["My name is Stelle," Stelle introduced herself.]
[March 7th gave Stelle a complicated look, inwardly marveling at how innocent she appeared in front of outsiders at this moment.]
["Alright, alright, I got it. Honestly, I didn't expect to run into colleagues in this frozen wasteland. Business hasn't been great lately, but don't worry—Sampo never hogs all the profits."]
[Sampo, brimming with enthusiasm, noticed that Stelle seemed the most approachable among the three and extended a hand to her. "How about we team up? I've got a reliable tip: the Silvermane Guards' main forces have been deployed to the frontlines. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…"]
[Stelle stared at him blankly. "What business?"]
["Come on now, folks. It's fine if you don't trust me, but no need to play dumb to this extent, right?"]
[Seeing that their expressions remained completely unchanged, Sampo's furrowed brows slowly relaxed before he immediately switched to a new attitude, clapping his hands cheerfully. "Ah, forget it! Meeting like this is fate. Ask me anything you want to know—I'll hold nothing back!"]
[Stelle asked a few questions about human settlements and learned that the only city on this planet was called [Belobog], the only place safe from the snowstorms. The Silvermane Guards essentially served as the city's police force.]
["Could you take us into the city? We're not too familiar with the way," March 7th suggested.]
["Into the city? Heading back already? I haven't even made any sales today, little lady. Showing you the way is no problem, but—" Sampo shook his head and was about to continue when he caught sight of Dan Heng's murderous glare out of the corner of his eye.]
[The oppressive aura of the Cold Dragon Young!]
[Instantly, beads of cold sweat formed on Sampo's forehead. Ever the opportunist, he pivoted effortlessly, his attitude doing a complete 180.]
["—But helping others is just what I do! Haha, kindness is Sampo's middle name! Follow me, friends—quietly now, don't let the Guards spot us."]
——
"Haha, I'm actually starting to like this kid."
In an underground base in Zaun, Silco held a wine glass, watching Sampo's masterful face-changing act with great interest.
As the leader of Zaun's major factions, having grown up in the Black Lanes, Silco had witnessed countless displays of flattery and quick shifts in demeanor. Sampo's performance felt oddly nostalgic to him.
Jinx lay sprawled on a high beam in the room, idly swinging her braids and blowing blue bubbles out of boredom. "But if he were stronger, he wouldn't need to act like that."
"You're right, but that's exactly why I admire him."
Silco downed the rest of his drink in one gulp and continued along her line of thought. "In harsh environments, the ones who survive to the end usually aren't the strongest or the smartest—it's people like him, who know how to read the room and adapt."
"Even the strongest will weaken someday, and that's when they die. But those who navigate between strength and weakness… Mm, impressive."
He nodded approvingly at Sampo on the Celestial Screen.
If Sampo ever came down to the Undercity, Silco would definitely find a way to recruit him. People like him were as cunning as foxes—you couldn't win them over with sincerity alone. Only substantial benefits and profits could move them.
And Silco had no issue with that approach.
——
[Guided by Sampo, the group moved swiftly across the snowfield.]
["So, why are you hiding from the Silvermane Guards?" March 7th asked curiously along the way.]
["Uh, just a few… unauthorized ancient relics in my possession. No big deal. Blame those single-minded enforcers."]
["By the way, where are you all from? Skills like yours are rare even in Belobog's military. Ah—not prying, just looking out for friends!"]
[As they walked, Sampo laughed off questions while trying to fish for valuable intel from Stelle and March 7th, but Dan Heng consistently shut him down.]
[When they reached a narrow path, several blue-uniformed guards with silver visors suddenly emerged, blocking their way.]
[Dan Heng immediately sensed trouble. "These are?"]
[Sampo scratched his head, wearing an apologetic smile. "Uh, remember those Silvermane Guards I mentioned? Yeah, that's them…"]
[Dan Heng sighed. No matter how careful they were, it seemed a fight was unavoidable.]
[As soon as the battle began, Sampo took advantage of the distraction and bolted—vanishing into the snowstorm so fast it was like he'd evaporated.]
[Fortunately, the guards weren't particularly strong. Under the trio's combined assault, they were quickly forced to retreat.]
[Just as March 7th unleashed a volley of arrows, a towering, muscular man appeared behind the guards. With a casual wave, he effortlessly deflected all of March's arrows. Standing before the three guards, he was like an impenetrable fortress.]
——
"Strange… Why do the arrows have no effect on him?"
In a Tokyo dojo, a sweat-drenched Retsu Kaioh set down his spear and turned to his teacher, Kaioh Kaku, who sat quietly sipping tea.
After witnessing Dan Heng's spear techniques—capable of taking on a thousand foes alone—Retsu had reignited his passion for spear arts. He'd even invited his 146-year-old master to Tokyo to personally correct his form.
Yet no matter how much he practiced, he couldn't grasp the essence of Dan Heng's techniques. The gap between their skill levels was vast.
And that young man looked far younger than him…
Retsu Kaioh had begun training at White Forest Temple at age four and was hailed as China's greatest martial arts prodigy. Weapons like swords, spears, and staffs were part of his training since childhood. Seeing Dan Heng's spear mastery so far beyond his own left him feeling like a frog in a well.
His spear skills had always lagged behind his fists, as he firmly believed bare hands were the strongest and freest weapons. But after witnessing Dan Heng's prowess, that conviction began to waver.
…Compared to others, his spear techniques were worlds apart.
And now, watching Gepard effortlessly neutralize March 7th's arrow barrage, he was even more astonished.
"I understand now, Master! These people from another world possess not only extraordinary martial arts but also mastery of Xiaoli!"
Before Kaioh Kaku could set down his tea, Retsu declared with certainty, "And it's the purest form of Xiaoli!"
Cough—!
Kaioh Kaku nearly choked on his tea, coughing violently.