Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 53

[Vol. 6] Chapter 53: The Western Calamity

Two days later, within the Yangyuan city.

“What?! Her Holiness the Spirit Maiden is missing?! Say that again! What happened!!!”

In the inner hall of the Prefect’s mansion, Wen Fu, who had just finished handling his tasks and hadn’t even had time to rest, was met with this shocking news. He widened his eyes, staring at the several ashamed and travel-worn Spirit Guards before him, nearly slamming the teacup he had just lifted onto the ground in rage.

Due to continuous overwork, the Prefect’s face showed clear signs of exhaustion. His dignified, square-shaped face now bore unhealthy dark circles. However, he clearly could not afford to heed his body’s warnings to rest and enjoy a moment of peaceful sleep. For a long while, sleep would remain out of reach.

The leader of the Spirit Guards hung his head low, speaking in a voice so faint it was barely audible, like the buzz of a mosquito.

“Sir, this was a premeditated attack. Her Holiness the Spirit Maiden, to ensure the safety of the holy beast, had sent several waves of elite Spirit Guards to aid in the [Tidal Deep Valley]. By the time the attack occurred, our defensive forces had already been reduced to less than half.”

“Moreover, the enemy was incredibly cunning. Instead of launching a direct assault, they used the wind to spread poisonous mists, forcing us to split our forces and move into the more complex forested terrain.”

“Subsequently, they had already set an ambush there in advance, temporarily separating the Spirit Guards from the Spirit Maiden’s carriage. By the time we defeated the enemy and rushed to the scene…”

“You! You… you…!”

“Phew…”

Wen Fu took several deep breaths, trying hard to suppress the overwhelming pressure that had been building up over the past two days, as well as the urge to lash out at the guards in anger.

As the Prefect of the region, Wen Fu naturally understood that losing his temper at a time like this would accomplish nothing.

The Spirit Guards couldn’t possibly neglect their duty to protect the Spirit Maiden. While they bore some responsibility, it wasn’t fair to lay all the blame entirely on them.

At this point, words were useless. The urgent tasks at hand were to first lock down the news to prevent panic and, secondly, to find the Spirit Maiden as quickly as possible.

“Enough. I will immediately report this matter to the capital, seeking further instructions and assistance. The Spirit Maiden’s disappearance is a grave matter, and you cannot escape responsibility. You must ensure the Spirit Guard forces keep their mouths shut. Understood?”

“Yes, Prefect Wen Fu.”

“Go and rest for now. If anything changes, this office will inform you.”

“We take our leave.”

The Spirit Guard commanders who had ridden in to deliver the report turned and left. Wen Fu glanced at his trusted aide standing behind him, rubbed his temples in frustration, and asked in a low voice.

“What’s the situation over at [Tidal Deep Valley]?”

“Reporting to you, sir. Lord Qin Xuan recently returned with her team. It’s said that they’ve located the holy beast Qilin and resolved the crisis in the ravine. However, she mentioned that she needs to discuss the specifics with you in person.”

“Just one crisis after another… Bring her here. Also, have the [Yin-Yang Division] prepare the [Heaven’s Eye]. Given the gravity of this situation, we can no longer hold anything back.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll see to it right away.”

The aide bowed deeply and was about to leave when Wen Fu suddenly raised his hand, as if something had just crossed his mind.

“Wait. Is Mr. Murong safe? And what about Senior Vi, the one with extraordinary cultivation? Are they still in the city? With Yangyuan County in chaos, if they are willing to lend a hand…”

The young man in his light official robes hesitated briefly, his expression showing a hint of awkwardness.

“Prefect, Mr. Murong is reportedly safe. However, neither he, Senior Vi, nor Senior Vi’s two companions returned with Lord Qin Xuan.”

Hearing this, Wen Fu couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

“They left? Why the rush? This office hasn’t even distributed the promised rewards yet. Do you know what they left in such haste to do?”

“Uh…”

The aide’s expression grew even more peculiar, but bound by duty, he simply relayed the information he had overheard.

“It seems… they went with the Spirit Guards to search for Her Holiness, the Spirit Maiden.”

………………………………..

“Is this the place?”

At a section of the official road that had been temporarily cordoned off, a black-haired girl surveyed the surroundings. She tapped the remains of a toppled carriage nearby, a thoughtful expression on her face.

This place bore clear signs of a fierce battle.

Scattered tracks of wheels and footprints stretched from the granite-paved road deep into the shaded forest. The ground was stained with large patches of fresh blood, and fragments of broken weapons lay about.

The bodies of both fallen Spirit Guards and attackers had already been collected by other Spirit Guard units, but the wreckage of broken carriages and heavy debris remained untouched.

Violet hadn’t arrived particularly late. After leaving [Tidal Deep Valley] and deducing that the attackers’ target was likely Western Origin Spirit Maiden, she had inquired about the general location of Her Holiness from the Spirit Guards and moved toward this area with Ling Feng and the others as quickly as possible.

Even so, by the time they arrived, the battle was already over, leaving behind only the aftermath: a battlefield in ruin, Spirit Guards cleaning up the scene, and members of the Spirit Maiden’s group—officials, maidservants, and other members of the hunting party.

Their identities had already been explained by the Spirit Guard commander who arrived with them. Strength commands respect everywhere, and even more so for someone like Violet, who was recognized by the holy beast of their nation.

Under such circumstances, the local Spirit Guards decisively allowed them to assist with the investigation and cooperate in the search for the missing Spirit Maiden amidst the chaos.

Hearing the black-haired girl speak, a burly man beside her, whose attire more elaborate and refined than that of ordinary Spirit Guards, and his weapon a sword rather than a blade, nodded gravely.

“Indeed, at the time, we were escorting Her Holiness along the official road when a massive green poisonous mist suddenly drifted downwind from the distant forest. The vanguard had no time to evade and was immediately engulfed.”

“To be honest, the poison was truly formidable. Even the Spirit Guards, who are carefully selected for their robust physiques, couldn’t withstand it. Within mere seconds, they collapsed, bleeding from their orifices, and died.”

“Amid the chaos, a large group of enemies emerged from the forest. Though their clothing was disheveled, they were vicious and, for some reason, unaffected by the poison. They charged straight at the central unit tasked with protecting Her Holiness, engaging us in fierce combat.”

“The situation escalated quickly. Her Holiness realized the poisonous mist seemed to be deliberately controlled and, to prevent it from spreading further and endangering innocent travelers in the distance, decided to lead a small team of elite Spirit Guards to flank the enemy and draw their attention away.”

“I wanted to follow and protect her, but she insisted the enemy’s situation was unclear and ordered me to stay on the official road to guard the main hunting party and prepare for any unexpected events.”

“Wait a moment.”

Violet frowned as she interrupted. “You let the one who needed protection the most act as bait and put herself in danger while leaving the guards and subordinates in a relatively safe spot? What kind of logic is that?”

The black-haired girl’s blunt questioning left the middle-aged commander, Ji Xun, a general of the Spirit Guard Army, with a bitter smile.

“You’re right. I couldn’t understand her orders at the time either. But Her Holiness was resolute, and as her subordinate, I had no choice but to obey.”

“Despite the attackers’ fierce and frantic assault, they were essentially a disorganized band of poorly equipped individuals. After a portion of the enemies and a large amount of poisonous fog pursued Her Holiness the Spirit Maiden, I quickly led the Spirit Guards in defeating the remaining forces.”

“Once I confirmed that the main hunting party was safe, I immediately dispatched people to follow Her Holiness and provide support. However, neither they nor Her Holiness have returned since.”