One hour later...

An invisible barrier encircled Nightspire Keep. The battle had ended. Bare-chested men now formed a tight ring around He Yucheng and Lengjiang. Lengjiang had buried her face against He Yucheng’s chest. Dark lines crisscrossed his forehead. He didn’t know what to do.

*Who could handle being stared at like prey by a pack of wolves?*

*Did I just walk into a den of wolves?*

A bald man suddenly squeezed through the crowd. His face was twisted into a lecherous grin. He Yucheng felt his skin crawl.

“Oh ho? A tasty little loli—strawberry-flavored, eh? Heh heh heh…” The man leered at Lengjiang hiding against He Yucheng, his smile dripping with sleaze.

He Yucheng stepped back, pulling Lengjiang close. An awkward smile strained his face as he glared at the man, ready to shield her if he lunged.

“Sorry. My wife isn’t for sharing.” His tone carried a warning edge. He might not beat this entire guild alone, but he’d stand his ground for Lengjiang.

“Ahaha, no worries! Just wanted to see the legendary ‘Face-Scuplt Champion’ goddess Lengjiang. Can’t see her face, but this…” His filthy gaze raked over Lengjiang’s body. He Yucheng’s eye twitched. “Perverted lolicon!” he snapped.

“Hey, don’t say that! What’s wrong with men liking pretty girls? That pure, unripe beauty of lolis—what’s not to love? Lolis are supreme!” The man’s stare made Lengjiang shiver, a chill creeping up her spine.

“…” More dark lines etched He Yucheng’s forehead. *This lolicon is beyond saving.*

“In our Gentleman’s Guild, every brother’s got depth. Real talents. We’ve got thoughts upon thoughts about… well, you know…” The man beamed. He Yucheng cut him off, hand raised: “So you mean mentally unhinged? Got it.”

“Ah! You *get* me, He Yucheng! Pleasure! Brother, I see extraordinary bones in you—a born genius! I’ve got some doujin here. Join our guild! Sign a contract with me to become a Memetic Mage! Together, we’ll save the world!”

“No thanks. Next.” More dark lines spread across He Yucheng’s brow.

“Huh? Not interested? Tired then? Try a bucket of Master Kong braised beef noodles! Clears lung heat, stops coughs, fights flu! No gifts this holiday—forget 998, just 98! Revives your energy anytime, anywhere. Pulse back!”

“Enough…” He Yucheng nearly wept. Lengjiang trembled beside him. *What freaks run this Gentleman’s Guild?*

The man finally dropped his leer, turning earnest. “Seriously though—I speak for all Gentleman’s Guild brothers when I thank you. How many doujin do you want? I’ve got endless resources.”

“I’m not here for doujin…” He Yucheng’s face muscles spasmed. He wanted none of that filth.

“|*´Å`)ﾉ Husband-daddy… what’s a ‘doujin’?” Lengjiang tugged his sleeve, peeking up timidly.

He Yucheng gently covered her eyes with his palm. “Sweetheart, some things kids shouldn’t know yet.”

“╮(╯﹏╰）╭ Mmmph…” Lengjiang worried her knowledge gaps made her an illiterate.

Taking his words as truth, she buried her face again.

*Not for kids…*

*Even if she was legally an adult.*

“By the way—what’s that?” He Yucheng had only followed Shallow Peace’s orders. He didn’t know the real objective. He nodded toward the beam of light piercing the sky from Nightspire’s peak. “What’s happening there?”

“You don’t know?” The man blinked. He Yucheng gestured at the circle of bare-chested giants. “Could they… stop surrounding us? It’s creepy.”

The man roared with laughter, waving his hand. The crowd dispersed—but their eyes stayed glued to He Yucheng and Lengjiang.

He Yucheng pressed on: “If I had to guess… treasure?”

“Exactly! Hahaha! No good loot escapes you!” The man slapped He Yucheng’s shoulder. He Yucheng and Lengjiang inched backward.

*Better keep distance from this guy…*

“What kind of loot?” He Yucheng sought house blueprints above all.

“A few rare materials. Take one as thanks. Fair?” Rare materials were scarce, and guild members needed their share.

He Yucheng smiled. “Can I grab some common materials too?”

The man’s grin turned sour. He leaned in, whispering: “Only with a… *special arrangement*?”

“…” He Yucheng’s cheek twitched. He backed away with Lengjiang, forcing a smile. “Pass… Wait, can others do it?”

The man’s eyes lingered on Lengjiang.

*He Yucheng’s nothing special. What a waste of a gem like Lengjiang…* His gaze at He Yucheng turned calculating.

“Possible,” he said coldly. He Yucheng stroked Lengjiang’s head. She nuzzled against him, drowsy.

He Yucheng opened his friends list. Nai Xiaodu was online. With the Licheng Blockade resolved—and He Yucheng soon to fight under the Sentinel Tomb banner in the Sovereignty War—he couldn’t leave empty-handed.

*Sacrificing a guild deputy? Not my loss. Not Lengjiang’s either. Worth it.*

**Whisper Channel:**

**He Yucheng:** Guild Leader, need a favor?

**Nai Xiaodu:** Eh? Finally ready to share my—

**He Yucheng:** No. I need… someone disposable. For errands.

**Nai Xiaodu:** ?

**He Yucheng:** Literally. Someone idle enough to boss around.

**Nai Xiaodu:** Got it. Location?

**He Yucheng:** Nightspire Keep.

**Nai Xiaodu:** Fine…

That trailing ellipsis felt ominous. He Yucheng wondered why no major guilds came for this rare-material cache—not even a third guild. Not even Licheng or Luomo. *No interest?*

He turned to the man. “Anyone?”

“Mm.” The man waited, eyebrows raised, expecting Lengjiang to be offered.

…

Minutes later, a figure appeared outside the barrier. After being blocked awhile, he stared helplessly inward.

“Uh… let him in. That’s him.” He Yucheng pitied the man.

“Hmph.” The man adjusted permissions. The newcomer entered.

Everyone checked his ID: **Tear-Stained Burial of Xiangsi**—Sentinel Tomb’s deputy guild leader.

He Yucheng recalled this man constantly chasing Nai Xiaodu, always rejected.

“What?” Xiangsi snapped, striding to He Yucheng. Cold to all but Nai Xiaodu, his calm face hid what was coming. He Yucheng almost felt sorry for him.

*Trading a major guild’s deputy? Risky. He’ll want me dead. But Nai Xiaodu’s the boss—I’ll report back later…*

He Yucheng pointed at Xiangsi. The man stared blankly.

“The *special arrangement*. Your ‘other option’…” He Yucheng fought a grin.

The man and Xiangsi locked eyes. The man scanned Xiangsi up and down, then Lengjiang, then back to Xiangsi.

“…”

“…”

“You said *anyone* could work for the arrangement,” He Yucheng pressed. “I brought him. Problem?”

The man studied Xiangsi thoughtfully. Xiangsi finally noticed the sea of half-naked men radiating “pure alpha energy”—except for He Yucheng and Lengjiang’s normal gear.

“Wait, He Yucheng—what are you doing?!” Xiangsi’s voice cracked. He Yucheng waved him off, smiling faintly, and retreated with Lengjiang.

“Ugh. Still fresh meat. Go on. Don’t take too much,” the man sighed, waving dismissively. He Yucheng grabbed Lengjiang’s hand and dashed into Nightspire Keep.

Soon, screams echoed from below:

“F*CK! HE YUCHENG, YOU BASTARD! AHH! GET AWAY, YOU FREAKS! HELP!”

“…” Atop the keep, beside a massive treasure chest, He Yucheng doubled over laughing. Lengjiang tried to peek over the edge. He Yucheng blocked her view.

Churan stared at the chest’s purple materials. He messaged Shallow Peace:

**Churan:** An-jie, at the chest. Can only take one rare item. Which?

**Shallow Peace:** Whatever.

**Churan:** But the house blueprints…?

**Shallow Peace:** I owe a friend a house. Blueprints are mine. Take any materials. Buy the rest.

**Churan:** …

*So the trial was pointless? Why fight for materials if we can buy them?*

*Xiangsi got wrecked.*

*And An-jie never said the house wasn’t for us. I misunderstood all this time.*

*Whatever.*

**Churan:** An-jie, what’s the next trial?