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Du Cheng nearly dropped the food from his mouth. "No battle qi, and yet he can defeat a second-level warrior? Are warriors here really that weak?"
Old Foye smiled gently. "Young Master, Aliza told me you two confronted Kaman and Freis yesterday. You probably assumed Aliza must also be a warrior since he defeated a second-level one, right?"
Du Cheng nodded curiously.
"That's not the case," Foye explained patiently. "Aliza isn't a warrior and has never cultivated battle qi. Years ago, seeing you lonely, I went to buy a companion for you from the slave market. Aliza stood among several beastmen at auction. I noticed he seemed rather slow-minded and thought he wouldn't bully you but could become a good companion. So, I bought him for just one silver coin. Later, I discovered Aliza has beastman blood, specifically from a line of beastman warriors—he's naturally strong."
"Beastman?" Du Cheng exclaimed, surprised yet intrigued. That explained Aliza's unusually large stature at just fifteen. Foye had clearly made a profitable investment; a single silver coin years ago had yielded someone capable of defeating second-level warriors today.
Du Cheng playfully punched Aliza, feeling solid muscle beneath his hand. "If Aliza can defeat second-level warriors, how powerful are real beastman warriors?"
"Beastmen rely on their innate strength, making them formidable against lower-level warriors," Foye clarified. "However, once a warrior reaches the sixth level, becoming a true Battle-God, they surpass beastmen significantly. Interestingly, many talented beastmen are now attending Battle-God academies to learn battle qi."
Foye abruptly paused, covering his mouth apologetically. "Forgive me, Young Master—I shouldn't mention battle qi in front of you."
Du Cheng smiled reassuringly. "It's fine. Even without battle qi, I have many other paths. Let's eat, Uncle Foye."
Emotion overcame Foye, his eyes misting over as he saw Du Cheng's newfound maturity. All the years he'd devoted felt worthwhile.
…
The next morning, Du Cheng awoke feeling sluggish, haunted overnight by remnants of Francis's past emotions—frustration, humiliation, and despair.
After washing up, he glanced habitually at his lotus tattoo—one flower almost fully bloomed—and stepped outside.
Nearby, yesterday's reprimanded overweight maid was gossiping animatedly. "Did you hear? Kaman lost his artifact last night! Now the entire city guard is searching madly. They say it already recognized a new master—must be a ninth-level Battle-God in the city!"
Du Cheng chuckled inwardly at the rumor, yet felt oddly frustrated. Successfully forcing the artifact to bond had yielded nothing useful, akin to undressing a beauty only to discover she wasn't what he'd expected.
A familiar family warrior approached cautiously, still wary from yesterday’s encounter with Aliza. Seeing Du Cheng alone, he relaxed slightly. "Francis, there's an elderly couple named Matthew waiting outside for you. They brought your token."
Du Cheng smiled broadly. Another chance to perform good deeds already! Passing the warrior, he whispered threateningly, "I hope Aliza treated you well yesterday. Remember, next time address me as 'Young Master Francis.'"
Du Cheng left Aliza behind this time, planning some less honorable dealings later. Outside, Matthew and his wife were kneeling and praying beneath Sigrew’s statue.
Approaching them warmly, Du Cheng said teasingly, "Matthew, what a pleasant surprise! Surely you have another issue for me to solve? Please don't say no, or I might have to report you."
Matthew stood quickly, bowing nervously. "Yes, Young Master Francis, we do need your help."
Du Cheng grinned. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear. What happened?"
"A city guard's horse kicked over our vegetable cart. We wanted compensation but don't dare speak to their officers directly," Matthew explained timidly.
Du Cheng pondered briefly; the city guards were essentially civil law enforcement. As the son of the Empire's third-ranking official, he was certainly above mere city guards. "Lead the way. I'll ensure you receive your compensation."
Following Matthew through crowded streets, Du Cheng was surprised to find himself before a church—the city guard’s headquarters, apparently. The building resembled his world's Christian churches but featured a statue of a mage warrior seemingly engulfed in flames.
"The church truly influences everything," Du Cheng thought wryly, noting the guards practicing and citizens petitioning nearby.
As Du Cheng reached the entrance, the doors burst open, revealing a troop of soldiers led by an impatient officer brandishing a whip. "Clear the way!"
Pushed aside, Du Cheng recognized Kaman emerging behind the soldiers, clearly exhausted and irritable from searching all night.
Spotting Du Cheng, Kaman sneered, approaching aggressively. "Well, if it isn't the disgrace of Saint-Cain! And you two old fools—haven’t learned your lesson yet?"
Matthew and his wife recoiled in fear, but Du Cheng stepped forward, smirking provocatively. "Oh, fancy meeting you again, Kaman. Heard you lost your artifact—such a disgrace to your ancestors."
Kaman raised his whip angrily. "Say that again!"
"It's true," Du Cheng said innocently. "You know, attacking a fellow noble without reason violates Church law."
Kaman hesitated, unable to strike Du Cheng openly. Instead, he aimed at Matthew, snarling, "Then they deserve punishment for obstructing my search!"
As Kaman swung at Matthew, Du Cheng instinctively shielded the old man, deliberately placing himself in harm's way.
The whip cracked across his back painfully, yet Du Cheng smiled through the pain. Taking a beating for another was surely a significant good deed, precisely the type that accelerated his Lotus Scripture’s progress.
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