Chapter Six: Lancelot (Part Two)

From that day on, the number of magical plants in Area Thirteen increased from forty-two to forty-three. Gong Hao found himself with an additional task—caring for the bizarre magical plant that resembled the Ghostface Flower.

He soon realized that this bloom was, indeed, not a Ghostface Flower. Not only was it not the dreaded plant, but it also lacked any form of aggression whatsoever. As for why it had taken on this particular appearance, Gong Hao surmised it to be a form of protective coloration. On Windhowl Continent, the Ghostface Flower was infamous as a fierce plant, with almost no natural enemies except humans. Its terrifying toxicity rendered entire regions barren, a testament to the dread it inspired.

Nature was rife with examples of weaker creatures adopting bright colors to disguise and protect themselves from harm. Clearly, the flower before him followed this stratagem. By masquerading as a Ghostface Flower, it deterred most herbivorous magical beasts from daring to consume it. It could fool ignorant beasts, but not humans. Lancelot had easily seen through its disguise and brought it back to the castle.

What astonished Gong Hao was that such protective coloration usually appeared in certain weak magical beasts and, in rare cases, among highly spiritual magical plants. Yet, never before had a plant so perfectly imitated another’s form—especially one as notorious as the Ghostface Flower. The extent of this mimicry was nothing short of extraordinary.

Could plants possess intelligence as well?

He suddenly recalled a saying: "Desire is the fountain of intelligence; emotion is the expression of desire."

Did this mysterious flower have desires of its own?

With this thought, Gong Hao sprang into action. First, he raised the watering can, but the flower showed no reaction. He added some moist soil to the pot—again, no response.

Frowning slightly, Gong Hao muttered, “I don’t know what you like, dislike, or fear. But if you’re intelligent, you should have some basic means of expression. If you can’t cooperate and show me how to care for you, I’ll have to resort to more drastic measures.”

He picked up a large pair of shears and made as if to sever the flower’s stem with a single cut. Instantly, the flower emitted a faint, buzzing sound, its entire blossom shrinking back in alarm.

Gong Hao smiled in satisfaction.

“Now I know how you express fear, but I still don’t know how you show what you like. It seems you’re not particularly concerned about water. So, what do you care about? Let me think... what’s in the swamp…”

He pondered deeply, then his eyes suddenly lit up. “The Spotted Viper? Damn, how could I forget?”

Gong Hao dashed to the archive and swiftly found records about the Spotted Viper. It was a fearsome giant serpent, its venom rivaling that of the Ghostface Flower. Yet, strangely, the saliva of this magical beast was immensely beneficial to certain magical plants. Wherever Spotted Vipers were found, lush vegetation inevitably followed.

Saliva? The saliva of the Spotted Viper? Gong Hao instantly understood.

But where was he supposed to obtain such a thing?

At that moment, he thought of Lancelot. After all, it was he who had defeated a Spotted Viper and brought back this flower.

---

Andrew’s brows were deeply furrowed. "Forgive my ears—are you certain I didn’t mishear? A servant wishes to dispatch a Sky Warrior to capture a Spotted Viper for him?"

A Sky Warrior! That was a ninth-rank warrior!

Gong Hao’s heart pounded furiously; this was approaching the legendary Sanctuary rank. On Windhowl Continent, warriors were ranked by tier, with the highest being Star Warriors, just below Sanctuary. Beneath them were Sky Warriors, Earth Warriors, and Ocean Warriors; Ocean Warriors were seventh rank, and anyone above seventh was considered a Free Warrior—meaning nations didn’t command their loyalty, but rather hired them with great sums.

Apart from the near-mythical Sanctuary rank, there were said to be fewer than five hundred Sky Warriors across the continent, scattered among its lands. A single nation might possess only a handful.

No wonder Lancelot dared venture into the central region and defeat a seventh-rank viper.

Andrew’s gaze toward Gong Hao was dark and cold.

“Here’s the situation, Lord Andrew,” Gong Hao stammered. “You know that flower was a gift from Lord Lancelot, who wants me to keep it alive. But I discovered the flower doesn’t thrive on water. It doesn’t seem to absorb nutrients from soil, either—its roots are so degenerate they barely function.”

Andrew regarded the blond youth before him. In all honesty, this boy worked diligently and was meticulous; his impression of Hugh was not bad at all. “So, what are you suggesting…”

“I think the flower is rather unique—it seems highly intelligent and, as a result, rather picky.”

“What concerns me is what kind of materials it can yield.”

“That’s not clear yet, Lord Andrew. Yes, I could chop it up right now and hand it over for your research, but if it proves valuable and we can’t find another specimen…”

Andrew understood. “Very well, you may ask Lancelot for assistance. He lives by the lakeside.”

So, Lancelot didn’t reside in the castle? Gong Hao was secretly delighted, but his expression remained anxious. “But, my lord, you know the lakeside is forbidden ground.”

Andrew waved him off irritably. “That place is hardly forbidden. Lancelot simply doesn’t want his training disturbed, and we don’t want him interfering in our work. In any case, it doesn’t matter—you can go find him. You have your badge; the castle guards won’t stop you from leaving.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

“But,” Andrew fixed Gong Hao with a penetrating look, “if you plan to use this as an opportunity to escape Purgatory Isle, your fate will be sealed in the jungles out there.”

Gong Hao appeared genuinely puzzled. “Lord Andrew, why would I want to run away? I eat well, sleep well, and the work isn’t overly taxing.”

Andrew smiled in satisfaction. “Precisely. You have no reason to flee. Now, go to Lancelot, deliver this list to him, and tell him these are tomorrow’s required supplies. And add your Spotted Viper request to it.”

“Yes, Lord Andrew.”

---

Lancelot lived in a small cabin by the lake. This Sky Warrior shunned luxury; on the contrary, he preferred to return to nature. The lake’s scenery was beautiful, but his cabin was extremely spartan.

Gong Hao had heard that many high-ranking warriors led simple lives, believing that indulgence and excess were humanity’s greatest impediments to progress. In pursuit of higher martial arts, they abandoned all comfort, dedicating themselves to relentless practice.

Effort, always, was the greatest talent.

Of course, there were exceptions; rumor had it that, in the southern continent, there was a Sanctuary-ranked figure who always traveled with extravagant retinues and could not take a meal without seven or eight attendants.

Thus, Gong Hao mused, everything in the world followed its own laws—except human behavior, which defied all logic.

As he approached the lakeside, even before reaching the cabin, a pungent burnt smell wafted to his nose.

Something was on fire.

He hurried over, only to see a man emerge from the cabin—it was Lancelot.

Yet, compared to the calm and dignified figure he’d met the day before, Lancelot now looked utterly bedraggled. His armor was covered in soot, his face blotched black and white, as though he had just come from a defeated battle.

Gong Hao nearly laughed aloud at the sight; he could easily guess what had happened.

Sure enough, Lancelot’s frustrated mutterings drifted over: “Damn it, why is cooking so difficult?”

Indeed, this man, revered throughout the empire, was being vanquished by a simple meal. Annoyed, he carried a pot of burnt food outside and dumped it onto the ground.

All around the cabin lay rubbish strewn by the mighty Sky Warrior. The cabin was not only simple, but a mess.

Clearly, in his obsession with martial cultivation, this solitary warrior had lost the basic skills of daily life. Beneath the dazzling, mighty exterior lurked a profound ineptitude for living.

Gong Hao stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Lord Lancelot.”

Lancelot glanced at him. “You? I recall telling Andrew not to send anyone to disturb my seclusion. So, did you break the castle’s rules, or has Andrew grown so arrogant as to defy me?”

Despite his sorry state, Lancelot’s tone still carried the aura of a king. Without so much as a gesture, his formidable presence enveloped Gong Hao, pinning him in place.

In contrast to his poor domestic skills, this Sky Warrior’s martial prowess was truly terrifying.

Gong Hao quickly cried, “No, no, it’s not like that! I’m here on Lord Andrew’s orders to deliver tomorrow’s list.”

The oppressive aura vanished and Gong Hao could move again.

Lancelot looked at him and suddenly laughed. “Did you really think I’d kill you?”

Gong Hao replied at once, “Lord Lancelot, as the empire’s foremost warrior, you would never stoop to harm a lowly servant like me.”

“Hmph, the foremost warrior… And yet, I’m condemned to this forsaken isle, hunting magical beasts. Such injustice!” Lancelot’s tone brimmed with resentment. It was understandable; a warrior of his caliber should have been defending the nation and basking in adulation, not taking orders from Hines and his student assistants.

Gong Hao hurried to flatter him. “Lord Lancelot, Purgatory Isle is vital to the empire’s future rise. Only the most trusted and valued are sent here—the very ones entrusted with the empire’s fate. Clearly, the empire values you greatly. Besides, only a warrior like yourself can handle the formidable magical beasts on this island.”

Lancelot regarded him. “You’re quite the smooth talker, but there are things you don’t understand. Never mind, hand me the list. Tell Andrew to send me a proper meal.”

Gong Hao presented the list. “If you wish, my lord, perhaps I could assist with your meals.”

Lancelot looked at him in surprise. “You can cook?”

“Yes, my lord. I once worked for Baron Harden, doing all sorts of chores—including cooking.”

“Baron Harden? I recall there was once an Imperial Minister of Etiquette with that name.”

“Yes, my lord. Baron Harden was his descendant.”

“No wonder you’re so polite—you come from a house of etiquette. Old Harden was notorious for his stubbornness in Imperial history,” Lancelot muttered, clearly well-versed in the empire’s past.

“Very well,” Lancelot said. “I’ll give your cooking a try. There’s still some sword-rhino meat I haven’t managed to ruin yet.”

Half an hour later, Gong Hao presented a platter of perfectly roasted sword-rhino. It was golden, aromatic, and mouthwatering—Lancelot’s appetite was instantly aroused.

He tore off a piece, chewed, and smiled in satisfaction. “Excellent. Far better than the castle’s cook.”

“Lord Lancelot, sword-rhino meat is rather tough and not really suited for the table. Besides, we lack proper seasonings here—I did what I could with what was available. If given a chance, I’m sure I could do even better.”

“Is that so?” Lancelot was intrigued. He genuinely wanted to taste Gong Hao’s finest efforts.

But Gong Hao sighed regretfully, “Sadly, today is likely my only chance.”

“Why?”

“Because the viper on the list is actually for me. Lord Andrew had me deliver the list as a matter of convenience.”

Lancelot understood instantly. “For the flower I gave you yesterday?”

“Yes, my lord. You instructed me to care for it well. I don’t wish to disappoint you, but without a Spotted Viper, I’m afraid I can’t keep it alive.”

Lancelot nodded. “I see. What part of the viper do you need?”

“Its saliva.”

“That’s troublesome. That means I’ll have to catch you a live one. Catching it is easy enough, but it’s a seventh-rank magical beast. How do you plan to extract its saliva? Do you think it’s a Crying Grass that will let you squeeze its cheeks?”

Gong Hao put on a pitiful face and sighed, “I know it’s a hassle, but there’s nothing to be done—I’ll have to risk my life and try.”

“Well…” Lancelot pondered for a moment, then said, “Very well. In exchange for your cooking, perhaps I can teach you a few tricks.”

Gong Hao was stunned.

He had planned to get closer to Lancelot, knowing that Andrew would look more favorably on him for it. Discovering Lancelot’s struggles in the kitchen, he’d intended to cook for him every day in exchange for help—such as extracting the viper’s saliva. He never expected Lancelot would instead offer to teach him martial skills directly. Gong Hao still couldn’t hope to handle a seventh-rank beast, but he might manage one that was already captured and sealed.

Happiness sometimes descends unexpectedly, always rewarding those who have put forth sufficient effort.

Lancelot’s laziness had given Gong Hao the chance to learn martial skills. If he didn’t seize this opportunity, he truly would be a fool.

Thus, it was settled. Lancelot wrote a receipt for Gong Hao to deliver back to Andrew. Henceforth, Gong Hao would be responsible for delivering the supply list. In this way, he could follow Lancelot and learn martial skills while also cooking for him—a win-win situation.

Andrew would surely have no objection—another apprentice freed from menial labor.

And so, Hugh Grail found himself with yet another task—delivering the magical beast collection list to Lancelot each day and preparing his three daily meals.

As he was leaving, Gong Hao could not help but pose a question to Lancelot. “Lord Lancelot, may I ask you something?”

“Don’t call me teacher. I’m only teaching you the most basic fundamentals. As for higher secrets, I have no intention of sharing them. Now, what is it?”

“Yes, my lord. I just wanted to know—since you can get food from the castle, why do you insist on cooking for yourself every day?”

“Hmph.” Lancelot replied with a proud snort. “Who would dare eat what the alchemists make? Poisons and golems are their specialties. Of course, they wouldn’t dare poison me, but I have no interest in eating food brought in by butchers with blood on their hands!”

Boom!

It was as if a muffled thunderclap exploded in Gong Hao’s mind.