404: Chapter 404 The Melancholy Old Father

Half an hour after Han Jingyang made the phone call.

Zhou Changzhu and Xu Xin arrived at Jiguang Zhai almost simultaneously.

Upon entering, the two fellow disciples exchanged pleasantries for a while before finally sitting down.

Xu Xin said seriously, "Brother, you're not being fair."

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow in surprise. "How am I not being fair?"

"You didn't call me when something was up."

"Ah, that was my own business. There was no need to involve you. You have a wife, a daughter, and such a large business."

"I'm not afraid, and Yun'er isn't afraid either."

"Forget it. In this life, you can let anyone down, but you can't let down your wife and child," Han Jingyang waved his hand. "Even if your whole family had no objections, I couldn't do such a thing. It's not like it's a matter of national survival or ethnic righteousness."

Xu Xin cupped his hands. "Brother, you are truly righteous."

At this point, his expression brightened. "Then since you called me this time, is it a matter of ethnic righteousness?"

Han Jingyang clapped. "Old Xu, Old Xu, they say you're straightforward, but I see your reactions are quite sharp. I haven't even said anything yet and you've already guessed it."

"Brother, tell me quickly, what's the situation?"

Han Jingyang stopped being mysterious and briefly explained the situation.

Xu Xin rubbed his hands together. "Those Japanese invaders again. Damn, they're like lingering ghosts. Brother, just say the word and I'll do it. I'll listen to you, and so will Changzhu."

Han Jingyang nodded. "This time is like the last; we must ensure those Japanese invaders never return. However, there are quite a few of them coming this time, and they're stronger. They won't be easy to deal with. Old Xu, you have the most experience in the martial world, so I'll need you to take on more responsibility."

"No problem, leave it to me."

With a flick of his wrist, Han Jingyang took out a jade pendant. "This is for you."

"Is this... a dharma instrument?"

"Yes, it's for enhancing defense."

"Dual defense?"

"Yes, but the strength isn't that high, so don't be too careless."

"It's already very, very precious," Xu Xin was overjoyed. He carefully took the jade pendant, looking it over from every angle before finally hanging it around his neck. "Brother, I will definitely take good care of it and return it to you when we're done."

"It's a gift for you."

"Huh?" Xu Xin was shocked. "This... this... such a precious dharma instrument, you're just giving it away?"

Han Jingyang smiled inwardly.

Precious?

It really wasn't that precious.

He had too many Rank 6 items without skills. He was reluctant to sell them but they took up space, so they were perfect for gifts. Trading something he couldn't use for a favor was a great deal no matter how he looked at it—much better than selling it for a hundred thousand or so in cash.

While he was at it, he took out a yanling saber. "This one is a loan."

"Is this a dharma instrument too?" Xu Xin was shocked again. "Brother, just how many good things do you have?"

"Not many, but enough. Use it; whether it's handy or not, this is what I have. Weapon-type dharma instruments are relatively rare. You know how to use a saber, right?"

"I do, I do," Xu Xin stood up and performed a flourish with the blade. His proficiency was indeed quite high.

Han Jingyang nodded. "This saber has no other benefits except being hard enough. When the time comes, you can clash blades with those Japanese invaders a few more times."

Xu Xin's gaze instantly became sharp. "I'll let those Japanese invaders know how formidable we people from Quancheng are."

Han Jingyang turned to face Zhou Changzhu. "Brother Changzhu, your physique is truly intimidating. I don't have anything perfectly suited for you, but I managed to find two items. They'll have to do."

Zhou Changzhu was a bit confused and looked at Xu Xin. "Senior brother, what is a dharma instrument..."

"Don't worry about what a dharma instrument is. Just know that this stuff is very, very precious. Especially things brought out by Brother Han—they're definitely extraordinary and worth a fortune. Of course, since Brother Han is giving them to you, just take them. Don't be polite. Just perform well when the time comes."

"Okay, okay."

What Han Jingyang had prepared for Zhou Changzhu was a Qing Dynasty heart-protecting mirror and a Song Dynasty eight-edged hammer.

heart-protecting mirrors were a niche area in the collection world. dharma instrument-level heart-protecting mirrors were even rarer, and high-level ones with good attributes were naturally even more scarce.

This heart-protecting mirror wasn't high-level either; it was Rank 7.

But it had a skill—Absolute Defense.

It could 100% resist a single fatal blow.

After the skill took effect, it would immediately shatter.

In other words, Zhou Changzhu could 100% resist a fatal strike, regardless of the enemy's strength.

Of course, it was a bit of a white elephant.

If the enemy was extremely strong, this skill would only buy Zhou Changzhu a single second. As long as the enemy had the ability to launch a second move, Zhou Changzhu would be doomed.

But used correctly, it could still play a significant role.

As for the eight-edged hammer, this kind of thing was actually quite common, with many from the Song Dynasty.

At that time, to counter the Song army's heavy infantry, the Liao and Jin cavalry were heavily equipped with weapons like hammers, maces, and mace-clubs; the eight-edged hammer was a typical example.

However, the eight-edged hammers in reality were different from the massive hammers weighing dozens of pounds seen in movies and TV shows. The hammerhead was relatively petite, only slightly larger than an adult's fist. The handle wasn't very long either, about a meter, with a ring at the end so it could be tied to the arm and used as a meteor hammer in critical moments.

The total weight of this hammer was only a bit over eight pounds. It didn't seem heavy, but for an ordinary person, it was already a substantial heavy weapon.

This hammer looked unremarkable, yet it was still a Rank 5 item.

It had no skills.

But it carried an attribute: 'Armor Penetration +7'.

This attribute wasn't the main point; the key was that the weight was perfect for Zhou Changzhu's use.

With Zhou Changzhu's physique, paired with a hammer of this weight, how many people could withstand a single strike?

If a chain was added to use it as a meteor hammer, he would be a veritable fierce general on the battlefield.

Thinking of this, he added an instruction: "If you know how to use a meteor hammer, find a place to attach a chain yourself. Just make sure you can reach Thousand Buddha Mountain before dark."

Zhou Changzhu nodded heavily.

Han Jingyang's gaze fell on Liu Jing. "This is the first time you've left me to carry out a combat mission alone. Remember what I told you: come back alive. Being alive is better than anything else."

Liu Jing nodded heavily. "Boss, you take care as well."

"Mm, set out then. You and Yuanyuan will be one team, while Old Xu and Changzhu will be another. Keep in touch and meet up on the mountain."

"Okay."

"Let's go."

The four of them left.

Han Jingyang exhaled. "Sigh, I suddenly feel like an old father sending his daughter to the examination hall."

Shi Xiaoya giggled and snuggled into Han Jingyang's arms. "If you're her old father, wouldn't that make me her old mother?"

"Hahahaha, don't let her hear that, or she'll fight you tooth and nail," Han Jingyang couldn't help but laugh heartily, patting Shi Xiaoya's slender waist. "Pack up and get ready to leave. I have a feeling tonight will be very, very lively."

"Which side?"

"Most likely both sides."

"Will there be danger?"

"Yes, there will be danger on both sides."

Han Jingyang sighed.

Danger meant he would have to pay a heavy price.

He would surely consume many various skills and items. Fortunately, he had harvested quite a lot recently, otherwise, he might not have enough.

At dusk.

Kongyun came down the mountain carrying his Zen staff, heading straight for Jiguang Zhai to meet Han Jingyang, and then directly to Xipo Village.

At the same time, various factions that had been watching Monk Kongyun and Han Jingyang moved upon hearing the news. Some went straight to Xipo Village, while others headed for Thousand Buddha Mountain.

For a moment, Quancheng, which had never truly quieted down, was once again swept by surging undercurrents.