"Where do you want to take Wang Zhong?"
Zhu Zhuyun and her two sisters blocked Wang Zhong, their voices as sharp as bristling cats. Zhu Zhuqing, hugging Wang Zhong's leg, stared angrily at Lu Yun.
"Four young ladies of the Zhu family."
"I believe this matter is likely beyond your intervention."
"Seriously injuring a Platinum Bishop of our Spirit Hall in the street is no small crime."
"Of course, given the status and position of the four Zhu sisters and your relationship with this young master, I, Lu Yun, swear on my authority and position as a Cardinal. If he suffers the slightest harm, I will immediately take my own life here."
His calm words, spoken with deep solemnity and sincerity, surprised the four Zhu sisters.
While they were astonished, Lu Yun examined Wang Zhong's face and his pair of emerald green eyes, sighing heavily in his heart.
"My esteemed Holy Son, were you not planning to travel the world incognito? Why, upon arriving at the Star Luo Imperial City, did you directly cripple a Platinum Bishop?"
"If I don't take you to the Spirit Hall now, who knows what others will infer, or think our Spirit Hall is weak and can be bullied."
"But..."
Before Zhu Zhuyun could retort, Wang Zhong gently patted her shoulder, reassuring her, "Zhuyun, it's alright."
"In front of all these witnesses, Bishop Lu Yun has made such a vow; he won't go back on his word."
"Besides, this gentleman before us, his demeanor is peaceful and warm, unlike Cairns. His promise should carry some credibility."
Wang Zhong's words prompted Zhu Zhuyun to study Lu Yun for a moment. Recalling the stories she had heard about this Cardinal's deeds and character, she finally nodded, albeit reluctantly.
Unlike Cairns, the Platinum Bishop, Lu Yun enjoyed a good reputation in the Star Luo Imperial City for three reasons.
Firstly, he personally oversaw the spirit awakening ceremonies for many commoner children living near the Star Luo Imperial City.
Secondly, the living stipends for soul masters from common families were all approved and disbursed by him.
Thirdly, Lu Yun would often visit the homes of commoners, treating the sick for nearly free, sometimes even covering the cost of medicine out of his own pocket.
These three actions had earned Lu Yun an excellent reputation and a high standing among the common people.
His word carried immense credibility, far more than that scoundrel Cairns.
However, the current problem was that Wang Zhong had severely injured, and nearly killed, a Platinum Bishop. How could such a matter be easily resolved?
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Gently patting Zhu Zhuyun's head and handing Zhu Zhuqing, who was clinging to his leg, back to her, Wang Zhong walked slowly in the direction Lu Yun indicated under the worried gaze of the sisters. Under the watchful eyes of the imperial guards, it felt less like an escort and more like a respectful procession.
With pursed lips, Zhu Zhuyun watched Wang Zhong and the Spirit Hall members depart, her eyes filled with concern.
Zhu Zhuya and Zhu Zhuyi, and even the youngest Zhu Zhuqing, shared the same worried expressions.
"Eldest Sister, will Wang Zhong be alright?"
Zhu Zhuya was deeply worried. What Wang Zhong had done was truly shocking; he had acted without a moment's hesitation, giving no one time to react.
And his attack was so severe, a Platinum Bishop was nearly killed in two blows.
Killed?
The word flashed through her mind, and Zhu Zhuya exclaimed with the surprise of a major discovery, "That's not right."
"Wasn't Wang Zhong supposed to be an ordinary person? How could he cripple Cairns so miserably in just two blows!"
Prompted by Zhu Zhuya, Zhu Zhuyi also realized. Wang Zhong's previously displayed aura was imposing and fierce, hardly that of an ordinary person.
The sisters' astonishment did not affect Zhu Zhuyun in the slightest.
She already knew.
Ever since she found that golden soul coin lying nearly a meter away from her in the forest, she knew Wang Zhong was not an ordinary person. He was also a soul master, and a powerful one at that!
However, the person Wang Zhong had provoked this time was not someone who could be dealt with by mere strength.
The Spirit Hall spanned both the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires, its formidable might compelling even the two emperors to tread carefully. Wang Zhong, a soul master with some power, could not possibly contend with it.
Hugging her little sister Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuyun decisively declared, "Let's go home and find Mother."
At this moment, this was the only solution she could think of. As the maternal line of the Star Luo Empress, the Zhu family's status in Star Luo was second only to the Dai family. If Zhu Yaning were to intervene, she could absolutely protect Wang Zhong!
The three of them hurried away, almost jogging.
"Alas, that young man was truly impulsive. Why did he suddenly strike? That was a Spirit Hall Platinum Bishop."
"Once he's in the Spirit Hall, won't he be stripped bare?"
"Exactly, that's the downside of young people, full of hot blood and prone to impulsiveness."
"But, his slap was so satisfying!"
"Yes, yes, yes, I wanted to say that too, it felt so good! A Platinum Bishop, acting like a tyrant in Spirit City, bullying men and women, he was a complete scoundrel!"
"This Cairns, compared to Bishop Lu Yun, is like heaven and earth. I really don't know why someone like him became a Platinum Bishop."
"Perhaps, the Pope of the Spirit Hall was also deceived by Cairns's facade."
The Spirit Hall had countless branch halls in both the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires, as well as within various countries.
The two grand halls located in the Star Luo Imperial City and the Heaven Dou Imperial City were known as the Spirit Hall Temples.
The Spirit Hall Temples represented the imposing presence and majesty of the Spirit Hall within the imperial cities, and as such, their exteriors and grandeur were comparable to those of the imperial palaces.
Passing through the plaza and entering the hall, Lu Yun waved away the soldiers behind him, and the moment the doors closed, he knelt on one knee.
"Greetings, Holy Son!"
Wang Zhong surveyed the dimly lit hall. The surrounding night-blooming pearls emitted a faint glow, dimly illuminating the main chamber.
The marble-paved floor, the luxurious yet understated hall, dozens of stone pillars soaring upwards to the dome, carved with images of angels.
In the center of the hall, the only place with light, stood a small stone statue of an angel embracing the sky, draped in sheer fabric. A golden beam of light descended from the heavens, illuminating the statue and making it appear even brighter and more sacred in the dim hall.
Slowly turning, placing his hands behind his back, Wang Zhong looked down at Lu Yun's kneeling figure and calmly said, "Rise."
"The Holy Son of the Spirit Hall cannot exist without the recognition of the elders and the various bishops of the Elder Hall."
"I am merely the Pope's disciple!"
Lu Yun slowly rose, his expression calm yet tinged with an inexplicable solemnity, saying, "You are the Pope's direct disciple, and her only disciple."
"Once your strength improves to the point where all elders and bishops take you seriously, then no one will dare, and no one can, prevent you from becoming the Holy Son!"
Wang Zhong chuckled slightly, shaking his head dismissively, "Alright, the matter of the Holy Son is too far in the future."
"Tell me, instead, why do you know me? I'm quite curious about that."
Lu Yun nodded in assent. "Yes."
"After you left the Spirit Hall Academy, His Holiness the Pope distributed a portrait of you to all the Holy Hall, Grand Hall, and Branch Hall leaders across the continent."
"And simultaneously, she warned all leaders that if you were to encounter any mishap within their jurisdiction, we would have to atone with our lives!"
These simple words conveyed the immense pampering and care the woman at the highest seat of the Pope bestowed upon him.
Wang Zhong pursed his lips, the affection and smile in his eyes impossible to conceal.
That noble and iron-willed Pope, in her own way, cared for and looked after him constantly.
The Pope's decree, the red crystal card, and even this order issued to all branch halls across the continent, were all expressions of unspoken love that were more touching than any heartfelt words.
This was her. This was the mother Wang Zhong recognized from the bottom of his heart.