Chapter 304: Countermeasures

Volume Three

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality - Volume Three

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In the evening, Qin Yan paced back and forth in the Qin Residence's living room, his face a mixture of worry and anxiety.

Earlier that morning, a servant who had gone to deliver a meal to Han Li reported that Han Li was not in his room and seemed to have been absent all night.

This greatly worried Qin Yan. He wasn't concerned about Han Li's safety, but rather feared that the bodyguard might suddenly leave without a word. How would their Qin family then cope with the harm from the demonic sects?

“Qin Ping, go and see if Young Master Han has returned. Report back immediately if you have any news!” Qin Yan commanded, a hint of impatience in his voice.

“Yes, Master,” Qin Ping replied respectfully, secretly delighted. Then, he scurried out of the hall.

In his view, the more concern Qin Yan showed for Young Master Han, the more it confirmed that he had chosen the right person to align himself with. It seemed his rise to prominence within the Qin Residence was imminent.

“Why are you like this, Master? It’s normal for young people to go out occasionally; there’s no need to be so anxious!” Qin Yan’s favorite third concubine was also in the hall. Although her words seemed to excuse Han Li, a distinct note of sourness was evident in her voice.

This was understandable. Ever since Han Li arrived at the Qin Residence, the head of the Qin family had kept him constantly by his side. The young masters and ladies of the Qin family, who were once greatly favored, were no longer promoted, and among them were the Third Concubine’s own children. Naturally, she was now overcome with jealousy.

“Hmph, what do women know?” Qin Yan, of course, understood the Third Concubine’s underlying meaning. However, with his family’s fate hanging in the balance, he couldn’t be bothered with such trivial jealousy. After a glare, he ignored her.

Qin Yan’s attitude naturally made the Third Concubine feel even more wronged. However, knowing that her husband detested women who threw tantrums, she suppressed her resentment and remained silent. Her worry, meanwhile, turned into increased annoyance towards Han Li.

After an unknown period, Qin Ping suddenly ran back, his face beaming with joy. As soon as he entered the room, he loudly announced:

“Master, Young Master Han has returned! And he brought a few guests back to the residence. Young Master Han hopes you can arrange for them to stay nearby, close to his quarters.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as this 'great god' hadn't left without a word, he wouldn't complain even if Han Li brought back dozens of people, let alone a few friends.

“Since Worthy Nephew Han has requested it, let them stay in the nearby Qingyin Courtyard. Make sure Han Li’s guests are not neglected,” Qin Yan said without hesitation, which made the Third Concubine’s expression turn even more sour.

“Yes, I’ll go take care of it right away!” Qin Ping eagerly rushed out again, full of energy.

“Master, isn’t this a bit improper? Our Qin Residence is a large estate; allowing a few strangers to suddenly move in... isn’t that a bit too rash?” The Third Concubine couldn't help but say cautiously.

Her words weren’t entirely aimed at Han Li this time, but rather stemmed from genuine unease.

Qin Yan paused slightly upon hearing this, but after a moment of hesitation, he waved his hand and said:

“It’s fine. Worthy Nephew Han’s friends won’t cause any trouble.”

Hearing Qin Yan’s doting words about Han Li, the Third Concubine was utterly speechless.

At this moment, Han Li was seated on a chair in his quarters, with five other individuals in front of him: the Five Friends of Mount Meng.

The young man among them was speaking incessantly about something, while the others occasionally added a few remarks. Han Li wore a thoughtful expression.

In the wilderness outside Yuejing City, Han Li, relying on his powerful spiritual sense, had indeed successfully removed the blood curses from the four individuals. Afterwards, he led them to the only remaining person, a middle-aged woman, who had been left behind.

Unexpectedly, they managed to retrieve her very smoothly, without any difficulty whatsoever.

Although slightly surprised, Han Li also removed her blood curse, and then brought all of them back to the Qin Residence.

In truth, it wasn't impossible for these individuals to find another place to stay, but Han Li felt somewhat uneasy about them.

Without his constant supervision, he couldn't guarantee that the Five Friends of Mount Meng would truly cooperate honestly with him against a formidable enemy, even though he had freed them from the curses.

Human hearts are the hardest to fathom!

Today, someone might be profoundly grateful to you, willing to risk their life for you, but tomorrow they might decide their own life is more important and commit any act of ingratitude or villainy. Han Li was not surprised by this.

Furthermore, they had no sworn brotherhood with him. Most likely, they would still cherish their own lives!

Of course, it wasn't impossible to forcibly control them by imposing restrictions or using poisons. However, doing so would likely make him no different from those people in their eyes. Given enough time, he would certainly face their backlash.

Han Li wouldn't have cared about leaving a bad impression if that was the only outcome of using such methods. However, deep down, he had other ideas.

If the Seven Sects truly managed to resist the demonic invasion and restore their former cultivation practices, Han Li planned to find some individuals to specifically help him gather pill recipes and medicinal ingredients. This way, he wouldn’t have to tirelessly travel around and could dedicate all his time to intense cultivation, which would undoubtedly significantly accelerate his progress.

The Five Friends of Mount Meng, whose magical power cultivation was neither too weak nor too high, were precisely the most suitable candidates. Therefore, Han Li did not intend to use unsavory methods to forcibly control them.

However, Han Li also knew himself well. Without sufficient benefits, even a cultivator with low cultivation wouldn't continuously run errands for other cultivators. Moreover, he needed to interact with these individuals for a longer period to truly understand their character before he could trust them. Everything would have to be decided after this matter concluded.

“...It’s quite embarrassing! Up until now, aside from knowing a few other cultivators who were held captive like us, we haven't even caught a glimpse of the true faces of the two individuals giving orders! We truly know very little!” The young man said with a bitter smile after finishing his explanation.

“It’s fine. We already know the opposing force is an evil cult called the Black Fiend Sect, and that they mainly capture people to cultivate their evil techniques. That's enough,” Han Li said with a faint smile after listening.

“But, Senior Han! Should we just stay hidden here and wait for reinforcements before taking action?” The newly rescued middle-aged woman suddenly asked tentatively.

The other four, upon hearing this, also looked at Han Li with concerned expressions, waiting for his reply.

Han Li inwardly sneered. These individuals clearly wished to avoid any further contact with the Black Fiend Sect. But from the Seven Sects, where would any reinforcements come from? Currently, each sect was so strained fighting against the demonic forces that even their garrison forces were severely lacking. Even if he reported the situation truthfully, no one would likely be dispatched.

Fortunately, on his way back, he had sent a letter requesting aid to Li Huayuan through the Yellow Maple Valley contact in Yuejing, briefly explaining the situation.

Even if the sect didn't inquire about this matter, his master surely wouldn't ignore it. He had gotten into such significant trouble precisely because he was carrying out his master's instructions, and now he could only endure it without fleeing! Otherwise, if he couldn't provoke them, couldn't he at least escape? He would have long since made a quick getaway!

But as for what kind of reinforcements would arrive, Han Li truly wasn't very confident. He estimated his master would probably send a few senior disciples.

Thinking this to himself, Han Li replied with a relaxed expression on the surface:

“Of course not. At the very least, before reinforcements arrive, we should gather more intelligence on the enemy's strongholds and key figures. Only then can we capture them all in one go. Otherwise, just waiting idly in the Qin Residence would be too passive. It would also give them time to track us down, which would be very disadvantageous. We absolutely cannot allow them to calmly make all their arrangements!”

Upon hearing Han Li’s words, the Five Friends of Mount Meng exchanged glances. The black-faced elder stroked the beard on his chin and said in a deep voice:

“Senior, what you say is very reasonable. However, with the meager clues we currently have, we can’t possibly track them down! The stronghold where we were previously held must have been abandoned by them. It seems we have nowhere to start!”

The tall, thin second elder nodded silently in agreement.

“Don’t worry. Based on your descriptions of the two Black Fiend Sect members who were giving orders, I already know who they are. As long as we capture them alive, we can uncover more than half of the Black Fiend Sect’s secrets.”

Han Li spoke unhurriedly, as if he had already anticipated this.

These words first stunned the group, and then they all showed expressions of pleasant surprise, feeling that Han Li was even more unfathomable than before!

“Good! Since Senior Han already has a plan, we will follow your instructions in everything,” the black-faced elder declared decisively.

Han Li nodded with satisfaction.

“We will act tonight. The sooner we move, the less prepared the enemy will be,” Han Li said coldly, narrowing his eyes. “Tonight?” The Five Friends of Mount Meng couldn't help but show surprised expressions.