[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces":3,"chapter-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-9":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dragon of a Thousand Faces",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2269655,4431,"Chapter 9: Foolish Deed","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-9",9,"\u003Cp>Morning mist had not yet cleared when the crunch of iron boots on grass startled the forest sparrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En wiped his sweat, unlaced his soaked linen tunic, and poured himself a cup of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After resting briefly on the chair, he picked up his longsword again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-well-maintained lawn was now trampled into chaos; at this moment, he had to thank his “fiancée” for her gift—otherwise, he’d have no place to practice swordplay without disturbing others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed strength, and the Hero Soul’s “time” was severely limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had risen before dawn, taken two breaks so far, and after two more morning drills, it would be time to finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it was no longer basic empty-swing training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cloth covered his eyes; the empty courtyard held nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a steel blade began its dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping forward, the flash of a Shunshizhan  lit the courtyard—basic combat techniques that normally required months of training had become muscle memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of blades clashing was merely Li En’s own muttered imitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His motion broke off mid-slash, retreating in a swift step-back—as if an invisible giant had not only blocked his strike but also countered with a thrust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The double-handed sword’s blade swung horizontally, blocking the thrust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The advantage of a heavy two-handed sword lay in its dual use: it could be swung like a whirlwind in mass combat, or retracted to serve as a shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the “opponent” was now within close range—the long-range double-handed sword could no longer be wielded effectively, so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword fell straight to the ground; Li En pulled the “opponent” with his left hand and raised his right shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stomped, executed Iron Mountain Shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body slammed sideways, striking the target squarely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the phantom opponent remained stubbornly upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps, he simply lacked the strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet superior combat experience could compensate for physical shortcomings; from the start, Li En had anticipated this—his Iron Mountain Shoulder’s full force was meant only to unbalance the opponent slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fully armored knight’s weight was itself a force; in his imagination, the opponent was already pinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En released his sword, freeing his right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Holy Fist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cry summoned holy power; as he pulled, he pressed the opponent down, his right fist—glowing white in his illusion—pummeling relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big hammer, little hammer.” Among clerics, there were Holy Fist monks; Su Er was an expert in this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the off-balance opponent took a surprise punch straight to the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to defend in the short term, the iron-plated glove drove blow after blow into the skull, shattering it outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En removed the blindfold, drenched in sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What looked like a few motions, mere seconds, had drained all his strength and focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more experienced the practitioner, the closer this imagined combat came to reality—and in real combat, life and death were often decided in one or two exchanges, mere seconds, consuming every ounce of spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes again, reviewing the “battle” he had just endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not enough.” The physical shortcomings were too great; this level of power might suffice against street thugs, but it could not kill true transcenders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not help recalling this morning’s dream—the deeper despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An endless army surged toward him; everywhere he looked, darkness, blades, spears, swords, and enemy banners—yet the Hero Soul never paused a single step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man, one sword, was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each sword strike glowed, instantly clearing a vast area; the next instant, more darkness rushed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boundless. Endless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hatred for the world’s darkness filled his heart, but greater still was his fury at his own powerlessness to change reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Er longed to roar—but reason told him every drop of strength was precious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he poured his entire being into the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anger is my strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awareness of my own fragility and weakness is also my strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I yearn to change—even if trapped in boundless darkness, I yearn for light. If this world offers no beacon to guide the path, I will become that candle, burning out in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the boundless black battlefield, in the black swamp of fallen lands, only a single flicker of light remained, stubbornly swinging its blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No technique, no skill—only pouring the will in his heart into the sword, shouting to the unjust, to evil, to darkness:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exorcise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver radiance coated the Blade of Courage; this time, its glow was not dazzling as before—it condensed like a mirror, gathering moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet for the wicked, it was even more dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clap, clap, clap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sudden applause startled Li En; he spun around to find Policewoman Talia S Daer  standing nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had she arrived?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talia looked at Li En with deep admiration; she had watched the entire drill. His movements and focus made even her, as an observer, feel as if she saw every strike and parry of the “imagined opponent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a veteran, she knew how much real combat experience was needed to simulate it so vividly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Movements of a hundred battles, strength weaker than a recruit. No—his decline is worse than a child’s. He’s far weaker than the day we first met.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This contradiction—a century-old veteran trapped in a broken body—made the policewoman ache with sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew Li En had not been at his peak when they first met; she dared not imagine how powerful the peak Li En had been. A young man so strong—how many years of torment and battlefield suffering had it taken? Now, he gasped for breath after mere seconds of motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet even so, he trains with unwavering determination, knowing all this effort will vanish. Such willpower is rarer than strength itself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her habitual watchful gaze, a rare spark of genuine admiration appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of his fate—expelled from his family as a political pawn, then jilted, now stripped of power—each blow alone would be fatal, yet he always smiled through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm. Without resentment. It was unbelievable. Was he some kind of saint?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you feel this effort is meaningless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The regression phase inevitably reduces the body to worthless stone; the hard-won professional skills are destined to vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What meaning is there in effort now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most Juewang  was not the loss of profession or physical decline—but the collapse of Heart-Soul Techniques and Heart-Soul Abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heart-Soul Abilities stem from the soul, yet are crystallizations of Heart-Body Techniques—the core of a transcender’s evolution. Once the soul collapses, perfect restoration is nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph. To the world’s general judgment, my effort may be meaningless. But to me, it’s meaningful enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, even if I can’t be a knight, I’m quite interested in being a spellcaster. It’s just starting over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En spoke nothing but truth; having come to this fantasy world, he naturally longed to become a mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once regretted that his first Hero Soul wasn’t a spellcasting one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment, the man’s calm, resolute words shattered the policewoman’s defenses—if it were her, could she face the end so calmly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple “start over.” If she had been so open-minded back then, she wouldn’t have abandoned everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you lose everything, you can still start over. If one path is blocked, take another—even if it consumes your whole life, even if you may never reach your former height.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If your life is destined to be wasted, if you’re destined to gain nothing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. Then walk your own path, and let others talk.” In Talia’s eyes, the man before her walked his path with such calmness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Li En himself, he felt slightly embarrassed under her clear, bright gaze. “Sister Tough Flower, when we first met, you weren’t this way at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suspected she’d misunderstood something—but this kind of thing was impossible to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any new leads on the Tail Hunter case?” This was why they had met so early—yesterday’s Will case had reopened the Tail Hunter investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Three more victims confirmed. Like Will, their bodies turned to mummies, tails gone. At each scene, a bloodstained silver coin… it’s him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talking of official matters, Talia instantly grew serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, they thought cutting down that noble youth, the enforcer, had ended it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, things were clearly more complicated—the mastermind had grown bolder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The corpse you saw was meant for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.” Li En sighed. It was an outright provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t just commit crimes—I commit them right on your face. Then I leave the corpse for you to admire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talia’s face flushed red—with rage. This wasn’t just slapping Li En’s face—it was slapping the face of law and the Harbor District Police Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But reality was this: had it not been for the pressure of Li En’s “fiancée” and his noble bloodline, the city’s corrupt nobles wouldn’t have merely threatened a righteous man—they’d have killed him outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you give me more information?” Clearly, the knight before her had no intention of stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talia shook her head. If he were still the full-strength Oath Knight, she’d have given him the files privately. Now, giving them to him would be watching him die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The real victims number in the hundreds—nearly a year now.” But some semi-transparent details could still be revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En froze, then understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This case had never been about individual murders—it was an organized industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble youth he had slain was merely one link.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The key is the consumers—and those who provide the technology.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will’s corpse was withered, his internal organs torn out. This meant not only had the body been desecrated by secret rites, but its life force had been stolen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stealing others’ limbs as material for evolution or prolonging life is not merely heretical—it requires specialized techniques, often originating from some dark deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, a cultist or organized group operates behind the scenes, supplying the lords with “ginseng fruits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, professional,” Talia said, realizing Li En had immediately grasped the core issue. “But the situation is complicated. We confirmed that Diego possessed no power from any dark deity, and his strength was ordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Li En frown—he knew things had just gotten far worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone capable of committing murders silently in the docks district wouldn’t be weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That noble was merely a middleman, delivering the victims’ “fruits” to the noble lords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fully resolve this case, first, cut down the killer; second, uncover the Muhou .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did we alert the snake? My mistake.” “Sul’s” investigative experience provided the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no, no—if not for you, we’d still have no leads at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sul.” Li En opened his mouth, but swallowed the deeply disrespectful words: “How can you be this useless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En did not regret acting too swiftly, nor did he despise the dock district police station’s low efficiency due to insufficient manpower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely astonished that, with a lead in hand, no one had pursued it to the end. This was a world with supernatural power—its investigative efficiency could surpass even surveillance cameras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using Sul the Holy Oath Knight’s investigative approach: once a lead is found, hurl divine punishment spells all along the trail—guilty parties are cut down immediately; accomplices are hunted to the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they won’t talk? Medieval inquisitors were all masters of torture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That noble boy clearly had something sinister behind him—why not just storm his house and search it? A knight squad in one night would clean it out thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you can’t kill his Muhou , severing the front-hand would cut off the dark deity’s techniques—at least prevent more victims.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.” He could only sigh. The lead was gone; the window had closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also why he had repeatedly refused police recruitment. This city had so many districts; the docks district was not only the weakest but housed multiple police stations, with severely limited manpower—and many officers held ambiguous loyalties, utterly untrustworthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This suburban station knew exactly where the problem lay, yet couldn’t pursue it further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This violates justice,” Li En instinctively gripped his sword. If he were still the original “Sul,” he would have already charged out onto the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, as merely Li En, his purity was insufficient, his strength inadequate—acting recklessly would be suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even entering to investigate was possible; even knowing who the Muhou  was, bursting through the front gate was unlikely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally released the sword hilt, yet could only sigh helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, if only I were still a Grand Knight…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he did not know a pair of beautiful eyes had been watching him all along, her face filled with anguish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hero in decline does not grieve for himself, but mourns because justice cannot be vindicated. At this moment, Talia’s heart shattered; she lowered her head, too ashamed to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this moment on, she abandoned all thoughts of recruiting the man before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pity him? Was she even worthy? Even now, in his lowest state, he was destined to soar once more into the nine heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he had repeatedly refused her invitations. This “slum” police station was merely a shackle limiting his growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is your police station’s offer of cooperation still open? I’ll join.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment, it was Li En who spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me be clear—I won’t abandon this case. My current strength is insufficient, so I need the police station’s aid: intelligence support, equipment, resources, and official status. It may also bring you trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you have other options—better ones than our slum police station, like the churches.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A former Classical Oath Knight—how could any church knight order refuse? Even if they kept him as a relic on display, it would be a mark of prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No time left.” His calm words carried unshakable resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His time was limited—only nine days remained before the Hero Soul Card’s blessing vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just for Will’s sake. Given the perpetrator’s arrogant, brazen methods, after “Sul” killed that noble, the enmity was sealed—this would be a death feud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you expect the enemy to spare you? Don’t be naive. If you cut down evil, finish it. Killing to silence? They won’t let you live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting you go now is merely waiting for the heat to die down before coming back for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How foolish, how naive, to entrust your life’s safety to a monster?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Less than ten days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Best to resolve this while the Hero Soul’s blessing still holds. To accomplish this within the deadline, he needed the local police’s help—relying on the dock district police was the most reliable option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No time left?” Talia was momentarily dazed—then she recalled the crime scene, and understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the female officer’s eyes, the scene became even more idealized: victims continued to pile up; the young righteous knight hoped to eliminate this killer and his criminal organization before losing his power entirely—even if it cost him his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stranger, a broken degenerate, a fragile man losing his strength—yet he fought desperately with his remaining time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his eyes, there seemed to be no trace of himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My power will soon fade to near nothing—I won’t be able to remain a long-term officer. My condition for joining is that I be allowed to participate in this case.” The man calmly stated his goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if he never returned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he would never return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—we absolutely won’t let you down!” the female officer shouted, her voice brimming with reckless determination—she would protect him at all costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From then on, Li En, now a police colleague, merely nodded silently, offering a smile in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe in you.” Looking at that gentle smile, Talia—the “Mother Rakshasa”—suddenly couldn’t meet his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face flushed instantly; she turned her head away, refusing to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En didn’t notice her odd behavior—he was only astonished by his own gains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Hero Soul delighted! Synchronization rate and satisfaction significantly increased. Current synchronization rate: 21.6%. Satisfaction: 15.6%.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Learned: Exorcising Slash (One-Ring Standard Version)!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Stare. Rage. Slash—Sul Daong.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Li En was stunned. How had synchronization jumped two points and satisfaction five?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was one single decision worth more than all his previous efforts combined?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was the Hero Soul delighted? The next instant, he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The justice of fools is truly foolish—choosing the dumbest path, smashing headfirst into the hardest wall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the Hero Soul was satisfied by his foolish act: abandoning his original plan, joining a dead-end police station, and fighting head-on against a serial killer’s organization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smarter, more rational Li En could have fled, moved to another city. But Li En chose the foolish path of relentless confrontation—and only then did the Hero Soul finally nod, truly recognizing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though slightly awkward, Li En didn’t dislike this foolish sincerity of the Hero Soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is a knight-errant? One who harms himself to benefit others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind recalled yesterday—the child’s lifeless, empty eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still had a future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since no one will stand up for you, I will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Detecting host has joined police force. Host granted law enforcement status. Detecting Hero Soul recognition. Holy Oath Knight’s exclusive Punishment Domain loaded.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Detecting first Hero Soul synchronization rate exceeding 20%. Hero Soul has granted host recognition. Dream Instructor Mode activated (this mode will trigger a series of unknown consequences—proceed with caution). Note: This mode functions only within dreams.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Justice does not wait. The light of law cannot reach every shadow. If the innocent cannot sleep, let me be the one—Sul Daong.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh, 5300-word chapter\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2909,"2026-06-19T21:45:41.002Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","20ad42318cf85c9b6c27cea4b6027f1f2904b9ea52e80b0647d7cd64d1549ea8","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-10","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-8",362,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-cover.jpg"]