Taking a Beating

Du Chen nearly choked on his food. No battle qi, yet capable of knocking out a Two-Star Fighter? Was Battle God power really so worthless in this world?!

Old Foye chuckled, "Young Master, Aliza told me you taught Kaman and Fliss a lesson today. Does this mean Aliza, being able to defeat a Two-Star Fighter, must also be a Fighter?"

Du Chen nodded.

"No, that's not it at all. Aliza isn't a Fighter, nor has she ever cultivated battle qi! Years ago, your old servant found you rather lonely and thought of buying you a playmate from the slave market. It just so happened I saw Aliza being auctioned off with a group of Beastkin…"

Old Foye glanced apologetically at Aliza before continuing, "At the time, your old servant thought the child wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. I figured if I bought him, you wouldn't be bullied, Young Master, and might even get along well with him. So, I bought him for a single silver coin. Only later did your old servant discover that Aliza possessed Beastkin blood – the bloodline of a Beastkin Warrior, making him a born warrior!"

Aliza was a Beastkin? No wonder he possessed such an extraordinary physique at fifteen! Still, Old Foye certainly had the makings of a shrewd speculator! A single silver coin years ago had bought an Aliza now capable of taking down a Two-Star Fighter!

Du Chen playfully punched Aliza again, feeling the iron-hard muscles of his chest. He couldn't help but ask, "Beastkin must be incredibly powerful, right? Aliza can already defeat a Two-Star Fighter. So, how many ranks of Battle Gods could a true Beastkin Warrior defeat?"

"Beastkin are indeed formidable compared to lower-ranked Fighters, thanks to their innate talents," Old Foye explained. "However, once a Fighter advances to the Sixth Rank, becoming a true Battle God, they far surpass Beastkin Warriors! In fact, many highly talented Beastkin now go to Battle God Academies to study battle qi!"

Mid-sentence, Old Foye suddenly slapped his own mouth, apologizing, "Oh dear, Young Master, look at my old mouth, mentioning battle qi in front of you again!"

Francis couldn't cultivate battle qi, so Old Foye had always avoided mentioning anything about Battle Gods in his presence. Having let it slip now, Old Foye felt a pang of guilt.

"It's fine, Uncle Foye," Du Chen said, cheerfully arranging Old Foye's utensils. "Even if I can't be a Battle God, I still have many other paths! Come, let's eat!"

Old Foye sat down, but instead of picking up his knife and fork, he remained still, two lines of old tears tracing paths down his weathered cheeks. The 'fool' he had poured over a decade of his heart and soul into now showed respect for elders. This… all his efforts had been worth it!

The night passed without incident. Du Chen awoke the next morning with a heavy, muddled head. Young Francis's residual emotions were so potent that Du Chen had spent the entire night immersed in the fool's unwilling and wronged feelings, struggling bitterly against them.

Rubbing his aching temples, Du Chen felt his entire body stiff and sore, as if he'd engaged in strenuous activity the night before.

After washing up, Du Chen routinely glanced at the tattoo on his backside that was "about to bloom," then strode out of the tower.

By the base of the tower wall, the stout woman Du Chen had taught a lesson yesterday was gossiping with several other servants. "Hey, did you hear? Young Master Kaman of the Kaman family lost his Sacred Artifact last night! He's leading the City Watch soldiers, searching like rabid dogs!"

"What's more," another whispered, "I heard that Sacred Artifact has already acknowledged a master! That means a Ninth-Rank Battle God must have arrived in Saint Sigurd Cain City, otherwise, who could force a Third-Grade Sacred Artifact to accept a master?"

Hearing this, Du Chen smiled knowingly, yet felt a pang of frustration.

Damn it all! He had successfully 'ravaged' the Ramhorn Warhammer, yet couldn't wield it. The feeling was akin to a lecher stripping a maiden bare, only to suddenly discover she was a shemale… what utter bad luck!

Just then, a family warrior hurried over. Du Chen recognized him; it was one of the men whose feet had been 'massaged' by Aliza's massive stomps yesterday!

The warrior cast a wary glance at the tower, as if fearing Aliza might suddenly leap out. Only after confirming Du Chen was alone did he relax and say, "Francis, a couple calling themselves Matthew are looking for you outside. They even have your token!"

The Matthew couple truly were adorable; they'd provided Du Chen with another opportunity to perform good deeds so soon!

"Understood!" Du Chen chuckled as he walked past the warrior, murmuring, "Aliza 'served' you quite comfortably yesterday, didn't he?"

The warrior's expression froze.

Du Chen's voice turned cold. "Remember, from now on, you will address me as 'Young Master' Francis!"

Du Chen left the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate without Aliza. He intended to engage in some less-than-savory business this time, and it wouldn't be good for Aliza to witness such things.

The old couple he had helped yesterday were kneeling before the Sigurd statue by the gate, praying.

Du Chen walked up to them warmly. "Well, if it isn't the Matthew couple! It seems you definitely need my help with something. Don't even think about saying no, or I'll have you sent to the stake!"

Old Matthew stood, bowing with a nervous laugh. "Yes, Young Master Francis, we do indeed require your assistance!"

"That's the best news I've heard all day!" Du Chen grinned. No battle qi? No problem. Can't be a Battle God? No problem. He still wasn't entirely clear on what Battle Gods actually *did* anyway. But the Precious Lotus Scripture definitely had to be cultivated—otherwise, how was he going to get close to beautiful women?!

"It's like this, Young Master," Old Matthew explained. "A cart of our vegetables was overturned by a City Watch warhorse. We want to claim compensation, but… we're just commoners, we don't dare approach the City Watch officers!"

Du Chen pondered. The City Watch was, at best, glorified local constables. But he was now the son of the Empire's third most influential figure, a Titled Battle God Scion, a born noble. Hell! With *his* status, demanding compensation from the City Watch should be no issue. This good deed was doable. "Consider it done! Lead the way! I'll definitely get your compensation for you!"

Du Chen excitedly followed the Matthew couple through winding streets and narrow alleys until they arrived before a church.

A church? Was the City Watch stationed inside a church?

Du Chen looked again closely. Indeed, it was a church, strikingly similar to the Christian churches of his previous life. The only difference was that instead of a towering cross before the main entrance, there was a statue.

The statue depicted a figure in robes, dressed like a Fiend Battle God, arms raised, enveloped in raging flames, an expression of agony on its face. It looked as if it were immolating itself!

Du Chen mused, the Holy Church of Battle Gods certainly wielded immense influence if even the Imperial Capital's law enforcement operated within a Battle God Church!

The plaza before the church was bustling with people: morning worshippers, City Watch soldiers emerging for drills, and even commoners petitioning the constables for justice. Du Chen led the Matthew couple, painstakingly squeezing their way to the church entrance. Just then, the church doors burst open, and shouts echoed from within, "Clear the way! Everyone, clear the way!"

A squad of Imperial soldiers in dark-green armor, armed with spears, stormed out.

But with too many people crowding the entrance, the leading officer frowned and raised the leather whip in his hand.

*Crack! Crack!* He cracked the whip in the air, roaring, "Did you hear me? Clear out! The City Watch is on official duty, everyone make way!"

The crowd parted, scattering to either side, and Du Chen and the Matthew couple were pushed aside too. Just then, another figure emerged from within – it was Kaman, the very person Du Chen had taught a lesson to yesterday.

Kaman's face was a mess. His sky-blue hair was disheveled and wild, and his eyes were swollen, clearly indicating a sleepless night.

In truth, Kaman had barely slept at all, having led the City Watch on a frantic search for his lost Sacred Artifact. He had only returned this morning for a quick breakfast before heading out again.

He spotted Du Chen and paused, startled. After glancing around and confirming Aliza wasn't present, he relaxed slightly and sauntered up to Du Chen, sneering, "Well, well, isn't it the disgrace of the Saint Sigurd Cain family? What are you doing here? Hmm? You two old geezers are here too? Didn't get enough of a beating yesterday, did you?!"

He fixed his gaze on the Matthew couple, who, terrified, clung to each other and began to retreat into the crowd.

Du Chen grabbed the Matthew couple's hands and chuckled with a mocking tone, "My, my, Saint John City truly is small, isn't it? Fancy running into you everywhere! My dear Young Master Kaman, what brings you to the City Watch?"

As he spoke, Du Chen feigned sudden realization, nodding. "Oh, I see! This morning, I overheard the servants gossiping that you've lost your Sacred Artifact. Tsk, tsk. As a Fighter, and a Titled Battle God Scion no less, you truly bring shame upon your ancestors!"

Kaman exploded in fury, raising his whip. "Francis, say that again!?"

"So what if I say it again? Kaman, you *are* shaming your ancestors, that's a fact!" Du Chen spread his hands, shrugging innocently. "Heavens, my dear Young Master Kaman, you want to hit me, don't you? But I recall that assaulting a Titled Battle God Scion without cause is strictly forbidden by the Holy Church's Canon!"

Kaman's whip, poised to strike, froze in mid-air. He genuinely dared not openly defy the Holy Church's Canon.

In a flash, Kaman's eyes landed on the Matthew couple. "Hmph, you may be protected by the Holy Church's Canon, so I can't hit *you*! But *they* are blocking the road and delaying the City Watch's efforts to find my Sacred Artifact. They deserve a beating!"

Though the excuse was tenuous, nobles were often synonymous with unreasonableness. His whipping of Matthew now would be perfectly acceptable in the eyes of other nobles.

Kaman, true to his rank as a Two-Star Orange-Robed Martial Fighter, struck with precise control. Though Du Chen and the Matthew couple were pressed close together, his whip landed accurately on Matthew's head, absolutely avoiding any accidental injury to Du Chen.

But could Du Chen let such an opportunity slip? Saving someone was a grand good deed! He abruptly pulled Matthew into an embrace, shielding him beneath himself.

The whip lashed brutally across Du Chen's back. The pain seared his flesh, but his heart soared with delight.

This whipping was entirely intentional on Du Chen's part. Otherwise, he could have easily pushed Matthew away and escaped himself. But the Precious Lotus Scripture stipulated that the greater the good deed, the faster one's progress! Between saving someone and taking a blow for them, which was the greater good deed was clear at a glance.