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Lockpicking relied on four essential factors: technique, tools, experience, and intuition—none could be absent.
Du Cheng worked slowly, carefully guiding the wires along the inner edges of the artifact's tiny openings. After all, this wasn't just any ordinary lock—it was a sacred artifact from Ains Continent. Who knew if it contained defensive mechanisms that could trigger an explosive surge of battle qi, causing him to reincarnate yet again?
A blend of caution and thrill surged within him, reminiscent of his past life as a master thief. The exhilaration of risking everything on skill alone surpassed even the satisfaction he'd gained from his enforced good deeds.
After carefully probing a few millimeters, he felt resistance in three holes, but one wire continued smoothly.
"By Sigrew’s blessing!" Du Cheng murmured excitedly. He recognized this mechanism instantly—one hole opening while the others remained sealed. Could this be the "Four-Key Ascending Lock," a complex mechanism with multiple layers?
"If so, I need to rotate the lock body counterclockwise, then twist the first core clockwise and lift gently!"
Click!
A crisp sound resonated from within the sphere, allowing the second wire to enter smoothly.
"It's working!" Du Cheng's hands moved deftly, now more confident. "Next, twist the screw shaft clockwise with three wires and press down…"
Click, click, click!
Three more sharp sounds confirmed success as the artifact rapidly began transforming. Expanding and unfolding, the sphere quickly shifted shape.
"A transformer?" Du Cheng whispered in awe.
In moments, the artifact reshaped into a small golden hammer, landing softly on the grass.
…
Elsewhere, within a luxurious mansion in Saint John City, a battered Kaman frantically paced before his obese father, the Duke Widnor, descendant of the Storm Battle-God and the Empire's Minister of Rites.
"Father! I’ve lost my Horned Warhammer artifact! Someone forcibly claimed ownership!" Kaman cried in distress.
"Impossible!" Widnor thundered, slamming a fist on the table. "It's a third-level artifact! Only a ninth-level warrior could force it! Only Ferdinand is ninth-level in the empire!"
"But the bond is broken!" Kaman insisted desperately.
Widnor pondered briefly. "Then it must have been found by someone else. Quickly alert the city guards."
Kaman nodded, hesitating briefly. "And what about Francis? Can he just attack me without consequence?"
Widnor smiled cunningly. "Of course not, son. You're a descendant of Aluman. Revenge through the church isn't possible, but... Francis is also fifteen, right? I’ll soon give you a legitimate chance to eliminate him."
…
Back at Saint-Cain Manor, Du Cheng exhaled excitedly, examining the hammer. It resembled a golden claw hammer, its handle short but sturdy, ideal for delicate precision work—such as breaking open safes.
Grinning eagerly, he reached out but found it immovable.
"Of course, I need battle qi," Du Cheng groaned in frustration. The stolen artifact was useless to him without power.
Still, successfully severing the bond meant safety for now. Evening fell, enveloping the city in darkness and matching Du Cheng’s sour mood perfectly.
Returning gloomily to his tower, Du Cheng found Aliza eagerly waiting at the door. "Master, you promised me roast calves!"
Laughing softly, Du Cheng shook off his disappointment. "Tomorrow, Aliza. Tonight, let's make do."
Inside, old Foye arranged a modest dinner, scolding Aliza gently, "You can't keep burdening the young master like this. His allowance is limited."
"Allowance?" Du Cheng asked curiously.
Foye explained the paltry sum allotted to him compared to his brothers, angering Du Cheng further. Anges truly was miserly.
Determined, Du Cheng resolved, "Don’t worry, Aliza. Tomorrow, I'll ensure you get your roast calf!"
"Master, surely you don't plan to borrow money from Steve? He struggles himself," Foye warned.
"No," Du Cheng smiled mischievously, eyeing the city beyond. "I have other methods."
Foye sighed, "Poor Steve overspends on noble girls. Even his monthly warrior allowance doesn't suffice."
"Warrior allowance?" Du Cheng questioned.
"Yes, warriors receive monthly stipends from the Battle-God Church. Steve, as a third-level mage warrior, gets fifteen silver coins monthly," Foye explained patiently.
Du Cheng turned excitedly to Aliza, "And you? With your strength, surely you get a stipend?"
Aliza lowered his head reluctantly, muttering, "I'm a slave, Master. I can't cultivate battle qi, so I get nothing."
Du Cheng's eyes narrowed thoughtfully—clearly, this situation needed changing.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjObLurVdce
