Chapter 1308: The Baron
The Baron’s features were similar to Hosea’s, though the former looked far more pampered and well cared for.
When Qi Xuansu altered his appearance, he also relied on certain references—mainly Westerners he had encountered before. Dutch was modeled primarily after Duke Marcheno and the Holy Court’s Metropolitan White, while Hosea was based on Desmond and Arthur, with some adjustments to make him look rougher and more like an outlaw.
The latter two dated back quite some time. When Qi Xuansu had just joined the Tiangang Hall, he traveled to the Western Region with Zhang Yuelu on a mission and met a Holy Court bishop named Arthur Morgan, who was tasked with hunting down the vampire Desmond.
Qi Xuansu had never expected that the face he casually crafted would end up looking so much like this Baron.
“I get it,” Madam Wu said as she swaggered up beside the Baron, since no one else could see her. “This old fox wants to use you as a double. You’d better be careful. If he’s got gold teeth, he might pull out a few of yours and replace them with gold just to match his!”
Qi Xuansu replied indifferently, “Then let him pull them out. It’s not even my real body anyway. Right now, I’m a guest at St. Paul Church.”
“You stinking brat!” Madam Wu suddenly remembered that the body Qi Xuansu was using was actually hers, so she immediately changed her tone. “If that old man tries anything suspicious, we’ll turn him into a human torch!”
Qi Xuansu did not acknowledge her request. Instead, he asked, “Baron, may I ask why you have invited me here?”
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Matthias.” The Baron said, lightly tapping the railing with his fist. “I won’t beat around the bush. I require a temporary double, and you are a very suitable candidate.”
Qi Xuansu looked at the Baron. “I...”
The Baron continued, “There’s no need to refuse so quickly, Mr. Matthias. Didn’t you come to the Lower District of St. York for those shining Gold Crowns? I can offer you a price you cannot refuse—2,000 Gold Crowns. What do you think?”
Qi Xuansu feigned shock.