Chapter 1115 Since You’re Here, Sit Down and Listen

• This house belonged to Chris. It was also where they’d hold today’s council. Chris had already briefed the attendants here early this morning. When Damon King and the others showed up, the attendants bowed and led them straight into the inner room—then politely backed out, knowing their place. Damon shrugged off his black robe and tossed it onto the table. Luo Sheng was the first to snap, growling under his breath, “What’s wrong with the people of St. Toris?” “They all worship the Temple like that?!” Ge Jun shot him a cool glance, then nodded. “They firmly believe that without the Temple’s protection, St. Toris would’ve been slaughtered long ago by the undead from Fallen Blossom Valley.” “They don’t dare raise their heads or talk to anyone, because rumors have sunk deep into their bones.” “They don’t know if the one speaking to them is human or a ghost.” “Ignorant!” Luo Sheng slammed the table, hard. There are far scarier things in this world than ghosts. A whole city scared into becoming numb, lifeless husks—that’s just pathetic. Ge Jun sighed and shook his head. “That’s exactly what the Pope wants.” “It’s a line of defense set before Fallen Blossom Valley. As long as St. Toris stays loyal to him, there will always be people guarding the Valley’s gate for him, keeping his secret.” “And the ones who live closest to Fallen Blossom Valley, because they revere the Temple, won’t even dream of peeking at it.” Damon’s face was steel-cold. The room fell silent. Clearly, what they’d seen in St. Toris had rattled them. The Temple’s grip on people’s minds across this land was way stronger than Damon had first imagined. “Chris, buddy! What’s going on? You dragged us here like it’s some big secret.” “Yeah! The Temple’s got a new round of believer selection in a couple days. I’m still picking people in my family. Why haul us over here without a word?” “And what’s with you suddenly falling out with the Temple? I’ve been wanting to ask, but never found the chance. Now that we’re all here, tell us straight.” “Is there something you can’t say? Mr. Chris, I’m warning you: if you betray the Temple, the Sos family will cut ties with you for good.” “That said, the vibe in St. Toris isn’t half bad. The moment I walked in, it felt like basking under holy light. Honestly lifted my mood!” Right in the middle of the chatter, the door swung open again. Leading the way was Chris, with the heads of several other major families right behind him. Damon had barely met their eyes when Sosli, patriarch of the Sos family, changed his face on the spot. “What are you doing here!” “You still dare show up?!” Sosli glanced at Chris—who looked anything but shocked—and his expression soured. “Don’t tell me you actually teamed up with these Temple traitors. The Mas family! How dare you!” Chris pressed his lips together. “I’m not here to make decisions for any of you.” “But there are things you have a right to know.” “Since you’re here, sit down and listen.” Sosli threw his hand out, dropping the act fast. “No way!” “I’d rather die than sit at the same table with people who disrespect the Temple!” He moved to leave— Only— Shing! The Mas family guards posted outside had already drawn their blades, blocking his path. Sosli’s face went from dark to downright ugly. He roared at Chris, “What, are you planning to lay a hand on me today?” “People in my family know I’m traveling with you. If you dare hurt me one bit, watch the Sos family go to war with the Mas family!” Chris let out a long sigh. “That’s not my intention.” “I just want you to sit and hear me out.” Chris had known from the start Sosli would be the toughest to deal with. Just as the air was about to snap, Ge Jun rose slowly to his feet. “From what I know, five years ago the Sos family sent Sos Naisnow—your daughter—to the Temple to serve as a Handmaiden of that generation.” Sosli frowned, his gaze caught by Ge Jun’s words. “How do you know that?” Ge Jun smiled. “Instead of that, aren’t you more curious where your daughter is now?” Sosli let out a cold laugh, hands clasped behind his back, pride stamped all over his face. “My daughter is living just fine in the Temple, of course.” “She’s a once-in-a-century talent in the Sos family. The Pope will surely favor her.” Ge Jun shook his head with a smile. “Favor is one thing. But she’s not in the Temple right now.” “Three years ago, she and the other Handmaidens of her generation were turned into fuel for the Pope’s refinement. By now, there might not even be bones left.” “Lies!” Sosli cut him off cold. “You’re just slandering the Temple to win people over.” “I’m not Chris. I won’t fall for your tricks.” Stubborn to the core. Ge Jun sighed and shook his head. “If I were Sos Naisnow, and I saw my father not only refuse to avenge me, but wear his pride in being the Temple’s lapdog for years—yeah, I wouldn’t rest easy in my grave.”