Zi Di scowled and shook her head, she looked at Zhen Jin with incredulity: âWhat are you suspecting your Lordship? Of course not!â
âNo, please wait.â Zi Di extended her palm and pressed down, âThis isnât crucial. I believe your Lordship has secretly come over to discuss the blue dog fox wolves and magic beast corps. This is our most pressing concern!â
Saying this, Zhen Jin reached out and grabbed Zi Diâs hand.
Zi Di immediately withdrew her hand, causing Zhen Jin to grasp empty air.
Just as Zhen Jin was about to get angry, the body doubleâs voice came from outside the tent: âZi Di, are you sleeping?â
Zhen Jin was startled.
âQuick, hide now.â Zi Di also stood up panic-stricken, she silently opened her mouth and gestured to convey her thoughts.
Fortunately, Zi Diâs tent had many furnishings, allowing Zhen Jin to promptly hide in some nook.
âIâm still awake, my Lord. Please come in.â After deeply breathing a few times, Zi Di spoke with a tranquil voice.
The body double lifted the flap and entered.
Zi Di was wearing her hooded magic gown, the spacious magic gown made the girl appear more petite and pitiful.
Seeing Zi Diâs appearance, the body double sighed as he walked over to Zi Di and hugged her.
Zi Diâs body slightly trembled, but she did not resist.
In the dim nook, Zhen Jin secretly saw this, he immediately glared in anger with bloodshot eyes, and nearly jumped out.
âWhat are you afraid of?â The body double quietly comforted.
He understood that the blue dog fox wolf had been an immense psychological shadow over Zi Di.
âWith your Lordship here, I am unafraid.â Zi Di softly replied.
âYes, I will always be by your side. The first blue dog fox wolf died under my foot and the second one is dead too. The third and the fourth, even if more appear, as long as you have me, none of them will harm you. I guarantee you!â The youngster consoled.
Zi Di raised her head up in Zhen Jinâs chest: âLord Zhen Jin, I trust you.â
As if sensing something, the girlâs expression became peculiar.
âDammit, dammit!â Zhen Jin gnashed his teeth in the darkness, after a few laborious breaths, his mind already smashed the body double more than a dozen times.
âOh, right. The main reason I found you was because of some blood.â The body double smiled at Zi Di.
âI need you to do something covertly.â
âDonât tell anyone else about the outcome.â
âEh?!â The hiding Zhen Jin only felt anger constantly rushing from his stomach to his head.
âWhat are you up to!?â
âDammit, this is too daring! You are only a body double; you are a fake!!!â
âYou dareâŠâŠyou actually dared to lust after things that donât belong to you!â
Zi Di embraced the body double, her face appeared to blush: âMy Lord, whatâŠâŠdo you want to do?â
Upon seeing this passion, Zhen Jinâs pupils immediately shrunk, and he felt unprecedented humiliation: âThis girlâŠâŠthis girl!!â
âDonât misunderstand me, I am referring toâŠâŠâ The body doubleâs words were interrupted by Zi Di.
âMy Lord, your nose is bleeding.â
âAh.â The body double also felt the blood flowing down as he said with extreme awkwardness, âListen to me Zi Di, it is not the thing you are thinking of.â
Zhen Jin felt himself burst with rage!
âBurning anger! All from a bleeding nose. Wretched thing, wait until the whole truth is revealed, I will castrate you!!â Zhen Jin madly roared in his heart.
After the body double left, Zhen Jin immediately jumped out and pointed at Zi Di, his body shivering all over: âYou! You just said he didnât do anything to you! Speak, tell the truth, donât hide anything from me!â
âI told you the truth!â Zi Di tensely said, feeling wronged, âMy Lord, why donât you believe me?â
âWhy donât I believe you?! Ah? You just threw yourself into another manâs arms!â Zhen Jin shouted.
âWhisper, do you want him to hear? He is a silver level cultivator; his hearing is keener than ours.â Zi Di prompt warned.
Zhen Jin immediately lowered his voice.
After a moment, he felt wrong and even more humiliation.
âMy Lord, great plans can be ruined by just a touch of impatience! Do you think I want to do this? Do you think I want to spoil myself and play along with the body double? Isnât this all for the sake of our safety and plans?!â Zi Diâs
Zhen Jin was sluggish.
Zi Di continued: âIf the body double discovered the truth, what do you think will happen? Do you know our current strength? Can we control him?â
âWe canât!â
âNot only that, we also have to rely on him to cope with Zong Ge and the blue dog fox wolf magic beast corps!â
âAllow him to think he is your Lordship, allow him to do his utmost for us, allow him to risk traveling through the forest, and allow him to fight on the frontlines while your Lordship stays safely in the rear, wouldn't all of his accomplishments and reputation belong to your Lordship?â
Zhen Jin could not retort, he lowered his head and placed his hands on his hips, his mouth constantly gasped as his malevolent expression flashed between anger and hesitation.
Zi Di continued: âIf he discovers he is a fake, what do you think he will do?â
âMy Lord, do you think he will accept the truth?â
âAfter he discovers your Lordshipâs identity, wouldnât he kill and replace you?â
Zhen Jinâs body immediately trembled, fear filled his eyes: âZi, Zi Di, you are correct. This island is dangerous, Zong Ge is dangerous, but he is even more dangerous.â
âCover up the truth! We must continue hiding this!â
Zi Di coughed: âYour Lordship has proven himself; you did not disappoint me. Outsiders do not know the burdens victors carry, others cannot bear this pressure, yet your Lordship has. We will succeed, we will leave this place, we will become White Sands Cityâs Lords, in the end the body double is only a body double, and one day in the future, he will disappear with no one noticing. Without anyone knowing of this, nothing will happen. People will only praise you and admire the accomplishments youâve obtained.
âMy Lord, it is good you understand me. Everything I have done is for the sake of our plans, safety, and future!â
Zhen Jin nodded: âThatâs right, everything is done for our beautiful future!â
âŠâŠ
After the blue dog fox wolf was discovered, Zong Ge openly challenged Zhen Jinâs authority by holding a competition on which group could investigate and gain more information.
At daybreak, Zong Ge led his group to investigate while the body double, because of his harsh training last night, was in the middle of napping.
Zhen Jin had already eaten a while ago, currently he was standing outside a tent with growing impatience: âThis wretched guy, how long is he going to be lazy? Does he not understand the situation! If he ignores Zong Gsâ provocation, my authority will be gravely weakened.â
âThe sun is already up, yet heâs still sleeping!â
âThis wonât do, I will urge him on and make him act faster! Of courseâŠâŠI wonât be the one to warn him.â
Zhen Jin looked around, his eyes ultimately fixing onto Bai Ya.
Bai Ya was inexperienced with the world, under Zhen Jinâs shrewd communication skills, he quickly spilled everything he knew.
âOn behalf of Lord Zhen Jin, I am really worried.â Zhen Jin sighed with a concerned face.
âWhatâs going on?â Bai Ya curiously asked.
Zhen Jin slightly glared: âDonât you know how delicate the situation is? That half beastman harbors malicious intentions, he went as far as to challenge Lord Zhen Jinâs authority. Thatâs how things areâŠâŠâ
After quickly learning the details, Bai Ya anxiously stood up.
After the body double appeared, Bai Ya promptly paid his respects.
âLord Zhen Jin.â
âAt dawn, Zong Ge and his people went out to investigate.â
My Lord, I grew up in a small forest. Maybe I cannot hunt now, but I can surely help your Lordship in reconnaissance!â Bai Ya passionately volunteered.
At noon, the body doubleâs team returned to camp for lunch.
Zhen Jin felt aggrieved: âThis wretched guy, does he not understand the situation? To my surprise, heâs still leisurely returning to camp for lunch! Investigate for me without delay!â
He secretly informed Bai Ya of Zong Geâs efforts.
Bai Ya reported to him with worry: âLord Zhen Jin, we have not seen Zong Ge, and his people return. They should have eaten outside.â
When night fell as the sun dropped below the treetops, the body double had already returned to camp.
Bai Ya reported again: âMy Lord, Zong Ge and his people still havenât returned. They are using their full strength!â
âIt's not easy.â The body double sighed.
Bai Ya was really anxious: âMy Lord, we can also carry rations, continue our investigation past noon, we need not squander valuable time going back and forth from camp.â
âOk, that is a good proposal, letâs do that tomorrow.â The body double was willing to accept his advice.
âHe is finally starting to try hard!â Zhen Jin secretly relaxed his tone.
Then, he felt sullen again, like he had some phlegm in his throat he couldnât spit out, it was very painful!
Zi Di shook her head, blankness filling her eyes: âI donât know the specific details of this situation, this map appearing surpassed my expectations.â
âHowever, this is good, isnât it?â
âZong Geâs challenge failed in an ugly way.â
âNo, no!â Zhen Jin shook his head, âThis is a fishy development! He has broken away from our control! If this continues, it will get more and more dangerous.â
Zi Di was puzzled: âMy Lord, was he ever in our control? Indeed, our control over him is weak, however I believe it will allow him to use all of his strength.â
âNo, no this wonât do.â Zhen Jin continued to shake his head, his complexion growing more solemn and heavy, âI see a trend. He is getting harder to control.â
âFor what reason would he take out a comprehensive map? How were all the beast groups clearly scouted out?â
âHe even dared to use my masterâs name to openly deceive them!â
âWe know the truth; he must have grasped a method or ability we donât know about.â
Zi Di nodded: âMy Lord, you're anxious. He is a beastified person, he can freely control parts of beastification. My guess is that he should have obtained an investigative method!â
âWhat can he beastify into? Zhen Jin demanded.
âI donât know.â Zi Di replied.
You Donât know?!â Zhen Jin glared with a doubtful face.
Zi Di bitterly laughed: âMy Lord, he is custom-made. Although the weapons manufacturer responded to my custom-made request, they informed me other aspects could not be guaranteed. Itâs like this, a person cannot swim while sleeping. According to my understanding, this should be the limits of the beastification technology.â
âDo you mean, the weaponâs manufacturer does not know what his specific abilities are?â Zhen Jin pondered.
âYes. The weapons manufacturer stated that it was already very difficult to attain his custom-made appearance. Besides, your Lordship should also know ordinary beastified people are a single-use commodity, when beastification happens, madness sets in as those affected attack the biggest threat, they have no concept of teamwork.â
âThus, weapons manufacturers donât thoroughly test beastified people, because when beastification happens, the beastified person is wiped out.â
âThe body double can beastify parts of himself and freely control them, this is considerably rare.â
âIn fact, Iâve always believed that if the weapons manufacturer discovered this, they might have forcibly recalled him and not sold him to us. At least, not at the given price.â
Zhen Jin attentively gazed at Zi Di for a long time, then nodded. Accepting Zi Diâs expression, he helplessly sighed: âIt seems, we were lucky to obtain him.â
âŠâŠ
After the camp surroundings were clearly scouted, the body double and Zong Ge changed the competition to killing beast groups.
Using smoke Zi Di made, the body double, Zong Ge, and the others dealt with the largest bat monkey group.
During that fight, the body double had an exceedingly bright performance, almost every crossbow shot hit, and he was fully deserving of being number one in kills.
Even Zong Ge raised his eyebrows, lamenting the Bai Zhen Clanâs bloodline in his heart. Although he had trained his archery skills for many years, he paled in comparison to the body double.
Zhen Jin secretly competed with him and also lost.
âAbominable!â Zhen Jin darkly clenched his fists.
After feeling unreconciled and beneath his dignity, he sneered.
âWhat am I thinking? He has silver level cultivation, while I am only at the iron level, losing to him is normal.:
âHowever, no matter how strong you are, you are merely my body double. Everything you accomplish belongs to me!â
âWho was the weapons manufacturer that transformed him? How could he possess such strong archery skills that surpass even a Bai Zhen Clan descendant like me? MaybeâŠâŠbefore his transformation, he was a knight with extraordinary archery skills.â
âŠâŠ
Zhen Jin secretly found Zi Di again.
He immediately got to the point: âI heard someone gave him some crocodile head hammer tail boa leather armor? I also want some!â
Zi Di smiled: âMy Lord, please be at ease. I remembered your need for equipment. Only the first one was given to the body double, after all he represents your Lordship.â
âAs long as new crocodile head hammer tail boa armor is made, your Lordship will surely take precedence. After all, the Hei Juan identity is a mercenary I hired. It is only natural I equip our people, isnât that so?â
Zhen Jin couldnât help but smile, he was pleased with Zi Diâs response.
But shortly after, he pursed his brows again: âI heard some information. The body double unexpectedly picked up a big bargain last night. He harvested that silver level bat monkey and an entire flying squirrel group.â
âHow did he do that?â
Zi Di shook her head: âThe map is a clue; we already know he has a powerful investigation method. Perhaps with this ability, him found a lucky opportunity where the silver level bat monkey and the flying squirrel group fought against each other, thereby picking up a bargain.â
Zhen Jin sighed: âHe is getting increasingly excessive, time and again, he uses my masterâs name to explain his actions. He patrols every night, thatâs strange. His body has many secrets.â
âYes, your Lordship is right. However, there are many secrets we should keep in the dark, isnât that right?â Zi Di laughed.
Zhen Jin also smiled and unfolded his brows somewhat, nodding: âYou are correct.â
âŠâŠ
Two blue dog fox wolf magic beast corps began attacking the camp.
Everyone heard the body double loudly pray.
âGrand Emperor Sheng Ming, my god, my master. Your knight is on the eve of war and will practice your teachings. Thanks to your favor, I am armed to the teeth. I have put on the belt of honesty, the glasses of bravery, the shoes of peace, and the helmet of salvation. However, the night is a dense fog that blocks my field of vision. God, I ask you to grant me bright eyes, let me see the enemyâs power clearly, and let me lead everyone towards victory!â
Nothing happened.
âThis idiot!â Zhen Jin anxiously glared, âDo you really think you are a templar knight? You went so far as to pray in front of everyone?! Even if you were a commander, you wouldnât dare to pray as you wished!â
Zong Ge also believed the body double made a mistake, when suddenly, the body doubleâs body trembled as he opened his eyes and shouted in pleasant surprise, âI can see!â
The body double immediately turned around and commanded everyone: âQuickly, the magic beast corps has two blue dog fox wolves. They have already divided their force. One is leading the bigger force straight at the gate. The other is leading a flying squirrel group to flank the camp.â
After Zhen Jin foolishly stared, he realized: âAs it turns out, he used his detection abilities. How is he investigating? I didnât see him beastify? No, it shouldnât be beastification, even partial beastification wonât work. If others saw him, what would they think of me, Zhen Jin?â
âBut tonightâs battle will surely be dangerous! If I die without him beastifying, then he had better beastify.â
âAfterwards, I will redeem my reputation.â
However, the following fight made Zhen Jin expand his scope.
Seeing the body double kill everything around him, Zhen Jin realized more things: âI underestimated his battle strength! If it's like that, then he really can compete with Zong Ge. It's no wonder he had confidence; it seems my long held concerns were for nothing. The prior investigation information was fromâŠâŠthis the wretched guy!â
Because of the subterranean sandwormâs surprise attacks, the survivors were caught in a disadvantageous position.
âRun for it! âThe body double rushed over to shout to Zhen Jin and the others.
Zhen Jin stared blankly for a moment, but soon ran, leaving the ballista without the slightest hesitation.
After a moment, the ground split open and the ballista was swallowed and crushed into countless fragments.
Zhen Jinâs body was covered in cold sweat, and he felt endless lingering fear: âI almost, I almost died there. The body double saved me? Well done!â
Cang Xu, Zi Di, and others were hiding in the wooden house.
âZi Di, Cang Xu, run for it!â The body double anxiously roared as he ran towards the wooden house.
Zi Di, Cang Xu, and the other people had been observing the outside situation, they too saw the gigantic worm. When they heard Zhen Jinâs shout, they all ran out of the wooden house without hesitation.
He loudly suggested to the body double: âMy Lord, the camp canât last much longer. We need to break out!â
The body double shook his head, the current predicament did not discourage him, rather it aroused his fighting spirit: âHei Juan, you are in charge of breaking out. Protect Zi Di, Cang Xu, Mu Ban, and the boat craftsman, they are important.â
The body doubleâs ultrasound found the gigantic worm attacking another ballista.
This time, the young knight did not rush at thin air.
He used the time the earthworm took swallowing the ballista, to deeply stab its lower body.
The gigantic worm did not shudder, as if that piercing blow did not exist, it then immediately withdrew back underground with Silver Lightning.
âMy, my sword?!â Zhen Jin was flabbergasted.
âMy family sword, my Silver Lightning! Body double, you're an idiot!!!â He roared in his heart.
âWe need to break out now.â Zi Di reminded him.
Zhen Jin ruthlessly grinded his teeth, compared to a sword, his life was more important.
The flames soared in the burning camp.
Zi Di was worried: âLord Zhen Jin still hasnât returned yet?â
When the body double finally appeared, he was covered in blood.
His seemingly injured body made Zhen Jin secretly sigh sorrowfully: âToo risky! But really good, I am very pleased with you, body double.â
âWith the help of the fire, I beat the blue dog fox wolf, however I couldnât kill it and allowed it to escape.â The body double explained to everyone.
âDonât speak, let me check your injuries.â Zi Di came to the body double, her voice choked with emotions. She extended her thin hand and carefully explored Zhen Jinâs leather armor, she wanted to take off the dilapidated leather armor.
But the body double stopped her.
Zhen Jin speechlessly watched this scene, as he quietly clenched his fist with a jealous heart, he had to actively explain to himself: âShe is merely playing along, this is fake, all of this is fake.â
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