The Grand Cult Master knew the Second Cult Master's temperament all too well. One glance at her expression told her that the Second Cult Master's explosive temper was about to flare up.
"Second, calm yourself. Since Young Master Jiang Chen has raised this matter, our Moon God Sect ought to treat it as repaying the great kindness he showed in healing the Moon God Treasure Tree, and conduct a proper investigation. If such a misunderstanding truly exists, we should clear the air and allow the couple to be reunited."
The Grand Cult Master hurried to douse the flames before they could catch.
The Second Cult Master's temperament was indeed fiery to an extreme. After hearing the Grand Cult Master's words, she let out a cold laugh. "Grand Cult Master, he tosses out a line like that, and you actually believe it? Where in this world could such a coincidence exist? Besides, that abandoned infant defiled the bloodline of my Green Moon lineage. When she was found back then, I had my disciples execute her. So who could possibly still be alive?"
The Second Cult Master decided to deny everything to the bitter end.
The moment these words left her mouth, Xu Qingxuan, standing behind her, swayed slightly, her complexion turning pale. The words had clearly stung her.
Had Jiang Chen not already known that his mother was alive, he might have believed it.
But he knew she lived, and so he knew the Second Cult Master was lying.
"Second Cult Master, the matter of the Moon God Treasure Tree was simply something I did on a whim. I never expected any repayment from your Moon God Sect."
Jiang Chen's tone was calm and measured. "However, do not underestimate my resolve to bring my mother home. And do not underestimate my father's feelings for her."
The Second Cult Master smiled coldly. "Young Master Jiang Chen, are you trying to intimidate me? The Glazed King City may be powerful, but it cannot frighten this sect. If you want to put on airs, take them somewhere else."
"Second, enough." The Grand Cult Master's brows furrowed. Everything was unfolding exactly as she had predicted — the Second Cult Master was making the situation irreparable.
"Grand Cult Master, are you going to join in their nonsense as well?" The Second Cult Master was clearly deeply hostile toward this matter, her attitude having reached a point beyond all reason.
Most people, upon hearing about such a thing, would have chosen to investigate and use the opportunity to ease tensions, sliding gracefully down the slope of reconciliation.
But the Second Cult Master was plainly far too extreme. She had regarded the defilement of their bloodline as an unspeakable humiliation, and so she simply could not accept any other way of thinking.
At that moment, Jiao Yun, at Jiang Chen's side, laughed coldly. "The Moon God Sect — what magnificent airs you put on. You must be the Second Cult Master? Our Young Master has been courteous with you, yet you don't know kindness when you see it. Could it be that you'd prefer to force our Young Master to adopt a different approach?"
"Indeed, this was supposed to be a wonderful thing. Second Cult Master, you seem set on turning a blessing into a curse. Do you really think our Young Master has no other options?" Jiao Feng added with an eerie grin as well.
Jiang Chen raised a hand, restraining the impulsive Huaishan Twins.
"Second Cult Master, let us all remain composed. The Holy Maiden Xu Meng of your Green Moon lineage is my mother. If I had no certainty whatsoever, I would not have come here with such fanfare to propose a match. If the Second Cult Master is dead set on detaining my mother, then you are truly placing me in the position of being unfilial and unjust. I believe that if this same thing happened to someone in your Moon God Sect, you would never swallow it quietly either."
Jiang Chen's voice was slow and deliberate. "Let me say it once more — do not underestimate my resolve to bring my mother home. The debt one owes to one's parents is greater than heaven and earth. For the sake of my parents, I will split the heavens and cleave the earth!"
The Grand Cult Master sighed. "Second, I know that you regarded this matter as a disgrace to the Green Moon lineage all those years ago. In all this time, you've seen that I never once brought it up. But things are different now. If Xu Meng truly is Young Master Jiang Chen's mother, then this is not a disgrace to your Green Moon lineage at all — it is a glorious tale. Think about it: Xu Meng was lost to the mortal world, yet she gave birth to such a heaven-defying genius. And moreover..."
The Grand Cult Master gave a meaningful glance toward Xu Qingxuan, but did not spell it out. She was clearly reminding the Second Cult Master that Xu Meng's fall into the mortal world had not been her fault — she had been nothing but an infant at the time. What could she possibly have known? She bore no guilt and should not have had to bear any punishment. What was more, Xu Meng had left behind such a genius as Xu Qingxuan?
If Young Master Jiang Chen was also Xu Meng's son, then Xu Meng was undoubtedly a person of extraordinary fortune.
Most critically, judging from Young Master Jiang Chen's bearing and his resolve, there was simply no way the Moon God Sect could stand in his path. If they allowed the situation to deteriorate any further, it would become an irreparable rift.
As the First Priestess, she would absolutely not allow the Moon God Sect to be dragged into such a quagmire. So she had to put out the fire.
On this matter, even if it displeased the Second Priestess, she had to make the decision forcefully.
The Second Priestess' face darkened with displeasure, but the First Priestess' words had, after all, made some impact. Like a sharp blade, they carved out a new line of thinking in her mind.
Humiliation?
If Xu Meng had truly given birth to a prodigious talent like Jiang Chen, could that really be called humiliation?
Just at that moment, Xu Qingxuan suddenly walked out from behind her, eyes brimming with tears, and dropped to her knees before the Second Priestess with a thud.
"Master, please show mercy. Master, please take pity. I have learned everything about my mother's background. I beg Master to abandon your prejudice and grant my parents the blessing of reunion. Your disciple is willing to serve at Master's side for the rest of her life to repay this kindness." Xu Qingxuan wept bitterly.
The Second Priestess had always been straightforward in matters of love and hate throughout her entire life.
She had been strict with Xu Qingxuan precisely because she loved her deeply — with great expectation came great severity. In her heart, she absolutely doted on this prodigious disciple.
Seeing Xu Qingxuan kneeling before her, weeping and begging, even the Second Priestess' iron heart felt a pang of sympathy.
Jiang Chen stared coldly at the Second Priestess. At this point, everything hinged on her attitude.
If the Second Priestess was truly resolved to go down this path to the bitter end, then Jiang Chen would have no choice but to turn hostile.