Beware

“Lord Brockman! I have repaid all my debts, and this is for you!” Du Chen handed Brockman a gold draft issued by the Red Sand Bank, worth ten thousand gold coins.

Brockman was momentarily stunned, not reaching for the gold draft. He looked bewildered. “Lord Du Chen, why… why are you giving me money? These are all your winnings! They belong to you! Your help in settling my debts has already been so…”

“Please, say no more. You are my friend, one of the few true friends I acknowledge. Conversely, if I were in trouble, would you stand idly by?” Du Chen stated with earnest resolve. “Though your debts are cleared, you still need to travel to arrange a congratulatory gift for your grandfather, and even to return home, you will need travel expenses, will you not?”

Du Chen pressed the gold draft firmly into Brockman’s hand, a smile playing on his lips. “You absolutely must accept this money. Furthermore, regarding your Wyvern Carriage, I’ve already enlisted friends to help train new Winged Dragons. I’ve specifically instructed them to ensure they are identical to your original Winged Dragons and just as docile…”

“No!” Brockman shook his head gravely. “That Wyvern Carriage is already yours! I gifted it to you, and a noble’s word is his bond! Besides, you are my great benefactor! You saved me from immense public humiliation!”

“How could I? Helping a friend is what I should do, but if I accept a reciprocal gift from you, it would be trampling on our friendship…”

“To borrow your own words, if you truly recognize me as your friend, then do not refuse again! Otherwise, I truly wouldn’t be able to face you.”

Du Chen grasped Brockman’s hand, declaring with feigned emotion, “Say no more. We shall always be good friends, you needn’t say another word!”

<i>What a pity</i>, Brockman sighed inwardly. <i>What a pity we can never truly be friends. Honestly, at this moment, I truly wish to befriend this little fool who was bought by others and then paid their bills. Such a person would never exploit or betray a friend!</i>

<i>What a pity</i>, Du Chen mused internally. <i>What a pity we can never truly be friends. Honestly, at this moment, I truly wish to befriend this idiot who was sold out, yet sincerely thanks the one who sold him. Such a person can absolutely be exploited and betrayed multiple times!</i>

To prepare new adventure items, Du Chen and his companions remained in York Town for a few more days. During this time, Brockman made no further moves; perhaps he was deterred, or perhaps he was waiting for a better opportunity. Meanwhile, Du Chen enjoyed amiable conversations and camaraderie with the bosses of York Town.

Over these days, Du Chen also accomplished another task. He had sent the four Winged Dragons, which Brockman believed to be ‘dead,’ via Lotus Sacred Artifacts to Pied’s nearby stronghold, requesting the Red Sand to aid in their recovery. It was estimated that by the time Du Chen returned from the Misty Forest, they would almost certainly be soaring freely in the skies once more.

On this particular day, Du Chen had everything prepared, ready to embark on his adventure into the Misty Forest.

At the inn, Harry was packing his belongings, while Du Chen leisurely chatted with Brockman about noble anecdotes. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. “Little brother, it’s Sister Susan!”

“Ah, Sister Susan, please come in!” Du Chen held a favorable impression of this fellow professional.

“Lord Brockman is here too, I see. Little brother, come walk with me. Your elder sister has some matters to discuss with you!”

Discuss? Did that mean the investigation into the ‘theft’ had yielded results? Du Chen glanced at Brockman, rubbing his nose. “Let’s speak here. Lord Brockman and I are true friends; there is nothing I need to hide from him!”

Brockman felt another inexplicable surge of emotion—<i>truly a worthy friend. What a pity…</i>

<i>Poor soul, still speaking well of the one who sold him out?</i>

“Let’s chat outside. It’s a private matter concerning your elder sister!” Susan cast a sidelong glance at Brockman, then pulled Du Chen out of the room and into another!

<i>What could they possibly be discussing?</i> Brockman’s heart stirred. Through their interactions over the past few days, he had confirmed that while Francis was indeed exceedingly loyal, even somewhat naive, he was ultimately his target, his enemy! With this thought, Brockman utilized his stealth techniques, a skill from his thieving repertoire, to quietly creep to the room adjacent to where Du Chen and Susan were conversing, and began to eavesdrop.

However, his surreptitious movements, though they successfully eluded Sister Susan, his fellow professional, could not escape the notice of the Thief Ancestor, Du Chen.

Du Chen pretended as if nothing had happened, smiling. “Now, what is it you wish to tell me? I just said I trust my friend completely, and this matter might even implicate him. I suspect the root cause of this incident lies with me, doesn’t it?”

“Sister truly doesn’t know what to say about you, Thirteenth Master. You really are… there’s been some definite progress regarding your stolen goods!” Since Du Chen now held shares in the Blackwater Casino, he was considered part of the York Town underworld. According to underworld custom, he had joined the Underworld Alliance of the various bosses, becoming the Thirteenth Master of the York Town underworld. Of course, because Du Chen was still a student, this news was suppressed. Currently, only a rumor circulated throughout the Three Continents’ underworld: York Town’s underworld had gained a mysterious Thirteenth Master!

“Fourth Sister mobilized all the expert thieves in the vicinity for a thorough investigation of Second Brother’s inn. The traces on the windows and door hinges point to the most suspicious person, someone you absolutely would never guess: the very victim of this theft, your true friend — Brockman!”

Eavesdropping, Brockman’s heart leaped. <i>Heavens, no wonder rumors throughout the Three Continents claimed York Town’s underworld harbored countless talents and extraordinary individuals! To think my elegant art, which I considered flawless, had been seen through by them!</i>

“This is impossible?!” Du Chen shot to his feet. “Fourth Sister, if there was no progress, you needn’t report to me, but to speak like this now is to accuse my best friend — Lord Brockman. He is a Divine Grant Earl, and on the very day of the theft, as an Earl, he suffered immense humiliation! It absolutely cannot be him! Say no more… this is utterly impossible!”

“Alas, Thirteenth Master, you are inexperienced in the ways of the world and do not understand our thieving methods!” Susan explained. “According to our investigation, Brockman is indeed a Divine Grant Earl, but he is an exceedingly extravagant noble whose annual expenses are astronomical. Yet, he lacks a corresponding income. The only explanation is that his income is illicit. Precisely because he is a Divine Grant Earl, no one would question his source of income! Therefore, I can almost certainly conclude that Brockman orchestrated the theft of your valuables, then deliberately feigned his own robbery, even appearing pitiable by ‘losing’ his clothes… He did this intentionally to divert your attention, clear his own name, and even factor in the rules of our York Town! This entire plan proceeded smoothly. His sole miscalculation was your proficiency in gambling prowess, resulting in you suffering no loss whatsoever, with our York Town ultimately footing the bill!”

“But… but he voluntarily gifted his Wyvern Carriage to me! How do you explain that?”

“A Wyvern Carriage is indeed precious, but my brother, compared to the valuables you lost, what is it worth!? Now that we are allies, Fourth Sister can tell you plainly: the total value of your stolen property, if put up for auction, would be no less than two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins. For Brockman to abandon a mere Wyvern Carriage to steal property worth over two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins is entirely plausible! Furthermore, given his status, as long as he has money, say twenty to thirty thousand gold coins, he can acquire another Wyvern Carriage; it’s not difficult at all!”

“This… no, I don’t believe Sir Brockman is such a man. He is a friend I acknowledge… Oh, it’s not that I distrust your judgment, Elder Sister, but… forget it. It’s already lost, so let’s just let this matter pass!” Du Chen said with feigned difficulty. “Please, Elder Sister, do not pursue Sir Brockman any further!”

Next door, the eavesdropping Brockman stood dumbfounded, muttering to himself, <i>Francis is too kind. Such a kind person is surely destined for an ill end… Alas! Poor soul, still speaking well of the very people who exploited him!</i>

Susan considered this. “Very well, I respect your decision, Thirteenth Master!”

After seeing Du Chen back to his room, she went down to the inn’s ground floor and met with Famal, the innkeeper. “Second Brother, I’ve told Thirteenth Master the results. He doesn’t want to pursue Brockman, but whether for Miss Annie’s sake or as allies, even if Thirteenth Master doesn’t want to investigate, we cannot stand idly by!”

Famal nodded. “Precisely. My men will track Brockman. If it can be definitively proven that he indeed snuck into Thirteenth Master’s room that night… Hmph, the York Town underworld will teach him an unforgettable lesson! To dare use York Town’s rules to make us pay his bills!”

At this moment, the pitiable Sir Brockman was still thanking Du Chen.

After bidding farewell to the various bosses of York Town, Du Chen and Brockman, along with their retinues, entered the Misty Forest.

Then, the two temporarily separated. Brockman had suffered significant losses this time and needed to visit a mysterious organization’s base within the Misty Forest to replenish his strength. He also had to inspect the progress of Number Five, as Philip’s Composite Aberrant Beast experiment was about to commence on the great plains, and he was responsible for overseeing the work of the experimental personnel.

Handling these matters made it inconvenient to have Du Chen by his side, but Brockman knew Du Chen’s trial location and that his next stop was Saint John City, so there was no need to worry about Du Chen escaping!

Amidst a vast expanse of mist, Du Chen slowly walked forward, cradling the little fellow who had become his son. Deboning cleared the path ahead, while Shieb followed behind, scattering highly fragrant fossil powder to mark their route with his keen nose.

“According to the bosses in town, Professor Jemison got entangled with three female Aberrant Beasts and eventually fled into the Misty Forest. Old Bovin led the other students in pursuit… So, we’ll head to the agreed rendezvous point first. If we can’t find them, we’ll think of other ways! But I don’t think we need to worry too much about the students’ safety, because even though Jemison and Bovin seem eccentric, they are true masters… Damn it!”

Du Chen’s feet became entangled by several tree vines, and dirty water seeped into his boots.

“Damn this Misty Forest! Why did the academy choose such a place for trials?!” Du Chen complained in dissatisfaction. “It’s wet and slippery, and it’s impossible to tell directions. One wrong step and we could enter the territory of a high-level Aberrant Beast…”

Alex glanced at his complaining father and grunted, “A true Master, should be trained here!”

“Alright, precious, don’t you get tired of keeping a stern face all day, pretending to be The Master?” Du Chen playfully teased his son.

The little fellow’s expression grew even more serious. “A true Master is not one who pretends! My mastery is inherent, naturally endowed!”

Even the usually stoic Deboning was amused. “Young Master, a Master possesses great abilities. What skills do you have?”

The little fellow lifted his head. “You’ll know when an opponent appears that even you can’t handle!”

“Haha, you little rascal, you’re all bluster!” Du Chen patted his son’s head, and as the little fellow glared at him, Du Chen suddenly pouted. “I’m hungry!”

“Oh? Papa’s hungry! Stop, Alex will grill some meat! Oh dear, my clothes are dirty too, I’ll have to wash them later…” The little fellow jumped from Du Chen’s arms to the ground, casually took an apron from Harry, and quickly donned the appearance of a little housewife, beginning to prepare a fire for barbecuing.

The group gathered around, savoring Alex’s cooking, murmuring compliments incessantly.

“Solely in terms of culinary skill, Young Master is truly a Master!” Deboning praised sincerely. Suddenly, he lowered his head, listening intently to the surroundings. “Young Master, an Aberrant Beast is approaching. Its aura is exceptionally strange; I cannot discern its level!”

“Alex, quickly!” Du Chen scooped up his son, solemnly activating his Lotus Internal Force, while over a hundred Grand Matriarchs and Lotus Sacred Artifacts stood ready to be deployed.

An Aberrant Beast even Deboning couldn’t discern… what terrifying power must it possess!?

Beware.