Master Changsheng

Chapter 171, Section 168: [The Conman]

That night.

Thunder roared across Chaos City above Hanks's house.

After the thunder subsided, a hearty, resonant voice of a middle-aged man echoed through the courtyard.

Widow Wang's laughter echoed throughout the area.

Ankai listened intently for a while, then withdrew his [meditation] perception shortly afterward.

As expected of Hanks and Widow Wang, they really have a great sense of humor.

In this situation, the first thing to do was actually [sexual intercourse], and it happened inside Hanks' solid gold coffin.

It must be admitted that Ankai is not as good as Hanks in this aspect...

The next day.

Inside the castle.

An Kai sat in the pavilion in the courtyard.

Two beautiful witches served him as he enjoyed this peaceful time.

Suddenly, Ankai waved his hand, signaling the two witch maidens to leave.

He turned his head to look at the castle entrance, a smile on his face: "Old man, are you shy yet?"

"Come in!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged man appeared at the castle entrance, scratching his head and chuckling awkwardly.

In An Kai's eyes, his strength was only average.

That is, the process of imbuing the spirit has just begun...

The visitor was none other than himself.

It was Hanks who had come back from the dead!

A person with a [Heaven-Given Profession]!

Hanks quickened his pace, plopped down opposite Ankai, and looked at Ankai with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

He chuckled awkwardly and said, "Um... when did you find out?"

An Kai chuckled softly but did not respond.

If we trace back to when it was discovered that Hanks was not simple, that would be a long time ago.

At that time, Chaos City was divided into inner and outer cities, and the orcs had just arrived in the desert.

Ankai clearly remembered that Hanks had once told him about the process of mining a Philosopher's Stone vein.

It is unattainable unless it is of the fifth order.

Only fifth-tier professionals, who can manifest their own aura, can communicate with the magic stone vein.

Then, they purchased mining equipment through the Mage Association and used a fifth-tier mage to cast mining spells to mine magic stone veins.

Later, Ankai saw in several records that even those who were not [Mage] could use "Mining" as a fifth-tier profession.

After it was confirmed that Hanks owned a Philosopher's Stone mine, Ankai had some doubts.

Hanks, that old man, is hiding his strength. He's only at the third rank. How did he manage to mine the vein?

At that time, Widow Wang's cultivation level had not yet been exposed.

After Ankai successfully imbued the spirit and entered the [Strengthening Body/Forging God] stage, he sensed a hidden power in Hanks.

At that time, he wondered what the power within Hanks was.

And Ankai was quite certain. Hanks himself was unaware that he possessed a power within him…

Otherwise, this guy wouldn't have faked his death as if it were real.

You should know that Widow Wang wasn't acting; she was genuinely showing her emotions before...

It wasn't until thunder appeared that An Kai understood.

It turns out that Hanks is a hidden owner of a "divinely bestowed profession"!

Picking up a glass of ice water, An Kai's expression remained unchanged as he said jokingly:

"Tell me, esteemed owner of the [Heaven-Given Profession]."

Hanks sensed the sarcasm in Ankai's tone, scratched his head, and said, "It all started with my family background..."

One hour later.

After Hanks finished recounting his origins and the origin of his "divinely bestowed profession,"

Ankai had to admit that Hanks, that bastard, was indeed lucky!

According to him, Hanks comes from a family of mages.

Both of his parents are mages, yet Hanks is like a protagonist in a novel.

He lacked the talent of a mage and was unable to become a mage professional.

This was also the first time he learned that An Kai had become a [Mage] and gained recognition from the Nameless Town Mage Association; a look of jealousy unconsciously flashed in his eyes. (Chapter 3)

Despite lacking the talent of a mage, Hanks did not give up his efforts.

Eventually, by chance, I learned that the Dharma Masters Association was recruiting candidates for the profession of "Dharma Master" in mainland China.

This time, Hanks' parents went to great lengths to secure a spot for him.

Like a protagonist in a novel, Hanks embarks on a new journey to the Mage Guild.

However, this was also the last time Hanks saw his parents.

Hanks' parents, both fifth-tier mages in the kingdom, have neglected their cultivation and refused numerous summons from the kingdom over the years because of Hanks.

Just then, the kingdom went to war with a rival country once again.

With Hanks gone, his parents' worries lessened.

The couple resolutely embarked on the path of defending their homeland.

As a result of neglecting his cultivation in recent years, he died tragically on the battlefield!

The heads of two fifth-tier mages were severed by the enemy and hung on the city wall as a warning…

one year later.

Hanks learned of all this after being driven away by the Mage Guild and returning home.

He also learned that his family's property had been swallowed up by the kingdom and embezzled by his parents and relatives.

When he demanded it, she not only refused but also called him "useless..."

Some even attacked Hanks, who had no cultivation, severely injuring him so badly that he could no longer stand upright and could only hunch over.

Since then, Hanks has disappeared.

Nobody knows where he went.

All that is known is that when he reappeared, Hanks had become a fifth-tier [Mage]!

Through Hanks's understated narration, Ankai learned that when Hanks disappeared, he was fighting monsters and outwitting people in dangerous places such as forests, wilderness, swamps, and oceans.

Final Awakening: [Heaven-Given Profession - Con artist]!

The profession of "The Fraudster" is a perfect match for Hanks.

In just three years, Hanks raised his strength to the fifth rank!

The price he paid for his advancement was the tragic deaths of five-figure numbers of lives he betrayed…

Upon returning to the kingdom, Hanks uses his professional skills to disguise himself as a fifth-tier [Mage].

After some investigation, I finally understood.

The war back then wasn't about defending one's homeland, but rather a war fought over the right to own a magic stone mine...

After investigating the matter thoroughly, Hanks made up his mind that he would take revenge!

If the sixth rank doesn't appear, the fifth rank is already the world's top combat power.

He endured hardship and bided his time for fifteen years.

Ultimately, Hanks single-handedly caused a full-scale war between the kingdom and the enemy nation that killed his parents.

Hanks, with his "Trickster" traversing the two countries, bewitches the people of both nations, recklessly consuming resources.

A war that lasted ten years.

Hanks has also gone from a young man to a middle-aged man.

In both countries, those who deserved to die have already died.

Under his influence, the population of both countries was reduced to almost nothing.

Corpses are everywhere.

The royal family and nobility were all wiped out…

The head of a royal from a rival nation was severed by Hanks and hung on the wall where his parents once stood.

Until this moment, Hanks suddenly realized.

Too many innocent people have died at his hands in his quest for revenge.

Having avenged his great grudge, he had no one left to linger in the world.

Unfortunately, Hanks is extremely afraid of dying.

So he came up with a compromise.

Using the characteristics of a "con artist," he uses his ability one last time to "deceive" himself, making himself forget his profession as a "con artist."

Heading to the desert, prepared to spend the rest of my life there.

Although Hanks deceived himself, making himself forget the existence of the profession of "con artist".

However, relying on his instincts, he still managed to thrive in the desert.

He rose to become a spy for the seven kingdoms of the desert; while others are two-faced, he is a seven-faced one.

Then, due to the mysterious death of the King of the Principality of Buklin, his personal bodyguard disguised himself as the mayor of an unnamed town.

As a spy for the Seven Kingdoms, Hanks is tasked with traveling to an unnamed town to investigate what secrets the Duchy of Bucklin holds by the town's fake mayor.

Here, he met…

Ankai!

Including Hanks, Ankai has encountered a total of three [Heavenly Gifted Professions].

Will Bocklin, the "Wanderer" class, was thinking of sacrificing himself to save others even as he lay dying.

And indeed, he succeeded.

Wayne, a scholar, manages Chaos City with remarkable efficiency despite his third-tier cultivation level, making him an indispensable assistant to Ankai.

Hanks, a [Trickster], with a fifth-tier cultivation level, plots against two countries, both of which possess [Spirit Empowerment] and [Body Strengthening/Divine Forging].

Ultimately, both countries disappeared, and their inhabitants were reduced to almost nothing…

What's most ruthless about Hanks is that he even deceives himself.

One day after his death, his profession as a con artist reawakened, fueled by years of experience and his time with Ankai.

Resources are never lacking.

This propelled him to the rank of [Spirit-Enchanter - Fraudster]!

No wonder Hanks has consumed a lot of resources but hasn't improved much in strength.

Will Bocklin's life was one of suffering, and even after his death, things did not turn around.

Hanks' life was all about luck, though he recounted it calmly.

But Ankai knew that Hanks's actions as a "con artist" were treachery, and one wrong move could lead to his demise...

This requires not only skill, but also luck…

"Hanks, I suggest you start worshipping Lady Luck from now on!"

Sitting opposite Ankai, Hanks chuckled softly: "She believed in it, but she didn't..."

After explaining his origins, Hanks, now back at his peak, stood up: "Thank you for taking care of me all these years. Now that I've recovered, I should do something."

"Give me a ship, and I'll bring those guys from the Mage Guild to you. You have the [Contract] that's blessed by the God of Magic and the God of Contracts, so these guys will be under your control then."

"Believe me, my life has been filled with lies, except for two people to whom I have told very few lies."

"First, it's her; second, it's you!"

Hanks spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

If it were an ordinary person, they would really be moved by him.

Ankai remained unmoved, and pulled out another [contract], placing it in front of Hanks...

The meaning is self-evident…

"...Didn't we already sign it...?"

Hanks was stunned. He had finally managed to show his true feelings, but he wasn't being trusted...

"That was signed with Tier 3 [Warrior] Hanks, now it's signed with Enchantress [Trickster] Hanks."

Hearing Ankai's explanation, Hanks silently took the blank [contract] and signed his name...

Then An Kai retrieved the contract, took out a pen, and wrote the first clause: "When communicating, conversing, or acting with An Kai, you must not conceal or deceive..."

Hanks looked at Ankai and suddenly smiled.

This is the Ankai he knows...

"Why choose the Mage Association? This time, representatives from all four top powers have come."

Without a second thought, Hanks blurted out, "They're rich!"

"The person behind this is even richer!"

The answer was familiar, the motivation was familiar.

Ankai patted Hanks on the shoulder: "Good! This is the Hanks I know!"

"When your partner was half-dead, I wanted to throw you into the ocean to feed the fish."

Hanks gave an awkward smile…

Having finished explaining everything, he was ready to act immediately. It had been many years since he had used his [Trickster] ability, and he wondered if he had become rusty.

Just as he was about to leave, Hanks suddenly remembered something, and his expression turned solemn:

"Um... I'm not returning those red envelopes from before!"

An Kai waved his hand dismissively: "Whatever, I didn't give it to you anyway."

Hanks' expression froze again. This guy was still the same; every word he uttered was...

Hanks left, full of high spirits, declaring that he would bring the Mage Association to seek refuge with Ankai in three days.

Only after Hanks left did Ankai suddenly remember something: "By the way, did Hanks know that most of the people who come into the Mage Guild are sixth-tier?"

Thinking of this, An Kai remembered an old friend he hadn't dealt with yet.

Stopping thinking about Hanks, he shook his head and walked towards the cage where Professor Aken and his group were.

Just as I left the castle, I saw Widow Wang asking everyone she met in the street:

"Have you seen that bastard Hanks?"

"You bastard, you're hiding from me, aren't you?!"

"You think I'd eat you up?!"

"You wait, if you've got the guts, then don't ever come back!"

Widow Wang, like a shrew, stood in the middle of the street with her hands on her hips, cursing at the vanished Hanks.

While he was yelling, his eyes would unconsciously glance at An Kai every now and then…

Ankai touched his nose, pretending not to see it.

Passing by Hanks' house, I caught a glimpse of a solid gold coffin displayed in the living room...

Now it's completely different; soft furs are laid out inside, and witches are decorating the surroundings...

Brightly colored flowers and plants are scattered throughout.

Seeing this, Ankai suddenly realized why the first thing Hanks did after waking up was to go on a long trip.

They couldn't wait to leave.

I thought that old man Hanks had a change of heart and wanted to repay me.

Unexpectedly, it was this old man trying to hide from Widow Wang, whom he hadn't seen in over ten years...

Even scalpers get worked to death!

"It's really not easy..."

"I've been holding it in for over ten years..."

When Ankai arrived at Teacher Aken's location, Aken was also waiting there.

Now that sixth-order monsters are rampant, Arken knows he is about to follow in the footsteps of Malken and Milton.

Therefore, he has been trying his best to demonstrate his abilities in recent days, hoping to delay being eliminated from the position of "An Kai's right-hand man".

For example, persuading his teacher to join Ankai...

"Sir, that old bastard is still not awake."

"Don't worry, with me here, that old bastard will definitely not escape your grasp!"

An Kai chuckled softly and slapped the pretending-as-sleep teacher, Aken, awake...

He grabbed his head and slapped a "contract" on Teacher Arken's chest: "Live or die, the choice is yours."

"You old bastard, don't be ungrateful! This is a reward from the adults!"

Arken's voice echoed, causing a surge of stagnant blood to well up in Arken's heart and spill from the corner of his mouth.

Looking at Arken, I felt a chill in my heart.

Finally, as if his heart had given up, he nodded vigorously: "I'll sign!"

The rest is simple.

Ankai provided a blank "contract," and after Teacher Aken signed it, Ankai's fingers flew across the page in front of him.

The slave-like "contract" was filled in completely.

During the process, Teacher Aken's eyes widened, and his thoughts changed as Ankai modified the contents of the [Contract].

Furthermore, when Ankai signed the [Contract], a dim [Light Spell] served as a special effect…

One minute later.

Ankai patted Teacher Aken on the shoulder: "Come with me."

Then they walked back the way they came.

Every monk possesses extensive knowledge, especially this vice president of the monks' association.

His magical theories and knowledge were exactly what Ankai needed.

Teacher Aken opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything.

Nodding slightly, he dragged his heavily injured body and followed behind An Kai.

Passing by Aken, Aken's eyes flashed coldly: "Welcome to the team... Old bastard!"

Teacher Arken merely glanced at her and blurted out without thinking, "You little brat, thank you."

"You old bastard!"

"You little bastard!"

……

Watching his teacher's departing figure.

Arken understood.

It seems that his successor is his teacher?

"That old bastard... he deserves to die!"

Arken muttered to himself and headed toward the restaurant in the city run by Milton and Malken.

Previously, he considered himself superior and disdained to go.

just now…

Arken felt that he had become one of them.

...

On the way back to the castle, Ankai saw that Widow Wang had not yet left.

He was still standing in the middle of the street, loudly cursing Hanks, that bastard...

Seeing this, An Kai shook his head and chose to leave.

Inside the castle, Teacher Aken lived up to his reputation as the vice president of the Mage Association.

He explained in detail what "strengthening the body" and "forging the spirit" are...

He also explained the sixth order.

However, the information that An Kai heard was limited.

Ankai clearly heard what Teacher Aken said when he mentioned the most crucial point of the sixth level.

"After reaching the sixth rank, the Mage class must discard some of their spells, according to experiments conducted by our Mage Association."

"Spells can be divided into two main categories: [Heaven and Earth Spells] and [Man-Made Spells]."

"After the sixth rank, one should primarily rely on the power of heaven and earth, and should focus on cultivating [Heaven and Earth Spells], because even with high proficiency, [Human-created Spells] have an upper limit!"

An Kai paused, this was the first time he had heard such an explanation.

When he gestured for Mr. Akhen to continue, he heard another string of censored words…

Ankai looked at his 20 spells.

Literally speaking, his "beast taming" should belong to "human-created magic"...

The creation of this spell can be traced back to its origins.

As for the rest, Ankai didn't know if they were [human-created spells], because those spells had existed for a very long time...

So ancient that its origins are impossible to ascertain.

...

The next day, Ankai sent Teacher Aken, whose injuries were getting worse, to recuperate.

After a night of conversation, he understood a key point about the sixth order.

Such a harvest cannot be bought with mid-grade magic stones.

Just as he was about to continue thinking, two messages came through the [Contract] in his mind.

One is Hanks…

"Lord Ankai, save me! I'm lost in the direction of the nameless town!"

"There are so many dead people here!!"

The other one is Wayne…

"My lord, the first level of the Divine Court has appeared in the direction of the nameless town in the former Duchy of Buklin, at the coordinates of supply point 141→145."

"In the ocean, human forces are heading there, and so are the alien races."

"Another piece of news has arrived: the Wilderness Forging Association entered the Divine Court today as a whole. They contacted me, wanting to establish a foothold in Chaos City."

Inside the castle, Ankai ignored Hanks' pleas for help.

The order was issued decisively:

"The Blacksmiths' Guild isn't in a hurry, wait for me to return!"

"The Divine Court has appeared. Leave it to me!"

An Kai's thoughts stirred, and the orcs on the sea instantly sprang into action.

He planned to travel with the orcs.

It's not for exploration.

It's for the purpose of blockade!

Exploring the unknown [First Level of the Divine Court] is nothing compared to the ease of blocking the gate [First Level of the Divine Court].

Anyway, with Hanks, that lucky guy, inside, he can find out anything through the [contract].

An Kai was in a good mood. If he handled things properly this time, it would be his chance to completely eliminate the hidden dangers of the Divine Court!

(End of this chapter)