Sacred Artifact Cage? No Room for Negotiation! (3)

“If I must state a purpose, it's that I don't wish to see the Virtue of Antwerp Port plunged into widespread suffering due to Zigurd's stubbornness!” Du Chen offered his reason.

Though Du Chen was a thief, he possessed a fundamental sense of conscience. After a great battle, setting aside the widespread suffering and cries of lamentation blanketing the land, just consider how many orphans would be left in its wake? Du Chen had endured enough hardship as an orphan in his past life. Even without the Precious Lotus Scripture's subtle compulsion, he couldn't bear to see countless children fall into the same dire straits he once endured.

Thus, at this moment, Du Chen's reason was delivered with unwavering conviction and complete transparency.

The girl tilted her head slightly, gazing at Du Chen, who sat precariously on the edge of the shattered ceiling. Though his entire body was shrouded in dark attire, his pair of sky-blue eyes remained strikingly visible.

*Interesting.* This man's eyes were actually the same color as her own. Moreover, they were clear and spirited, devoid of any pretense, showing no signs of deceit. Even when she subtly employed her Soul-Ensnaring Art, she detected not a single anomaly. Could it be that his purpose in saving her truly was just to avoid witnessing scenes of widespread suffering?

*When did humanity ever produce someone with such a breadth of spirit?*

“Very well,” she said, a hint of grudging acceptance in her tone. “I'll ‘temporarily’ believe this ‘flimsy’ reason of yours. Now, I can tell you clearly: neither I nor my friends wish to kill anyone. Everything that's happened today was forced upon us by Zigurd! As long as he ceases his pursuit after I'm free, I guarantee that not a single soul in the Virtue of Antwerp Port will die!”

As she spoke, a layer of murderous intent surfaced on her face, utterly unconcealed. It was clear she intended to convey to Du Chen that she loathed Zigurd to the very bone: ‘If you release me today, then be prepared for me to settle accounts with Zigurd in the future!’

Yet, when this girl grew angry, she was truly beautiful; a beauty's indignant frown was the most soul-stirring sight!

Du Chen gave a hoarse chuckle, stood up, and patted down his dark attire. He said with a changed voice and a grin, “Alright, I'll release you now! Once your seal is undone, Zigurd will surely sense it. How you seize that opportunity will be up to you! At most, I'll lend you some covert assistance!”

The girl was startled. “You truly have the ability to break Zigurd's sacred artifact seal? And you've come to help me without even asking my name? Aren't you afraid I might be a villain?”

*This one never asks for names when helping women!*

A villain? Heh heh, though this girl spoke stubbornly and was quick to harbor murderous intent, the Precious Lotus Scripture couldn't be wrong. It wouldn't actively prompt him to save an evildoer!

Rather than saying Du Chen believed this unfamiliar purple-haired girl, it was more accurate to say he placed even more trust in the Precious Lotus Scripture.

“What do I care if you're a villain or not? I *will* save you. Close your eyes; I don't wish for you to see the method I use to unseal you.”

The girl had just closed her eyes, but then abruptly snapped them open again.

“What's wrong? Afraid I'll play some trick while your eyes are closed?” Du Chen quipped.

“Me, afraid of your tricks? Hmph! I merely wished to remind you of something...” The girl paused, her expression serious. “Think carefully before you save me, lest you regret it later, for my identity is quite special!”

“What your identity is, does that concern my decision to save you? Whether you're a princess or a beggar, I will save you. Close your eyes now, and do not attempt to open them while I am unsealing you, or you will regret it!”

*Alright, let's see what tricks you have up your sleeve,* the girl thought, closing her eyes. Up until this moment, she still couldn't believe anyone could unseal Zigurd's sacred artifact.

*Crack!*

A crisp snap echoed from the chains, and the girl felt the seal on her body loosen ever so slightly.

*Good heavens,* the girl's heart sank sharply. *He can really undo Zigurd's sacred artifact seal!? Zigurd is a Tenth-Tier Titled Battle God; what level of power would someone need to break his seal...?*

Another crisp snap sounded.

The girl's heart leaped into her throat, her limbs numb with shock. He had truly done it; he had broken Zigurd's seal!

*How could there be such a powerful Battle God among humans?!*

With each successive snap, the girl's heart pounded wildly. She felt utterly ridiculous for having suspected him of ulterior motives. With his power to break Zigurd's sacred artifact seal, what else could he not achieve?! Was there any need for him to employ tricks against her?!

When Du Chen's soft chuckle prompted her that she could open her eyes...

She gently parted her eyelids, then her vision went black, and she nearly fainted. “You... you forced Zigurd's Cloud Mist Chains to recognize you as its master!?”

*By the great Ancestors above!*

To force even a Three-Tier Sacred Artifact to recognize a master already required Nine-Star battle qi. Zigurd's Cloud Mist Chains, however, were a Nine-Tier Sacred Artifact! This man could force *it* to recognize him...

Unfathomable. This man's strength was truly unfathomable!

Du Chen toyed with the sacred artifact, which had now transformed into a metallic sphere in his hand. He inwardly chuckled; this good deed hadn't been in vain, as he had unexpectedly gained a Nine-Tier Sacred Artifact. However, due to the Cloud Mist Chains' substantial original volume, even in its metallic sphere form, it was slightly larger than a Ramhorn Warhammer, about the size of a cantaloupe, making it inconvenient to conceal on his person.

Seeing the girl gazing at him blankly, Du Chen couldn't help but offer a faint smile. This lass was clearly stunned by his methods, which far transcended the common understanding of the Battle God world.

“Stop staring blankly. Let's go quickly. Zigurd must have discovered the sacred artifact's loss and will be coming for it any moment now.”

“No, my friends should be able to stall him for a while!” She stretched her cramped limbs, then gracefully walked before Du Chen and performed a profound bow, her demeanor filled with utmost reverence. *Strength commands respect; this is an unshakeable truth throughout heaven and earth!* Especially for someone whose “power” allowed him to force a Nine-Tier Sacred Artifact to recognize him as its master—no amount of respect would be excessive.

She said respectfully, “Helen Brockman pays her respects, Your Eminence. Since you have appeared veiled, Helen would never dare inquire about your true name, but might you deign to tell Helen your Battle God rank?”

Du Chen smiled faintly. “I have no rank.”

This was the plain truth, yet to Helen's ears, it took on an entirely different meaning. *Indeed,* she thought, *someone capable of forcing a Nine-Tier Sacred Artifact to recognize them as master must have far surpassed the realm of a Titled Battle God. Thus, the current Battle God ranking system is no longer suitable for him.*

Thus, a beautiful misunderstanding was born.

“Your Eminence, thank you for saving me. But Helen has one more request; do you have time to listen?”

Helen lowered her head deeply, the cold arrogance she had displayed during their verbal sparring now completely vanished. She felt unworthy asking for help, yet her own strength would never allow her to achieve that particular goal in this lifetime, whereas the power Du Chen had “demonstrated” was more than enough to help her accomplish it!

“Oh, my lady, you're not planning for me to listen to a long-winded story at this time, in this place, are you?” Du Chen shrugged. “My apologies, but I'm quite busy!”

Helen looked up, her sky-blue eyes filled with a resolute expression. “Distinguished and mighty Your Eminence, I understand. Helen has no right to ask for your favors. You may state your conditions!”