Though Qian Daoliu had said aloud that it had passed unanimously, and was comforting himself that it was only his century-old good name-how could that compare to his own grandson?
Why did he feel so much like crying, then?
"Oh, Grandpa, I love you the most! That's my rich Grandpa for you~"
Qian Renxing immediately cheered up and threw himself into Qian Daoliu's arms. "Just thinking about a billion copies of my sacred painting spreading across the world, and about how I'm going to become a god soon, makes me so happy!"
"Grandpa, I'll be taking you to the Divine Realm soon too. Aren't you even a little happy?!"
"H-happy. Of course Grandpa is happy..."
Qian Daoliu tugged at the corners of his mouth, watching his imbecile grandson rejoice like an imbecile in his arms. Was he really supposed to be happy at a time like this?
When he thought about a billion copies of that sacred painting soon spreading across the world, about the rumors of his impotence flying everywhere along with them, and about how his century-old good name and lifelong reputation, already a guttering candle in the wind, would soon be destroyed in a single stroke, he could not feel the slightest bit happy!!
And the chief culprit behind all this was not entirely Xiao Xing, nor entirely the Pope, but that brat called Xie Yue.
That was right. Even his name was so wicked. He was simply a born-evil little brat!!
This could not go on. If he let that treacherous villain Xie Yue carry on, he did not dare imagine how terrifying the future would be.
"Pope, I heard Xiao Xing hit someone while riding his tricycle today? Someone named Yan?"
Qian Daoliu could not help turning his gaze toward the Pope and declaring with righteous conviction, "Although this person did insult Xiao Xing, locking him in Spirit Hall's prison for an entire year over something like that would be too much of a waste of talent! I believe he is a rare man of justice. We cannot bury his talents over such a minor fault!!"
"He has already been locked up for half a day. A small punishment to warn against greater wrongdoing is enough. I hear he is also an orphan adopted by Spirit Hall, an outstanding student representative from Spirit Hall Academy, and extremely loyal to Spirit Hall. I believe Xiao Xing needs loyal, upright men like him by his side too!"
"Xiao Xing, what do you think?"
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu also turned his gaze toward his grandson.
"Oh, then let him off. I'm not angry anymore."
Qian Renxing had long since forgotten Yan's insult. After all, expecting an imbecile to have a good memory was asking far too much.
Besides, he was very happy now, so naturally, whatever Grandpa said went.
"Since the Holy Son is willing to forgive Yan, release him."
Bibi Dong naturally did not care about such a trivial matter. Qian Daoliu had already made such a concession, and Xiao Xing had forgiven him too. She was not about to oppose Qian Daoliu over something so minor.
With a single order from Bibi Dong, Yan was released just like that.
The jailer opened the cell and looked at the lucky brat. "Come out, boy. The Holy Son has forgiven you, and the Pope has pardoned your offense. Remember His Highness the Holy Son's kindness. From now on, you must never defy him in the slightest!"
"I-I've been pardoned, just like that?"
After hearing the jailer's words, Yan still found it unbelievable. He had thought he would be locked up for an entire year.
Walking out of Spirit Hall's cold, gloomy prison, seeing the boundless sky again and basking in the warm sunlight, Yan actually felt as though a lifetime had passed.
He gazed excitedly around Spirit City and breathed in the fresh air, still finding it unreal. "I'm out? I'm really out? Wonderful! I'll always remember His Highness the Holy Son's kindness. Even if His Highness runs me over ten thousand times with his tricycle, I won't utter so much as half a word of protest!!"
Just then, the people of Spirit City were celebrating His Highness the Holy Son's sacred painting passing the council of elders.
The sacred painting that would soon be reproduced had been brought to the square for display, and countless people of Spirit City gathered around it.
"Hahahaha, wonderful! The Holy Son's sacred painting has received unanimous approval from the Pope, the Great Enshrined, the enshrined, and the elders. Soon, a billion copies will be made and spread across the entire world!"
"Oh, so this is the sacred painting? The sacred essence within it feels so much weaker than the miracle the Holy Son revealed in person. It only has a tenth or two of its essence."
"Even so, it's incredible. I heard it was carved by Xie Yue, the clerk His Highness the Holy Son personally appointed? To preserve even a little of that sacred essence, his skill with a blade must already be divine!"
"What sacred painting? What Xie Yue? It's only been half a day. What great deed has that guy done behind my back?!"
Yan listened in utter bewilderment. He had clearly only spent half a day in prison, yet it felt as though he had been locked up for over a decade. He felt out of touch with the people of Spirit City.
But he soon learned what had happened from the people of Spirit City. It was a miracle called The Holy Son Stands.
The Holy Son's grandfather had been slandered as impotent. To clear his grandfather's name, the Holy Son had stripped his way to sainthood, leaping into a boiling cauldron of whale rubber and remaining erect.
And Xie Yue had happened to witness that sacred scene, carving this sacred painting with his Moon Blade.
"Xie Yue, you must be so pleased with yourself right now! You're going to be famous across the world!!"
After hearing this, Yan immediately grew jealous of Xie Yue.
Not long ago, they had both been received by His Holiness the Pope as outstanding student representatives from Spirit Hall Academy.
He had clearly been the one sent flying by His Highness the Holy Son, yet Xie Yue had ended up reaping the greatest benefits.
Not only had Xie Yue become His Highness the Holy Son's right hand, he had also become the Holy Clerk, and was even about to become famous across the world for carving a sacred painting for the Holy Son. Meanwhile, Yan was still running in place. How could he accept that?
Why had he not been the one to witness the Holy Son's miracle? Why had he not been the one to carve the sacred painting? Yan was so jealous!
Suddenly, Yan's gaze froze. He stared blankly at the sacred painting as though a bolt of lightning had struck through his mind.
"Wait, this sacred essence! It reminds me of the moment the Holy Son sent me flying on his tricycle. I've attained enlightenment!!"
Yan stared fixedly at the sacred painting, sensing the sacred essence upon it.
It reminded him of the moment the Holy Son had sent him flying.
The Holy Son had raced toward him on his tricycle and knocked him flying as swiftly as thunder struck before one could cover one's ears.
He had originally thought he had simply been unlucky to be sent flying by His Highness the Holy Son. Now it seemed His Highness had deliberately hit him to wake him up!
"Sacred, so sacred! I'd actually witnessed a miracle long ago!!"
Tears welled in Yan's eyes as he attained complete enlightenment and entered a wondrous state.
His Flame Lord Martial Soul involuntarily possessed him, and he struck a stubborn rock again and again with his granite-like fists.
Just as Yan became absorbed in his creation, Qian Daoliu led his imbecile grandson out of the Pope's Palace and began earnestly admonishing him:
"Xiao Xing, now that you're the Holy Son, the most important thing is the ability to distinguish right from wrong! You cannot believe whatever others say, nor can you completely trust a subordinate's words simply because he speaks pleasantly. Still less can you lock a loyal man in Spirit Hall's prison because his words are unpleasant."