Last time on An Unyielding Wind: Aofeng sits in jail contemplating her life choices.
This chapter has been brought to you by me and Smash10101.
Chapter 1 | Table of Contents | Glossary | Chapter 3
V03-S01-C02
Chapter Two – Surrender
At noon, the bell of the church rang out, and the sound spread through every corner of the holy city.
In cultivation, Aofeng was woken up by soft footsteps. Her black eyes looked up, and she saw a handsome and elegant man in priest robes standing in the doorway. Her lips turned in a smile. As expected, he thought of a way to meet her.
“Holy Emperor Daren, the archbishop ordered that you may only enter with his written permission.” The night guarding the door respectfully bowed and said, but did not move a step, blocking the doorway. It was enough to show how much importance was placed on Aofeng as a prisoner.
“The Archbishop sent me.” Jun Luoyu handed the silver token in his hand to the other and then ordered everyone to go back to their positions before striding in with large steps.
Sitting on the ground, Aofeng quickly stood up and walked to the side of the cage. Through the holy cage, the meeting between the two was odd, but their gazes still met intimately and warmly.
Aofeng was very happy. She did not like the Radiance Magus Church, but Jun Luoyu was an exception.
“How come you were so careless. Not long after I left, you were caught by the archbishop. Why did you go and attract his anger for no reason? I have never seen someone more stupid than you!” When Jun Luoyu came in, he criticized her in a whisper, glaring at her like he was looking at a pig.
Aofeng laughed softly. She knew that he was concerned for her and slugged her shoulders. “What is the use in saying such things now? Also, you know that I will not ignore my comrades who give their lives to me. If I had to do this again, I would make the same choice.”
“You must have the ability before you do such a thing! You meddled to the point you fell in as well.” Jun Luoyu snorted and raised his eyebrows. He said angrily, “Also, will the other person care? Maybe he knew that you would be a scapegoat, and is cursing you for being stupid inside!”
Rolling her eyes, Aofeng said exasperatedly, “You are not him, how do you know if he cares or not? I saved him out of kindness. If he dares to curse at me, then he is ungrateful!”
“I……” Jun Luoyu’s eyes could not help but widen. He seemed to want to say something, but when he glanced at the door out of the corner of his eye, he swallowed his words. He shook his head and said, “Never mind, with things like this, I will not argue with you. What are you planning next?”
“What can I plan? I am trapped in this cage. Even if I have plans, I have no way to carry them out.” Aofeng spread her hands and smiled bitterly with helplessness. She wanted to go and roam the continent to grow stronger, but would the archbishop be willing?
Jun Luoyu sighed. “Since you have no plans, then listen to mine.”
“What? You have a way to get me out?” Aofeng’s eyes lit up. Then she frowned and said, “No, I cannot drag you in. You are the Holy Emperor of the Radiance Magus Church. If you let me go, then Ling Bing will not spare you. Also, the archbishop is nearby. Even if we run, I fear we will not run far.”
In Qin City, they had cleaned out the auditors. But this time, this was the Holy City, Caville. Under the eyes of so many experts, how could Jun Luoyu rescue her?
“Yes, I fear that escaping will not work.” Jun Luoyu rubbed his chin and said with a smile. “However, you can surrender.”
“Do not doubt, I am here to persuade you to surrender.” Jun Luoyu chuckled. Receiving Aofeng’s odd gaze, he finally grew serious, lowering his voice and explaining, “Accurately speaking, a ‘fake surrender.’”
“A fake surrender?” Aofeng frowned and asked in a whisper.
“Yes.” Nodding, Jun Luoyu said, “The archbishop originally wanted to kill you. But with your status as a regent beast tamer, the Radiance Magus Church feels that killing you will be a pity. You know, the Radiance Magus Church does not have a regent beast tamer. This is directly connected to the benefits of those in the highest court. So the archbishop has decided if you swear loyalty to the Radiance Magus Church, they will not pursue the past, and have you replace Li Zhen as chief elder.”
Looking deeply at Aofeng who grew silent, Jun Luoyu paused and then continued, “I understand your personality. Even at the cost of your life, you will not easily surrender, and you do not care about such labels. So I say this is a ‘fake surrender’. Pretend to surrender, live and then speak of other things.”
Aofeng was slightly puzzled. “The archbishop will easily believe me? If I say I surrender, he will think that I do so? Isn’t he so easy to fool?”
Waving a hand, Jun Luoyu refuted this. “Of course it’s not so simple. If you swear loyalty, a ceremony will be held, and you will be baptized by the Light. Such a baptism and the power of belief will affect a person’s soul. This person will not be able to ever have thoughts of rebelling in the future. It is like a kind of brainwashing. After you experience it, your thoughts are not your own. For your life, you will fall to becoming a believer and tool of Radiance, and there is no need for an oath.”
Aofeng inhaled sharply, “So terrifying? Then how is this a fake surrender?”
No wonder the people of Radiance Magus Church had no other thoughts at all. It was because of this.
“If it was anyone else, they cannot use this loophole. But Aofeng, you can.”
Jun Luoyu’s eyes flashed and he said in a low voice, “The Magus Divinity Power Source in your body will directly protect your soul. With that there, this baptism of light will not hurt you at all. You will just be illuminated by some white light. You can temporarily fool the archbishop. When he lets down his guard, you can take the chance to flee or get revenge. The baptism of light can almost never make mistakes. The archbishop will not expect you to have the Magus Divinity Power Source in your body. Right now, use this method to get past this hurdle and then speak of other things.”
Frowning, Aofeng was silent and bowed her head, thinking of something. The hall sank into a deathly silence. Jun Luoyu waited at the side for her answer.
After a silence, Aofeng looked up, and under his surprised gaze, she shook her head slowly but with determination. “I will not agree. Even if it is fake, I will not surrender.”
“You will not agree?” Jun Luoyu’s voice was surprised. His expression turned anxious. “Aofeng, this is not the time to have a temper tantrum. Do you know, the Archbishop has already announced today that he will request the Staff of Judgment. Today is the last day. If you do not agree, you will be judged tomorrow! Are you confident that you will survive under the Staff of Judgment?”
Aofeng shook her head honestly. “I am not confident.”
Even with Chi present, Aofeng was not confident. From beginning to end, she had been in a reactive state, being hit and unable to fight back. She could not win.
“Then why do you not agree? This is the safest way,” Jun Luoyu said anxiously.
Aofeng smiled faintly and said to him, “Luoyu, you have forgotten. When you first met me back at Qin City, why did you admire me?”
“Back in Qin City……” Brows moving, Jun Luoyu looked directly at Aofeng, and his gaze trembled.
He still remembered that scene. Everyone had been kneeling at his feet, their faces filled with respect towards divinity. But she stood there coldly, stubbornness on her face. Back then, she did not have great power, and could directly face him, face a celestial magister, facing the great Holy Emperor of the Radiance Magus Church.
That was a kind of pride!
Just like she had said, pride was priceless. Didn’t she enter his thoughts because of her pride? In reality, ordinary people would not admire a person because of this kind of connection. Rather than admiration, it was more like envy. Because he himself wanted to be so proud but could not do so. She could be proud and free, without any regard for the consequences……
“Luoyu, you know that I am not a person who cannot adapt, I am not a good person, I like to scheme behind people’s backs, I am cunning, shameless and devious. These are my strong traits. But there is one thing I cannot do.” Aofeng looked firmly at him and said slowly, “I will not kneel to anyone, not even a god!”
Aofeng twisted her lips and continued, “I can stay within a group of people and pretend to be weak. I can take sidian pollen to scheme against Ba Tuke’s group. I can be arrogant and bully others, be vicious and kill many people. But on some matters of principle, I cannot do that. Surrender, regardless of true or false, is my forbidden zone. In this world, there are some things that are more important to me than my life. So I cannot agree, even if you feel I am stupid……”
“No!” Suddenly, Jun Luoyu shouted and gave Aofeng a fright.
The handsome man looked up with glowing eyes as though he had realized something. His expression turned serious. He slowly said, “You are not stupid at all. Aofeng, I understand, I will go report to the archbishop. After today, you will never see… Jun Luoyu!”
Aofeng did not understand his words, and wanted to say more, but Jun Luoyu abruptly turned around to leave without a word.
“Ah, Master, you are acquainted with him, but now, it is like this. Is this what it means when those of different paths cannot plan together? But he is from Radiance Magus Church, and there is no way about it. Master, do not think too much.” Liao Ya had met Aofeng early, and knew more about Jun Luoyu so he sighed.
Xiao Bing had been given to Aofeng by Jun Luoyu so it did not feel very good.
“I did not think so much. However, Luoyu should not be a person like this. He even betrayed his beliefs for me. How could he say such things? I feel there is something weird, what did I overlook……” Aofeng frowned in puzzlement and thought hard.
Translator Ramblings: Smash had this done but I procrastinated…
Chapter 1 | Table of Contents | Glossary | Chapter 3
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