Orbach of the Bloody Cradle: The Second and Third

Orbach!? Dud is Orbach!?

Du Chen’s gaze snapped to The Fourteenth Trigram Blazing Thunder Cannon. Around the 'Little Thunder Cannon,' a ring-shaped halo, eerily similar to a cosmic black hole, had materialized. Every element in its vicinity was siphoned dry by this luminous band, causing bizarre ripples of air currents to distort the very fabric of the sky. Even more uncanny was the halo's apparent sentience: it merely ensnared the 'Little Thunder Cannon' at its core, denying it any chance to absorb elements, yet it inflicted no harm upon anything else. Durkes City, below, remained utterly unscathed!

Indeed! This was precisely the Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall Du Chen had witnessed firsthand, utterly unlike Jamis’s roguish, pleading-for-mercy antics. This was the genuine, unadulterated Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall!

A strange conundrum emerged, clouding Du Chen’s mind with immediate suspicion. Though Jamis had never explicitly stated it, countless snippets of information had always led Du Chen to believe one truth: that effeminate Jamis was Orbach!

Yet today, Dud also claimed to be Orbach, and had manifested an undeniable, authentic Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall...

Could there truly be two Orbachs? No! That was impossible. Even if the Scarlet Army could clone countless Orbachs, the Battle Qi Inheritance was singular. Regardless of the number of copies, only one Orbach could possess fourteen-level battle qi and wield the Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall. Therefore, Dud must be the true one, which meant…

Jamis was not Orbach!

At least, that was Du Chen's logical conclusion, and his conviction!

Meanwhile, Retoya, witnessing his 'Little Thunder Cannon' comrade trapped within the halo and himself captured by Orbach, knew his fate was sealed. Yet, a strange calm settled within him. 'Orbach,' he sneered, 'curious why you, who should have perished in the Grand Chasm, were trapped on Silvermoon Island? Heh, perhaps in your next life!' With that, he closed his eyes, accepting death with equanimity.

Dud snorted, his iron grip suddenly tightening, savagely crushing Retoya’s spine. The agony caused Retoya's eyes to bulge as if to burst. 'Speak, or not!?' Dud demanded.

At that moment, the 'Little Thunder Cannon,' still trapped in the halo, wailed, 'You’re mean! All of you are mean! Let my Second Brother go!'

Retoya, his voice garbled with pain, managed, 'Little Thunder Cannon, it seems we brothers are to die together here. Forgive me, Second Brother has only dragged you down!' As he spoke, employing some unknown Secret Technique, he violently twisted his head backwards. With a sickening 'snap,' his head completed a full rotation, and he twisted his own neck until dead.

Such a method of suicide… was utterly beyond human capability. Indeed, no one could have predicted Retoya would choose such a gruesome way to end his own life!

Dud shook Retoya’s corpse, confirming his death. Though inwardly enraged, he suppressed it, casually tossing the body to his soldiers. He then cast a fleeting glance at Du Chen, who, with tacit understanding, tossed a Precious Lotus Scripture to Dud. The two worked in concert, securing the trapped 'Little Thunder Cannon' within the lotus. Then, Dud slowly descended from the air, landing beside Du Chen.

Du Chen offered an awkward smile, suddenly unsure how to begin. But at that very moment, the thirty thousand beastmen slave soldiers, witnessing the manifestation of the Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall, realized their Commander was none other than an avatar of the Supreme Father God, Orbach…

Gulp. A chorus of swallowed gasps rippled through their ranks, followed by an earth-shattering roar: 'Supreme…'

Whoosh. Dud gently waved a hand, and the roar of thirty thousand men abruptly ceased. Du City’s southern docks fell into utter silence. Dud surveyed his surroundings. 'By my decree, I command you to safeguard this secret vigilantly! My identity must not be revealed!'

Thump! Thump! The beastmen pounded their chests, falling silent, but their expressions were wild with fanaticism, tears of fervent excitement brimming in their eyes. The beastmen’s reverence for the Supreme Father God was utterly unfathomable to ordinary mortals! Yet, what followed left them utterly dumbfounded!

Dud bowed, clasping his fists, and addressed Du Chen: 'Foster Father, our war zone has achieved a grand victory. However, The Fourteenth Trigram Blazing Thunder Cannon suddenly went rogue in the Requiem Death Knights’ war zone after its mutation. This indicates the Requiem Death Knights have undoubtedly encountered a mishap. Dud suggests we immediately go to their aid!'

Du Chen’s mouth fell open. He understood why Dud wanted his identity concealed from the army—it would make investigating his entrapment on Silvermoon Island far easier. But Dud clearly knew who he was, so why… was he still calling him 'Foster Father'!? He asked, disbelief lacing his voice, 'You… oh, Marshal Orbach, you’re still calling me Foster Father!?'

Dud replied dispassionately, 'I merely deduced that I am Orbach; I haven't *remembered* who I am… I am still Dud!'

His words were profound, yet Du Chen understood. 'Dud' had become an independent persona, separate from the Orbach of yesteryear… Orbach was the Supreme Father God, but Dud remained Du City’s Grand Marshal of Armies!

Du Chen smiled, clapping Dud on the shoulder. 'From now on, we shall address each other as brothers. As long as I live, Du City’s forces shall be under your command!'

A hoarse laugh rumbled from behind Dud’s iron visage. Meanwhile, Flaying observed all this, a faint, playful smile gracing his lips…

Du Chen, Dud, Flaying, Deboning, and Andy—the five of them swiftly flew towards the war zone supervised by the Requiem Death Knights.

At this point, scarcely a minute had passed since Du Chen had moved to attack Retoya! No sooner had Du Chen taken flight than a brilliant flash erupted from the war zone to his southeast, soaring towards Battle God Isle…

Another war zone had fallen!

Du Chen’s brow furrowed. He sensed something was amiss. Reviewing the sequence of recent anomalies, he recalled: first, the sky above the Requiem Death Knights’ position had abruptly darkened; then, an anomaly appeared over Du City, and the 'Little Thunder Cannon' suddenly gained autonomous attack capabilities. Barely a few breaths later, the next war zone had fallen…

Didn't it seem as if someone was systematically assisting the Scarlet Army? First, they started with the Requiem Death Knights’ war zone, then moved to Du City to help mutate the 'Little Thunder Cannon,' and then… continued to aid the Scarlet Army in the next war zone!?

A sudden jolt of realization struck Du Chen. Disregarding the risk of distracting other war zone commanders, potentially causing them to falter, he urgently activated the Mirya Beast. 'This is Francis. His Holiness the Pontiff, all war zone commanders, attention! There’s an unforeseen turn in the battle!' He concisely explained his deduction. Du Chen added, 'Judging by the sequence of mutations, the next war zone to fall will be Number Eight, under Ferdinand's command. Everyone, be cautious!'

The Pontiff’s voice was remarkably calm. 'Understood. Two war zones have successively fallen. While the Hot Spring Mountain's defensive array repelled both attacks, the monarch on Battle God Isle has already sensed something is amiss… I am currently maintaining order and cannot personally intervene! However, I have dispatched the Tyr Beast to monitor any developments across the Nine War Zones, and simultaneously, I’ve sent a large army to reinforce Ferdinand!'

Only the Pontiff responded with such composure; the other war zone commanders merely grunted their acknowledgments. It seemed they were 'preoccupied' with their own battles!

Du Chen confirmed which war zone commanders had replied. His heart sank. Bairu had not responded, indicating he was likely the first to succumb, rather than any of the Five Families of Fallen Gods!

Flaying approached Du Chen, asking, 'Ferdinand’s zone is also facing imminent danger. Should we abandon the Requiem Death Knights, who have already suffered a mishap, and go rescue Ferdinand, or…'

Du Chen gritted his teeth. 'We go save the Requiem Death Knights!'

In truth, setting aside all personal sentiment and considering the greater strategy, rescuing Ferdinand and abandoning the embattled Requiem Death Knights would be the optimal choice. But… Xue Ji was with the Requiem Death Knights! Though they had parted ways, how could such a long-standing emotional bond be so easily discarded? On ordinary days, he might offer an awkward smile and treat her as a mere acquaintance, but in a moment of life and death, Du Chen had to prioritize Xue Ji!

As they flew, two figures rapidly approached them. It was Xue Ji!

Upon seeing Du Chen and the others flying towards her, and noting that the lights of Durkes City still glowed in the distance—a clear sign of Du Chen's victory—Xue Ji cried out urgently, 'Hurry! The Thunder Cannon we were fighting mutated and fired! Master Jamis risked his life to send me out for help; he and the others are desperately fighting with their life essence!'

Du Chen froze. The Thunder Cannon fired? How had he not heard a single sound!?

Xue Ji grabbed Du Chen’s arm and pulled him along, explaining the Requiem Death Knights’ ordeal as they went. Initially, everything proceeded smoothly. Though the Thunder Cannon had successfully transformed into its炮体, it was trapped before it had a chance to fire. But then, the starlight in the sky abruptly dimmed. Following this, the nearly captured Thunder Cannon inexplicably experienced a surge in power. Not only did it break through their encirclement, but it also seized the Requiem Death Knights off guard, unleashing a localized artillery barrage…

During the artillery barrage, Jamis had sent Xue Ji away. Naturally, Xue Ji knew nothing of what transpired afterwards. She frantically sought out Du Chen for help, eventually encountering him midway.

As for why this Thunder Cannon, like Du Chen's 'Little Thunder Cannon,' had suddenly mutated after the starlight dimmed, that was beyond Xue Ji’s comprehension.

Arriving at the Requiem Death Knights’ desperate stand, Du Chen took in the scene. He rubbed his nose hard, then glanced at Dud, who was already looking at him. Both were seized by an inexplicable horror!

The Requiem Death Knights' battle was raging on the open sea. As Du Chen's gaze swept across the vista, he witnessed a scene that stopped him cold…

What should have been nine Requiem Death Knights, or ten including Jamis, now only counted Jamis among the living. No other bodies were visible, leaving it unclear whether they had vanished or perished in battle. Meanwhile, the Thunder Cannon had fully transformed into its炮体, now preparing for a second barrage!

But at that very instant, Jamis let out an effeminate, 'delicate laugh,' then suddenly leaped high into the air, crossing his legs in a lotus position, hands raised above his head…

This posture was seared into Du Chen’s memory. What typically followed was a 'thump' as Jamis knelt, crying out, 'Brave warrior, spare my life!'

Yet, to everyone's utter astonishment, Jamis did not kneel. Instead, his hands gestured through the air, conjuring a spatial rift—a black hole that abruptly appeared, encircling the Scarlet Army Venerable who was preparing to fire. A shadowy, ominous halo, a mysterious aura… it was the Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall, an authentic, unmistakable Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall!

At that moment, the Thunder Cannon launched its single-target lock-on attack—a streak of bluish-purple light hurtling directly towards Jamis. However, Jamis's Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall had just manifested. A bolt of lightning and a ring of light collided. The result: Jamis’s Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall absorbed the Thunder Cannon’s energy, yet he himself was sent spewing blood as he plummeted into the sea!

Regardless, Jamis had deployed a genuine Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall, its power unadulterated and true. It was an unparalleled Secret Technique, one that only the true Orbach could possibly unleash!

Du Chen and Dud stared at each other in utter shock, a bizarre thought flashing through both their minds: *Jamis is Orbach!? Are there two Orbachs in this world!?*

How could this be possible!? Human bodies could be replicated, but battle qi and Secret Techniques could not be cloned!

Seeing Du Chen dazed, Xue Ji pushed him hard, urgently saying, 'Quick! Stop staring! Master Jamis himself told me he is Orbach! So why *wouldn’t* he use the Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall!? I merely promised him secrecy…' Xue Ji didn't elaborate further. With that, she brandished her sword and went to rescue the fallen Jamis!

Damn it! Jamis admitted to being Orbach, Dud deduced he was Orbach, and both possessed Orbach's battle qi and Secret Techniques… Who exactly was the true Supreme Father God!?

Du Chen vigorously shook his head. 'Dud, this is absolutely not the time to ponder this! You and Andy handle the Thunder Cannon; I and the others will rescue our comrades!'

Dud nodded as well. Indeed, this was no time to figure out who the true Orbach was. He rose and lunged at the Thunder Cannon, his move mirroring Jamis's exactly—it was unmistakably the Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall! With a single strike, he created a vast void around the cannon!

Meanwhile, Du Chen’s Wind and Thunder Dual Wings flared as he swooped in ahead of Xue Ji, pulling Jamis from the water. Lotus Holy Light immediately enveloped Jamis, and Du Chen urgently questioned, 'Where are the others!?'

Jamis, barely clinging to life, didn’t rush to answer Du Chen’s question. Instead, he let out a sigh of dramatic flair. 'Oh, darling, a life of artistry truly has its ups and downs!'

Art… my ass!

Militarily, Dud more closely resembled the true Orbach. But in terms of temperament and disposition, Jamis was undeniably that legendary effeminate, despised by thousands, reviled by millions, tolerated by none, yet still grudgingly admired, Grand Marshal Orbach!

Du Chen glared fiercely at Jamis. 'Stop with your damn dramatics! Where are the others? Are they all dead!?'

Jamis chuckled. 'No, darling, after the Thunder Cannon fired just now, a black shadow suddenly appeared and snatched everyone else away! Oh? The Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall—how does your Dud know *my* Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall!?'

Du Chen glanced over, seeing that Dud and Andy had the situation firmly in hand. He then urgently asked, 'Jamis, at a time like this, there’s no need for deception. Tell me, are you the true Orbach!?'

Jamis nodded. 'Of course I am, darling! I was ordered to campaign on the Great Plains back then, but just as victory was within my grasp, I was inexplicably ambushed by numerous mysterious figures and perished on the Great Plains—oh, I know now, my attackers must have been the Scarlet Army! Hehe, but don’t forget, my Eldest Brother, Lynch Baton, holds the title Undying Death God. I studied his Undying Beast Emperor Physique, and thus, by sheer fortune, I revived many years after the war. That's when I rescued Bovin and others, formed the Requiem Death Knights, and began investigating the various heresies of the War of Fallen Gods, starting with Margaret…'

His account was well-founded and logical; there was no doubt Jamis was Orbach! But what about Dud? His memories were equally irrefutable proof, fully testifying that he, too, was Orbach!

Damn it all, who was the real Orbach!?

By this time, Dud and Andy had subdued the Thunder Cannon. Seeing its bluish-purple eyes, Du Chen knew this was Lei Zhan, the Seventh of the Scarlet Army!

Dud, holding Lei Zhan captive, brought him to Du Chen's side. He glanced at the weakened Jamis, who, in turn, looked back at Dud. Immeasurable doubt clouded both their eyes!

Dud stated coldly, 'At a moment like this, none of us need to contend for the identity of Orbach. Therefore… we both genuinely believe ourselves to be Orbach!'

Jamis nodded, reclining on Du Chen's Precious Lotus Scripture and luxuriating in the Holy Light. 'I must be the true one, darling, because my memories are entirely intact. I distinctly recall everything from my childhood to the present. It must be *your* memories that are muddled, lacking crucial details during analysis, leading you to mistakenly believe you are Orbach!'

Dud shook his head. 'If I am a false claim, then how do you explain my possession of Orbach's battle qi and Secret Techniques, and my military strategic capabilities!?'

Jamis was left speechless!

Du Chen waved a dismissive hand. 'Let's not discuss this for now. Regardless of who among you is Orbach, we are all friends now, and we share a common enemy!'

Pausing, Du Chen briefly recounted his own experiences, then, rubbing his nose thoughtfully, he asked, 'Jamis, we now need to rescue the remaining Requiem Death Knights and also reinforce other war zones. If you are Orbach, then display the peerless strategic judgment you once wielded. Tell us, which of these two tasks should we prioritize!?' This was, in essence, a test. If Jamis truly was Orbach, then at this moment, he would surely offer the most brilliant decision—the true Orbach possessed such an ability!

Jamis replied without hesitation, 'Darling, these are actually one and the same task! Looking back, our plan tonight was initially flawless. But just now, a black shadow first appeared here, after which Lei Zhan, who should have surrendered meekly, suddenly grew powerful. That shadow, after capturing the other Death Knights, then moved towards your war zone, causing The Fourteenth Trigram Blazing Thunder Cannon to mutate, and subsequently, the next war zone fell…'

Glancing at Lei Zhan, Jamis hummed, 'We need to rescue our comrades and reinforce the war zones, but we mustn't act rashly, or we'll accomplish nothing! Therefore… our first priority is to discover what that black shadow truly is, and then target it specifically!' The implication was clear: interrogate Lei Zhan first, for only by knowing oneself and one’s enemy can one emerge victorious in every battle!

Du Chen nodded subtly, his gaze fixed on Lei Zhan!

Dud and Andy, holding Lei Zhan captive, remained exceptionally vigilant. Learning from Retoya's example, neither would allow Lei Zhan to commit suicide in another bizarre fashion!

Du Chen recalled Phil's assessment of Lei Zhan: 'This Thunder Cannon is fierce and courageous; he can be considered Leiming’s foremost commander in the Scarlet Army!' Fierce and courageous, indeed? Heh heh…

Du Chen smirked coldly. 'Lei Zhan…'

'Shut up! Kill me, dismember me, do as you please! I have no patience for your babbling!' Lei Zhan, still in his cannon form, suddenly closed his colossal eyes, falling silent and preparing for death.

Du Chen smiled. 'Lei Zhan, I merely wish to inform you of something… Your Second Brother, Retoya, has already committed suicide. However, the 'Little Thunder Cannon,' the youngest of your Scarlet Army's nine Venerables, is still in my grasp, and…' Du Chen suddenly stepped forward, his hands gripping the upper part of Lei Zhan’s cannon body. With a gentle twist, a small fissure suddenly appeared on the once seamless cannon body. This was followed by a crisp 'click,' and the Rotary Combination Lock began to turn! 'What's more,' Du Chen added, 'I possess the ability to dismantle you into components and torture you to death!'

Lei Zhan’s eyes snapped open, blazing with fury. 'You dare threaten me with my 'Little Thunder Cannon'!?'

Du Chen grinned, eyes twinkling. 'That’s right, darling, I *do* have your 'Little Thunder Cannon' right here in my hand… Speak, or not!?'

'Despicable cur!' Lei Zhan roared, unleashing a torrent of curses. 'Want me to talk? Dream on! Even if you twist my 'Little Thunder Cannon' apart, dismantle him into pieces, I still won’t tell you a single thing!'

'Heh heh, a tough nut to crack indeed!' Du Chen summoned his Precious Lotus Scripture, slowly allowing Lei Zhan to peer at the 'Little Thunder Cannon' imprisoned within. He chuckled, 'Refuse to speak, eh? Very well, then. Before your very eyes, I shall dismantle your 'Little Thunder Cannon' into components… Let’s see how long your resolve lasts!'

Courageous individuals possess an unyielding spirit; torture is utterly useless against them. However, such people also cherish personal bonds. Threatening their loved ones is the superior strategy—a technique Du Chen had learned from gang interrogations in his previous life!

At that moment, Jamis glanced at the 'Little Thunder Cannon,' then let out an inquisitive 'Oh?' 'Francis, darling, I know why the 'Little Thunder Cannon' mutated!'

He rose to his feet, pointing to the 'Little Thunder Cannon's' eye-like aperture. A circle of silver threads now adorned it. In the urgency of the moment, Du Chen hadn’t noticed, and even if he had, he wouldn't have known what those threads were. Jamis explained, 'The Amia Conductor Array of the Primordial Military Branch! That black shadow must have given this to the 'Little Thunder Cannon,' triggering its mutation…'

That day, when Margaret was gravely wounded, the Water's Embrace Divine Maiden had remarked that only when Alchemy-based 'Weapons Clandestine Circles' combined with the Primordial Military Branch did true power manifest. Had Adams used some sort of Primordial Military Branch targeting scope when he fired, Margaret would have lost far more than just an arm!

Jamis looked at Lei Zhan and continued, 'That means the individual who caused this chain of mutations is exceptionally skilled in the Primordial Military Branch, and thoroughly understands the Thunder Cannon's structure! This narrows down their identity considerably… The Saint Dak family excels in the Primordial Military Branch, but they are currently engaged in battle with the Scarlet Army. Besides them, other masters of the Primordial Military Branch include the Divine Emperor's former aide, Margaret; Demon Lord Bonis; and Elder Gan Luo of the Demon Lord's Supreme Council…'

Jamis reeled off six names, then smiled. 'Lei Zhan, darling, which of these individuals is assisting your Scarlet Army!? Will you confess, or shall I analyze each one for you, sequentially!?'

Lei Zhan glared hatefully at Jamis. Threatened by Du Chen on one side and pressured by Orbach on the other, his heart seethed with resentment!

But at that very moment, a series of effeminate giggles echoed from the open sea, strikingly similar to Jamis's own laughter. 'Oh, Jamis, darling, you missed someone just now! There aren't only six individuals in the world proficient in the Primordial Military Branch!'

Everyone was startled, especially Du Chen. Dus, who had been constantly monitoring the situation, hadn’t detected anyone’s arrival. Anyone capable of evading Dus's 'Thermal Vision' was bound to be extraordinarily formidable!

The newcomer wore a black robe and an iron mask that obscured even their eye color. They cast a glance at the captured Lei Zhan, then bemoaned, 'How tiresome, Lei Zhan! Didn’t I tell you to finish the battle quickly and then move on to the next? But look at you, captured! You’ve made me wait ages, and now I have to come back and rescue your utterly useless self!'

Lei Zhan snorted. 'Damn it! If you hadn’t caused my Second Brother, Retoya, to suffer that mishap, granting Francis the chance to intervene, how could I have possibly been defeated and captured!?'

'Oh, well, you can't blame me for that, darling! I gave your 'Little Thunder Cannon' the Amia Conductor Array, believing it could handle everything. But who knew a Dud would suddenly pop up—and at that point, I was already hurrying off to assist the next war zone…'

Even as they spoke, the figure had closed the distance, now standing barely five hundred meters from the group!

Judging by the conversation with Lei Zhan, this individual was clearly an enemy. Yet, no one dared to make a rash move. Du Chen stared coldly, a strange thought suddenly striking him. The voice sounded distinctly feminine, but the figure beneath the black robes had a masculine physique. So, this person was…

Like Orbach, an effeminate man!

Jamis fixed his gaze on the newcomer, a delicate laugh escaping him. 'Oh, darling, who did I miss? Do tell!'

The exchange between the two effeminate men was truly sickening. The newcomer simpered, 'You missed Orbach, darling! As the foremost General of the Fallen Gods, how could Orbach *not* be proficient in the ultimate battlefield weapon—the Primordial Military Branch!?'

Jamis let out a little 'pfft' of a laugh. Indeed, Orbach was truly proficient in the Primordial Military Branch. But could either Jamis himself or Dud possibly be helping the Scarlet Army? Jamis hadn't mentioned Orbach's faction as a potential suspect, which was understandable!

'Oh, you’re so dense, darling! Orbach himself is right here, so why would I need to mention him?' Jamis playfully chided, pointing at the newcomer.

The newcomer, in turn, pointed a finger at Jamis. 'Who says Orbach is here, darling? I've only just arrived, haven't I…'

What!? *He* claimed to be Orbach!?

While everyone was still reeling in surprise, the newcomer suddenly leaped high, crossed his legs into a lotus position, and spread his hands wide. 'Prepare to die! Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall!'

Another effeminate man, another Orbach capable of unleashing an authentic Beast Emperor’s Unyielding Wall…

Du Chen was utterly bewildered. Who, in the end, was the *true* Orbach!?

Only one thing was certain: battle qi and Secret Techniques could not be replicated. No matter which of these three was the genuine article, none could possibly be a clone or a copy!