Kristina's Request

Belmonde's repeated nods and playful, sweet smile were infectious, and Du Chen couldn't help but smile back. "My treasure, can this Spiritual Contract be used on powerful masters?"

With a tilt of her small head, Belmonde pondered for a moment, then offered a sheepish grin. "Yes, if they are compliant and offer no resistance, it can be employed!"

Du Chen nodded inwardly. This Spiritual Contract, he mused, was predicated on the opponent's lack of resistance and willingness to comply. Thus, it would be useless against true masters. However, within the very room, there lay an expert whose powers were temporarily crippled, utterly devoid of resistance!

"Daddy, you're smiling so wickedly!" Belmonde pointed at the corner of Du Chen's mouth, though her own grin was far from "innocent."

Still somewhat uneasy, Du Chen pressed, "What if someone with whom you've forged a contract suddenly becomes incredibly powerful and breaks your Spiritual Contract? Would you be in danger?"

"Huh?" The little girl seemed never to have considered the question. She pondered with utmost seriousness, closing and then reopening her eyes, finally biting her fingernail as she declared, "No fear! Bebé and little brother's Spiritual Power combined will prevent anyone from breaking it!"

Hmm, this little girl emerged from Philip's Alchemy Laboratory and possesses the ability to merge with Alex, a super, even ultimate, Divine Pet. It was evident she was no ordinary child! Her formidable Spiritual Power and capacity to forge Spiritual Contracts were, therefore, hardly surprising.

Still, Du Chen was reluctant to expose his child to any peril. He placed his daughter on a chair in the outer hall, gave her a few instructions, and then returned to the inner chamber.

Deboning, still nursing a sense of apprehension, reflected on his predicament: his battle qi was entirely lost, and he had fallen into Francis's hands. Francis, furthermore, had inherited the Yessar God's divine power... From the standpoint of loyalty to the Yessar God, Deboning felt he ought to support Francis.

Moreover, setting aside religious convictions, his very life now lay in Francis's grasp. He had no choice but to feign compliance, at least for the time being—even if only on the surface!

Such was the true stratagem of a "wise" individual!

Du Chen entered with a benevolent smile. "Damn Shieb! I knew I shouldn't have relied on Shieb slaves... they always mess things up at the crucial moment! Alright, Mister Deboning, let's continue our discussion! You were right, I intend to reorganize the Yessar Church, and I require your strength!"

"I am willing to serve you!"

"Now, I need you to perform a task. Oh, don't worry, it doesn't involve battle qi, but Spiritual Power! How is your Spiritual Power?" As Du Chen spoke, he produced a stack of parchment scrolls from within his Precious Lotus Scripture, seemingly ready to assign Deboning a mission.

"Spiritual Power? Esteemed Young Master, might you first enlighten me regarding this task? I originated as a Martial Fighter specializing in metallic elements and have never specifically cultivated Spiritual Power! While my battle qi strength indeed places me as a Nine-Star Battle God, my Spiritual Power, however..."

"Ah, I see!" Du Chen nodded, feigning hesitation. "I've acquired an egg of a super Divine Pet, and I wish to find someone with potent Spiritual Power to help me test it."

Deboning shook his head in resignation, muttering inwardly, *What kind of jest is this? In my current state, you ask me to probe a super Divine Pet? Isn't that sending me to my death? Moreover, my Spiritual Power is truly quite mediocre!*

Considering this, Deboning demurred, "Young Master, my Spiritual Power suffered significant losses due to my grave injuries. Furthermore, Aberrant Beasts generally possess immense Spiritual Power. Take Sulan on Mount Tianshan, for instance: in a mere few breaths, I could slay her through battle qi alone, yet if we were to contend in Spiritual Power, I would be vastly outmatched!"

Du Chen offered a faint smile. "Is that so? Aberrant Beasts and Divine Pets typically possess formidable Spiritual Power?"

"Indeed! Sulan is a ninth-tier Divine Pet, her Spiritual Power capable of controlling tens of thousands of Aberrant Beasts to besiege Mount Tianshan for us. If it truly is a super, or even ultimate, Divine Pet as you say, Young Master, then their Spiritual Power is beyond anything we humans can contend with! It is their Innate Racial Power!"

Du Chen's smile widened further, and he asked, "What if this Divine Pet is merely in its egg form? Would it still be the same?"

Deboning shook his head resolutely. "Many Aberrant Beasts are already incredibly potent even in their egg form. Take dragons, for example: their hatchlings can speak from birth, comprehend many principles, and possess numerous Innate Racial Powers. This is a manifestation of their immense Spiritual Power. We humans, no matter what, cannot achieve such a feat!"

This implied that Alex's Spiritual Power was exceedingly formidable, perhaps even surpassing Deboning's. Yet, Belmonde held no fear of Alex—what did this signify? His precious daughter could undoubtedly deal with Deboning! Furthermore, with Alex as a backup, he believed there wouldn't be much of an issue!

"Heh heh, I thank you for this information!" Du Chen's smile grew even more jovial. "I just want to confirm, you weren't lying just now, were you?"

"Why would I lie? And what need would I have to lie?" Deboning chuckled in return.

"It seems your Spiritual Power truly isn't up to par, then?"

"Indeed! Compared to ordinary humans, my Spiritual Power is certainly potent, but against a Divinely-endowed Aberrant Beast... there is simply no comparison!"

"That settles it, you can lie down now!" Du Chen abruptly flung forth a lotus, striking Deboning squarely on the back of his head and sending him sprawling. Immediately after, three more lotuses manifested, pinning him immobile to the floor! "Belmonde, Daddy's precious, it's your turn!"

"Young Master, what—what do you intend?" Deboning was utterly shocked. He had already expressed his intent to support Francis, so why was he being subdued?

Du Chen carried the little girl in from the outer hall, completely ignoring Deboning's startled query. Instead, he pointed at the immobilized man and, mimicking his daughter's tone, declared, "Rascal, this one! Contract him!"

"Ooh? He's fun!" The little girl clambered onto Deboning, patting here, kicking there, and then giggled, "Blood! Blood from his brow!"

Listening to his daughter's command, Du Chen used a small knife to make a shallow incision on Deboning's brow.

Belmonde dabbed a drop of that blood onto her own brow, then commanded, "Fool, repeat after me! In my name..."

Deboning was aghast. Though well-traveled and experienced, he couldn't discern the little girl's exact intention, but he suspected it to be some form of dark sorcery! "Francis, what exactly are you doing!?"

"What are you standing there gaping for? Either repeat after my daughter, or I'll smash you to death right now! Choose for yourself!" Du Chen crouched before Deboning, increasing the pressure exerted by the lotuses by a third, and watched him with a mirthful smile. "You have no third option!"

"Alas! In my name..." Deboning sighed, utterly resigned.

...

A moment later, a milky white radiance shot forth from the little girl's brow, piercing into the incision on Deboning's forehead before vanishing. Immediately afterward, Deboning himself fell unconscious.

Du Chen scooped up his daughter and planted a hearty kiss on her. "My treasure, what else can you do? Tell Daddy everything!"

"I don't know, Bebé just suddenly remembered the Spiritual Contract."

"Then, first tell Daddy, where did you learn these things?"

"How would I know!" The little girl shook her head very earnestly, her large eyes filled with bewilderment. "Bebé woke up in that big hole, and then saw Daddy!" She suddenly patted her own head and burst into tears. "Bebé feels like she knows so much, but she can't remember any of it. Daddy, what should I do? Bebé's head hurts."

"If you can't remember, then don't try to! Daddy will buy you some toys!"

*Sigh*, that damned Philip! This distressing state of his little darling, her hazy memories, it must all be Philip's doing. Heaven knows what further experiments he's conducting on the little one!

...

With Deboning subdued, Du Chen felt immensely exhilarated. This was truly his own, a loyal and unwavering, yet powerful, servant!

From now on, Young Master Du could confidently stride out and loudly challenge: *Who dares provoke this old man? Close the gates, release Deboning...*

While he was in high spirits, two individuals in a small, dark room by the docks were wallowing in deep gloom.

Jamis pulled off his boots and shook out a single copper coin, then exclaimed with a mournful face, "Old Charlatan, between the two of us, this is all the private stash we have left! Damn it, I knew we shouldn't have fallen out with Francis. It's over, without that long-term free meal ticket, we won't even have dinner tonight!"

"Why the panic?" Bovin, ever self-assured, tightened his belt and smacked his lips. "He'll come crawling back to beg me, believe me! He absolutely will come crawling back to beg me!"

"Are you truly certain?!"

"Dare you doubt my words!? My words are truth!"

"Alright, I believe you. Francis will definitely come begging you! Preferably right now!"

*CRASH!* The wooden door of the small, dark room was kicked open. Kristina, whip in hand, stormed in leading several burly men. "Old Gambler, I hear you're quite acquainted with Francis, aren't you?"

Jamis was startled, then nodded with a chuckle. "Of course! If we weren't well-acquainted, would he invite us to eat, stay, and dress for free? He's our little brother! He'll do whatever I say!"

Bovin looked slightly perplexed, then stated, "That's right, Francis will soon return to seek our assistance!"

Kristina nodded, and *SLAM!* the door of the small, dark room was shut behind her.

A moment later, Jamis came tumbling out, scrambling desperately. As he fled, the voice of the Old Charlatan echoed from the small, dark room behind him: "Tell Francis I know I was wrong! He doesn't need to beg me; you go beg him for me! Tell him to hurry and save my life!"

When Jamis stumbled into Dormitory Number Eighteen, Du Chen had just finished comforting the little girl and tucked her into bed. Harry and Deboning were still unconscious. Du Chen, free from worldly distractions, was currently examining the items Philip had left behind.

"Francis, open the door quickly! This time, no matter what, you have to help Brother Jamis!"

"What's all this racket in broad daylight!?" Du Chen slightly frowned. After tidying his belongings, he leisurely stepped out. "What's the matter? Didn't you say you had no need of me?"

"Oh, don't even mention that matter! Let's talk inside, I have an urgent issue to discuss with you!"

"Don't mention it"? You dare insult my daughter, and such a grave matter is simply "not to be mentioned"?!

Du Chen felt a surge of displeasure. Seeing Jamis's frantic demeanor, he knew the two had encountered significant trouble. He then offered a faint smile, having already made up his mind.

*You think you can put on airs? Well, I can put on airs too!*

"What? You need something from me, perhaps? Very well, follow me upstairs first!" Du Chen led Jamis to the second-floor balcony. He then produced the Portraits he had obtained from Sherine and instructed, "Copy this painting for me, and then these individuals!" Du Chen pointed at several figures from the Yessar Church depicted in the Portraits, "Draw close-ups of these people!"

"Alas, I..."

"Whatever it is, we'll discuss it after you've finished painting. Otherwise, there's no need for us to continue this conversation! Hurry up, my patience is quite limited!"

"Very well, I'll paint!" Jamis retrieved several canvases from Du Chen's dormitory and, in short order, produced a copied image and the close-ups of the figures. Gently setting down his brush, Jamis clicked his tongue and sighed, "Who painted this wedding scene? Their artistry is almost as good as mine... almost on par with mine!" He handed the paintings to Du Chen and added:

"They're finished, but I must declare first: my paintings are works of art, not common trinkets. You cannot take them to sell for money!"

"Alright, this one I won't sell for money!" Jamis's remark, however, sparked a thought in Du Chen. This Old Gambler was indeed an excellent painter; his works must be worth a considerable sum, no? It was a pity the Old Gambler feigned high-mindedness, refusing to sell his art for a living, or he wouldn't have fallen to such destitution.

There's no harm in collecting more paintings from an artist!

"That!" Du Chen pointed towards the Water River outside. "Paint me another landscape of the Water River!"

"You... fine, I'll paint!"

"Oh, finished so quickly? Come, draw me a single portrait... Hmm, now combine the Water River and Hot Spring Mountain, and paint another landscape... Done again? Then, how about a full map of Battle God Isle!"

Time ticked by, and the Old Gambler painted incessantly. Every time he attempted to bring up the serious matter, Du Chen would glare, impatiently threatening to send him away.

The Old Gambler's brush flew, completing seven or eight paintings in just over half an hour. By the time Belmonde awoke from her nap, Du Chen had become the world's foremost collector of the Old Gambler's works, and every single one was a masterpiece!

"Francis, I'm willing to apologize to your daughter now, isn't that enough? Can we finally discuss the serious matter?"

Du Chen, holding his freshly awakened daughter, chuckled, "My treasure, what do you say we do?"

The little girl's eyes darted, and she looked at Jamis with an innocent expression. "Apologize, you old pervert!"

"You want Bovin to apologize to you? You cursed little Demoness! Oh, no, my adorable little treasure." Jamis stamped his feet in exasperation. "The Old Charlatan can't come; he gambled himself away!"

"Oh? Since when did Mister Bovin take a liking to gambling?"

"He saw that I had lost... everything, and couldn't resist trying to win it back. But he never expected to lose himself in the process!" Jamis furtively glanced at Du Chen's questioning gaze and urgently declared, "Just don't ask what I lost! In short, if you help Kristina with one matter, she'll release us, otherwise, both of us are finished!"

Kristina? Du Chen's brow furrowed slightly. What could this gang boss's daughter want from him? Doubtless, it revolved around the single word: "gambling."

Du Chen, having grown up as a street tough, had honed his gambling prowess to a refined art. Yet, it was precisely because of this background that he profoundly understood the perils inherent in "gambling" and all its hidden tricks.

Without exceptional cause, one absolutely must not indulge in gambling!

Pondering this, Du Chen shook his head slightly. "I lack no wealth. With my gambling prowess, would I ever be short of gold coins?"

Kristina stared at Du Chen anxiously, observing his slight headshake, his scrutinizing gaze, and hearing his words. Misunderstanding him entirely, she gritted her teeth and declared, "Fine! As long as you go save my father, I will marry you!"

"M-meep? Daddy!" Belmonde clutched Du Chen's arm, her mischievous grin suggesting untold wicked thoughts brewing within her cunning little mind.

Du Chen was utterly flummoxed, caught between laughter and tears. He had just sent away Helen, who sought to save her father, and now another Kristina appeared!? "Please, do not misunderstand. I have no intention of marrying you!"

Kristina froze, thinking inwardly, *Shameless!*

"Fine! I can spend the night with you, for a month. Afterward, we will owe each other nothing!"