Chapter 018: A Born Charlatan

The squad leader also had some insight. Seeing the combat energy on Du Fan’s body, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Light Combat Energy!”
Du Fan was slightly taken aback and said, “I didn’t expect you to recognize it. So, are you going to fight now or not?”
The squad leader’s gaze was filled with doubt. He clearly understood that someone who could use Light Combat Energy must be from the Holy Church. Most people in the Gavin Empire were followers of the God of Light. Although this squad leader was usually arrogant and domineering, he really didn’t have the motivation to fight against the Templars of the Holy Church.
The soldiers with him also turned pale. They were all secretly glad they hadn’t started fighting right away. They had long heard that the Templars were extremely skilled. If a fight broke out, aside from the risk of dying, even just offending a Templar would mean certain execution, even as members of the Northern Legion.
Seeing that the squad leader had softened and no longer intended to fight, Du Fan smiled, retracted his combat energy, and sat back down. Smiling, he said to the squad leader, “You must have done quite a few acts of bullying men and women, right? Don’t your superiors care at all? Or maybe only if I have time to talk to Duke Green will the discipline of your Northern Legion improve?”
The squad leader broke into a cold sweat. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “This… sir, all these things have nothing to do with the duke. They are just the actions of us lower-ranking soldiers. If you want to hold someone accountable, just blame me.”
Du Fan smiled and said, “Being a soldier means having little money each month. We fight against foreign enemies and monsters for the empire all the time. It’s natural to become a bit arrogant and domineering. I understand that. But after all, soldiers are meant to protect their country and home. Whether it’s the country or home, it’s ultimately these ordinary people who need protection. Don’t your current actions deviate a little from what you originally intended as soldiers?”

The squad leader was stunned for a moment, recalling how he had joined the military full of passion back then, precisely to safeguard peace in the region. Thinking about his own actions these days, he felt confused. Seeing the holy smile on the Templar before him (Du Fan hadn’t explained anything, so he assumed Du Fan was a Templar), he realized he had done many wrong things and couldn’t help but lower his head.

Seeing his reaction, Du Fan’s smile grew even more serene. “Since you now know what you think, you probably won’t do such things again in the future. Everyone makes mistakes; I’ll just pretend the past incidents never happened. As for what will happen next, it depends on you.”

The squad leader was even more grateful. He clasped his hands over his chest, looking deeply enlightened.

Although the people around them all came from the Holy Church, they were all moved to tears by Du Fan. This priest Du Fan truly lived up to his reputation—being able to influence the enemy even in a life-or-death situation. His devotion and skills were truly unmatched in the world.

Seeing that the squad leader had been sufficiently moved, Du Fan helped him up, asked him to gather the soldiers, and gave them some earnest instructions. Then, he changed the subject and asked about the local customs and conditions.

At that moment, Du Fan and the squad leader were sitting face to face. The squad leader took out a map of the northern region from his pocket and placed it on the table. Pointing to a location on the map, he said, “Honorable sir, if I remember correctly, the place you’re looking for should be here. Traveling three days and three nights northwest from Wood Town should take you there. There’s a small hill there, but amidst the ice and snow, it resembles a southern landscape. The locals say that place is the dwelling of demons. I wonder where you all plan to go and what you intend to do?”

Du Fan smiled and said, “Since it’s the dwelling of demons, of course we’re going to seal them away. Otherwise, if those things escape their dwelling, the north of the Gavin Empire will be in chaos. Anyway, we owe you our thanks this time. Without you, we might really not have found the place.”

The squad leader bowed repeatedly, saying it was his duty to serve the God of Light.

Before leaving, he not only handed over the detailed map but also slapped Tommy hard, avenging Du Fan and his group.

And so, under the astonished gazes of the townspeople, Du Fan and his group left Wood Town unharmed. In the eyes of the locals, it was truly extraordinary to offend those arrogant northern armies and come away unscathed.
…
On a small hill north of Wood Town, there was a fairly spacious open area where dozens of tents were set up, blocking most of the cold wind.
It was already late at night, and aside from a few Temple Knights on watch, most people were asleep.
In the center of this makeshift camp, a pile of bonfires was burning fiercely. Above the fires, a small iron pot was boiling something, emitting waves of meaty aroma that made one’s mouth water.
Du Fan sat by the fire, holding the map and studying it. Chenchen’s head poked out from his collar, watching his movements as she couldn’t help but ask in her mind, “Du Fan, what are you looking at?”
Du Fan sighed and said softly, “It’s still to plan our escape route. We both underestimated this journey to the Divine Palace. We should have known that since it has stood on the Roland Continent for a thousand years and was only discovered now, it must be located in a dangerous and hidden place. In such a place, I’m afraid we might survive to reap the benefits but not live long enough to use them. And…”
“And what?” Chenchen asked.
“And if my guess is right, even if Bruce is stupid, he should have set off by now. At our pace, even if we can get there a step ahead of him, it won’t be by much. Conflict is inevitable, but I can’t predict what will happen after that. After all, it’s because my strength is too weak. If I were a bit stronger, there would be no need to fear that old bastard Bruce.”
Chenchen meowed and said, “Don’t forget about me.”
Du Fan smiled gently and said, “Yes, I almost forgot. If it were you, you’d surely find a way to prevent Bruce from returning alive, right? Forget it for now. Let’s think about what preparations we should make in the next few days.”
Chenchen wanted to say more, but suddenly retracted back into Du Fan’s clothes. Before leaving, she seemed to glance behind Du Fan.

Du Fan put away the map in his hand and glanced behind him. He saw a figure approaching in his direction. Once he could see her clearly, Du Fan was stunned. He never expected Tasia to appear at such a time. Throughout his journey, he had spoken no more than ten sentences with this most famous ice-cold beauty in the imperial capital. Now, seeing her, he didn’t know what to say and could only nod slightly as a greeting. Tasia remained as cold as ever. She walked over and sat down next to Du Fan. After a while, she said, “Lord Du Fan, do you realize that you were deceived today by that captain of your northern army?” Du Fan smiled faintly and said, “Oh?” Tasia replied, “I’ve met countless people in my life and am considered perspicacious even within the Holy Church. Perhaps Lord Du Fan lacks experience and didn’t notice, but that captain kept his eyes moving constantly while you were explaining the doctrines. I guess he was either afraid of the power of the Temple Knights or didn’t dare offend those from the Holy Church, which is why he acted that way. Although he said many things to you face to face, it would be strange if he actually did what he said after we left.” Du Fan nodded and said, “Indeed. In his eyes, my words might seem overly pedantic. To put it bluntly, he probably still sees me as a fool—thinking that a map and some minor secret from the north can offset his offense against the Temple Knights. He must think he’s getting a good deal.” Tasia was slightly surprised. She glanced at Du Fan curiously and asked, “Since Lord Du Fan saw through this all along, why…?” “Why not expose him right then?” Du Fan asked. “To be honest, I not only wanted to expose him but also take his life. How could I let someone who brought shame to the northern army go unpunished? But alas, now is not the time for us to do such things. Our top priority is the Divine Palace. Until that goal is achieved, we’re powerless no matter what happens. As for the northern army, I’ll handle it myself when we return to the imperial capital. Miss Tasia, there’s no need for you to worry about that.”

Tasia glanced up at Du Fan a few times. This young master Du Fan was indeed not ordinary—he acted one way in front of others and another behind their backs, truly embodying the essence of a swindler. As someone from the Divine Might Prison, Tasia knew quite a bit about the usual behavior of the priests in the Church. Seeing Du Fan, so young yet acting like an old swindler with decades of experience in the Church, she couldn’t help but think to herself that this guy was indeed a natural swindler. It seemed the task assigned by Lord Neo wouldn’t be that difficult to complete after all.