Behind Zong Ge, Tripleblade explained: âWhen the blue dog fox wolf at the gate organized a final charge, that gigantic worm also participated. However, it encountered Lord Zong Ge and was routed once more.
âIt was Lord Zong Ge who saw the sword stuck in its body, he risked falling into the hole to retrieve this rapier.â
Zhen Jin was relieved: âIt always returns, I was worried Zong Ge would have kept Silver Lightning.â
The body double nodded, he looked at Zong Ge: âIt must have been a marvelous fight. Many thanks! Its return is very timely, now we can pursue the retreating enemy.â
âWhat? Pursue the enemy?â Zhen Jin was secretly gob smacked.
But the body doubleâs following words were reasonable, if they let it slide, the future would be more dangerous. Instead, they would take advantage of the weakened magic beasts and pursue now.
The body double sought help, however when he looked around, the people either lowered their heads or turned their eyes, avoiding his gaze.
The body double was very determined: âFine, it's your choice, I will not force anyone. Even if it is just me, I will dispose of those blue dog fox wolves.â
âMy Lord!â Zi Di cried.
The others were also emotionally moved.
Zhen Jin scowled to himself: âYou are courting death, scoundrel, do you know how much it cost us to purchase you?!â
Lan Zao, Zong Ge, and Tripleblade came up and joined the body double in the attack.
âThis group of idiots, to pursue the magic beast corps through the forest, is following the path of doom!! This is simply insane; we just suffered a crushing defeat that ended with the entire camp burning!â Zhen Jin blew his top endlessly, but he couldnât stand up to refute this plan.
In fact, he also believed the body double must have his reasons.
âLet me at least heal your injuries.â Zi Di insisted, stopping the body double.
âI must make every second count.â The body double shook his head.
Zi Di fixed her eyes on the body double, and as if forgetting about everything nearby, tears flowed from her beautiful amethyst eyes.
âDuring the time I was gone, Zi Di must have been worried for me. Actually, I have enormous confidence, as long as someone attracts the firepower for me. But I cannot tell her these things, I can only allow her to be deeply worried about me.â
The body double also gazing at Zi Di, concealing the truth caused him to feel guilty. In addition, dense affection also rose in the body doubleâs heart.
The next moment, the body double slowly hugged Zi Di.
âIâŠâŠâ Seeing this scene, Zhen Jin immediately shot flames from his eyes.
Zhen Jinâs incessant fury thundered in his heart.
Zi Diâs body slightly trembled.
The body double put the tip of his nose on Zi Diâs ear and softly said: âI will return, I guarantee I will return.â
After saying this, the body double released Zi Di and walked away.
Zong Ge and the group followed close behind.
The others remained silent as they watched the four gradually disappear.
Zhen Jin panted for air; his head was dizzy.
âGo to hell, I never want to see you again!!â
âIt would be best if you died along with those blue dog fox wolves!â
âThat is a hero!â Someone sincerely sighed.
Those words touched the depths of Bai Yaâs heart, causing the youngster to roar: âMy Lord, wait for me!â
Bai Ya rushed out of the crowd; his face no longer had any hesitation.
At that moment, the adventurous spirit and honor filled his heart, making him lose reason.
âStop him quickly.â Zi Di immediately ordered.
âGive me a break smelly youngster.â Xi Suo tripped Bai Ya to the ground, âYou are throwing away your life.â
Bai Ya stood up, he still wanted to follow the body double: âI want to become a knight, how can a knight cower?â
âBravery is not stupidity, youngster.â Cang Xu sighed, then he persuaded, âPerhaps one day, you will become a knight. But you are still an ordinary person right now, and thatâŠâŠbelongs to a knightly romance.
Bai Ya still wanted to speak.
âShut up!â Zhen Jin knocked Bai Ya unconscious, he looked resentful.
âDo you also want to seek knightly glory? Snort!â Zhen Jin coldly harrumphed, his heart becoming increasingly resentful.
This resentfulness was complex.
He didnât sense it, but his resentfulness was a mix of admiration and envy he felt towards the body double.
âŠâŠ
While the body double Zong Ge, and the others were pursuing the blue dog fox wolf, Zhen Jin and Zi Di quarreled with each other again.
âI never want to see you throwing yourself into his arms again, do you understand me!â Zhen Jin strictly warned Zi Di.
Zi Di shook her head, gazing innocently and grieved at Zhen Jin: âMy Lord, please donât use that wording, I never threw myself at him!â
âI know, but you never rejected his advances!â Zhen Jin circled around, he appeared very violent.
âMy Lord, if I avoid him, wouldnât that cause too much suspicion?â Zi Di retorted, âHow do you want me to respond, how can we continue our plans? Please teach me.â
Zhen Jin was left speechless, then he flew into a rage out of humiliation: âThat is not my concern! Did you know? When he hugged out, I could hardly control myself. Fury charged into my head, at that moment, I wanted to kill him and everyone else!â
âLord Zhen Jin!â Zi Di shook her head, she appeared dumbfounded, âI understand you, but what caused the jealousy in your heart? He shouldnât make your Lordship jealous, he is only a body double, a pitiful tool we keep in the dark. Everything he does paves your Lordshipâs future.â
Zi Diâs advice and comfort finally calmed Zhen Jinâs breathing: âI forgot my manners. Your right, he is only a tool. A very good tool. UnfortunatelyâŠâŠ I donât think he is returning this time.â
Zi Di stared blankly, soon after she showed her sorrow and worry.
Zhen Jin keenly saw Zi Diâs changing expression, his heart suddenly welled with emotion.
Zi Di immediately glared, her prior expression disappeared: âMy Lord! What is going on? Is worrying about him wrong? If he loses our plans will sink. This will greatly affect our future! After all, he is a silver level cultivator, while you are still at the iron level.â
Intense resentfulness dashed into Zhen Jinâs head, making him glare at Zi Di.
âSoon, sooner or later I will be a silver level knight!â
Zi Di seemed to also realize her words were a mistake, promptly remedying: âMy Lord, with your aptitude, anyone with eyes can see that being a gold level knight isnât the end for you. Sorry, I was simply nervous. If the body double loses, how can we ensure our safety afterwards? How can we escape this place?â
Zhen Jinâs attention then engrossed itself in his own safety, he suddenly stopped looking at Zi Di so seriously.
âYour right.â He sighed deeply, âThe body double is dying too early.â
âI feel we should maintain hope.â Zi Di insisted.
âIf onlyâŠâŠhope is really uncertain.â Zhen Jin weakly answered.
âŠâŠ
But the body double, Zong Ge, and the others all returned victoriously, after producing the blue dog fox wolf, Zhen Jin was shocked.
âInconceivableâŠâŠ they really succeeded.â
âMy Lord!â The young lady Zi Di had run all the way over. After coming in front of the body double, her eyes blushed and she seemed to want to throw herself into his arms. However, the many people and her embarrassment stopped her.
Seeing this, Zhen Jinâs heart relaxed.
During the celebratory banquet, the body double was entirely worthy of having the leading role.
The people adored and looked at the body double with reverence, while talking about divine scion knights.
Zhen Jin sat in a corner; his heart filled with disdain.
âDivine scion knight?â
âHehe, if he is a divine scion knight, I can swallow Silver Lightning!â
âEven Zong Ge was deceived! Hmph, half beastmen really donât have brains.â
âAnywaysâŠâŠwhat kind of beastification can go so far as to sprout armor?â
Seeing the body double being praised, Zhen Jinâs heart grew more envious, he hated he couldnât replace the body double.
Then, Zhen Jin heard Cang Xu speak.
âLord Zhen Jin himself is an outstanding cultivator, his innate talent is outstanding.â
âHe has a noble bloodline, is a templar knight, and offers all of his conviction towards Emperor Sheng Ming.â
âThese already make him one in ten thousand, however what is more praiseworthy, is his scrupulous abiding of knightly morality. He uproots the strong, supports the weak, upholds virtue, condemns evil, attends to the small and weak, and even if he has to sacrifice his life, he shall never violate the templar knight doctrine.â
âHe is an fearless hero, is impartial, is willing to accept any person, and views everyone as his comrade. From these traits, one can make out his expansive vision as well as his merciful and benevolent nature.â
âDonât tell me such a person shouldnât receive godly concern?â
Zhen Jin sank into silence.
In his mind, a difficult question suddenly appearedââ
âIf that were him, could he accomplish everything done?
Could he?
âHmph, this is a meaningless question.â
âHe is a beastified person, and a silver level knight before his transformation, his strength is greater than mine.â
âIf I had silver level cultivation, I couldâŠâŠshould be able to.â
Zhen Jin grew increasingly silent.
The body doubleâs voice spread throughout the camp: âAs a result, we should not be cheering for just my name, we should also cheer for Zong Ge, Tripleblade, and Lan Zao, cheer for our warriors!â
When the body double divided the credit and glory between Zong Ge, Tripleblade, and Lan Zao, he had everyone cheer their full names, yet Zhen Jin was as silent as death, and is complexion also became somewhat pale.
âŠâŠ
As the wolf corpse was being dissected, Zi Di excitedly talked about perfume.
The camp burned down, thus the survivors set out with the wood.
Because of the divine scion knight title, Xi Suo took the initiative to rely on the body double, while Zong Ge also gave in, the joint experience of fighting together made both groups more harmonious, they were no longer separate factions.
âWhat a body double. Now, he genuinely is the leader of everyone!â Zhen Jinâs heart lamented incessantly.
A spider group originally blocking them suddenly disappeared mysteriously.
Zhen Jin connected this to the surviving blue dog fox wolf, and fear grew in his heart: âHas that blue dog fox wolf been secretly following us? The spider group was unlikely to voluntarily migrate or flee because they fear us, this is their nest! But without any fighting or killing, they vanished, it must be that blue dog fox wolf. It actively led the blade spider group away, its goal is to continue accumulating its corps and after attaining a certain level, it will attack us with its corps again!â
Almost all of the monkey tail brown bears also disappeared.
The survivors couldnât hide their concern and worry.
âAll of the monkey tail brown bears are missing, there are some traces of battle in the nearby caves, but not many.â
âThat blue dog fox wolf is still following us!â
âThe magic beast corps expanded again, what should we do?â
During the long and difficult trek, disease spread through the survivors.
âAlthough the severity of the symptoms among the sick are varied, they are all similar. Should we abandon these people?â Tripleblade asked the body double.
âAbandon?â Zhen Jin shook his head, âWithout the boat craftsman, how can we build a ship?â
The body double insisted on looking after the ill.
âHow should I act in the current situation? That body double is too deep in his role, higher ups should maintain their safety, it would be better to put others in charge of this!â
Zhen Jin secretly scoffed at the body doubleâs behavior while also being worried.
But unfortunately, he couldnât control the body doubleâs actions.
The disease waned, and the people began to promote the body doubleâs correct decision and brilliant leadership.
Reaching the shore, Bai Ya found a barrel of rum.
During the beach bonfire banquet.
The survivorsâ clothes and facial hair were ragged and unkempt, making them look like savages.
Bai Ya divided up the wine earnestly. Fei She lowered his head and lapped wine out of a shell.
Cang Xu cleaned his eyes, after passing through the jungle, his spectacles only had one lens left, the other side of the frame was empty.
Mu Ban held an empty rum bottle, his finger caressing the surfaceââthis was the feeling of human civilization.
Zong Ge and Tripleblade were discussing in low voices.
The giant was sitting on the ground and was respectfully listening to the boat craftsmanâs song.
Lan Zao was still loyally standing on the beach behind the body double.
The body double gazed at the night sky; the sky was full of stars tonight. He looked towards the east, the Wilderness Continent, White Sands City, his duty, and his future hopes lay there.
Zhen Jin looked at the wine in his shell and sneered in his heart: âHmph, rum. I am the grand Zhen Jin; how could I degrade to this degree?â
Rarely seen cheap rum did not give Zhen Jin joy, but shame.
He shunned the rum and gave it to someone else, then he gazed to the west, where the Sheng Ming Continent and his home was.
The weather became strange and fickle, rainstorms poured down incessantly.
When the body double wasnât present, Zhen Jin found Zi Di and questioned her: âThe other night, someone saw you sneaking into the body doubleâs tent. What were you doing there?â
Zi Di slightly stared, soon replying after: âI gave him some medicine your Lordship, then quickly left afterwards.â
âHmph, of course I know you didnât stay long, if not, my present attitude would be different!â Zhen Jin was gloomy, âWhy did you take the initiative to go to his tent? He didnât tease you, but you actively teased him! Medicine, what medicine?â
âA warming potion. It is made from a poisonous mushroom. The potion is slightly toxic, but it can stir the mind, however those with low life levels canât use it.â Zi Di answered.
âWhy do you care so much about him? Warmth? He needs to warm himself? Before his transformation he was a silver level knight, afterwards he is a beastified person that is stronger than Zong Ge!â Zhen Jinâs gaze became sharp, as if he were piercing the depths of Zi Diâs heart.
Zi Di shook her head and replied with grief: âMy Lord, we cannot control him, thus we need to get closer and use other methods to restrain him. I have always carried out the plan we agreed on.â
âThen may I ask, whatâs fishy about me? Everything Iâve done is for our sake!â Zi Diâs expression slightly changed as she immediately retorted.
Zi Di glared: âI know! Lord Zhen Jin, what are you suspecting?â
âYou better behave.â Zhen Jin coldly snorted before quietly leaving.
âŠâŠ
âRegardless of whether it is the mountains, ocean, swamps, or island, my masterâs holy light shines over it all. The imperial flag flies eternally in the wind and will never fall!â
âNothing can obstruct my path. I will gain glory, and by following me, it will be your glory too.â
âBeginning now, this place is under my command.â
âAny objections?â
Not a single voice could be heard.
The body double gave a satisfied nod.
He led everyone now, after finally converging with the other survivors, he successfully controlled these people.
At that moment, the body double displayed boldness and a majestic presence he had never shown in the past.
âNot bad, IâŠâŠshould be like that!â In the crowd, Zhen Jin looked up at the body double, feeling expectations, gratification, happiness, envy, and excitement, while at the same time, feeling a trace of fear and hesitation.
âŠâŠ
After dispatching of the subterranean sandworm, disassembling half of the Hogâs Kiss, and the boat craftsman finished his new ship design, the people began to build a ship while purging nearby beast groups.
After preparing for a long time, Zhen Jin finally had an opportunity.
He climbed over a hillside and witnessed the body double transforming and slaughtering a scaled leopard group.
âHe is this powerful! Monster, simply a monster!!â Zhen Jin shuddered.
Suddenly, the body double turned around and looked at him.
âHe found me! Dammit, run for it!!â Zhen Jinâs heart madly jumped as he turned around and sprinted to the ravine!
âWhy?â
âHow did he find me?â
âDid he react to my gaze?!â
âFaster, must go faster. If he captures me, I will be silenced through death!â
The extreme fear stimulated Zhen Jin, allowing him to break out with unprecedented speed.
The constant sprinting made him gasp for breath and drip with sweat.
A tree suddenly shook behind him, when Zhen Jin heard movement, he suddenly turned around to look.
âWhat is that thing?â
âIs it the body double?â
âHow is he so fast?!â
âAm I going to die? Am I going to die?â
âNo, donât scare yourself. Run for it, run for it!â
After stopping for a few breaths, the vibrating tree no longer moved.
Nevertheless, Zhen Jinâs heart was in turmoil.
âAm I scaring myself?â
âNo! It was probably the body double. HeâŠâŠhesitated. Yes, he hesitated!â
âMy memories molded him, he believes he is a templar knight, why would he attack a comrade like me? But I saw him beastify.â
âNot good, not good!â
âShould I reveal my identity? No! Doing this will provoke him and encourage my death.â
âRun, pretend you didnât see anything, run away!â
âSprint!â
Zhen Jin spat, and pretended to be somewhat relieved, then he continued to run.
Shortly after, Zhen Jin converged with the others in the patrol.
âLord Hei Juan.â The team members greeted Zhen Jin.
âAccording to my worst calculations, the body double is right behind me.â
âBased on the body doubleâs combat strength, two to three minutes is enough to slaughter the entire patrol!â
âI need to explain first to stabilize him.â
Zhen Jinâs emotional state was anxious as he nodded: âI followed a peculiar sound, after exploring for a long distance, I didn't find anything. Letâs go, we will return to camp now.â
âBut it is still early.â Someone objected.
Zhen Jinâs heart flew into a rage: âWhat is earliness?! Do you not know that at any second, all of us might die!â
Controlling his heartâs intense mood, Zhen Jin smiled: âThere isnât enough time, we are already far from camp, if we return now, we will arrive just in time to eat some warm food.â
âDonât be worried, we have already explored this place, if another beast group comes, the traps will surely warn us.â
Seeing Zhen Jinâs attitude, the others also stopped insisting.
âThatâs good.â
âLetâs listen to Lord Hei Juan.â
An additional person laughed: âI always thought you were hard to interact with Lord Hei Juan, looks like the truth was completely different from the rumors.â
âGood, donât listen to rubbish, let's leave without delay.â Zhen Jin couldnât help but urge.
But his heart roared: âRun you idiots!!! If we donât weâll die!â
Finally, under an extremely apprehensive mood, Zhen Jin and the others returned to the ravine camp.
Awoo!
Suddenly, the body doubleâs bat monkey beast howl alarmed the nearby birds, causing them to flee into the air.
Zhen Jinâs entire body quivered, his intuition strongly told him: âIt's him, the body double! Perhaps he really followed us and is hesitating whether to attack me!â
âWhat did he resolve to do in the end?â
âDoes he want to kill me?â
âNo! That canât happen, how can I die here?â
âMy own body double kills me?! That is too lamentable, too comical!â
The others also took note of the activity.
âWhat is that sound?â
âDid you guys just hear something?â
âIt sounded like a bat monkey howling.â
They subconsciously stopped and turned to look behind them.
âRun now you hoodlums!â Zhen Jin roared in his heart, he didnât dare to show anything abnormal and succeeded to this point. If by any chance he stimulated the body doubleâs killing intent and died, he would be indignant and unresigned.
âHow is that possible? Zhen Jin smiled and retorted, âBat monkeys live in large groups, even if an expelled bat monkey group drifted here, they would not venture near the ravine.â
âShould we go investigate?â Someone suggested.
âIf you want to die, Iâm not stopping you!!!â Zhen Jin wanted to throttle the guy who suggested that.
But his rationality stopped his urges.
Zhen Jin shook his head; he did his utmost to maintain a tranquil look: âUnnecessary. A single wandering bat monkey is not a threat, wait did something just happen? Why didnât I hear it? The wind, the wind is getting louder. The camp is in front of us, arenât some of you too nervous?â
Everyone knew Zhen Jinâs strength, since a bronze level elite said this, everyone felt relieved.
âIt was just the wind, thatâs all.â
âGood, letâs return to camp.â
As he formally returned to camp, Zhen Jinâs heart was streaming with tears: âI am finally back! I really escaped with my life.â
âNo, that wonât do!â
âI have to completely eliminate his suspicions, if the body doubleâs suspicions arenât dispelled, I canât say for sure if one day, Iâll be assassinated in camp!â
âFind Zi Di!â
âOnly she can help me now!!â
After Zi Di learned of the situation, she stared at Zhen Jin with disbelief: âMy Lord, how could you do this?! That was too risky and fundamentally unnecessary. We need to use our full strength to escape this.
âWrong, why was it unnecessary?â Zhen Jin shook his head, âWe needed to investigate, our understanding of him is too small. We cannot offend his current authority, it is too disadvantageous for us, we have no way to retaliate!â
âThis time, you must help me.â
âIf he assassinates me in the future, weâll be done for. In my fatherâs anger, heâll completely destroy your Wisteria Merchant Alliance.
Zi Di bitterly laughed and shook her head: âLord Zhen Jin, be at ease. According to your account, the body double had been following you. But during the journey, he never killed you, you are safe!â
âNo.â Zhen Jin refuted at once, âWhat happens if he changes his mind in the future? Iâm still in danger, you must quickly think of a method that will dispel his doubts about me.â
âYou donât understand him, your Lordship.â Zi Di sighed.
Zhen Jin tenaciously gazed at Zi Di: âI donât understand him, do you understand him?! Why do you think he isnât going to murder me, what is the reason? Is it because you have a close relationship with him I donât know about? Or do you believe, even if he killed me, it makes no difference?â
âHehe.â
âZi Di, I must tell you. If I die, in several days, there will be many letters with our secrets concerning the body double inside.â
âIâve probed into information; how can I not create some countermeasure?â
Zi Di suddenly changed: âMy Lord, you're playing with fire! Where are the letters?â
Zhen Jin laughed: âThe letters are special; youâll never find them.â
Zi Di deeply breathed: âLord Zhen Jin, please calm down, I will help you, because we are always on the same side. Donât act so drastically, please calm down first?â
âIf I continue to calm down, the body double might kill and replace me!â Zhen Jin roared.
âHow is that possible?â Zi Di rolled her eyes and was dumbfounded, âEven if he resembles you and has the same bloodline, he cannot replace you. The empire has a strict examination system, every grand duke is a god that can see everything clearly, and there has never been a case where an imperial higher up has been replaced over a long time!â
âBut I am in danger now, if he changes his decision and kills me, who will protect me?!â Zhen Jin continued to roar; the pressure of death made him hysterical.
âWhat did you just say? I donât understand the body double. You trust the body double too much; do you really think he is a knight? A divine scion knight?â
âHold on!â Zhen Jinâs gaze became incomparably sharp, he firmly stared at Zi Diâs eyes and roughly asked, âHave you fallen in love with him?!â
Zi Di rolled her eyes and clearly blew her top: âMy Lord, what is your mind thinking? I fell in love with him? A body double? A beastified person?â
âAhahaha. Zhen Jin sneered endlessly; doubt spread across his face.
âYes it's ridiculous, to love a body double, a beastified personâŠâŠthat isnât sensible, and isnât something a Merchant Alliance President should be doing.â
âBut romanceâŠâŠis really unpredictable.â
âWhen love dashes into a muddled brain, even the most rational person in the world becomes an incurable idiot!â
âYouâre very dangerous Zi Di, your current performance makes me feel you are very dangerous.â
âI hope you can recognize reality.â
âEven if youâve fallen in love with him, it will only be a tragedy!â