chsdbacks Chapter 79 Turn Enemies into Friends
Chapter 79 Turn Enemies into Friends
The unknown middle-aged priest was so frightened that he went limp, whether out of sheer fear of Fan Nuzu's status or something else, it was unclear.
At this moment, he was just kowtowing repeatedly and begging for mercy, looking as if he was very skilled at kowtowing.
His voice was trembling, and he could only beg for mercy and pray, unable to come up with any excuse.
Fan Nuzu snorted coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Since you know you're wrong, the authority of the sacrifices cannot tolerate a dishonest person like you!"
"Relinquish your authority and expel them from the temple district!"
Fan Nuzu did not merely speak; his intangible words seemed to carry a tangible power.
As the middle-aged priest heard the verdict from the foot of the Brahma, his face showed a look of terror. He seemed to open his mouth to argue, but it was too late!
Vijay clearly saw that it seemed as if a giant hand was pulling something off the priest, scattering starlight in all directions.
The middle-aged priest seemed to have all his bones and blood drained away, collapsing to the ground instantly, unable to utter another word.
Having done all this, Fan Nuzu acted as if she had accomplished a trivial task. She turned to look at Vijay, her voice, which had been resonating in the air, now warm and gentle: "Master, please come with me!"
Vijay clasped his hands together in worship, but he was even more wary of the Brahma slaves.
Fannu turned and led the way, taking Vijay straight to the deepest part of the temple.
The attendants and priests along the way all bowed respectfully upon seeing the feet of the Brahma, and no one dared to obstruct them. They proceeded unimpeded, passing directly through layers of palaces and deep corridors, and finally arrived at the most central area of the temple.
The fallen priest of today did not remain in his original position, but instead sat beneath an altar.
He was dressed in a pure white, supreme robe, made of luxurious material with gold trim, and wore a sacred crown inlaid with jewels. His hair and beard were all white, his face was solemn and dignified, and his eyes were as deep as an ancient pool.
Upon seeing the Brahma priest, Vanu immediately floated respectfully to the priest's side, his posture humble.
The Brahma priest's gaze calmly fell upon Vijaya, his tone carrying a hint of gentle doubt: "By Brahma, Vijaya of the Mithril family, why have you come seeking me?"
Vijaya stepped forward, prostrated himself deeply on the ground, and said with a sincere tone, "Shiva, Your Excellency Bharadvaja! I have failed your trust and have not been able to reach the final destination or complete the mission! Therefore, I have been filled with fear and unease. Today, I have come to report to Your Excellency and beg Your forgiveness."
Upon hearing this, the Brahma priest smiled magnanimously, his tone calm and kind, without a hint of blame: "It's alright, there's no need to blame yourself!"
"I have already given a detailed report on the situation in the East... You are also a meritorious person!"
Upon hearing this, Vijay felt much calmer. This Fannumu truly meant what he said!
It wasn't in vain that I risked my life to snatch chestnuts from the fire!
The Brahma priest continued, "The trip has been incredibly fruitful. They have returned to their meditation chambers to cultivate in seclusion and focus on improvement!"
He paused, his tone gentle yet expectant: "You can return to your territory with peace of mind! Make thorough preparations, and before your next trip to the East, you can come here to see me. I will then assign capable men to assist you fully!"
As he spoke, the Brahma priest slowly raised his hand, and a wisp of golden, sacred light condensed at his fingertips, gently landing on Vijay's brow.
A gentle yet profound warmth instantly spread throughout my body, dispelling all fatigue and unease.
Vijay felt incredibly energetic.
"With this blessing, you may directly ask the guards to escort you into the city!" the Brahma priest said casually. "If you have any other requests, please report them as well!"
Vijay's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately guessed what the Brahma priest was thinking.
The gains from this trip to the temple of the gods were not limited to the Brahma, but the Brahma priests also gained a great deal!
If I don't come, it doesn't matter. The Brahma priest will definitely come over next time we set off!
But since he had come, he was not stingy with his reward. He had bestowed such blessings, and he would do the same for his request.
That being said, I certainly can't treat the Brahma priest like a fool, asking for some ungrateful and valuable items...
Besides, Vijay didn't feel like he was lacking anything.
Breathing techniques? Or advanced training methods? Or perhaps some other classic text?
correct!
A flash of lightning struck his mind.
Vijay quietly raised his head. "By Brahma above, being able to wholeheartedly worship the gods is already a blessing from Brahma. How dare I ask for anything more?"
"It's just that the priest Dharma," Vijay paused, "the priest Dharma was willing to accept me as his disciple."
"I am overwhelmed by your immense kindness and gratitude..."
Vijay stopped there, but the Brahma priest already understood what Vijay hadn't finished saying.
The Brahma priest paused slightly, clearly not expecting this.
After a moment's thought, he slowly spoke: "Priest Dharma is of noble status, not someone you can easily approach. There's no need to ask further!"
What is this talking about?
Vijay didn't react for a moment.
But the Brahma priest had said all he needed to say. He nodded slightly and said calmly, "You may leave."
This……
Although Vijay wanted to ask more questions, he knew his limits and could only bow and take his leave.
Fannu followed Vijay and personally escorted him out of the purification chamber, all the way to the temple entrance.
"The head of the household is greatly blessed by the gods and is treated with courtesy by the Brahma priests!" Compared to Fannumu, Fannuzu was more enthusiastic and had a more human touch, making him seem more approachable.
"Thank you for your kindness, Master Zu!" Vijay waved his hand, beckoning to the servant standing in the distance.
Soon, the Eastern treasures from the Mittal family treasury, which had been prepared in advance, were divided into two portions, one large and one small, and presented to Fannuzu.
"These are oriental treasures passed down through generations in my family!" Vijay sighed, looking helpless. "This trip has failed, and I feel deeply guilty for failing to live up to the trust placed in me. I don't know how to make amends, so I can only offer these miscellaneous items as a token of my gratitude!"
"By Brahma above, the patriarch is very kind!" Fan Nu swept his foot over and was immediately shocked. Even for someone of his status, these things were extraordinary.
"This is my offering to you!" Vijay pointed to the smaller portion.
"How can we do this..." Fan Nuzu wanted to refuse.
"I would also like to ask you to perform the initiation ceremony for my more than 50 newly recruited servants!" Vijay interrupted Vanu's words frankly.
"What do you mean?" Fan Nuzu uttered the second half of the sentence, but his voice grew softer and softer.
"This is nothing!" With a flick of his snake tail, Fan Nu's two bags vanished instantly.
Then the voice of Fannu rang in his ears, which only Vijay could hear.
"Master, you might want to take a closer look to see if any noble Kshatriya bloodlines remain outside. If needed, I can use a secret method to perform a bloodline-raising ceremony for you, which will greatly benefit your future cultivation and your journey to the East!"
Blood-raising ritual?
Another term I've never heard of before!
This does not seem to be Brahma's method.
Vijay understood, nodded his thanks, and turned to leave the temple.
The moment you step out of the temple area, the atmosphere suddenly shifts from sacred and solemn to noisy and restless.
The afternoon sun was blazing, shining on the cobblestone streets of Harappa and reflecting a blinding white light. The air was filled with the smells of dust, the bustling atmosphere of the city, and a faint, almost imperceptible, metallic scent, a stark contrast to the sandalwood tranquility of the temple district.
Vijay walked slowly forward. The stone pavement under his feet was smoothed by the passing carriages and horses. Shops lined both sides of the road, which should have been a bustling market scene. However, at this moment, there was an indescribable tension in the air, making it hard to breathe.
He walked along the familiar streets, his gaze casually sweeping over his surroundings, but a strange tightness gripped his heart.
On the normally orderly streets, fully armed soldiers could be seen marching in formation everywhere.
They were dressed in uniform armor, polished to a gleaming shine with a cold, hard metallic luster. Sharp scimitars hung at their waists, and spears were slung diagonally over their shoulders. Their steps were uniform and steady, each step firm and powerful, carrying the unique solemnity of soldiers.
The soldiers were tense, their brows furrowed, their eyes sharp as eagles, vigilantly scanning every corner of the street, as if they might be thrown into a fierce battle at any moment.
What was even more disheartening was that many soldiers' armor edges and weapon blades were stained with fresh or congealed dark red bloodstains. Some of the bloodstains were not yet dry and gleamed in the sunlight, while others had already congealed and turned black, a shocking sight.
These bloodstains silently testify that a fierce battle had recently taken place here, and the faint fishy smell in the air is the lingering scent of the fight.
The soldiers walked hurriedly, their expressions solemn, clearly indicating that the fighting had not yet ceased.
As Vijay watched these scenes, the image of Roshman, whom he had searched for many times but who was never at the mansion, instantly came to mind.
As the powerful Kshatriya in Harappa, Roshman controlled a large army and wielded considerable influence. His whereabouts were unpredictable, and the fact that his soldiers were fully armed and covered in blood all pointed to the same conclusion!
A major upheaval is unfolding among the Kshatriyas, the high-ranking officials of Harappa City, without their knowledge. A power storm has already swept across the entire city-state.
Vijay felt a chill run down his spine when faced with his own guess.
However, after arriving in Harappa, he had lost his allies and had not entered the upper echelons of power, so he lacked channels to gather information.
He knew nothing about the undercurrents of power and the high-level power struggles within the city, and was isolated from core information like an outsider.
A strong sense of urgency surged into my heart instantly, and my fingertips unconsciously clenched slightly.
At this moment, his only thought was to avoid being affected by this sudden chaos, and to get things done safely and get out of there as soon as possible.
Suppressing his unease and anxiety, Vijay continued toward the inn in the city.
The people on both sides of the street also noticed something was wrong. They quickened their pace and whispered among themselves in a panic, but no one dared to make a sound. The tension in the air grew stronger.
Just as they turned a corner into a side alley paved with bluestone slabs, a neatly arranged group of guards escorted a man walking slowly towards them. He was tall and straight, with a stern face and a distant and dignified air between his brows. It was Sada.
Sada was dressed in a set of exquisite silver armor with delicate patterns and inlaid with small bronze ornaments. The sword at his waist was simple and sharp. Behind him were more than ten elite guards, each of them tall and vigilant, exuding a sharp aura.
Sada's sharp gaze swept across the streets and alleys, quickly landing on Vijay. He was startled, and his steps faltered slightly.
Upon seeing this, Vijay immediately stepped forward, raised his hand in greeting, and said in a calm and polite tone, "Lord Sada."
Sada stopped and frowned. "What are you doing in the city?"
Vijay met his gaze calmly, giving him a knowing smile.
Sada suddenly realized and nodded: "You're still staying at the Royal Hotel?"
Vijay nodded.
"Go back to the inn immediately and stay in your room. Don't wander around the streets, and definitely don't try to find out anything..."
"I will inform Lord Roshman later and have someone come to fetch you!"
Vijay's heart skipped a beat, and he took a half-step closer: "What happened?"
Sada's eyes suddenly darkened, and his face instantly turned cold. He didn't say anything, but simply shook his head.
Seeing this, Vijay didn't press further, but simply watched him quietly.
After a moment of silence, Sada quickly glanced around to make sure there were no outsiders, then lowered his voice, leaned close to Vijay's ear, and whispered two words in a volume only the two of them could hear: "Rebellion."
After speaking, he said no more and offered no further explanation. He waved his hand, then turned and left hurriedly with the guards behind him. His back view revealed a sense of urgency and tension, indicating that he had urgent matters to attend to.
The word "rebellion" exploded in Vijay's mind like a thunderclap, instantly jolting him and making him understand everything.
Just as he guessed, it was most likely a power struggle and bloody infighting within the Kshatriya elite of Harappa City.
He quickly pieced together the clues in his mind: the current lord of Harappa is a young Kshatriya monarch who has only recently ascended the throne and whose power base is not yet stable. He is unable to fully control the military and political power, while the regent, who holds real power, is extremely powerful and has long been the de facto ruler of the city. The conflict between the old and new powers is intensifying and will eventually erupt. The young lord, unwilling to be sidelined, unites a group of small and medium-sized Kshatriya forces to launch a purge, which triggers a rebellion.
Such power plays are commonplace in many city-states and are nothing new.
These things are temporarily none of my business, but...
Vijay quickly considered: Roshman, as the powerful Kshatriya in Harappa, held a significant military force and a very important position. Logically speaking, he could not possibly be the mastermind behind the rebellion.
If he were the mastermind, he would be fully committed to the rebellion and would not be distracted by dealing with me, accepting offerings, or seeking personal gain.
But what is his stance?
Should one become the city lord, align oneself with the regent, or remain neutral and observe the outcome?
Vijay was completely unaware.
This unknown situation intensified his anxiety and gave rise to a sense of unease.
Not daring to linger any longer, Vijay quickened his pace and hurried toward the inn.
Along the streets, the people looked panicked and quickly closed their doors and windows. The once bustling city gradually quieted down, leaving only the sound of soldiers' orderly footsteps and faint roars, exuding a suppressed and murderous atmosphere.
Just as they returned to the inn's courtyard, several deafening explosions suddenly came from afar, like thunderclaps in a clear sky, causing the ground to tremble slightly and even the inn's doors and windows to shake gently.
Immediately afterwards, the ear-piercing clang of metal clashing, the resounding clang of weapons colliding, the cracking of armor shattering, and the furious roars of warriors mingled together, clearly audible even from a great distance. The intense atmosphere of fierce battle was palpable, sending chills down one's spine.
The guests in the inn rushed to the courtyard, looking in panic toward the direction from which the sound came, whispering among themselves, their faces filled with fear.
Vijay stood in the courtyard, gazing at the distant, dust-filled direction. He understood that this was the rebellion and war that Sada had mentioned. The two Kshatriya factions had already engaged in fierce fighting, with top warriors battling it out with all their might, creating a terrifying spectacle.
He suppressed his unease, turned around and went back to his inn room, quietly waiting for Roshman's summons.
Not long after, a soldier dispatched by Lord Roshman rushed over and respectfully reported, "By Brahma, is this Lord Vijaya? Lord Roshman has sent someone to request your immediate audience."
Unexpectedly, even with the war just beginning, Roshman still has time to make money here!
Vijay became even more certain of his judgment.
So he immediately got up, straightened his robes, took the 10,000 gold coins he had prepared, and followed the man toward Roshman's private residence.