Chapter 190: Enemy and Friend Distinction

Volume 3: Mortal Cultivation Immortals

"How did you get Old Feng's prized boots? What's your connection to him? That guy treasured these Cloud-Treading Boots; he would never lend them to anyone!"

As these words were spoken, a colorful figure emerged from an unknown location, appearing under a giant flowering tree about twenty zhang away from Han Li. The person was of medium build, with eyes of different sizes, a face full of black pockmarks, and appeared to be around forty years old. Seven or eight pockets of various sizes hung from his body.

However, his ugly face was now filled with astonishment! He stared intently at the spirit boots on Han Li's feet, seemingly unable to believe that these "Cloud-Treading Boots" were on Han Li.

"Who are you, and why did you ambush me?" Han Li didn't answer the man's question. Instead, he retorted impolitely, unwilling to be led by the nose or to have his momentum suppressed.

The ugly man was initially stunned by Han Li's words, but then he became furious, his hideous face contorting into a fierce expression. He raised a hand, intending to immediately teach the insolent youth a lesson. However, he suddenly remembered something, forcibly suppressed his rage, and lowered his hand. Yet, he still said venomously:

"Kid, don't think I won't teach you a lesson just because you're wearing Old Feng's spirit boots! When that old man Feng Yue gave you the boots, didn't he mention my name, Zhong Wu of Spirit Beast Mountain? Still, it's strange. You're clearly from Yellow Maple Valley, so how did he give you the boots? Could you be Old Feng's illegitimate son? But you don't look like him!"

As the ugly man spoke, he scrutinized Han Li with a strange look.

This time, it was Han Li's turn to be annoyed. He snorted with a grim expression and said coolly:

"Sir, don't just randomly associate me with others! That scoundrel Feng Yue is already dead. These boots were stripped from his feet!"

"Dead? Feng Yue the Madman?"

The ugly man, who had been aggressive just moments before, leaped three feet in the air upon hearing this, becoming uncertain and suspicious! He then involuntarily took a few steps back and re-examined Han Li.

"Did you kill him?" The fierce man took a deep breath, his eyes darting around. He asked eagerly, his expression no longer showing the initial brutality and ferocity.

"Yes, do you want to avenge him?" Han Li clasped his hands behind his back, observing the man calmly.

Meanwhile, a silk thread secretly retrieved from his storage pouch was already wrapped around his ring finger.

The reason he calmly admitted to killing the man in front of this person was largely to establish his authority, hoping the man would retreat wisely and not provoke him further. He didn't want to immediately engage in a damaging fight upon entering this place, which would delay his crucial herb-gathering mission.

Although the man's tone suggested some acquaintance with Feng Yue, Han Li believed the probability of him genuinely seeking revenge for Feng Yue was extremely low! After all, cultivators themselves were mostly detached and emotionless individuals, let alone someone as ruthless and vicious as this man!

Of course, if the man insisted on attacking to avenge Feng Yue, Han Li would have no choice but to strike first. He would risk expending a lot of stamina to fully unleash his movement technique, then unexpectedly use the silk thread on his finger to quietly wrap around the opponent's head, causing him to die without anyone knowing.

However, Han Li knew very well that the success rate of such a hasty sneak attack would not be high! It would only be about 30 or 40 percent.

Because the ugly man was too far away, at a distance of twenty zhang, even with Han Li's fastest movement technique, he couldn't guarantee an instant kill! And if the opponent simply cast a defensive spell on himself, Han Li's silk thread would be useless.

"Revenge? What a joke, do I look like such a boring person?" Just as Han Li expected, the ugly man chuckled disdainfully after hearing Han Li's words.

"I did have some acquaintance with that guy before, but it wasn't a deep friendship! Now that he's dead, the acquaintance is naturally gone!" the ugly man said shamelessly, clearly revealing his stance without an ounce of embarrassment.

Han Li remained silent. Though he didn't lower his guard, he finally felt a little relieved. It seemed he wouldn't have to fight a major battle right after entering the central area.

"But, little brother! You're truly formidable! That fellow Feng Yue isn't easy to deal with. Especially those few top-tier magic tools he had, tsk tsk! Those were rare treasures!"

The ugly man rubbed his nose and suddenly became cordial with Han Li, even changing his address! However, after this seemingly casual remark, he subtly took a few more steps back, increasing the distance between himself and Han Li.

Seeing this, Han Li couldn't help but inwardly chuckle bitterly!

According to Han Li's estimate, even if he were to immediately turn hostile and attack, the chance of success had already dropped to less than ten percent. These "masters" were indeed cunning, experienced, and not to be underestimated!

He also guessed that the other party likely thought he had acquired all of Feng Yue's magic tools, which was why he subtly displayed caution towards him.

Knowing all this, Han Li smiled without speaking. He neither confirmed nor denied having obtained the magic tools. This made the fierce man increasingly frustrated and wary.

"Was the 'masterpiece' on the wall outside the gate your doing?" Han Li, recalling the scene at the entrance, asked lightly.

"Nonsense! That was done by Han Tianya, the transvestite from Blade Transformation Dock! I wouldn't do such a boring thing! So much flesh and blood wasted, what a pity! It would be much better to feed it to my little darlings. I heard that cultivators' flesh and blood are great tonics."

Initially, Han Li could still listen with a slight smile. But when the ugly man spoke the last few sentences, pulled out a large cloth bag from behind him, and took out a bloody piece of meat to throw inside, Han Li's smile became forced, even showing a faint hint of green.

The fierce man secretly glanced at Han Li's expression and couldn't help but reveal a hint of triumph.

This fellow from Yellow Maple Valley was, after all, too young and inexperienced!

Just a few words from him had made Han Li uneasy. If a real fight broke out, this would definitely be a significant weakness.

However, it was truly surprising that the other party could kill Feng Yue! Yet, no matter how he looked at him, he seemed utterly ordinary, not at all like a powerful character capable of such a feat.

Logically, this fellow was young and had shallow magical power. Even if he possessed a few decent magic tools, they couldn't compare to Feng Yue's Yellow Silk Umbrella, Cloud-Treading Boots, and other top-tier magic tools! Yet, Feng Yue still fell at this kid's hands. This matter was truly suspicious. However, the Cloud-Treading Boots were indeed on the other party's feet, and that was undeniable.

Could it be that he didn't kill the man, but merely stumbled upon a loophole or that there was some other reason?

As Zhong Wu pondered, his mind remained somewhat muddled, unable to accurately assess Han Li's strength. But to personally test Han Li? He wouldn't do that even if it killed him! Why would a smart person like him take such a risk?

After racking his brains in vain, the ugly man put away the cloth bag, blinked his mismatched eyes a few times, and said to Han Li with a broad smile:

"Oh, by the way, I haven't asked for your esteemed name, little brother. Would you mind telling me?"

"Han Li of Yellow Maple Valley."

There was nothing to hide. Han Li, whose expression had greatly improved, answered calmly.

"So, it's Brother Han! I've never heard of your esteemed name before, little brother. You must be a new rising star disciple of Yellow Maple Valley, I presume! By the way, Brother Han, how much do you know about this central area?" Zhong Wu suddenly became extremely cordial, as if Han Li were an old friend he hadn't seen in years.

"I don't know much, but Brother Zhong is much older, so you must know more than I do!" Han Li, unsure of the other party's intentions, grew highly vigilant.

"Hehe! Brother Han, if you trust me, why don't we exchange information about the central area? How about it? This would benefit both of us!" After a moment of hesitation, Zhong Wu finally whispered his true intention.

Han Li was startled, then fell into deep thought. Although exchanging information privately with other sects without sect permission was explicitly forbidden by all sects, many disciples actually did so! After a moment, he smiled brightly and said:

"Very well. After exchanging information, I'm sure both of us will benefit greatly."

"Haha! Excellent! I knew Brother Han wasn't a hesitant person. Come! Let's input the information into jade slips and exchange them!" Zhong Wu's pockmarked face gleamed with excitement, and he rubbed his hands together incessantly, seemingly greatly anticipating Han Li's information.

Seeing this, Han Li sneered inwardly a few times. But outwardly, he readily agreed.

Creating the information was an easy task! After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Han Li and the other man finished preparing their jade slips and exchanged them.

When they held each other's jade slips, Zhong Wu and Han Li both scanned the general content. Seeing that they were indeed central area maps, they exchanged a knowing smile, each with ulterior motives.

Naturally, it was impossible to forge false information in such a short time! However, deliberately omitting crucial details during copying was, of course, an unspoken understanding!

After this incident, Zhong Wu and Han Li's relationship seemed to have suddenly grown much closer! They even began chatting about strange tales from the cultivation world! Seeing the two of them conversing and laughing, it was hard to believe they had almost fought to the death just moments before. It appeared both were indeed masters who knew the art of advance and retreat!

Although Han Li wore a full smile and seemed to be enjoying the conversation with the other party, inwardly, he was scoffing endlessly.

"Talk if you want to talk!" he thought. "Why keep such a distance? If I were to take even one step forward, he would undoubtedly take two small steps back with a cordial smile." Although Han Li no longer intended to kill the man, the other party's extreme caution still left Han Li with a wry smile.