Chapter 56

Ma Er's gaze was profound, like a knife, making everyone he glanced at feel as if all their secrets, both inside and out, were laid bare. Especially the guard who had exchanged punches with Xu Dong, who, after being looked at, lowered his head deeply, unsure if it was out of shame or some other emotion.

Ma Er's gaze swept over the handsome man, paused slightly, a bit surprised, and then glanced at the pouting girl, Prayer, before finally settling on Xu Dong, his brows almost imperceptibly furrowing.

Who is this? Xu Dong had a question in his mind. But the onlookers had already revealed the identity of the newcomer.

"Could it be, could it be that this is the head of the Defective Hand, Ma Er?"

"I recognize him. A year ago, on the tribute day, I once saw him!"

"Ah, this matter has even disturbed Ma Er. I wonder how it will end now?"

Ma Er? The head of the Defective Hand? Xu Dong's eyebrows raised, his heart pounding, and he couldn't help but be secretly surprised, "This Ma Er, his strength is so great! I can't even determine his level!"

How strong is he? Xu Dong also wanted to know, so he secretly used an Insight skill. Unexpectedly...

Due to the significant gap between you and the target of the Insight skill, you can only obtain limited information...

Race: Human

Name: Ma Liang, also respectfully called Ma Er

Level: Second-stage Forger

Introduction: Ma Liang is the younger brother of the head of the Ma family. The Defective Hand was established under his leadership, making him a prominent figure in the Ma family.

Ability: Unknown

Second-stage Forger?! What does a Second-stage Forger mean? A First-stage Awakened can sense the power within their body, as if opening a door to a new world. In this world, Awakened individuals are like infants learning to walk, constantly learning how to adapt to the new world's rules.

A Forger, on the other hand, is like a developing child. They have adapted to the rules and are beginning to develop their unique abilities, possessing a familiarity and understanding of the power of flesh and blood armor that Awakened individuals cannot match, as well as incredible creativity!

In the borderlands, in Blood Helmet City, a Second-stage Forger is already sufficient to establish a foothold, create their own family, and open a household. In the military, leading a battalion, being second only to the city lord and above ten thousand others, is effortless.

Ma Er was very courteous. Even when facing a weak First-star Awakened like Xu Dong, he still politely introduced himself first, "Hello, I am the manager of the Defective Hand. The people in the city respect me for my age and call me Ma Er."

His introduction was modest and unassuming, without any arrogance, making it easy for people to like him.

Xu Dong also clasped his hands, "Hello, I am called Xiao Dong."

Ma Er glanced at the pouting Prayer, "I wonder what this young lady's name is?"

The girl was still angry and pouted, not answering. But Xu Dong, fearing that this big figure would be angered and ruin the mission, quickly introduced her, "She is my friend, called Prayer."

Hearing the name Prayer, the girl's eyes instantly widened, and she blurted out, "How do you know my name is Prayer?"

Xu Dong secretly smiled bitterly. At this critical moment, why are you so fixated on this? On the surface, he said with a gentle smile, "We'll talk about this later. The matter at hand is more important."

Prayer thought about it and found it reasonable, so she responded agreeably.

After the two had whispered to each other, Ma Er said, "It seems you have reached a consensus. So, who will tell me what happened?"

Then, Prayer recounted the entire incident in detail. Ma Er listened carefully, only interjecting at certain key points, not to interrupt the other person's train of thought, but to clarify the involved personnel and the counter. Ma Er, who had made the Defective Hand a renowned large equipment sales shop in Blood Helmet City and its surroundings, was indeed no ordinary person.

After Prayer finished speaking, Xu Dong promptly said, "Ma Er, since the involved salesperson and counter have been identified, for the sake of the Defective Hand's reputation, why not call them over for a face-to-face confrontation?"

Ma Er glanced meaningfully at Xu Dong and said with a smile, "Young man, you have a sharp tongue. Yes, a face-to-face confrontation would be the best way to resolve this matter."

Ma Er turned and whispered a few words to his subordinate. The subordinate nodded respectfully and then left. Soon, one man and three women appeared before Xu Dong. He recognized the man, who was the young man who had greeted Prayer at the entrance. Xu Dong hadn't paid much attention to his appearance before, but now, upon closer inspection, he couldn't help but admire him.

This young man, though not old, was very handsome. His cheeks were tinged with a shy blush, either because he was called by Ma Er or because he was surrounded by a crowd. Anyone who saw him would not associate him with being a fraud.

As for the three women, they were all salespeople at the counter, with above-average looks and figures. It seemed that whether on Earth or in this world, many things were the same.

Ma Er suddenly said, "Xiao Dong, I have called them over. How should we proceed with the confrontation?"

Taking this opportunity, Xu Dong used an Insight skill. The information about the young salesperson naturally appeared in his mind.

Race: Human

Name: Pipi

Level: None

Introduction: Pipi is a child from an ordinary family in Blood Helmet City. Like many young people, he harbors the dream of becoming a Knight. However, due to his weak body and lack of resources, he had to give up. Pipi, who had struggled on the streets, developed a likable and quick-witted personality, which helped him secure a job at the Defective Hand through an application.

Ability: None

After browsing this information, Xu Dong thought for a moment and looked at the shy young salesperson, "This young lady, Prayer, you should know her, right? Since you know her, why don't you recount everything that happened after you met her in detail?"

Pipi bowed respectfully and began his account. The events were largely as Xu Dong had guessed. However, the difference was that Prayer was not a first-time visitor to the Defective Hand; this was her second visit. She had her eye on the Broken Skill Great Sword, inquired about the price, and then went to raise the funds. After finally raising the money, she quickly returned to purchase it. Both times, Pipi had served her.

But when Pipi said he had not received any payment, Prayer exploded in anger, "You're lying! You clearly took my money!"

Pipi was so aggrieved that he was almost in tears. That was a whole hundred gold coins, more than he could ever afford even if he sold himself!

With Ma Er present, the onlookers did not dare to cheer or incite, but in their whispers, they sympathized with the weak Pipi and secretly criticized Prayer, making her stomp her feet in anger, wishing she could draw her sword and fight.

Xu Dong continuously calmed Prayer, and as soon as the cooldown time was over, he used the Insight skill on the three female employees and asked them to recount the events truthfully.

Among the three female employees, only one had served Prayer. After their accounts, Xu Dong did not detect any suspicious points. The events were unexpectedly taking a turn for the worse. The truth was getting closer to the fact that Prayer had not only stolen the Broken Skill Great Sword but also falsely accused the Defective Hand.

For a moment, everyone was in an uproar. Not only was Prayer furious, but even Xu Dong felt his face turn red and his situation become increasingly difficult.

At this moment, there was a sudden hum, and Xu Dong abruptly turned his head. He saw the red, flat divine fruit on the Broken Skill Great Sword in Prayer's hand suddenly start to vibrate violently, reminiscent of a heart pumping blood throughout the body in a few seconds.

At the same time, the divine fruit emitted a rapid red glow, and a powerful force surged out, rivaling the full-force attack of a First-star Strength-type Awakened.

Combined with Prayer's own flesh and blood power, the two forces merged into one, forcefully surging into the Broken Skill Great Sword, causing the steel weapon to tremble violently, producing the initial humming sound.

A momentum far exceeding that of a First-star Awakened swept in all directions. Xu Dong, who was the first to feel it, was deeply shocked. His face changed, and he thought, "Is this the power of a Knight's equipment with inner equipment? This is not a simple 1+1=2; it's a geometric explosion!"

Xu Dong had never expected such a fiery temperament to be hidden in such a small body! He thought it was bad and was about to act when suddenly, the subordinate beside Ma Er let out a roar, his figure suddenly leaping forward. His delicate, white hand, fingers together like a knife, swung with a force that cut through the air, incredibly sharp!

The situation changed abruptly. Not only Xu Dong, but even Prayer, the party involved, did not have time to react. In the blink of an eye, the subordinate had already approached, his hand knife slicing in a strange arc, easily aiming for Prayer's neck.

Xu Dong could not discern the subordinate's specialty but felt that he was like a fierce, hunting leopard. When he acted, it was to determine right and wrong, to cut through life and death.

Sharp, fierce, and full of killing intent!

"Stop!"

At the critical moment, Ma Er casually waved his sleeve, and an invisible force shot out, striking the subordinate and sending him flying.

Strangely, none of the changes in the scene disturbed Pipi. The young salesperson had been frowning since the employees' accounts, deep in thought. At this moment, he seemed to recall something and raised his head with a suspicious look, saying, "Strange, I first invited this gentleman to the rest area to wait, then went to the restroom. When I turned around, she already had the Broken Skill Great Sword. I thought you had already made a deal. I didn't receive any gold coins, nor did I hand the Broken Skill Great Sword to this gentleman!"

What?

At this moment, due to the subordinate's sudden attack and being sent flying by his master, everyone was holding their breath in silence. Pipi's voice, though not loud, was heard clearly by everyone present.

At this moment, a man sneered, "You little brat, what are you talking about? Do you have a twin brother, or did someone else pretend to be you while you were in the restroom?"

The man laughed loudly, and the others also laughed as if they had heard the funniest joke in the world.

What the speaker said without intention, the listener heard with purpose. These words struck Xu Dong like a sudden thunderbolt, clearing the fog in his mind and revealing a clear and transparent truth.

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