Chapter 181: Section 182: Just Because I Am Jia Sha
The betrayal of the four Guardian Knights towards Jia Sha seemed unexpected, but upon closer consideration, it wasn’t surprising at all.
It was impossible for them to pledge allegiance to Zi Di, but Lord Zhenjin was another matter altogether.
Lord Zhenjin came from a noble bloodline, a genuine Noble and also a Holy Temple Knight.
Lord Zhenjin and Jia Sha shared similar statuses, both devoted to the same deity. The clergy of the Holy Bright sect often cooperated with the Holy Temple Knights in battle. Every squad leader in the Holy Temple Knights was equivalent to a Red Archbishop, a rank higher than a bishop. Sёarch* The ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
The Guardian Knights were not directly descended from Jia Sha; originally, there were six assigned to protect the priest, and now only four remained.
Jia Sha appeared to be in poor condition; moreover, no matter how great the achievements, they held more significance for upper echelons like Jia Sha, leaving it questionable how much the four Guardian Knights could actually claim.
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The depletion of the Mana Pool was too severe, and the four Guardian Knights also worried that should the mana prove insufficient, they would become the sacrifices.
After all, Holy Temple Knights and priests could not harm each other, but this did not apply to these four men.
In their eyes, preserving their own lives was the priority. Lord Zhenjin, who was solely focused on survival, became their best choice of allegiance!
Now, Lord Zhenjin’s attitude and choice had become critical.
“Lord Zhenjin!” Zi Di called out.
Looking at his fiancée, Lord Zhenjin nodded and then turned around, staring sternly at Jia Sha.
A heavy weight fell upon the priest’s heart.
“Father Jia Sha, I now ask you to step back from this contest for authority!” Lord Zhenjin commanded.
Zi Di exhaled a turbid breath, and as she expected, at the critical moment, Lord Zhenjin chose to stand by her.
Jia Sha was furious.
“Even if you kill me, I won’t back down from this contest!”
Lord Zhenjin shook his head, his tone becoming milder, “Why would I strike a priest? I would only knock you out.”
“Knock me out?” Jia Sha scoffed, and suddenly, a trace of Holy Light emanated from his body.
His physical and mental condition was worrisome at this moment; he looked as if his bones were merely wrapped in a layer of skin.
Normally pristine, the Holy Light seemed somewhat unsettling on him.
“You think I have no power to fight back? In this Magic Ban environment, none of you can use your Fighting Energy, how will you resist my Divine Arts?” This remark made Lord Zhenjin and the four Guardian Knights hesitate.
Jia Sha continued addressing the four Guardian Knights, “I can understand your choice. But even if you survive and leave, what will you face? All your training involves protecting our sect and our clergy. It’s still okay if you just stand by, but if you really attack me, think about it, even if you survive, you will face punishment and accountability, you would be living a fate worse than death!”
“This…” The four Guardian Knights looked at each other, their expressions extremely grave.
Jia Sha’s rhetoric was sharply potent, suddenly making it extremely difficult for the four Guardian Knights.
They could only look towards Lord Zhenjin, their eyes pleading for him to take action.
Lord Zhenjin hesitated.
He didn’t dare to!
Along the way, he had fully sensed the power of Divine Arts.
To confront Jia Sha now? It was very likely he would die under those Divine Arts.
With Jia Sha’s current physical and mental state, if pushed, would he truly not massacre the Holy Temple Knights? Lord Zhenjin couldn’t take that risk.
Even Zi Di began to hesitate, “Be careful, my lord, do not act rashly.”
At this moment, Lord Zhenjin was her amulet; if Lord Zhenjin died, it was needless to say whom the four Guardian Knights would listen to.
Lord Zhenjin gritted his teeth, staring at Jia Sha, he ventured, “You cannot kill me!”
A chill went through Zi Di’s heart, Lord Zhenjin’s words revealing his fear.
Sure enough, the next thing Jia Sha said was, “Ha ha, Holy Temple Knight, you can try and see if I dare! When pushed, I am capable of anything.”
Lord Zhenjin clenched his jaw tighter, his expression more hesitant.
He was caught in a dilemma.
His anger earlier stemmed merely from a desire to survive. But now Jia Sha seemed eerily determined to the end, leaving Lord Zhenjin at a loss.
“If I try to knock out Jia Sha, but end up dying under his Divine Arts, wouldn’t that be too tragic?”
The risk was too great, and Lord Zhenjin backed off.
The looming threat of death also made his mind spin like never before.
He rapidly organized his thoughts, trying to persuade, “Jia Sha, the longer we drag this out, the more the Mana Pool will deplete. The next Divine Artifact may not even be able to be transported.”
“It’s just because the division of contributions isn’t fair that we’re at a deadlock now!”
“I suggest we split all the credit equally.”
“Split equally?” Zi Di raised an eyebrow, not quite willing.
“Shut your mouth! My fiancée, do you want to die?” Lord Zhenjin turned around, sternly reprimanding.
Zi Di said no more.
“A equal share? That’s impossible!” Jia Sha sneered, pressing Lord Zhenjin into submission. If not now, when?
Jia Sha continued, “Do you know how much it cost me? Besides, do you think you can equally share credit just because you want to? Rewards based on contributions are decided by those above us. Can you intervene in their judgments and decisions?”
Jia Sha’s attitude had become even tougher.
Lord Zhenjin clenched his teeth. “Alright, I’ll make a concession. We don’t want anything from the third floor! For the two divine artifacts, we’ll only take this giant shell. You can have the Green Jade Gold Coffin.”
“That’s not acceptable either!” Jia Sha roared lowly.
Lord Zhenjin was stunned and then burst into flames of rage, shouting, “Do you understand what you’re doing right now, Father? You’re on a path to self-destruction.”
“I really don’t understand, why do you need so much credit?”
“Can’t you distribute some to us?”
“Yes, your contribution is the greatest, but haven’t we contributed too? Without our group’s sacrifices, how could you have safely reached here? Perhaps you would have already been sacrificed. At least four guardian knights would not have survived.”
“Hehehe,” Jia Sha laughed, his laughter becoming more manic.
Regardless if it was Lord Zhenjin’s outburst or his negotiations with Jia Sha, during the whole process, Zi Di never stopped attacking Jia Sha.
To resist Zi Di, Jia Sha had to continuously exhaust himself, reckless of all consequences.
He now appeared even more aged and decrepit, his formerly white hair gradually falling out, revealing a bald head streaked with bulging veins. His eyes were bloodshot and bulging, his body skeletal, as if he could drop dead at any moment.
“I will not yield!”
“If I must die, we all die together!”
“Why should I yield to you scums?”
“All the credit is mine, all mine! If you won’t give it to me, let’s all die together!”
Jia Sha roared, his face contorted, seemingly having completely lost his sanity.
“Father!”
“Can you calm down, please?”
“We’re not forcing you!”
The guardian knights panicked.
“I will never yield. I will never yield to your kind!” Jia Sha murmured under his breath, his gaze vacant, giving off an impression of clouded consciousness.
“What’s the reason? We can discuss this. We can solve this together if there’s a problem on your side.” Lord Zhenjin growled, facing such an obstinate and hardheaded Jia Sha, he was exasperated.
After a long while, Jia Sha finally responded, “The reason?”
“Hehehe.”
“There’s only one reason. Listen carefully.”
Lord Zhenjin quickly said, “I’m all ears!”
The next moment, Jia Sha expelled a mouthful of stale breath, his voice weak but resolute, softly said, “Because I am Jia Sha.”
“What?” Lord Zhenjin couldn’t believe it.
His expression amused Jia Sha, Jia Sha’s face twisted into a smile as he repeated, “Yes, because I am Jia Sha!”
Everyone was shaken, as Zi Di said, the Father seemed to have become mentally unclear due to severe physical overstrain—he had gone mad!
“I am Jia Sha…” Father’s vision gradually blurred, in this moment, he saw his past.
Holy Bright Continent, West Coast.
The salty, warm breeze of the sea, blowing through the tall arched windows, entered the church.
The soft light of the evening glow, shining on the colorful stained glass, created a mystical atmosphere.
Father Jia Sha forcefully pushed open the door, briskly walked into the large chapel.
He arrived with an angry face, swiftly moving past rows of pews to the pulpit, where he demanded, “Bishop Ping Yi, why did you veto my promotion?”
“I’ve been in this parish for three years! For three years, I have dedicated myself to the parish’s contributions, never failing to rise early and retire late. Most of the small chapels in the areas of the parish were built under my supervision, and the majority of new parishioners were recruited by me. I’ve worked tirelessly, tirelessly day and night. My achievements are more than enough for a promotion to bishop; my devotion to the Holy Emperor is clear, my qualifications are beyond question, I could even perform the Resurrection Technique as a priest!”
“I want to be a bishop! That has been my goal for these past three years.”
“Why do you deny it, when others agree, but your veto nullified three years of my efforts?”
“Why?”
“Are you afraid? Or are you jealous? Jealous that I, at such a young age, am about to become your peer, a bishop just like you.”
Bishop Ping Yi listened silently to everything, then he finished his prayer, turned his head, and looked at Jia Sha.
He was very old, his hair completely white, and his beard a snowy white as well. His stature was tall, but his back was hunched due to his age.
Even when subjected to furious scolding and reproach, his gaze remained gentle and kind.
“Young and capable Jia Sha, anger will not harm me, it will only harm yourself.”
“The reason I dismiss you is simply because you are not yet suitable to be a bishop.”
“Not suitable? What right do you have to say I’m not suitable?!” Jia Sha raised an eyebrow and exploded again.
Bishop Pingyi extended his broad palm and made a pressing down gesture toward Jia Sha.
Despite Jia Sha’s anger, his mood surprisingly soothed a bit with the bishop’s gesture.
Bishop Pingyi slowly said, “Three years ago, there was a theft. A young guard under the city lord stole treasures from the city lord’s mansion and was caught. His body was hung at the city gate for a whole year. You reported this, didn’t you?”
A cold gleam flickered in Jia Sha’s eyes, “Indeed! The truth is, this young guard tried to elope with the city lord’s daughter. Before the act, the guard confessed to me, repenting for betraying the lord and feeling guilty for leaving his parents, while praying for the success of this elopement.”
“Hmph, this peasant, he thought he could climb to the upper class with his good looks and sweet words. The city lord’s daughter, naive to the world, was deceived by him.”
“How could I tolerate such disrespect to authority? The city lord gave him a chance to be a guard, what a grace. Yet, he thought of repaying kindness with ingratitude!”
“So, filled with rage, I reported this to the city lord overnight. Was I wrong?”
Bishop Pingyi shook his head, “Confession is a moment when mortals draw near to God. We should forgive; it is sacred and should not be exploited. You violated the church rules.”
“Two years ago, Archbishop Mi Hong came to inspect, and you were responsible for hosting. During those seven days of reception, hundreds died in the parish. This is true, isn’t it?”
Jia Sha nodded, “It is true!”
“However, Bishop Pingyi, you know the situation of our parish better than anyone. Our area is too barren, our only specialty being the Silver Silk Fish. I mobilized the congregation, offered high rewards to encourage them to catch the freshest Silver Silk Fish to entertain Archbishop Mi Hong. Archbishop Mi Hong praised it endlessly! Though diving deep to catch Silver Silk Fish is dangerous, the worshippers were willing to risk it to serve the Archbishop.”
Bishop Pingyi sighed, “However, the money you used for rewards was itself contributed by these worshippers. My original plan was to use this money to buy improved seeds to distribute to people for free, to improve the food in the parish. Allow these people to eat real food, instead of mud cookies made from dirt, butter, and sea salt.”
Jia Sha raised his eyebrows angrily, “It’s a good plan, but I firmly believe that using it for Archbishop Mi Hong was not a mistake! I used it correctly, and I never embezzled. I haven’t even tasted Silver Silk Fish!”
“Lower-class people providing for upper-class is justifiably natural.”
“No need to worry too much about these people; they are like weeds, the more that die, the more that grow. What do we have most in the parish? Isn’t it these people?”
“Bishop Pingyi, I know you were promoted from the common folk, I understand your sentiment. But you have too much sympathy for these lower-class people.”
“Actually, human society doesn’t differ much from the jungle or the ocean.”
“Everyone’s status and social class are determined at birth.”
“Upper-class people are like sea sharks, like fierce tigers; lower-class people are like fish and shrimp, like birds and rabbits. They are naturally meant to be sacrificed; their flesh nourishes the upper-class. This is our human society.”
“No, more precisely, whether elves, beastmen, or dwarves, isn’t it all the same?”
“Only when the strong rule over the weak, the upper class over the lower, with respect and order in hierarchy, can society be stable, families have order, and the empire have hope!”
Bishop Pingyi kept shaking his head, “Because of the misappropriation of this money, famine struck a year ago, and many people were desperate. It was you who collaborated with the lord to suppress these people, slaughtering them all. I remember I advised you not to act so hastily, right?”
Jia Sha sneered, “Indeed, Archbishop, that was your idea at the time, to mediate and reconcile, so you advised me.”
“But I was not willing!”
“These mobs! The thought of them rebelling against the lord infuriates me! Worms should live in the filth; that is their life’s trajectory. Any lower-class person filled with envy and discontent toward the upper class must receive a bloody lesson!”
“I killed all those who attempted to revolt. Since then, the parish has been peaceful, with no resistance! All this is my contribution!!”
Bishop Pingyi was silent.
After a moment, he sighed and said, “Jia Sha, I remember you were also born into nobility, as an illegitimate son, right? You had no right to inherit land, so you chose the clergy. Please, understand these mortals a bit. In a way, their situation is quite similar to yours.”
Jia Sha laughed heartily, “Bishop Pingyi, how can you speculate about me like this? You really are from a common background; you can’t understand the mindset of us nobles.”
“Let me tell you the truth; I was not born out of wedlock, but as the legitimate first son!”
“Why?”
“Because my bloodline is not outstanding, it’s very diluted, and my younger brother has significantly more potential.”
Bishop Pingyi was slightly stunned.
“What do you think the world is, Bishop Pingyi? What is the foundation of the empire?” Jia Sha spread his arms wide, his voice booming enough to echo in the grand chapel.
“It is because of our correct thinking!”
“A person’s bloodline determines his life at birth.”
“The bloodless commoners should live their lives in the mud; it’s actually a protection for them. You want worms to ascend high, only for them to be scorched to death by the sunlight.”
“Although I have a relatively superior bloodline, there are peers in my family who are much better than me. For the whole family, I had to step aside. Lion prides are always competing. The most gifted young lions must eat the best meat so that there can be the strongest Lion King in every generation!”
“The same applies to families and to the empire. It is because of this that our human race can dominate the world, holding the supreme throne!”
“Bishop Pingyi, do you not realize how dangerous your thoughts are?”
“These mortals are simply not worth considering! By trying to protect them, sacrificing the interests of the upper-class, you will only weaken the Lion King among the lions, and as time goes by, the Human Race will deteriorate and be dominated by other races.”
The bishop maintained a calm demeanor, but his gaze was resolute, “If mortals are not worth considering, then what am I?”
“That is the fairness of destiny.”
“Among countless mortals, there will always be one or two who stand out.”
“But what does that amount to?”
“For you, it’s a miracle. For a noble family, it continuously produces Transcendents. What about the mortals? Among tens of thousands of people, there might not even be one in several years. Look at the Empire, almost all the upper echelons are of noble origin! Even those from a mortal background are one in ten thousand exceptions.”
“Enough, from your expression, I can tell you are obstinate.”
Jia Sha exhaled a breath of murky air, sneering, “You cannot convince me, and I cannot convince you. So, come on, bishop, I formally challenge you to a duel within the sect!”
A duel within the sect was one of the distinctive features of the Holy Bright sect, because the Great Emperor was the God of Victory.
Once there was an unresolved dispute, the winner of the sect duel would also prevail in the dispute.
A fierce battle ensued throughout the night.
A few days later, Jia Sha bid farewell to the bishop.
“I can heal the scar on your face,” said the bishop.
“No need, I am keeping it intentionally,” Jia Sha replied calmly, but his eyes carried a hint of hatred, “I want to carry it as I continue on the journey of my life.”
“I want it to constantly remind me of the humiliation and failure I suffered here.”
“One day, one day, I will return and prove to you that I was the right one!”
The bishop remained silent.
Jia Sha turned around, holding his head high, and strode away from the church.
As his blurred vision gradually cleared, emerging from the memories, Jia Sha once again saw Lord Zhenjin, Zi Di, and the four Guardian Knights in front of him.
The anger and fear on their faces added to the pleasure in Jia Sha’s heart.
“I will never back down!”
“You lowly-blooded scum, mere Black Iron, dare to insult me?”
“As for you, Lord Zhenjin, you bring shame upon your family and your lineage!”
“How can the noble yield to the lowly?”
“Even if it means death…”
A deathly silence.
Lord Zhenjin was dumbfounded. If a person does not even fear death, what else can be done?
Everyone was at a loss with such a Jia Sha.
“Then go ahead and die!” Zi Di said through gritted teeth.
“Father, aren’t you forcing us to take action?” the Guardian Knights seemed eager to move.
Jia Sha only responded with a cold snort.
The four Guardian Knights exchanged glances, then spread out, slowly closing in on Jia Sha from four directions.
The scent of defeat overwhelmed him.
Jia Sha knew himself; he had always been bluffing and was now at the end of his strength, with little Divine Power remaining. He also knew he was being irrational, but without this anger and unwillingness driving him, he would have collapsed long ago.
Perhaps that’s just human nature.
Some people are dominated by emotions without realizing it, but in critical moments, they become as cold and rational as ice and snow. Meanwhile, some people are calm and rational usually, but when faced with a life or death crisis, they are overwhelmed by their emotions.
“Is this as far as I go?”
At the brink of failure, Jia Sha’s eyes suddenly burst with a bright light.
“Wait!” he exclaimed abruptly.
At that moment, it was as if a flash of lightning crossed his mind.
This bolt of lightning tore through the dark fog, illuminating a path to victory!
“Oh, my great Lord…” Jia Sha sighed, his gaze skipping over the Guardian Knights he had addressed, past Lord Zhenjin, and settling on Zi Di.
“The shipwreck of the Pig Kiss, it was your doing, wasn’t it, Miss Zi Di?”
Everyone: ?! ?!
Lord Zhenjin, annoyed, said, “Father Jia Sha, you spout nonsense just to buy time. This trick…”
“Ha ha ha!” Jia Sha suddenly burst into manic laughter, his spirit greatly lifted.
His gaze, sharp as an arrow, locked onto Zi Di, repeating, “In the end, I win! Because… the shipwreck of the Pig Kiss, it was indeed your doing!”