The Wager (1)

Roland's eyes darted with startling speed. To Du Chen, it seemed as if one moment Roland was wildly raving, and the next, after a quick glance, his demeanor abruptly shifted.

*Am I really that pleasant to look at?* Du Chen mused, a faint smile gracing his lips. He spoke softly, "Mister Roland, since our last parting the other day, I—"

Roland abruptly snatched a clump of weeds and flung them at Du Chen's mouth. Though not forceful, the rough blades scraped painfully against his lips. "Spit it out! Stop with the pleasantries, or get the hell out of my sight!"

Du Chen smacked his lips, shrugging with a smirk. "Alright then, I'll be direct. I miss Aliza and would like to take him back to stay with me for a few days!"

"Agreed!" Roland's assent brought Du Chen immense joy. But then, Roland added, "However, I must warn you, Aliza is currently undergoing a comprehensive foundational training regimen. If you interrupt him, you'll regret it later!"

Du Chen's smile froze. His original intention was to keep Aliza close, reasoning that even if Roland wouldn't save *him* in a pinch, he'd surely rescue Aliza, thus ensuring both their safety. But now, Du Chen realized his plan was flawed. To impede Aliza's foundational training and future progress for his own selfish concerns would be a net loss.

After all, Aliza was destined to be his Battle God attendant! Aliza's strength would directly dictate Du Chen's future influence.

A long-term investment, or immediate crisis management?

Du Chen pondered, then greedily suggested, "In that case, perhaps you and Aliza could both come stay with me for a few days? It would allow me to properly express my gratitude for your tutelage of Aliza!"

"Great, Master! Let's go stay with Young Master Du Chen!" Aliza nodded vigorously.

Roland cast an impatient glance at Du Chen. "You sly little rascal, inviting Aliza or inviting me, it's all for your own benefit, isn't it?" He stood up, stretching luxuriously, and lightly tapped Du Chen's chest. "Boy, have you run into some trouble lately? Trying to rope me in to protect you, eh? Am I right?"

Du Chen gave a brazen laugh, thinking to himself, *These grand masters are indeed not easily fooled. Roland's swift thoughts and sharp analysis are certainly not something a 'mentally unstable' person could manage.*

Roland scrutinized Du Chen once more, his gaze lingering particularly on the Double-pronged Iron Hook symbol emblazoned on his chest. Suddenly, he declared, "Fine, what can I do? I owe a debt, after all! Boy, I'll give you a chance. Answer one question for me!"

Du Chen was utterly bewildered by the first half of Roland's statement, but the latter part rang clear. He quickly urged, "Please, speak your mind!"

"What is your Battle God Oath?"

Du Chen straightened his posture. "To perform good deeds across the world, and aid all beings within it!"

Roland covered his nose, shaking his head. "Pah! Rancid! Utterly revolting! Who are you trying to fool with such a melodramatic oath?"

Du Chen could only manage a wry smile. His actual motivation for cultivating battle qi truly *was* that very statement – well, despite the somewhat nefarious origins, the objective itself wasn't wrong.

"Alright, let's rephrase. When your enemies surround you, will you fight to the death, or surrender? Tell me the truth, don't even think about lying!"

*The truth?* Du Chen spread his hands, pouting slightly. "A wise man preserves his strength to fight another day!"

"Heh, that's a refreshingly honest answer!" Roland grinned, then his expression abruptly changed. "Have you forgotten the Four Battle God Precepts? Never retreat in battle, never shy from a formidable foe, forget life when facing despair, and never surrender even when death is certain!"

Du Chen chuckled. "To preserve one's life to personally enact revenge is surely better than having others do it for you, isn't it?"

"Ha, ha ha!" Roland threw his head back and burst into wild, inexplicable laughter. "You're right! Preserve one's life for personal vengeance!" With that, he clapped Du Chen's shoulder with such force that a vast, surging tide of battle qi pressed down, stealing Du Chen's breath. Before he could even contemplate resistance, he dropped to his knees with a thud.

Roland bit his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall onto Du Chen's forehead. He spoke nonchalantly, "You can scram now. From this day forward, if anyone troubles you, invoke my name. Tell them you are Roland's nominal disciple!"

Du Chen was overjoyed! A 'nominal disciple,' as he understood it, meant no kowtowing to acknowledge a master, no formal address of 'Master,' no registering at a sect's hall. It meant he could easily switch allegiance if he encountered a more formidable patron. Yet, if trouble arose, he could still drop Boss Roland's name to settle things!

What a bargain!

"Haha, congratulations, Your Grace Roland, on taking a nominal disciple!" A brawny man, leading a young girl, descended from the top of the Icy Jade Pool's waterfall with a flying leap, offering a congratulatory bow.

*Another master has arrived?*

Du Chen turned to look. The brawny man was exceptionally burly, his physique similar to Aliza's beast-kin stature. He was bald, with a flowing red beard beneath his jaw, clad in a black and red robe, and a heavy iron chain served as his belt.

Du Chen didn't recognize the man, but the red-haired, red-clad little girl beside him was a familiar face.

Kristina – the very gang lord's daughter who had caused Jemison to lose so badly he ended up doing 'Body Painting.' So, it stood to reason that the bald, brawny man was her father, Pied, the boss of Battle God Isle's underworld.

Jemison had mentioned that the father and daughter had vanished after shutting down the casino for 'rectification.' It turned out they had come to see Roland.

Roland paid no mind to the father and daughter. Instead, he instructed Du Chen, "Boy, you can leave now. Don't bother me again unless it's truly important!"

Du Chen asked, "Master—"

"Don't call me Master! Do you even understand what a nominal disciple is?" Roland retorted impatiently.

"Then, if I have any questions about battle qi in the future, may I come seek your guidance?"

"No time!" Roland unceremoniously rejected Du Chen, then glared, thundering, "Aren't you going to scram? Waiting for me to thrash you!?"

Having said his piece, he lazily glanced at Pied and his daughter, responding with indifference, "Pied, what are you doing here? Damn it, and you brought a woman!"

Kristina huffed, "I'm not a woman, I'm a girl!"

Pied laughed heartily. "Kristina, don't joke with His Grace Roland. If you provoke him, we'll all be in for a heap of trouble!"

Seeing that they had matters to discuss, Du Chen felt it inappropriate to eavesdrop. He bid them farewell. "I'll head back first, and after some time—"

"Wait! You can't leave!" Kristina called out, stopping Du Chen. She turned to her father. "Dad, he's the one who beat me last time!"

Pied's eyes gleamed. He appraised Du Chen, smiling. "A formidable young talent indeed! There aren't many on Battle God Isle who can defeat my daughter!" While still pondering his own affairs, he offered a few words of praise for Du Chen before bowing to Roland. "Your Grace, I have a matter to request of you this visit!"

"Damn it, what's with this streak of bad luck? Everyone wants me to do something for them lately!?"

Roland grew highly impatient. *Pied, I don't owe you any favors!*

He waved his hand, signaling for the two of them to get lost!

Pied, knowing Roland's temper, didn't get angry. He smiled. "I've already informed Dean Zigurd. I only ask that Your Grace hear me out."

"Zigurd's favor?" Roland mused for a moment, then suddenly snatched Du Chen. "Boy, you're quite skilled at gambling, aren't you?"

Du Chen, unsure of his nominal master's temperament, answered vaguely, "It's... it's alright, I suppose!"

"Very well then, Pied. You'll gamble one round with this boy. If you win, I'll listen to your matter!"