Nobilis of War
Chapter 277 The Corpse (Part One)

"You think that I am just a toy boy? How about a taste of my fist?" Finley clenched his hand and threw a hard punch at Water Kylin. Unable to dodge, the blow collided with Water Kylin's face. As unbearable pain coursed through him, the creature let out a moan before slumping to the ground.

"I'm sorry. So very sorry! I am a fool! Please forgive me!" Water Kylin begged for forgiveness as he looked at Finley pitifully.

Finley's anger did not seem to subside. Just as he was about to punch Water Kylin again, Darren stepped forward and grabbed him by the shoulder. "That is enough!" Darren advised and then turned to Water Kylin. "You want to submit to us, that is fine. We want to know how you will guarantee that you will not betray us one day. I don't want to live with the fear of being betrayed by you," he said.

Finley was also highly doubtful about Water Kylin's loyalty. He glared at Water Kylin and accused, "Don't believe him, Darren! This bastard is as sly as a snake. Who knows what he is plotting and when he will turn on us. I suggest that we eat him right away and eliminate the threat."

"Please don't! As a legendary beast, I can create a life and death bond with you. If we establish the bond, you can be assured that I will never have the guts to harm you," Water Kylin hurried to explain. It sounded so sincere and faithful that Darren was beginning to believe it.

"What is a life and death bond?" he inquired earnestly. The memory of how Scott had created a life and death bond with him surfaced in Darren's mind. He also recalled how deeply he had felt attached to him and how concerned he had been about Scott's safety since then. But now, when it came to creating the same bond with a legendary beast, Darren wondered how it would work.

Noting his bafflement, Water Kylin started to clarify, "I will explain plainly so that you can understand better. As for the life and death bond, in simple words, my life relies on your safety. If you face any kind of danger and die, I will die along with you because of the effect of the bond. However, on the contrary, if I run into any life-threatening danger, you will not be affected. My death won't bring any harm to you. In this way, once we create the bond between us, I will, of course, risk everything to ensure your safety because your safety means my safety. For this simple reason, I will never be foolish enough to think about harming you."

Water Kylin's words pushed Darren deep into thought. He stood speechless for a while and considered the implications of such a bond. It was not that he doubted Water Kylin's explanation. Instead, he was more concerned about Scott's intention behind creating such a vital bond with himself some time back.

If the bond was really as potent and critical as Walter Kylin had explained and could attach one person's life to another person, then how much faith and belief did Scott have in Darren by proposing and creating this bond with him? Darren could not help but experience a deep sense of gratitude for Scott's confidence in his abilities. "I didn't know that you have so much faith in me, Scott," Darren whispered. "What do you say, master? Do you think you can free me and create this bond in exchange?" Water Kylin prompted. The desire to get out of the place as fast as possible coursed through the creature. Darren assessed the situation for a while. It seemed that no harm would come for him if he accepted Water Kylin's offer. Or on the contrary, if what Water Kylin had told him was true, then he would have one more security assurance on his list. "Well then, if the bond will keep you from hurting us, I will accept your offer and let you go. If you follow my lead and listen to my commands, you will have my respect, and I will treat you nicely. Otherwise, you know what path lies before you!" Darren looked into Water Kylin's eyes and warned.

Hearing that Darren had decided to let him go, Water Kylin was relieved. He drew a long, luxurious breath and grumbled in a whisper, "What will I do with your respect if you are useless to me?"

Luckily for Water Kylin, his voice was low, and Darren and Finley could not hear the words clearly. "What did you just say?" Darren asked, looking doubtfully at Water Kylin.

Observing the anger and suspicion in Darren's eyes, Water Kylin did not dare to provoke him again. "Nothing evil, I swear. I was just saying that I will activate the bond skill right away. Would you please loosen your Spirit Power so I can cast the spell?" he asked. After saying that, Water Kylin projected his spiritual sense into Darren's head.

Darren instantly felt the gust of rushing spiritual sense. Although turbulent, Darren could not detect any harm in it. Even if it was dangerous, Darren knew that the mysterious stone in his head would fend off the spiritual sense and keep it out of his head. So he relaxed and let it flow freely through his mind.

After a while, Water Kylin extracted some blood essence from his heart and spat it directly onto Darren's chest. The blood essence made contact with Darren's chest for less than a second before assimilating itself with Darren's heart. Then, the whole process was done. The abstruse bond between Darren and Water Kylin was established.

"You are only nine years old, and you already have the power of a two-star grand warrior?" Darren cried, looking bewildered. As the life and death bond had come into effect, Darren began to get a general understanding of Water Kylin's background.

The question offended Water Kylin. "Of course, I do! Who do you think I am? I am only one step away from being a classic ancient legendary beast, which is why all the beasts around me have been showing me awe and respect. Can you imagine how powerful I will become when I grow up? I believe I will be able to slap the human holy warrior to death if I want to, by that time," he gloated. A golden light flashed in Water Kylin's eyes as he began to imagine all the power and glory that lay in his future. Water Kylin, indeed, had a special and noble bloodline, which enabled him to cultivate skills much faster than other beasts. This was why the creature was superior to everyone. Whenever Water Kylin wanted to flaunt his abilities in front of people, he would speak of his heritage.

"You can slap the holy warrior to death? That is bullshit!" Finley countered. The creature's suppositions did not convince him in the least.

A spasm of anger passed swiftly over Water Kylin's face, but then, he instantly gave way to a look of submission and a small laugh. "I am not overselling my strength. You can see it for yourself after a million years," he grumbled timidly.

"A million years? You got to be kidding me! This is bullshit!" Finley exclaimed with a roll of his eyes. He felt that he would burst into laughter any minute if he listened to more of Water Kylin's exaggeration and irrational self-compliments.

Water Kylin was irked. He had been refraining from expressing his temper roused by Finley's impudence, as he feared that Finley might strike again. Despite the verbal clash, the creature wanted Finley to show him some respect. "Buddy, would you please skip using the word 'bullshit' when you say something? It is not a polite word to use," Water Kylin advised in a slow but firm voice. ☐☐☐☐☐