The Mask of Many Faces

Action followed thought without delay. Du Chen immediately set aside his research into Mystic Artifacts and commenced preparations for the recruitment drive. A strange and rather amusing feeling stirred within him!

It was akin to his past life, graduating from a prestigious university, then years later forging a formidable career, establishing his own company. Now, the tables had turned; he was returning to his alma mater to recruit his junior cohorts. This wistful yearning for his vibrant youth, coupled with a subtle pride and sense of accomplishment, was a sentiment truly unfathomable to those who hadn't walked a similar path.

Three days later, the Belkus, under a sky of gentle breezes and clear azure, slowly navigated the channel leading to Battle God Isle's docks. The closer they drew to the island, the more vessels thronged the sea. The relatively narrow entry channel to Battle God Isle's eastern docks was now congested with no less than a hundred ships, some already anchored, others queuing for entry. The banners of various great powers intertwined, forming a unique spectacle. Amidst the fleet awaiting clearance, the lotus banner of Du Chen's Divine Cult seemed unremarkable, and the luxurious yacht-like Belkus was swallowed amidst colossal warships fore and aft.

On deck, Xue Ji stood by the rail, holding Beibei, admiring the mist-shrouded vistas of Hot Spring Mountain. Her breathtaking beauty was a sight unparalleled, drawing awestruck gazes. Meanwhile, our formidable Master, Alex, stood coolly by the figurehead, eyes slightly closed, one hand on his hip, the other pointing defiantly towards the heavens—a picture of unrivaled arrogance!

Gazing at his beloved wife and child, a heartfelt smile graced Du Chen's lips. A beautiful wife, an adorable child – this was the blissful warmth of home...

Oh, to freeze this moment, to halt the ceaseless flow of all things!

But then, a cold snort from someone beside him shattered the idyllic atmosphere. It was none other than Du Chen's Junior Brother, Cassian, the Crown Prince of Namir, who, though only fifteen, was considered an adult in his homeland!

Du Chen turned, his gaze narrowing into a sly, smiling glance at his Junior Brother. 'What, losing your temper already?' he whispered, leaning in conspiratorially, a mischievous glint in his eyes. 'Don't forget, without my antidote, you'll be impotent for life! This time, you're the only administrative expert in the city, so honestly pick out a few capable talents for your Senior Brother, understand?'

Cassian's face was rigid, and he nodded stiffly. As one of the rare outsiders privy to the Philanthropist Du Chen's true nature, this young man's impression of Du Chen was nothing short of abysmal! 'Fine! But I'm already fifteen. After I help you select these talents, can I finally return to my country?'

Du Chen offered a 'friendly' smile. 'What's the rush? Without my final assessment, you're not going anywhere!' He patted his Junior Brother's shoulder. 'You're a good person now. When you're capable of becoming a good emperor, your Senior Brother will naturally let you return home!'

Cassian gritted his teeth, glaring at Du Chen, and retorted furiously, 'What more do I lack? Sister Liana said my theoretical knowledge is sufficient! If I just go back and temper myself for a few years, I can absolutely ensure my people live prosperous lives!'

Du Chen merely offered a wicked grin in lieu of an answer, leaving Cassian fuming and stomping back to the cabin. Indeed, ever since his humiliating experience begging, Cassian had undergone a genuine transformation, becoming a truly good person who genuinely cared for his people. Yet, a truly great emperor needed to be not just 'good,' but also 'bad' enough! Only when Cassian grasped this profound truth would he truly 'graduate'...

Watching Cassian retreat, Du Chen deliberately raised an eyebrow, adding a final jibe, much like he used to torment new recruits when he ran the streets in his past life. In truth, Du Chen himself had been similarly 'bullied' by the 'Eldest Brothers' when he first joined a gang. But as time passed and his mind matured, he came to understand their true intentions, simply laughing it off and even feeling a measure of gratitude. Now, in mentoring Cassian, Du Chen employed no other method than the street tactics of his former life—for he knew no other way!

However, Du Chen failed to notice Xue Ji, who was with Beibei, subtly frowning at his roguish demeanor...

Alex was Francis, and Francis was Alex—this much was undeniable, and she had accepted Francis. Yet, in this moment, the refined and scholarly Alex and the roguish, street-savvy Francis simply could not coalesce into a single individual in her mind!

The thought flickered away, and Xue Ji smiled faintly, blissfully. Regardless, the man before her was the one she could wait an eternity for.

Just then, the yacht docked. Du Chen walked over, grinning. 'Cassian will handle the recruitment later. Xue Ji, come, let's go give our venerable teacher a surprise, haha! His most cherished student has finally settled down and made a name for himself!'

Xue Ji nodded, smiling, and dutifully followed Du Chen onto the pier and into the city. Suddenly, she looked down and said, 'Alex, aren't you being a bit harsh on Cassian? He's only fifteen, after all, and just a few days ago I saw him personally helping many beggars and vagrants. He's a good child...'

Du Chen paused, then chuckled. 'A diamond in the rough needs polishing. Cassian still requires discipline to become the future Yakun Overlord!'

'But...' Xue Ji was about to say more, when suddenly, the common folk of the city spotted Du Chen. With a clamor, hundreds of them swarmed and surrounded the family. One exclaimed, 'Oh, Young Master Francis is back, haha! Everyone, come see!'

Another cried, 'Young Master, I've missed you terribly! Thanks to your benevolence, this old man now has food and drink, living a comfortable life!'

'Our Benefactor, are you here for recruitment? My third son is graduating this year, and without a word, if you deem him worthy, this old woman will make him swear fealty to you right away!'

Genuine smiles adorned the faces of the commoners, reflecting heartfelt respect!

Du Chen greeted the people with his usual benevolent smile. Xue Ji watched silently, a gentle smile on her face, feeling a quiet pride as her beloved was showered with such esteem.

Yet, a thought inevitably resurfaced: The refined and scholarly Alex, the roguish, thuggish Grand Duke Durkus, the benevolent and amiable Philanthropist revered by the common folk—which one was the true Francis!?

Suddenly, Xue Ji felt a strange unfamiliarity with the man before her.

The Crystal Tower on Hot Spring Mountain remained unchanged, its imposing grandeur undiminished. The instructional staff at the lower-level gate recognized Du Chen almost immediately, their surprised greetings naturally pouring forth.

Du Chen, hand-in-hand with Xue Ji, suddenly felt a surge of childish mischievousness. He chuckled, 'I wish to give our teacher a surprise. Could you all... make it happen?'

The staff exchanged knowing smiles. 'Grand Duke, you are Dean Zigurd's cherished disciple, so naturally, no announcement is required. The Dean is in his office; please, proceed!'

Beibei giggled impishly, 'Yay, Papa, Mama! Let's hide our presence and go scare the old grandpa, hee hee!'

Zigurd's office was easy to locate, situated on the topmost floor of the Crystal Tower. This floor housed only a single room: Zigurd's private office. Normally, access to the top-floor corridor required prior announcement from the gatehouse, but today, Du Chen was, of course, an exception!

Perhaps it was the apprehension of nearing home. Zigurd's office was directly before him, yet Du Chen took a deep breath, his steps slowing. He calculated that it had been over a year since he last saw his teacher, after the events at Auerbach Grand Canyon. He wondered if the old man, well past his centennial, was still hale and hearty...

As he mused, Du Chen suddenly shivered. The corridor outside the old man's door felt oddly frigid! No, that couldn't be right; could an Eleventh-level Battle God truly suffer from a mere chill!?

Xue Ji's brow furrowed, and she murmured, 'Alex, this corridor feels peculiar.'

Beibei also nodded. 'It seems Grandpa isn't the only one in there!'

Just as they spoke, with a creak, the office door swung open. A figure emerged, and as he opened the door, the corridor's temperature instantly plummeted several degrees!

Upon seeing Du Chen and his companions in the corridor, the newcomer's expression subtly shifted, though he swiftly composed himself, feigning nonchalance as he strode past Du Chen. 'Damn it,' he cursed internally. 'How could someone come up without being announced, and witness me emerging from Zigurd's office? Moreover… I didn't even sense their presences!'

Du Chen darted a glance at the approaching figure. He appeared to be in his late forties or early fifties, with short purple hair and an austere face. Clad in black robes and boots, his tunic was adorned with several silver iron plates, giving him the appearance of combat attire favored by Papal Curia civil officials. His stature was extraordinarily tall, towering over Du Chen by more than two heads – such giants were exceedingly rare among humans!

The two parties brushed past each other. Once the purple-haired man had walked further away, the corridor instantly regained the warmth of a June day.

Xue Ji conveyed via Secret Technique, 'Alex, the chill in the corridor just now was conjured by that man! He must be cultivating some ice-elemental Secret Technique that has gone awry, unable to control his internal aura freely, causing the temperature to drop wherever he goes!'

Du Chen rubbed his nose, mildly surprised but not truly concerned. June was the season when major powers converged on Battle God Isle; it was hardly unusual for some eccentric from another faction to pay Teacher Zigurd a visit. In fact, it was utterly normal!

'He's probably a representative from another nation, here to ask Teacher to recommend outstanding graduates, I suppose. Never mind, let's go in!'

Just as Du Chen and his companions entered the office, the purple-haired man, who had already descended the stairs, suddenly returned to the corridor and tapped the Echo Tube...

Remember when Brockman stole the Tyran Beast all those years ago? With that tap on the Echo Tube, a secret passage immediately appeared on the highest floor's wall. Even then, Du Chen, though Zigurd's most favored student, was not qualified to enter that hidden passage!

The man did not use the stairs but exited the Crystal Tower via the secret passage!

Inside the office, Zigurd sat behind his desk, stroking his goatee, his face grim as if troubled by something. Upon seeing Du Chen enter so abruptly, a sharp glint flashed in his triangular eyes. 'Francis? Why have you come up without announcement!?'