22: Chapter 22 The Sect Master's Operations and What He Uses

“It’s just accompanying the Nalan Family to take a look. Do you actually want some kind of reward?”

Yun Yun’s eyes, which carried a unique charm, flickered slightly. She felt that Gu Han seemed a bit greedy.

“The Sect Leader has misunderstood.” Gu Han looked up to meet Yun Yun’s gaze and said solemnly, “I am not asking for a reward; I simply value my life.”

“I am but a lowly Dou Practitioner. Since I ascended Yun Lan Mountain at the age of six, I have never stepped foot off it. I have no idea what the situation is like outside.”

“If I were to encounter a villain who wanted to kill me over a disagreement, my death wouldn't be a pity, but I would be failing the years of cultivation the sect has invested in me.”

Yun Yun: “...”

It sounded reasonable, but in truth, he was simply afraid of dying.

“In the Jia Ma Empire, no one dares to openly kill a disciple of my Cloud Mist Sect,” Yun Yun said with great dominance.

Gu Han remained unmoved and asked seriously in return, “They wouldn't do it openly, but what about in the shadows?”

Yun Yun: “...”

“The Cloud Mist Sect is not without enemies, and surely there are people within the Jia Ma Empire who wish for the sect's decline?” Gu Han questioned again.

Yun Yun was convinced and shook her head with a smile.

“Fine. I will arrange for an Outer Sect Deacon to accompany you in secret. If you encounter danger, he will step in to protect you, but that is all.”

A greenhouse can only produce flowers; it cannot grow a towering tree.

“Thank you, Sect Leader.” Gu Han expressed that having a bodyguard was enough.

The Outer Sect Deacons who remained in the sect were at minimum four-star Great Dou Masters. The stronger ones even had half a foot in the Dou Ling realm. In the Jia Ma Empire, they would be strong enough to be the most powerful figures in many large city clans.

He was only a Three-Star Dou Zhe, so having the Sect Leader assign a Great Dou Master to guard him in secret was quite the treatment.

“Could I choose the candidate for this deacon myself?” Gu Han suddenly thought of Zhang Chuchen.

Yun Yun didn't feel he was being overbearing; she was just a bit surprised. “It seems you have someone in mind?”

According to what she knew, aside from a minor conflict with Mo Qing of the Mo Family—which had already been resolved—Gu Han’s social circle was very clean. He didn't have any deep connections, let alone with a deacon.

“Deacon Zhang of the Outer Sect Cultivation Hall. I’ve met him a few times and feel he is a decent person,” Gu Han said honestly.

In reality, he had only met Zhang Chuchen once, but through the information revealed by the Xuanwu Shell, he knew the man was reliable.

Furthermore, with just a fourth-grade pill, he could restore the man's cultivation talent and help him break through to the Dou Ling realm.

When that time came, he would have a Dou Ling as a traveling guard.

If the Mo Family tried to move against him, even if Mo Cheng came in person, he might not be able to kill him.

Moreover, Zhang Chuchen was a good man. If he owed Gu Han a debt of gratitude, he would be more than just a simple protector.

If the need arose, he could ask for the man's help, and he could be trusted even if Gu Han were to reveal some of his secrets.

“Zhang Chuchen?”

Yun Yun was naturally aware of the most valued disciple of the Punishment Hall Elder, who was close to the Sect Leader's faction.

At the time, she had also felt it was a pity that his talent had been ruined due to poisoning.

This person was indeed trustworthy.

With that in mind, Yun Yun nodded in agreement. “I have no objection, but you must convince him to go with you yourself.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader.” Gu Han cupped his fists in gratitude. “Then I shall take my leave.”

Seeing how impatient he was, Yun Yun gave a faint smile and waved her hand. “Come here in seven days. I will have Yanran take you to the Nalan Family.”

“Yes.” Gu Han cupped his fists, took three steps back, and then turned to leave the hall.

Immediately afterward, he headed to the Outer Sect Cultivation Hall to seek an audience with Deacon Zhang Chuchen.

“Gu Han?” Zhang Chuchen, who had been called out from the inner room by a disciple, yawned. Seeing that it was Gu Han looking for him, he smiled with an expression of surprise. “You have business with me, kid?”

“Deacon Zhang, my residence is nearby. May we speak in private?” Gu Han raised his hand in an inviting gesture.

Seeing how serious he was and noting that he had nothing to do at the moment, Zhang Chuchen nodded slightly. “Alright, let’s go.”

The two of them walked together to Gu Han’s small courtyard and entered the study.

“Please have a seat, Deacon.” Gu Han took a wine cup out of his storage ring and placed it on the table, then brought out a wine gourd and opened the lid.

“Hmm?” Zhang Chuchen’s nose twitched, and his expression instantly became serious. “Monkey Wine?”

“It’s just the most ordinary Tier One Monkey Wine,” Gu Han replied nonchalantly.

This Tier One Monkey Wine was something he had obtained while cultivating in the mountain range behind Yun Lan Mountain, guided by chance.

It had a certain effect of restoring a cultivator's Dou Qi, but Tier One was only slightly effective for low-level Dou Practitioners. In terms of efficacy, it wasn't even as good as a first-grade pill.

However, if it were taken to an auction and encountered a buyer who loved wine, it wouldn't be unusual for it to sell for the value of a third-grade pill.

“This isn't a matter of grade. This is fine wine, a gift from nature, and the very lifeblood of us sword cultivators.” Zhang Chuchen took the wine cup Gu Han handed him with a look of reverence.

Gu Han: “...”

“I can't just take your things for free.” Zhang Chuchen’s Adam's apple bobbed as he suppressed his craving. “Junior Brother Gu, tell me what you need me to do first. If I can't do it, I shouldn't be drinking this wine.”

Calling him 'Junior Brother Gu' showed that the wine's allure was indeed significant.

“This is just a greeting gift for Deacon Zhang.” Gu Han raised his hand and shook the wine gourd. “As for the matter I wish to discuss, if you don't agree, then so be it. But if you do, this entire gourd of wine will be my gift to you.”

An entire gourd?

Zhang Chuchen felt that as long as Gu Han didn't ask him to do anything that betrayed the Cloud Mist Sect, he could agree to any request.

“Then I won't be formal.” Zhang Chuchen tilted his head back and drained the cup in one gulp, a look of enjoyment spreading across his face.

A few moments later, his expression turned serious, and a sharp aura emanated from him. “Junior Brother, speak.”

“It is a serious matter.” Gu Han took out the token Yun Yun had given him and placed it on the table. “The Sect Leader has tasked me with something, but fearing for my safety, she said she would dispatch a deacon to protect me in the shadows.”

“Among the candidates the Sect Leader mentioned, I only know you, Senior Brother Zhang. From our very first meeting, I felt you were trustworthy, so I chose you.”

“However, the Sect Leader also said that your status is somewhat special, being a disciple of the Punishment Hall Elder, so this matter requires your personal consent.”

“Therefore, I invited you here for a drink.”

Gu Han’s words were half-truths, leveraging Yun Yun’s reputation.

But he wasn't afraid of being found out; after all, Yun Yun really had agreed to it, and the Sect Leader’s token in his hand was genuine. Besides, it was impossible for Zhang Chuchen to go to Yun Yun to verify such a trivial matter.

“Secret protection... a Dao protector?” A sharp glint flashed in Zhang Chuchen’s eyes. He only now realized that Gu Han’s aura was much stronger than it had been nearly a month ago. He couldn't help but ask curiously, “Junior Brother, what is your current cultivation?”

“Three-Star Dou Zhe.” Gu Han poured himself a cup of wine.

“Three-Star Dou Zhe!?” Zhang Chuchen’s eyes widened.

Increasing two stars of cultivation in a single month? What kind of monster is this!?

“A lucky breakthrough.” Gu Han pushed the wine gourd toward Zhang Chuchen. “Senior Brother, would you be willing to protect me for a period of time?”

“It seems I have no reason to refuse?” Zhang Chuchen laughed freely.

He picked up the wine gourd, filled a cup for himself, and then stored the gourd in his storage ring.

Protecting a sect genius like Gu Han and performing tasks for the sect and the Sect Leader was his duty.

Moreover, Gu Han had the Sect Leader’s token and was so adept at social graces.

“Anyone who wants to harm you will have to answer to my sword first.”