Chapter 8: The Unforeseen Knight and a Capitalist’s Trap

Tsk, I was careless and failed to react.

Despite having gone seven days without sleep, and my mind still preoccupied, I was astonished that I hadn’t sensed anyone approaching.

In the past, I would have been cut down by now.

No, that’s impossible. Even if I hadn’t been paying attention, my Sword Intent would have automatically activated its defenses.

The newcomer was formidable indeed!

In an instant, a vast, oppressive killing intent, potent enough to pollute the very air, radiated outwards from Zhang Liang.

His right palm clenched in the water, and the formless liquid solidified into a sharp sword.

“Oh! Darling, why are you being so mean? You’re so naughty, and I just love it.”

An enchanting woman, clad in a figure-hugging gown, draped herself around a corpulent man’s arm, pressing her prominent chest against him with deliberate rubs, which left Zhang Liang utterly g-gawking.

‘Holy crap! Is this what it means to be truly elite!?’

‘Where did I go wrong!?’

Upon seeing the greasy, obese man, Zhang Liang immediately understood why he hadn’t detected him; the man was simply too weak, utterly useless in a fight.

He would likely be exhausted and dead within half an hour, while Zhang Liang would probably remain unscathed.

Judging the man to be no threat, Zhang Liang swiftly retracted his killing intent, knowing that attracting troublesome individuals would undoubtedly lead to a severe reprimand.

This was the Royal Capital, the domain of the Ten Prodigies, and extreme caution was paramount.

Those with keen senses trembled slightly at the momentary surge of killing intent, their faces etched with confusion.

The less perceptive, however, remained utterly oblivious to it—precisely like the greasy, obese man currently before them.

He still maintained an air of smug self-importance.

The enchanting woman’s coquettish voice, laden with playful taunts, instantly invigorated the greasy, obese man.

Eager to display his valor before the woman, he flashed an arrogant smile and lifted his right foot.

Just as Zhang Liang was climbing out of the fountain, the man aimed a kick downwards.

In a blink, a white figure streaked forth like a comet.

A flash of sword light, and the man’s foot was blocked by the blade.

He widened his eyes, startled by the sudden appearance of the woman.

“Hey! Is that how you treat people!?”

The woman’s sudden appearance left Zhang Liang utterly dumbfounded as well.

She wore a form-fitting white knight’s uniform, her wheat-blonde curly hair tied into a single ponytail at the back of her head.

‘This… this person is the valiant female knight beside Feng Aotian!!!’

‘She has a name that’s incredibly easy to remember, one you’ll never forget after hearing it once: Heng Naixin!’

‘True to her name, her curvaceous yet toned physique was truly nice.’

‘Her individual strength wasn’t immense, making her the weakest in Feng Aotian’s party, yet she was the absolute core of the entire team.

Zhang Liang’s years of esports experience ensured he wouldn’t overlook her crucial role.’

‘As the saying goes, ‘a permanent support, a rotating carry.”

‘She combined martial arts with wind elements; the shields formed by wind could nullify most energy, essentially ‘dissipating energy and neutralizing force.”

‘Any attack striking her wind shield would have its damage reduced by 99.9%, and the wind shield would automatically follow its designated target, ensuring their safety.’

‘In layman’s terms, she was the team’s impenetrable bulwark.’

‘With her present, they were as steady as Mount Tai, as firm as bedrock.’

‘Wouldn’t this allow them to fight hands-free and soar to victory effortlessly?’

‘Regardless, I absolutely must establish a good relationship with her.’

Heng Naixin flicked her longsword, causing the greasy, obese man to lose his balance and plop onto the ground.

His undignified sprawl drew a soft, muffled laugh from the woman beside him.

Noticing the commotion, many people began to gather.

Having his embarrassing moment witnessed by so many, the greasy, obese man’s face flushed crimson at a visible pace, his anger outweighing any shame.

“What happened? Is there a fight?”

“Isn’t that Gou Bi, the great magnate, sitting on the ground?”

“Indeed, it’s him! Just recently, he clawed his way into the top 10 of the Immortal Rich List!”

“I heard he even invested in Saint Spirit Academy, becoming its largest shareholder.”

Hearing the bystanders’ remarks, Gou Bi rose to his feet and brushed off his clothes.

Their words seemed to inflate his vanity, allowing him to compose himself, puff out his chest, and assume a haughty demeanor once more.

Heng Naixin, by contrast, appeared somewhat timid, her gaze darting uncertainly, looking around as if in a panic.

‘What’s wrong? You know he’s rich, so you’re backing down?’

‘Aren’t you a knight? Shouldn’t you pride yourself on honor and view money as dirt?’

‘Pah, a fake knight!’

Just then, a manager squeezed through the crowd.

He pushed Heng Naixin aside, rubbed his hands together, and with an overly solicitous smile, stood before Gou Bi.

“Lord Gou, I apologize for this unpleasantness.

I’ll have this little girl and the beggar removed at once.

Your reserved presidential suite is already prepared.”

“Security! Security!” the manager waved, “Throw these two far away, don’t let them sully Lord Gou’s eyes.”

“Wait,” Gou Bi approached Heng Naixin, letting out a soft “Hmph.” “Quite a looker, aren’t you?

I like spirited women.

Spend the night with me, and this matter will be forgotten.”

‘Holy crap? This pig-head dares to snatch someone?’

In truth, Zhang Liang wasn’t panicked; he believed Heng Naixin would surely strike Gou Bi if pushed too far.

He would wait for the situation to escalate, then step in to rescue her.

This stratagem was…

After a moment of thought, Zhang Liang decided to name this plan: ‘The Villain Saves the Beauty!’

‘Wouldn’t her favorability shoot up instantly!?’

However, a thin sheen of sweat appeared on Heng Naixin’s forehead, her eyes darting nervously, unable to meet Gou Bi’s gaze.

‘You have absolutely no intention of punching him, do you!?’

‘What’s going on? You’re not actually thinking of going with him, are you?’

‘Hey!!! That’s a bottomless abyss ahead!!!’

“I have other engagements today…” Heng Naixin subtly removed Gou Bi’s lecherous hand.

“Hmph, if I’m not mistaken, you’re planning to participate in the Saint Spirit Academy’s entrance test, correct?

I’m the largest shareholder of Saint Spirit.

If you don’t comply, you understand the implications, don’t you?”

“This…” Heng Naixin lowered her head, pressing her lips together, her expression deeply troubled.

She wished to refuse immediately, but considering her future, she dared not simply walk away with such nonchalance.

Despite being embroiled in such a predicament, she harbored no regrets about helping Zhang Liang.

To eliminate the strong and assist the weak was her unwavering conviction, just like the heroes who had saved her in the past.

Observing the wavering expression on Heng Naixin’s face, Gou Bi was certain he had struck a nerve.

‘Now *that’s* professionalism, damn it! That’s what you call professionalism!’

‘This is the true style of a villain: pinpointing someone’s weakness and attacking it relentlessly.

I need to remember this tactic well.’

‘However, Heng Naixin’s concerns were now clear.

She worried about Gou Bi’s power, fearing he might pull strings behind her back.

I had misjudged her earlier.’

‘Capitalists are truly disgusting, ugh, utterly despicable!’

Although it had deviated from his script, Heng Naixin was still in peril.

But…

‘How the hell am I supposed to save her now!?’

‘I’m new here, completely unfamiliar with the place and people, and I have no connections.

While I could beat him up and run, that wouldn’t solve anything.’

‘Isn’t this a bug in the system?’

Zhang Liang rested his chin in his hand, his mind racing as he pondered a brilliant solution.

Just then, a remarkably luxurious carriage rolled into the Zeus Hotel plaza.

Upon spotting Zhang Liang, Sebas hastily pushed through the crowd.

“Sir Zhang!? Why are you completely drenched? Has something happened?”