Could she propose conditions?
The gentle and pleading (温婉哀求 - describing a soft, entreating manner) words made Du Cheng's (杜承 - protagonist's name) heart tremble (心头一荡), almost making him blurt out, "Any" conditions?
But as the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back. Damn it, how could he have such a thought? This was a premonition of making a mistake, absolutely unforgivable!
However, facing Helen's (海伦 - the young lady's name, introduced in Ch 47) peerless beauty, capable of "a glance that could overthrow a kingdom" (回眸一笑倾人国 - an idiom describing devastating beauty), any man without such thoughts was fundamentally not normal!
"Haha!" Du Cheng laughed twice, while his mind quickly calculated. This girl had misunderstood his strength, which was why she was asking him to do something. It was easy to guess that the matter Helen sought was extremely difficult, at least something her friend, who could command ten thousand pythons to besiege a city, couldn't do!
Given its difficulty, it would naturally also be very hard for Du Cheng to accomplish.
Thinking this, Du Cheng adopted the tone of a 'master' and said coldly, "Propose conditions? Hmph, it seems you have nothing that can impress me. Sacred artifacts (圣器 - powerful magical items, introduced in Ch 42/43)? I can seize them and force them to recognize me as master. Treasures? I have many. Power? Establishing a vast territory, founding a country and establishing a sect (开国立宗 - implying immense power to conquer lands and create a powerful organization) would be no difficulty for me!"
Helen was stunned. Yes, indeed. Earlier, upon witnessing his strength, she had been too eager to plead for his help and hadn't thought things through. With this person's strength, what could he not obtain?
"Hurry and go! Zig (齐格 - a character's name, introduced in Ch 43) is coming! Although I am not afraid of him, I also don't want to kill the Headmaster of the God of Combat Academy (斗神学院 - introduced in Ch 44)!"
Du Cheng waved his hand, looking impatient.
No, she absolutely could not leave! A powerhouse capable of easily forcing a Level 9 Sacred Artifact (九级圣器 - implying a high rank of artifact, introduced in Ch 47) to recognize him as master was a rare opportunity (可遇不可求) that couldn't be missed. He was her only hope!
Helen knelt down, her expression resolute and determined. "Your Eminence (冕下 - a title used for high-ranking individuals, used here for Du Cheng due to his perceived power), there is one thing that, no matter how powerful you become, you cannot obtain. This thing, only I can give you!"
Du Cheng's heart trembled. Helen's pair of sky-blue eyes gazed at him calmly, with a hint of desperation in her look. Her stunningly beautiful face showed nothing but determination. It seemed she had made a great resolve and was willing to pay any price to implore him.
"No, please don't say it. You should leave!" Du Cheng vaguely understood Helen's bargaining chip.
Oh gods, please, please don't be that! His willpower wasn't very strong!
But Helen still said calmly, "You, you lack the most beautiful maidservant on the Three Continents (三大陆 - the setting's geographical area)."
Damn it, why did you have to say it?! Du Cheng's heart hammered (噗噗直跳 - onomatopoeia for a rapid heartbeat) at her words.
The words "maidservant" coming from Helen's mouth, coupled with her ethereal beauty, could truly break any man's will!
Circulating his lotus inner energy (莲花内劲 - internal energy from his cultivation, introduced in Ch 44) to suppress the frenzy in his heart, Du Cheng sneered, "Unfortunately, I'm not interested in you!" He leaned closer, staring into Helen's eyes, and said in a deep voice, "I admit, you are very beautiful, but beauty doesn't equal everything! Miss, please have some self-respect! A woman who would even sell her own body to achieve her goals will not earn the respect of others!"
Du Cheng suddenly felt empty inside. Before this, his impression of Helen could be described as perfect. Although this perfection only came from Helen's appearance, when Helen put her body on the negotiation table, that perfection completely shattered. It was like a flawless work of art being smashed into pieces.
"I don't want to hear anything more from you. Leave immediately! You know how to get away from Zig, right?" Glancing at the hole above his head, Du Cheng used his powerful body after bone transformation (脱胎换骨 - a physical transformation from cultivation, introduced in Ch 43) to leap vigorously, jumping out of the dungeon.
Helen was stunned for a moment, then suddenly sneered, "I don't deserve your respect?" She looked in the direction Du Cheng had left, saying resentfully, "You can jump out of the dungeon using only the strength of your body, without relying on Dou Qi (斗气 - spiritual energy, introduced in Ch 45). You are very powerful! But is that reason enough to insult me?! Esteemed Your Eminence, you are too powerful. Therefore, you must never have experienced the taste of having your mother die for you and your father about to be sent to the guillotine because of you!"
She touched her left shoulder and also leaped out of the hole.
...
Antwerp Port.
Looking down from the sky, countless giant pythons (巨型蟒蛇 - introduced in Ch 43) layered around the port city, besieging it. On the city walls, soldiers stood ready for battle (临阵以待), their swords and spears shining brightly (刀枪锃亮). But their faces clearly showed fear. As the northern starting point of the Golden Shipping Route and a major commercial hub, Antwerp Port had not experienced war for many years. These soldiers from the southern army of the Empire had never seen such a tense scene.
Meanwhile, near the harbor, the City Lord's personal guards (家将 - introduced in Ch 45) responsible for defending against sea attacks from the pythons were proud and fearless (傲然无惧). Norton, who was commanding at the forefront, wore a fierce expression (一脸狰狞). Waving his greatsword, he shouted sternly, "You rascals (兔崽子们)! Those brats (臭小子) on the city wall haven't seen the world (没见过世面) and are only good for scaring people! But you, you came out of the Siglu Legion (西格鲁军团 - a military unit)! All of you, perk up! Can these pythons compare to the Behemoth Battle Array (比蒙战阵 - a specific military formation) of the Mccallan Empire (麦卡伦帝国 - a place name, introduced in Ch 43)?!"
"No!"
"Haha, good! You're willing to risk your lives, and this old man is willing to spill some blood! Listen up, kill one snake, get one gold coin reward! Also, what I just said about those southern soldiers, you damn well keep it a secret from me!"
The soldiers laughed heartily. Norton was very satisfied with the soldiers' morale, but inadvertently, he looked up at the sky with worry.
In the sky, a hint of tragedy appeared on Zig's aged face. Just now, he had sensed that his sacred artifact had been forcibly recognized as someone else's master. Blessings of the God of Combat, someone forced a Level 9 Sacred Artifact to recognize them as master! Alas, a supremely powerful God of Combat must have rescued the demoness.
He wanted to rush back to check, but the situation didn't allow it. He didn't even have time to spare a glance at the City Lord's Mansion because, facing him, a golden giant python was flying!
The giant python spoke in human tongue, "Your Eminence Zig, I'll say it one last time: Hand over the young lady, and I will withdraw the troops immediately!"
Zig glared coldly at the giant python. Ordinarily, he could defeat giant pythons even without his sacred artifact. But now he was severely injured, and moreover, the most worrying thing was, who could be powerful enough to rescue the demoness?!
As the man and the snake were in a stalemate, suddenly, dozens of li away from Antwerp Port, on the surface of the sea, a beam of purplish light bloomed.
"The young lady has escaped the predicament!?" The giant python was overjoyed.
"Alas, the demoness did escape!" Zig stamped his foot and beat his chest.
The golden giant python shouted a few phrases in snake language to the pythons surrounding the city, then spoke in the Common Language of the Ainis Continent (爱因斯大陆通用语 - the primary language spoken in this world), "Zig, the young lady is out of danger. I will not keep you company any longer. However, I advise you not to pursue, because my brothers and sisters will continue to surround Antwerp Port for a while! Once you pursue us, my kin will mercilessly bathe the port in blood! Just imagine what that scene would be like! Haha!"
The giant python flew away.
Zig stared coldly in the direction the giant python flew, "Hmph, you will come back for me sooner or later. That demoness's father is still imprisoned in the God of Combat Academy!"
Meanwhile, Du Cheng had already jogged back to the underground secret chamber and was sharing dried beef with Aliza (阿里扎 - a character's name, introduced in Ch 45) while chatting and goofing around (聊天打屁 - implying casual, relaxed chat).
Half a day later, the python horde slowly withdrew. Antwerp Port restored its bustling appearance.
A bloody disaster, because Du Cheng saved Helen, vanished like smoke. Stopping conflict is the greatest good, immeasurable! The lotus on Du Cheng's butt (屁股上的莲花 - a unique element of his cultivation, introduced in Ch 43) began to stir (蠢蠢欲动 - ready to move, introduced in Ch 43/44) after the python horde left completely.
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