Chapter 245: Wujin City And The Route Back Home
Merchant Kuo was a stout man with a shrewd gaze and a no-nonsense attitude that commanded respect among his peers.
"Han Yi," Kuo greeted him with a nod as they stepped aside from the bustle of the market square. "Your work was solid on this trip. You kept your head down, did what was needed, and didn’t cause any trouble. Here," the merchant said, pulling a small pouch from his belt and handing it over, "one hundred low-grade spirit stones. It’s a fair sum — better than some sect missions I’ve heard of."
Han Yu accepted the pouch with a faint smile, weighing it lightly in his palm. The spirit stones were bright blue and shimmered faintly with internal energy. This payment was more than satisfactory, a tangible reward for the risk and effort he had invested over the past months.
"Thank you, Merchant Kuo. If I decide to join another caravan, I’ll be sure to come find you," Han Yu replied, bowing respectfully.
Kuo gave a gruff laugh. "You’re welcome anytime. There’s always work for someone reliable like you."
With the formalities complete, Han Yu made his way through the crowded streets to find lodging. The inns near the market were lively but affordable, catering mostly to travelers like himself — merchants, guards, and wanderers seeking rest before the next leg of their journeys.
He settled into a modest room at a common inn: a single bed, a small wooden table, and a window overlooking a narrow street where lanterns began to glow in the growing dusk.
Sitting quietly, Han Yu unpacked his satchel and laid out the documents and tokens he had gathered. The weight of his mission pressed on his mind as he reviewed what he’d learned during his time with the caravan and in the outpost.
The months of cautious investigation, the secrets uncovered about the rising beast activity, the sect’s efforts to bolster defenses, and the hints of unrest simmering beneath the surface—all of it painted a clearer picture than the vague rumors and guesses he’d started with.