Chapter Four: Debts of Kindness Are Hard to Repay

About three meters away from Shen Ce, a handsome young man glanced his way. He smiled, placing the glass bowl he’d been using for tea back onto the rosewood table. Not far from the bowl rested a golden hunter’s bow, glimmering in the light.

Through the delicate screen between them, Shen Ce observed Han Qishao for a good five or six seconds. His lips pressed together, uncertain if the other recognized him. Hunters always had sharp eyesight, and if Han Qishao’s memory was as keen, he’d surely recall this priest.

In the next moment, Han Qishao left the table and walked directly over to Shen Ce. He extended his right hand, sincerity shining in his light jade-colored eyes. “Hello, I hadn’t expected you to be the ‘Master Zero’ Linglong mentioned. I apologize for last time. Allow me to introduce myself again—Han Qishao.”

“Oh? So you two have met before?” Shui Linglong glanced at them in surprise, but quickly sensed the odd tension and fell silent. Shen Ce simply cast a calm look at Han Qishao’s outstretched hand, making no move to shake it.

Shui Linglong felt a wave of embarrassment. She knew Shen Ce’s stony, cold temperament better than anyone—if his first impression of someone was poor, he’d never bother with them again. She glanced at Han Qishao, giving a sheepish smile in hopes he would withdraw his hand.

To her astonishment, Shen Ce suddenly reached out as well. “Zero,” he said.

His voice was low and frosty, as though wrapped in a layer of ice, freezing all emotion.

For a moment, their hands were clasped together. Han Qishao’s smile deepened as he gazed at Shen Ce, tightening his grip a fraction.

Shen Ce felt a prick of annoyance, but kept his expression neutral, returning the handshake with equal firmness. Later, Shui Linglong would say the two seemed poised for a duel, making her so nervous she feared they’d start a fight right in the shop. The thought sent her scurrying away from the scene.

Yet the pair did nothing of the sort. Instead, they sat amicably at opposite ends of the rosewood table. Han Qishao, showing no sense of being a guest, took it upon himself to pour the tea and set the bowls. Strangely, despite his deep-set features and hair the color of molten gold, his movements were so fluid and natural that they harmonized perfectly with the antique décor.

In “Heaven’s Dominion,” a character’s appearance could be altered only within a 0–20% range of their original looks—tweaked or exotic, but always based on reality. Thus, Han Qishao must have similarly deep eyes and a high nose in real life. Watching his deft hands handle the tea, Shen Ce finally asked, “Are you mixed-race?”

Han Qishao handed him a shallow, engraved celadon bowl, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I am. My mother is from Huaguo, and she loves traditional culture, so I’ve picked up a bit myself.”

Shen Ce nodded noncommittally and said nothing more. After a minute’s silence, Han Qishao finally broached the main topic. “Master Zero, I hear from Linglong you’re looking for the ‘Basic Reconnaissance’ skill for assassins?”

Shen Ce raised his eyelids, sensing Han Qishao’s easy familiarity—using the nickname ‘Master Zero’ alongside Shui Linglong without a trace of awkwardness. “That’s right. How much are you asking?”

In “Heaven’s Dominion,” the skill shop only sold basic skills, and non-specialists couldn’t buy those from NPCs. As a result, skill books dropped by monsters were even more coveted than equipment. The ‘Basic Reconnaissance’ skill in particular was virtually priceless, useful for PvP, boss fights, scouting NPCs, and even—if one was bored—flirting with girls, so long as their level wasn’t more than five above yours.

“How much are you offering?” Han Qishao raised an eyebrow, tossing the question back to Shen Ce.

There was nothing Shen Ce disliked more than evasiveness, especially from strangers, but since he was the one seeking a favor, he couldn’t show annoyance. He quickly calculated his assets and the highest price he could bear. “How about four hundred gold?”

Han Qishao seemed surprised, glancing at him before taking a sip of tea and laughing softly. “That price is, frankly—”

He paused, his gaze inscrutable. “A bit too high. Since you’re the buyer, Master Zero—” He stood abruptly, catching Shen Ce off guard. “—I’ll give it to you as an apology. Free of charge.”

Free of charge?

It was impossible not to be surprised. Shen Ce studied Han Qishao, who smiled as if spring itself was upon him, and asked coldly, “Why?”

Han Qishao bowed his head, his pale green eyes locked on Shen Ce. “I simply wish to be friends, Master Zero. Money would cheapen it. After I bought that D-grade helm from Linglong last time, I wanted to meet you. If you come by any good equipment in the future, don’t forget your buyer here. As long as the quality’s good, I’ll take any kind.”

Shen Ce recalled that the D-grade helm was for female characters. He took a sip from his celadon bowl. Remembering their first meeting, with Han Qishao between two others, Shen Ce suddenly understood. “You’re planning to start a guild?”

Guild leaders were the ones who collected equipment in bulk, selling at half price or gifting it to members—good for winning loyalty and boosting the guild’s strength.

Han Qishao seemed taken aback as he sat again, eyes narrowing. “How did you know?”

Shen Ce set his bowl down, his dark eyes revealing nothing. “Didn’t ‘Heaven’s Dominion’ announce in the last update that guilds can be created at level 25? You must be nearly there.”

Han Qishao relaxed, his former sharpness softening as he reached into his inventory and handed Shen Ce a small, leather-bound booklet. “Here’s the skill book you wanted. You strike me as a lone wolf, but if you’d like to join our guild, you’d only need to be an honorary elder—no obligations, just your name. Any equipment or skills would be reserved for you.”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Shen Ce eyed the ‘Basic Reconnaissance’ skill book, a complex feeling rising within him. After a brief silence, he looked up. “No need. I’m used to being on my own. As I said, I’ll pay four hundred gold for this book—will you sell it?”

Han Qishao shrugged. Even with such a casual gesture, he remained impossibly handsome. “I’m not forcing you to join. The book is still yours for free—I won’t take your money. Just remember my name when you find something good.”

Ding—Player [Han Qishao] requests to add you as a friend. Accept?

Shen Ce had always hated owing favors, but there was no way around it unless he gave up the skill book altogether. He felt a mild headache, but still reached out and added the ‘Basic Reconnaissance’ book to his inventory. “Very well. I’ll remember.”

Thus, Shen Ce’s meager friend list gained another name, though he was anything but pleased about it.

Han Qishao had been confident Shen Ce wouldn’t refuse. He stood, smiling. “I feel like we’ve hit it off. Next time, just call me Qishao.” With that, he picked up his golden hunter’s bow and strode out of the Precious Treasures Pavilion.

Shen Ce watched the tall hunter’s departing figure and pressed his lips together, his profile growing even more severe.

Outside, Shui Linglong approached as soon as their conversation ended. “Master Zero, how did you and Qishao meet?”

Shen Ce’s eyes swept over her. “We crossed paths during the job change quest on the Frostleaf Plains. Not a pleasant encounter. Linglong, do you know much about Han Qishao’s background?”

She pondered for a moment, running a hand through her curled hair with a flirtatious air. “Believe it or not, I’ve worked with Han Qishao many times and even tried to dig into his background, but all I learned was that he’s resourceful and well-off. Nothing more.”

Shen Ce raised an eyebrow, a cold glint flashing in his dark eyes. Shui Linglong was usually well-informed—who would have thought even she knew nothing. “Never mind, then. Linglong, have you ever heard of ‘Faith Value’?”