Ya Li's bow was so humble and sincere that one could truly feel the deep guilt and sorrow within her heart.
However, when the people of Saga City heard that the culprit behind the Wind Death Disease plague was a member of Martial Soul Hall, and that Ya Li was a Saintess of Martial Soul Hall, the atmosphere at the scene plummeted to freezing point, falling into absolute silence.
Some were burning with rage because they had lost family members to the Wind Death Disease, yet they were too intimidated by the status of the Martial Soul Hall Saintess to voice their anger; others were filled with curiosity upon hearing that this matter involved Martial Soul Hall, but knowing the occasion was inappropriate, they chose to observe the situation; some had families who were safe and sound, and while they approved of Ya Li stepping forward to take responsibility, they found it difficult to speak up because they still had to live in Saga City; there were also believers of the Angel God who were excited to see a possessor of the Angel Spirit. The thoughts were varied and numerous!
Aside from the people of Saga City, Yun Ming and Yang Wutian's expressions changed drastically upon hearing of Ya Li's background. Yun Ming was slightly better off, merely feeling a bit conflicted inside. But Yang Wutian was absolutely furious; he clenched his fists tightly, the veins on his arms bulging, revealing the extent of his inner rage.
Earlier, when Yang Wutian saw Ya Li use her spirit, he had been somewhat suspicious. Although the spirit aura and appearance of Ya Li's Angel of Hope and the Qian Family's Six-Winged Angel were not quite the same, that pure, noble temperament was very similar. It was just that in all the generations of the Qian Family's heritage, he had never heard of anyone's spirit mutating, and Ya Li's spirit abilities were completely different from the combat-oriented Six-Winged Angel, which was why Yang Wutian had suppressed his doubts. Now that he heard Ya Li was from Martial Soul Hall, how could he remain indifferent!
Old An, hearing Ya Li expose herself, also came to her side to prevent anyone from acting out in anger and attacking her. As for Feng Dianchen, he had already been suspicious when he saw Ya Li's spirit earlier. Now that Ya Li had spoken publicly on behalf of Martial Soul Hall, Feng Dianchen, filled with regret, knelt directly before her to plead for punishment.
"Sinner Feng Dianchen, greets Your Highness Saintess!"
"Feng Xian committed such a grave disaster; it is a serious dereliction of duty on my part as his adoptive father and Hall Master. Please, Your Highness Saintess, punish me!"
Ya Li ignored Feng Dianchen and turned back to continue speaking to the residents of Saga City.
"The mastermind behind this, Feng Xian, the adopted son of the Saga City Spirit Hall Main Hall Master, has already been executed."
"As for the personnel and property losses caused by Feng Xian, Martial Soul Hall will take full responsibility and compensate everyone to the best of our ability!"
At this point, Ya Li turned to look at Feng Dianchen, her expression emotionless as she said in a deep voice.
"Finally, regarding the culpability of the Saga City Spirit Hall Main Hall, I will report it to the Pope Palace and request the Pope to conduct a comprehensive investigation and make a ruling! I will never let a single innocent soul die in vain, and this shall serve as an explanation to everyone!"
After finishing this, Ya Li bowed to the crowd once more and said.
"I am truly sorry!"
After these words were spoken, although there was still no response from the crowd, the atmosphere at the scene eased significantly.
Seeing that Ya Li had said everything that could and should be said, Duke Xavier hurriedly offered a way out. After all, his achievements were tied to Yun Ming and Ya Li, and having the chance to acknowledge an absolute higher-up of Martial Soul Hall as his boss was an unexpected joy!
"The Saintess is righteous, and Martial Soul Hall is brave enough to take responsibility, but we hope you will keep your word!"
With the boss having spoken, his subordinates were naturally sensible, and they began to stir the crowd. Those who were not overly hateful toward Martial Soul Hall, who admired Ya Li's actions, and the believers of the Angel God, seeing someone take the lead, also chimed in.
"Your Highness Saintess, you are truly wise and righteous!"
"That scum Feng Xian really tarnished the reputation of Martial Soul Hall!"
"..."
And so on.
Hearing the generally positive response from the people of Saga City and the power of faith flowing back toward her, Ya Li felt grateful. As she stood up to respond, she also felt a sense of relief.
Although Ya Li's feelings of apology and shame were genuine, she also had other motives. Now that many people knew the mastermind came from Martial Soul Hall, it was only a matter of time before it spread to the outside world. By speaking up herself, she could appropriately salvage the credibility of Martial Soul Hall!
Moreover, this matter was not without its benefits. The current Martial Soul Hall was very similar to the Shrek Academy of Ya Li's previous life; both had developed to the point of being "like oil on a fire, brocade on flowers," but they also suffered from many internal problems, the biggest being the corruption of some personnel within Martial Soul Hall.
However, Martial Soul Hall was too important to the entire Douluo Continent. If its reputation were severely damaged, it would trigger many chain reactions.
Therefore, by using this method, Ya Li could also sound a warning to that person in the Pope Palace.
A long time later, seeing that Ya Li had finished her bowing and apologizing, and noticing that Yang Wutian's expression was growing darker, Duke Xavier hurriedly arranged for the commoners to disperse. They themselves also left quickly, leaving the space to the people on Yun Ming and Ya Li's sides.
Seeing the unpleasant expressions on Yun Ming and Yang Wutian, Ya Li also felt a headache coming on. She had been busy with the affairs of Saga City and hadn't revealed her identity, so she hadn't thought about this problem for the time being.
Who would have thought the mastermind was from Martial Soul Hall, forcing Ya Li to reveal her identity? Now, the conflict between the Breaking Clan and Martial Soul Hall was suddenly placed right in front of her, and she didn't know how to handle it.
The first to speak was Yang Wutian, who coldly scanned Ya Li, Old An, and the kneeling Feng Dianchen, then snorted.
"Hmph!"
"Ming Er, let's go! She is not suitable for you!"
After saying this, Yang Wutian walked toward the city gates without looking back. Yun Ming did not move; he was still thinking.
Ya Li felt a bit chaotic inside; she didn't know what the right thing to do was.
Seeing that Yun Ming hadn't moved, Old An also wanted to see his reaction. If Yun Ming showed hostility toward Martial Soul Hall, he would report directly to the Adjudication Elder upon returning to Martial Soul Hall and request the Elders to take action and kill Yun Ming. There were people who could not be used by him, so they could only be killed by him, and Yun Ming was one such person.
Yang Wutian didn't hear Yun Ming behind him, and the fire in his heart could no longer be suppressed. He shouted loudly at Yun Ming.
"Yun Ming!"
"What are you still hesitating for!"
"Martial Soul Hall has a blood feud with our clan, and your parents also died at their hands! Have you forgotten!!!"
Hearing the reprimand, Yun Ming looked at Yang Wutian with clear eyes and spoke.
"Fifth Grand Uncle, I haven't forgotten!"
"No matter how deep the hatred, it must either be let go or resolved; there must be a result!"
"I still have a few questions I want to ask."
Ignoring Yang Wutian's reaction, he looked at Ya Li with a firm yet anxious gaze and asked.
"Can you answer a few questions for me?"
Even though Yun Ming had regained his memories, there were some things that were not recorded at all in the archives of Shrek. For example, who was the mother of the Sea God Tang San, why exactly did Martial Soul Hall start the war, and other detailed information were not recorded.
Furthermore, because much of the information had been beautified or omitted due to their stance, Yun Ming did not believe a single word of Shrek's records when it came to judging good and evil, though they could be used as a reference for real events.
Just like through Yun Ming's understanding of Martial Soul Hall in this life, the rampant Evil Soul Masters in later generations, and the high threshold for Spirit Awakening ten thousand years later, from these aspects, the merits of Martial Soul Hall were far greater than its faults! So, the Sea God Tang San eradicating Martial Soul Hall must have been for his own selfish desires!
With Tang God King as a cautionary tale, Yun Ming must handle his attitude toward Martial Soul Hall with extreme caution!
Seeing the familiar determination in Yun Ming's eyes, the confusion in Ya Li's heart was swept away, and she said calmly.
"Of course I can."
Yun Ming nodded and asked his first question.
"Is Qian Xunji really critically injured and on the verge of death?"
After recovering his memories, Yun Ming knew very well how vigorous the vitality of a level 95 Super Douluo with a Six-Winged Angel spirit was. He was now somewhat uncertain if Qian Xunji was truly dying from wounds beyond saving.
Ya Li nodded in affirmation.
"It is true. This is a fact that the entire Worship Hall has personally verified!"
Although Yun Ming was somewhat surprised by this answer, since so many Super Douluo in the Worship Hall had examined him, it shouldn't be wrong. He could only conclude that Qian Xunji must have been quite weak, possessing cultivation in name only. Yun Ming continued to ask.
"Why did Tang Hao kill Qian Xunji back then?"
Hearing this question, Ya Li's expression became somewhat strange. She had been stunned when she first found out, and she said in a peculiar tone.
"It was because the Pope, Qian Xunji, discovered that Tang Hao's wife was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast and wanted to capture her. Later, when Tang Hao's wife saw they had no way to escape, she directly sacrificed herself to Tang Hao, who had reached level 90, hoping he could survive with their child! After that, the great battle broke out, and the Pope was left on the verge of death! And then, the rest followed!"
Upon hearing Ya Li's answer, everyone present felt as if they had been struck by lightning.
Yun Ming was also somewhat astonished. He knew that some families in later generations had soul beast bloodlines, but he hadn't expected Tang Hao to be such a ruthless man. This concept was over twenty thousand years ahead of their era! The views of their era only extended to protecting rare species like soul beasts; they had never reached the point of offering oneself to the beast to help continue the soul beast's bloodline.
Old An and the other subordinates of Martial Soul Hall simply thought Tang Hao was truly desperate! Yang Wutian was so furious he was about to explode. Was this the kind of person they had fought Martial Soul Hall to the death for back then?!! Yang Wutian gritted his teeth and shouted sharply.
"Tang Hao, you scoundrel, you are no man! You are no man!!!"
"As long as I live, I will never rest until this bastard is dead!!!"
In this era, what Tang Hao did was equivalent to seeing a pig and, instead of wanting to eat pork, wanting to marry the pig and have children with it. It was too explosive and too deviant! This made Yang Wutian feel that the loyalty the Breaking Clan had mistakenly given back then had been thoroughly trampled into the mud, becoming worthless.
Yun Ming looked at Yang Wutian, who was fuming with rage, his beard bristling. Fearing that Yang Wutian might suffer some harm from his anger, he quickly stepped forward to persuade him.
"Fifth Grand Uncle, calm down, calm down. Now that we have a lead on Tang Hao, we will kill him sooner or later!"
Hearing Yun Ming's persuasion, Yang Wutian regained his composure. He grabbed Yun Ming's arm tightly, his face twisted with malice as he said to him.
"Ming Er, if there is a chance in the future, you must kill Tang Hao, but you must leave a breath in him for me. If I don't torture this bastard, I won't be able to sleep at night!"
"As long as you can satisfy me, even if you want to marry that girl Ya Li in the future, I will support you and even help you speak to the Clan!"
Yun Ming: "Uh~, alright!"
Ya Li looked at Yun Ming with a strange expression, as if to say, 'Is this your plan? Shifting the hatred?'
Although Yun Ming hadn't intended that at first, since things had already turned out this way, why not! He then gave Ya Li a slow wink, indicating, 'Exactly!'
Finally, Yun Ming asked his last question with some trepidation.
"Ya Li, are you the daughter of Qian Xunji?"
Hearing this question, Yang Wutian also leaned in to listen. Although he had just said what he said, he still didn't want Yun Ming to marry the daughter of an enemy.
Ya Li did not answer directly, but instead asked with a curious look.
"What if I am? And what if I am not?"
Yun Ming replied domineeringly.
"If you are, and you are willing, within ten years, I will break into Martial Soul Hall and take you away!!!"
Hearing this answer, Ya Li thought of their past. Yun Ming had done something similar back then, only the opponent was the War God Hall, which could rival Martial Soul Hall in later generations. Ya Li asked again.
"And what if I am not?"
Yun Ming smiled.
"If not, I will propose marriage. If Martial Soul Hall doesn't agree, then I'll snatch you away!"
Old An, who was listening on the side, muttered to himself, 'So, you brat, no matter what, you're planning to snatch her anyway!' And Yang Wutian, having heard both answers, understood Yun Ming's determination in this matter and could only pray that Ya Li was not Qian Xunji's daughter.
Although Ya Li was saying things like 'how barbaric', everyone could see how happy she was. She replied.
"I am not the daughter of Qian Xunji. I don't even have the surname Qian!"
Everyone: "???"
An Angel spirit but not surnamed Qian? They had never heard of this. Ya Li signaled for Old An to shield them from bystanders and continued to explain.
"I am a descendant of another lineage left behind by the Angel God. I basically have no blood relationship with the Qian Family. Because my talent was good, I was sent to Martial Soul Hall by my family for training!"
Yun Ming and the others understood. So that was it!
Yun Ming finally said to Ya Li.
"Based on what I know now, my attitude toward Martial Soul Hall is."
PS: Let's leave Ya Li's identity as it is! After all, they both have their memories; this isn't the 'enemy's daughter falls in love with me' trope. They loved each other first, and then the identities came into play. Using their current identities to hinder the feelings from their past and present lives? That wouldn't be realistic. Yun Ming will take revenge on Martial Soul Hall, but he won't kill indiscriminately.
Seeking monthly tickets, seeking recommendations.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader