xing greeted him with a chuckle, "High Priest, it's truly difficult to get an audience with you. I heard you were resting; I hope we didn't disturb you.

Please, have a seat."

High Priest Lancelot's face was ashen, clearly struggling to suppress his rage.

The High Priest sat down heavily and then confronted Yan Xing, "The Temple is a place for serving the gods and will not tolerate any blasphemy! Withdraw your troops immediately, or you alone will bear all consequences!"

Yan Xing sat down, smiling. "High Priest, you are mistaken. These people I've brought are not an army; they are victims.

The Farsight Mercenary Corps owes us money, and we are here to collect what's owed.

High Priest, take another good look. There isn't a single member of the City Defense Force here."

High Priest Lancelot observed the men behind Yan Xing. Their attire and armor were superior to even that of the City Defense Force. They carried firearms, with cannons positioned behind them, presenting a truly imposing presence.

"The men of the Farsight Mercenary Corps are in prayer…"

As the High Priest was about to make another excuse, Yan Xing interjected, "That's where you're mistaken. It's so late. Even you, High Priest, were sleeping. How can you then allow others to disturb the gods' rest?

Wow!

I seem to have stumbled upon something rather serious, High Priest. You don't appear to be devout enough!"

So, the Emperor toils while you, his eunuch, dare to sleep first? How audacious!

Yan Xing had effectively slapped a heavy accusation onto High Priest Lancelot.

This caused the High Priest's face to change color instantly.

"Do not use sophistry to question my faith!" Lancelot retorted, his face flushed.

"Then don't let others disturb the gods at night either," Yan Xing countered. "I come to you at night, and this is the expression I receive. If you have people chattering in the gods' ears all night, don't you fear their anger?"

Lancelot stated, "The gods are merciful; they will not blame their followers."

Yan Xing shot back, "The gods are merciful; they won't blame anyone for interrupted prayers. Please, High Priest, have Donald come out. I'll discuss his debt with him, and then he can return to his prayers."

Lancelot had no idea when Donald might have incurred a debt to Yan Xing.

But if it was merely a matter of discussing money…

If money could resolve this, it was worth discussing.

The High Priest recalled that Yan Xing was a merchant, and a seemingly very greedy one at that.

He must be trying to extort money. Moreover, he holds considerable influence over Count Theodore. Quietly offering some compensation to settle such a thorny issue might indeed be a solution.

"Yes, the gods are merciful," Lancelot agreed, sending someone to fetch Donald. He then said to Yan Xing, "If the Farsight Mercenary Corps truly owes you money, I will ensure they repay you."

"Thank you, High Priest," Yan Xing replied.

After a short while, Donald was brought out by two Temple Knights.

Donald looked haggard.

The Elf Envoys they had surrounded had escaped right under his nose.

To facilitate his capture of the Elf Envoys, the Temple had even instigated a riot to create an opportunity.

Yet several hundred Farsight mercenaries had failed to capture four Elves.

Now that Count Theodore had swiftly quelled the city riot, the Farsight Mercenary Corps was scattered, and Donald had only managed to escape to the Temple with a few trusted men.

Knowing the City Defense Force had surrounded the Temple, Donald had been consumed with worry about his fate.

Although the High Priest had promised to ensure his safety, Donald knew this assurance wasn't entirely reliable.

However, staying inside the Temple at least offered a gamble for survival; if he fell into Count Theodore's hands, he, the "mastermind" of the rebellion, faced certain death.

Thus, Donald currently lacked all his former confidence and swagger.

He meekly walked up behind the High Priest and asked in a low voice, "High Priest, did you summon me for something?"

High Priest Lancelot said, "This is Sir Yan Xing of the Eternal Commerce Guild. He claims you owe him money. Is there any truth to this?"

"Owe money to the Eternal Commerce Guild?" Donald hadn't expected to be summoned for such a reason. However, he quickly surmised that Yan Xing must be using this as a pretext to lure him out and hand him over to Count Theodore for judgment. He immediately declared, "No, I owe absolutely nothing to the Eternal Commerce Guild!"

Hearing Donald's denial, the High Priest turned to Yan Xing. "Sir Yan Xing, you claim the Farsight Mercenary Corps owes you money. Do you have any proof?"

"Of course I do…" Yan Xing produced a piece of paper and read from it: "'The Farsight Mercenary Corps owes the Eternal Domain 300,000 gold. If unable to repay, the debt can be offset with labor.

The Farsight Mercenary Corps shall proceed to the Eternal Domain and work for Lord Yan Xing for thirty years as compensation for this debt.

During this debt repayment period, the Farsight Mercenary Corps guarantees absolute loyalty to Lord Yan Xing.

Lord Yan Xing will also provide funds and weapons for the Farsight Mercenary Corps' development, pay its members' salaries and bonuses, and offer protection to the Farsight mercenaries.'"

Yan Xing then looked directly at Donald. "And at the bottom, Captain Donald, is your signature. You can't deny that, can you!"

After Yan Xing finished reading this "IOU"—which was anything but ordinary—everyone present understood the true purpose of Yan Xing's "debt collection."

At that moment, Eddie, standing behind Yan Xing, shouted, "Lord Yan Xing always keeps his word!"

All the Guild's Mercenaries echoed, "Lord Yan Xing always keeps his word!"

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