Chapter 0113: Conspiracy

Wenlisi came this time, of course, to deliver the Temple Stone Talisman.
Huang Long glanced at the talisman in his hand, sensing a flow of life energy within it, and said, “Selection of the Temple Goddess? The Dark Forest Empire’s martial competition?”
The selection of a temple goddess in the Dark Forest Temple was a major event in the Hengyuan Continent, similar to the selection of a holy maiden by the Light Church.
However, it only happened once every twenty years—unexpectedly, he happened to encounter it now.
It was his first time hearing of the Dark Forest Empire holding a martial competition.
Noticing Huang Long’s confusion, Wenlisi said gently, “Yes, this is the first time our empire has held such a competition.”
Then, Huang Long asked about other guests invited by the temple. Upon hearing that the Dragon Clan’s Grand Elder would also be there, he was surprised.
The Dragon Clan’s Grand Elder, Oudo, possessed advanced powers in the Holy Land, nearly reaching the peak of the Holy Land! Of course, this was just rumor; it was possible Oudo had already surpassed the peak of the Holy Land.
After talking with Long Yi all day yesterday, Huang Long had learned quite a bit about the Dragon Clan.
“Alright, I will go to your country in half a year,” Huang Long said to her.
Seeing that the Temple Stone Talisman had been delivered, Wenlisi took her leave. But after she left Huang Family’s estate, Zhao Rong teased Huang Long, saying, “Longer, did you notice? That Wenlisi, the temple goddess, had a very charming look at you just now.”
Huang Xiong was stunned and cleared his throat. “Madam, Longer is still young; it’s too early to talk about such things.” But then his tone changed, “It’s a pity she’s a temple goddess. According to temple rules, goddesses cannot marry for life. Otherwise, she would make a great wife for us.”
Borg stood behind Huang Long, holding back his laughter.
Huang Long, on the other hand, remained calm and changed the subject, saying he planned to go on a long journey in a few days, possibly returning only after the Dark Forest Empire’s temple had selected a new goddess in half a year.
“What! Half a year!” Huang Xiong and Zhao Rong exchanged glances.
“Longer, you’re leaving for so long?” Zhao Rong blurted out. Right now, Huang Long was the backbone of the Huang Family, and everything the family had started still needed his leadership.
“Father, Mother, don’t worry. Sacred beasts like the Nine-Color Phoenix Bird will protect the Huang Family, so nothing bad will happen. I’ve allied with the World Alliance, and if anything happens, they will come to help.” This time, Huang Long planned to take only Borg, the Sky Blue Python Ox, and the orc Natt to the Ruins of the Gods.

As for the Huang family’s affairs, Long Yi naturally wouldn’t stand by idly. With the help of the World Alliance, along with the nine sacred domain magical beasts, two Asuras, and the Twelve Heavenly Divine Fiend Arrays, there was no need to worry about the Huang family’s safety—unless the entire Dragon Clan came, but that was impossible, as the Dragon Clan’s Supreme Elder was cultivating on Panlong Star, merely guarding Dragon Island and rarely leaving it. As long as the powerful beings from the sacred domains didn’t arrive, there was nothing to worry about.

Over the next two days, Huang Long stayed at the Huang family’s residence, setting up several major defense arrays and trapping arrays to ensure its safety before setting off for the Ruins of the Gods.

More than ten days later, Huang Long and his party arrived at the border of a small kingdom.

…

The Sacred Mountain, the Sacred Temple.

Pope Haides looked at Gerson, the head of the tribunal, in front of him: “Are you sure Tai Ruo’s death back then was related to that Huang Long?”

Gerson hesitated for a moment before saying, “Your Holiness, based on various clues, Huang Long is the most suspected.”

“So, it’s not certain?” Haides’ gentle voice echoed in the temple.

“Yes, Your Holiness,” Gerson replied helplessly. Although Huang Long was the most suspected, it could only be considered suspicion, not certainty, as he hadn’t obtained any solid evidence.

Silence fell over the temple.

“Pat, the Light Sacred Pearl!” After a while, Haides said slowly, a glint appearing in his cloudy eyes. “I heard that in the capital of King Lutong, Huang Long killed that Wilin from the Elan family!”

“Yes, Your Holiness,” Gerson replied, puzzled. Why was the Pope asking about this?

“That Nado must hate Huang Long deeply!” Haides said.

An idea struck Gerson, and he blurted out, “Your Holiness, do you mean…?” At that moment, he faintly understood Haides’ intention.

“Go. Have Cole and the others handle it cleanly,” Haides waved his hand.

Nado, the eldest son of the Elan family, was killed on his way back to the Elan family’s territory in the Orc Empire after the auction!

This news caused a small stir.

It was twenty days after leaving the Huang family that Huang Long heard this highly unfavorable news for him.

“Dead?!” Huang Long was surprised.

“Yes, young master,” Bog said. “It is said he was killed while passing through the Magical Beast Mountains. It has also been confirmed that Nado died right where Tai Ruo was killed by us back then.” At these words, Bog’s expression darkened. The coincidence was too great. Could it be that the Church members had guessed that the incident involving Tai Ruo was related to the young master?

In Wangcheng Street, Wilin, a powerful warrior from the Elan family, was killed by Huang Long. Huang Long publicly reprimanded that Nado, who now died on the way back, leaving Huang Long under suspicion! An invisible conspiracy was being spun against the Huang family. Moreover, based on various signs, it seemed the person who killed Nado was someone from the Holy Church. Huang Long frowned, a cold glint in his eyes: “It seems the Holy Church already suspects me for those past events.” He hadn’t left any evidence from those events, so the Church should have nothing to investigate. Thus, Huang Long believed the Holy Church was merely suspecting him. Yet he wondered—why would the Church target him? For the sake of Tai Luo and Luo Feng, they wouldn’t do such a thing. Could there be another reason? But what exactly could drive the Church to take action against him? Sure enough, soon after, Huang Long heard rumors everywhere that he had killed Nado. Naturally, these rumors came from the Holy Church. Although Nado was just a minor figure in the Hengyuan Continent, everything changed when his death was linked to Huang Long. After the auction, rumors about the auction and Huang Long himself spread throughout the Hengyuan Continent. Anything related to Huang Long sparked people’s “interest.” With such news, the people of Hengyuan naturally began to discuss it widely. Soon, everyone on the continent knew about it. According to the people of Hengyuan, Nado, relying on his status as a member of the Elan family, injured Nat, the leader of Huang Long’s orc mercenary group, and thus was killed by Huang Long. Everyone condemned Nado’s stupidity and ignorance! “Good riddance!” Huang Long’s admirers cheered. No one doubted the truth of this story. “Young master, should we step forward to clarify things?” Bog asked, frowning after hearing the rumors. “This will only make things worse,” Huang Long said, his eyes cold. “The Holy Church… one day, they will regret their decision today.” “Master, it’s all Nat’s fault. If not for him, the Holy Church wouldn’t have had an opportunity,” Nat said, head bowed in guilt. “It’s none of your business,” Huang Long replied. A few days later, Huang Long and his group gradually approached the border of the Orc Empire. At that time, the Orc Empire’s border was filled with rows of troops. At the head of the columns stood three giant beasts called Bimons, atop which sat Na Zhen, the head of the Elan family, and the legendary priest of the Orc Empire’s temple. Na Zhen was waiting for Huang Long and his group to arrive.