Chapter 337

Xia Qianzhen also suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and asked in return.

"Yes."

Pace did not panic; she nodded affirmatively. "But I believe in the nobility of you and His Majesty the God King. This is also the last gift I can give to those sisters in the Saintess Convent."

"Since you are so sincere, I must also be frank with you, Saintess Pace. We currently have no way to eliminate the Devil King. My husband has more important matters at hand, so we need to wait for some time until he can free himself."

Xia Qianzhen also told Pace the same things she had said to Saintess Sikepeier.

Pace pondered for a moment and nodded. "I am not in a hurry. On the contrary, please ask His Majesty the God King to prioritize his own matters. We can still hold out for a while."

"I will tell him."

Xia Qianzhen nodded in response.

"Hmm, please also, while you are at it, convey my situation to The Deity. Please help me ask if The Deity is willing to accept the devout faith of an unfaithful one…"

Pace continued.

"I will."

"Besides that… there is nothing else."

Pace stood up in thought. Compared to Xia Qianzhen, she seemed even happier. "By the way, do you have anything related to The Deity that you could share with me?"

"Something?"

Xia Qianzhen pondered what exactly she had on her that she could give away.

"After all, it is an item used by a god… It was presumptuous of me."

Pace thought Xia Qianzhen was unwilling.

"No, as it happens, I have a copy… Well, take a look yourself."

Xia Qianzhen suddenly thought of something and waved her hand, signaling that she was just thinking.

"It is not a so-called item used by a god, but it is related to him."

Xia Qianzhen took an object out of her Storage Ring and placed it in Pace's hands.

"This is…"

Pace opened the book, and her eyes widened.

Chapter 449: Just Thinking of You Makes Me Sickeningly Sweet, Oh Oh Oh.

Watching Pace leave excitedly as if she had found a treasure, Xia Qianzhen had a strange premonition that things were about to get weird. She shook her head; it was none of her business anyway. No matter how abnormal things became later, it would have nothing to do with her.

She pondered everything Pace had said earlier. In a nation where Divine Power is supreme, royal power is merely a tool for Divine Power to control the secular world. That is why Pace could so easily incite a rebellion and even extricate herself after failing.

Even if someone noticed something wrong, and even if King Louis knew she was supporting it from behind, he would not dare to have any objections. On the contrary, he would have to welcome her with a smile; if Pace had a need, he could only cooperate.

If this were in the East, Pace's behavior would undoubtedly be worthy of being called a Saint—overthrowing an unjust ruler for the sake of the common people. But here, whether one is a Saint depends more on one's piety toward The Deity and the favor of The Deity, with the latter being even more important.

If a devout person lacks favor, they are not considered a Saint, much like those paupers who, despite being devout, have never received even a shred of tolerance and remain poor.

If one is not devout but is still favored by The Deity, even if you are not a believer, you will be given the title of Saint. There might even be believers gathering under your banner, calling themselves disciples of so-and-so, and establishing new sects.

Xia Qianzhen shook her head and picked up the defense map she had put aside to continue reading. Since the combat power of the Dao Harmonizers on both sides was restricted, those of them who had not achieved Dao Harmonization could only try a little harder.

…

"Hmm?"

Xia Qianzhen raised her eyebrows, somewhat surprised, but still stood up. "Please come in, Saintess Taolusi."

A Saintess from the Pisces Palace just left not long ago, and now a Saintess from the Taurus Palace has arrived? What kind of lucky day is this that they are all flocking to her? With a casual wave of Daoist Magic, she pulled the door open.

Outside the door, Saintess Taolusi was reaching out to push the door open. Seeing the door open, she felt no awkwardness; she naturally lowered her hand, stepped inside, and, just like Saintess Sikepeier and Pace, closed the door behind her.

"Saintess Taolusi, Your Highness, why have you come so suddenly today? Are the other Saintesses so at ease with you coming over here?"

Xia Qianzhen reached out to invite Saintess Taolusi to sit, and set out the black tea, teacups, and milk candies she had put away earlier.

If Saintess Taolusi had arrived a little earlier, she probably would have run into Pace, which would have been terrible. To say nothing of other things, they would definitely be even more guarded against each other. Their philosophy is that they can sacrifice themselves, but they absolutely cannot tolerate their sisters sacrificing themselves for them.

Saintess Taolusi sat opposite Xia Qianzhen but did not touch the black tea. Today, she wore an ordinary white dress, her golden, sun-warm hair draped naturally over her shoulders, and her clear eyes were like a quiet lake deep in the forest, without a single ripple.

Saintess Taolusi's figure was fuller and taller than Xia Qianzhen's. Thus, as she sat, she looked down slightly at Xia Qianzhen. With the Saintess decorations removed, her holy appearance revealed her inherent maturity and beauty.

"Saintess Aikelisi was planning to do something stupid and caused a big scene, so I found an opportunity to come out."

Saintess Taolusi replied with a smile.

"Something stupid?"

Xia Qianzhen pondered. Pace had just found an opportunity to run out—could it also be because of Saintess Aikelisi's stupidity? It was just that one came before Saintess Taolusi, and one came after; she was a step earlier, and she was a step later… Fortunately, they didn't run into each other.

"Of course, she didn't manage to do the stupid thing; I did it instead."

Saintess Taolusi tapped the table lightly.

Xia Qianzhen understood. Saintess Aikelisi, this seemingly silly Saintess, actually had such a spirit of sacrifice? Wanting to run over here and make herself the [sacrificial victim]… truly… one cannot judge a person by their appearance.

"Calling it a stupid thing—in fact, this kind of thing carries a sense of holiness, right? Sacrificing for one's companions in the hope that they will be saved—in your scriptures, this should be enough to be called a Saint."

Xia Qianzhen shook her head.

"Naturally."

Saintess Taolusi nodded. "But who would be willing to sacrifice themselves? Doesn't everyone think about having someone else sacrifice themselves for them?"

"When the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up."

Xia Qianzhen said.

"Hmm, but I am a Saintess; I am that tall one."

Saintess Taolusi's gaze was gentle.

"Aren't the other Saintesses also tall ones?"

"I cannot sit by and watch my Life be exchanged for everything they have."

"Then they also cannot sit by and watch their lives be exchanged for everything you have."

"Once I am gone, there is naturally no need to care. How they think is their business. Time will heal everything; the pain of now will always become a faint scar in the future."

Saintess Taolusi was quite straightforward; she suddenly had an air of a rogue, but it was not repulsive; rather, it was somewhat moving.

As Saintess Taolusi said this, she asked in return, "Are you trying to refuse me?"

Xia Qianzhen shook her head. "No, I will not interfere with any of your actions. I will only convey your request to my husband, and he will make the final decision."

Saintess Taolusi nodded. "Then I will trouble you. Although I think I have already expressed my thoughts at the meeting between the two sides previously, and that His Majesty should understand my request, please still convey my words."

"I will. Additionally, we hold goodwill toward you. Please do not assume that coming to our side means you will die or suffer a fate worse than death."

"Those two Saintesses, Saintess Laio and Saintess Shaqitelisi, have been living happily these days. Well… let's put it this way: their Life will continue for a very, very long time; they are already immortal."

"And you, however, have only a short Life. Perhaps, in the future, it may be you, or other Saintesses, who will have to reminisce about these current Saintesses."

Xia Qianzhen's voice was calm.

"I understand, Saintess Xia Qianzhen. It's just that for us, the definition of Life and death is not whether Life ends, but the existence or non-existence of faith."

After these few questions and answers, Saintess Taolusi gradually opened up, and her upright posture relaxed slightly.

"After becoming a believer of that God King, as far as we are concerned, they are already dead. And in the future, after I also become a believer of the God King, I will also be considered dead to them."

"I understand."

Xia Qianzhen nodded in understanding.

Saintess Taolusi's expression was conflicted for a moment. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she did not speak and silently watched Xia Qianzhen opposite her.

"Saintess Taolusi? Is there anything else you would like to say?"

Xia Qianzhen noticed that Saintess Taolusi's beautiful eyes, which were like a deep forest lake without a single ripple, were now rippling slightly. She seemed to be thinking about something.

"I was once angry at the choices of Saintess Laio and Saintess Shaqitelisi."

Saintess Taolusi spoke slowly. She closed her eyes slightly, her voice neither hurried nor slow.

"Their departure forced us to seek help from you and also allowed the De-Xi Allied Forces and the Demon King Army to kill so many of our soldiers and knights; even some sister nuns returned to the embrace of the Goddess."

Xia Qianzhen did not speak, nor did she know what to say; she could only listen quietly.

"But now I am a little grateful to them."

Saintess Taolusi placed her hands on her lower abdomen; this action made her full curves even more prominent. "If it weren't for their betrayal, we wouldn't have been able to deal with that Devil King with such a small cost."

"At that time, we might not have even had a single chance, right? To awaken the Saintess of Light? To search for other deities? Heh, by the time we came back, the Shengan Domain would have already turned into a demon realm, right?"

"According to your saying, it is probably… 'Misfortune, where blessing depends; blessing, where misfortune lies in wait.' I still have to thank them. Of course, I will also give them a hard punch!"

Saintess Taolusi's voice was smiling, making it hard to tell whether she was sincere or joking.

"However, now that I know they are all well, I am relieved. At least the Monastery is still fine, and they are fine. After the Devil King is eliminated, everything will develop in a good direction. I have to thank you. Even if you have ulterior motives, I probably don't care about those things anymore."

Saintess Taolusi lowered her head slightly, looking at the surface of the tea in the cup.

Xia Qianzhen also lowered her head, looking at the faint reflection on the surface of the tea.

"Alright, that is basically all I wanted to say."

Saintess Taolusi suddenly stood up and looked at Xia Qianzhen opposite her. "I'd better avoid letting them discover me; I don't want to be monitored by them. As for my matter, I will trouble you to tell His Majesty the God King."

"I will."

Xia Qianzhen also stood up and watched Saintess Taolusi turn around.

Her departing figure seemed slightly hurried… Xia Qianzhen glanced at the teacup with faint steam rising from it, deep in thought. Saintess Taolusi had not touched the tea, but just like her eyes, the surface of the tea was rippling.

…

Saintess Taolusi fled. She walked along paths with fewer people, her breathing slightly rapid, her footsteps not stopping for a moment. If it weren't for the fact that every bit of Divine Power used was one less bit remaining, she would probably have used Divine Power to accelerate her speed, right?

With great difficulty, she dodged the gazes of passing soldiers and nuns and returned to the City Lord's Mansion. She suppressed her eagerness, wore a holy and benevolent smile, nodded to those passing by, and stepped into the City Lord's Mansion.

"Hmm? Sister Taolusi, where have you been?"

Saintess Taolusi looked up. Pace was standing under the corridor, looking at her suspiciously. Her expression did not change. "I went to observe the city walls. The Demon King Army doesn't seem to have any movement today, but I think they are brewing a new conspiracy."

What Saintess Taolusi did not know was that Pace was also drumming in her heart. She did not know if Saintess Taolusi had seen her going out to find Xia Qianzhen. This was what is called "the hemp pole hitting the wolf—both sides are afraid."

"Indeed, it is a bit strange; we must be on guard."

Pace nodded and did not ponder why Saintess Taolusi was not wearing her Saintess robes or her floral crown. As for the Saintess Ring… Saintess Taolusi had her hands crossed together, so she could not see whether she was wearing it or not.

Compared to the Saintess Ring, the former two only played a symbolic role. Whether to wear them or not actually depended on the Saintess's own will. If they were willing to wear them, they would; if not, it was fine. As long as they were worn on important occasions, such as meetings, sermons… that was enough.

Just like Saintess Aikelisi, who often did not wear her Saintess robes or floral crown, preferring to tinker with those beautiful clothes and decorations herself.

"I am going to find Sister Capricorne and the others to inform them of this matter so they can pay more attention. Are you coming with me?"

Seeing that Pace was not suspicious, Saintess Taolusi breathed a slight sigh of relief in her heart. As for that eagerness… it had long been replaced by nervousness.

Pace shook her head. Saintess Taolusi going to find Capricorne dispelled her last shred of doubt. Who would go to find the parents after doing something bad? She still had to go back to get her Saintess Ring, so naturally, she did not want to see Capricorne and the others.

"They are still reprimanding Saintess Aikelisi. You go ahead."

Pace had also run out while Saintess Aikelisi was causing a big problem; otherwise, how could she have hidden it from Capricorne and the others? They were always together, dealing with those big and small matters.

"Hmm."

Saintess Taolusi nodded, did not linger there, turned, and headed toward the Council Hall.

"They are currently in Saintess Aikelisi's room, not at the Council Hall."

Pace called out to Saintess Taolusi.

Saintess Taolusi turned back to look at her, somewhat puzzled. "Weren't they all at the Council Hall before?"

Pace was a bit helpless. "That fellow, Saintess Aikelisi, you know her—she started crying loudly and ran back to her room. Sister Capricorne and Sister Censeer are over there comforting her. Saintess Sikepeier is still at the Council Hall dealing with matters."

"I understand."

Saintess Taolusi turned and walked toward Saintess Aikelisi's room. As it happened, this path would also pass by her own room, which was perfect for picking up the ring before going to find Saintess Aikelisi and the others.

Regarding the Demon King Army's conspiracy, she had not lied. Before going to find Xia Qianzhen, she had indeed been to the city wall and patrolled for a while. As the commander of the garrison, such behavior could be considered normal.

However, what she did not know was that it was precisely this patrol that allowed her to successfully avoid bumping into Pace.

Saintess Taolusi turned through the corridor lightly. Sensing that Sister Pace had walked to the other side behind her, her tense face relaxed slightly.

Arriving in front of her room, Saintess Taolusi looked left and right. Seeing no one, she quickly pushed open her room door and slipped inside. She took the ring she had hidden from a dark corner and put it on.