Chapter 5 - Battle
"Master, may I inquire with whom you intend to engage in combat?" Meixue asked, her gaze sweeping across the lush forest surrounding them. The portal had transported them to a verdant landscape, with colossal trees whose leaves formed intricate canopies. One tree stood tall and broad enough for its wood to construct a dozen structures, and it was surrounded by tens of thousands of its kin.
"The identity of my opponent is insignificant," Han Rui replied casually, his curious eyes exploring the depths of the forest.
Meixue nodded, refraining from further questions. In her perception, Han Rui transcended ordinary understanding—an individual capable of effortlessly dispatching several beings at the immortal level. Now, she understood why and who was behind the Han clan's resurgence.
Unperturbed by his subordinate's thoughts, Han Rui strolled through the area, his gaze lingering on the fresh and withered leaves covering the forest floor.
"Where are we?" Han Rui inquired of the system. "I haven't read about a place like this in the Celestial Ridge."
[That's because we're no longer in the Celestial Ridge. This is the Eternal Forest north of the Phoenix Dynasty!]
"Phoenix Dynasty?" Han Rui's eyes gleamed with recognition as he recalled something from his previous readings. "If I remember correctly, isn't that a location in the Phoenix Continent?"
[Yes!] affirmed the system.
"Ah, this must be the famed Eternal Wood, then. Rumor has it they possess the same durability as an immortal-level treasure, making them nearly impossible to fell," Han Rui murmured, running his hand along the rough tree bark.
[Are you ready for the challenge?]
"Hold on a moment," Han Rui said, reaching into his inner robes. After a brief search, he retrieved a neatly cut wooden stick shaped like a baseball bat.
Meixue's discerning eyes focused on the seemingly ordinary stick, various thoughts flashing through her mind.
Master truly is remarkable. He intends to humiliate his opponent using a mere stick. I should take notes; perhaps one day, I'll display such arrogance.
She keenly observed as Han Rui adopted an unfamiliar pose while effortlessly swinging the bat.
"System, summon that fat cow. I'm ready," Han Rui said after his tenth swing.
A thunderous whipcrack resounded through the area, and the once-clear skies darkened. Simultaneously, a distortion appeared in the heavens, forcefully expelling a figure before sealing shut. In an instant, tranquility returned.
However, Meixue and Han Rui, mouths agape and eyes wide, stared at a figure towering over ten feet, radiating robust vitality.
"What in the world is this?" Han Rui muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
Two slightly curved, pearly-white horns adorned the colossal creature, complemented by three earrings on its right ear and a golden nose ring. It gripped a pristine silver axe with a blackened handle, and the air around the weapon seemed to warp.
"System, who is this? I asked to fight the fatty from..." Han Rui paused mid-rant, realizing his error.
[That's him. He was a mere calf back then. He's grown quite a bit!]
A thunderous mooing-esque scream resonated from the bull, causing trees within a two-hundred-meter radius to explode into dust. Han Rui and Su Meixue, though unaffected, couldn't help but gape at the destruction left in the wake of the bull's roar.
"System, I don't want to fight again. I'm content with my previous rewards. Please take me home," Han Rui managed to utter.
At that moment, Su Meixue's voice filled Han Rui's ears, "Shut up, you ignorant nitwit!"
Han Rui turned his head to find the young lady standing near the formidable bull. What is she doing?
"Do you think you're impressive just because you destroyed a few random trees?" Meixue said, arms folded across her chest. "I don't think my master would need even a minute to best someone as ignorant as you."
Baolei Zhanghuo's fiery eyes shifted between the woman and the man. He snorted, his nose ring wiggling slightly. Ignoring Meixue, he focused on Han Rui, who seemed to be inching away discreetly.
Why does this human look familiar? Zhanghuo thought, a crease distorting his brows.
Wait, I remember now. Zhanghuo's eyes widened, and a cruel smile crossed his lips. In a flash, he appeared behind Han Rui.
"Friend, are you trying to run away or something?" Zhanghuo said, one hand resting on Han Rui's shoulder, the other tightly gripping his axe.
Han Rui violently shook his head, forcing a smile.
Zhanghuo continued, "Your timing is impeccable as always. Last time you summoned me, I was about to relieve myself. Now, it's the first night of my honeymoon. Do you hate me that much?"
Han Rui nodded vigorously; he paused midway as if realizing his mistake, then he shook his head even more aggressively.
"Congratulations on your wedding, brother. If I had known today was your honeymoon, I wouldn't have summoned you—though, to be clear, I didn't summon you." Han Rui emphasized with a bashful smile.
"Oh, really?" Zhanghuo muttered, firming his grip on Han Rui's shoulder. "Your underling mentioned something about you finishing me off in under a minute. Did I hear wrong?"
"Don't mind her. She's suffering from heat stroke. I have no intention of fighting you," Han Rui said, his googly eyes fixed on Zhanghuo's.
The bull nodded slowly, a devious smile appearing. "That's too bad because I was looking forward to fighting you again," Zhanghuo wore a bashful smile, unable to conceal his greed. "I'm still enjoying the benefits from our last encounter. I can't imagine what I'll receive this time."
"Sir Zhanghuo, a refined gentleman such as yourself shouldn't be—" Han Rui was cut off by a rogue system notification.
[Generating random penalties…]
Han Rui frowned, and another system notification appeared.
[Should the host lose, a random penalty from the following list will apply!]
Hair loss: Three years minimum duration.Lactation: Every full moon.Impotency: Every night until your 30thbirthday!Random misfortune: Every time you have the urge to defecate!Involuntary dance-off: Every time you hear music.Compulsive truth-telling: During serious conversations.Sudden erection: Every time someone shows appreciation or hate toward you.Han Rui's jaw dropped as he perused the list of penalties. Simultaneously, he smacked away Zhanghuo's hand, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the bull.
"Are you going to admit defeat, or am I going to have to fuck you up?" Han Rui said.
Zhanghuo froze for a moment, knitting his brows. What happened to him? Why the sudden change in demeanor? Well, it doesn't matter. I just need to beat him up again and await my rewards.
Meanwhile, Meixue could barely rein in her excitement at Han Rui's sudden change in demeanor. Is master finally going to put this lump of meat in its place? Pretending to be weak to humiliate enemies might actually be fun. Once again, the cultivator made a mental note to emulate Han Rui's behavior.
Zhanghuo, on the other hand, shook off his doubts, his smile brightening.
Han Rui pointed the baseball bat at Zhanghuo. "Get your ass here!"
Zhanghuo burst into laughter. "I don't know what got into you, but that's the spirit. Let's see how much you've improved," he said, raising his axe and assuming his stance.
"Wait," Han Rui suddenly said.
"What is it?" Zhanghuo frowned. "Are you backing out?"
"No, that's not it," Han Rui replied, pointing toward Meixue. "In the unlikely scenario of a draw, whatever she says will determine the winner. Do you agree?"
Zhanghuo regarded Meixue again, his tensed brows relaxing. She's only in the golden core stage. I wouldn't even normally be in the same space as someone so weak. The bull smiled, "All right, let's do that. Anything else?"
Han Rui nodded. "Yes," he said. "The time limit will be one minute. Do you agree?"
Zhanghuo restrained his rising urge to laugh as he nodded.
One minute is more than enough time to beat this brat a million times over. He hasn't learned anything since our last meeting. Did he really believe his own hype?
"Is that all?" Zhanghuo asked with a smile.
"Um, yeah. Let's get this over with," Han Rui said, tightening his grip around the baseball bat.
Zhanghuo's smile widened as he prepared himself once more. I'll use my strongest move and end this in half a breath, he thought.
"Wait a moment," Han Rui suddenly called out.
Zhanghuo frowned, his patience running thin. "What is it this time? No matter what you say, I'm not letting you back out of this!"
"No, no, no. You misunderstood me," Han Rui said, leaning on the baseball bat. "I feel like a minute is too much to settle this."
Zhanghuo's ears perked up, and his brown eyes focused on Han Rui. "Human, what are you trying to say?"
Despite maintaining a facade of indifference, rage welled up in his heart. Is this mortal making fun of me? Does he think he can actually beat me in under a minute?
"My conscience wouldn't let me keep you here for as long as a minute. After all, your partner is waiting for you. I'm not shameless enough to keep you here on your honeymoon," Han Rue said.
Zhanghuo, realizing he might have misconstrued his opponent's words, said, "You do realize that we have spent more time talking when we could have gotten this over with already."
"I know, I know. But rules give order, my friend," Han Rui said with a smile. Then he continued, "How about this. I promise you that your strongest move won't even leave a bruise on my—"
Zhanghuo snorted, cutting off Han Rui, and laughed heartily. "Did you get drunk on some cheap wine before coming here, or did you actually get high on your underling's expectations?"
The bull laughed again before continuing, "You know what. I agree. In fact, it will be my loss if I can't leave a scratch on your body, and I'll even become your underling too. This I vow under the unforgiving heavens," Zhanghuo said, unable to hide the sarcasm in his voice.
A single golden lightning bolt descended from the heavens, striking Zhanghuo squarely on the head, causing him no harm or pain.
"Surely, there isn't anything else, right?" Zhanghuo asked with a wicked smile.
"I'm all good," Han Rui said with an equally wicked smile.
Zhanghuo laughed while turning toward Meixue, "Would you do the honors?"
The young lady turned toward Han Rui, and he acknowledged her with a nod. Then, she took a step forward with her hand raised. "I will stand as a witness to this challenge," she declared. "Should anyone flout the rules of the contest, may the heavens abolish their cultivation and imprison their soul for a million years."
The skies above churned, and thick golden lightning bolts gathered above the decimated area of the forest.
Zhanghuo laughed, "I agree," he said, and another lightning bolt struck the bull on the forehead.
"I agree too," Han Rui said.
A second lightning bolt descended, racing toward Han Rui's forehead. However, it suddenly paused a few meters away, before rushing toward Zhanghuo and striking him on the forehead.
This time, the bull winced a little.
"Wait, what just happened?" Zhanghuo muttered to himself as he stared at the chaotic heavens. However, the turbulent skies quickly cleared, and tranquility returned.
"What did you do?" Zhanghuo said, pointing his axe at Han Rui. "Why did I get struck twice by the heavenly dao?"
"What are you talking about? It struck both of us once?" Han Rui said with a deadpan expression, meeting the eyes of the bull. He then turned toward Meixue, "You saw the same, right?"
Su Meixue nodded. "He must be looking for excuses to flee from fighting you, master. It's a shame he couldn't think of anything creative," she said, her eyes laced with disdain for the lying bull.
"What nonsense are you talking about? It definitely struck me twice—"
"Okay, tough guy. It struck you twice and it struck me once. You're the heavenly dao's favorite. Are you happy now?" Han Rui said.
"What are you talking about? This isn't a competition. Why would I be—"
Han Rui interjected, "It seems you're the one that's looking for an excuse to renege on our vow. Me and my underling both saw the heavenly dao hit you and my humble self once; yet you claim it struck you twice. It's weird, but out of my magnanimity, I agreed, yet you're still finding reasons to complain. If you're going to keep on complaining, I'm also going to claim the heavenly dao didn't strike me at all."
"That's what I'm saying all along!" Zhanghuo said, resisting the urge to pull out all his hair.
"Okay then, I was struck seven times!" Han Rui said.
"What? Do you think this is some kind of competition?" Zhanghuo asked.
"You tell me? Because I don't know what this is supposed to be anymore," Han Rui said.
Zhanghuo took deep breaths. Every word coming out of Han Rui's mouth only made him more infuriated and exasperated.
There's no way I imagined all that, right? It definitely struck me twice… right? Zhanghuo shook his head, as if to dispel the thought. It doesn't matter. I only have to knock him out, and it will be my victory.
He took another deep breath, and his visage returned to normal. "Let's do this," he said.
"Finally, I'm glad you have come to your senses. I'm ready whenever you—"
Zhanghuo disappeared and reappeared in front of Han Rui before he could finish his statement. The air around the bull visibly twisted as he smashed the side of the axe on Han Rui's face. The impact was so intense that the sound of shattering glass echoed through the forest, followed by a thick dust cloud enveloping the area.
Zhanghuo's laugh echoed within the dust rain. "It's my victory. Mortal, remember to summon me again. I generously accept any challenge you offer," he said with a smile.
The bull waved his left hand, and the dust cloud settled. However, he lifted his head toward the clear skies.
I should be sent back any moment now. If it's the same as last time, the treasures should be waiting for me in that place. I must go home as soon as possible so that others won't take it.
Zhanghuo smiled as he fantasized about potential rewards. In a flash, a minute went by, yet the bull remained in the area.
What's going on? I should have been sent back by now, he thought, brows creased.
At that same moment, an azure radiance enveloped the bull, he laughed as his worries disappeared.
It was only a temporary delay. Honey, I can't wait to give you the best night of your life, Zhanghuo smiled lecherously as he surrendered himself to the warm radiance.
A moment later, the world around him twisted and turned, and he reappeared in an expansive room.
"Babe—" Zhanghuo paused, his keen eyes observing his surroundings.
Where the hell is this? This isn't my bedroom.
At that moment, a familiar voice filled his ears, "Don't just stand around there; help me carry some of this."
Zhanghuo reeled, turning to see Han Rui and Meixue dragging sacks with several broken woods in them.
"W-W-What is going on, human? How are you here, and how are you even fine?" Zhanghuo observed Han Rui, who didn't have a smudge of dirt on his clothes, let alone any bruises on his body.
This can't be possible. I definitely used enough force to have sent him flying for at least three days, he thought.
Han Rui sighed while shaking his head. He took gentle steps toward the bull, stopping a foot away. Then, he gestured to the creature to lean over, as if he wanted to whisper into his ears.
Unable to hide his curiosity, Zhanghuo bent, and Han Rui's voice filled his ears, "I hate to break it to you, pal. But you're my underling now."
Han Rui patted the lowered shoulder of the bull as he pointed toward the sack filled with broken splinters of eternal wood.
"Your first task is to carry those items to the basement. After that, I'll think of a position to assign you," Han Rui said with a warm smile.
"Why the heck would I do that? I demand—huh? What's going on with my body?" Zhanghuo's legs propelled him forward against his own will. "No, no, no! There's no way I could have lost…" he complained; however, he lifted four sacks at a go. "You shameless liar, you tricked me. What did you do?"
"Yes, yes. There will be plenty of time for that discussion later. For now, come with me. I'll show you where to put them," Han Rui said, barely able to contain his rising urge to laugh.
Chapter 6 – Grand Mission
Distinct footsteps echoed in dissonance as Han Rui and his underlings descended an impressive spiral staircase, seemingly sinking into the very abyss. Unlike Han Rui who wore a causal smile and Mexiue who maintained an air of aloofness, Zhanghuo couldn't stop himself from complaining with each step he took.
"I'm supposed to be enjoying a passionate night with my hot wife, not escorting some punk and random…" Zhanghuo paused as he gazed at Meixue, then he sighed while raising his head slightly. "O heavens, what sins have I committed to be punished like this?"
Han Rui's giggles echoed to Zhanghuo's annoyance, but bull couldn't do anything to the seemingly ordinary young man.
I know I was tricked and all, but how did he survive my attack back then? Zhanghuo pondered, his fierce eyes lingering on Han Rui's back.
After putting two and two together, he realized Han Rui had goaded him into making the bet. However, he still couldn't figure out how Han Rui survived.
He turned toward Meixue, before sending a message enshrouded with qi. "Woman, tell me more about this human."
Meixue glanced at the bull for a moment, before turning away. Zhanghuo's eyes blazed with fury as he sent another message, "Woman, how dare you ignore me! Do you know who I am?"
"Aren't you master's servant just as I am?" Mexiue replied without turning.
Her words extinguished the rising flame in Zhanghuo's heart. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the right words to say.
At that moment, Meixue's voice filled his ears again. "Even now, you still have no idea how fortunate you are."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Zhanghuo cocked his head backwards, wearing a slight frown.
"Do you think you had any chance of winning from the beginning?" Meixue hissed, unable to hide the derision in her voice. "I can infer that you had once sparred with our master—"
"And I won," Zhanghuo interjected.
However, Meixue scoffed while shaking her head. "Even fools aren't as simple minded as you are. Do you honestly think you stood a chance against him? It's fair to say master purposefully let you win," she said confidently. "He let you win an insignificant battle so that you'd get drunk on your victory, so that he could enact his plans for today. It's only normal someone like yourself is unable to understand why you lost."
Meixue turned toward Zhanghuo, and the duo locked gazes. "You should be grateful to your ancestors for giving you such a precious opportunity."
The young lady turned away and said nothing further. Meanwhile, Zhanghuo's gaze shifted between the young lady and Han Rui, as he fell into deep thought.
Just what did he do to brainwash this woman to this extent? She's talking about him as if he's some god. I beat the crap of him years ago, to the point he became my personal slave for a couple of hours. You're telling me that was all an act? Zhanghuo thought, frowning as he recalled the moment his axe struck Han Rui.
Back then, I definitely heard a crack when my attack connected. He subconsciously tapped his chest while opening his mouth, and an axe escaped from the bull's opened mouth. It rapidly expanded by the second, until it reached its original height and weight.
Are my eyes deceiving me? Zhanghuo's lips quivered as his eyes bugled out of their sockets. A lattice of deep cracks lined the surface of the once lustrous weapon which looked on the verge of shattering.
"This is a unity-immortal ranked weapon, forged by an immortal grandmaster for crying out loud. Why does it have so many cracks on it like some cheap porcelain plate?" He whispered.
The axes trembled along to his shaking arms, and the cultivator halted his steps. Zhanghuo's eyes shifted between the cracked weapon and Han Rui several times as they slowly turned wet.
"This is unfair," he muttered, while inhaling deeply.
Han Rui and Meixue paused in their tracks, turning toward the colossal bull.
"Hey, what's wrong? It sounded as if you were going to cry," Han Rui said, confused by the sudden turn of events.
"Shut up, human! Who do you think you're talking to…?" Zhanghuo paused, choking on his words as he stared at the axe again, and his eyes became wetter.
"Who do you think I am? Why would I cry…" tears streamed down Zhanghuo's face before he could finish his statement, but the bull didn't bother cleaning his face as he bawled without control.
Han Rui and Meixue exchanged looks, each equally confused by the sudden turn of events. Han Rui gave a gentle nod toward the young lady, and they both approached the sobbing bull.
"Hey big guy, there's no need to cry," Han Rui said while patting Zhanghuo. "We all lose bets occasionally. Don't worry, I'll let you go home soon," he said while comforting the bull.
Su Meixue, on the other hand, reframed from touching Zhanghuo. Instead, she simply stood behind Han Rui, her mockful eyes lingering on the crying bull.
"Who is worried about that?" Zhanghuo barely managed to squeeze out his words. "Do you know what I had to sacrifice to get this treasure?"
Han Rui awkwardly scratched the back of his head as he noticed the cracked weapon. Is he only realizing that it was his weapon that cracked earlier? I guess that's how much confidence he had about winning. I should give him something, Han Rui thought as he continued comforting the sobbing bull.
"System, how many fame points do I need to scan his weapon?" Han Rui asked mentally.
[No need! It's not even worth scanning!]
A bashful smile graced Han Rui's face as he reached into clothes once more. In a flash, the baseball bat returned.
"Ahem, you can use this for now. I'm sorry about your axe. I didn't know it meant so much to you," he said.
Zhanghuo stared at the wooden bat and his tears intensified. "If you're going to mock me, then leave me alone. What am I supposed to do with some random twig that can be broken with a mere snap?"
Meixue shook her head, unable to hide her disdain. What an Idiot, she thought, but she had no intentions of enlightening the bull.
Meanwhile, Han Rui continued to placate the sobbing cultivator. "C'mon, don't be like that. It might not be as shiny as your axe, but you can still use it to whack some sense into your enemies. Try it first. You just might like it."
Zhanghuo cleaned his watery eyes as he took a second glance at the wooden bat. Unlike this irksome woman, he does seem to be genuinely sorry. Or is he faking it?
He stared into Han Rui's eyes, and he couldn't detect the slight hint of guile hidden within them.
"I'll accept the bat for now, but I expect you to compensate me later," he said as he reached for the handle. "After all, a person of my stature shouldn't be using a mere... huh?"
Zhanghuo froze midway through his statement as his grip tightened around the bat's smooth handle. Han Rui and Meixue had disappeared; instead, he found himself amidst gigantic trees which seemed to shoulder the heavens. One tree was large enough that he could neither estimate its width nor height, and even its depths were too much for his feeble mind.
"Where is this place?" Zhanghuo muttered to himself, as a gentle breeze tussled his fur. His curious eyes darted in all directions, but he couldn't make sense of where to go.
At that moment, a voice laced with fury filled his ears. "Who the hell are you to hold me?"
Zhanghuo subconsciously lowered his head, his eyes focused on the bat. An ethereal, scholarly young man in pure white robes had replaced the top of the bat, and Zhanghuo held on to his wisp-like tail.
Zhanghuo blinked multiple times, tempted to clean his eyes. "Who—?"
The distinguished scholar slapped the bull across his face, sending him hundreds of feet into the air. Another slap followed, sending the bull crashing to the ground.
"You're the bastard that was calling me a random twig, yeah? Let's see how this random twig will fuck you up!"
The spirit rolled up its sleeves as it spat to the side.
"S-S-Senior, please wait!" Zhanghuo begged, but another slap landed squarely on his face and the right side of his face swelled.
"Senior, I was wrong. You're great and mighty! My stupidity didn't let me see your greatness!" Zhanghuo prostrated on the ground, not daring to meet the eyes of the scholar.
"Come here," the scholar said, beckoning the bull over with his right arm.
Zhanghuo shot to his feet, running toward the illusionary figure. Another crisp slap descended on the face of the bull as soon as he arrived, sending him flying several meters away.
"Come here," the scholar gestured again.
Zhanghuo stood up, tears streaming down his swollen face. He ran toward the spirit once more, and another slap sent him and his teeth flying in different directions.
"Come here," the scholar instructed a third time.
This time, the bull lay on the ground, mooing toward the heavens as tears and snort poured out from his eyes and nose. All he wanted was to consecrate his wedding with his wife, but misfortune after misfortune had struck him since he was summoned by Han Rui.
"Look at this punk ignoring me," the scholar said, as a cruel smile twisted his refined features. He flicked his right hand, and roots emerged from the ground, tying up the sobbing bull in a flash.
The scholar appeared next to Zhanghuo again. "By the time I'm done with you, you learn how to behave," he said with a mischievous smile.
He flicked his hand again, another root emerged from the ground. This time, it struck the behind of the tied-up cultivator to the amusement of the laughing scholar.
Meanwhile, within the spiral staircase, Han Rui silently observed Zhanghuo who had fallen into a trance.
He must be making acquaintances with the scholar right now. The scholar is a really shy guy, but I'm sure they will get along nicely, Han Rui thought, before turning toward Meixue.
"It doesn't look like he'd wake up anytime soon, or would you rather wait?" Han Rui asked, walking ahead of the bull.
"I would prefer to go with you, master. This oaf… I mean, this bull can catch up with us later," Meixue said with a courteous bow.
"All right then, let's go," Han Rui said before taking the lead once more.
The duo continued the journey in silence, descending further and further down the barely lit path. Thirty minutes later, the duo arrived in an expansive space teeming with life.
"This is beautiful," Meixue muttered softly, her eyes lingering on a serene waterfall surrounded by lush flowers.
Hundreds of bioluminescent flowers gently floated on the surface of the crystal-clear pool below the cascading waters, while formless entities prowled the depths of the wonderland.
"No one will disturb you here," Han Rui said, glancing at Meixue. "You can use any of the herbs to aid your advancement, and if need be, the water is fantastic too," Han Rui said with a warm smile.
"Thank you master," Meixue declared, bowing.
"I have other matters to attend to. Good luck," Han Rui said as he turned to leave.
Meixue maintained her bow, and only raised her head when she couldn't hear Han Rui's footsteps anymore. Then, she focused on the waterfall once more.
"Master has given me such a great opportunity. Failure is not an option," she muttered solemnly as the bead appeared in her hand. She approached the waterfall in slow and deliberate steps, her eyes brimming with unyielding determination.
Meanwhile, Han Rui quietly ascended the stairs while whistling a catchy tune. He came across Zhanghuo along his journey, but he didn't pay much attention to the motionless bull. Like that, he returned to the main area of the manor.
"What a day," Han Rui sighed as he collapsed on a nearby chair. "I wasn't expecting to get two new underlings, but I guess this is better than nothing."
A playful smile parted his lips as he suddenly sat upright. "System, I haven't forgotten about you. Where are my upgraded rewards?"
[Your rewards are the friends you made along the way!]
Han Rui rolled his eyes as he stared at the flashing panel. "Tell me who is being cringy now?"
[You have no sense of humor! Moving on…]
[Congratulations to the host for successfully defeating a challenger!]
[Calculating new rewards…]
Han Rui bit his lower lip as he muttered, "Please grant me something I can use. Please…"
[Calculations completed!]
The host has received ten thousand essence washing pills!The host has received ten celestial ranked treasures!The host has received five Immortal level cultivation techniques!The host has received twenty Celestial level cultivation techniques!The host has received twenty Mystic level cultivation techniques!The host has received twenty Celestial bones!The host has received three Celestial physique beads!The host has received four Divine physique beads!The host has received three Immortal physique beads!The host has received the egg of an Immortal level beast![Several items in item shop have been upgraded!]
[The host has received one thousand fame points!]
"Damn," Han Rui cursed out as he reclined in his chair once more. "I got excited for nothing again."
Most people in the sacred martial world would kill to have one of the items gifted by the system, yet none of them caught the eyes of the young man.
[Don't be disappointed! You can always try your luck within the shop!]
Han Rui ignored the system's notification as he grumbled silently to himself.
[That reminds me, I believe it's high time you started your grand mission!]
Han Rui sat upright a second time, his eyes burning with passion. "System, you're not pulling another prank on me right now, right? You really mean it, right?"
[Host, it's time for you to establish yourself as the number one kingpin above and beneath the heavens!]
Chapter 7 – Fateful Encounter
"Heavens, is this the fate you've granted me? Why bring me into this wretched life, only to endure endless humiliations? What crime did I commit by being born? Answer me!" Gao Yuan's voice echoed through the desolate skies; his anguished plea directed at the heavens. His roars reverberated across the landscape, but all that replied was a deafening silence.
Leaning against a solitary oak tree on a mountain's cliff, he surveyed the bustling city below.
Gao Yuan clutched the edge of his torn clothes, biting his lower lip against the biting winds that assailed his battered face. Despite the cold, his eyes blazed with an unwavering determination as he gazed at the reddish canvas of the sky.
"I won't endure this suffering and humiliation any longer," he whispered, eyes shifting toward the sparkling lights of the city. "Today, I'll put an end to this pain," he declared, taking a deep breath.
Stepping off the tree, he approached the cliff's edge in gentle and measured steps; his limbs trembling with each step. Heart pounding, he stood on the precipice.
I'm sorry, everyone. I couldn't endure it anymore. Please don't be disappointed in me, he thought, tears clouding his eyes. The young man's disheveled black hair swayed according to the whims of the frigid winds while he took deep breaths.
"Fang Mu, I curse you with every fiber of my being. May your days be dark and slippery and may everything you seek in this life slip from your grasps. May everything you attain be lost to the hands of your enemies, and I pray you live long enough, in pain and sorrow, to lose everything and everyone you have ever loved. O' heavens, you have denied me everything I needed in life, at least do not deny me this," Gao Yuan screamed toward the skies once more, then he lowered his gaze.
As he prepared to jump, the echoes from his bitter resentment echoed toward the heavens.
"Jesus Christ," a sudden voice echoed.
Startled, Gao Yuan sharply turned, slipping but catching onto a sturdy root.
"Pull me up! I'm going to fall! Please pull me up!" he screamed, desperately hanging on for dear life.
A hand extended to him, and he gripped it tightly, pulling himself up. As he lay on his back, panting and staring at the clear skies, relief washed over him.
That was so scary. I really thought I was going to die… but who saved me? Did they come here to die too? Gao Yuan wondered, struggling to sit up.
The cliff and the tree had an infamous eputation as a hotspot for those contemplating suicide. The possibility of someone randomly stumbling on the location was nigh-impossible.
Wait, I know this face… Gao Yuan furrowed his brows as he stared at the smiling youth who paced around the oak tree. Isn't he the useless young master of the Han clan? Did he decide to give up too?
Sensing Gao Yuan's gaze, Han Rui turned with a gentle smile. "Are you okay now?" he asked, approaching with measured steps.
"Thank you for saving my life, young master," Gao Yuan said with a courteous bow.
"Don't mention it," Han Rui replied with a casual smile, halting in front of the young man. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop earlier, but it seems you have a lot on your mind."
Gao Yuan opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't find the right words. "Young master, it's not something worth discussing," he managed to say, looking Han Rui directly in the eyes. "Forgive me for being impertinent, young master, but did you come here to end it all too?"
"Fuck no," Han Rui answered without hesitation.
"Ahem, I mean, no," Han Rui replied in a more dignified manner befitting his status. However, Gao Yuan wasn't convinced.
There weren't any guards in sight, nor could he see anyone other than Han Rui in the vicinity. Why would someone of Han Rui's status come to the cliff's edge of all places if he didn't plan on ending it?
"I understand, young master. I know how it feels," Gao Yuan said with a solemn nod.
"Understand what? I think you have got the wrong idea. I really didn't come here to end it all," Han Rui said, but the more he spoke, the more convinced Gao Yuan became of his conjecture.
Han Rui sighed, sensing the futility of his explanations. "I don't mean to pry into your matters, but the Fang Mu you mentioned earlier, is it the same Fang Mu from the Fang clan, or someone else?"
Gao Yuan's features soured as soon as Han Rui finished speaking, and he subconsciously balled his hands into fists.
"Your reaction tells me all I need to know," Han Rui said softly. He placed his hand on Gao Yuan's right shoulder as he continued. "I usually don't interfere in matters that don't concern me, but suicide changes nothing. Even if, and that's a massive if, your curse works, the Fang clan has the resources and connections to find someone capable of purging it. Then, all your effort and sacrifice would be for naught."
"Do you think I don't know that?" Gao Yuan said as he swatted Han Rui's hand to the side. "What else would you have me do?" he mumbled as he choked on his words, tears streaking down his face. "That bastard ruined and killed my sister. My mother died from the shock, and yet that beast felt no remorse. Even in death, he still smeared the name of my sister, accusing her of using cheap drugs to seduce him."
Han Rui's expression soured as he gently placated the sobbing young man. "Have you spoken to the elders of the Fang clan? Regardless of your standing, they're reputable for upholding justice."
This time, Gao Yuan burst out laughing. "Justice?" he laughed again.
"I already did that. But Fang Mu was a thousand steps ahead. I don't know how he did it, but the council found my sister guilty. Traces of an aphrodisiac were found in Fang Mu's cup that night. You know what's funny? That beast didn't shy away from admitting his crimes. Instead, he claimed he had accidentally lashed out and unintentionally killed her. My mother and sister are both dead, while that beast will only serve a couple of months in confinement as punishment," Gao Yuan explained.
Han Rui's expression changed again, doubt clouding his eyes.
"I know what you might be thinking—what if that bastard was indeed telling the truth. But my sister had taken a Solitary Vow; you know what that is, right?" Gao Yuan asked.
Han Rui nodded.
"Then, tell me. Why would someone who had consciously taken a vow bestowing death on themselves for having impure sexual desires and relations purposely attempt to violate someone of Fang Mu's status? Especially when she had a fiancé she was very much in love with."
Gao Yuan couldn't hold back his tears; meanwhile, Han Rui stood there, silently placating the sobbing young man as he fell into deep thought.
This matter is more delicate than I thought. The punishment for breaking the Solitary Vow is the extinguishment of one's soul, so it's practically impossible for her to have spiked Fang Mu's drink. The problem now is that it's virtually impossible for anyone to assert she made the vow, since the mark disappears as soon as they have any sexual relations. Unless…
Han Rui opened his mouth again. "What about her fiancé? Did they make the vow together?"
Gao Yuan nodded.
"Then where was he during the trial?" Han Rui asked.
"I wish I knew," Gao Yuan managed to squeeze out his words. "I have searched everywhere, the same with people of the Fang clan, but for some reason, he has magically disappeared," Gao Yuan said while wiping his eyes.
"I don't know if Fang Mu had him taken out too, or if he was bribed and sent to a faraway place. In fact, it doesn't matter; nothing really matters. The rich and powerful will continue to get away with their crimes, while people like me can only…" Gao Yuan paused, using his robes to clean his eyes. Then, he gently pushed Han Rui's hand to the side. "I won't trouble you with my matters, young master. Thank you for saving my life. If I can, I hope to someday repay this favor."
Gao Yuan bowed solemnly before walking toward the gravelly path leading out of the infamous spot.
"Wait," Han Rui suddenly called out.
Gao Yuan paused in his steps, turning toward the young man.
"I might not be able to help you, but there might be someone who can. There are rumors of a famous alchemist prowling the red-light district. Apparently, he has been found twice in the seventh alley adjacent to the Pure Bliss tavern. Good luck," Han Rui said.
Gao Yuan nodded before turning to leave once more.
Saying nothing further, Han Rui watched as the young man disappeared behind the rocky path.
[So, what do you think?]
Han Rui sighed while shaking his head. "The matter is too complicated. I do feel for him, though. Nobody deserves to go through what he experienced. Judging from the cuts and bruises on his face, it seems he has been taking a series of beatings for a while now."
[That's not what I asked, though. Are you going to interfere? There's no telling if what he said is true or otherwise.]
"It's not my fight, so I have no stake in whatever happened between him, Fang Mu, and the Fang clan. However, there's nothing stopping me from selling him a couple of items. Whatever he does with them has nothing to do with me," Han Rui said with a cheeky smile.
[Hmm… I see!]
[So, are you going to harvest it now?]
Without staring at the flashing system panel, Han Rui turned his attention toward the oak tree braving the frigid wind.
"Who would have thought the tree I planted all those years ago would become a part of a suicide hotspot," Han Rui muttered, stopping in front of the tree as he gently caressed its rough bark.
"How ironic. You were planted here to give birth to new life, yet you have witnessed so many deaths over the years. Don't worry; it's time for you to come home."
Han Rui knocked on the massive tree thrice, and a distinct chime filled the area. The branches and leaves shuddered nonstop, as if each of them was a living being with its own consciousness. Then, a burst of minty green radiance descended from the skies, coating the entirety of the tree as it detached itself from its earthly shackles.
The radiance turned brighter and brighter, and with a flash, it disappeared into Han Rui's clothes. A massive hole had replaced where the tree once stood.
I have gotten the final ingredient. There's nothing left to do here, Han Rui thought, leaving as quietly as he arrived.
Nightfall quickly arrived, yet it did nothing to dampen the liveliness of the city. Mortals and cultivators, in the thousands, boisterously and quietly went about their business amidst the dazzling lights emanating from the starry skies.
Gao Yuan quietly weaved through the human sea; his legs aimlessly taking him across the land while his thoughts sank further into his worries.
I should have swallowed my pride back then and asked young master Han for some spare tokens. I don't think what's left of my savings will survive beyond tomorrow, Gao Yuan thought, his eyes lingering on three scratched bronze coins in his right hand.
Should I have taken the settlement money… no! Gao Yuan paused in his tracks as he furiously shook his head. There's no way I'll ever take dirty money like that. I'd rather die than take money from those beasts.
"Young friend, don't block the way," a voice suddenly called out to Gao Yuan.
"S-Sorry," Gao Yuan said, before moving to the side. "Please go on your journey," he urged with a bow.
The young man didn't see the face of the man who had spoken or those accompanying him, nor did he have the will to do so. After all, the voice from earlier had echoed in his mind, accompanied by a primal sense of dread he had never felt.
Gao Yuan subtly raised his head, sneaking glances at the blue and caramel white robes of the ongoing party of five.
"Isn't that the uniform of the Skywave Monastery?" Gao Yuan pondered; his blue eyes locked onto the blue globe on the back of the departing disciples. "Why are they in the Celestial Ridge? Come to think about it, there has been an influx of disciples from notable sects over the past couple of months. Could there be some hidden treasure about to emerge in the Celestial Ridge?"
The young man pondered on the topic for a minute before shaking his head. Matters relating to cultivators aren't something I have the right to speculate on. I'm better off finding a place that would be willing to hire me. Maybe I should consider leaving…
He would be a liar if he said he didn't envy the unrestrained lives of cultivators; however, he knew all too well that there were limits to one's dreams in the cruel world.
Lost in his thoughts, the conversation of two passersby filled his ears.
"Hey, let's go to the heavenly flower pavilion. I heard they've got a new courtesan who is like a fallen fairy."
"Nonsense. Another exaggeration. Aren't you the same guy that was deceived by those old hags wearing makeup?"
"Sheesh, don't say that out loud, damn it. But it's true this time. We should at least check it out, I'm paying."
"Now you're talking. Let's go."
Gao Yuan stared in the direction of the two passersby, and his brows arched for a moment. That reminds me, young master Han mentioned something about an alchemist in the red-light district. Did he mention it because of my injuries, or was there a hidden meaning behind his words?
He pondered for a moment before deciding his next steps. Regardless of young master Han's intentions, I should find the alchemist. If I'm lucky, maybe he would be willing to accept me as his errand boy.
Gao Yuan clutched his coins tightly as he walked eastwards.
One hour passed in a flash, and Gao Yuan arrived in the most bustling section of the city.
"This isn't my first time here, but this place doesn't cease to amaze me," he whispered, staring at an array of flashing lights.
There were establishments for both men and women seeking all manner of thrills and indulgences. Each building was comparably larger and more secular than the modest structures in the other sections of the city. What's more, the scenery and ambiance were a lot happier too. After all, it was a place housing numerous beautiful women as well as devilishly handsome men.
Gao Yuan gawked at a few seductively clad women calling at him, but he continued heading toward his destination. Although the red-light district was famous for fulfilling even the most sacrilege desires, it was also home to some of the vilest people within the city. One wouldn't even know how they died if they looked at the wrong person.
Young master Han mentioned the alchemist was found twice in the seventh alley adjacent to the Pure Bliss tavern. The only problem now is how I'm going to recognize him. Did I make a mistake coming here? Gao Yuan pondered, but his legs continued carrying him forward.
The young man weaved through the crowded streets until he arrived at his destination. Naturally, he stood out like a sore thumb amidst the sea of refined and macho men usually found in the area. However, no one paid him a second glance. It wasn't uncommon for a few beggars to wander into the area. While no establishment would welcome them, they couldn't stop them from feeding their eyes.
"How long am I supposed to wait?" Gao Yuan pondered out loud as he leaned against the cold wall. He quietly slid to his behind, sitting in a position that wasn't all that conspicuous but also not hidden.
Barely a minute passed since Gao Yuan sat down before a refined middle-aged gentleman in striking, unmarked white robes stepped into the alley. Gao Yuan quickly got to his feet as he locked eyes with the man.
Could it be him? he pondered as he sized the man up.
His black hair with sparse silver strands was neatly arranged over his shoulders while his beard was freshly trimmed and styled. What's more, a concentrated waft of medicinal aroma filled the alleyway as soon as the middle-aged man appeared.
It has to be him, Gao Yuan believed.
He opened his mouth to speak, but the refined gentleman cut him off midway through. "I'm here now, lower your pants. We don't have much time."
Gao Yuan doubted he heard what he heard as his mouth remained open as he stared at the smiling man.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" the man asked, puzzled by the silence of the young man. "Or do you prefer it in the mouth?"
Gao Yuan instantly clenched his teeth and buttocks while retreating with cautious steps. He would run if he could, but he had no idea what the man was capable of, and there was no telling what he would do to his behind if he presented it to the smiling man.
An awkward silence loomed over the two, and the face of the middle-aged man flushed red. "Young friend, you're not Tsun Tsun, right?"
Gao Yuan vigorously nodded, still retreating cautiously. A fresh wave of embarrassment washed over the middle-aged man as he managed to squeeze out a smile. "Isn't this the ninth alley behind the Pure Bliss Tavern?" he asked.
"This is the seventh adjacent to it," Gao Yuan said, increasing the distance even further.
"Oh. I apologize for the mix-up. I'm unfamiliar with these streets. I'll be on my way now." The man smiled again while bowing slightly. Saying nothing further, he departed from the alley.
What the hell was that? I can't stay here anymore. To hell with that alchemist… Gao Yuan thought as he sprinted toward the exit. The moment he turned a corner, he slammed into a figure before crashing to the ground.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see… you," Gao Yuan said, staring at the old man in black and white tattered robes with disheveled hair even messier than his. However, his gaze remained focused on the white paper signboard extending from the pants of the old man.
"I am an alchemist," it read, written in a clumsy yet artistic manner.
Gao Yuan massaged his temples while taking deep breaths. Is this the person young master Han was talking about? This guy looks even more wretched than I am. Why did I even believe some kind of fortuitous encounter would befall me?
The young man sighed deeply while extending a hand toward the old man. "Sir, are you okay? I didn't see you earlier," Gao Yuan said as he locked hands with the man.
For someone that looks so feeble, his grip is firm and sturdy, Gao Yuan thought as he pulled the old man to his feet.
"Well, since you're okay, I'll be on my way," Gao Yuan said with a gentle smile. However, a hand gripped his wrist before he could take his first step, forcing him to involuntarily turn toward the old man.
"Hey kid, do you want to buy some drugs?"
Chapter 8 - Jade-faced Midnight-Smiling Rapist
Gao Yuan frowned as he locked gazes with the old man. He subtly tried to pull away from the alchemist, but the wrinkly arm of the man wouldn't budge an inch.
This old-timer is obviously up to no good. How did young master Han even find out about a shady character like this? Gao Yuan observed the smiling old man again, but no matter how much he looked, the man looked nothing more than a fraud.
Could he be one of those hidden experts who like to pretend they're destitute and unimportant? Gao Yuan mused.
"C'mon, don't be like that," the old alchemist urged. "I only have the good stuff," he said with a charming smile, exposing his crooked teeth.
Gao Yuan subtly closed his nose as a waft of unpleasant air assaulted his nostrils. "I don't have a lot of money. I'm not sure I can afford your merchandise," he said.
"Today is your lucky day then. There's a special promo just for you," the old man said with an even broader smile.
Meanwhile, Gao Yuan frowned. "How much is it?" he asked.
"How much do you have right now?" the old man said, his beady eyes shifting toward the sackcloth sticking out of Gao Yuan's clothes.
I knew it. He's a scammer. But it doesn't look like he's going to let me go if I don't buy something from him. But I don't have the coins to waste on this fraud, Gao Yuan thought, still struggling to free himself from the man's grip.
"I can see doubt in your eyes, young friend. How about we go over there," the alchemist said, pointing toward the alley. "You can test out a couple of my products without prying eyes."
Gao Yuan vigorously shook his head, "No!" he said vehemently, the previous ordeal still fresh in his mind. There was also the possibility the old man could beat him and take his coins, and maybe organs amongst other things.
"I'm not going anywhere with someone I only just met, and I'd appreciate it if you let me go," Gao Yuan said.
"I understand, but there's no need to shout. One would think I'm asking something ludicrous of you," the old man said as he loosened his grip.
At that same moment, Gao Yuan turned to leave, but the voice of the old man reached him again.
"Young friend, are you sure you want to leave just like that? This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's your choice, though. I'm not stopping you if that's what you really want."
Gao Yuan stopped in his tracks, turning toward the smiling old man. Other scammers would have tried to convince him to stay, but the old man only casually reminded him that he might be missing out on a golden opportunity.
This is definitely a scam, right? Gao Yuan pondered, unable to discern anything from the old man's shady visage. Damn it! I know I'm going to regret this, but let's see what happens.
He exhaled softly before approaching the old man.
"All right, give me the cheapest item in your collection. I can only afford to pay one bronze draconia for it."
Gao Yuan reached into his coin sack before retrieving the bronze coin. "So, do we have a deal?"
The old man beamed as he nodded approvingly. Reaching into his faded robes, he retrieved a tiny transparent bag filled with white powder. He observed the nearby passersby before leaning closer to Gao Yuan. "I call this Snow White. Trust me, your life will never remain the same after taking a whiff of this bad boy."
The old man discreetly passed the bag to Gao Yuan while grabbing the bronze coin at the same time. Then he turned to leave, but this time, Gao Yuan called him back.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" he said, meeting the confused gaze of the old man.
The old man pondered silently for a moment, then his eyes lit up. He extended his right hand toward Gao Yuan. "Forgive me, nice doing business with you."
This time, it was Gao Yuan's turn to be confused. "Who's talking about a handshake? Aren't you supposed to give me instructions on how to use it?"
"Oh, so that's what you were talking about," the old man said with a bashful smile. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head as he continued. "There's a unique way of using it from where I'm from, but that would be too complicated for someone like you. Let your imagination take the lead. You can sprinkle a bit in your tea or use it to season your food or something. If that's all, it was a pleasure doing business with you."
The old man turned to leave again, but Gao Yuan called out to him a second time. "Stop right there, you swindling old bastard. Give me back my money!"
Before the old man could retort, a series of explosions rocked the area followed by a cacophony of screams.
"It's the jade-faced midnight-smiling rapist!" A man screamed, fleeing in the opposite direction of the explosions.
Meanwhile, hundreds of men clad in black sprinted toward the site of the explosion. While the red-light district was infamous for housing all manner of shady characters, there were strict rules one had to follow, lest they meet an untimely death at the hands of the enforcers.
"The Jade-faced midnight-smiling rapist?" Gao Yuan frowned, cocking his head backward. He had never heard of such a person. He turned toward the alchemist, and he too had the same look of bemusement.
"Hey, friend," the alchemist called out to a random man. "Who is the Jade-faced midnight-smiling rapist?"
The young man regarded the alchemist and Gao Yuan for a moment as he cleared his throat. "It seems you two aren't from around here."
"You're right," the alchemist said. "Is he that famous in these parts?"
"I would rather say notorious," the man said while shaking his head. "That bastard has assaulted over twenty prominent men in the red-light district and other regions over the last year. The most annoying thing is that he always announces his next victim. Yet, he has never been caught."
Gao Yuan and the alchemist exchanged glances as soon as the man finished speaking.
"So, who did he assault this time?" Gao Yuan asked, unable to quell his curiosity.
"I'm more interested in his potential next victim. After all, I believe this is where he's going to meet his waterloo," the man said.
"Why do you say so? Is the person that powerful?" the alchemist asked, equally as curious as Gao Yuan.
However, the man simply shook his head. "To be honest, he's more of a renowned waste. There's no way he can stop the Jade-faced smiling rapist. His clan, however, that's a different matter."
"Don't keep us in suspense. Who are you talking about?" Gao Yuan inquired.
The man leaned in a little closer while observing his surroundings. "Apparently, that rapist is targeting the son of the late Valiant Dragon."
"What?!" the alchemist and Gao Yuan muttered at the same time.
"Sheesh, lower your voice. Are you trying to get in trouble or something?" the man said as he covered the mouths of the duo. "I know it's shocking, but news of the matter should have reached the elders of the Han clan by now. I'm more than a thousand percent confident they would eliminate that rapist. You two better get out of here as soon as possible. Unless you want to risk getting interrogated by the enforcers."
"Thank you," Gao Yuan said softly.
"You're welcome. Just a heads up, if you meet anyone asking you to lower your pants or something, run as fast as you can. That's the MO of that bastard. Goodnight." The man bade the duo farewell as he hurriedly exited the area.
"Sheesh. The number of weirdos we have nowadays. What's the world coming to?" the alchemist sighed softly before turning toward Gao Yuan. He opened his mouth to speak again but realized the young man had frozen in place with his hands covering his behind.
"Hey, are you okay? There's no need to be all that scared. It's not as if that rapist has his eyes set on…" Before he could finish his statement, Gao Yuan exploded into a race, fleeing the area faster than any of the other passersby.
"What the hell got into him?"
[The discussion probably resurfaced a traumatic memory for him!]
[Changing the topic, aren't you going to leave?]
"I'm finished here, and there's nothing more to do. I might as well head home."
Unnoticed by the mortals and cultivators nearby, the appearance, physique, and attire of the unkempt old man gradually transformed into that of a moderately handsome youth wearing simple black clothing.
[Congratulations on selling your first batch of merchandise!]
[You have received 5000 fame points!]
[You can now actively sell your products to other residents of Celestial Ridge!]
[Other rewards!]
Two thousand bone marrow washing liquid.Spiritual wine of the highest quality.The blood of a five hundred-thousand-year-old fiend.Two immortal level movement techniques.One-time domain expansion pack.[You have received a new mission!]
[Personally sell your products to seven mortals!]
[Reward: 5000 fame points!]
Han Rui, who had once again adopted a different appearance, sighed as he perused the messages from the system.
"This would have been much simpler if you had allowed me to sell them through my subordinates, you know."
[Yes, but that's not the agreement we had.]
"How was I supposed to know you wanted me to sell them personally? Why do you think I've invested so much resources into the clan?" Han Rui retorted.
[You're free to disregard our agreement, but a scintillating penalty awaits you!]
"Shitty system," Han Rui mouthed underneath his breath.
[I'll pretend I didn't hear that.]
The young man sighed inwardly as he continued exiting the area. On his thirty-second step, another system notification appeared.
[Aren't you bothered about being targeted?]
"You're joking, right?" Han Rui chuckled. "I'm strangely amused that I was chosen of all people. I can only wish that guy good luck. He's sure as hell going to need it."
[Are you going back home now?]
"I'd love to, but someone went ahead and gave me a new mission. Do you know how hard it is to convince people to buy something from you in this world? At least back on Earth, you could just create some online shops and a few curious or stupid people would go shopping. But you run the risk of getting beaten if things don't work out here."
In that manner, Han Rui quietly exited the area along with the others. Meanwhile, far away from the explosions, Gao Yuan continued running aimlessly away from the red-light district. Each time the smiling face of the middle-aged man filled his mind, he increased his pace.
I can't believe that man was the Jade-faced smiling rapist… but how did I survive that encounter? he thought to himself as he continued running. A stray thought then filled the mind of the young man, and he came to a screeching halt.
Damn it, I totally forgot to get my coin from that swindler. That scoundrel better hope I don't find him.
He then turned eastwards. I hope young master Han will be okay. I can't even begin to imagine what will be going through his mind once the news reaches his ears.
Gao Yuan reached into his pocket, retrieving the item he had paid for. "What am I going to do with this?" he muttered.
Gao Yuan gritted his teeth as he scrutinized the powdery substance. "Once in a lifetime opportunity my ass. Now that I'm taking a proper look at it, doesn't this resemble sugar?"
He gently opened the seal, and a sweet fragrance instantly assaulted his nose, spreading as far as a hundred meters in an instant.
"What's that heavenly smell?" a passerby exclaimed, pausing in her tracks.
"Something smells good. What a delightful fragrance. I can feel all the stress in my bones washing away," another man remarked.
"Holy shit. I think I'm about to breakthrough…" the cultivator charged toward an alley, and a burst of qi soon filled the area.
"This is the smell of a treasure. I must have it!" a brutish man roared as he anxiously searched for the origin of the smell. And he was not alone; in a mere span of ten seconds, hundreds of cultivators and mortals fervently searched for the origin of the smell.
What the…? Gao Yuan cautiously and naturally sealed the bag before returning the item to his inner robe. Like the others, he too pretended to search for the treasure while cautiously making his way out of the area.
However, the young man could do nothing to hide the lingering excitement in his eyes. He cautiously circled around a few streets before stopping at a random tavern. He observed the passersby, probing to see if he would recognize any of them, but all he saw were unfamiliar faces. He exited the tavern as quietly as he entered, proceeding to another tavern, repeating the same process over ten times before heading toward the more remote corners of the city.
There, he quickly rushed into a dilapidated house surrounded by a potato farm. Gao Yuan locked the door behind him, leaning against it with a sense of urgency. Retrieving the small bag again, he couldn't stop his arms from shaking.
What exactly did that senior sell to me? Gao Yuan pondered to himself as he stared at the transparent bag.
He discreetly opened the seal, and the delightful fragrance once again permeated the air. This time, he wasn't concerned about the scent traveling far, given that the farm was situated in a remote area.
Gao cautiously dipped his left index finger into the powdery substance before bringing it to his nose for a sniff. An overwhelming urge coursed through his body; he felt his inwards threatening to collapse if they didn't get a taste.
What the hell is this thing? Gao Yuan frowned as he wrestled with his urges.
Unable to suppress his primal desires any longer, he licked the tiny powder covering his finger. At that very moment, Gao Yuan froze in place, his eyes rolling inward while his chest heaved uncontrollably. Foam poured from the corners of his mouth as he muttered gibberish.
The phenomenon lasted only a moment, and Gao Yuan returned to normal. This time, with his mouth opened wide, he swallowed the entirety of the powder. Blinding light escaped from his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth as he violently trembled in place. The skies over a thirty-thousand-meter radius had turned golden, alerting every mortal and cultivator within the vicinity. No one knew what was happening, but they were confident that a treasure was about to emerge in the mortal world. Lightning and violent winds shook the skies, as if the heavens were angered by the existence of the mortal world.
Then, wondrous hymns echoed across the city, and phoenixes and dragons danced across the turbulent skies while the heavenly bodies raged on. Every corner of the city remained deathly silent as its inhabitants watched the strange manifestations across the skies. Like a dream, the mythical creatures and violent elements disappeared, and the starry night sky and lonely moon returned.
Meanwhile, in a tavern far away from the potato farm, Han Rui nonchalantly stared at the starry skies while sipping tea from a steaming cup.
He took it, huh. Thankfully, he wasn't an idiot, Han Rui thought, his lazy gaze lingering on the colorful streaks darting across the starry skies.
Chapter 9 – Sun Wei
"Psst, hey kid, over here. Come here for a second," Han Rui said, beckoning to an unassuming young man walking across the crowded streets. He had once again assumed a new appearance; this time, taking on the guise of a middle-aged man with a long scar across his face.
The young man spared Han Rui a glance before hurriedly walking away, anxiously checking over his shoulder the further he got. Han Rui, on the other hand, wore a wry smile as he leaned against a wall. He exhaled deeply. "That's the eighth one today," he muttered softly, staring at the blue skies.
[No one in their right senses would want to do anything with someone with a face like that!]
The corners of Han Rui's eyes twitched as he perused the system's notification. "And whose fault do you think that is?"
The system panel disappeared as soon as it appeared, leaving Han Rui seething in his position.
"Damn shitty…" Han Rui paused. I almost forgot how spiteful that guy can be. Damn it! I can't even curse him without any repercussions.
Han Rui focused on the crowded streets once more, his gaze wandering from one person to the other.
Unsurprisingly, the number of cultivators in town had increased massively since the incident three days ago.
Although no one knew the official cause of the heavenly phenomenon, many theorized that a cultivator with heaven-defying potential had emerged. Without sparing any resources, nearby sects and homogeneous clans dispatched their disciples to search for the mysterious cultivator. However, there were also those seeking the cultivator with ulterior motives. On the other hand, a different group believed the phenomenon was due to the entrance of an immortal-level treasure into the world, and they pledged to comb through every inch of the city to find its whereabouts. Despite the diverging theories, most cultivators, and even mortals, maintained an open mind in their search for answers.
Han Rui sighed, crouched under the piercing noon sun. This is getting tedious... It's been two days, and I haven't been able to sell jack shit. It would have been a lot easier if I could get Grandpa and the elders to handle it for me.
He subconsciously that about Meixue, curious if she had awakened her immortal physique. Zhanghuo also filled his mind, but he knew the bull needed a lot of time to get acquainted with the shy scholar.
Lost in his thoughts, Han Rui occasionally stared at few beautiful damsels, but no one caught his attention.
It seems I'll have to try another part of town. I can't waste all day waiting… Han Rui paused mid-thought, noticing a group of men in tattered robes escorting a young man in equally tattered robes, with remarkable silver hair.
"Hmm… this could be an opportunity," Han Rui muttered as he stood up, and without hesitation, he silently followed the group.
The group walked for over one hour, passing through a series of abandoned and popular alleys before reaching an abandoned farm on the outskirts of the city.
"This is far enough," the man leading the group said while raising his left hand. The procession stopped in their tracks, and at that same moment, someone violently struck the young man across the face, sending him plummeting to the ground.
"Sun Wei, you don't listen to us at all," the leader said, casually adjusting his robes while spitting to the side. "How many times do we have to tell you not to encroach on our territory? Or do you think we're pushovers?" The man asked as he towered over the young man.
Taking a closer look at the young man, one couldn't help but notice his remarkable looks, even under the layer of filth covering his face. His features were only further highlighted by his slender physique and unusual silver hair.
"Boss Hu, I'm sorry, but I had no choice. I needed a few coins to help my younger siblings get into a good sect. I know I'm not talented enough to join one, but they are and…" A slap cut off Sun Wei's statement, sending the young man crashing against the dusty road.
"Don't give me that crap," Shan Hu said as he wiped his palm on his robes. "Everyone's got a sob story. Why do you think we're beggars? You're nothing special, okay?"
Shan Hu kicked the stomach of the young man while nodding toward his companions. They instantly searched the inner robes of the young man, retrieving a heavy sackcloth.
"You're lucky those eyes of yours aren't working. If not, you would have suffered a whole lot more. This is your last warning, stay out of our territory. If you need money that badly, you should sell yourself to some brothel. I'm sure some rich old hag would pay a hefty sum for a pretty boy like you."
Shan Hu kicked a ball of dust toward the blind man, and the beggars erupted into laughter as they slowly left the area.
Sun Wei lay on the ground, tears streaking down his face as the footsteps of his assailants faded into the distance. He struggled to a sitting position; his face raised toward the clear skies. Even as piercing as the sun's rays were, it did nothing to his eyes, which had already lost their light.
The young man cried for a few more minutes before bursting out into an expected bout of laughter. He slowly removed his left sandal, peeling off the sole, and three neatly tucked-away sacs fell on the dusty ground with a thud.
I would have lost everything if I hadn't predicted something like this could happen, Sun Wei thought as he tucked away the sacs into his robes. It's getting dangerous visiting the west street now. I wouldn't even dream of messing with those jerks if not for the fact that it was the place teeming with those rich aunties.
The young man sighed as he staggered to his feet. I still need over three thousand coins to pay the enrollment fees.
He cautiously turned left and then right. From the footsteps earlier, it seems they went this way. Judging by how far we walked and how quiet and dusty this place is, it's likely this is the farm on the outskirts of the city.
Lost in his thoughts, a voice filled the ears of the beggar, "Not many people would hide their coins in their sandals. That's brilliant."
Sun Wei froze as he heard the unfamiliar voice.
"Don't worry, I have absolutely no intention of robbing you or anything similar. In fact, I come bringing opportunities, my handsome friend," Han Rui said with an unseen smile.
However, Sun Wei cautiously took a step back while trying to figure out Han Rui's position. "What do you want then? Please, those coins are for…"
"Yeah, I heard you earlier. Like I said, I'm not really interested in it, at least not all of it," Han Rui interjected.
Sun Wei silently cursed his rotten luck. The unknown person had initially said he wouldn't rob him, but now he had changed his stance.
"How much do you want to leave me alone?" Sun Wei inquired. Although he didn't believe the man, he knew there was nothing he could do either. They were in a remote place, and there was nothing stopping the unknown assailant from snatching all the sacs and killing him too.
"You've got the wrong idea about me. I only want to sell you some of my product," Han Rui said as he inched closer.
Sun Wei frowned a bit. "What sort of product are you selling?"
"Drugs… I mean supplements," Han Rui corrected himself after a slight cough. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation earlier. I guarantee you my supplements would go a long way to ensure your siblings get into the very best sect, and not just as helper disciples either."
Sun Wei's skepticism grew the more Han Rui spoke. There's no way something like that is remotely real. He's probably trying to sell me some fake stuff just because I'm blind.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Han Rui cut him off before he could utter a word. "I know what you're thinking. A random guy coming from nowhere to sell something of remarkable quality to a dashing young man like yourself who is visibly challenged. It's too good to be true, right?"
"Well, you said it yourself," Sun Wei commented. "Why should I believe you? As you can see, there's no way for me to tell if what you say aren't lies."
Han Rui chuckled softly while rummaging through his robes. Then he retrieved a tiny cylindrical jar filled with multicolored pills. He shook it gently, and a faint jingle filled the area.
"What's that?" Sun Wei asked as he heard the unfamiliar sound.
"The supplements," Han Rui said. "How about I give you a free sample? If you're not satisfied with it, then you don't have to pay. How does that sound?"
Sun Wei frowned. Who the hell is this guy? Can't he take a hint? I'm not interested in buying his useless supplements. A free sample isn't going to change my mind, damn it.
Unable to vent his inner frustrations, Sun Wei silently weighed his options, and an awkward silence brewed between the two.
"What exactly does this supplement do again?" Sun Wei asked, breaking the silence. "How is someone like me supposed to test its value? And please don't even bring up the idea of asking me to take you to my siblings. That's never going to happen; that much I can promise you."
"No worries, I respect boundaries," Han Rui chuckled as he continued. "Like I said earlier, I'll give you a free sample. It's up to you whether to use it or not. I really can't force you to do something against your will. I'm a dignified businessman."
Han Rui placed his thumb on the jar's seal, then he continued. "Although I'm willing to offer you a free sample, please note that the quantity I would be able to sell to you afterward would be vastly limited. However, should you choose to trust me, then I don't mind selling the entire collection to you. All five of them will be available for you to use or disburse as you please."
Sun Wei frowned. He had met a lot of people looking to take advantage of his disability, and he honestly believed Han Rui was one of them too. But he couldn't shake off the fact that something was odd about the mysterious peddler.
"So, what's it going to be?" Han Rui asked.
"I'll take the sample," Sun Wei said after a momentary pause. He didn't believe for one second that Han Rui's supplements would be anything out of the ordinary. Then, there was also the fact that he would rather conserve his resources to finance the enrollment fees of his siblings.
"All right then. You have made your—" a series of footsteps cut off Han Rui's words, and he instinctively turned toward the origin of the noise.
There, a group comprising three fat men with bald heads approached with boisterous steps.
"What's going on? Who's coming?" Sun Wei asked, unable to hide his anxiety. "Are they with you?"
"No," Han Rui said softly.
"Who are they then?" Sun Wei asked, cautiously taking a step back.
"I guess we're about to find out," Han Rui said with a soft smile as he turned toward the approaching men.
"What do we have here?" the leader of the group muttered, stopping a few meters away from Han Rui and Sun Wei. "You guys don't seem to be from these parts, so do you mind telling me what you're doing here?"
"What's it to you? It's a free city. We can do whatever we want," Han Rui replied with a smile.
The faces of the men behind the leader soured, but they quickly regained their composure.
"You're right," the leader said. "However, we have had several encounters with thieves over the last couple of months. I personally lost three goats and two sheep in that period. So, you can't really blame us for being suspicious of you two."
"Do I really look like a livestock thief?" Han Rui asked.
"Yes," all three men answered without pause. The fact that Han Rui would even ask such a question with a face like that made the trio somewhat amused.
Han Rui gritted his teeth, forcing a smile as he sized up the trio. "I'll take that as a compliment. As you can see, we're in the middle of nowhere, and there's no indication of us doing anything suspicious. In fact, my friend over there is blind, while I suffer from a drinking problem. So, it's impossible for either of us to be the thieves you're searching for."
The men cast a glance toward Sun Wei, a somewhat shocked look flashed across their eyes. They didn't know he was visually impaired. That Han Rui would compare a drinking problem to blindness left the trio stumped, and even Sun Wei.
"Boss, there's no need to keep up this charade any longer. We should just beat 'em up and take their belongings," the tallest of the trio said.
Han Rui instantly burst into laughter. "So, you guys were the thieves. No wonder your stomachs are three times larger than your heads."
"You ugly bastard, what are you trying to say? There's nothing wrong with our stomachs! This is the peak male physique," the leader retorted, his oily face trembling along with his caustic remark.
"Sure. Whatever you say," Han Rui said sarcastically, giggling while the men seethed.
"Enough of this nonsense," the tallest of the trio roared as he reached into his robes, retrieving an oddly shaped, curved rod with a serrated edge. "Hand over your possessions now! If not, don't blame us for being ruthless."
The other men retrieved their own weapons. The leader held a butcher's knife, while the shortest of the trio wielded a mace.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Han Rui said. All traces of his previously jovial demeanor had disappeared, and he exuded a somewhat dominating aura. "You don't even know if either of us is a cultivator, yet you recklessly draw out your weapons. Aren't you afraid of death?"
"There's no way in hell that wimp over there is a cultivator," the leader said, pointing his knife at Sun Wei.
The young man had been shaking nervously for a while now, and it looked like he was on the verge of collapsing from fear.
"Then, there's you. There's no way you would have spent all this time talking so much nonsense if you were a cultivator. You might think we're idiots because of our looks, but I'd let you know that our brains are our best asset. I'm confident that you're bluffing. Ask around, the Po brothers never lose a wager."
Han Rui sighed while shaking his head. Wordlessly, he reached into his robes to the delight of the armed robbers.
"I see you have a bit of sense in that ugly head of yours. As long as you give us all your belongings, we won't make things difficult for…" Po Ming, the leader of the trio, paused midway through his statement, his eyes bulging in stupefaction.
Han Rui removed a polished metal baseball bat from his robes. The men instantly burst into laughter as Han Rui swung the metal bat.
"What's that thing supposed to do? Are we supposed to be scared of that?" Po Ming cackled while leaning on his brothers.
Han Rui swung the bat for the umpteenth time, and a devastating explosion tore through the air. The Po brothers turned toward the origin of the explosion, and their jaws remained slack. Far in the distance, the towering mountain peak that symbolized the path to the city had disappeared, almost as if it had never existed.
The three men exchanged glances; disbelief evident in their trembling eyes. Then, they turned toward Han Rui, who wore the same nonchalant expression as before. They swallowed several mouthfuls of saliva as soon as they locked gazes with the man.
"So, who's first?" Han Rui said, swinging the bat one more time. This time, a raging wind dispersed all the clouds for over a three-kilometer radius.