Chapter 695 - Guan Nan of the Guan family

The Black Mountain Scripture wasn’t very long. Deciphering it revealed that the scripture was based on absorbing Spiritual Energy to increase one’s own strength.

Coincidentally, Han Wu could apply it to absorb the Spiritual Energy from the Locust Soul Orb. Practicing this daily would allow him to quickly grow stronger.

“Might as well train it. No harm in becoming more powerful.” Han Wu smiled.

He checked the coffin again and found nothing useful. As he was about to leave, a group of people ran out from inside the city, carrying sacks of their belongings as if fleeing a disaster.

They all stopped when they saw the old man’s coffin blocking their path. Some ran back the way they came in terror, while the rest slumped to the ground and begged for mercy.

Only one of them was alert enough to notice the corpses in front of the coffin. Seeing the assorted clothes of the corpses, this person correctly deduced that they were the old man’s Shamblers.

Gathering his courage, Guan Nan bravely asked, “I am Guan Nan of the Guan family in Qixia Town. May I ask if you were the one who killed the person from the Profound Netherworld Cult?”

“Finally found some living people,” Han Wu said, stepping out of the coffin. “You’re right, I’ve killed him.”

Guan Nan took a deep breath. It was extremely rare for anyone to go against the Profound Netherworld Cult in this day and age. The Guan family had actually offended the Profound Netherworld Cult, and that elder of said cult had announced that he would slaughter the entire family tonight.

No one dared to help Qixia Town. Many in the town itself shut their doors tight, fearing they would be dragged into the mess. Threat looming over their heads, the Guan family chose to abandon their home and escape during the night, only to encounter Han Wu on their way out.

Scanning the scene before him, Guan Nan got a rough idea of what had likely occurred. It seemed the elder from the Profound Netherworld Cult had accidentally offended someone stronger and was killed for his arrogance.

It was a fitting end. The old man’s many evil atrocities deserved a thousand lightning strikes. For him to die in the streets like this was a mercy.

Guan Nan couldn’t help but be impressed at the young man’s strength despite his tender age. “Young man, you killed that wretch from the Profound Netherworld Cult. You are truly the benefactor of my house. May I know your name?”

Han Wu nodded. “You can call me Han Wu.”

“Benefactor Han Wu, I believe my gratitude alone won’t be enough to repay this. It’s already late. If you don’t mind, I would like to invite you to rest in my home for the night.”

Han Wu had been trying to find a place to rest, so he graciously accepted the offer. The mess on the streets was now the Guan family’s problem to deal with.

Once inside the Guan estate, Han Wu only chatted briefly before claiming exhaustion and retiring to his room. After Han Wu departed, the Guan family members convened for a meeting.

Guan Nan’s younger brother, Guan Feng, had his doubts about Han Wu. “Big brother, I think he’s an outsider. His mannerisms are simply too different from ours.”

Naturally, Guan Nan had already considered this possibility, well aware that it was about time for an Armament Spirit to appear. Even so, the only reason their family hadn’t been wiped out today was because of Han Wu. They owed him a debt. How could they harm him in such a situation?

“Outsider or not, he’s still our benefactor.” Guan Nan stood firm. “We have to treat him well. Don’t do anything to offend him. Those who go against this will be punished accordingly.”

“Yes, brother.”

The night passed calmly.

Han Wu woke up the next morning listless, having spent the night using the Spiritual Energy in the Locust Soul Orb to cultivate the Black Mountain Scripture while also keeping his guard up.

He had been prepared to attack at a moment’s notice, but thankfully, the Guan family was true to their word and didn’t do anything to him. Not long after he rose, someone called him for breakfast.

Packing up his stuff, he went to the hall of the Guan family. The two brothers were waiting patiently for him there. Neither had even so much as touched their cutlery.

Guan Nan welcomed him warmly and passed a big bowl of soup for him. “Benefactor, I’ve instructed my men to prepare ginseng chicken soup especially for you. I hope it suits your taste.”

Both he and his brother Guan Feng immediately drank their own bowls of soup in front of Han Wu, a silent gesture to show that they hadn’t poisoned the soup.

Han Wu smiled and drank the soup. It was far more delicious than chewing on jerky.

“Benefactor, may I know why you’ve visited Qixia Town?” Guan Nan asked earnestly. “I have a bit of a reputation here, so I might be able to help.”

While Han Wu wanted to accept it, he didn’t want to cause trouble for them, so he openly admitted, “I’ll be frank. I’m an outsider, and I’m here to get the Armament Spirit. I’m just passing through and will leave soon. You’re probably well aware that helping me would just invite trouble for yourselves.”

Guan Nan never expected him to be that honest. Outsiders were regarded poorly in the Divine Weapon Civilization because many of them pillaged, plundered, and did as they pleased, not bothering to abide by the rules here.

Han Wu’s willingness to disclose his identity only cemented Guan Nan’s belief that he was different, someone worth befriending.

“Come now, benefactor. It’s no trouble at all. No one will learn of your identity as long as we don’t make the fact that you’re an outsider known. We can do that much at least. That said, it can be quite inconvenient for an outsider like you to move around here. Do you already have a recommendation?”

“Are you referring to this?” Han Wu asked, fishing out the wooden plate he had obtained from the village chief.

Guan Nan picked it up and examined it before nodding. “Benefactor, this is indeed a recommendation that proves you are a regular citizen here. As long as you keep a low profile, it’ll be easy to fool others.”

It seems that the village chief was telling the truth and gave me the real deal,

Han Wu thought, putting the wooden plate away.

Breakfast passed with an air of amiability.

Curious about Han Wu’s goal to get the Armament Spirit, Guan Feng pestered him with endless questions about the topic. In return, he also volunteered information and past news about this event. Han Wu also learned a lot about the local culture from him.

After breakfast, Han Wu asked Guan Nan about places nearby that sold ores. He wanted to purchase as much as possible to upgrade his Divine Weapons while he still had funds.

Not wanting Han Wu to go alone, Guan Nan made use of his connections as one of the larger families in Qixia Town and called some contacts working in the mines or the ore industry. Guan Nan then proposed that he personally lead Han Wu to browse the ores. He was determined to repay the favor.

Han Wu tried to reject him, but he was no match for Guan Nan’s hospitality. Eventually, he had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Guan Nan then insisted on paying for all the ores Han Wu purchased today, and suddenly, the company didn’t seem so bad. Han Wu was glad he had killed the old man. This was worth it!