Value

Frith lay sprawled on the ground, gawking at Du Chen with wide, disbelieving eyes.

The soldiers, meanwhile, found themselves in an awkward predicament. They were just ordinary grunts, yet the two young masters before them were sons of prominent imperial officials, high-ranking nobles they couldn’t afford to offend. A single misstep could easily send them to the execution pyre.

Du Chen patted his chest, taking a few shaky breaths. Then, from his pocket, he produced dozens of silver coins, distributing them among the soldiers. He offered no apologies to Frith—these very coins had just been pilfered from Frith’s own person!

“Brave warriors, your timing couldn’t have been more perfect! My sincerest gratitude to you and that masked Battle God for saving my life!”

“Battle Gods bless us, Young Master Francis, you are too kind. As City Watch soldiers, it is our duty to protect you!” A quick-witted soldier snatched the silver coins, his face splitting into a delighted grin. Still, he dared not shoulder the responsibility himself. “Young Master, you are a Titled Battle God Scion, and Frith stands accused of pursuing you with murderous intent… This matter, it’s best handled by the Holy Church of Battle Gods!”

“Excellent. Would it be too much trouble for you to escort me to a priest?”

“It would be our honor, sir! Brothers, escort both young masters to Saint John Cathedral! Oh, and what of that masked Battle God?”

Du Chen gazed up at the starry sky, a look of profound reverence on his face. “After he defeated Frith and saw you approaching, he swiftly ascended into the heavens. Oh, forgive my lapse in composure. You’ve likely heard of my reputation; I am one unable to cultivate battle qi. Witnessing such a powerful Battle God for the first time, I couldn’t help but be a little astonished!”

“No, no, we too revere powerful Battle Gods. It’s truly a pity we didn’t get to meet the masked Battle God…”

Frith finally caught his breath, though several of his teeth had been knocked out. All he could manage were garbled, wailing shouts. “He’s lying! It was…”

“Silence, Young Master Frith. You stand accused of attempting to murder a Titled Battle God Scion. Your crimes, I fear, will be judged by Godfather Ferdinand himself!” the soldier stated expressionlessly.

Du Chen nodded. “Indeed, the integrity of these brave warriors moves me. Furthermore, please assist me in searching his person and collecting any evidence related to his attempted murder of me!”

“At your service!” The soldiers immediately moved to frisk Frith. Soon, they discovered a note—Du Chen had felt it when he stole the silver coins, but cleverly slipped it back. It read: *After the banquet, Francis will return home alone and will certainly pass through Seventh District…*

“Oh, why didn’t I destroy it?!” Frith lamented, despair in his voice.

Du Chen’s eyes gleamed. “Brave warriors, you all heard that! Please make a note of this statement and bear witness for me in the future! By the ancestors of Sigurd, Frith, you’ve forced these brave warriors to witness your utter shamelessness!”

…

The events that followed unfolded exactly as Du Chen had anticipated.

The Holy Church of Battle Gods wielded immense influence across the three continents, much like the Roman Papacy in medieval Europe. The Lanning Empire was one of the few strong nations on the three continents, holding significant sway, and thus the Holy Church had dispatched a figure second only to the Pope himself: Godfather Ferdinand, to govern the Lanning Diocese!

A Titled Battle God Scion allegedly being targeted for murder was a direct challenge to the Holy Church’s prestige. Imagine if Jesus Christ, in Du Chen’s previous life, had a descendant who was murdered—how would believers worldwide react? How would the Papacy deal with it!?

In this world of Battle Gods, Du Chen possessed such privileges. Who could fault him for having such a remarkable ancestor? Sigurd, a Tenth-Tier Titled Battle God!

Upon arriving at Saint John Cathedral, the largest church in the eastern Aethelgard Continent, situated opposite the Lanning Royal Palace, the priests listened to the account of events. Not daring to handle the matter themselves, they passed the buck to Godfather Ferdinand.

In the grand hall behind the cathedral’s main entrance, Godfather Ferdinand presided over the interrogation of the two.

Du Chen, with great magnanimity, bade Frith speak first. He, meanwhile, took the opportunity to observe this immensely influential figure of the Aethelgard Continent, rumored to be even nobler than the King of Lanning himself.

He was an elder of sixty or seventy years, clad in a grey, hooded robe that swept the floor. Beneath the broad brim of his hood, his hair was a mix of purple and white. His face was chiseled, slightly aged but remarkably fair and well-preserved. His entire presence exuded an extraordinary nobility and captivating aura.

Most peculiar were his eyes and brows, both of which were a striking shade of purple!

Frith quickly finished his account. In conclusion, he stated, “I admit that I attacked the Titled Battle God Scion. However, Francis also stole a sacred artifact, and he too must be punished!”

Having said this, he glared ferociously at Du Chen, clearly willing to suffer his own penalty if it meant dragging Du Chen down with him.

“Francis, do you admit to the events as Frith has described?” Godfather Ferdinand’s voice was remarkably magnetic and engaging.

“No, he’s lying!” Du Chen snapped back to attention, offering the Godfather a polite smile. Immediately, his expression shifted to one of righteous indignation. “Godfather Ferdinand, this is one of the most important cathedrals of the Holy Church of Battle Gods, and you are the most esteemed Godfather, second only to the Pope. Yet Frith dares to lie before you! I won’t say much more. You only need to do two things to prove my innocence!”

He shot a sidelong glance at Frith. “This shameless man accuses me of stealing a sacred artifact. So, I ask, Godfather, please examine my body to see if I possess any battle qi!”

As he spoke, he bowed his head in feigned sorrow. “Godfather, as you know, I am called the disgrace of the Saint Sigurd Cain family…”

“My poor child, I apologize for bringing up such a painful matter!” Godfather Ferdinand stood before the two, patting Du Chen’s shoulder. “However, to demonstrate fairness, I must still send someone to examine your body, Francis. Do you dare to undergo this examination?”

“Esteemed Godfather, I willingly submit to the examination!”

Soon, a purple-robed priest entered from a side door, carrying a red velvet tray upon which rested a fist-sized crystal sphere.

“This Attunement Crystal measures your sensitivity to the Natural Primordial Force. Place your hand upon it.”

Du Chen regarded the crystal sphere with feigned curiosity, thinking to himself that this very object had branded the former Francis with the epithet of “disgrace.”

He placed his hand upon it. As expected, the crystal sphere remained utterly unchanged.

What change could there be? Without activating his Lotus Internal Force, Du Chen was nothing more than an ordinary person; no one could discern his true nature.

And even if he were to activate his Lotus Internal Force, what then? Could the people of this Battle God world possibly recognize immortal cultivation techniques?

“No, impossible!” Frith shrieked. “That Attunement Crystal must be broken!”

Godfather Ferdinand frowned. “Frith, are you still lying? Francis cannot even sense the Natural Primordial Force, and thus cannot cultivate battle qi. Therefore, everything you’ve said is a falsehood; he couldn’t possibly have defeated you with a Ramhorn Warhammer! If you doubt the crystal, very well, try it yourself!”

Frith frantically placed his hand upon it. Instantly, the transparent crystal transformed into a pale blue hue, proving his excellent connection to the water element—ideal for cultivating water-attributed battle qi!

“How can this be? It’s impossible!” Frith collapsed to the floor before everyone.

Du Chen chuckled. “As proven by fact, I don’t even possess battle qi, so it’s impossible for me to have wielded a Ramhorn Warhammer. Now, I shall prove the second matter: the Ramhorn Warhammer is not on my person at all!”

With that, he began to undress. Today, Du Chen was dressed quite thinly, wearing only underclothes and an outer robe. But even when he stripped down to just his shorts, there was nothing to be found.

He shook his shorts, gesturing to indicate that, apart from his “little brother,” there was nothing else within. Du Chen declared loudly, “Godfather, I believe I need not explain anything further!”

Godfather Ferdinand ordered the Attunement Crystal to be taken away. Then, with a solemn expression, he announced, “The facts are clear. Frith, fueled by hatred, ambushed Francis, only to be defeated by a Battle God wielding a Ramhorn Warhammer. Yet, unrepentant, he attempted to frame Francis!” He rose, crossing his hands over his chest. “I, Ferdinand, pronounce Frith guilty! In accordance with Article Twelve of the Titled Battle God Scions section of the Holy Church’s Law Code…”

Frith stood frozen, his mouth opening and closing, his face devoid of all expression. His heart hammered, *thump-thump*, in his chest. As a fighter, he understood precisely the fate awaiting him.

Frith would be sent to the execution pyre! Du Chen inwardly chuckled. Old Foye had been an excellent teacher, imparting much legal knowledge, especially regarding self-protection. Thus, Du Chen had long known this would be the outcome.

However, Frith couldn’t die. He still held greater value!

“Oh dear, Godfather, please don’t burn him? That would be terribly cruel!” Du Chen said with feigned benevolence.