101: Chapter 101 First Encounter with Qinglin! The Xiao Brothers: Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chicks

"That old fellow Yun Shan once invited me to join the Cloud Mist Sect as a Guest Elder, but I didn't agree."

"If you help me recover, I can agree to become a Guest Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect. I can assist you with both status and position."

"If you go out and I have nothing else to do, I can also act as your Dao Protector."

"Given your talent, I expect you won't need my protection within a few years."

The corner of Hai Bodong's mouth twitched obscurely, but he gave his promise straightforwardly.

"Good, it's a deal." Gu Han nodded and accepted.

"You agree?" Hai Bodong was somewhat surprised. "Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word when the time comes?"

"I'm not afraid. I believe the former Ice Emperor is not that kind of person." Gu Han showed a kind smile. "You also recognize my talent. Offending me brings you no benefits, only harm."

"Surely you wouldn't try to get rid of me just to avoid paying the reward after I've helped you?"

"If you were to do that, my Sect Master of Yunlan Sect, Yun Yun, and that Dou Huang senior from the Central Plains who thinks highly of me..."

"Along with the Seventh-Rank Alchemist senior I'm on good terms with, would surely be willing to send you to the Yellow Springs to protect me."

Hai Bodong: "..."

This was a blatant threat.

According to his former temper, he absolutely wouldn't take this.

But now...

"Rest assured, I, Hai Bodong, am a man of my word!" Hai Bodong expressed that he was still an honest and trustworthy fellow.

"Then Senior, please give me the medicinal ingredients and the pill formula." Gu Han reached out his hand. "Or do you need to verify this junior's identity again?"

"No need for such trouble." Hai Bodong waved his hand, handing Gu Han a scroll recording the formula for the sixth grade Breaking Curse Pill, along with some materials he had collected over the years.

He didn't doubt Gu Han's identity or motives at all.

It was a simple logic: as long as Gu Han spread the news that he was living in seclusion here with only the strength of a Dou Ling, his former enemies would come to his door to finish him off. There was no need to lie to him.

Alternatively, if Gu Han told the Cloud Mist Sect, he could also use the information to coerce him.

"The pill I need refined is a sixth-grade pill, the Breaking Curse Pill. I've already given you most of the necessary ingredients, but I'm missing one main ingredient called the Sand Mandrake, which only grows in the oases deep within the Tagor Desert."

Seeing Gu Han's calm expression, a flash of excitement and anticipation crossed Hai Bodong's eyes.

"I hope you can find a way to obtain it for me. I cannot go personally due to the seal."

Gu Han had known this for a long time. After feigning hesitation, he nodded in agreement. "Then Senior, shouldn't you give me some benefits first?"

Hai Bodong's mouth twitched. He took a deep breath and said, "There are many maps in this room, the result of my painstaking efforts over a decade. There are also some ancient maps that might hide secrets. You may choose a few for yourself."

This was truly like someone handing over a pillow just as one was getting sleepy.

Gu Han agreed without hesitation and began browsing the room.

"Eh?"

Coming to a simple, unadorned shelf where dust had already accumulated, Gu Han was attracted by a remnant map and picked it up.

"Senior, can I have this?" Gu Han held up the remnant map of the Purification Lotus Demon Flame.

"Do you know what this is?" Hai Bodong's pupils constricted.

He had been sealed by Queen Medusa back then precisely because he had snatched this ancient map.

Over the years, he hadn't been able to glean any information from it. He had intentionally torn off half and placed it outside, hoping to attract someone who "knew their stuff."

"I don't know either, but I think that Seventh-Rank Alchemist senior should know." Gu Han shifted the matter onto a weakened version of Yao Chen. "His disciple seems to have a similar map in his possession. I heard him say back then that it was related to an inheritance for Alchemists."

"If I give this remnant map to him, I can further get on his good side."

An inheritance related to Alchemists?

Hai Bodong frowned slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said, "I can give this remnant map to you, but this is only half of what I have."

"Once you deliver the Breaking Curse Pill to me, I can give you the remaining half."

"No problem." Gu Han agreed readily. "If this remnant map is truly what that senior needs, he will be very happy to refine the pill for you."

His decisiveness made Hai Bodong feel slightly relieved.

That half of the remnant map was already in Gu Han's hands; it wouldn't be easy to take it back.

But getting him to hand over the remaining half wouldn't be so easy either.

Gu Han's attitude made him feel that there wouldn't be much of a problem with the transaction.

An inheritance related to Alchemists had nothing to do with him. If it could be used to curry favor with Gu Han and a Seventh-Rank Alchemist, it would be quite good.

"Old Hai, then this junior will take his leave first to find the Sand Mandrake for you."

"I'll come find you once the Breaking Curse Pill is refined."

Having obtained what he wanted, Gu Han bid his farewell.

Hai Bodong didn't bother with polite refusals, but he had a strange feeling in his heart.

It seemed as though Gu Han had come with the clear goal of taking certain things away.

But that was clearly impossible, unless someone could divine the future or had foreknowledge.

"It's probably just that he acts too decisively." Hai Bodong murmured to himself. "Finally, there's a chance to recover."

On the other side, after leaving Hai Bodong's map shop, Gu Han moved quickly to a hidden street. He then deployed his Heavenly Goose Six Line Wings and soared into the sky, identifying his direction before heading toward Stone Desert City.

After flying for several hours, he successfully reached his destination.

This time, he didn't go to stay at the Mittel Family's trading house. Instead, he went directly to the Mo Tie Mercenary Group founded by Xiao Yan's eldest and second brothers.

After identifying himself, he was soon warmly received by Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

The two brothers frequently corresponded with Xiao Zhan and knew that Gu Han had been kind to Xiao Yan.

Gu Han himself had outstanding talent and a good relationship with the Xiao Family.

By all rights, they should host him warmly and make a friend.

After three rounds of drinks and having eaten and drunk their fill, Gu Han ended the chat with the excuse that he had business deep in the Tagor Desert the next day.

Xiao Ding gave Xiao Li a look, and the latter nodded in understanding, smiling as he said, "Brother Gu Han, then I'll arrange for a maid to take you to the guest room. If you need anything, you can just tell her to do it."

As he spoke, Xiao Li called in a maid and whispered a few words in her ear.

Before long, a young girl dressed in a light green, elegant outfit with a petite and exquisite figure walked into the hall.

The girl had delicate features and a standard melon-seed face. Her slight greenness made her look very cute. Her skin was like white porcelain or fine jade, and her timid appearance instinctively evoked a desire to protect her.

Yet she was developed quite maturely, with curves in all the right places—full where she should be full and slender where she should be slender.

She was the perfect interpretation of a youthful face with a voluptuous figure.

"Qing Lin, take my brother Gu Han to the best guest room and serve him attentively." Xiao Li spoke.

Qing Lin looked up at Gu Han, but immediately withdrew her gaze as if she had been burned. She performed a formal bow and said, "Qing Lin understands. Young Master Gu, please follow me."

Her voice was also very pleasant, like a trickling stream flowing into one's heart.

Gu Han nodded with a cool expression. After standing up and exchanging more pleasantries with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, he followed Qing Lin out.

"Big Brother, didn't you say Qing Lin is well-behaved and should be kept as a maid for Third Brother in the future?" Xiao Li asked impatiently.

"Times have changed." Xiao Ding showed a smile of someone who had everything under control and shook his head. "Third Brother's strength has recovered, and he successfully got engaged to the Nalan Family. Keeping such a beauty by his side would truly be a source of trouble."

"Besides, Qing Lin is after all a mixed-blood of the Snake-People Clan and humans. She isn't a match for Third Brother."

"If this Young Master Gu likes her, it would be an opportunity for both her and us."

"Young Master Gu will be happy, Qing Lin will get a good home and a backer, and we will be on good terms with this future powerhouse."

"It's a win-win-win situation. What do you think, Second Brother?"

"Brilliant!" After thinking it through, Xiao Li nodded and gave a thumbs-up. "Big Brother, you still have the foresight. Little Brother doesn't need us to consider these things for him now."

Xiao Ding smiled and nodded. "Second Brother, it's good that you understand."

"Next, it will depend on Qing Lin's own luck. We won't force it."