Chapter 0021: Refusal

Huang Long had just returned from the slave trading market. As soon as he entered the Huang family mansion, he was led to the main hall by Huang Mei, a maid sent by his mother, Zhao Rong. To Huang Long’s slight surprise, aside from his parents and his second uncle, as well as Deacon Rufat from the previous talent test, there was also a red-haired old man dressed in a papal red robe. Seeing the respectful attitude of everyone, especially Deacon Rufat, toward the old man, Huang Long guessed his identity.

Huang Xiong saw his son enter and waved him over, saying with a smile, “Long, come here. This is His Eminence Tairo, the Papal Cardinal.” Huang Long glanced at the red-haired old man and nodded in acknowledgment.

Huang Xiong and Zhao Rong looked somewhat embarrassed, clearly expecting this outcome. However, Zhao Tian gave his nephew a surprised look before secretly giving him a thumbs up. He had always disapproved of those people from the Church.

Deacon Rufat, sitting nearby, felt awkward and forced a smile at Tairo, saying, “His Eminence Tairo, this child has always been like this.” Tairo waved his hand nonchalantly, smiling and saying, “It’s fine. Children are like that.” Then he turned to Huang Long with a smile, “This child is very cute. I like him at first sight.” After saying that, Tairo laughed heartily.

With his first task completed after coming from the Holy Mountain, he was very pleased to have captured a magic sword. Although it cost him over two million gold coins, money was just a number to the Church. Everyone in the hall also forced smiles.

Seeing that the Cardinal wasn’t angry, Deacon Rufat secretly breathed a sigh of relief. In the Church of Light, above deacons were bishops in white robes, above those were cardinals, and at the top were cardinals-archbishops. Although he, as a deacon in blue robes, was quite powerful in the Kingdom of Lutong, in front of Tairo, he didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.

Cardinals-archbishops held great power and could dismiss deacons in blue robes without going through the Pope. Huang Long gave a casual glance at the red-haired old man who was laughing, then said to Huang Xiong and Zhao Rong, “Father and mother called me here. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back now.”

Everyone was stunned. Zhao Rong said, “Long, don’t be silly.” Then she took out a gold-embossed booklet and said with a smile, “This is an admission letter from the Holy War Academy, personally delivered by His Eminence Tairo. You’ve been admitted to the Holy War Academy.” She spoke with joy and pride—her son being admitted to such an elite institution, with the cardinal himself delivering the admission letter, was an honor that couldn’t be begged for.

On the Hengyuan Continent, in the past hundred years, there have only been a few such instances. Although a son cannot attend the two major academies there, the Holy War Academy is no less excellent. Moreover, with Tai Ruo personally coming here, it is certain that his son will receive special attention upon entering the Holy War Academy, securing a bright future. Tai Ruo sat there, brimming with confidence. Lu Fa Te, on the other hand, looked filled with envy. Father Huang Xiong was also happy, but only Second Uncle Zhao Tian sat there expressionless, lost in thought. Huang Long sneered inwardly—Holy War Academy? Serve those Light Bird People of the Church after graduation? In his past life, he had been suppressed by Yuan Shi in the Chan Sect and regretted joining it. How could he now enter this so-called bird religion and let others control his fate? Observing everyone’s expressions in the hall, Huang Long did not answer his mother Zhao Rong but instead turned to Second Uncle Zhao Tian and asked, “Second Uncle, the Divine Wind Academy is one of the two major academies on the Hengyuan Continent, right?” Zhao Tian looked at his six-year-old nephew meaningfully and nodded with a smile, “Indeed.” Huang Long then turned to the confident Tai Ruo and said, “Then I’m sorry, but since I have no questions, I choose the Divine Wind Academy.” He pointed at his own head, making it clear—I’m not stupid. Why choose some Holy War Academy instead of the two major academies on the Hengyuan Continent? Tai Ruo’s confident expression instantly turned cold, while Lu Fa Te froze, his face turning ashen. No matter how he imagined it, he never expected such a result. Although the Holy War Academy was not one of the two major academies, its backing by the Light Church meant that entering it was, in some ways, even more honorable than entering Baru or Divine Wind Academy. Even some major families and the royal families of the five empires struggled to get their children into the Holy War Academy due to its extremely strict admission requirements. Yet this little brat refused it even though Archbishop Tai Ruo himself came to deliver the admission notice. Especially that last remark—clearly implying that those who enter the Holy War Academy are fools! An insult! A scorn! It was an extreme mockery of the Holy Church! The more Lu Fa Te thought about it, the angrier he became. Pointing at Huang Long, he shouted, “How dare you! Lord Tai Ruo is honoring you by letting you enter the Holy War Academy, and yet you show such disrespect!” Things changed too quickly, and Huang Xiong and Zhao Rong couldn’t react immediately. Hearing Lu Fa Te’s words, their faces turned ugly.

Zhao Tian snorted coldly and said with a sneer, “Deacon Lu really thinks he’s so mighty. Whether my nephew enters the Holy War Academy or not is his own choice—there’s no need for you to interfere!” With that, he slammed his palm down, turning the wooden table beside him to dust.

Zhao Tian was furious. Others feared the Holy Church, but he wasn’t afraid at all!

He had always disliked those charlatans in the church. A mere deacon dared to insult his nephew in front of him. If it weren’t for considering his sister and brother-in-law’s reputations, he would have taken action long ago.

Lu Faote was used to being domineering and had never been rebuked like this before. His face turned red as he prepared to lash out, but Tai Ruo waved his hand and spoke up, “Enough. Captain Zhao is right. Others also have the right to choose whether to enter our Holy War Academy.” With a smile, he looked at Huang Long and said, “What a pity!”

At that moment, a very subtle yet intense mental pressure emanated from Tai Ruo. Feeling that pressure pressing into his mind, Huang Long’s heart turned cold. This Tai Ruo was truly ruthless. If he were just an ordinary six-year-old, even the most talented would be reduced to an idiot after such an attack.

For the first time in six years, Huang Long felt an overwhelming desire to kill.

“Well then, we’ll take our leave first. Master Huang, Madam Huang, Captain Zhao—no need to see us off.” After making a “secret move,” Tai Ruo stood up and bid farewell to everyone, his face still smiling, showing no sign of anger from earlier.

As a Sacred Realm mage, he was confident that Huang Xiong and the others couldn’t detect his actions. It was a shame, though—such a super genius!

As Tai Ruo left the hall with his subordinates, passing by Huang Long, who appeared dazed, he sighed inwardly, knowing that a super genius had been destroyed. This was also what His Holiness the Pope intended—those who were useless could only be destroyed.

After leaving the Huang family, Tai Ruo and his group headed back to the church branch in the Kingdom of Lu Tong.

Once back in the church branch, Lu Faote couldn’t help but say, “Lord Tai Ruo, that kid from the Huang family actually disrespected our holy faith so much. We can’t just let this go. Shall I take care of it?”

Tai Ruo waved his hand, still smiling, “No need to bother with the Huang family anymore. As for that kid, ignore him too.” Then, with a cold smirk, he added, “Hmph, a super genius?”

Lu Faote was puzzled but didn’t dare ask further.

“Alright, let’s not talk about this. As for the mastermind behind that magic sword, you must uncover his identity within this month. After a month, I’ll have to return to the Holy Mountain with the magic sword to report. You should know how much His Holiness the Pope values this person,” said Tairuo.
“Yes, Lord Tairuo,” replied Rufat respectfully.
What Tairuo didn’t know was that this journey would doom him to never returning to the Holy Mountain again.