Chapter 26: Surprise Attack

Neither of them were the type to waste time; once they made a decision, they set off immediately. Under the guidance of the ominously named knight, they headed towards the Blood Riverbank. During the journey, Fang Zheng engaged in some conversation with the knight, hoping to gather information about how much the search parties knew about his previous identity.

Knight Conan answered all of Fang Zheng's questions with respect. Although Fang Zheng was just an apprentice knight, his previous display of combat prowess and healing techniques made Conan believe that as long as the young man didn't stray from the path, he would have a bright future in the Sanctuary. Naturally, Conan would not risk offending someone with such potential.

Under these circumstances, conflicts were unlikely. Conan answered all of Fang Zheng's questions thoroughly since he didn't know any Sanctuary secrets anyway and had nothing to worry about. This put Fang Zheng in an amusing situation—a fugitive conversing happily with someone who was supposed to catch him, who hadn't recognized him at all. This was very interesting.

But Fang Zheng found this normal. He wouldn't have come without being fully prepared. He hadn't mastered any four great Oriental dark arts that could change his appearance or even gender; instead, their auras were fundamentally different.

The original Williams in Fang Zheng's merged memories was akin to a rich, pampered playboy from martial arts novels—someone who spent his days loafing around with his pet birds, flirting with women, parading with lackeys, and indulging in Spring Pavilion debauchery. But Fang Zheng was entirely different. Firstly, his disheveled long hair had been meticulously trimmed. Their temperaments and personalities were also completely different. Compared to the sneaky and shady Williams, Fang Zheng exuded a much grander aura. In his original world, Fang Zheng was top management, overseeing many people, in stark contrast to the frivolous rich playboy Williams, a typical villain designed for the protagonist to gain experience in web novels.

Moreover, Fang Zheng's once frail body had grown much stronger after Shi Dong's training. He didn't have a six-pack yet, but he no longer looked like the scrawny Williams who could be blown away by the wind.

The knights' memories likely still saw Williams dressed in black robes and acting furtively, so naturally, they didn't doubt Fang Zheng, who looked vastly different from Williams.

Of course, their journey wasn't entirely smooth. They encountered several ambushes and attacks by undead creatures on their way to the Blood Riverbank. However, Fang Zheng and the ominously named knight managed to get through with some thrill but no real danger.

"Just up ahead."

Pointing forward, Knight Conan, panting heavily, wiped his face and shouted.

"Just over that, we'll reach the Blood Riverbank!"

He then turned around and climbed up the hill in two or three steps. But as he looked ahead, his expression changed suddenly, and he hurried back.

"What happened? Is there a problem?"

Seeing Conan's pale face, Fang Zheng was startled. Approaching him, he whispered. Conan nodded, drawing his longsword from his waist.

"I saw the commander; they've been surrounded! It's a bad situation!"

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Fang Zheng frowned and peeked out. Sure enough, not far from the foot of the hill, several knights were fighting valiantly on the riverbank. But their situation looked grim.

They were surrounded by giants, two to three meters tall with iron-blue skin, wielding massive clubs, and fighting alongside skeleton warriors against the Templars. Behind the giants were several skeleton archers, shooting from gaps in the battle. On either side were three skeleton mages in robes, chanting evil spells with raised wands, forming a large dark barrier encompassing the knights.

Clearly, this was a perfect ambush.

"That's a Weakening Barrier!"

Seeing this, Knight Conan's expression turned grave.

"One of the necromancers' most powerful skills. It continuously drains the life force from within the barrier, weakening and eventually killing those inside. Damn, this is a real problem!"

No sight of Great Knight Shi Dong, nor that girl.

Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the battlefield, and frowned. Was he the first to find the group of knights? Was this good or bad?

Forget it, no point thinking about that now.

"I'll deal with those necromancers."

Assessing the battlefield, Fang Zheng made a quick decision. Turning to Knight Conan, he said.

"There are three of them. I can distract two at once; can you handle the third?"

"No problem, I can handle one necromancer."

In response to Fang Zheng's query, Knight Conan drew his longsword from his waist and made some gestures. With Conan's confirmation, Fang Zheng immediately gave instructions.

"Okay, I'll get these two. You flank around and get behind them. Attack only when I make my move. Got it?"

"Leave it to me."

Acting swiftly, Knight Conan didn't argue about who should take command. Having witnessed Fang Zheng's formidable combat skills, he nodded and quietly circled around the other side.

"Phew..."

Watching Conan's figure disappear, Fang Zheng took a deep breath and carefully observed the battlefield. As Conan had said, the Templars looked exhausted, trying to break through but blocked by the necromancer golems, like moving walls. Other necromancer soldiers surrounded the outer perimeter, leaving no chance for the Templars. If this continued, the Templars were doomed.

But Fang Zheng didn't act immediately. From his experience in the Dark Soul world, he knew to observe the battlefield first. Though it seemed the undead creatures focused on the knights, a few skeleton archers near the necromancers weren't attacking. They stood guard over the necromancers and glanced around occasionally. If Fang Zheng attacked the necromancers now, those archers would retaliate immediately.

He needed an opportunity...

Lowering his stance, Fang Zheng crept forward, eyes fixed on the chaotic battlefield. He believed the opportunity would come; the Templars wouldn't die without a fight, and when they reacted, that would be his moment.

"Boom!"

Sure enough, sensing their worsening situation, one of the knights roared, raising his longsword and slashing at a necromancer golem. His sword glowed with pure white radiance, heavily striking the golem, which stumbled back and fell like a stone, drawing the undead creatures' attention.

Now!

Seeing the skeleton archers turn, Fang Zheng leaped forward. A pure white warhorse appeared beneath him, and he charged down the hill like a hurricane, heading straight for the necromancers!