Chapter 44

A hint of confusion flashed across Huang Lao Liu's face.

Then he lowered his head and muttered a few words, his expression brightening up again.

"Ha ha, brother, so you mean these spirit stones are the dowry for our daughter's marriage?"

He put the pile of stones into a small wooden box, his eyes shining brightly.

This is what really matters.

Hearing his words, Han Muye stood up and took the wooden box.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Huang Lao Liu was taken aback, then grinned and said, "I get it, it's a 30-70 split..."

Han Muye shook his head and said softly, "The inner disciples can keep what they've taken, but the outer disciples' spirit stones are hard-earned, and they need them for expeditions. Don't take these spirit stones."

As he spoke, he tucked the wooden box under his arm and walked straight out.

"Where are you going?"

Huang Lao Liu called out from behind.

"I'm returning the spirit stones," Han Muye's voice came back.

"Return them? Then isn't raising this daughter for nothing?" Huang Lao Liu muttered. After a while, he took out six merit certificates, a smile spreading across his face.

"Life is getting more hopeful..."

——

Jiang Han and the others had just told Han Muye where they were staying.

Han Muye went to look for them but found no one.

However, a disciple who knew Jiang Han and the others told Han Muye that they had gone to drink.

The outer disciples' quarters housed a thousand people, with miscellaneous servants and others totaling nearly ten thousand, forming a small town.

The taverns and shops were all set up by the sect, specifically for the disciples to spend their money.

This was also a way to boost internal demand.

Han Muye walked to the small market not a hundred paces away, and a voice came from behind.

"Han brother!"

Han Muye turned around and saw Lu Gao, who was carrying a large stone block, sweating profusely and grinning.

"Han brother, you came to the outer disciples' quarters—"

Han Muye, dressed in a white robe, made Lu Gao and the others around him envious.

He had heard that Lu Gao had a brother in the inner disciples, and it was true.

Han Muye's gaze swept around and saw Jiang Han and the others on the second floor of the tavern.

He took a step forward and supported the stone block Lu Gao was carrying with one hand.

Having practiced Iron Ox Strength, his strength was enough to play with a stone block weighing less than three hundred pounds.

His move instantly drew gasps of admiration from the surrounding people.

Indeed, the inner disciples are strong.

Lu Gao rubbed his hands, a hint of pride on his face, but also a bit embarrassed.

"Come, I'll take you to drink." Supporting the stone block, Han Muye walked towards the tavern.

Drink?

Lu Gao grinned and hurried to follow.

The miscellaneous disciples who were originally moving bricks with Lu Gao all looked envious and jealous.

Drinking was secondary; the key was who they were drinking with...

"Han senior brother!"

Jiang Han and the others on the second floor of the tavern also noticed Han Muye, all of them calling out happily.

They hurried down to escort Han Muye upstairs.

Sun Dayong took the stone block from Han Muye's hand.

Upstairs, they all made Han Muye sit in the main seat.

Even Lu Gao, dressed in a servant's uniform, was respectfully given a seat at the table.

The other outer disciples at nearby tables, seeing Han Muye's white robe, quickly moved away.

This was a gathering place for outer disciples, and it was rare for an inner disciple to visit in three to five days.

Dishes and wine were placed on the table, and everyone toasted Han Muye.

Han Muye smiled and raised his cup.

After a few rounds of drinks, he put down his cup and looked at everyone.

"The Three Qin Sword Sect has many experts. If you go, find the Ink Family's Ten Thousand Swords Ancestor in Greenwood Town and ask him to come and suppress the situation."

"He has the strength of a Earth Realm expert and can protect you."

Han Muye said calmly.

Earth Realm?

Jiang Han and the others were all stunned.

The outer disciples listening in from the side were also dumbfounded.

They were just outer disciples, their cultivation not even reaching the Condensation of Qi stage.

Could they even talk about Earth Realm experts?

"Ahem, senior brother, we..." Jiang Han smiled bitterly and whispered.

Would an Earth Realm expert even give them a second glance if they went to invite him?

"Don't worry, the Ten Thousand Swords Ancestor has a deep connection with our Nine Profound Sword Sect."

"Tell him I sent you."

Han Muye spoke softly, his expression calm.

Although Mo Yuan had retired to Greenwood Town under the name Ten Thousand Swords Ancestor, it was still under the jurisdiction of the Nine Profound Sword Sect.

Doing a few things for the sect would greatly benefit his future cultivation.

Given Mo Yuan's experience, he would likely participate in the expedition against the Three Qin Sword Sect even if no one from the Nine Profound Sword Sect asked him.

Han Muye had Jiang Han and the others go to invite him as a favor.

Moreover, they were all outer disciples of the Nine Profound Sword Sect, and there was still some connection with the former top outer disciple.

"Thank you, senior brother!"

Jiang Han and the others bowed again, calling out joyfully.

This was a pleasant surprise.

An expedition against a sect, who could say there would be no casualties?

Moreover, if anyone were to fall first, it would definitely be the outer disciples, whose lives were the least valued.

Having an Earth Realm expert to protect them, even if he just casually lent a hand, would make a huge difference in their situation.

Seeing Jiang Han and the others' joyful expressions, the other outer disciples at the nearby tables had mixed feelings.

Who wouldn't want an Earth Realm expert to protect them...

"Hey, is that senior brother Han?"

Suddenly, a voice came from the table behind Han Muye.

Han Muye turned around and smiled, "It's Qing'er."

The female cultivator who spoke was Qiao Qing'er, who had accompanied Han Muye to the Demonstration Hall before.

Qiao Qing'er and the others at her table were mostly the same people from that day.

"I haven't seen senior brother Han for a while. I was planning to look for you." Qiao Qing'er smiled and raised her cup, gesturing to Han Muye.

"Meeting you here, I'll toast to you, senior brother."

Han Muye raised his cup, just about to clink it, when the young man sitting opposite Qiao Qing'er said coldly, "Just a Sword Pavilion observer, and you call him senior brother?"

Sword Pavilion observer?

His voice was loud enough for everyone on the second floor of the tavern to hear.

"An observer? Isn't that the job where nine out of ten people die in the Sword Pavilion?"

"Exactly, it's said that observers can't practice sword techniques. Surviving ten years without dying earns them a nominal position, and surviving sixty years allows them to rise to a higher rank."

"Tsk, this person was just boasting about his relationship with an Earth Realm expert, and it turns out he's just an observer?"

There was a commotion around the room.

The outer disciples, who had previously revered the inner disciples, now looked down on the observer, using this to cover their previous embarrassment.

Just because he's wearing a white robe, he's an inner disciple?

Jiang Han and the others' expressions changed.

"So what if he's an observer?" Sun Dayong stood up, glaring around and then at the young man opposite Qiao Qing'er.

"Who are you to understand senior brother Han's abilities?"

"Exactly, senior brother Han isn't just any observer." The others chimed in, having seen Han Muye's skills when they received their swords today and been convinced.

Qiao Qing'er turned her head and said coldly, "He Ping, what do you mean?"

The young man looked at Han Muye, then at Jiang Han and the others, a mocking expression on his face. "I just don't want to see a bunch of fools being blinded by a mere observer in an inner disciple's robe."

"I'll be wearing that robe before long."

"Bang!" Sun Dayong slammed his fist on the table, pointing at He Ping and shouting, "Who are you calling a fool?"

Han Muye's expression remained unchanged, and he smiled, "He's calling you a fool."

He's calling you a fool.

Qiao Qing'er, sitting behind him, burst out laughing.

"Right, right, he's calling us fools." The others at Han Muye's table all laughed.

He Ping's face darkened, and he slowly stood up, his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist.

"He Ping, don't be impulsive. The person sitting over there is senior brother Jiang Han, one of the top hundred outer disciples." Suddenly, the young man sitting next to He Ping pressed his arm and whispered.

Jiang Han?

Top hundred outer disciples?

He Ping's eyes gleamed, and he drew his sword, pointing it forward and growling, "Jiang Han? Perfect, today I'll make the top hundred outer disciples' position change hands!"

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