They all call me Great Master

"When you have the initiative, be bold."

"Demand a high price from strangers."

"Demand an even higher price from acquaintances."

These were Old Charlie's words, and Arthur agreed deeply—having the initiative meant that everything was soon to be his.

As for why demand an even higher price from acquaintances?

At that time, Arthur didn't understand this either and asked Old Charlie with some confusion.

Old Charlie could only sigh helplessly in response to this question.

"Spiritual compensation fee!"

Arthur still did not understand at the time, and Old Charlie did not explain further.

Now, of course, Arthur understood—

Once you take money from an acquaintance, no matter whether you lose money or make a profit, they believe you earned, which makes them uncomfortable.

If they find someone offering a lower price than yours, it is even worse; the acquaintance will only scold you for being unscrupulous.

However, they never care about quality or reliability, focusing only on the price.

But if it were a stranger's shop, they would not care as much about the price, paying more attention to the quality of the store instead.

It's somewhat like when dating a rich person, not caring about money but needing spiritual support, and when dating a poor boy, not caring about spiritual support, but needing money.

"Maybe this is 'business', not the so-called 'acquaintance's intentions', huh!"

Arthur muttered to himself a pun he just thought of, his gaze turning towards Kangsion in front of him.

After Arthur decisively refused, "Whale Slaying Sword" Kangsion didn't show anger on his face, nor was he surprised, but he just softly sighed—

"Indeed 'nobles can't be trusted'!"

Initially, when I contacted 'Baron Korol', he said he only needed 100,000 gold coins to give me an 'Entrant's' chart.

While I was figuring out how to raise the money, he suddenly contacted me, saying that if I helped him with a favor, he could give me a better 'Entrant's' chart!

Obviously, that scoundrel was exploiting their locked-up knowledge to squeeze me!

But Master, you didn't!

You just honestly refused me, without ever thinking of deceiving me!

Your sincerity is enough to prove that you are indeed a master!

Moreover, the 'Entrant's' chart in your hands must be better than that rogue noble's!

Please teach me!

"I can accept anything except death or slavery!"

Kangsion said this, bowing deeply to Arthur.

Are there different kinds of charts?

And they vary in quality?

As Kangsion bowed, Arthur quickly organized the information.

And when Kangsion straightened his back, Arthur continued to speak calmly.

"Do you know where I am from?"

"Your origins?"

Kangsion looked perplexed.

'Swordsmanship Competition' registration is today, 'Whale Slaying Sword' just arrived in South Los, and information about Arthur was only heard from Baron Korol's attendant on the way.

Of course, it wasn't comprehensive.

No!

It definitely wasn't comprehensive!

Or those cunning nobles definitely hid the most crucial information!

"I am the 'Black Cat' of the current 'Cat Faction.Black'!"

Arthur spoke frankly, revealing what was no longer a secret.

With Garcia's 'publicity', in South Los at this moment, anyone who seriously investigated could know this information.

As for why Kangsion hadn't tried to investigate?

The probability was that he was absolutely confident in himself!

He didn't think with his 'Great Arcana Level' prowess that he would face any opponents in the 'Swordsmanship Competition'—even if other participants also enjoyed 'Noble Privilege', 'altered age, origin', and the like.

In fact, that was the case.

In any part of South County, 'Great Arcana Level' represented a power that couldn't be ignored; as long as it wasn't when facing some 'Great Nobles', nobody would question his rule over a territory.

Just like Kangsion's Whale Island, it was just like that.

Hence, Kangsion had never considered that a 'Swordsmanship Competition' might encounter an 'Entrant', he thought his biggest opponent in this 'Swordsmanship Competition' would be 'Storm Sword' Deljo.

Hiss!

As Arthur sharply inhaled a breath audibly, realization dawned on Kangsion's face.
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"No wonder there's a power of death mixed in, is this 'Cat Faction.Black's' 'Communicate with Spirits'?

No wonder you can't teach me!

The difference in initial rituals makes the 'Entrant' charts different; although they can still be used, they will cause a lot of trouble later, some even causing irreversible damage!"

Watching realization dawn on Kangsion's face, Arthur sat there, unfazed, while internally he thought—

"Exactly!

The ritual is related to the subsequent 'charts'!"

What would the follow-up chart for the "Orange Cat" ritual be?

A self-portrait of the Great Orange Cat?

Or a chart of the Great Orange Cat eating?

After mocking himself, Arthur quickly became serious.

When Kangsion mentioned the "chart," Arthur had guessed whether the "chart" and the "Gifted One" stepping into the "Mystic Side" were closely related rituals.

The answer was neither good nor bad.

Different rituals could also use "charts."

But, there was a corresponding price to be paid.

And certainly, it was not as perfect as it would be under a direct lineage.

Even more, one could not advance further.

And this was exactly what the nobles and the major powers wanted!

They needed the "Mystic Side Persons" who did not belong to their "inner circle" to always be one level below them—

'Knowledge linked layer by layer, yet blocked at every level, huh?

What an effective tactic!'

Arthur thought to himself, yet he was not anxious at all.

With his current situation, he had too many breakthrough points to make up for this.

The Earl of South Los goes without saying.

The remaining three of the four Barons of South Los.

Beyond the nobles, there were also other forces worth watching.

Moreover, he had the greatest advantage, he was already an "Entrant"—as long as this was true, he had the initiative and room to maneuver.

Arthur's thoughts were racing with many ideas.

And Kangsion had made a decision across from him.

"Master, your character and strength have thoroughly convinced me!

I hope you can extend a helping hand to Whale Island—because there has emerged a 'Western Sea General' among the pirates of the Western Sea, and not to be outdone, the pirates of the Eastern Sea also plan to hold a 'Pirate Gathering' next 'Summer Celebration Day,' which will affect both coastal and oceanic trade.

But those of us on immovable islands will be hit first.

These pirates will loot everything they see like a swarm of locusts passing through.

But if there were an 'Entrant,' it would be different!

The prestige of an 'Entrant' is enough to deter them!"

Kangsion had changed his strategy.

This 'Whale Slaying Sword,' realizing he could not become an 'Entrant' in a short time, immediately decided to hire an 'Entrant' to go to Whale Island.

He didn't trust anyone else for this task.

But Arthur?

This 'Whale Slaying Sword' absolutely trusted him.

It wasn't just the character Arthur had displayed that made the 'Whale Slaying Sword' respect him, but also the reputation of the previous generation's 'Black Cat'—everyone knew the previous 'Black Cat's' aloofness.

How could the successor of such a person be inferior?

At least there was no worry about him seizing another's nest.

Kangsion would be terrified of other 'Entrants' going to Whale Island, but he was reassured with Arthur there.

"I am willing to use all my savings to invite you to a holiday on Whale Island.

Of course, to more justifiably fly the flag of the Kledos Family, you will have a thirty percent share of the island's future income."

While saying this, 'Whale Slaying Sword' Kangsion stood up and bowed.

This time, it was no longer a bow.

But a kneeling on one knee, holding up the Plank Sword in an oath—

"Tumultuous waves, stormy winds, and thunder!

I swear by the sword in my hand that from this day onward, I will defend the reputation, interests, and territory of the person before me, share common cause with him, and fight to the death against his enemies.

My oath will spread over the great sea!

And it shall never change!"

Kangsion almost gave Arthur no chance to refuse and began his vows.

Unlike the vows of the 'Lionheart Ceremony.'

And different from ordinary vows.

This was the 'Gift of the Sea'!

With the stimulation of Kangsion's "Spirituality," Arthur could easily sense the intentions of the person before him—although it was not as intimate as the 'Lionheart Ceremony,' it still had its binding powers.

A perfectly resigned expression appeared on Arthur's face.

And seeing the resignation on Arthur's face, Kangsion immediately felt elated inside—

'Indeed, one must be shameless!

This time...

I've hit the jackpot!'}

Afterward, this 'Whale Slaying Sword' stood up, leaned in close to Arthur, and asked in a low voice—

"Master, shall we go for a big score?"