Buddy, Did You Even Graduate from Kindergarten?

“Oh, my apologies, you are a Divine Grant Earl! It is my honor to meet you, please, come in and sit!”

Du Chen promptly ushered the two men inside, his mind whirring. *Heh, how interesting. It seems those assassins don't wish to alert the enemy. Instead, they've chosen another tactic—hoodwinking the heavens. First, they'll befriend me, and then, under the guise of legitimacy, they’ll make their move!* But what is their objective? To monitor his every move? Or is there a deeper agenda? He would have to investigate slowly to find out!

Brockman smiled as he settled into a chair. From the moment he entered until he was seated, every gesture exuded an effortless noble charisma, exceptionally elegant. An outsider, even without seeing his credentials, would instantly recognize him as a high-born noble, refined by upbringing, purely from his bearing.

Sinos, whom Du Chen had previously allowed to escape (Little Fish), stood silently behind Brockman, his face expressionless and meticulous, clearly an excellent bodyguard and attendant.

“Esteemed and benevolent Lord, it brings me great joy to meet and make your acquaintance! Sinos, present my family crest to the Lord for verification!” Brockman’s voice was gentle and refined. Du Chen had no doubt that if this handsome man, Brockman – with his looks, demeanor, and status – were placed on the street, he would attract countless swooning maidens!

*This fellow's lethal charm against women is only a tad less potent than my own…*

Du Chen waved a dismissive hand. “No, Divine Grant Earl, there’s no need to verify your family crest. Your bearing and grace have already betrayed your noble status; I wouldn't doubt your identity for a second!” *A family crest is easily forged these days; checking it is meaningless!*

Upon hearing Du Chen’s praise, Brockman offered a slight, standard aristocratic smile, revealing two front teeth. “Lord, you flatter me. Your own grace and bearing are truly astounding!”

The two men exchanged pleasantries and mutual praise for a while – an essential skill among nobles and one of Du Chen's most potent special abilities. Once the flattery had run its course, Du Chen glanced apologetically towards the door. “My sincerest apologies. I only have one servant, and he’s currently out on an errand, unable to attend to you! So, dear Earl, what brings you here today?”

“I should be the one apologizing; my visit is rather abrupt! However, the recent events in this town have truly astonished me. Lord, you command such profound affection from the common folk; you are indeed a friend worth cultivating. Thus, I took the liberty of coming to make your acquaintance!”

As he spoke, he gestured to Sinos, who presented Du Chen with a small introductory gift: a platinum necklace inlaid with diamonds, from which hung a rhomboid dark-green crystal. *What a treasure! Leaving aside the value of the platinum and diamonds, that dark-green pendant must be a high-grade Soul Crystal – an utterly priceless artifact!*

“Your gift is too valuable. Thank you again!” Du Chen accepted the necklace. According to noble etiquette, he stood and bowed slightly to express his gratitude.

And in accordance with noble etiquette, Brockman should have stood to steady Du Chen, which he did. But as he steadied Du Chen, his flawless, jade-like hand seemed to inadvertently brush against Du Chen’s chest. *Damn, a fellow professional!* Du Chen inwardly roared with laughter, brimming with excitement! *Brockman, you’re bloody brilliant, I get it now. You must be trying to get something from me, and this is merely a probing attempt!*

*Esteemed Divine Grant Earl, your thieving techniques in the Battle God World may have reached their peak, but compared to the Thief Ancestor, whose techniques have led the thieving trade across the Three Continents for centuries…* Du Chen desperately wanted to ask, *Buddy, did you even graduate from kindergarten?!*

The two men resettled. Brockman smugly mused, *Ah, I couldn't resist a little test. As expected, my perfectly refined 'art' went completely unnoticed by Francis. That's only natural; even High-level Battle Gods above the 7th rank wouldn't detect such flawless 'artistry.' Soon, I shall 'retrieve' Number Six! I really am too cautious!*

Du Chen, meanwhile, was calculating: *This fellow has a scroll and two tokens hidden on him, and a small sacred artifact sphere around his neck. The ribbons of his undergarments feel silken and smooth, probably Golden Silkworm Silk. I missed my chance just now; I didn't get to touch his underpants. I wonder if they're also high-grade…*

After one round of mutual “testing,” Brockman continued, “Lord, according to the town officials, you are currently a student on a study tour. May I be so bold as to inquire about your itinerary?”

“Oh, my next stop is the Misty Forest. My teacher and classmates are currently honing their martial skills there!”

“Oh my, what a coincidence!” Brockman exclaimed delightedly. “You see, my grandfather’s eightieth birthday is fast approaching, and I intend to capture a high-level Aberrant Beast as a birthday gift for him! The Misty Forest just happens to be the perfect choice! Lord Francis, might we travel together?”

“This… wouldn’t it be too much of an imposition?”

“Not at all…” Brockman drew out his words with a laugh. “Moreover, you’re traveling by carriage, which is far too slow. I fear it might impede your journey. How about you travel in my Wyvern Carriage? In just one day, we could reach the outskirts of the Misty Forest!”

*A Wyvern Carriage!?* Du Chen was secretly astonished. This was a high-grade item indeed; let alone himself, even the kings of the continent’s great powers might not possess one! After a brief moment of contemplation, Du Chen readily agreed to Brockman’s request.

Brockman sneered inwardly, asking pointedly, “Might I inquire how many servants and attendants you have? I need to arrange seating for them.”

“I have only one adopted daughter, one attendant, and a butler. With myself, that makes four. You needn’t go to any special trouble arranging seats!”

*What!? Sinos said Francis had over a hundred Undead maids! How can there only be four people now!? Did they separate?* Brockman was utterly bewildered.

While these two thieving professionals schemed against each other, reveling in their deceit, in the distant reaches of the Misty Forest, the Old Gambler Jamis was also having a grand time.

York Town, the last gathering point before entering the Misty Forest, a paradise for adventurers, and a nexus for the underground forces of the Three Continents!

“Hahaha, your Professor Jamis can once again dedicate himself to his artistic creations!” Jamis strode out of a casino, raising both arms high, a bruised face grinning at his waiting students. “Classmates, who still has copper coins to support my artistic endeavors!?”

The students bowed their heads in despair. Even the wealthiest, Jason – also the most socially adept Jason – couldn’t help but say, “Professor! You’ve gambled away all our travel funds! Now we don’t even have money to buy adventure gear!?”

“Alas, for some reason, I suddenly miss classmate Francis!”

Jamis sighed. Suddenly, a dozen burly men stormed out of the casino. Before they could speak, Jamis, with his back to them, brazenly declared, “Alright, I admit I haven’t borrowed money to pay off my gambling debts… Just don’t hit my face and hands, I still need them for my artistic career!” *Crack! Bang!* Without another word, the burly men savagely beat Jamis right there in the street. Unlike the enforcers on Battle God Isle, they wouldn't spare Jamis’s face or hands, so Jamis was now battered beyond recognition.

“Enough! Stop hitting him!” Classmate Annie couldn't bear to watch and stepped forward to halt the crowd.

“Debts must be paid, or you get a beating! That’s the rule of York Town, and the rule of any casino on the Three Continents, miss. Please move aside!” The leading strongman ogled Annie lecherously. “If you’re willing to pay his debt for him, I might consider it, but… the method of repayment would require some mutual discussion!”

“You…” Annie pointed at them, about to erupt in furious scolding, but then she had a change of heart. *Classmate Francis doesn’t like savage girls. Hmm! This is better!* She retrieved a necklace hidden beneath her clothes and handed it to the strongman. “Take this, it should be enough to cover the debt!”

“Heh, this little lady actually has some good stuff. Alright, we’ll let you off this time. But, beautiful lady, if you want some fun in York Town, you can always come find me!” The lecherous strongman returned to the casino.

Annie puffed out her cheeks, glaring at the casino doors, then contemptuously stared at Jamis. *Annoying professor! Hmph, it’s fine to like gambling, but you can’t always lose! Think of Francis; when he gambles, he’s always so poised, holding cute Beibei, able to defeat Rogliff, the greatest Gambler on the Three Continents, with just one hand…*

No one bothered with Jamis, who lay sprawled on the ground, but the Old Gambler didn't care. He squinted his eyes, surveying the onlookers, then suddenly jumped up and ran to three women, smiling. “Three beautiful ladies, your faces are simply the most exquisite works of art! May I use my painting to praise your beauty?” The three women were overjoyed. One of them had only one eye, another had buck teeth, and the third a pockmarked face. Moreover, they all appeared to be at least forty years old.

“Hmph, I suspect Professor Jamis has some screws loose!” Sem, disgusted by Jamis’s antics, pulled a few classmates towards the Old Charlatan on the street.

“Sir, your brow is dark; ill omens surely lie ahead!” The Old Charlatan was busy scamming an adventurer.

The students were bored and idly looked around York Town. Before long, they saw Jamis gambling with the three women in the street. Then, Jamis lost his shirt, then his trousers, and even the ribbon that tied his ponytail…

No one knew what Jamis said to the three women, but he was seen strolling leisurely, wearing only a pair of large underpants, towards the Misty Forest. However, just as he reached the misty edge of the forest, he suddenly bolted!

“Damn it, that bastard is trying to default on his debt!” The three women discovered Jamis’s ploy and soared after him in pursuit.

This was yet another farce!

“Alas, Goddess of Fate! Her bloody wheel is spinning once more!” The Old Charlatan lamented, mimicking Jamis’s tone, then rose to pack away his tools for deception.

“Mr. Bovin, will Professor Jamis be in danger? Those three ugly women looked incredibly fast; they must be High-level Battle Gods!” Porter asked anxiously.

The Old Charlatan bared his yellow teeth, inwardly sneering, *High-level Battle Gods my ass! Jamis has gone mad, how dare he provoke even these three women!? No, wait, it seems the Old Gambler intentionally lured these three women away today!*

“It’s fine. Speed isn't everything in the Misty Forest; knowing how to navigate is key. That applies equally to High-level Battle Gods and common folk! Come, let’s enter the Misty Forest!”

Bovin hoisted his large sack and leisurely walked towards the Misty Forest! “Annie, we’ll wait for you at the entrance. Go get your things from the inn!”

“Oh, I’ll go right away!”

Annie temporarily separated from the group. When she returned from the inn with her belongings, suddenly, the dozen or so hulking men from the casino encircled her!

“What do you want?” Annie asked in alarm.

The leading strongman stepped forward, *slap! slap! slap!* He continuously slapped himself several times, then knelt, respectfully holding out the necklace Annie had used to pay the gambling debt. “Esteemed Lady, I spoke out of turn just now; please forgive me! My master examined this necklace and entrusted me to tell you that he dares not accept it. Furthermore, please extend the York Town casino boss’s regards to your grandfather and father!”

Annie was greatly surprised. “Your boss recognizes this necklace?”

“Yes, my master said this necklace was a celebratory gift he gave to your esteemed family when you were born!”

Annie playfully stuck out her tongue and quickly said, “Then remember, you are to pretend you didn’t see me today, and even if your boss meets my father and grandfather, you are forbidden from mentioning that you saw me!”

“As you command!” The strongmen bowed their heads, responding in solemn unison!

“Oh, and if someone named Francis comes here, you must satisfy his every request! And remember, don’t mention me!”

“I will immediately notify all underground forces in York Town to prepare to welcome Lord Francis!” The strongman hesitated, then said, “Was that person just now your teacher? Miss Annie, please be careful. Your teacher seemed to be deliberately provoking those three women just now, and according to my master, those three women are extremely dangerous! They are not human!”

“What? I need to go inform Mr. Bovin. Thank you for the warning!” Annie turned and chased in Bovin’s direction. “But you are not allowed to send anyone to follow me!”

Just as the students vanished into the Misty Forest, Du Chen, holding his daughter, was still marveling at Brockman’s Wyvern Carriage. “Divine Grant Earl, your mode of transport is truly magnificent! I have no doubt it will carry us to York Town in a single day!”