Thief King!

As soon as he said that, Sun Busong's eyebrow twitched. He'd been wearing a black robe the entire time that day, and even his tone and manner of speaking had been completely different from now.

"Don't you know a little too much?"

Sun Busong fixed the other man with a hostile look.

"Hahaha! I can't believe I'm being threatened by someone who's only just advanced to a new class!"

The young man pointed at Sun Busong and laughed so hard he doubled over. The two people beside him, however, didn't react at all. After laughing for a while, he was left feeling awkward.

"Why aren't you laughing?" The young man glanced at his two companions and shrugged, clearly at a loss.

Then he turned back to Sun Busong, a strange look in his eyes.

"You're a Dwarf! At the Auction Hall that day, did you use some kind of skill or item to temporarily change your race?"

Are all these people blind or something?

Sun Busong marveled inwardly.

"What's it to you whether I'm a Dwarf or a human?" He was getting a little angry. At five foot three, he wasn't particularly tall for a human, but he was still young. He was bound to grow.

Yet none of these people ever looked at his appearance or height. How on earth did they figure out that he was a Dwarf?

"Hahaha, forgive my rudeness. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know you Dwarves don't like people comparing you to humans. Truth is, I think every race has its own sense of beauty."

The young man bowed apologetically to Sun Busong.

"Forget it. I won't hold that against you. But I do have a question: how did you recognize me?"

Sun Busong found the matter baffling. It also concerned whether, in the future, he could travel the world under other identities without being recognized.

"Oh, so that's why you came to find me. I can tell you, but shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"

A faint smile remained on the young man's face, calm and self-assured, as if he had everything under control.

"My name's Sun Busong. I'm fourteen. What about you?"

"My name's Luffy. I'm eighteen. Pleased to meet you."

Luffy? What the hell kind of name was that? If he'd picked anything else, Sun Busong might've gone along with it, but he had to use that name! Did he think he was the Pirate King?

Sun Busong launched into a storm of complaints in his head.

"Look, buddy, I believe you're eighteen, but I really can't accept that your name is Luffy. Can we have a proper conversation?"

Now it was the other man's turn to be displeased. "My name really is Luffy. What's there to be ashamed of?"

Sun Busong ignored his expression and shot back, "Then what's your surname? Monkey D.! Your name's Monkey D. Luffy? And you're the Pirate King, too?"

As soon as Sun Busong finished, the Rogue across from him reacted at once. She swiftly drew a pair of daggers from her waist and lunged at Sun Busong's neck.

"Stop!"

Luffy stopped the Female Rogue just in time. Her dagger was now less than a centimeter from the artery in Sun Busong's neck.

"He knows too much. We can't make a move right now!"

This was the first time Luffy had ever treated anyone with such caution—a fourteen-year-old Dwarf Warrior.

"I don't know where you got my information, but it seems I underestimated you. You're impressive."

Luffy calmly glanced around, then smiled at Sun Busong and asked, "So, where are your people? Why haven't they come to arrest me yet?"

"Huh?"

His question left Sun Busong completely confused.

"What people? Why would I arrest you? Are you Undead? No way. I'm not blind!"

The Paladin, who'd been standing silently to the side, finally couldn't take it anymore. He boomed at Sun Busong, "Hey, shorty! Call your people out. We need to get this fight over with so we can head back."

"What the hell are you talking about? Are you nuts? I'm alone. If you want a fight, I'm ready!" Sun Busong was furious. These three had no shame at all. He was only level 21. He couldn't tell their levels, but judging by their equipment alone, they had to be at least level 50.

Seeing Sun Busong ready for a fight, Luffy was dumbfounded. The other two were just as bewildered.

A level 21 Warrior had come alone to arrest the three of them? Never mind Luffy—even either of the other two, a level 53 Elite Paladin or a level 56 Elite Defias Marauder, could squash him with a single slap.

"You don't know who I am?" Luffy asked tentatively.

"Of course I do, damn it! You're the Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy! Could you at least think of a more convincing lie? Look at me: I'm Sun Busong, same name from birth to death!"

Luffy's expression darkened.

"I really am called Luffy. What's so hard to believe?"

Sun Busong didn't care what the other man thought. He went straight for the throat. "Then what's your surname? Monkey D.! You're Monkey D. Luffy, and you're the Pirate King?"

The moment he finished, the Rogue on the other side reacted. She swiftly drew a pair of daggers from her waist and shot toward Sun Busong's neck.

"Stop!"

Luffy called out in time, halting the Female Rogue's movement. Her dagger was less than a centimeter from Sun Busong's carotid artery.

"He knows too much. We can't act yet!"

For the first time, Luffy was being so cautious around someone—a fourteen-year-old Dwarf Warrior.

"I don't know where you got my information. Looks like I underestimated you. You're pretty good."

Luffy glanced around casually, then smiled and asked Sun Busong, "So, where are your people? Why haven't they come to arrest me?"

"Huh?"

His question left Sun Busong at a loss.

"What people? Why would I arrest you? Are you Undead? No way—I'm not blind!"

The Paladin, who'd been quiet until now, finally couldn't hold back. He bellowed at Sun Busong, "Hey, shorty! Call your people out. We need to finish this fight and get back."

"What the hell are you talking about? Are you sick? I'm alone. If you want to fight, I'll take you on!" Sun Busong was furious. These three were unbelievable. He was only level 21. He couldn't see their levels, but judging by their gear, they had to be at least level 50.

When Luffy saw Sun Busong looking ready to throw down, he was stunned. The other two were just as baffled.

A level 21 Warrior had come alone to arrest all three of them? Never mind Luffy; either of the other two—a level 53 Elite Paladin and a level 56 Elite Defias Marauder—could swat him into the ground with one slap.

"You don't know me?" Luffy asked cautiously.

"Of course I know you, damn it! You're the Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy! At least put some thought into your lie. Look at me: I'm Sun Busong, same name from birth to death!"

"Are you sure you don't know me?" Luffy wondered if Sun Busong was deliberately stalling or if there was something wrong with his head.

"Are we fighting or not? If not, get lost!" Sun Busong didn't want to deal with them anymore.

The Paladin leaned toward Luffy and spoke in a very quiet voice. "Looks like we got it wrong. This kid thinks you're using a fake name to fool him."

Though he spoke very quietly, his booming voice carried well enough for everyone there to hear.

Sun Busong snorted and said disdainfully, "Keep pretending!"

"So it really was a misunderstanding. Sorry. My full name is—"

Just as Luffy was about to tell Sun Busong his full name, the Female Rogue beside him tugged at his clothes, cutting him off. "No. Master can't tell him your name."

Luffy smiled faintly and spoke kindly to her. "It's fine. What harm could he do? He's a level 21 Warrior. Even if I tell him, he won't understand."

Then he turned back to Sun Busong and finished introducing himself. "My name is VanCleef. Luffy, level 41 Silver Elite Thief King!"

"Thief King!"

Sun Busong was so surprised that he couldn't react for a moment. There was actually a class like that?

"I've never heard of a class called Thief King." A moment later, Sun Busong came back to his senses, but he still didn't understand what kind of class a Thief King was.

"Have you heard of Edwin VanCleef? Do you know the Defias Brotherhood?"

"I have. Aren't they the band of Rogues wanted by Stormwind?" As he spoke, Sun Busong suddenly realized.

Pointing at Luffy, he cried out in surprise, "You—you're that guy's son?"

Luffy only smiled and raised a finger to his lips, shushing him.

"Sure, no problem. Hahaha, I get it!" Sun Busong finally understood. After looking around to make sure no one else was listening, he walked over to Luffy and whispered, "So you're Old Wen's son. No wonder you're called the Thief King! Do you have a sister, too?"

Now it was Luffy's turn to lose his composure. The fact that he had a sister was a secret. Only five people in the world knew about it.

"What sister? What are you talking about?" After considering it, Luffy decided to see what he could learn first.

"Come on, don't play dumb. Your sister is Vanessa!" As soon as Sun Busong said this, Luffy's body went rigid. Even the two Elites beside him widened their eyes, looking as if they couldn't believe it.

"Take him with us. We're going back to headquarters!" Luffy chopped the side of Sun Busong's neck with his hand and knocked him out. Then he mounted his flying mount and left ahead of the others.

The Paladin glanced at the Thief King flying away, then at Sun Busong lying on the ground. He whistled, and a winged War Horse appeared before him.

"Let's go!"

A large hand picked up Sun Busong, and soon they were flying away, disappearing from sight.

Sun Busong drifted in and out of consciousness, dreaming that he was riding a roller coaster at an amusement park. He went up and down, and the weightlessness made him feel sick.

"Don't throw up on my mount, or I'll drop you!"

The Paladin's stern, booming voice jolted Sun Busong awake.

"What are you doing? Why did you kidnap me? I'm not a human from Stormwind!"

"We're not kidnapping you. We just want to make friends. Stay still, and we'll be there soon."

"Who do you think you're fooling? Do I look three years old?"

"You—"

The other man showed him no mercy and chopped the side of his neck again.

By the time Sun Busong woke up again, it was already night.

"Chief, he's awake!"

Sun Busong slowly opened his eyes and saw four people gathered around him, including the Thief King Luffy and the Paladin who'd flown him back.

"Sun Busong, you're awake. Would you like something to eat first? Heh. We absolutely mean you no harm. We brought you here because we have a few questions. I hope you understand the situation and answer honestly."

Luffy sat at an old wooden table facing him, while the other three stood in positions that blocked his escape routes.

Sun Busong glanced around at their formation, then swung his legs off the bed and walked straight to Luffy's table. He picked up an unused cup, poured himself some water, and took a sip.

"Go ahead. What do you want?"

Given the situation, he couldn't run and couldn't win a fight. But he had a trump card and wasn't afraid to die, so he might as well stand his ground. He wasn't called Busong for nothing.

"Heh, I admire your courage, and I'd like to be friends. But before that, please answer a few of my questions!"

"Sure, no problem. But get me some food first. I'm hungry." A cup of water had only wet his throat. Sun Busong hadn't eaten for half a day.

"Go prepare some roast meat for him!" The Paladin glanced at Luffy, then called loudly toward the door.

Luffy wasn't in a hurry. When the food arrived, Sun Busong began eating heartily, and Luffy asked, "I imagine you know who I am now. But when we first started talking, you shouldn't have known who I was. Can you tell me how you recognized me?"

Sun Busong tore off another big piece of meat, chewed and swallowed it, then looked at Luffy and replied, "I've never actually met you. I haven't met your father or your sister, either."

When Sun Busong mentioned his sister, the four people in the room showed a brief flicker of emotion. It lasted only an instant. They didn't interrupt him and continued listening.

"But I know you're members of the Defias Brotherhood. Going by the timing, Old Wen should've been assassinated by now. Oh, my condolences!"

Luffy's mouth twitched.

"Old Wen was a good man. Especially what he said right before he died: 'You dogs of Stormwind! My cause is just!' Those words fired me up. I think what he did was just, too. He was just unlucky enough to be betrayed. But even if no one had betrayed him, Black Dragon Sister wouldn't have spared him."

"Who's Black Dragon Sister?" Luffy interrupted.

"The Countess of Stormwind, Katrana Prestor. That's probably her current identity. Her real identity is Onyxia, daughter of Deathwing, the Dragon King of the Black Dragonflight—Neltharion!"

Luffy's expression changed dramatically. He sprang to his feet, and the other three closed in around Sun Busong.

"Is what you're saying true?"

Sitting in his chair, Sun Busong calmly gestured for them not to worry.

"Of course it's true. Don't rush. There's more!"

"I also know that your secret base is in a mine, and that you dug an underground river inside it and built a huge warship."

As he spoke, he ignored their shocked expressions and pointed directly at a thin man wearing a mask that covered his face.

"You must be General Scarface!"

"I can't really remember the others. You've got a Murloc, too, don't you?"

The man Sun Busong had pointed at stepped forward and took off his mask, revealing a wolf's face. He bared his teeth and asked Sun Busong, "You know me?"

"Of course. You're the poor man who was cursed and accidentally killed his own wife, aren't you?"

A flicker of anger appeared in the Worgen's eyes. He didn't want anyone calling him a poor man, but Sun Busong was right. He had killed his wife with his own hands.

"General, keep your temper. Let him continue," the Paladin beside him said, lightly patting General Scarface on the shoulder.

Sun Busong went on to tell them everything he knew about the Brotherhood. During their conversation, he also asked Luffy a few questions and learned that Black Dragon Sister was still in Stormwind and hadn't been exposed yet.

Heh heh heh! He could be a dragon-slaying hero this time!

After hearing Sun Busong out, the people in the room didn't know what to make of it. They fell silent, each lowering their head in thought.

Of course, after talking for so long, Sun Busong was thirsty and hungry again. He snapped his fingers. "Waiter, another plate of roast meat!"

Luffy left Sun Busong locked in the room. Before leaving, he looked at him with a complicated expression and asked, "I want to know—how did you learn all this?"

"If I told you I saw it on a webpage on a computer, would you believe me?"

"What webpage?"

"!"

Luffy stared into Sun Busong's eyes for several seconds, then said with certainty, "I believe you!"

Then he continued, "Earlier, you asked me, 'How did you recognize me?' I can tell you now. I have a Talent Skill that lets me see into a person's mind. Once I've seen someone, I can recognize them at a glance no matter how they disguise themselves. I can also tell whether they're telling the truth."

"You may be hiding something from me, but I know that everything you've said is true. I believe you. From now on, we're friends, and I won't ask you anything else unless you choose to tell me."

"But you can't leave yet. Give us a few hours to sort everything out, and then I'll let you go."

Then Luffy moved closer and leaned down to look Sun Busong in the eyes. "One last question: can you promise not to tell anyone about us once you leave?"

Sun Busong met his eyes, smiled, and replied, "Don't worry! Absolutely."

"Good!"

After the Thief King Luffy left, Sun Busong lay down on the bed and began thinking about what to do next.

First, of course, there was his monster-grinding plan. He still didn't know which map he was on, but it didn't matter. He was only level 21. Except for a few newbie training areas, he could grind anywhere.

Another thing was helping Humar advance. It was still Common quality. After killing that Silver Elite Dark Iron boss in Gnomeregan, its advancement progress had become 1/10.

If he killed just nine more Silver Elite monsters, Humar could advance to Green quality. Maybe then it wouldn't be so stupid.

Sun Busong wasn't worried about his safety at all. Even if they decided to kill him, he wasn't afraid. With his current health, he could even corpse-run his way out, relying on his Super Soul Stone. Once he got out, heh! Anyone who messed with him would pay!

But at heart, the Brotherhood was still a decent group. They were a bunch of poor working-class brothers, tricked and cheated, exploited and oppressed by Stormwind's nobles. In the end, once Stormwind was rebuilt, those workers hadn't received a single coin in wages.

Instead, they'd been branded as rebels and bandits. Fortunately, Old Wen, their foreman, had stood up for them.

Edwin was an exceptionally talented human. Even setting aside the fact that he had formed the Brotherhood, he was the youngest and most skilled craftsman among all humans, and he'd eventually become their leader. That alone showed how capable he was.

Later, Stormwind's nobles tried to buy Edwin off with a title, hoping he'd stop caring about the laborers under him. But right in front of those nobles, Edwin angrily tore up the document granting him the title.

Then he led the poor workers to Westfall. There, they opened up farmland, occupied mines, and traded with Goblins. Many of the workers under him were skilled technicians who could make their own equipment and manufacture goods.

As time went on, the Brotherhood grew stronger and bigger. Its workers could all afford to eat their fill and dress warmly. But that also attracted a mixed crowd. Hooligans, bandits, and bullies joined them, using the Brotherhood's name to oppress ordinary people and rob merchants.

In the end, Edwin was betrayed and killed, and the Brotherhood suffered heavy losses.

Sun Busong had thought the Brotherhood was already wiped out. He never expected Old Wen's son, Luffy, to have kidnapped him.

Maybe I can strike a deal with the Brotherhood and have them gather materials, scout for information, and handle things for me! Or... take them over!

Sun Busong was startled by his own idea.

After sitting on the bed and carefully considering it for a while, he decided it could work!

"I'm a transmigrator. Any one of the trump cards I have could let me thrive, and there are even some benefits I haven't noticed yet that are slowly emerging. Why shouldn't I have an army of my own?"

Sun Busong pulled a bottle of strong liquor from his backpack, took a big swig, and burst out laughing.

Before long, Luffy and the Paladin returned to the room.

"You can leave now. I believe you won't betray us." Luffy smiled warmly at Sun Busong, but by now, Sun Busong didn't want to leave.

"Leave? Where to? And why should I leave?"

"Huh?"

Now it was Luffy's turn to be dumbfounded.

"Weren't you going back to Ironforge?" Luffy asked.

"Are you stupid? I was about to take a Gryphon out of Ironforge when you kidnapped me," Sun Busong said.

"Uh, where were you planning to go after leaving Ironforge?" Luffy asked.

"Anywhere. I'm a full-fledged class-holder now. I can go wherever I want," Sun Busong said.

"Then go on. You can go wherever you want!" Luffy said.

"I'm already here. This place is nice," Sun Busong said.

"⊙o⊙..." Luffy.

They stared at each other in silence for quite a while.

"Do you really not want to leave?" Luffy was the first to break the silence.

"I like it here. I'm planning to hang out with you guys, and when I've decided where to go next, I'll leave on my own."

"But we're rebels—we're bandits. You could get dragged into trouble just by being with us." Luffy was genuinely thinking of Sun Busong's best interests.

"As long as nobody recognizes me, what's the problem? I remember everyone in your Brotherhood wears a red mask. I can make one myself, so you don't need to worry about it."

"Are you sure you don't want to think it over?"

"No need. I'm not going to spend the rest of my life with you. I'll definitely leave once I reach level 30. I still need to advance to Elite Warrior."

Luffy could see that Sun Busong was determined to stay, and that he genuinely wanted Luffy's approval. In the end, all Luffy could do was nod and agree.

"Uncle Ebony, please get Sun Busong a red silk mask and let him stay with me."

Uncle Ebony was the Paladin. At that moment, he looked as if he wanted to object.

"Chief, he doesn't seem strong enough to wear a silk mask. Should we give him something else instead? Leather, perhaps?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sun Busong grumbled.

The Brotherhood's masks had a strict hierarchy. The lowest-ranking members wore red coarse-cloth masks. They were all noncombatants who ran errands.

Next came linen masks. Their wearers handled tasks like delivering intelligence and gathering information, and they had a certain degree of skill.

Red wool masks meant that their wearers were members of the Brotherhood's fighting force, taking part in important battles and assassinations.

Red leather masks were for the Brotherhood's backbone. Many of their wearers were exceptionally powerful professionals.

And then there were silk masks. Wearing one meant you were either a high-ranking member or a trusted aide to one.

"Let me tell you, I'm pretty strong, and I'm a master blacksmith, too." Sun Busong hated being underestimated.

"We don't need a master blacksmith. Most of our brothers wear leather armor or cloth."

Well, the old knight sure knew how to talk. He was wearing Plate Armor himself!

Sun Busong figured that unless he showed them what he could do, they wouldn't take him seriously.

"I'm a leatherworker! Heh."

With a sly grin, Sun Busong raised an eyebrow and gave Uncle Ebony a challenging look.

"A leatherworker? Brother, are you serious?" Luffy had been looking forward to watching the show, but Sun Busong's words immediately caught his attention.

Just as Uncle Ebony had said, most of the Brotherhood's professionals were leather-wearing classes like Rogues, Assassins, Scouts, and Arcane Mages.

Luffy had gone to Ironforge this time to buy leather armor for his troops.

"Did you forget those black leather sets you bought at auction?"

"What! You made those black leather sets? Hahaha, that's wonderful, brother! Now I don't have to worry about equipment anymore." Luffy was overjoyed. It was the first time he'd laughed so freely since Old Wen died.

"Uncle Ebony, did you hear that? You'd better protect our master leatherworker! From now on, make sure you give him everything he asks for."

"Yes, my lord."

With that, Uncle Ebony hurried out of the room to fetch Sun Busong a silk mask.

After he left, Sun Busong looked at Luffy and asked, "Hey, Luffy, where did you find that old knight? I know what those Paladins are like. How'd he end up with you?"

Luffy sighed, then told him about Uncle Ebony.

It turned out the old knight had been Uther the Lightbringer's apprentice!

After Uther was killed, his youngest apprentice left the church and wandered the world alone. During a battle against demons, members of the Brotherhood had rescued him. From then on, he had become the Brotherhood's only Paladin.

"So he's still in touch with the Silver Hand?"

"I'm not sure. Besides, I don't hire someone if I don't trust him. I believe in him."

"Yeah, those knights are generally decent people."

After saying that, Sun Busong changed the subject and began discussing with Luffy what he would and wouldn't do for the Brotherhood.

"First, I have my own money, so I don't need the Brotherhood to pay me. But if you want me to make equipment, you'll have to pay double the cost of the materials."

"I know. Equipment doesn't turn out right every time. And don't worry about the materials—you only need to tell them how much you need." Luffy.

"Heh, I like that. Also, I have a pet. It's still in Ironforge. Find someone to take my token and bring it here." Sun Busong.

"You're a Warrior. How did you get a pet? Is it just for show?" Luffy.

"Who says a Warrior can't have a pet? Mine needs to fight Silver Elite monsters to advance. You'll also have to give me a group of people to scout out Silver Elite monsters. They'll work for me from now on, and I'll pay their wages myself." Sun Busong.

"Fine. Anything else?" Luffy.

"I might leave whenever I want and go wherever I please. I won't necessarily tell you where I'm going each time. And I'm afraid I can't help you kill people from Stormwind." Sun Busong.

"That's fine, too. After all, you're an official Alliance professional." Luffy.

"But I can help you take down Black Dragon Sister. Heh!" As he said this, Sun Busong draped an arm over Luffy's shoulder.

"Do you mean it?" This was the vengeance he owed for his father's death.

"I never joke about something like this! Give me some time, and I'll investigate everything. Then we won't have to waste our strength—King Wrynn can go flirt with the black dragon himself."

"Hmph! The nobles in Stormwind are all cowards. How could they possibly fight a black dragon?" Luffy's eyes blazed with anger.

"If I say it'll work, it'll work. Leave it to me. Just give me a team, and make sure they're absolutely loyal to me and obey my orders!" Sun Busong.

"All right!"

And so Sun Busong's intelligence agency was born. The team was called the Imperial Guard! In the World of Warcraft events that followed, they were constantly involved. Each of them was powerful and well-equipped. They aided both the Alliance and the Horde, rescuing them from danger—but they also left rivers of blood in their wake. When the Imperial Guard were allies, they were Holy Light, saving the suffering. When they were enemies, they were more terrifying than demons from the Burning Legion!

And so Sun Busong began his life in Westfall. During that time, he also visited Deathmine, the Brotherhood's secret base. There, he saw a massive warship and met Luffy's beautiful sister, VanCleef—Vanessa.

Vanessa had a head of jet-black hair, big blue eyes like the ocean, thin lips, a high nose, and skin as fair as snow.

But she didn't give Sun Busong a warm welcome. She didn't like the way the little guy ogled her!

Was I ogling her? I was looking at her with admiration! What could I do when her prominent features were so eye-catching? I couldn't help taking a few extra glances!

If Luffy hadn't pulled him away, Sun Busong would have gotten a good beating.

Humar was brought over, too. Sun Busong personally chose ten Brotherhood professionals to form the core of his team.

They included two Defias Pirates and their parrots, two Defias Black Guards, two Defias Necromancers, two Defias Arcane Mages, Tauren Punch Master, and finally a Dwarf knight—Uncle Ebony's apprentice, Usop.

Sun Busong had spent a fortune coaxing those last two into joining. Usop was still an ordinary knight, but that wasn't something he needed to worry about. The old knight, Uncle Ebony, would find a way to help him advance.

Tauren Punch Master was a figure of considerable importance in the Brotherhood, but Sun Busong had managed to coax him over, too. He promised the Tauren that once he reached level 30, he'd take him to the Tauren capital of Thunder Bluff for a look around. He also promised to help him get a Shaman class.

From then on, Sun Busong either took Humar out to grind monsters or led the Imperial Guard around, gathering intelligence on the black dragon in Stormwind.

The Imperial Guard had already been skilled at gathering intelligence, and under Sun Busong's training, their abilities and strength improved tremendously.

Sun Busong also made a full set of Blue Gear for them, arming them to the teeth. Once, they were accidentally surrounded in Stormwind. Four of them defeated more than a dozen SI:7 agents and escaped with no one suffering Heavy Wounds.

From then on, the name of the Imperial Guard slowly began to spread. But nobody knew who was in charge of this small team.

Days passed, and Sun Busong reached level 25. He could no longer earn Kill Points in Westfall.

The Imperial Guard had also found every nearby rare Silver Elite monster, and all of them had become sacrifices for Humar's advancement.

"Luffy, I'm heading out for a while. I'm not sure how many days I'll be gone, but I'll be back soon. Please give these pieces of equipment to Vanessa and tell her not to worry about my safety. I'm taking the entire Imperial Guard with me. They need stronger enemies if they're going to improve."

Luffy knew that Sun Busong had to face more enemies if he wanted to grow. He was reluctant to see him go, but sometimes you had to make a choice.

"Go ahead. I'll pass the things along. But I don't think she likes you."

"That's just your imagination. Keep an eye on the house, and don't let it be gone by the time I get back!"

With that, Sun Busong set off with the Tauren and Usop.

His destination was Duskwood, a day's journey away. The Imperial Guard had learned that Undead had been active there recently, and that some of the Brotherhood's leaders might have been controlled by them.

It was a chance to grind monsters and win people's favor. Of course Sun Busong wanted to get in on it.

Eight members of the Imperial Guard had already been sent ahead. They'd entered the town and started talking with the villagers.

Before long, Sun Busong and the other two arrived at Raven Hill Graveyard.

"Sir, this is where the ghosts often appear. We've found a related contact. Should we go now, or wait until tomorrow morning?"

The level-25 Tauren Punch Master had gotten used to his new role. Sun Busong's extravagant spending and generosity had won the Tauren over. The happiness of rich people was something the rest of you couldn't imagine.

"Why wait until tomorrow? Don't ghosts only come out at night? The timing's perfect. What's wrong—are you scared?"

When Sun Busong had just reached level 25, he'd accidentally offended Vanessa. The fiery young lady, who had a figure to match her temper, had blown up and tried to beat him senseless in front of everyone.

Sun Busong had been getting along well with everyone there. Several members of the Brotherhood had spoken up for him, and some had even blocked Vanessa to help him escape.

But this time, Sun Busong didn't run. He used neither a weapon nor a shield. He just stood there and let Vanessa attack him.

Everyone had thought Sun Busong would end up bedridden for at least a month. But what happened next left them stunned. Vanessa, the level-42 Thief King, had pummeled Sun Busong with her powerful fists for five whole minutes, yet he hadn't been hurt at all!

Vanessa hadn't used a weapon, but neither had Sun Busong blocked or parried her attacks. In the end, Vanessa had to find a way to save face before she finally let him go. Then she went off by herself to think things over in her room.

We had no way of knowing what she was thinking, but after that, Vanessa's attitude toward Sun Busong clearly changed. She stopped losing her temper with him over every little thing.

The Brotherhood members became even friendlier toward Sun Busong. Many of them tried everything they could to join his Imperial Guard. Some even said outright that they'd work as unofficial members, gathering intelligence and running errands for him.

Sun Busong's Strength Value was now off the charts, and his Health Points were even more ridiculous. It felt like the green bar couldn't hold it all.

"With you here, why would we be scared? Besides, they're just ghosts! Usop's the best at dealing with them."

The knight beside them was quite pleased with the Tauren's praise.

"Then what are you standing around for? Come on, let's go have a look."

Soon, the three of them found an old man in a shabby little room.

"Hello, travelers. You're not from around here, are you? What brings you here? This old man doesn't have anything to give you."

A pale old man addressed the three of them, trembling. He seemed to think they were bandits or something.

"Don't worry, old man. We're not the sort you think we are. I'm a Warrior, he's a knight, and this Tauren is my companion. We're not bad people." Sun Busong smiled as he introduced himself.

"Oh, I see! Hahaha, that's good. Though even if you were bad people, you wouldn't find anything here."

The old man sure was chatty.

"Has anything unusual happened here lately? We were sent on a mission by the commander. If you have any information, please tell us."

"The commander?" The old man looked at the three of them questioningly.

"That's right! Commander Althea Eberlock sent us here." In fact, the Imperial Guard had learned the name in advance. It belonged to the highest-ranking Night Watch officer here.

When the old man heard Sun Busong name the Night Watch commander, he believed them. He stood up, walked over to Sun Busong, and examined him closely.

"Hmm! You're definitely a Dwarf Warrior. Well, I happen to have something I'd like you to do. But are you sure you can handle the task?"

The old man seemed to look down on the three of them.

Usop stepped forward and activated his defensive aura. A wave of divine energy immediately surged around all three of them.

"Tell us what you need, old man. We're all quite capable."

"Heh, all right."

The old man turned and sat back down on his bed. Then he said, "I'm just a poor old man. What can I do? I need something brought from Night Town, but the journey is too long, and I'm too old... I simply can't make the trip."

"Could you go to Night Town and bring me some Ghost's Hair? You can ask Mrs. Iva for it. Her house is beside the town square in Night Town."

Either this old man was pretending to be stupid, or he'd just given them a terrifying quest!

Find a ghost and take its hair!

"Damn!"

A reader had urged me several times to update with ten thousand words a day. To thank him, I pushed myself today and brought you a huge ten-thousand-word update.

Dear reader Xianzhe, I did it!

Please support the novel, keep reading, vote, bookmark, comment, and help it get signed!

I'll keep doing my best to continue writing!