Chapter 1950: Chapter 2049: Crying Out for Justice

"Huayu Temple Chief Priest, Mu Hanyan." Zhao Xinggu thought his brother’s question was a bit unnecessary, but he still gritted his teeth and said.

"It’s really her!" Zhao Xinghong frowned heavily.

"What’s wrong, brother? Does Mu Hanyan have some special background?" Zhao Xinggu noticed his brother’s furrowed brow and asked, puzzled.

He knew that as the Life God Temple’s Right Priest, Zhao Xinghong didn’t really regard the heads of the subordinate Twelve Divine Temples, especially Huayu Temple, which despite its long history, had lost much of its prestige over the years and was now ranked below the Twelve Temples. However, Zhao Xinghong’s expression suggested that this Mu Hanyan might not be so simple.

"There’s no particularly special background, but I was just looking at the dossier sent by Long Aoli. The ultimate winner of this Heavenly Sun Temple’s god-offering ceremony turned out to be Mu Hanyan. Her power should not be underestimated." Zhao Xinghong said.

Actually, what Zhao Xinghong truly cared about wasn’t Mu Hanyan’s strength but her age. Being so young, yet becoming a Hall Master, defeating Long Aoli and his father, deterring other temple chiefs, and winning the crown at the ceremony, Mu Hanyan’s talents and potential cannot be ignored.

Any ancient family has experienced rises and falls, even life-and-death crises multiple times, so as a family head, they tend to be more cautious, never wanting to make enemies easily, especially those with great potential.

And Mu Hanyan clearly belonged to this category.

Zhao Xinggu scoffed; wasn’t this obvious? If Mu Hanyan were all about strength, given his status in the Zhao Family, how could he obediently suffer punishment?

"Brother, when have our Zhao family members been humiliated like this? You must stand up for me." Zhao Xinggu said with a mournful expression.

Even though he wasn’t young anymore, when pleading with his brother, his pitiful expression resembled a child who had suffered grievance and was seeking an adult to cry to.

"First, tell me why Mu Hanyan punished you." Zhao Xinghong asked, seeing his brother’s pitiful look, his heart softened.

Actually, Zhao Xinggu’s talent wasn’t weak, if he had worked hard earlier, he might have had a chance to compete for the family head position. But he gave up early, which allowed Zhao Xinghong to become the family head.

And Zhao Xinggu’s years of indulgence in pleasure had much to do with Zhao Xinghong’s leniency; without it, he would’ve never been so secure in his family position.

Thus, he felt somewhat guilty towards his brother.

"Isn’t it all because of the sleeping arrangement..." Zhao Xinggu didn’t conceal anything and quickly recounted what happened in Huayu City.

Arranging maid attendance was a customary agreement across temples, so he didn’t feel ashamed.

"This Mu Hanyan seems to be making too much of a fuss. Even if Huayu Temple doesn’t tolerate such things unlike other temples, you were ignorant of the rules, how could she be so relentless!" Zhao Xinghong said angrily after hearing the story.

"It’s all thanks to my compassion, seeing that maid’s unwillingness, I refrained from using force; otherwise, it wouldn’t be just a hundred lashes. According to Mu Hanyan’s original order, it was supposed to be a hundred lashes followed by execution." Zhao Xinggu said resentfully.

"What, you’re saying you didn’t actually do anything to the maid?" Zhao Xinghong asked in surprise. Zhao Xinggu spoke too quickly before, leaving some parts unclear.

"That’s right, if I had violated her chastity, do you think I’d still be alive?" Zhao Xinggu said with a grim face.

"Too much bullying, it’s truly too much bullying!" Zhao Xinghong finally became enraged.

If Zhao Xinggu’s lust had led him to forcibly violate a maid’s chastity, Mu Hanyan’s severe punishment would be understandable. But since Zhao Xinggu didn’t succeed, her actions were too much!

Zhao Xinghong didn’t doubt Zhao Xinggu’s words; he knew his brother’s character well enough despite his flaws, he never lies to him.

"Indeed, I, Zhao Xinggu, have never suffered this kind of hardship, nor been humiliated like this." Zhao Xinggu added fuel to the fire.

"Did she know your identity?" Zhao Xinghong asked.

"Of course she knew; she knew from the first day I arrived. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Zhuge Qiu." Zhao Xinggu replied.

"Well, well, knowing you are my brother, Zhao Xinghong’s brother, and yet for such trivial matters, she acted so harshly; this is disregarding our Zhao Family, disregarding me, Zhao Xinghong!" Zhao Xinghong, infuriated, became calm, coldly laughing.

He failed to see that what was trivial to him was not to Mu Hanyan, only witnessing his brother’s suffering without considering the maid’s humiliation. Of course, a Priest like him, viewing the populace as lowly, wouldn’t care about the dignity of an ordinary woman.

Seeing Zhao Jianghong’s cold smile, Zhao Xinggu felt happy; knowing his brother had truly become angry.

This was no longer a personal humiliation but concerned the Zhao Family’s reputation, and even Zhao Xinghong’s authority as the Life God Temple’s Right Priest.

"How is the investigation into Xiang Qiuzhan going?" Zhao Xinghong asked.

"Not thoroughly yet, but in my opinion, Xiang Qiuzhan, appearing and disappearing mysteriously with astonishing power, if even our Five Upper Divine Temples can’t handle him, Mu Hanyan, despite some strength, wouldn’t be able to kill him on the spot. Could anyone not win a fight but fail to escape? This is likely just rumors or someone using Xiang Qiuzhan’s name for prestige." Zhao Xinggu, unwilling to defend Mu Hanyan, replied carelessly.

"Enough, this matter is significant, with many doubts. It’s normal you can’t figure it out, just don’t make your report too definite, keep it ambiguous." Zhao Xinghong advised. Being in his position, caution was paramount, always leaving room for maneuver.

"Yes, brother, I understand." Zhao Xinggu nodded, then impatiently asked, "Brother, what are you going to do about that wretch?"

"Don’t concern yourself with it for now, nor spread it around. I have my methods to seek justice for you." Zhao Xinghong said with a somber face.

Mu Hanyan, after all, is a Hall Priestess, not someone to be easily moved against, at least not openly; action must be justified and decisive, placing her in a deadly situation, otherwise, her potential will pose a significant threat.

Zhao Xinghong returned to the low table, picked up the dossier from Heavenly Sun Temple again, skimmed through other reports sent by his subordinates, and tapped lightly on the table.

Moments later, a faint, cold, and ruthless smile appeared on his lips.

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