inspire-indiana Chapter 206 A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Chapter 206 A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
"Slap!" A heavy slap landed on the face of the head of the Fan family. A red mark immediately appeared on his face, which was usually restrained and stoic, and he even staggered backward from the blow.
"I think you've lost your mind. Do I need to remind you how the tragedy happened a hundred years ago? Put away your crazy ideas." The Pope stood on the high platform, coldly looking at the head of the Brahma family not far away. He had always thought that the current head of the Brahma family was worldly-wise. It was rare to find someone who wasn't so aloof and arrogant, yet he dared to have such crooked thoughts.
"Your Holiness, please calm down and listen to me first." The man who had been beaten showed no displeasure. Instead, he humbly pleaded, "Your Holiness, no one knows the situation on the Holy Mountain better than you. Isn't this last Willow Tree a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? I'm not just doing this for the Brahma family; this will be a legacy for you to be remembered for generations! We are doing this for the well-being of all mankind!"
"You're oversimplifying things. The world's course is predetermined. Trying to change fate with human effort will only lead to your own downfall," the Pope sighed, recalling the catastrophe of a century ago.
It is widely believed that the Brahma family used all their resources to save the royal family's lives, which is why they were treated as honored guests. But the truth is far more complex. The pope at the time was a member of the Brahma family, and by chance, he obtained a sacrificial array left by God deep in the holy mountain. This pope, a genius, was able to operate this array smoothly.
Thus, the papacy and theocracy of the Aurora Empire secretly reached a unity. They were too greedy; the emperor promised the Brahma family a position of power, and the Brahma family mobilized the entire clan to help the emperor become a god and unify the three great empires. The Brahma pope was not only a genius but also ruthless and pragmatic, even willing to sacrifice the lives of all the bishops in his clan to achieve his goal.
Unfortunately, although the true gods had departed, the magic array could not grant such greedy and outrageous wishes of mortals. In the end, it still brought down divine punishment, which was to take away the lives of the entire royal family of the Aurora Empire and to cause the Aurora Empire to be utterly destroyed and ruined.
At the critical moment, the exceptionally talented pope made a desperate move, sacrificing not only the lives of all the bishops but also his own. He also offered the most talented girl from each generation of the Brahma family to the Holy Mountain to maintain the divine power, thus quelling the wrath of the magic array and saving the lives of the emperor and his offspring.
Thus, no one knows why the royal family of the Aurora Empire in that generation all died young, either sooner or later. From then on, the royal family of the Aurora Empire suffered a decline in offspring, never recovering and completely losing the right and ambition to pursue power.
This is the truth. The magic circle left by God tests the hearts of mortals; it is God's last scale left on earth. One wrong step will lead to utter ruin. The Pope closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, his tone even sterner: "I don't need any worldly achievements. Your Brahma family's position is already secure. I don't believe someone as intelligent as you would think things so simply. What are your true motives?"
Seeing the Pope's firm and resolute attitude, the head of the Fan family was speechless for a long time. He stood there, and after a long while, his eyes suddenly reddened: "Qingyu, my daughter Qingyu, was betrothed to the Holy Mountain at birth. Others may not know what that means, but do you and I not know?"
His previously restrained expression gradually crumbled, and the muscles in his no-longer-young face twitched. He said in an agitated voice, "I lost my sister back then, and now I'm about to lose my daughter! If there's no chance at all, I accept it. This is the sin committed by my ancestors, and we, their descendants, will pay for it with our lives!"
"But then the opportunity arose. You know that Mu Liu, she can open magic arrays and even reopen altars without lifting a finger. What kind of bloodline power is that! Putting her into the Holy Mountain to maintain the divine power would be a thousand times, a hundred times better than putting our mortal girls into it!"
“Your Holiness! Qingyu is my daughter. It’s true that I have selfish motives, but she grew up by your side. She is closer to you than to me. This is an opportunity that God has presented to me. How can I not be tempted? How can I let go of this chance to save my daughter’s life?!” Although Fan Qingyin’s father was no longer young, he had inherited the tall and elegant stature of the Fan family. He always wore the long robes of the priests that symbolized the family’s status and always had an extraordinary demeanor and an ethereal appearance.
But now his eyes were red and he was kneeling on the ground.
"He just saved your son's life, so he's your benefactor. But while Qingyu is indeed your daughter, she's not your blood relative. Why are you doing this..." The Pope was somewhat moved, but still showed no mercy. "Besides, he came ashore for Lord Jiangyu's sake. Have you considered whether Lord Jiangyu would refuse your offer? Even if we take a step back, do you think Mu Liu would obediently follow our orders?"
“I know my actions are despicable and shameless. I am willing to relinquish my position as head of the family, and if necessary, I am even willing to sacrifice my life. Although Qingyu is not of my blood, my wife’s child is my child. How happy she was when Qingyu was born! But when Qingyu was chosen as the Holy Maiden, I forcibly took the child from her arms. Over the years, she has never said a word, yet her health has steadily declined.” The head of the Fan family said with sorrow in his eyes.
“She misses her daughter, but they haven’t seen each other for years, and she can’t have any physical contact with her. How much pain must she be in, watching her daughter face her inevitable end? Now there’s finally a chance. If I can bring Qingyu back to life, so she can stay by my wife’s side, I’m willing to give everything.” The Van family member knelt before the Pope, reached out and tightly grasped the hem of his robes, pleading:
"Please, Your Holiness, there is no one else in this world but you who can subdue that Twilight Willow. Please help me!"
"The men of the Brahma family!" the Pope sighed. Everyone said the Brahma family beneath the Holy Mountain were cold and aloof, but little did they know they produced many passionate lovers. He wondered where Fan Qingyin's madman-like behavior came from; it was simply a direct result of his father's actions. He then thought of the extraordinary Brahma Pope from a century ago. Oh well, a madman obsessed with his career seems far more terrifying. Let him be passionate, then.
"I disagree!" A calm and clear voice rang out. A tall, slender figure, completely covered up, emerged from behind a pillar outside the hall. The saintess, with only her eyes showing, walked gracefully towards them. Her eyes were moist, but full of smiles.
“Father, I appreciate your kindness and thank you very much, but there’s no need for that. There’s no need to go to such lengths for my sake.” Fan Qingyu looked at the Fan family head, who was still standing, and quickly took two steps to help him up.
From childhood, he loved her more than her own father. Although she understood that his love was based on his love for her mother, his devotion over the years still cherished and warmed her. She was the luckiest saint. But...
Fan Qingyu turned to the Pope, looking into his calm and wise eyes. The Pope had known she was there all along, letting her listen to the whole thing. Even she could see the risks and impossibilities involved; how could the Pope not understand? It was her father who had been blinded and overwhelmed by the sudden opportunity. It didn't matter; she would persuade him.
“Father, this matter may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but in fact it is impossible to carry out.”
"His Holiness the Pope will not agree, and neither will I."