Chapter 94: Section 95: The Just Holy Temple Knight


    Zi Di had devised a clever plan. Since she had hit a wall with Sanda and the former mercenaries, she decided to directly recruit their leader.


    As long as Zong Ge agreed, Sanda and the rest would be at Zhenjin’s disposal, and the best part was that Zi Di wouldn’t have to maintain payments.


    The motley crew spoke not a word, only communicating with their eyes.


    Although it was their first time seeing Zhenjin, just from his golden hair, handsome face, and upright stature, they knew his identity was no simple matter.


    To be honest, Zi Di’s words had moved them.


    Life in a mercenary group was tough; they earned their living fighting, barely making enough to maintain their weapons and equipment. Any extra money was often frittered away in taverns, gambling, or on men and women.


    ...


    Competition among mercenary groups was also fierce. Most mercenaries died abroad, and the few who survived to retire often lived out their days in poverty, dragging their crippled bodies.


    Following a noble and shedding their mercenary status to become part of a regular army—or even auxiliary troops or guards—offered a more stable life than that of a mercenary.


    Usually, they never had such opportunities. But now, stranded on an island, chance had presented itself.


    Seizing it could mean not just security but perhaps even advancement.


    Sanda looked deeply at Zi Di, realizing that this young girl was truly worthy of being the guild’s chairman and should not be underestimated due to her age.


    Sanda also looked at the ragtag group—he had personally disbanded the mercenary group, but as their former squad leader, he still habitually thought about their welfare.


    Therefore, although Sanda had no interest in Zi Di’s recruitment, he didn’t immediately express his refusal.


    He knew that once he refused, the former mercenaries would follow his decision.


    Moreover, Sanda’s time following Zong Ge was relatively short and he did not fully understand Zong Ge’s thoughts.


    So Sanda turned to Zong Ge and said in a deep voice, “Lord Zong Ge, whatever decision you make, I will follow you.”


    Zong Ge scoffed, “The Hundred Needle Family? What is so glorious about being a defeated southern noble? Holy Temple Knight? Can you defeat me? And the position of the White Sand City Lord requires election, doesn’t it? As far as I know, you should be rushing to White Sand City by now. This shipwreck has already delayed your opportunity! What makes you think you can definitely secure this position?”


    Zong Ge was defiant, clearly not placing Zhenjin in high esteem.


    What surprised Zi Di even more was that Zong Ge, a Half-Beast, seemed to understand the upper echelons well.


    “Knowing the position of city lord requires an election is not surprising. But understanding the delay in time…” Zi Di immediately realized, “Zong Ge’s identity might not be that simple!”


    Zong Ge outright refused the recruitment.


    Sanda and the other former mercenaries naturally acted in unison.


    “With Lord Zong Ge’s strength, wherever he goes, there will be people recruiting him!”


    “We are about to fight a great war against the beastmen; there’s no lack of opportunity to wield weapons.”


    “Hmph, just a Half-Beast, really ungrateful!” Lan Zao was very angry.


    Xi Suo also disagreed with Zhenjin’s attempt to recruit Zong Ge and approached Zhenjin, pointing at Zong Ge, “Lord Zhenjin, it was he who has been pursuing us all along. Such a vicious person constitutes a threat to us all!”


    Sanda sneered, “Pursuing? If it wasn’t for us, your big fool and old shipwright would have already died.”


    Xi Suo snorted, deeply scrutinizing the place where Zong Ge had spat blood. Then, addressing Zhenjin, he said, “Lord Zhenjin, this despicable Half-Beast is severely injured. Now is the perfect time to eliminate him!”


    “What did you say?”


    “Damn bastard!”


    The former mercenaries were furious, their hands reaching for their sword hilts and knife handles.


    The atmosphere grew even tenser, as a battle seemed on the verge of breaking out.


    “What? Since recruitment didn’t work, you want to resort to murder? Is this the conduct of a Holy Temple Knight?” Zong Ge spoke coolly, fixing his gaze on Zhenjin.


    He was indeed injured and was well aware that Zhenjin was the one controlling the situation on the other side.


    Zhenjin slightly shook his head, “The goblin Sanda is right; it was indeed Zong Ge who acted, saving the old shipwright and the big guy from disaster. This is indeed the truth.”


    “I regret your refusal to my recruitment, but I don’t see it as an affront to my dignity.”


    “I am a Holy Temple Knight. Tolerance and compassion are part of my knightly creed. If I were to take out my anger on someone merely for refusing my recruitment, then I am not worthy of being a follower of the Holy Emperor.”


    “Lord…” Lan Zao stood behind Zhenjin, slightly dazed.


    Zhenjin’s words had calmed him, easing the situation.


    But just when Sanda and the others were slightly relieved, Zhenjin added, “However, if one were to harm his companions, to mercilessly pursue and oppress the innocent, that would be another matter.”


    As he spoke, Zhenjin’s gaze pierced Zong Ge like a sharp sword.


    Zong Ge furrowed his brows.


    “Chase him down?” A person beside Sanda burst into laughter, loudly retorting, “We did not chase down anyone. We were merely attempting to retrieve the shipwright. On the contrary, it is you, you despicable lot, who wish to lead us to our doom!”


    This statement immediately resonated strongly with the others.


    They burst out in reproach and low growls.


    “You took the shipwright, and among those of us left, no one knows how to build a sea vessel. What chances of survival do we have?” Sёarch* The Novёl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    “You planned this all along, scheming against our Lord Zong Ge.”


    “Has Lord Zong Ge ever let you down? For you, he overthrew the disgraceful First Officer and even as a leader, he fought on the front lines, leading by example! When the camp suffered a mysterious attack, he protected you by guarding the camp day and night without rest! How have you treated Lord Zong Ge?”


    “You have no respect for Lord Zong Ge at all. Whenever you speak of him, it’s always ‘Half-Beast, Half-Beast!''”


    “But in fact, it was the Half-Beast who saved you all. You pure-bloods of the Human Race show no gratitude, instead repaying kindness with enmity!”


    “That’s right, this is nothing but blatant betrayal!”


    Zhenjin’s brows also deeply furrowed.


    “Is it true? That besides the shipwright, no one else can make a sea vessel?” He looked towards Xi Suo.


    Xi Suo’s gaze shifted around, stammering, with no response.


    “Perhaps it is so, Master.” Lan Zao, being a sailor, had some understanding of the crew, “A sea vessel must withstand storms and resist stealth attacks from Fishmen, which makes its structure unconventional. And the old shipwright is not ordinary; having been an advanced member of the Shipwright Guild, his greatest wish in life was to handcraft his own top-notch sea vessel.”


    Zhenjin fell into a deep contemplation.


    Zong Ge kept his gaze fixed on Zhenjin and spoke again, “Zhenjin, you are a revered Holy Temple Knight. You tell me, when we learned that we were abandoned and the only shipwright capable of building a sea vessel was taken away, was our pursuit excessive?”


    Immediately, the pressure shifted onto Zhenjin. Zong Ge’s words and his fierce fighting style were consistent; he directly cornered Zhenjin.


    Zhenjin slightly lifted his head, looking steadfastly into Zong Ge’s eyes: “Your choice is indeed reasonable and justified.”


    Upon hearing this, people like Big Fool and Xi Suo started to stir slightly.


    “My Lord.” Zi Di came up to Zhenjin, reminding him quietly.


    Zhenjin turned his head and smiled reassuringly at his fiancée.


    Then, resting his left hand on the hilt of his Silver Lightning thin sword, he strode forward, standing between the two groups.


    He looked around, standing tall, his head slightly raised, his golden hair shining gloriously under the sunlight.


    He declared loudly, “As a Holy Temple Knight, I uphold the principles of justice and fairness. I have not experienced the events at the camp myself but only heard your accounts. Yet, discerning right from wrong is not beyond my abilities.”


    “Furthermore, I will not show favoritism towards my own race, the Human Race, nor will I despise others based on their identity as Half-Beast, Half-Elf, or goblin.”


    “A shipwreck occurred, and we all ended up on this island. We must unite and assist each other; only by doing so can we increase our chances of survival.”


    “Xi Suo sneaking away with the shipwright was wrong, and it’s exceedingly selfish to abandon comrades.”


    “Knight Lord!” Upon hearing this, Xi Suo immediately yelled, his face full of anger, and the looks from the crew behind him towards Zhenjin were no longer friendly or respectful.


    “You don’t understand!” Xi Suo, pointing at Zong Ge, his voice trembling with rage, exclaimed, “He killed my father!”


    Zhenjin nodded, looking at him, “I’ve heard about this situation too, and I greatly understand your feelings. But where is the evidence?”


    Xi Suo immediately responded, “My father had wounds caused by a gun spear-like weapon. If we just compare Zong Ge’s twin spears with the wounds, that would be the best evidence!”


    Zhenjin then turned his gaze towards Zong Ge.


    With arms crossed over his chest and his chin slightly raised, Zong Ge looked down with disdain at Xi Suo and the others: “Since when can my War Spears be easily handled?”


    “You see, Lord Zhenjin!” Xi Suo yelled, pointing at Zong Ge, then glaring at Zhenjin, “He’s guilty! He dares not verify! What more needs to be said?”


    Zhenjin stared at Zong Ge.


    Although it was their first meeting, Zong Ge’s valor and sternness left a deep impression on Zhenjin.


    The pair of Short Spears carried on Zong Ge’s back were evidently of high quality just by sight.


    But faced with the charge of the Silver Rhinoceros, even at the cost of severe injuries, Zong Ge did not resort to using those spears.


    “Is there something you’re unable to disclose?”


    Zhenjin speculated within his heart, then looked towards Xi Suo, “Do you have any other evidence?”


    Xi Suo widened his eyes, incredulously looking at Zhenjin, “What other evidence is needed? Zong Ge’s behavior is the clearest proof! He dares not verify because he is indeed the killer of my father. I admit his strength is immense, and that is exactly how he could assassinate my father!”


    Zhenjin, however, slightly shook his head, “Whether Zong Ge wishes to verify is his business. Without conclusive evidence, we may suspect and strive to prove but should not slander. In fact, even if the wounds correlate with Zong Ge’s War Spears, it would not constitute definitive evidence, as wounds can also be fabricated.”


    Xi Suo couldn’t help but step back, his face filled with misery, loudly questioning, “My Lord, would you rather believe a Half-Beast instead of your own race?”