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“Ouch!” Du Cheng stumbled forward, nearly losing his balance and hitting the ground.
The sudden pain sobered him up instantly. Cold sweat broke out as he quickly touched his neck—thankfully, there was no fatal wound, just a sharp sting. The Lotus Sutra energy had saved him from certain death!
He silently cursed his earlier indulgence—never again would he drink so recklessly. Quickly getting to his feet, Du Cheng channeled the Lotus Sutra energy, enveloping his body as he moved rapidly in evasive steps, scanning the shadows for his attacker.
However, there was no need to look far. Frith’s stunned voice echoed from the alley, “How are you unharmed?!”
The attacker’s surprise was understandable. From Frith's perspective, it was like shooting someone point-blank and seeing them stand up unharmed.
“Frith! Show yourself!” Du Cheng barked angrily, recognizing the voice immediately.
Frith emerged reluctantly from his hiding spot, glaring at Du Cheng with disbelief. “What trickery is this? How did you survive my attack?”
Du Cheng stood firm, his voice cold and commanding, “Frith, you dare attack a descendant of a titled Dou-Shen? Aren’t you afraid the Holy Church will burn you at the stake?”
Frith's face twisted with rage and desperation, “Of course I fear them! But if I kill you right now, no one will ever know!” He began chanting an ancient spell, readying another strike.
Du Cheng assessed his surroundings carefully and found no signs of other accomplices—just the two of them, alone in the dim alley.
Perfect! He had been looking for an opportunity to test his newfound strength, and here it was—facing a level-one Red Robe mage. His Lotus Sutra had already proven capable of withstanding a surprise magical attack; now he needed to test its offensive capability.
Smiling calmly, Du Cheng mocked, “Did you think you're the only one with an artifact? Come forth, Stormhammer!”
The artifact swiftly flew from his pocket, transforming into the Stormhammer as it landed firmly in his hand, radiating a fierce green glow.
Frith was shocked beyond words, stammering in disbelief, “It was you?! You stole Carman’s Stormhammer? Impossible! How could you force a third-level artifact to recognize you as master?”
A third-level artifact was something only a ninth-level Dou-Shen could forcibly master!
Du Cheng smiled coldly, twirling the Stormhammer effortlessly. “Frith, didn't your mother ever teach you not to lose focus during a fight?” Without another word, he lunged forward, channeling his Lotus Sutra energy into the hammer.
In a burst of energy, his speed and power instantly surged, empowered further by the Stormhammer’s innate force. Though Du Cheng could sense the artifact still had much untapped potential, he was satisfied—it had boosted his power significantly, even at his current strength.
The hammer slammed brutally into Frith’s shoulder, knocking him painfully to the ground.
“Get up, Frith. Are you dead already? I haven't had enough yet,” Du Cheng taunted, delivering a firm kick. “Fight properly this time, or I'll beat you until even your mother won’t recognize you!”
Frith struggled to his feet, gritting his teeth. He activated his Dou Qi defensively and shouted, “Francis, I'll report your theft to the Holy Church! You're finished!”
Du Cheng smirked, unfazed. “Shut your filthy mouth and fight!”
Frith desperately launched another Water Beam, retreating quickly in typical mage fashion. Du Cheng shattered the attack with ease, shrugging off the mild discomfort and rushing Frith once more, hammer swinging mercilessly.
Again and again, Frith fell and rose, only to be beaten down repeatedly. Eventually, bruised and battered beyond recognition, he collapsed, unable to stand again.
Satisfied, Du Cheng pressed a foot firmly on Frith’s head, smiling mischievously. “Tell me now, what do you think my actual strength is?”
“First-level Red Robe warrior… that's impossible,” Frith gasped weakly. “How did you force the Stormhammer to obey?” Realization dawned on him: Francis had been hiding his true strength all along.
Releasing his foot, Du Cheng chuckled, “Don't worry, I won't kill you. But I have a much better idea—a fun one.”
Du Cheng had no intention of committing murder. Even if it was the easiest way to ensure silence, he couldn't bring himself to kill someone in cold blood. Yet, Frith still posed a threat—so he had to handle this cleverly.
Adjusting his voice dramatically, Du Cheng fell beside Frith, disheveling his hair and dirtying his clothes with dust. Then he screamed frantically, “Help! Murder! Frith is trying to kill me!”
Frith stared at Du Cheng, utterly confused.
His shout initially attracted no attention in the deserted area, so Du Cheng amplified his voice with Lotus Sutra energy, roaring, “Guards! Someone, help! In District Seven, Frith is attacking me!”
Finally, a pair of sleepy city guards came running, annoyed yet startled upon seeing two nobles. Du Cheng immediately leaped to his feet, trembling dramatically, “Brave warriors, save me! I'm Francis of the Saint-Cain family! Frith, the finance minister's son, tried to kill me! Luckily, a masked Dou-Shen wielding an artifact that summoned fierce winds saved my life. Oh, praise that heroic Dou-Shen!”
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