"Hmm, I heard a group of people has arrived, causing quite a stir over there, and, what’s more, they’re not just here for a short stay, but planning to settle down for the long term... What’s their background? What do they want? You don’t know?"
"I don’t know." An Ning spoke out, "I only concern myself with practicing medicine and searching for remedies; I have no interest in other matters."
Lei Zongnan sighed and said, "As the Holy Daughter of our Shrine, you must take on the responsibility. While I live, I can shield you from the wind and rain. But what will you do if I die?"
"Yes, I’ll pay more attention in the future."
"Hmm." Lei Zongnan was finally satisfied and asked, "The Henshan Region is under Wang Tianlong’s responsibility, right?"
"Why hasn’t he reported this matter to me?"
An Ning’s mind became alert, yet her eyes showed no emotion.
"I will find him and inquire about the situation."
"That’s good. He’s from the Henshan Region, just like you, and he became a Black Robe on your recommendation... I can afford to be unaware, but you cannot."
"If you are unaware, it means that he has other plans. This person may not be worth keeping."
"I understand." An Ning nodded and said, "I will go and inquire about the situation with him now."
"Alright, go ahead." Lei Zongnan nodded.
After An Ning left, a wiry old man approached and asked in a grave tone, "Does the Society Leader suspect there’s a problem with the Holy Daughter?"
Lei Zongnan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said expressionlessly, "Such a commotion in the Henshan Region, so many new faces... Our spies have tried every means to infiltrate, yet they’ve been kept out by them."
"The greater their secrecy, the bigger their problems must be."
"Such a big incident occurred, Wang Tianlong failed to report it, and the Holy Daughter claims ignorance... what does this imply?"
Lei Zongnan glanced at the old man and said, "She saved my life; I am willing to give her one more chance."
"Yes, I understand." The old man nodded and said, "I will keep an eye on the Holy Daughter."
"And keep a close watch on Henshan too." Lei Zongnan’s face showed a contemplative expression as he said, "New Star provides everything one could want, a life like in Heaven... yet those people have fled to the Old Land... what exactly do they want?"
"I will find out the answer," the old man declared decisively.
Wang Tianlong entered the Holy Daughter Palace, bowed respectfully, and said, "Holy Daughter, you wanted to see me?"
He had no choice but to be respectful; better than anyone, he understood how terrifying this young girl’s influence was within the Flame Shrine.
On the Old Land, with so many diseases and calamities, who didn’t have health issues?
Thanks to her divine medical skills, she had saved countless lives.
Even members from other regions traveled long distances to seek her diagnosis and remedies, arriving full of hope and leaving with joy.
Last winter, the White Robe managing Yun Province came to Lingyang District for an inspection and fell ill with a strange disease. He became bedridden and was nearly at death’s door.
Fortunately, she returned from collecting herbs elsewhere, and with thirteen silver needles, the White Robe was immediately out of danger.
After a few days on her herbal soup, he returned home healthy and well.
It was also on his suggestion and push that she was selected as the ’Holy Daughter’ by the Lingyang District.
How many years had it been since Lingyang District had a Holy Daughter?
An Ning looked at the ugly scar on Wang Tianlong’s face and said directly, "Lei Zongnan asked about the situation in Henshan and why you didn’t report what you knew."
Wang Tianlong was Tang Fei’s man, and if Tang Fei said he was trustworthy, she believed Tang Fei.
Therefore, after she used her medical skills to infiltrate the Flame Shrine, she recommended Wang Tianlong to become the Black Robe of Henshan Region.
He became the true ruler of that area.
She managed internal affairs, practicing medicine and dispensing drugs, treating members, and earning herself the reputation of a ’living Bodhisattva.’
With An Ning’s clever manipulation, she became the ’Holy Daughter’ of the Flame Shrine in Lingyang District at the beginning of this year’s Flame Festival.
The Holy Daughter held a supreme position, although her power was not as great as the Society Leader’s, she had countless followers.
Externally, Wang Tianlong used the Henshan Region as a base, aggressively recruiting troops and horses, and completely eradicated the Predators and the Predator Organization in that area.
To kill or to assimilate.
There were no other options.
The two of them coordinated perfectly, wielding great influence in the Lingyang Branch.
It was precisely for this reason that the old forces, led by Lei Zongnan, began to feel worried and feared them.
"Does he suspect us?" Wang Tianlong wasn’t surprised.
He couldn’t guarantee the loyalty of everyone in his organization, and it was only natural for someone to have leaked information about the Henshan Region to the higher-ups.
After all, the movements there were indeed too significant.
However, he had nothing to worry about.
With Tang Fei’s return, he had a backbone to rely on.
He even felt a vague sense of anticipation for a fight, to fiercely clash...
A mere Black Robe couldn’t satisfy his ambition.
He wanted to ascend to higher and farther places with his master.
To even reach New Star, the place he used to only look up to from afar.
"Yes," An Ning nodded, confirming, "He suspects me too."
"What shall we do now?"
"Go see him." An Ning said, "Tell him I want to meet him."
"No problem." Wang Tianlong agreed readily. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ n0velfire.net
They were finally going to meet again.
An Ning then handed a black box on the table to Wang Tianlong and said, "Give this to him."
"Medicine," An Ning said, "A concoction I made."
An Ning was silent for a moment before softly saying, "Without injuries... he would not have returned."
Wang Tianlong looked surprised at An Ning.
The Holy Daughter... was she also involved with him?
Wasn’t he taken away by the Princess from New Star?
Tired of playing? Dumped?
Wang Tianlong felt a bit sorry for Tang Fei.
Yet, he also envied Tang Fei.