Chapter 507: Chapter 285: Forceful Transaction: Divine Rune Etching
"You’re Yak?"
Fang Zhen nodded slightly. A moment later, he said, "I’d prefer you call me Fang Zhen."
Fang Zhen offered his true name, having suddenly realized that he might also leave behind a legend in this world.
Using the name Yak, on the other hand, might dilute the recognition of his deeds and delay his progress toward godhood.
Duke Phil frowned at Fang Zhen. "What do you mean?"
Fang Zhen explained, "I’ve been through some things. I swore an oath that until all the demons are annihilated, my name is Fang Zhen."
Phil studied Fang Zhen for a moment. He didn’t offer any particular criticism, but simply nodded. "We’ll call it a personal quirk, then."
"But how did you kill forty Little Demons?" a man beside Duke Phil asked. "I don’t sense the power of Divine Runes on you."
"Ah, that’s one of the reasons I’ve returned," Fang Zhen said. "I’ve found a new source of power, and I believe I can help you annihilate the Demon Lord."
The moment he spoke, a brief silence fell over the war room.
Then, several voices rang out in mockery. "You? On what grounds?"
"You’re the only one left in your family, and you claim you were out looking for a way to counter the demon threat?"
"I’ve heard of you. But for all we know, you just broke down from cowardice and became a despicable deserter."
"And another thing—we can’t sense an ounce of Divine Rune power on you. Why should we believe you? What gives you the right?"
So spoke a young noble with a head of red hair. He was rather handsome, but his expression was arrogant.
When Fang Zhen saw him, a name surfaced in his mind: Belfort.
The man was the eldest son of a Count, someone Yak had known back in the Royal Capital.
It was just that back then, the difference in status between Yak and this Belfort was immense; he was a figure Yak could only look up at from a distance.
Belfort had also become a Divine Rune Master at a very young age, his future boundless. For many years, he had looked down on those of Yak’s station, and had even privately humiliated—or, to put it plainly, bullied—Yak.
Fang Zhen didn’t say a word. He simply punched out with his left fist.
BOOM! The wind from his fist howled. A ripple tore through the air, coalescing into a strike like an air cannon that blasted straight through the wall behind Belfort.
The force was so concentrated that it left a perfect, fist-sized hole in the wall.
After a moment of shock, a cut split open on Belfort’s cheek. Bright red blood seeped out, trickling down his still-handsome face.
This was merely from the shockwave of the punch.
Belfort was too stunned to know how to react. For a moment, everyone else in the room could only stare blankly at Fang Zhen.
"Speak with a little more respect," Fang Zhen said flatly.
Belfort finally came to his senses. He was both shocked and enraged. His hand gripped the Longsword at his side, and he looked ready to draw it and rise to threaten Fang Zhen.
However, the moment he saw Fang Zhen raise his left hand again, Belfort froze and said no more.
Duke Phil watched all of this unfold with a frown. "Belfort, calm yourself."
Having stopped Belfort, Duke Phil turned to Fang Zhen. "Fang Zhen, what is this power you’ve obtained?"
"This is a time of war. What are your intentions? What is your goal? Why do you say you have a way to kill the Demon Lord?" Duke Phil asked Fang Zhen.
Fang Zhen nodded, completely unconcerned with what had just transpired. He said:
"Duke Phil, one of the greatest problems we face is that while low-rank demons are manageable, the slightly higher-rank ones have bodies with extremely strong defenses. Their skin is like armor."
"And our weapons struggle to pierce those defenses. Ordinary soldiers can use Divine Rune Weapons, but they’re still outmatched by the demons’ resilience."
"This is our key disadvantage against the demons."
"Isn’t that something everyone knows? Get to the point," Belfort said resentfully from the side.
Fang Zhen ignored him, addressing Phil instead. "I have a way to solve this problem, but I’ll need to acquire certain supplies."
"If my conditions are met, I can increase the combat effectiveness of Phil’s Legion, both its ordinary soldiers and its Divine Rune Warriors."
"What are you talking about? Do you have any idea what’s going on right now?" Belfort roared.
"This is war! Everything serves the war effort! Whatever solution you have, you should be offering it freely! What right do you have to stand here and haggle?"
"Have you no sense of honor? For honor’s sake, you should be making sacrifices and contributing unconditionally!"
Stung by the earlier humiliation, Belfort flew into a rage, seizing the opportunity to shout at the top of his lungs.
Fang Zhen raised his left fist and clenched it tight. In the relatively quiet room, a CREAKING sound could be heard.
Seeing Fang Zhen’s fist, a trace of fear appeared on Belfort’s face. He unconsciously took two steps back, only then seeming to realize what he had just done.
"Quiet down, Belfort." Duke Phil’s composure was, by contrast, far more stable.
He shot a glare at the clamoring Belfort, then his gaze returned to Fang Zhen. "I will call you by your original name this time, Yak Clauren. Do you take responsibility for what you have said?"
"Are you willing to stake the honor of your father and your brother on it? The reputation of your family? Are you certain you’re speaking with a clear mind?"
Fang Zhen nodded. "I have been tempered by blood and fire. It has taught me to grow up, to mature. I take full responsibility for every word I have spoken."
