"If I must have a purpose," Du Cheng (杜承 - protagonist's name) offered a reason, "it's that I don't want to see Antwerp Port (安特卫普港 - a place name, introduced in Ch 43) suffer the devastation of war and loss of life (生灵涂炭 - lit. 'charcoal and paint the living beings', implying widespread suffering and death) because of Zig's (齐格 - a character's name, introduced in Ch 43) stubbornness!"
Although Du Cheng was a thief, he possessed basic conscience. After a great battle, setting aside the devastation and cries of sorrow, how many orphans would be created by the war alone? Du Cheng had suffered enough as an orphan in his previous life. Even without The Scripture (《宝鉴》- referring to The Lotus Scripture, introduced in Ch 43) compelling him, he couldn't bear to see countless children fall into the same circumstances he had experienced back then.
Therefore, at this moment, Du Cheng's reason was spoken with righteous indignation and openness.
The young lady slightly tilted her head, looking at Du Cheng who was sitting on the edge of the altar. Although his entire body was covered by black clothes, his sky-blue eyes were visible.
Interesting. This person's eyes were the same color as her own, and his eyes were clear and full of spirit, without the slightest pretense, not looking like he was lying. Even when she used her soul-capturing technique (摄魂术 - a skill to influence minds, introduced in Ch 46), she didn't find any abnormality. Could it be that his purpose in saving her was truly just to avoid seeing a scene of devastation?
When did humans gain such breadth of mind?
"Alright, I will 'temporarily' believe your 'lame' reason. Now I can tell you clearly, neither my friend nor I want to kill anyone. Everything today was forced upon us by Zig! As long as Zig no longer pursues me after I get out, I guarantee not a single person in Antwerp Port will die!"
As she spoke, a layer of killing intent surfaced on her face, completely undisguised. It was clearly meant to tell Du Cheng that she hated Zig to the bone, and if you release me today, you must be prepared for me to settle accounts with Zig later!
However, this girl was truly beautiful when she was angry. A beauty's frown and anger are most captivating (美人颦怒，最是勾魂)!
Du Cheng gave a hoarse chuckle, stood up, patted his black clothes, and said with a changed voice, "Alright, I'll release you now! After your seal is broken, Zig will definitely sense it. Then it's up to you how you handle it! At most, I can secretly help you!"
The young lady was startled. "You really have the ability to break Zig's sacred artifact seal (圣器 - a powerful artifact, introduced in Ch 42/43)? Also, you came to help me without even asking my name. Aren't you afraid I'm an evil person?"
I never ask a woman's name when helping them!
An evil person? Heh heh, although this girl is stubborn and readily shows killing intent, The Lotus Scripture wouldn't be wrong. It wouldn't actively prompt him to save an evil person!
Rather than saying Du Cheng trusted this strange purple-haired young lady, it was more accurate to say he trusted The Lotus Scripture.
"Do I care if you're an evil person? You, I am determined to save. Close your eyes. I don't want you to see the method I use to break the seal."
The young lady just closed her eyes, but then suddenly opened them again.
"What? Afraid I'll play tricks while your eyes are closed?" Du Cheng teased.
"Would I be afraid of your tricks? Hmph! I just want to remind you of something..." The young lady paused. "Think clearly before you save me, don't regret it later, because my identity is very special!"
"What is your identity? Does it have anything to do with me saving you? Whether you are a princess or a beggar, I will save you. Close your eyes now. Do not try to open your eyes while I am breaking the seal, or you will regret it!"
Alright, let's see what tricks you have. The young lady closed her eyes. Up until this moment, she still didn't believe that anyone could unseal Zig's sacred artifact seal!
"Click!"
A crisp sound came from the chain, and the young lady felt the seal on her body loosen slightly.
Good heavens, the young lady's heart sank suddenly. He really could break Zig's sacred artifact seal?! Zig was a Level 10 Invested Title God of Combat (introduced in Ch 45). What level must a person be to break his seal...?
Another crisp sound.
The young lady's heart leaped into her throat, so shocked that her limbs were numb. He actually did it! He broke Zig's seal!
How could there be such a powerful God of Combat among humans?!
With each crisp sound, the young lady's heart also pounded violently up and down. She was truly ridiculous; she actually suspected he had ulterior motives. With his strength capable of breaking Zig's sacred artifact seal, what could he not accomplish?! Was there any need to use tricks against her?!
When Du Cheng's laughter signaled that she could open her eyes.
She lightly opened her eyelids, then her vision went black, and she nearly fainted. "You, you forced Zig's Cloud Mist Chain (云雾锁链 - the specific name of Zig's sacred artifact) to recognize you as its master!?"
Great Ancestor above!
To force a Level 3 Sacred Artifact (三级圣器 - implying a ranking for sacred artifacts) to recognize one as its master already required Level 9 Dou Qi (九级斗气 - a high level of Battle Qi/spiritual energy). Zig's Cloud Mist Chain was a Level 9 Sacred Artifact (九级圣器)! This person could force it to recognize him as its master...
Unfathomable, this person's strength is unfathomable!
Du Cheng toyed with the sacred artifact in his hand, which had transformed into a metallic sphere. He chuckled inwardly. This good deed was not in vain; he actually gained a Level 9 Sacred Artifact. However, due to the Cloud Mist Chain's larger size, even in its metallic sphere form, it was slightly bigger than the Horned War Hammer, about the size of a cantaloupe (香瓜大小 - lit. 'cantaloupe size'). It wasn't very convenient to hide on his person.
Seeing the young lady staring blankly at him, Du Cheng couldn't help but smile. This girl must have been shocked by his methods, which surpassed the common sense of the God of Combat World.
"Don't stare blankly, hurry and go. Zig must have discovered the sacred artifact is missing and will be looking for it soon."
"No, my friend should be able to hold him off for a while!" She stretched her limbs and walked gracefully in front of Du Cheng, bowing respectfully. Her demeanor was incomparably deferential—the strong are respected (强者为尊 - a principle where might dictates social standing or respect); this was an undeniable truth throughout heaven and earth! Especially since the person before her was 'powerful' enough to force a Level 9 Sacred Artifact to recognize him as its master, any amount of respect given to him was not excessive.
She said respectfully, "Helen Brockman (海伦，布罗克曼 - the young lady's name), pays respects to Your Eminence (冕下 - a title used for high-ranking individuals). Since you have appeared masked, Helen dare not ask your name, but may I know your God of Combat rank?"
Du Cheng smiled faintly, "I have no rank!"
This was the plain truth, but in Helen's ears, it took on another meaning—ah, yes, a person capable of forcing a Level 9 Sacred Artifact to recognize them as master must have far surpassed the realm of Invested Title Gods of Combat. Therefore, the current God of Combat ranking system was no longer suitable for him.
A beautiful misunderstanding was born this way.
"Your Eminence, thank you for saving me, but Helen has one more request. Do you have time to listen?"
Helen lowered her head deeply, her cold arrogance from her verbal sparring with Du Cheng earlier completely gone. She felt ashamed to ask for something, but her current strength made it impossible for her to accomplish that task in this lifetime. And the strength Du Cheng had 'displayed' was enough to help her do it!
"Oh, Miss, you're not asking me to listen to a long-winded story (啰嗦 - implying tedious or bothersome) at this time, in this place, are you?" Du Cheng shrugged. "Sorry, I'm very busy!"
Helen raised her head, her sky-blue eyes filled with resolute determination. "Esteemed and powerful Your Eminence, I understand. Helen is not qualified to request something of you. You can state your conditions!"10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASOhUavLEo
