CHAPTER 642

【 SO IT REALLY IS BOSS FÉNG 】

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“It’s the Knights Templar from Azeroth Alliance,”

FacetheWind said in a low, grave tone, his expression darkening as he watched the armored figures approach.

Achan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint glint flashing in them.

“Black Friday…” he muttered, his voice tinged with disdain.

That was the in-game username of the approaching leader of the Knights Templar.

Yeye recalled that FacetheWind had once told him this person was none other than the commander of the Knights Templar himself, one of the top-ranking players in the Azeroth Alliance’s combat power rankings and an elite Silver-ranked veteran who placed somewhere within the top hundred on the leaderboards.

The fully armored paladin strode toward them and came to a halt under the wary gazes of the All-Star members. He laughed heartily, removed his helmet, and revealed a handsome elven face with golden hair and blue eyes.

“Haha, I was wondering who it might be—turns out it’s our friends from All-Star,” Black Friday said with a grin.

His gaze then swept over the group of All-Star players before settling on Achan.

“Well, well, if it isn’t All-Star Captain Achan. I heard you’ve been scavenging scraps in the Shattered Divine Kingdom lately. What brings you here to the Titan Ruins… grave robbing, perhaps?”

Black Friday lifted his chin as he spoke, his tone dripping with mockery and arrogance. The faint smirk tugging at his lips made his provocation all the more deliberate.

Achan let out a cold laugh, his expression hardening.

“What our guild chooses to do is none of the business of a third-rate guild cobbled together from small fry like yours. Black Friday, take your lackeys and leave. This area is now under All-Star’s jurisdiction,” he said bluntly.

His words struck like a whip, sharp and dismissive.

For a brief moment, the tension in the air was palpable, almost explosive.

Yeye looked on in confusion, unable to understand why hostility flared the instant the two groups met.

Noticing his puzzled expression, FacetheWind explained through the party chat,

“Azeroth Alliance’s main city, Lordaeron, developed pretty much the same way as ours, Atlantis. Our territories are right next to each other too, so we’ve clashed plenty of times before. That’s why our relations aren’t exactly friendly, as you can see.”

Ah, that explained it.

Yeye and Nana finally understood.

No wonder FacetheWind had always seemed irritated whenever he mentioned Azeroth Alliance back in Chosen City.

Turns out, their guilds had long been rivals.

Realizing this, the two newcomers grew tense as well.

They quietly stood behind the All-Star members, trying their best to blend into the background.

In situations like this, only the Silver-rankers mattered, and newbies like them were bound to be caught in the crossfire if things went south.

The two guilds stood opposite each other, their formation lines clear and tense. The Knights Templar’s numbers were noticeably greater, nearly double that of All-Star’s, and their confident stances carried an undeniable air of superiority.

Still, most of Azeroth Alliance members kept their wary eyes fixed on Achan, as though facing a formidable enemy.

That was the kind of pressure exuded by someone ranked amongst the top hundred on the combat leaderboards.

Only Black Friday remained calm.

His gaze lingered on the piles of obsidian behind the All-Star group, his eyes momentarily flashing with astonishment.

Then he burst into laughter.

“Haha, Captain Achan, that’s not very fair of you. The guardian outside the main entrance of this mausoleum was taken down by our guild. By rights, whatever’s inside this place should belong to Azeroth Alliance! So how did this area suddenly become All-Star’s territory?”

“They actually managed to take down that monstrous ghoul?” FacetheWind’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.

He then muttered under his breath, “As expected of the Knights Templar. They’re unbelievably stubborn and resilient, just like a crap that’s hard to flush. That giant ghoul’s attack power was no trivial matter…”

“Ghoul? Guardian?” Nana asked curiously.

“It’s that huge creature that wiped out our party earlier. It’s been wandering around outside the Mausoleum. We took the underground route this time specifically to avoid it,” FacetheWind explained in a hushed voice.

Then his expression hardened again.

“This could be troublesome. Looks like Azeroth is after these piles of obsidian too. Their guild is currently building city walls too, and these are precious construction materials needed to strengthen their defenses and expand their territory…”

“Sigh, seems like today won’t end peacefully,” he added grimly.

Hearing that, the two newbies tensed up even more.

Yeye glanced nervously between Achan, whose expression was dark and brooding, and the smirking leader of the Knights Templar, who looked far too confident for comfort.

Leaning closer to FacetheWind, Yeye whispered, “Senior Wind, didn’t you say that Azeroth Alliance’s high-ranking players weren’t as strong as the top members of your guild?”

FacetheWind let out a small sigh, his eyes still fixed on the opposing guild.

“Well, yeah, they’re not—at least not when it comes to top-rank combatants. That only applies to players ranked within the top five hundred, though. When it comes to the total number of Silver-rankers, especially those who’ve already reached max level, we’re just about even. Their guild is technically an alliance made up of several smaller guilds, so their overall membership way larger than ours.”

He paused briefly, his tone growing heavier.

“But we’re not dealing with those elite players at the top ten who can take on ten people by themselves. In a group battle between Silver-rankers, numbers matter the most. And right now, our side are clearly outnumbered.”

His voice lowered, carrying a hint of grim realism.

“If a fight breaks out, we’ll likely lose since the odds aren’t in our favor…”

FacetheWind’s words hung heavily in the air, his face tightening with concern.

Hearing this, Yeye and Nana exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions turning pale.

The piles of obsidian they’ve had gotten, which were valued at more than fourteen million contribution points, were already considered their party’s hard-earned rewards. If divided evenly, each of them would have received over four million contribution points.

But now, with the sudden appearance of the Knights Templar, everything had become uncertain.

Every All-Star member wore a grim, guarded expression, their weapons ready at their sides, while the two leaders stood at the front.

“Black Friday,” Achan said coldly, “our guild’s main raid team is already on its way here. I suggest you think carefully about the consequences before trying anything reckless.”

“Heh,” Black Friday sneered, crossing his arms with a smug grin. “No need to make it sound so dramatic. It’s not like we’re planning to go full PK wipeout here. I’m just saying we could easily keep your group under control for a while. With so few of you here, even with you being a top-hundred assassin, we could wrap this up in ten minutes before your backup arrives.”

He paused deliberately, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he continued, “Or better yet, why don’t we settle this peacefully? Split the obsidian fifty-fifty, and we’ll walk away right now. Simple as that. I mean, no one likes getting flagged with a red name, right? The penalties alone at our rank aren’t worth the trouble. Besides, I’d rather not get my account suspended for a few days over something so small.”

A sly smile curved his lips.

“So, what do you say, Achan? Think it over. We both walk away with something, no one dies, and everyone wins.”

“Think about it? My ass! You’re full of shit.”

Achan shot back with a derisive snort.

Black Friday smirked.

“What a coincidence. I actually did take a shit before logging in at noon, so I’m pretty much ready for anything, no toilet breaks needed.”

“Hahahahaha!”

Laughter erupted from the Knights Templar members behind him, loud and mocking.

Then Black Friday raised three fingers.

“Well then, Captain Achan, I’ll give you three seconds to decide. After that, don’t blame us for taking action.”

At his words, the Knights Templar members drew their weapons in unison.

In response, every All-Star Silver players also prepared for battle, while Achan narrowed his eyes and replied icily,

“Black Friday, let me remind you—strictly speaking, this obsidian isn’t our loot. It actually belongs to these two new players. In fact, all of this obsidian was gifted to them by Miss Féng as a welcome present. Are you really sure you want to rob them?”

“…Féng?” Black Friday froze for a moment, surprise flashing across his face.

“Which ‘Féng’ are you talking about?” he asked cautiously, his tone losing some of its earlier arrogance.

Achan let out a sharp, mirthless laugh.

“How many players named ‘Féng’ do you think actually exist in this game?”

Then his tone turned icy, each word deliberate and heavy with warning.

“Boss Féng may keep a low profile, but she has personally guided countless players across the entire server. These two newcomers happen to have been mentored by her. So I suggest you think very carefully before making any moves.”

He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice as if to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.

“Let me make this clear—she despises players who bully others using their power or numbers. If she hears about this, you will undoubtedly face her wrath. Salty Cat, Li Mu, Tomato, and Ji Gang—all of these top-rank elite powerhouses have been helped by her. Are you really willing to make enemies of the Big Old Four?”

“Big Old Four…?”

Black Friday’s pupils constricted sharply.

Even with the establishment of seven major guilds—such as the inclusion of Long Live the Goddess, Azeroth Alliance, and All-Star—had reshaped the balance of the game, everyone knew that the great “Big Old Four” guilds still held far greater influence and power than the newer guilds ever could.

Hearing Achan’s words, murmurs of unease rippled through the Knights Templar ranks.

Only when Black Friday raised a hand for silence did the whispers gradually fade, the hall falling into a tense quiet.

The leader of the Knights Templar let out a disdainful snort.

“Heh. Captain Achan, don’t try to use Féng’s name to intimidate me. Yes, she’s strong, but she’s her own person and you’re yours. Do you honestly think she would step in on your behalf? True, she has helped countless newcomers, but it’s not as if she’s personally invested in these two. Féng probably just gave them a few pointers for fun, nothing more.”

He leaned back slightly, his smirk widening as though daring anyone to contradict him.

“And even if it is Féng, so what? You think she can sway and influence the Big Old Four? Pfft, she’s just a top-ten ranker. You people talk about her like she’s the ultimate boss of the entire server. It’s ridiculous.”

“You’re still as arrogant as ever,” Achan said with disdain. “Be careful not to trip over your own pride someday.”

“Oh, that would be pretty wonderful,” Black Friday replied indifferently. “I can’t wait for that day to come.”

His mocking tone drew more laughter from the Knights Templar members behind him.

Then, with his chin held high, he said loftily,

“Let me be clear—even if Féng herself were here today, I’d still be taking all that obsidian for ourselves. Unclaimed loot doesn’t automatically belong to anyone.”

His eyes gleamed with scorn, his voice dripping with arrogance.

At his command, the Knights Templar players advanced a step forward, their hostile gazes locking onto the All-Star members. The tension in the air grew so thick it was almost suffocating.

But just as the situation teetered on the brink of chaos, a voice rang out—clear, melodic, and laced with authority, yet carrying an otherworldly serenity:

“Oh? Is that so?”

The words carried a weight that froze everyone in place, halting every movement.

Yeye and Nana, who had been seething with indignation at Black Friday and his team, instinctively turned toward the source of the voice, their eyes widening in shock and recognition.

There, poised at the entrance, stood a figure both familiar and striking, draped in flowing druidic robes that shimmered subtly in the hall’s dim light.

It was none other than the person they had just recently parted ways with—Féng.

“Senior Féng!” they exclaimed, their voices trembling with astonishment and unrestrained joy.

“Holy crap! It’s Boss Féng herself!” someone from All-Star shouted, his disbelief mingled with awe.

FacetheWind and the others exchanged stunned glances, their mouths slightly agape, unable to fully process the sudden turn of events.

“…Féng?”

Both groups froze, suspended in a moment of stunned silence, their earlier tensions momentarily eclipsed by awe and incredulity.

“Sister Féng? Is it really you? Do you perhaps still remember me? You once guided me on my class advancement!”

Achan’s expression, previously painted with calculation and bravado, softened instantly. Excitement lit up his features, his voice now infused with genuine warmth, tinged with nostalgia and admiration.

Féng smiled at him and gave a slight nod.

“I see that your strength has improved quite well.”

Her sudden appearance instantly eased the tension among the All-Star players who visibly relaxed. In contrast, the members of the Azeroth Guild Alliance stiffened, their postures rigid, eyes narrowing slightly, as if confronting a great threat.

“Féng…? So it’s really Féng…” Black Friday muttered, his expression twisting into a complex mix of awe and disbelief.

Slowly, his face darkened, shadows of caution and wariness settling in, as though he were already calculating his next move.

After briefly greeting Yeye and the others, Evé—disguised under her player incarnation as “Féng”—turned her gaze toward the commander of the Knights Templar.

She smiled faintly and said, “The core theme of the Elven Kingdom is cooperation among players—facing challenges together, growing alongside NPCs—not internal strife and meaningless conflict.”

“That’s enough. These obsidians are gifts from me to those two newcomers. Your guild, Azeroth Alliance, is one of the seven major guilds. With your standing, you shouldn’t resort to bullying the weak simply because you are strong.”

Her calm yet firm words stirred murmurs among the Knights Templar members.

Féng’s name carried immense weight, especially amongst the top players, as her reputation garnered not only awe but also unwavering respect and influence.

Seeing the hesitation among his subordinates, Black Friday frowned deeply. He fixed his eyes on Féng for a long moment, then gave a cold sneer.

“Boss Féng, I do respect you, which is why I’m calling you that. But this is a matter between our guild and All-Star. I suggest you stay out of it. Otherwise…”

“—Otherwise?” Evé raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Otherwise…” Black Friday narrowed his eyes, lifting his longsword.

“Otherwise, you’ll be offending us. I’ve always been curious about your strength, after all. Let’s see if you can fight ten opponents at once, just like ‘Boxlunch’ did.”

Evé studied him silently for a moment, her expression calm and unreadable. Then, she let out a quiet sigh.

The wooden staff in her hand tapped against the stone floor, producing a hollow echo that filled the hall.

Almost immediately, a faint emerald light spread through the room, illuminating everything with a soft glow.

Under the shocked eyes of the All-Star players, over thirty members of the Knights Templar were suddenly surrounded by the light. It slowly wrapped around them, forming translucent, greenish bubble-like barriers that enclosed each player individually.

At this sudden attack, All Azeroth Alliance members, including Black Friday, stared in shock. They instinctively reached for their weapons to break free, but then realized that they couldn’t move at all.

Their strength and mana were gone, leaving them completely immobile inside the floating bubble spheres.

Meanwhile, a few Azeroth players who had been injured in earlier battles blinked in surprise as they noticed their wounds slowly healing within the glowing spheres.

From the outside, the scene was almost surreal:

The green orbs drifted and bobbed through the hall ceiling like weightless balloons, each carrying a disoriented Knights Templar member.

Inside, Black Friday and the others tumbled helplessly, flipping upside down and spinning, their faces red with frustration.

To the onlookers, it was an almost comical sight, seeing a cluster of floating bubbles with heavily armored silver-rankers tumbling around with their arms flailing uncontrollably.

“Float there for half an hour to calm your heads,”

Féng said calmly.

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