Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After settling the matters with the Nine Head Clan, Chu Kuangren returned to the Royal Azure Dynasty and handed the Nine-Headed Snakelet Pearl to Linglong.
Along with that, he also delivered the news of Gu Changgeâs death.
Upon hearing this, Linglong and the Royal Azure Dynasty King fell into a moment of silence. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Only after a long while did the Royal Azure Dynasty King sigh helplessly, âDefiant child, oh my defiant child! Why did you have to do this?!â
However, he said nothing else. Death was a one-way thing. Even if he wanted to do something, there was no way to return a person who was already dead.
Chu Kuangren left after staying in the Royal Azure Dynasty for several days, but he did not return to the Black Heaven Sect right away.
On his way back, he passed by the School of White Lotus. Since they were allies, he decided to pay them a visit.
âI should buy some fruits before I get to their place.â
Chu Kuangren should not show up empty-handed anyway.
Thus, he headed to the streets.
It had been almost two years since the underworldâs three-headed hound broke free of its seal. So by now, the Full Moon Kingdomâs capital had finished their rebuild.
There were so many people on the streets, the whole place looked very lively.
âMaster, look at that.â Suddenly, as if Lan Yu had stumbled upon something, she tugged on Chu Kuangrenâs sleeve and pointed to a spot in the very middle of the street.
Chu Kuangren looked toward that direction curiously.
What he saw were two sculptures that were situated at the center of the street. One of them was a female, who was the School of White Lotusâs founder, the White Lotus Sage Ruler.
Beside that sculpture was another one.
A man who had an ancient sword strapped to his waist.
At that moment, an old man and a little girl were standing beside that other sculpture. There was a hint of reverence in the old manâs eyes when he looked at that sculpture.
âGrandpa, who is this guy? Why do you always stop here every time you pass by?â The little girl asked curiously.
The old man looked at the sculpture and said, âLittle Lan, you must remember this person. Heâs the School of White Lotusâs mighty Bachelor Sage.â
Then, the old man suddenly stopped. âWait, I think heâs not a Bachelor Sage. I heard that heâs now the School of White Lotusâs Supreme Elder. But no matter a Bachelor Sage or an Elder, he remains a hero of the Full Moon Kingdom.â
âHe was the one who saved you, Grandpa. The one who saved the entire Full Moon Kingdom.â
The little girl nodded her head, seemingly understanding it all now. Then, she looked toward the sculpture and said, âGrandpa, heâs very handsome. I shall marry him when I grow up. What do you think, Grandpa?â
âHaha, sure sure.â The old man laughed in response.
Chu Kuangren was now very close to the sculpture. He touched his chin and said, âThis person is quite handsome, but he looks very familiarâ
At the side, the little girl noticed him and gasped in surprise. She pulled on the old manâs shirt and said, âGrandpa, itâs the great hero. The great hero.â
âLittle Lan, donât be silly.â
The old man did not take her seriously. Hence, when he looked up and saw Chu Kuangren, he was utterly astonished. In a flurry, he immediately knelt on the floor.
âGreetings, my honorable Bachelor Sage.â
Upon noticing this scene, the people on the street looked toward them too.
The moment they saw Chu Kuangren, all of them were as emotional as the old man. They knelt on the floor, their faces full of reverence.
âHonorable Bachelor Sage.â
âHonorable Bachelor Sageâ¦â
Chu Kuangren was quite taken aback by the scene in front of him.
He had indeed been a Bachelor Sage at the School of White Lotus, but do all Bachelor Sages get this kind of worship?
Do people always kneel whenever they see a Bachelor Sage?
âEveryone, please stand up. Thereâs no need for this.â
Chu Kuangren waved his sleeve and a pleasant spiritual power gushed out like a refreshing breeze. It felt as if a giant hand had helped the crowd back up to their feet.
âMany thanks, Bachelor Sage.â
âThank you, Bachelor Sage.â
The crowd was still looking at Chu Kuangren fanatically.
Chu Kuangren, on the other hand, took another look at the sculpture. Only then did it dawn on him why the sculpture looked familiar. That was a sculpture of him!
The School of White Lotus had built him a sculpture?!
âThe Maiden Sage is here.â
A lady in a white dress walked into the crowd. It was the White Lotus Maiden Sage.
She came before Chu Kuangren and smiled gently. âSupreme Elder, what a pleasant surprise to see you here. Why didnât you tell us that you were visiting us? We couldâve made the preparations and welcomed you properly.â
Chu Kuangren smiled and said, âI just happened to pass by, so I thought, why donât I pay you all a visit. Iâm just here as an outsider, you donât need to make such a grand affair of it.â
His words prompted the people around him to gossip.
âThe Bachelor Sage is really humble.â
âHeâs no longer just a Bachelor Sage. Heâs a Supreme Elder now.â
âNo matter a Bachelor Sage or a Supreme Elder, he remains an icon in our hearts. Heâs a big hero that we respect and love.â
âThatâs rightâ¦â
Chu Kuangren started to feel embarrassed when he heard what the people around him were saying.
This was way too kind of them.
The White Lotus Maiden Sage brought Chu Kuangren back to the School of White Lotusâs headquarters, explaining to him what had changed in the past two years while they were on their way back.
Amongst everything, the thing that interested Chu Kuangren most was why the people worshipped him so much.
The reason dated back to when he came to the School of White Lotus to vanquish the three-headed hound. The almost god-like techniques that he used had left a deep impression in the peopleâs minds. Many regarded him as a reincarnation of the White Lotus Sage Ruler.
The Ruler of Full Moon Kingdom had even made a sculpture of him and placed him beside the White Lotus Sage Ruler, signifying their equal level.
Coupled with the School of White Lotusâs preaching of his greatness, Chu Kuangren had become a religion in the Full Moon Kingdom and close to a dozen countries nearby.
His prestige could be compared to that of the White Lotus Sage Ruler.
Only then did Chu Kuangren realize something.
A strong and faithful religion could garner the School of White Lotus better and more effective governance of the southern countries.
The School of White Lotusâs founder, the White Lotus Sage Ruler was a tale of several thousands of years ago. There may be a lot of people who worshipped her, but it remained a difficult task to further strengthen that faith.
Chu Kuangrenâs emergence was a turning point for the School of White Lotus.
The School of White Lotus had intentions to forge a new religion to safeguard their rule and governance over the southern countries.
As long as they branded Chu Kuangren as a reincarnation of the White Lotus Sage Ruler or her reborn, it would not contradict the School of White Lotusâ original faith.
After all, Chu Kuangren did use the White Lotus Light of Purification too.
âYouâve made me into your brand ambassador now. I might just request for an endorsement fee from you guys, you know.â
âAmbassador? Endorsement fee? What does that mean?â
The White Lotus Maiden Sage was rather confused.
âOh, itâs nothing.â
Chu Kuangren simply laughed and did not add onto anything else.
There would be no downsides for him if the School of White Lotus wanted to make him into some kind of religion, and since that was the case, he had no objections.
âElder, youâre here.â
Once he entered the headquarters, Chu Kuangren was met with a familiar face.
It was one of his Protectors back in the day, Honorable Qing Lan.
âSenior Qing Lan, long time no see. I hope youâre doing fine.â
âHey, Elder, I canât still be a Senior to you, can I? I donât think you should call me that again next time.â Honorable Qing Lan smiled bitterly.
Did they know who Chu Kuangren was now?
Black Heaven Sect Leader, Royal Azure Dynastyâs Ruler Matrimonial, School of White Lotusâ Supreme Elder⦠Any of those identities would put her below him.
However, those facts aside, the most important point was his strength â his power was so much stronger than hers. If the Sages would not agree to be greeted âSeniorâ by him, what more a meager Honorable like herself.
âHeh. Sister Qing Lan, I trust youâve been well?â
âThatâs much more like it. School Leader, the Sages are still waiting for you guys inside,â Honorable Qing Lan said.
Once they entered the great hall, Chu Kuangren saw Immemorial Sage and a few others who were gathered there, chit-chatting about the stories from the past.
Among these, they also brought up the events that happened at the unnamed islands. Immemorial Sage would still shudder upon mentioning the Headless Woman.
âThat Headless Woman was way too terrifying. Even the mere thought of her now makes my heart race,â Immemorial Sage said.
Seeing Immemorial Sageâs terrified look, it suddenly crossed Chu Kuangrenâs mind that he had that Headless Womanâs head right inside his Yin and Yang Ring.
If he were to pull it out and let the Sage see it, he wondered how scared she would be.