Chapter 751: The Paladin
Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu shared a mutual Western friend named Arthur, a demon hunter from the Holy Court Tribunal.
After meeting Arthur, Qi Xuansu learned a bit of Western language and could communicate simply with gestures. Later, when Qi Xuansu went for advanced studies at the Wanxiang Daoist Upper Palace, he also learned some Western knowledge. After all, the maritime trade of the Daoist Order required interaction with Westerners. Thus, mastery of Western studies was essential to join the Shibo Hall. Conversely, Westerners also needed Eastern specialists to do business with the East.
Western names were exceptionally long, especially among those of higher social standing, sometimes ridiculously so. In terms of sheer length, even Eastern family names, courtesy names, given names, and titles combined could not match the Western ones. Perhaps only the posthumous titles of emperors could compete with them.
Following Western naming conventions, Renatus of Dragonburg would mean that the Paladin was from Dragonburg. Like the East, significant figures like prime ministers would often combine their last name and hometown, usually down to the county level. For instance, former prime ministers Xu Huating and Zhang Jiangling were from Huating County and Jiangling County, respectively. Those who could link their names to a place, whether East or West, were inevitably prominent figures.
Thus, Renatus was clearly a noble, and a powerful one at that. The reason behind his journey far from home to the East remained unknown.
At this moment, the two armored men assumed fighting stances, facing each other from afar.
Spirit Guard Jia Chen did not act carelessly. He positioned his shield before him, slightly crouched, and instructed the others, “Keep going. If I can defeat him, I’ll catch up naturally. If I get held up, don’t wait for me. Focus on your own tasks.”
The three young Daoists said nothing more and swiftly bypassed Renatus, heading toward the exit on the opposite side.
Renatus made no attempt to stop the group. His opponent was formidable, and any distraction would show disrespect to both his opponent and himself.
Spirit Guard Jia Chen chuckled confidently. “I am a first-rank Spirit Guard of the Daoist Order, code-named Jia Chen. I look forward to exchanging techniques with you.”
Renatus grasped his greatsword with both hands and advanced purposefully, neither praying nor chanting.