Chapter 176: Section 177: You couldn’t have fallen in love with him, could you?!


    Zong Ge handed the thin sword Silver Lightning to the substitute.


    Behind Zong Ge, Sanda explained, “The Blue Dog Fox Wolf organized one final charge at the main entrance, and the Underground Giant Worm also participated. But it encountered Lord Zong Ge and was defeated by him once again.”


    “It was Lord Zong Ge who saw the sword stuck in its body, took a risk by jumping into the deep pit, and retrieved this thin sword.”


    Zhenjin heaved a sigh of relief, “It has finally returned. I was worried that Zong Ge would keep Silver Lightning in his possession.”


    The substitute nodded and looked at Zong Ge, “It must have been an incredible battle. Thank you! Its return is very timely; now we can pursue the victory.”


    “What? Pursue further?” Zhenjin was secretly shocked.


    ...


    However, the substitute’s next words were logical and compelling, leaving it unattended would only lead to greater danger later. It would be better to strike now while the remaining Magic Beasts are still weak.


    The substitute sought help, but wherever his gaze traveled, people lowered their heads or shifted their eyes to look at those beside them, avoiding his gaze.


    The substitute was resolute, “Alright, you have your choices, and I won’t force you. But even if I’m alone, I will deal with the Blue Dog Fox Wolf.”


    “Lord!” Zi Di exclaimed softly.


    Others were also visibly moved.


    Zhenjin glared, “Are you seeking death, you bastard, do you know how much we spent to buy you?!”


    Lan Zao, Zong Ge, and Sanda all stood up, choosing to join Zhenjin in the strike.


    “These fools, going to the forest to hunt down the Demon Beast Army, it’s simply seeking death!! They’re insane, we just suffered a terrible defeat, and even our camp was burned!” Zhenjin was frantically upset, but helpless, unable to stand up and object.


    In fact, he too thought there was some sense in what the substitute said.


    “At least heal your injuries first,” Zi Di insisted, blocking the substitute.


    “I must race against time.” The substitute shook his head.


    Zi Di gazed at the substitute, seemingly forgetting everything around her, her beautiful purple crystal-like eyes brimming with tears.


    “When I was not around just now, Zi Di must have been extremely worried about me. Actually, I was quite confident, as long as someone could draw fire for me. But these things I couldn’t tell her, I could only make her worry about me.”


    The substitute also gazed back at Zi Di, a mixture of concealed guilt and deep affection rising in his heart.


    The next moment, the substitute slowly embraced Zi Di in his arms.


    “I…” Zhenjin saw this scene, his eyes immediately blazing with fury.


    “Again! You’re hugging my fiancée again!”


    “This time in front of so many people!!”


    “You’re dead, you’re definitely dead!”


    Zhenjin was furiously enraged, roaring inwardly.


    Zi Di trembled slightly.


    The substitute pressed his nostrils close to Zi Di’s ear and gently said to her, “Wait for my return, I promise you, I will come back.”


    After saying this, the substitute released Zi Di, turned, and walked away.


    Zong Ge and the others followed closely.


    The rest were dumbstruck, watching as the four of them gradually moved further away.


    Zhenjin was panting and dizzy with anger.


    “Go die quickly, I don’t want to see you anymore!”


    “It would be best if you perished along with those bizarre Blue Dog Fox Wolves!”


    “This is what heroes are like!” someone exclaimed sincerely.


    These words touched the depths of Bai Ya’s heart, and the young man shouted, “Wait for me, sir!”


    Bai Ya charged out of the crowd, with no hesitation on his face.


    At that moment, the spirit of adventure and honor filled his chest, causing him to lose his reason.


    “Stop him quickly,” Zi Di immediately ordered.


    “Just take a rest, you little rascal,” Xi Suo said gently as he tripped Bai Ya, sending him tumbling to the ground, “You’re going to your death.”


    Bai Ya got up and still wanted to follow Zhenjin, “I want to become a Knight, how can a Knight retreat?”


    “Bravery is not stupidity, young man,” Cang Xu sighed, trying to persuade him, “Perhaps one day, you will become a Knight. But you are still merely a mortal right now, and this… is the romance of a Knight.”


    Bai Ya wanted to speak again.


    “Shut up!” Zhenjin struck Bai Ya, knocking him unconscious, with a look of embarrassment.


    “You also seek the glory of a Knight? Humph!” Zhenjin snorted coldly inside, growing even more irritated.


    His irritation was complex.


    Even he did not notice that his irritation included a mix of respect and envy for the substitute.


    …


    While the substitute, Zong Ge, and others were chasing the Blue Dog Fox Wolves, Zhenjin and Zi Di had another argument.


    “I don’t want to see you throwing yourself at him again, understand my words!” Zhenjin warned Zi Di sternly.


    Zi Di shook her head, staring at Zhenjin with innocent and aggrieved eyes, “Sir, please don’t use such words, I have never thrown myself at anyone!”


    “I know, but you have never refused!” Zhenjin paced around, appearing very agitated.


    “Sir, if I dodged, wouldn’t that make people suspicious?” Zi Di countered, “How do you want me to handle this so we can continue our plan? Please teach me.”


    Zhenjin, rendered speechless by the retort, burst out in irritation, “I don’t care about these! Do you know? When he hugged you, I could hardly control myself. Rage rushed to my head, and each time it made me want to kill him, kill everyone else!”


    “Lord Zhenjin!” Zi Di shook her head, looking exasperated, “I understand you, but please keep your jealousy in check, alright? He does not deserve your jealousy, sir. He is just a substitute, a pitiful tool kept in the dark. Everything he does paves the way for your future, sir.”


    After Zi Di’s persuasion and comfort, Zhenjin finally calmed down, “I behaved improperly. You are right, he’s just a tool. A very useful tool. Unfortunately… he probably won’t make it back this time.”


    Zi Di was taken aback, and then sadness and concern showed on her face.


    Zhenjin sharply caught this change in expression and suddenly felt uneasy.


    “Wait,” he said, staring intensely at Zi Di, “What are you thinking about? My fiancée, are you worrying about him? Worrying about a substitute, a pawn?”


    Zi Di immediately glared, her previous expression vanishing instantly, “Sir! What’s wrong with you? Is it wrong for me to worry about him? If he’s lost, our previous investments are wasted. The impact on our future would be huge! After all, he holds Silver Cultivation, while you, sir, are still at Black Iron.”


    A strong sense of embarrassment and irritation instantly surged in Zhenjin’s heart, causing him to glare at Zi Di.


    “I, I will eventually become a Silver Knight!”


    Zi Di realized she misspoke and quickly tried to make amends, “Sir, your talents are clear for all to see, and becoming a Golden Knight is certainly not your end. I’m sorry, I’m just very nervous. If the substitute is lost, how do we ensure our safety? How do we escape from here?”


    Zhenjin’s attention was drawn to their personal safety, and he no longer felt like arguing with Zi Di.


    “You’re right.” He sighed deeply, “The substitute died a bit too early.”


    “I think we should keep hope,” Zi Di insisted.


    “Hopefully… But hope seems very bleak,” Zhenjin replied listlessly.


    …


    But when the substitute, Zong Ge, and the others triumphantly returned, and also brought back the corpse of a Blue Dog Fox Wolf, Zhenjin was really shocked.


    “Unbelievable… They really succeeded.”


    “My lord!” The young girl Zi Di ran up to the substitute, her eyes reddened, seemingly wanting to throw herself into his arms, but she stopped because she was too shy and there were so many people around.


    Seeing this, Zhenjin’s heart which had been in suspense, finally relaxed.


    At the victory banquet, the substitute became the deserved protagonist.


    People’s admiring and respectful gazes tightly surrounded the substitute, discussing topics about the Divine Favored Knight.


    Zhenjin sat in a corner, feeling extremely disdainful.


    “Divine Favored Knight?”


    “Heh, if he’s a Divine Favored Knight, I could swallow Silver Lightning whole!”


    “Even Zong Ge was deceived! Hah, Half-Beast really didn’t have a brain.”


    “But… what kind of beastification could actually grow armor?”


    Watching the celebrated substitute, Zhenjin grew increasingly envious, wishing he could take his place.


    Then, Zhenjin heard a series of words from Cang Xu.


    “Lord Zhenjin himself is a very excellent Cultivator, his talents are extraordinary.”


    “He possesses a noble bloodline and is a Holy Temple Knight, who has dedicated his entire faith to the Holy Emperor.”


    “These already make him one in ten thousand, but what’s more valuable is that he always adheres to the Knight’s path: he upholds justice, helps the weak, takes care of the vulnerable, and never violates the principles of a Holy Temple Knight, even if it means sacrificing himself.”


    “He is brave and fair, willing to accept anyone and treats everyone as his companion, which shows his broad-mindedness, as well as his merciful and benevolent nature.”


    “Such a person, receiving the divine’s favor, isn’t that expected?”


    Zhenjin fell into silence.


    In his mind, a question suddenly surfaced that he found difficult to face—


    If it were him, could he do all that?


    Could he?


    “Hmph, this question is meaningless.”


    “He is a Beastification People, and he was a Silver Knight before transforming, his strength was much greater than mine.”


    “If I had Silver Cultivation, I could… probably do it too.”


    Zhenjin grew increasingly silent.


    The substitute’s voice then spread throughout the camp: “So, it’s not just my name we should cheer for, but also for Zong Ge, for Sanda, for Lan Zao, for our brave warriors!”


    As the substitute shared the credit and glory with Zong Ge, Sanda, and Lan Zao, letting everyone continually chant these three names, Zhenjin was dead silent, his face turning somewhat pale.


    …


    The wolf corpse brought back by the substitute was publicly dissected, Zi Di mentioned perfume and was very excited.


    The camp was burnt down, and the survivors started their journey with timber.


    Because of the title of Divine Favored Knight, Xi Suo voluntarily joined the substitute, and Zong Ge ceased the hostilities, making everyone get along harmoniously, no longer like the two previous camps.


    “He really did it. Now, he is the true leader of everyone!” Zhenjin inwardly exclaimed.


    The obstructing Blade Spider Group mysteriously disappeared.


    Zhenjin thought about the remaining Blue Dog Fox Wolf and was struck with fear: “Could it be that the Blue Dog Fox Wolf was actually secretly following us all along? The Blade Spider Group wouldn’t migrate randomly, and they certainly wouldn’t run away out of fear of us, this is their lair! But without any fighting or struggle, they just disappeared like that, they must have been taken away by the Blue Dog Fox Wolf. It led the Blade Spider Group away voluntarily, with the purpose of continuing to amass an army nearby, and after reaching a certain level, it will lead the army to attack us again!”


    A large number of Monkey-tailed Brown Bears also disappeared.


    Survivors’ faces couldn’t hide their worry and gravity.


    “The Monkey-tailed Brown Bears are gone, there are some signs of a fight near the cave, but not many.”


    “The Blue Dog Fox Wolf is still following us!”


    “The Demon Beast Army has grown larger, what should we do?”


    During the long journey, disease spread among the survivors.


    “These people who are sick, although the symptoms vary in severity, they are all very similar. Should we give up on these people?” Sanda asked the substitute.


    “Give up?” Zhenjin shook his head, “Without the shipwright, how can we build a ship?”


    The substitute insisted on seeing the sick.


    “What’s the point of this performance now? This guy, the substitute, is taking his role too seriously. A superior should maintain his own safety, that’s the best responsibility towards others!”


    Zhenjin scoffed at the substitute’s actions in secret, and also worried about them.


    Unfortunately, he couldn’t control the substitute’s actions.


    The disease subsided, and people began to praise the substitute’s right choice and wise leadership.


    Upon reaching the beach, Bai Ya found a small barrel of rum.


    Bonfire dinner on the beach.


    The survivors, ragged and bearded, looked like wild men.


    Bai Ya distributed the rum, his face serious. Fat Tongue bowed his head, slowly sipping the edge of his shell rim.


    Cang Xu wiped his glasses, which, after the journey through the jungle, had only one lens left, the other side just an empty frame.


    Mu Ban held an empty wine bottle, his fingers affectionately caressing the surface—this was the touch of human civilization.


    Zong Ge and Sanda quietly conversed with their heads down.


    Big guy squatted on the ground, quietly listening to the song of the shipwright.


    Lan Zao still stood loyally on the beach behind Zhenjin.


    The substitute gazed at the starlit night sky. He was looking towards the east where the Wilderness Continent and White Sand City lay, where his duties and future hope resided.


    Zhenjin looked at the rum in his shell and internally scoffed, “Hmph, rum. How could I, the great Zhenjin, stoop to this level?”


    The rare cheap rum didn’t bring Zhenjin joy, but a sense of shame.


    He disdainfully handed the wine to the person beside him, and gazed toward the west—toward the Holy Bright Continent, where home was.


    …


    The weather became freakishly erratic, the torrential rain unceasing.


    In the absence of the substitute, Zhenjin confronted Zi Di and demanded,” That night, someone saw you stealthily go alone to the substitute’s tent. What were you doing there?”


    Zi Di blinked in slight surprise, then promptly responded, “I was there to deliver potions, my lord, and I left quickly.”


    “Hmph, I certainly know you didn’t linger long. If it weren’t so, my attitude right now would be entirely different!” Zhenjin’s face darkened, “Why did you proactively go to his tent? He didn’t provoke you, yet you sought him out! Potions, what kind of potions?”


    “A sort of anti-cold potion. It’s made primarily with a poisonous mushroom. The potion is slightly toxic but can invigorate the spirit and is only usable by those whose life rank is not low,” Zi Di answered.


    “Why do you care about him so much? Anti-cold? Does he need warmth? Before the transformation, he was a Silver Knight, after transforming he became a Beastified Man, likely even stronger than Zong Ge!” Zhenjin’s gaze sharpened as if it could penetrate Zi Di’s very soul.


    Zi Di shook her head, her voice tinged with indignation, “Lord, we can no longer control him. We need to maintain close ties, to bind him with other methods. I’ve been executing the plan we already agreed upon.”


    Zhenjin’s gaze turned scrutinizing, “My fiancée, something seems off with you!”


    “So, I ask where am I wrong? Everything I did, I did for us!” Zi Di’s demeanor shifted slightly, retorting directly.


    Zhenjin shook his head, “Just know that I am Zhenjin, That one is nothing but an impostor. When he is no longer useful, he will meet his demise. This damned island is not the whole world. Remember who you are, Zi Di, you’re the chairman of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce and my fiancée!”


    Zi Di slightly widened her eyes, “I know! Lord Zhenjin, what are you doubting about me?”


    “Mind yourself,” Zhenjin said coldly, as he quietly retreated.


    …


    “Be it mountains, oceans, swamps, or islands, my Lord’s Holy Light shines upon all. The Empire’s flags will always flutter against the breeze, standing tall and unyielding!”


    “Nothing can obstruct my progress. I will achieve glory, and those who follow me will share in it.”


    “From this moment, I take charge here.”


    “Any objections?”


    The room fell deadly silent.


    The substitute nodded in satisfaction.


    He led the people and finally regrouped with the remaining survivors, promptly taking control of them.


    At this moment, the substitute exhibited a domineering and dignified air previously unseen.


    “Indeed, I… should be like this!” In the crowd, Zhenjin looked up at the substitute, filled with admiration, relief, joy, envy, excitement, and also a trace of fear and hesitation.


    …


    Having dealt with the threat of the Underground Sand Worms and dismantled half of Pig Kiss, the shipwright designed a new ship. People began building the ship and also clearing the nearby Magic Beast herd.


    Zhenjin, having prepared for a long time, finally seized the opportunity.


    He climbed a hillside and witnessed Zhenjin, after transforming, annihilating an entire group of Scale-Horned Black Panthers.


    “He’s so powerful! A monster, he’s literally a monster!!” Zhenjin trembled all over.


    Suddenly, the substitute turned his head, his gaze landing on him.


    “He’s spotted me! Damn, run!!” Zhenjin’s heart pounded as he turned and sprinted towards the valley!


    “Why?”


    “How did he find me?”


    “Did he sense my gaze?!”


    “Quick, faster. If he catches me, I’ll be silenced!”


    Overwhelmed by fear, Zhenjin exploded with unprecedented speed.


    Running non-stop, he quickly became breathless and drenched in sweat.


    Suddenly, the treetops behind him shook, and Zhenjin turned sharply to look.


    “Is there something there?”


    “Could it be the substitute?”


    “Is he really that fast?!”


    “Am I going to die? Am I going to die?”


    “No, don’t scare yourself like that. Keep running, just run!”


    Pausing for a few breaths where he stood, the recently shaking treetops did not make any further movement.


    Yet inside, Zhenjin was gripped by a tempest of thoughts.


    “Am I scaring myself?”


    “No! It could really be the substitute. He… is hesitating. Yes, he is hesitating!”


    “My memory has shaped him, he thinks he is a Holy Temple Knight, how could he strike at me, his fellow? But I also saw him in his beastified state.”


    “Not good, not good!”


    “Should I reveal my identity? No! That would just provoke him, encourage him to kill me.”


    “Run, pretend you haven’t figured it out, just keep running!”


    “Run fast!”


    Zhenjin breathed out a heavy sigh, feigning some relief, and continued running.


    Moments later, Zhenjin joined up with other patrol members.


    “Lord Hei Juan.” The members greeted Zhenjin.


    “Assuming the worst, the Substitute is right behind us.”


    “Given the Substitute’s combat ability, it’s more than enough for him to massacre the entire patrol in two to three minutes!”


    “I have to explain first to stabilize him.”


    Zhenjin’s thoughts flickered rapidly as he nodded, “I followed that strange noise for a long distance and found nothing. Let’s return to the camp.”


    “But it’s still early,” objected one member.


    Zhenjin was furious inside, “What do you mean early?! Do you not know that we might all be dead the next second?”


    Suppressing the intense emotions inside, Zhenjin smiled, “It’s about time. We are already far from the valley camp; if we hurry back now, we can still have a hot meal.”


    “Don’t worry, we have already surveyed this area. If a beast herd approaches, they will surely trigger a trap and alert us.”


    Seeing Zhenjin’s attitude, the others no longer persisted.


    “Fine then.”


    “Just listen to Hei Juan.”


    Some began to chuckle. “I always thought you were difficult to deal with, Lord Hei Juan. But after spending time with you, it turns out it was all just rumors.”


    “Enough chit-chat, let’s hurry up,” Zhenjin urged impatiently.


    Yet inside, he was bellowing, “Hurry up, you fools!!! If we don’t leave now, we’ll all die!”


    Finally, under extreme anxiety, Zhenjin and the others returned to the valley camp.


    A howl!


    Suddenly, the beastly roar of the Bat Monkey, Zhenjin, disturbed the nearby birds, causing them to fly into the sky.


    Zhenjin shivered all over, a strong intuition telling him, “It’s the substitute, it has to be! He must have been following us all along, hesitating whether to strike at me!”


    “Has he finally made up his mind?”


    “Is he going to kill me?”


    “No! It cannot end like this, how can I die here?” sea??h thё N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    “To be killed by my own substitute?! That’s just too sad, too ridiculous!”


    This commotion also caught the attention of the others.


    “What was that sound?”


    “Did you guys just hear something?”


    “It sounded like a bat monkey was howling.”


    They instinctively stopped and turned to look behind them.


    “Hurry up, you idiots!” Zhenjin roared inwardly. He dared not show any sign of alarm; success was close at hand. If he provoked the substitute into attacking, his death would be filled with rage and regret.


    “How could that be?” Zhenjin forced a smile and countered, “Bat monkeys move in groups; even those ostracized and wandering wouldn’t dare come close to our camp in the valley.”


    “Should we go check it out?” someone suggested.


    “If you want to die, I won’t stop you!!!” Zhenjin wished he could strangle the suggester on the spot.


    But he continuously suppressed his impulse with reason.


    Zhenjin shook his head, striving to maintain a calm expression. “No need. A single wandering bat monkey poses no threat. Did we really hear something just now? I didn’t hear anything. The wind is picking up, getting louder. The camp is right before us; are some of you just too nervous?”


    Everyone was aware of Hei Juan’s capabilities; since such an elite of the Black Iron Level had said so, they all became reassured.


    “It must have been just the wind.”


    “Alright, let’s return to the camp.”


    As he officially entered the camp, Zhenjin was inwardly in tears: “At last, I have returned! I really have saved my own life.”


    “No, it’s still not enough!”


    “I must completely clear myself of any suspicion. If I can’t dispel the substitute’s doubts, I might be assassinated here in the camp someday!”


    “I need to find Zi Di!”


    “Only she can help me now!”


    Zi Di stared at Zhenjin in disbelief, “Lord, how could you do this? This is too risky; there’s no need for this. What we need to do now is to escape from here with all our might.”


    “No, how can there be no need?” Zhenjin shook his head, “We need to investigate; we know too little about him. His authority is now untouchable, and if he really wanted to harm us, we wouldn’t stand a chance. He has hidden too deep, and he is too cunning. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never believe he has such strong combat power!”


    “This time, you have to help me.”


    “If he decides to assassinate me in the future, we are all done for. You and your Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce will be completely annihilated under my father’s wrath!”


    Zi Di shook her head with a bitter smile, “Lord Zhenjin, rest assured. According to your description, the substitute has been following us all along. But along the way, he has never made a move; you are safe!”


    “No,” Zhenjin immediately retorted, “What if he changes his mind in the future? I am still in great danger; we must find a way to dispel his suspicions about me as soon as possible.”


    “You do not understand him, Lord,” Zi Di sighed.


    Zhenjin glared at Zi Di intently, “I don’t understand him, you do? Why do you think he won’t kill me? Why? Is it because you have some close relationship with him that I don’t know about? Or do you think that even if he kills me, it doesn’t matter?”


    “Ha.”


    “Zi Di, I must tell you. If I die, many letters containing our secrets, about the truth of the substitute, will be found a few days later.”


    “How could I spy for information and not take any precautions?”


    Zi Di’s expression changed suddenly, “Lord, you are playing with fire! Where are the letters?”


    Zhenjin smiled, “The letters are specially made; they won’t be easily found by you.”


    Zi Di took a deep breath, “Lord Zhenjin, please calm down. I will definitely help you because we are always on the same side. Please don’t take any drastic actions; let’s calm down first, okay?”


    “If I keep being calm, I might end up being killed by the substitute and replaced by him!” Zhenjin roared.


    “How could that be?” Zi Di rolled her eyes in exasperation, “Even if he resembles you, even if his bloodline is the same as yours, he can’t replace you. The Empire has a strict vetting system; all the Dukes are divine, seeing through everything. There has never been a case where a high-ranking member of the Empire was replaced under a long-term disguise!”


    “But I am in danger now. What if he changes his mind and wants to kill me? Who could protect me?” Zhenjin continued to roar, the immense pressure of death making him hysterical.


    “Wait!”


    Zhenjin suddenly narrowed his eyes, “Your reaction is very strange, my fiancée!”


    “You don’t seem worried about my safety at all; I am your fiancé. The fact of our alliance has been announced. If I die, your Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce will surely be doomed!”


    “What did you just say? I don’t understand the substitute. You trust the substitute too much. Do you really think he is a Knight? A Divine Favored Knight?”


    “Wait!” Zhenjin’s gaze became incredibly sharp as he stared intently into Zi Di’s eyes, his voice strained as he asked, “You couldn’t have fallen in love with him, could you?”


    Zi Di rolled her eyes, visibly frustrated, “Lord, what exactly are you thinking? Me, fall in love with him? A substitute? A Beastification People?”


    “Ha ha ha.” Zhenjin sneered incessantly, his face full of skepticism.


    “Yes, it’s ridiculous, falling in love with a substitute, falling in love with a Beastification People… It’s really unwise, definitely not something a Chairman of a Guild should do.”


    “But love… that thing can truly be unpredictable.”


    “When love clouds the mind, even the most rational people in the world can become irredeemable fools!”


    “It’s dangerous, Zi Di; your current behavior makes me feel that you are in great danger.”


    “I hope you can see the reality clearly.”


    “Even if you have fallen in love with him, your relationship can only end in tragedy!”


    “Think about it—when he learns the whole truth, when he realizes he is not a Holy Temple Knight but just a humble substitute, when he discovers that the person he loved most, whom he thought was his fiancée, is actually the person who deceived him the most. What will he do? How will he see you?”


    Zi Di held her breath.