Chapter 25: Traps and Conspiracies

"Who are you...?"

"My name is Fang Zheng. I'm an Apprentice Guardian Knight from the Sanctuary of Star Moon City, here to assist you with Great Knight Shi Dong."

"Star Moon City... Are you saying that Great Knight Shi Dong is here too?"

But to Fang Zheng's surprise, upon hearing his reply, instead of showing joy, the knight's face changed dramatically.

"No, you shouldn't have come here! It's a trap, damn it, we all fell for it... cough cough...!"

Maybe because he was too anxious, the knight started coughing up blood before he finished speaking. Seeing this, Fang Zheng stepped forward and held his shoulder. After closely inspecting the knight's condition, Fang Zheng quickly discovered a deep wound on the knight's waist.

"Alright, don't get so worked up. We're already here, and now you can't send us back... In any case, let's treat your wound first."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng raised his hand. A warm, pure white light surrounded the knight's body, and under the radiance, the gory wound on the knight's waist quickly healed, becoming as good as new within moments.

"So quickly?!"

Feeling the comforting warmth and seeing his wound heal so fast, the knight was a bit stunned. Although he was just an ordinary knight and not as powerful as a Grand Knight like Shi Dong, he had fought for the Sanctuary for many years and was at least experienced. He could tell that the healing technique Fang Zheng used far surpassed that of the Apprentice Priests in the Sanctuary. Ordinary healing techniques could close wounds but couldn't restore strength. However, this young man's healing technique not only swiftly healed his injuries but also made him feel his strength rapidly recover—this was at least a Bishop-level healing technique!

Who on earth was this young man?

The knight was becoming more puzzled about Fang Zheng. He had indeed seen the emblem Fang Zheng wore, bearing the Sanctuary's insignia, which couldn't be faked. If Fang Zheng were a Cleric or Priest specialized in healing, he could accept that. But Fang Zheng had also shown great combat ability during the fight, which was hard to believe. A knight specializing in both combat and healing, and so young? Why had he never heard of him before?

"It looks like you're okay now."

Fang Zheng didn't know what the knight was thinking. He just glanced at him and, after confirming his wounds were mostly healed, extended his hand.

"Can you stand?"

"Of course, thank you, young man."

Hearing Fang Zheng's words, the knight was startled, then smiled and reached out to shake Fang Zheng's hand as he stood up.

"My name is Conan, a Knight from the 13th Squadron directly under the Bishopric... uh, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing, just... nothing..."

In response to Knight Conan's query, Fang Zheng smiled and shook his head, then quietly stepped back two steps. It wasn't that Fang Zheng intended to do anything to the knight; it was just that the name was too terrifying. Hearing it made his heart instinctively jump... Although he didn't know what kind of ghost this was, Fang Zheng felt it was best to keep a little distance from this man.

After all, this name was infamous in his world, with countless kills to its credit, striking fear into many...

"By the way, where are the others? Why are you alone here?"

"Alas..."

Upon Fang Zheng's question, Knight Conan sighed deeply before he began to speak.

"Here's what happened..."

The situation was just as Fang Zheng had expected. These knights were part of the forces pursuing him. Williams was already an enemy of the Sanctuary, and after Fang Zheng inexplicably fought and killed several of his knights, the grudge only deepened. The others sought revenge for their fallen comrades, looking for clues about Williams everywhere.

As Fang Zheng had used the Lich King's power in the wilderness, these knights naturally assumed that the cultist must be connected to the necromancers and other undead creatures, leading them to search and investigate. They received a tip from an old farmer in a town—recently, undead creatures often appeared in Shadow Canyon, with reports of a powerful and terrifying Lich! This Lich had been terrorizing the area, kidnapping children, and many village children had mysteriously disappeared! Armed with this clue, the squad reported to the Sanctuary and awaited orders. Though they believed the Lich might be the one who killed their comrades, as Sanctuary knights, they had to follow orders.

But as the squad waited for the Sanctuary's response, the old farmer who provided the information came to them weeping, begging them to save his grandson. Unable to turn a cold shoulder to the old man's pleas and eager for revenge, the Paladins decided to scout Shadow Canyon. Even if they couldn't confront the Lich, gathering more clues would still be worthwhile.

They never expected it was all a trap from the start. The old farmer was actually a cultist!

He led them into Shadow Canyon, winding through the paths until the knights were lost. By the time they realized the situation, the old man had disappeared, and they were surrounded!

Hundreds of undead creatures encircled the knights. Realizing the danger, they fought desperately to break the siege. But their foes were overwhelming in number, and someone had cast a barrier that sealed the teleportation channels, trapping the unfortunate knights. Their main force was cut off and besieged by the undead creatures. Knight Conan, now in front of Fang Zheng, had been separated during the chaos, barely escaping. If Fang Zheng hadn't arrived in time, he would've died here.

"I see."

After listening to Conan's recount, Fang Zheng grasped what had happened and frowned in thought. Conan glanced around, still puzzled.

"Anyway, we should reunite with Great Knight Shi Dong ASAP... Fang Zheng, didn't you say you came with him? By the way, space is sealed here, how did you get in?"

"We used the Path of the Stars to teleport here. As for why we got separated... I don't know."

Sighing helplessly, Fang Zheng explained. Ever since he was reborn in this world, his teleportations had been unreliable—once dropping him before a BOSS in the Dark World, and now separating the three of them. No point in dwelling on it.

"What are your plans now?"

Shaking off these thoughts, Fang Zheng looked at Knight Conan. This was beyond what he could handle alone. He hoped the other two had been teleported together. Great Knight Shi Dong would be fine, but as for the girl called M... well, next year on this day, Fang Zheng might light a candle for her.

"Well..."

Conan hesitated at Fang Zheng's question, thinking for a moment before speaking.

"Originally, I planned to escape the undead creatures and reunite with the commander. This is Shadow Canyon. With space sealed, it's unwise to act alone. And I can't leave here alone..."

"Do you know where they are?"

"Of course, before we got separated, we were retreating to the Blood Riverbank. If they broke the undead creatures' siege, we'd regroup there."

"Good."

Hearing this, Fang Zheng nodded, sheathing his longsword, and gestured to Conan.

"Then let's head to the Blood Riverbank."