The Enigmatic Lock

Du Chen's heart fluttered. *Heavens, this won't be considered succumbing to feminine allure, will it?*

He clumsily helped Xue Ji to her feet, his hands trembling as he conjured two wisps of water mist to plug her ears.

Xue Ji rewarded Du Chen with a grateful smile, her face flushing crimson as she lowered her head. A blush spread across her youthful, radiant countenance, looking eighteen or nineteen. Regardless of her true age, Xue Ji had never known the sensation of being held in a man's embrace.

Once settled, silence hung heavy between them. Du Chen cursed inwardly, *Damn it, what rotten luck! To be taken advantage of by that old hag! Still... is this what it feels like to hold a woman?*

Inside, Xue Ji's heart thumped like a frightened deer. *Master, forgive me! This disciple certainly didn't intentionally fall into a man's arms, but...* Her thoughts were in a chaotic tangle, her hands uncertain where to rest.

Steve was in a deep slumber, and the Green Gourd Beast was recuperating from severe blood loss. An awkward silence settled over the serene Precious Lotus Scripture.

King Sean, the Bone Golem King, opportunely arrived to break the tension, peering inquisitively at the novel Precious Lotus Scripture. He chuckled, "Distinguished guest, it seems your friend won't be able to subdue his opponent anytime soon. Would you like my subordinates to lend a small hand? Hehe, the price is quite cheap!"

Du Chen cleared his throat, glancing at the ongoing clash between Deboning and Constantine. "No need for help, but have your kin seal all the exits. Just make sure he doesn't escape. As for you... stay by my side!"

"You have my word!" Sean immediately ordered his kin to blockade the passages. Meanwhile, Xue Ji, her face flushed, spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, still feeling shy and guilty from their previous intimate moment. "Mr. Alex, is the opponent Constantine? If it is him, please have your friend target the back of his neck. My Master once said that the back of a metal-elemental dragon's neck, between its two wings, is its most vulnerable point."

"Brook, you heard that!" Du Chen roared, then turned to give Xue Ji a grateful look. He was about to express his thanks, only to find Xue Ji gazing back at him.

Their eyes met for the second time since entering the Labyrinth of Life, but this time, their gaze lingered. Du Chen offered a thankful smile, which Xue Ji returned.

Still, Du Chen cursed his luck inwardly. *That old hag's advice really worked; she's truly worthy of being Margaret's direct disciple!*

*Old hag... perhaps that moniker is a bit much? After all, Xue Ji is Aunt Sherine's ninth sister, and Aunt Sherine is slightly younger than Phil, only in her early forties this year. So Xue Ji should, at most, be in her thirties!* He secretly snuck a peek at Xue Ji's appearance. *Maybe late twenties? Or mid-twenties? Alright, then I'll call her 'little hag'!*

Chuckling at his own absurd thoughts, Du Chen composed himself, his brows furrowed as he considered a serious matter: *Why was Constantine dressed like this?*

The Rebellious Dragon had seen Xue Ji, yet seemed not to recognize this ninth disciple of Water's Embrace Lake. *Then he must not be aligned with old Bovin and his group! Damn it, could there be two factions of mysterious powers? One being old Bovin's group, and the other the organization that rescued Constantine? And their attire is coincidentally the exact opposite!*

Pondering this, Du Chen declared loudly, "Constantine! To think you, a venerable member of the Five Peaks of Myriad Streams, would stoop to such a ghastly disguise! You bring shame upon the Dragon Clan!"

"Boy, who are you? I abandoned such crude interrogation tactics years ago!" Constantine's words lashed out, imbued with sonic force. "Where are Francis and Andy? Brook and your sacred artifact are here, so you must all be nearby! Get out here, now!" He roared, convinced that Francis was also present – for where there was a sacred artifact, the Battle God could not be far, and Constantine recognized the Lotus Pedestal beneath Du Chen! His voice dripped with resentment and fury!

Du Chen had once offered Constantine the beautiful hope of a father-son reunion, only to personally cast Constantine into an abyss, leaving him betrayed by the son he believed to be his own. At this moment, the Rebellious Dragon harbored a bone-deep hatred for Du Chen!

Du Chen smiled, offering no reply. *Good thing I'm wearing Alex's mask!*

Hearing Francis's name, Xue Ji's expression subtly shifted. She, of course, understood the significance of that name to Margaret of Water's Embrace Lake!

Deboning, guided by Xue Ji's hint, immediately seized the upper hand. The Blade of Vanishing Moon's Deadwater struck relentlessly around Constantine's neck, forcing the Rebellious Dragon to scramble and evade. Constantine shot a frigid glance at Xue Ji on the Precious Lotus Scripture, gritting his teeth in silent fury. *Who is this cheeky wench? To see through my weakness with a single look! There's no gaining advantage today; better to flee and seek an opportunity for revenge another day!*

With that thought, his body shuddered, and the chains on his robe clinked wildly. Constantine transmuted this metallic clatter into a Sonic Kill Formation, an escalating barrage that enveloped Deboning's chest. He intended to use this strike to create an opening for his escape!

But just then, Xue Ji's voice cut through the din: "Dragon Wings!"

The sound was sharp and powerful, imbued with undeniable confidence! *Dragon Wings?* Deboning stared at the sonic waves surging towards his chest. Suddenly, his legs rooted, and he arched his back, his body folding in on itself like boneless paper, evading the sonic assault. Simultaneously, the Blade of Vanishing Moon's Deadwater flew from his grasp, soaring like a crescent moon towards Constantine's back. It spun, and the Dead Water blade seemed to miss its mark...

But at that very moment, two dragon wings sprouted from Constantine's back. As if possessing eyes, they perfectly intercepted the seemingly errant crescent blade!

*Splat!* The Tenth-rank Blade of Vanishing Moon's Deadwater ripped a bloody gash across Constantine's dragon wing!

Deboning had won, but his heart pounded. *How did Xue Ji know Constantine would sprout his dragon wings? Her battlefield prediction capabilities are terrifyingly potent. Could even the Pontiff or the Dragon God possess such foresight?*

"Damn it!" Constantine snarled, glaring at Xue Ji. He turned to see Deboning, sword in hand, staring him down, knowing escape was impossible. He snorted at Xue Ji, "To deduce I would sprout dragon wings, are you an inheritor of Water's Embrace Lake?!"

Xue Ji paused, then replied honestly, "Precisely. This humble maiden, Xue Ji, is the ninth disciple under the revered Master Margaret!"

"Hmph, Water's Embrace Lake's three great Secret Techniques of Prediction: Heavenly Eye, Divine Computation, and Ghost Map. Which one did you just use?"

Xue Ji responded, "This humble maiden's skills are lacking, and I am currently gravely injured. I can only employ the Heavenly Eye, and I have only mastered the Heavenly Eye..." She trailed off, as Du Chen was giving her a warning look.

Du Chen thought, *This little hag is too honest, isn't she? She tells Constantine whatever he asks! Sigh! But then again, when I rescued her on Blade of Heaven Peak, she was just as guileless, spilling a string of Water's Embrace Lake's secrets to me then...*

*The little hag's character seems genuinely good; at least, she's not complicated and never causes trouble!*

He propelled the Precious Lotus Scripture towards Constantine, smiling, "Lord Constantine, can you tell me now how you ended up in such a ghastly state?"

"Who are you? Hmph, where's Francis? Tell him to come out and see me!" Constantine thought inwardly, *Enough...*

The true meaning of that "enough" could only be understood by the Rebellious Dragon, and perhaps Roland—their experiences were remarkably similar!

The day Constantine was rescued, he awoke to find himself surrounded by The Masters in black armor and crimson robes. The Rebellious Dragon, cautious his entire life, never readily trusted others. Yet, these mysterious figures seemed not to require his trust. They simply bound him with the very chains and shackles he now wore and told him, "Join us, and you can obtain the power to fulfill your desires!"

The method of joining them was quite similar to Jamis's mysterious painting, but the mechanism was an intricate small lock on his chest!

How could Constantine readily join an organization of unknown origin? Yet, they were in no rush. Instead, they gave Constantine a map, allowing him to freely traverse the Labyrinth of Life and return to the human world... But the Rebellious Dragon's luck was truly abysmal. After only half a month of navigating the Labyrinth of Life, he was intercepted by Du Chen before he even saw the light of day.

Somewhere within the vast Labyrinth of Life existed an organization seemingly very similar to Jamis's group, but with opposing attire!

Du Chen was unaware of Constantine's thoughts. He smiled, "My name is Alex, and Brother Francis and I are both Divine Envoys under Du Chen, the Divine! If you have something to discuss with Francis, you can tell me directly!"

Constantine cursed loudly, "Francis, you cowardly turtle, get out here!" He thought, *As soon as you appear, I'll immediately join "them" to gain power. As long as I can kill you, everything else matters not...*

Though such thoughts filled his mind, Constantine's old tears streamed down his face. "Francis, let's put our grievances behind us. I'm already in your hands; I only ask that you come out and tell me one thing! Andy... is he truly my son!?" He choked back sobs.

At this, Xue Ji looked at Constantine with sympathy, then spoke, "Mr. Alex, it seems you have some past matters to discuss. Xue Ji finds it inappropriate to eavesdrop and will return to your sacred artifact for now!"

Du Chen had been looking for an excuse to send Xue Ji away; hearing her words, he offered a slight smile and nodded.

Sean and the other Bone Golems, also sensing the delicate atmosphere, shrewdly requested Deboning to soundproof them.

Tucking the Precious Lotus Scripture close, out of Xue Ji's sight, Du Chen's "fierce" side emerged. He said with a jovial smile, "Rebellious Dragon, you wish to see Francis? But what right do you have to bargain with me now? Just tell me honestly about this ghastly getup of yours. That way, I save some effort, and you suffer less!"

Constantine ignored Du Chen, continuing his fervent shouts, "Francis! Tell me, is Andy my true son?! Was I truly almost killed by my own flesh and blood!?" His voice was filled with venom, but his heart surged with murderous intent. *Since Andy betrayed me, whether he's my son or not no longer matters. What matters is luring Francis out and killing him!*

Du Chen smirked inwardly, about to press Constantine further, but his gaze landed on the exquisite small lock on Constantine's chest...