Chapter 27 : Chapter 27
Chapter 27. Revealing His Identity, Apprenticing to a Legend
That afternoon, William’s figure frequently appeared throughout the streets and alleys of the Royal Capital.
He no longer tested people one by one as he had at the beginning. Instead, he specifically sought out commoners whose heads shimmered with halos of Silver Aptitude or higher.
Whenever he confirmed someone’s aptitude, he would openly reveal his identity.
“I am the Fourth Prince, William.”
After the initial shock, most of the common youths would show uncontrollable excitement on their faces.
Being chosen by a prince meant a chance to escape the mud of their current lives. It meant that cultivation resources would no longer be an unreachable dream. Almost no one could refuse such temptation.
“But I have one condition,” William would always say at the right moment, handing over a contract. “You must swear loyalty and never betray me.”
At this point, a few people would hesitate.
Some possessed greater ambition and were unwilling to bow for a mere livelihood. Others were wary of the restrictions imposed by a contract.
William never forced anyone.
The Royal Capital had plenty of talent. There was no need to waste time on people who thought too highly of themselves.
He sent the young people who signed the contracts in batches to the manor outside the city. There, training rooms, breathing techniques, and meditation methods had already been prepared, and Tos arranged instructors to guide them.
In just one afternoon, the number of people in the manor doubled. Every single one of them was an outstanding seedling with remarkable aptitude.
William’s actions quickly reached the palace.
“Ridiculous.”
The Second Prince slammed his hand on the table during a council discussion.
“A bunch of mud-legged commoners, and he personally recruits them as a member of the royal family?”
“If word spreads, it will completely disgrace the royal family.”
Several earls nearby echoed his words.
“His Highness is right.”
“Even if those commoners have some aptitude, without systematic training and resources, they cannot possibly develop real combat ability.”
“The Fourth Prince’s actions truly disregard noble dignity.”
Even the Queen summoned William privately and tried to persuade him earnestly.
“William, if you want to recruit followers, simply have your subordinates do it.”
“You are a prince. You should maintain the dignity of a prince. Why lower yourself like this?”
William merely smiled.
“Your Majesty, dignity is not something upheld by appearances.”
“Those people are unpolished jade. If I do not pick them up now, someone else will sooner or later.”
“As for dignity… when they grow stronger in the future and charge into battle for the royal family, that will be the greatest dignity of all.”
He understood clearly that many members of the royal family looked down on commoners.
Meanwhile, at the manor outside the city, the newly arrived youths held the breathing techniques and meditation manuals they had been given. Their eyes sparkled with hope for the future.
Early the next morning, just after William finished breakfast, Tos approached respectfully with a stack of intelligence reports.
“Your Highness, there has been movement regarding Zoe. Yesterday afternoon, several attendants dressed in luxurious clothing visited the blacksmith stall. It seems they were trying to recruit her.”
William paused slightly while holding his cup of red tea, his eyebrows rising faintly.
“Did Zoe go with them?”
“No,” Tos replied, shaking his head. “But they left a token behind. It appears they have not given up.”
William set down the teacup and stood.
“The longer we delay, the more variables appear. Tos, let’s go.”
Fifteen minutes later, William left the palace quickly with an Exit Authorization and several Palace Knights.
The carriage had already been prepared outside. Its wheels rolled across the bluestone road as it sped toward the open-air blacksmith stall.
From afar, they could see the forge fire flickering in the morning light.
Zoe was swinging her hammer again and again onto a glowing red iron block, sparks scattering into the air.
Her father worked nearby, skillfully hammering another piece of iron.
“Zoe.”
William stepped down from the carriage and walked straight over.
The father and daughter raised their heads. When they saw him, they immediately put down their tools and bowed.
“No need for formalities.”
William waved his hand.
“Zoe, come back to the palace with me today.”
“Your father will be escorted to the manor outside the city. There is a residence prepared there, so you do not need to worry.”
Zoe looked at her father.
The middle-aged man remained silent for a moment before nodding.
He understood that this was the best opportunity for his daughter.
Zoe tightened her grip on the hammer and bowed deeply to William.
“Your Highness, please guide me well in the future.”
William smiled slightly.
“Believe me, this will be the most correct choice of your life.”
He turned to Tos.
“Arrange two people to escort Zoe’s father to the manor and settle him properly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Zoe removed the coarse gloves covered in iron filings and followed William into the carriage.
As the carriage wheels began to roll again, she looked back.
The blacksmith stall grew smaller and smaller in the distance. Yet she felt no reluctance—only anticipation for the future.
Inside the carriage, William observed her slightly nervous yet determined expression.
“Do you know how to use a sword?” he asked.
Zoe shook her head.
“I only know how to forge iron.”
“That is fine.”
William handed her a high-tier breathing technique.
“I will find you a renowned teacher. Start from the basics. With your aptitude, you will grasp it quickly.”
Zoe accepted the breathing technique and gently traced the cover with her fingertips before nodding firmly.
The two of them directly signed a Soul Contract.
Sunlight streamed through the carriage window, casting a warm halo across her face.
This girl who once swung a hammer could never have imagined that the moment she stepped into this carriage, her life had already changed completely.
In the near future, she would leave her mark on this continent in a way no one expected.
William looked at the Soul Contract in his hand, the smile on his lips becoming clearer.
Another pearl had fallen into his palm.
When the carriage entered the palace, William did not return to his Residence. Instead, he brought Zoe directly to the Knight Palace.
Among the three legendary powerhouses stationed in the Royal Capital, Aganzo of the Knight Palace was the most detached from worldly affairs. He spent most of his time buried in ancient books and cultivation.
Having him teach Zoe would be most appropriate.
William first asked a maid to take Zoe to a side hall to wash up and change into a clean light-blue knight uniform.
When Zoe emerged again, the iron filings had been washed from her face, revealing delicate features. Though she still looked slightly restrained, a natural heroic spirit radiated from her.
“Let us go.”
William led her to the entrance of the Knight Palace.
Two knights wearing bright silver armor guarded the gate. When they saw the Fourth Prince, they immediately knelt on one knee.
“Is Lord Aganzo here?” William asked.
The knight on the left replied respectfully.
“Your Highness, Lord Aganzo is currently reading in the Study.”
“Please inform him that the Fourth Prince, William, requests an audience.”
The knight entered the palace, and moments later returned to guide them inside.
“Your Highness, Lord Aganzo invites you in.”
They walked through a corridor engraved with knightly emblems. A faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air.
The Study was enormous.
Three walls were filled with towering bookshelves. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the floor.
An old man wearing simple leather armor sat in a rocking chair beside the window, holding a thick, yellowed book.
His hair was white and his face lined with wrinkles, yet his eyes were as clear and lively as a young man’s.
When he saw William enter, he set the book down and smiled.
“A rare visitor, little Fourth.”
“What brings you to see this old man today?”
“Grandfather Aganzo.”
William bowed respectfully. It was the title the younger members of the royal family used for this legendary knight.
“I brought you a disciple.”
He stepped aside to reveal Zoe.
“Her name is Zoe. She has excellent aptitude, but she has never systematically studied knight techniques. I hope you can guide her.”
Zoe immediately bowed.
“Greetings, Lord Aganzo.”
Aganzo’s gaze fell upon Zoe.
His previously calm eyes suddenly turned sharp, like two invisible blades sweeping across her entire body.
Zoe felt her entire body tense, yet she endured it without stepping back, her spine standing straight.
After a moment, the old man withdrew his gaze and the smile returned to his eyes.
“An excellent seedling. Very high aptitude.”
He looked at William.
“You little rascal certainly know how to pick treasures.”
“It still requires someone as talented as you to teach her, otherwise it would be a waste,” William replied with a smile.
“Zoe, why are you still standing there? Hurry and pay your respects.”
Zoe immediately understood.
She knelt on both knees and kowtowed three times respectfully.
“Your disciple Zoe greets Master.”
Aganzo nodded.
He pulled a blue-covered book from the shelf and tossed it to her.
“Memorize the 《Basic Dou Qi Atlas》 first. I will test you in three days.”
“Yes, Master.”
Zoe caught the book with both hands and held it tightly against her chest.
Seeing that everything had been settled, William stood to leave.
“We will not disturb your reading any longer.”
Aganzo waved his hand and picked up his book again, as if the previous conversation had never happened.
After leaving the Knight Palace, Zoe still held the book, looking somewhat dazed.
William patted her shoulder.
“Grandfather Aganzo may appear strict, but he is actually very protective of his disciples.”
“Study well under him. In less than three years, your achievements will astonish everyone.”
“Oh, right.”
William handed her a Spatial Ring.
“Take this. There are some resources inside for now. More will be delivered continuously later. Cultivate well and do not disappoint your father or me.”
Zoe nodded firmly.
Sunlight shone on the hands clutching the book, as if she were already holding a heavy and promising future.
William looked back toward the Knight Palace with a faint smile.
With a legendary knight personally teaching her and the massive resources he would provide, it would be difficult for her not to become extraordinary.