Chapter 19: Clash
The people in the theater hadn’t noticed the two girls hiding in the corner.
Jian Ji’an wasn’t here to find someone, but had a different purpose altogether.
The members of the theater group preparing to leave the stage also noticed Jian Ji’an entering and exchanged confused glances, unwittingly pausing in their tracks.
This man was a Holy Knight, clearly evident from his attire.
As the most powerful figure in the region, naturally, everyone recognized him.
The Group Leader stepped forward, staring intently at Jian Ji’an, and said gently, “Dear Knight, may I ask what brings you to the theater? If it’s to watch a performance, I’m afraid you’re a bit late; the show has already ended.”
“No, I’m not late,” Jian Ji’an replied coldly.
As the theater members expressed their confusion, Jian Ji’an pointed at someone in the crowd and declared, “I’m here to take her away.”
He pointed with laser focus at a girl with cherry blossom white hair.
The other theater members also recognized the person Jian Ji’an was pointing at: it was the theater’s Makeup Artist—Night Sakura Mirror.
“Is it me?”
Night Sakura Mirror questioned, pointing at herself, still trying to catch up.
Jian Ji’an nodded affirmatively.
“Indeed, it’s you. Please come along with me; I need to take you back to the church.”
Before Night Sakura Mirror could respond, the Group Leader interjected, “Dear Knight, may I inquire about your reasoning? Even as a Holy Knight, it’s quite rude to take away a lady without cause. Surely, you don’t want to tarnish the reputation of your church.”
In response, Jian Ji’an calmly provided his reason.
“Fine, here’s the deal: she possesses God’s power, and I need to take her back to the church for purification. Otherwise, the power within her could easily attract demons, and if she becomes possessed, it’s a one-way ticket to doom.”
Night Star Lan, watching from the shadows, couldn’t help but want to roll her eyes.
What God’s power?
What demons?
Was he talking about Star Holders and Star Eclipses?
How bizarre.
Everyone knew that Star Holders only transformed into Star Eclipses under extreme conditions, and yet this blond guy was rambling about demon possession—ridiculous!
Calling Star Power “God’s power”? So that means it’s a divine gift?
If he was backed by a religious force, he was really giving himself too much credit.
It was like seriously problematic supernatural-level “playing the victim.”
Night Star Lan felt a bit for the Star Holders and Star Eclipses.
Back to the point.
Jian Ji’an wanted to take Night Sakura Mirror because she had Star Power.
Night Lan had that instinctive sense during their first meeting, but wasn’t sure—she probably hadn’t awakened.
Now, after Jian Ji’an pointed her out, Night Lan had her confirmation.
But here lied the question.
Would the Group Leader actually agree to let Jian Ji’an take the Makeup Artist?
Night Star Lan didn’t fully understand the situation of the current era, but she could guess that Holy Knights held considerable power.
If that was the case, the commoners wouldn’t dare to resist, right?
Suddenly, Night Star Lan felt a wave of anxiety wash over her.
She watched as the Group Leader boldly took a step forward, exuding an imposing aura.
“I refuse. Even a Holy Knight cannot forcibly take my friend. Before anything else, you must ask this lady if she agrees.”
Upon hearing this, Night Sakura Mirror quickly chimed in, “I don’t agree! I don’t want to go to the church; I just want to do makeup for the performers on stage. I just want to live this life!”
The Group Leader shot her a glance and turned back to Jian Ji’an.
“Did you hear that? Knight, since this lady has rejected you, I kindly request that you take your leave.”
Jian Ji’an remained unfazed.
“You must understand, as a Holy Knight executing duty, no one can resist. If she does not wish to go, I can only use force to bring her back. If you dare to stop me, it will be considered a contempt of church authority; are you brave enough for that?”
As those words hung in the air, the mood in the theater instantly grew thick with tension.
Night Star Lan could feel the atmosphere was churning with gunpowder, and she suddenly wanted to get the heck out of there.
Wow, the Group Leader was really something, even without becoming a Star Eclipse, he was still so formidable—super impressive!
But was the Group Leader really okay with this?
What Jian Ji’an referred to as the church sounded like a big deal; it must be a massive religious force with considerable power.
If they mobilized forces against the theater, it’d be a real mess.
As of now, the Group Leader wasn’t a Star Eclipse, so he probably had no real way to counter such a force.
The other theater members seemed ordinary too, so facing off against Star Holders would be catastrophic.
At this moment, Jian Ji’an appeared ready to take action.
Night Star Lan nervously watched the unfolding scene, swallowing hard a few times.
Just then, the Group Leader narrowed his eyes, pulling a top hat from behind his back.
“Before you act, allow me to perform a magic trick for the Knight’s entertainment.”
Upon seeing that, Night Star Lan’s eyes lit up.
“I know this! It’s one of the Group Leader’s signature moves; could it be that today’s Group Leader is quite strong too?”
Just as Night Star Lan was filled with expectation, the hat in the Group Leader’s hands suddenly quivered, and several white doves burst forth along with a flurry of white feathers, creating a spectacular sight.
Seeing this, Jian Ji’an scoffed.
“What? Planning to entertain me with a performance? I won’t back down just because of that. I suggest you step aside.”
The Group Leader remained silent, still holding the high top hat.
As more feathers drifted through the air, Jian Ji’an suddenly sensed something was off.
He frowned, preparing to step forward, only to find his body unwilling to budge as if he had lost all control.
His gaze was forcibly fixed on the white feathers floating above him, with no way to look away.
“Why?!”
Jian Ji’an’s eyes were wide with astonishment, akin to the shock one might feel during a spectacular performance.
But in reality, he was shocked due to his own strange condition.
He felt as if some mysterious force was controlling him.
If it could affect someone with God’s power, then it must also be God’s power!
“Is it you? Leader of the Rising Sun Theater Group!”
Though his body and gaze were under control, Jian Ji’an could still speak.
Perhaps it was because he could resist a certain level of power.
“You too possess God-given power? This power is indeed a divine blessing and should be used in service of the church. You should also become a force for the church, just like that young lady.”
Jian Ji’an didn’t lose his cool and began to persuade the Group Leader.
Since there was someone of equal or possibly stronger power among them, there was no need for violence.
Honestly, there was a decent chance he couldn’t win; it was better to switch to negotiation.
After all, they wouldn’t dare to do anything against the Holy Knight.
If they laid a hand on a Holy Knight, the church would certainly respond to reclaim its honor, and that was for the sake of divine dignity.
So, what did the Group Leader respond?
Night Star Lan was dying to know.
“I refuse,” the Group Leader replied flatly.
Night Star Lan, observing from the shadows, instantly wore an expression of “as expected.”
