Myriad Realms Gatekeeper

Two long rows of menacingly powerful knights filed out, arranging themselves in line.

Following close behind was an old man with white hair.

There was also a female elf whose face was veiled.

Then there was that young officer—

Prince Norton!

The moment they saw Shen Ye, a look of surprise flashed across their faces.

"Is it you?"

Prince Norton said with an icy tone.

What? He had gone through the trouble of bestowing a medal, only to give it to a spy?

"I've seen His Royal Highness, the Prince." Shen Ye saluted solemnly.

"Explain what's going on here—don't even think about lying; any falsehood will be seen through on the spot, and I will kill you with my own hands!" Prince Norton commanded.

Shen Ye smiled faintly, glancing once more at the Great Skeleton.

"?" Great Skeleton.

Shen Ye had no choice but to speak for himself: "This is my informer, the Fifth Battle Squad Battlefield Quartermaster, Fei Lun, from the Skeleton Army. It has been trading with me, and we have a contract."

"A contract? How is that possible? A human has a contract with the Undead?" Prince Norton repeated.

"I got some intelligence from it regarding the Undead Race," said Shen Ye.

Prince Norton looked at the white-haired elder beside him.

The elder nodded and said, "He's not lying. I'm constantly monitoring his words and soul with Arcane Magic."

Everyone inhaled sharply.

This boy who survived great adversities... has such a method?

"You really got intelligence about the Undead Race from it?" Court Archmage Yudelia asked.

"Yes, I've already handed it over to the Hand of Shadow," Shen Ye shrugged and said.

"It's the truth," the white-haired elder confirmed.

Yudelia nodded, stepped forward, and explained to Prince Norton:

"I believe him—I specialize in Soul Magic and am very sensitive to corrupted souls—his soul is very pure, filled with anger and firm conviction, unlikely to be a puppet of the Undead."

Prince Norton's expression softened significantly.

But this matter must be made clear—it involved his own reputation and prestige and could not afford to suffer any damage.

"Why would the Undead... form a trading relationship with you?" Prince Norton asked.

Shen Ye glanced again at the Great Skeleton.

"?" Great Skeleton.

Shen Ye, frustrated with the ineptitude, cleared his throat and explained, "It has been subjected to some unjust treatment on the Undead's side, living a very difficult life..."

"Because of 996!" the Great Skeleton suddenly cried out.

All eyes turned to it.

"996?" Prince Norton looked at his attendants, puzzled, but found they were just as confused.

The Great Skeleton, inspired, rapidly continued:

"I have suffered many injustices; you humans may not know, but within the Undead Race there exist capitalists."

"Capitalists? A new species of the Undead?" the white-haired elder asked soberly.

"That's right, let me tell you this: among the Undead, I'm poor, without the means to produce and acquire wealth. I must surrender my labor to the owners of the means of production, the capitalists, and only by producing the value of the labor in the actual labor process and being completely exploited by the capitalists can I barely survive," said the Great Skeleton.

Everyone pondered this for a moment.

The white-haired elder nodded and said, "The Undead Race, being tireless and immortal, indeed make for the best subjects for exploitation."

"Exactly," Yudelia joined in the discussion, "they don't even need to eat, so they can work continuously, saving capitalists a great deal on labor costs."

"So, what is this 996?" Prince Norton asked.

"Start work at 9 in the morning, finish at 9 at night, with less than an hour off for lunch and dinner, totaling over 10 hours of work, and working six days a week," the Great Skeleton recited fluently.

"That sounds rather harsh..." Prince Norton mused.

"After that, I also went through 007," the Great Skeleton recited again.

"And what is that?" asked the white-haired elder.

"From midnight to midnight, seven days a week without a break, commonly known as 007," the Great Skeleton recited.

The humans gasped in shock, their gaze at the skeleton now mixed with sympathy.

Look how this child is worn down to just a head.

"I think I understand you now—but how have you survived until now?" Prince Norton's voice carried a hint of warmth.

The Great Skeleton looked towards Shen Ye, choking up before saying:

"I remember that day... it was snowing heavily, and when I escaped, I saw him—he was so cold and hungry... with only a box of matches..."

Shen Ye promptly interjected: "Everyone, let's not dwell on the matches—"

"No," the Great Skeleton interrupted, "it was he who struck the matches, lit a pile of wood, and warmed me, allowing me to feel human kindness and warmth for the first time."

"That's why I decided to rebel!"

People then turned their eyes to Shen Ye.

Lines of small glowing text appeared on Shen Ye's retina:

"Congratulations, you and your partner have voiced a critique against the capitalists, allowing the brand-new Evaluation Entry 'The Little Match Boy' to thrive, now on par with 'The Boy Who Survived Great Adversities'!"

Congratulations my foot!

Why can't there be a few more serious entries?

Shen Ye looked at the Great Skeleton with a strange expression.

But then again—

When you think about it, this skeleton has got some acting skills!

"This... friend from the Undead Race, how can you prove your identity? Do you have proof?" Prince Norton asked.

"There is a white bone medal on my head," the Great Skeleton said.

The white-haired elder stretched out his hand and pointed at the white bone medal, uttering a spell.

In an instant.

Streams of dark Soulfire started emerging from the void around the Great Skeleton, gathering above its head into a line of text in the language of the Undead Race:

"Awarded to the Fifth Battle Squad Battlefield Quartermaster, Fei Lun—Special Generals of the Undead Race, Terence."

Only the recipient of the medal could summon the Soulfire!

And the recipient had to be one of the Undead!

This made it more scientific than the medals of elves and humans, and less susceptible to counterfeiting.

Everyone fell silent.

Such an event—

Had never happened before in history!

Could this be what witnessing history feels like?

Prince Norton pondered for a few moments before suddenly turning to Shen Ye and speaking:

"The Boy Who Survived Great Adversities, you suffered grave injuries in battle which caused you to forget your original name."

"Therefore, as the Prince of the Holy Violet Empire, I am entitled to bestow upon you a name."

"—Do you find this acceptable?"

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness the Prince, please bestow a name," Shen Ye said very tactfully.

The others around all showed a solemn expression.

Being named by the prince was a tremendous honor. As long as one lived within the human realms without committing any severe errors, one could lead a secure and stable life for a lifetime.

Even—

If he were to earn military merits—

Everyone dared not continue that thought.

Prince Norton thought for a moment and then said:

"Let's call you Ha—"

Suddenly, Shen Ye interrupted him, "No! Your Highness, please choose another—absolutely not one beginning with Ha. Consider it my most sincere request."

"All right, how about Lolly?" Prince Norton complied amicably.

Not Harry.

But Lolly?

Loli?

Me?

...Harry would have been better.

The Prince was very adept at reading the room, and seeing Shen Ye's hesitation, smiled and said:

"There are two legendary divine spirits in human history, it is said that when infinite catastrophes descend, they will appear in the world to save all pious souls."

"One is called Lolly, and the other is called Peiqi."

"Since you do not wish to be called Lolly—"

"Then let's call you Peiqi."

Peiqi.

Shen Ye's face twitched continually, his mouth opening and closing several times, unable to utter a single word.

If I had known there was a Peiqi behind Lolly, I wouldn't have rejected it even if it killed me.

But now it's too late.

The other person is a prince.

I've rejected Harry, then Lolly, that's already the limit.

Not recognizing what's good for me, I might even lose my life.

And I still want to receive a third "Evalution Entry" for being one of "our own."

Damn.

I will endure it!

If one day I, Peiqi, return to Blue Star, and the kids call out my name at once, it wouldn't exactly be something to flaunt.

But that's okay!

As long as I don't use the surname, and my face remains unseen, no one will know I am Peiqi.

Moreover, a grown man cannot be a Loli!

Shen Ye reassured himself and then said:

"Your Highness, the name is good."

"Hmm, the name of a hero is indeed good, come—"

Prince Norton made a gesture.

The knights immediately stepped forward, forming a circle, and gathered around Shen Ye, all raising their long swords.

What is—what is this ceremony?

Shen Ye was completely baffled.

He noticed that everyone's demeanor had become more serious.

Prince Norton spoke in a solemn tone:

"Peiqi, you must swear never to betray humanity from this day forward."

"Should you break this oath, your soul shall instantly shatter!"

All of the long swords emitted fierce divine light, shining upon Shen Ye.

—This was a harsh sacred oath!

Only after Shen Ye completed the oath, would Prince Norton be put at ease.

Otherwise, if Shen Ye were to betray humanity one day, as his recommender and the presenter of the decoration, wouldn't Prince Norton be blamed for being unable to discern character and unfit for his duties?

"Swear now, and as long as you don't violate today's oath, you will be a hero whom everyone respects; and if you earn military honors, you will be canonized as a Saint!"

Court Archmage Yudelia spoke softly.

—This young man survived great adversities, owes a debt to the Elf Race, reportedly saved comrades on the battlefield, and now has even converted an Undead.

If he continues on this path, he will become a legend sooner or later.

The Prince also sought to secure this matter in advance.

—Building momentum for this young man was, in essence, building momentum for the Prince himself!

"All right then."

Shen Ye understood the implication.

Canonzied as a Saint—

That meant, I am now in my Saintly youth.

This deal is worthwhile.

Shen Ye straightened his posture and solemnly recited, "I, Peiqi, swear that at any time, I will never betray humanity!"

As the oath was spoken.

The knights erupted with cheers, allowing the holy light to form a light-shaped Short Sword above Shen Ye's head, creating a Gold Short Sword design.

The Gold Short Sword flickered and quickly vanished from sight.

The ceremony was complete!

Everyone showed smiles.

Only the Skeleton seemed uncomfortable under the illumination of the holy light.

"Congratulations, child, from now on, you are no longer just Peiqi," the elder with white hair said.

"Not Peiqi anymore?" Shen Ye asked, overjoyed, "Does completing the ceremony grant a new name?"

"Indeed," Yudelia replied.

"What is it? Tell me quickly!" Shen Ye asked eagerly.

Everyone revealed sincere smiles and said in unison:

"Saint Peiqi."

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