Blood Oath of Alliance??

Lu Mingfei was momentarily speechless, unsure whether he should marvel at how aptly Caesar Gattuso, this Italian young nobleman, wielded classical phrases, or marvel at how thoroughly he had prepared for this meeting.

In any case, Caesar had indeed shown him sufficient regard.

Yet the very next second, the blond nobleman's actions nearly made Lu Mingfei spring off the sofa.

Caesar leisurely drew a folding knife from inside the lining of his impeccable suit. It had an ancient design, its edge glinting with cold light.

With elegant precision, as though carrying out some ancient ritual, he lightly drew the blade across... his own finger.

"Mr. President, with that posture... are you planning to swear a blood oath of alliance?"

Lu Mingfei's mouth twitched as his gaze darted between the plump bead of blood on Caesar's fingertip and the innocent box of tissues on the coffee table.

"This isn't the Oath of the Peach Garden..."

Rather than taking offense, Caesar raised a brow with interest, a glimmer flashing through his pale blue eyes.

"A blood oath of alliance? I have heard that this was a solemn ritual of alliance in your country's ancient times. The Oath of the Peach Garden... that was the story of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, correct?

"To be frank, I would not mind following ancient custom..."

Lu Mingfei hurriedly waved his hands.

"No, no, no... I was just joking. We haven't done that sort of thing in New China for ages..."

"Is that so?"

Caesar nodded with a hint of regret.

What exactly are you regretting?!

Lu Mingfei could not help shouting inwardly.

Caesar had been delayed slightly by Lu Mingfei's interruption, but that brief moment was nowhere near enough for a Mixed-Blood's extraordinary regenerative ability to close the wound. Without another word, he firmly pressed his bloodied fingertip against the bronze sword hilt.

Bzz—

An almost inaudible hum sounded.

A translucent blade abruptly extended from the hilt, warping the air like heat haze rising from scorching temperatures. Yet it carried no heat and was nearly invisible.

"What the hell?"

Lu Mingfei blurted out, his eyes widening round.

"A Lightsaber??"

"Merely an alchemical weapon. Only dragon blood can activate the Alchemical Matrix at its core."

With a flick of his wrist, the invisible blade swept through the air, leaving an almost imperceptible ripple.

"During daylight, it takes this form that distorts one's vision. When night falls, it turns a deep blue, and only briefly solidifies at the instant of a strike. Because it resembles glowing fireflies in the night, leaving neither shadow nor trace, it is called Night Tempering. It is a trophy I acquired from Sotheby's Auction House."

"That's a lightsaber! No doubt about it!"

Lu Mingfei declared firmly.

"But it has its flaws as well."

Caesar's expression turned serious.

"Only a bloodline of A-Rank or above can activate its Alchemical Matrix. Anyone A-Rank or lower who attempts to use it will merely have their blood greedily drained away until they fall into shock, or even... die."

"I already have my own companion."

Caesar's voice was especially solemn.

"I think that besides me, you are its most suitable master."

Lu Mingfei's heart trembled.

No matter how ignorant he might be, he knew how priceless a weapon inscribed with an Alchemical Matrix was.

Instinctively, he wanted to throw out the words, "It's too valuable."

Yet Caesar's pale blue eyes seemed to have already seen through his thoughts.

Staring directly into Lu Mingfei's eyes, he spoke one word at a time.

"Lu Mingfei, I owe you three debts of gratitude. My life, my girlfriend's life, and the lives of every Student Union member aboard the Moniach.

"As president of the Student Union, repaying you for saving my subordinates is a responsibility I cannot shirk."

Caesar paused, his gaze blazing.

"I know that for someone like you... someone detached from worldly concerns, vulgar things like money are difficult to use as persuasion. But I am certain that what you lack right now is a weapon worthy of your strength. If you acknowledge me as a friend, then please accept it."

Detached from worldly concerns? Detached my ass, Mr. President! I'm a total ordinary guy! As ordinary as it gets! What I need most right now is green American dollars! Giving me cash directly would be more practical than anything else!

The little man in Lu Mingfei's heart was already on his knees, pounding his chest in grief and indignation. Yet his face still had to maintain a delicate expression of I understand your good intentions. In the end, it could only become a faint sigh.

"Furthermore," Caesar continued in an even tone as though he had not seen Lu Mingfei's complicated expression, "I have covered all renovation, water, and electricity expenses for Norton House for the next four years.

"Also, the Bugatti Veyron you won from me—I heard you had not had time to deal with it? I have had it repaired and filled with fuel. It is parked in Norton House's parking lot."

"These are all merely trivial matters..."

Lu Mingfei was utterly dizzy from the successive barrage of these extravagantly inhuman "trivial matters," seeing stars before his eyes.

Only minutes ago, he had been furtively discussing with Fingal, that huge German guy with absolutely no moral integrity, how to package T-shirts bought from Amazon as "limited-edition commemorative items" and sell them at exorbitant prices in the secondhand trading section of the Night Watchers Forum.

"Mr. President..."

Lu Mingfei's voice drifted slightly as he tried his best to pull his gaze away from Caesar's face, which was filled with both sincerity and lavish wealth.

"This is far too extravagant."

He racked his brains, trying to find a reason for refusing that did not sound quite so "vulgar." But under the double bombardment of this immense material shock and the persona of being "detached from worldly concerns," his brain had already crashed.

"Extravagant?"

Caesar raised his brow slightly, seemingly a little unfamiliar with the word, before revealing an understanding smile.

"Lu Mingfei, the value of what you saved cannot be measured in money. These are merely the most direct means of expressing my gratitude. As for Night Tempering..."

He extended his hand. His long fingers did not directly touch the invisible blade, instead hovering over the sword hilt as though sensing the surging power within.

"It needs a master who can truly unleash its might. In your hands, I believe it will not gather dust."

With matters having been put this plainly, Lu Mingfei no longer had any reason to refuse Caesar.

Caesar nodded in satisfaction, and at last a smile of relief and admiration appeared on his face.

"Excellent. Night Tempering will be your loyal companion."

He rose gracefully and adjusted his immaculate suit.

"Then I shall not disturb you any longer."

He turned toward the door, but after two steps, he suddenly stopped. Slanting sunlight streamed in, coating his profile in a pale golden glow.

"Lu Mingfei."

The wind brushed through his hanging golden hair, carrying a faint scent of agarwood.

"I, Caesar Gattuso, still owe you two lives."

"If you need anything—"

He paused and pointed at the black, gold-embossed business card that had somehow been left on the table.

"This is my private number. Contact me anytime."