Trap and Conspiracy

"You are..."

"My name is Fang Zheng. I'm a Guardian Knight Trainee from the Holy Temple of Starmoon City. I came here with Great Knight Stone to assist you."

"From Starmoon City... You mean Great Knight Stone is here too?"

But to Fang Zheng's surprise, upon hearing his answer, the knight not only failed to show any joy, but his expression shifted drastically.

"No, you shouldn't have come here! This is a trap, damn it, we've all been fooled... cough...!"

Perhaps because he was too agitated, the knight began coughing up blood before he could finish speaking. Seeing this, Fang Zheng stepped forward and pressed a hand on his shoulder. Carefully examining the knight's condition, he quickly noticed a deep wound on the knight's waist.

"Alright, don't get so worked up. We're here now, and you can't send us back anyway... Let's treat your injury first."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng raised his hand and cast a Holy Light Flash on the knight. A pure, warm radiance enveloped the knight's body, and under its glow, the bloody, mangled wound on his waist rapidly healed, becoming completely restored after a short while.

"So fast?!"

Feeling the comfortable warmth and seeing his injury healed so quickly, the knight showed a hint of surprise. Though he was just an ordinary knight, not as strong as a Great Knight like Stone, he had fought for the Holy Temple for many years and was experienced. He could tell that Fang Zheng's healing spell far exceeded the level of the Acolyte Priestesses in the temple. Ordinary healing spells could close wounds but couldn't restore one's strength. Yet this young man's healing spell not only mended his injury in such a short time but also made him feel his power rapidly recovering—this was at least a Bishop-level healing spell!

Who exactly was this young man?

The knight grew more puzzled as he faced Fang Zheng. He had indeed seen the insignia on Fang Zheng, bearing the Holy Temple's mark, which couldn't be faked. If Fang Zheng were a priest specializing in healing, he might have accepted it. But during the battle earlier, Fang Zheng had also demonstrated formidable combat prowess, which left the knight incredulous. A knight skilled in both combat and healing, and so young? Why had he never heard of him before?

"Looks like you're fine."

Fang Zheng didn't know what the knight was thinking. He simply glanced at him, confirmed the injury was mostly healed, and then extended his hand.

"Can you stand?"

"Of course, thank you, young man."

Hearing Fang Zheng's words, the knight paused, then smiled and reached out to take Fang Zheng's hand, pulling himself up.

"My name is Conan. I'm a knight directly under the Thirteenth Bishop Brigade... Uh, why are you staring at me like that?"

"No, nothing..."

In response to Knight Conan's question, Fang Zheng smiled and shook his head, then let go and quietly took two steps back. It wasn't that Fang Zheng intended to do anything to the knight; it was just that the name was too terrifying. His heart instinctively skipped a beat at hearing it... Though he didn't know why, Fang Zheng felt it was better to keep some distance from this man.

After all, in his world, that name was infamous, a killer of countless lives, striking fear into all who heard it...

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

"Sigh..."

At Fang Zheng's question, Knight Conan let out a long sigh before speaking.

"Here's what happened..."

The cause of events was no different from what Fang Zheng had guessed. These knights were among those pursuing the body he now inhabited. Williams had already been an enemy of the Holy Temple, and after Fang Zheng had inexplicably fought him and killed several of his knights, the grudge had only deepened. The others, seeking revenge for their comrades, had been searching everywhere for clues about Williams.

Since Fang Zheng had used the Lich King's power in the wilderness, the knights naturally assumed that cultist must be connected to necromancers or undead creatures, so they tracked and investigated accordingly. Eventually, they got a lead from an old farmer in a town—undead creatures had been appearing frequently in Shadow Canyon, and there seemed to be a very powerful and terrifying Lich there! That Lich had been appearing mysteriously in the area, abducting children, and many kids from nearby villages had vanished! After obtaining this clue, the team immediately reported it to the Holy Temple and awaited orders. Though they were convinced the Lich was likely the murderer of their comrades, as Holy Temple knights, they had to follow orders.

But just as the team was waiting for the Holy Temple's reply, the old farmer who had given them the information came crying to them, begging them to save his grandson. Faced with his desperate pleas, the knights couldn't refuse, and driven by their eagerness for revenge, they decided to venture deep into Shadow Canyon for reconnaissance. Even if they didn't confront the Lich, gathering more clues would be worthwhile.

What they hadn't expected was that it was all a trap from the start. That old farmer who gave them the information was actually a Cultist!

He led them into Shadow Canyon, winding around until the knights were lost. By the time they realized something was wrong, the old farmer had vanished, and they had already walked into an encirclement!

Hundreds of undead creatures surrounded the knights from all sides. Sensing the danger, the knights fought desperately to break out. But their enemies were too numerous, and someone had set up a barrier sealing the teleportation channels, leaving these unlucky knights unable to escape this cursed place. Their main force had been split up and surrounded by the undead. Knight Conan, standing before Fang Zheng, was one of those separated in the chaos. He had tried his best to flee but ultimately failed, cornered by the undead. If Fang Zheng hadn't shown up in time, he would have surely died.

"I see."

After hearing the account, Fang Zheng understood what had happened and furrowed his brow in thought. Knight Conan glanced at him, then looked around in confusion.

"Anyway, let's regroup with Great Knight Stone first... Mr. Fang Zheng, didn't you say you came with him? By the way, the space here is sealed—how did you get in?"

"We teleported here via the Starpath. As for why we're not together... I don't know."

Saying this, Fang Zheng sighed helplessly. Every teleportation he'd experienced since reincarnating into this world seemed unreliable. In the Dark World, it had sent him straight to the boss, and this time, though three people were teleported, he had no idea where the others were... Oh well, no use dwelling on it.

"What do you plan to do now?"

With that thought, Fang Zheng decisively pushed aside the troublesome matters and looked at Knight Conan beside him. This situation clearly wasn't something he could handle alone. For now, he could only hope the other two had been teleported to the same place. If they were separated like him, Great Knight Stone would probably be fine, but that young girl named M... well, Fang Zheng figured he'd remember to burn some incense for her on this day next year.

"Well..."

Faced with Fang Zheng's question, Knight Conan hesitated. He frowned, thinking for a while before speaking.

"Originally, I planned to escape the undead's pursuit and then regroup with the commander. After all, this is Shadow Canyon, and with the space sealed, moving alone isn't a good idea. Besides, I can't get out of here by myself..."

"Do you know where they are?"

"Of course. Before we scattered, we were retreating toward Blood Sandbar. If they can break through the undead's encirclement, we should meet there."

"Good."

Hearing this, Fang Zheng nodded. He sheathed his longsword and made a gesture to Conan.

"Then let's head to Blood Sandbar."