Chapter 456: Lionheart Knight

Rock Lion City is built upon an unimaginably huge rock; from a distance the rock resembles a giant lion, so the city got its name.

As Kangjiatuo's second-largest city, Rock Lion City's defensive force ranks first, stronger than the capital Kingslan, and it has never fallen in history. Its walls are carved directly from the rock, over thirty meters high, and even at night their grandeur can be felt.

Soon after night fell, the city lit up with endless lights; the glow could be seen dozens of li away, standing out like torches in the darkness.

Lei En told Bo Erqi to slow his flight speed.

"Do we fly straight in, or teleport into the city?" he asked.

Ding Laji, hearing the question, finally came to himself, hesitated, and said, "Lord Count, may I walk in through the city gate?"

"Fine." Lei En had no objection.

Bo Erqi descended in a secluded spot dozens of li from Rock Lion City, using the night's cover, and reverted to human form. Lei En saw Bo Erqi's dazzling Sun Knight armor, shook his head, and thought that appearance would probably not even be allowed through the city gate.

He produced a set of enchanted armor for Bo Erqi to wear, reminding him, "Stay low, don't cause trouble."

"Got it, boss!"

Bo Erqi happily put it on; the enchanted armor was costly, and now that it was in his hands, he could not return it to his boss.

Lei En also changed into leather armor, a long sword at his waist, looking like a ranger.

After the three were ready, Lei En opened a portal that placed them in a hidden corner outside Rock Lion City; they took the main road, looking like a small mercenary squad, swaggering toward the city gate.

Rock Lion City has no curfew, and many people come and go.

At the gate a squad of guards stood; from a distance Lei En activated his Soul Eye and examined their details clearly.

All the guards were Lionheart Knights.

The Dans family blends the "Golden Lion" bloodline, a powerful beast famed for strength and defense, possessing a rare Element called "Lion King's Heart" that grants tremendous burst power, swift speed, and composure in critical moments, comparable to "Cold Wisdom"; its appearance is majestic and kingly, like a natural leader.

In Kangjiatuo, aside from the Dragonborn Apostles, the Dans family's Lionheart Knights and the Laoberdier family's Giant Deer Warriors are the strongest.

Giant Deer Warriors have superior strength and can cast several wind spells as support.

Lionheart Knights are more well‑rounded; their strength, speed, defense, resistance, and regeneration have no flaws, often giving them the upper hand.

Lei En, while walking toward the gate, carefully observed the Lionheart Knights.

This extraordinary class is like an advanced "Iron Guard", more promising than a "Steel Knight"; of course, like Iron Guards and Steel Knights, they lack lasting power and have low caps, making the chance to reach Level 20 and ascend to Saint Rank very slim.

This is a common flaw of all melee classes, especially pronounced in Kangjiatuo's bloodline system.

Soon, the three arrived before the gate.

A guard unit of twenty, led by a senior Lionheart Knight, also included four Mid-stage members; each Lionheart Knight wore armor radiant as gold, shoulder plates shaped like lion heads, a lion emblem on the chest, a lion‑faced great shield on the back, a long sword at the waist, a spear in hand, and the golden helmet's twin eyes scanned the passersby.

Just this gear alone costs at least a thousand Gold Shields, showing the Dans family's wealth.

"Rich guy!"

Lei En turned his head to glance at Bo Erqi.

Sure enough, the dragon's eyes darted over the Lionheart Knights; without thinking, one could guess his thought—he probably wishes to strip their armor off.

Lei En used a Soul‑binding Circle to warn the dragon not to look around recklessly, lest trouble arise.

Under the Lionheart Knights' gaze, the three entered the city smoothly.

The senior knight captain stared at Ding Laji's back, finding the dwarf somewhat familiar, but the memory was too distant to recall at once.

"Never mind, just a dwarf." He brushed the doubt aside.

After entering the city, Ding Laji walked the streets, watching the night scenery, instantly reverting to his usual debauchery. When passing some bustling brothels, he laughed occasionally, "I used to come here often; I was their most honored client, getting a twenty‑percent discount. I never expected it to still be open after all these years. I wonder if my discount still counts?"

"There's a very thrilling activity behind this alley, *tch tch*..."

"Ah, the tavern ahead is my favorite spot; their stout is a Rock Lion City specialty. If you want to gather any information, this is the place to go."

Ding Laji's eyebrows rose animatedly; he knew every corner of the city.

Lei En gave no reply; it was clear Ding Laji loved Rock Lion City, having many fond memories there.

The happier he appears now, the more pain he feels inside.

Gradually, Ding Laji fell silent, shaking his head helplessly, "What a pity, after all these years, no one remembers me anymore."

"Why did you leave the family?" Lei En asked casually.

"It's not that I left." Ding Laji looked up, a flash of pain in his eyes, and said in a low voice, "Lord Count, I was expelled from the family; the reason is laughable."

He spread his hands, showing his physique, "I was born deformed, raised amid mockery and indifference. As an adult I liked to roam the city. The family said I tarnished the 'Dans' name, ruined its reputation, and after one mishap they expelled me from Rock Lion City, never to return."

"Was it a real transgression or just an excuse?" Lei En asked thoughtfully.

Ding Laji found it hard to speak.

Lei En smiled, "I was only asking; you needn't answer."

"It's nothing; I just got involved with one of my father's concubines, though she wasn't even a concubine, just a high‑class prostitute," Ding Laji shrugged nonchalantly, as if the incident was fuzzy, then recalled, "Once we were caught in the act, someone reported it to my father. That wretch, to save herself, falsely accused me of raping her, when in fact she had lured me first..."

He said no more; the outcome was obvious.

Lei En's face showed surprise; he examined Ding Laji's figure closely, thinking how daring he was to even touch his father's woman.

Father and son becoming comrades would ruin the Dans family's reputation in Rock Lion City if it spread; publicly people wouldn't dare speak, but privately they'd be mocked countless times.

"What happened to that prostitute later?" Lei En pressed.

Ding Laji paused a few seconds, then replied, "I heard she vanished the day after I left Rock Lion City."

He looked relaxed, but Lei En's Soul Eye saw his soul color shift from white to deep blue, a sign of sorrow.

It also bore a few strands of pale black; sorrow at its peak had turned into pain.

Clearly, Ding Laji's feelings for the woman were far more than a mere affair; she held a unique place in his heart.

Lei En let out a quiet sigh and patted Ding Laji's shoulder.

After walking a while, the three reached the central district of Rock Lion City, the head of the giant lion rock—a magnificent castle carved from the same stone as the city, seamlessly integrated; the stone walls, over twenty meters high, bore intricate sigils that emitted subtle vibrations.

Lei En glanced a few times; as expected, the castle was surrounded by a sealing array that prevented teleportation.

At that moment, the castle's great doors were open.

In front of the doors lay a wide avenue, yet no pedestrians; both carriages and walkers kept a distant distance from the castle, unwilling to approach.

Ding Laji's steps involuntarily slowed, his breathing became a bit rapid, and his emotions fluctuated wildly.

"It's still not too late to regret now," Lei En said lightly.

"I never regret," Ding Laji turned his head back, stared at Lei En, his gaze becoming firm, "Even when I was expelled from Rock Lion City years ago, I felt not a single ounce of regret. Now, after finally reaching this point, I won't regret either."

"Then that's good." Lei En said no more.

Ding Laji took a deep breath, stepped out of the hidden alley, and strode toward the castle gate.

Lei En followed behind him, watching his short silhouette, yet feeling no sense of smallness, as if he saw a towering, majestic figure.

"Stop!"

"This is the Lidans family's castle; idle strangers may not approach!"

A Lionheart Knight shouted loudly, and several guards nearby became alert, hands resting on their longswords, assuming a defensive stance. Above the gate, an entire squad of Lionheart Knights cast glances their way; as they moved, the clank of their armor rang, their aura imposing.

The uniquely king‑like aura of the Lionheart Knights was released, dozens of spiritual powers merging into a single mass, creating a massive deterrent.

An ordinary extraordinary being might not even be able to speak.

Ding Laji remained unshaken, calmly saying, "I am Ding Laji Dens, son of Walter Dens, and I wish to see him." His tone was tranquil, yet like a boulder dropped into a lake, it stirred a tempest in the Lionheart Knights' hearts.

"What mongrel dares to impersonate the Duke's son?" a young Lionheart Knight shouted angrily.

Ding Laji's eyelid twitched; the word "mongrel" evoked too many humiliations, sounding painfully harsh.

He moved his fingers to cast a spell, but heard someone roar:

"Silence!"

Immediately, a golden figure burst from the castle, moving as fast as lightning, raised a hand and slapped the insolent Lionheart Knight's face, sending him flying; his golden helm dented, half a mouth of teeth splattered with blood everywhere.

The Lionheart Knight recognized the attacker, quickly bowed his head and called, "Sir Commander!"

He wore golden armor like the Lionheart Knights, but without a helm; he was towering, handsome, with radiant golden hair, a fierce gaze, standing among the crowd like a sun—no matter how discerning the eye, no flaw could be found.

Lei En had seen him the moment he appeared.

His Soul Eye instantly pierced through, and his heart startled; this person was a Legendary High-rank Lionheart Knight, already at level sixteen!

Although he had only recently ascended to Legendary High-rank for a few years, his strength was extraordinary, exceeding forty Elements that granted him terrifying power, with astonishing defense; his speed and combat skill were each top‑tier Elements, nearly reaching the pinnacle of melee professions.

Moreover, judging from his soul state, this legendary Lionheart Knight was very young, not even seventy years old!

Legendary High-rank individuals under seventy are rare even within the Empire.

This is the most powerful extraordinary being Lei En has encountered since landing in Kangjiatuo; if Duke Feishe did not possess the Legend Grade "Thousand Rivers Blade", he likely would not be his match.

"Hmph!"

His expression soured as he glared at the young Lionheart Knight on the ground, saying in a deep voice, "If I hear those two words again, it won't be just a slap." He turned to the other Lionheart Knights and ordered, "Take him down for treatment; after he heals, lock him in confinement for three months to reflect. Without my approval, no one may release him."

"Yes, Sir Commander!"

The Lionheart Knights fell silent as cold cicadas, hurriedly carrying the wounded comrade away.

Without watching the aftermath, the Legendary High-rank Lionheart Knight turned, scrutinizing Ding Laji; his expression shifted from anger to joy, and he said cheerfully, "My dear brother, you're finally back."

As he spoke, he eagerly rushed forward and embraced Ding Laji, pressing so hard that he almost lifted Ding Laji off the ground.

"Big brother."

Ding Laji also seemed pleased, his ugly face breaking into a grin uglier than crying.

The surrounding Lionheart Knights watched the scene, and upon hearing the dialogue, were shocked; this short dwarf truly was the Duke's son, the commander's brother.

Lei En was also somewhat surprised.

He had heard of the golden Lionhead's commander, named Koste Dens, who turned out to be Ding Laji's elder brother. The Soul Eye saw clearly that Koste's emotions were genuine, deeply delighted by his brother's return, without any pretense.

Ding Laji's feelings toward Koste were far more complicated.

"His elder brother?" Lei En muttered, suddenly recalling the man who had put a huge green hat on King Marck—wasn't that the one before him? And they were incestuous siblings!

He couldn't help but assess Koste; indeed he was handsome and dashing, with a resolute bearing, wielding Legendary High-rank power, commanding a mighty extraordinary legion, a man whose allure to women was irresistible.

Of course, he was still a bit inferior to me, but enough to make that queen stray.

Koste's perception was extremely sharp; sensing Lei En's scrutiny, he glanced at Lei En, his pupils instantly contracting, a vague feeling surfacing in his heart. Even though Lei En now only wore a ranger's guise, he still felt as if he had met his life's strongest opponent, instantly feeling like facing a great enemy.

Koste couldn't help but release his brother, asking, "Ding Laji, who is this?"

(End of Chapter)