Chapter 1806: Unwilling to Wear a Green Hat

Chapter 1806: Chapter 1806: Unwilling to Wear a Green Hat

"What really happened when you were exiled from Qingning City back then?" Han Yan asked.

"I’m ashamed to say, I was originally a hereditary household servant of Fei Changle, the Prayer Priest of Qingning Temple. Fei Changle had a daughter who was promiscuous and reckless, with no idea whom she was involved with, she got pregnant. The Fei Family feared the scandal would spread, so they wanted me to marry into the family to cover things up. I, Chen Xuefeng, though of humble status, am a man of dignity, and wouldn’t wear such a green hat, so I refused the Fei Family."

The Fei Family sent people to persuade me several times and also tried to pressure me with their Main Family status, but the more they did so, the more I resisted. Eventually, Fei Changle, in a fit of rage, slandered me, saying I had desecrated that vile woman, and had me beaten up and thrown out of Qingning City.

I originally intended to rely on my rudimentary combat skills to make a living in other temple cities, but the Fei Family refused to let me live. Wherever I went, their people followed me. Fei Changle, as a Prayer Priest of Qingning Temple, commanded a certain amount of respect from other temples, denying me any sanctuary, leaving me no choice but to become a bandit," Chen Xuefeng said through gritted teeth, apparently not lying.

However, Han Yan did not readily believe him and instead directed an inquisitive look at Shen Yuhe.

"That old thing is indeed no good. Last time, when I accompanied Senior Sister An to Qingning City for assistance, he pestered us relentlessly, not even considering how old he is. We’ve also heard about his treasured daughter; her reputation is indeed unsavory, it’s likely the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree," Shen Yuhe said dismissively, believing Chen Xuefeng’s words.

"I’ve known long enough that none of these fortune-telling God-men are decent," Ling Baobao chimed in.

Sikong Qinglan’s face immediately darkened; he was one of those fortune-tellers.

"You’re no better yourself," Han Yan glared at Ling Baobao. Though this fellow doesn’t often perform rituals, he was indeed a genuine charlatan.

"Chen Xuefeng, if I give you a way out, what would you do?" Han Yan asked.

"What?" Chen Xuefeng looked at Han Yan in surprise.

If he harbored any hidden agendas after being defeated by Han Yan earlier, those ideas vanished upon witnessing Han Yan’s sword prowess. He clearly understood that against Han Yan, he had neither the chance to escape nor bargain; his only hope was that Han Yan would honor her word and give him a swift death.

"Master Priest..." Shen Yuhe and Sikong Qinglan were startled.

Despite some sympathy for Chen Xuefeng, as temple priests, it was their duty to eliminate bandits and maintain peace for the people, so they could not let Chen Xuefeng go due to sympathy.

Mu Han waved her hand, interrupting the two. Initially, she too hadn’t planned on sparing Chen Xuefeng, but knowing Mo Shiqi’s plot left her with a sense of unease.

What does Mo Shiqi intend to do? Besides Mo Shiqi, is there anyone else doing the same thing? Is there someone manipulating everything from behind?

The Blood Wind Thieves appearing at Mu Family Village, Xiang Qiuzhan invading Huayu City—if these were mere coincidences, so be it. If they truly aim for the Dragon Clan Blood Essence, those people will never easily give up. Better to fear a thief’s intentions than the thief stealing, and she deeply agreed with Ye Yanran’s wise words.

The bandits roaming the wilderness cannot be entirely eradicated even by the temples, so Han Yan was naturally helpless too. Leaving Chen Xuefeng would mean keeping an informer in the wilderness, potentially useful in crucial times.

The current Han Yan was no longer the newcomer to Huayu City. Thanks to a few battles with Long Wudang, Ou Mingzhi, and Xiang Qiuzhan, she had gradually established her authority, and the changes in Huayu City over the past months made everyone genuinely admire her. Therefore, although Sikong Qinglan and Shen Yuhe had some doubts, seeing her wave her hand, they swallowed their words of dissuasion.

"If you’re willing to give me a way out, I, Chen Xuefeng, vow to follow you forever, and may heavenly wrath fall upon me if I ever betray," Chen Xuefeng finally regained his senses and grasped the lifeline like a drowning man.

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xuefeng picked up a sharp stone, cut his chest, and swiftly formed hand gestures.

A blood-colored mist rose, forming an extremely thin phantom that knelt before Han Yan.

"Soul Death Contract!" Shen Yuhe exclaimed softly.

The Soul Death Contract is also a blood oath, somewhat similar to Yan Qingshan’s blood oath in the past, but with greater binding power. Once the Soul Death Contract is signed, Chen Xuefeng’s Divine Soul is entirely under Han Yan’s control; with a mere thought, he would be utterly annihilated.

This binding power surpasses even the Master-Servant Contract between a sacrificial pet and their master. Only the Death Soldiers of Priest Families might sign such contracts. Chen Xuefeng’s family served Priest Families for generations, otherwise he wouldn’t know how to execute the Soul Death Contract.

With Chen Xuefeng’s life completely handed over to Han Yan, Shen Yuhe and the others had no more to say.

Han Yan looked at Chen Xuefeng appreciatively. As soon as a lifeline appeared, he decisively signed the Soul Death Contract—his boldness was commendable.

What she did not know was that Chen Xuefeng, from her youth, power, and status, deduced her future was limitless, which was why he willingly signed the Soul Death Contract. Had it been someone else, he would rather die than do so, for living so humbly, constantly on edge, fearing when the master might take his life, is a fate worse than death.

"I don’t need your following; stay on in the wilderness. If you hear of anything harmful to Huayu Temple, notify me promptly. If I ever need your assistance, I’ll seek you out," Han Yan said.

What a joke, even if Chen Xuefeng originally had some sympathetic qualities, under Mo Shiqi’s incitement over the years, his hands must be stained with a lot of blood. She, a dignified Temple Priest, hiding a bandit beside her was inviting trouble. Even if Huayu few weren’t around, and there wasn’t a suitable enforcer available temporarily, she still didn’t think much of Chen Xuefeng’s caliber.

"This..." Chen Xuefeng showed hesitation.

With the temple and other bandits after his life, continuing in the wild, he didn’t know how long he might survive.

"Here are some silver taels and food for you; you can hide here for a while until things blow over before going out," Han Yan, realizing that leaving him in the wilderness was a death sentence, took out silver taels and food from the Star Disk Space for him.

After all, he was an informer. She didn’t want Chen Xuefeng to die too quickly. According to the trace of contract connection in her soul, she sensed that the Soul Death Contract couldn’t be signed merely at will; if the other party was unwilling, killing him wouldn’t help.