Strongest Scammer: Scamming The World, One Death At A Time-Chapter 646: Leaving White Peacock Town

Two days passed in relative calm.

The Birch Leaf Merchant Clan no longer existed. Their ashes had fertilized the soil beneath the Fen clan's new foundation. Qing Luan had thrown herself wholly into training, cultivating, reading, memorizing, planning.

Steward Yun had taken to his new responsibilities with zeal. Elder Dugong had regained some strength. Ziyue had stabilized emotionally, feeling as if the heavens themselves had finally given her son a chance.

Everything was stable.

Stable enough that Han Yu finally felt the itch to move again.

He stood in the courtyard early in the morning, the sunlight spreading across the ground like a warm curtain. Qing Luan and the others were already assembled. Qing Luan stood at the front with her hands behind her back, looking much more like a young clan head than a thirteen year old girl.

Han Yu spoke plainly. "I will be leaving today."

Steward Yun stiffened. Elder Dugong inhaled sharply. Ziyue lowered her head, a faint sorrow flickering across her face.

She had grown used to having someone powerful on their side, someone who protected them without hesitation. Little Mue was still inside, asleep, unaware that the man who had turned their lives upside down was now preparing to go.

Han Yu looked at Qing Luan, wondering what emotion she would show.

She smiled. A genuine, steady, confident smile.

"I will wait for you," she said. "And when you return, you will see how much stronger I have become. I will not waste the chance you have given me."

Han Yu felt a flicker of satisfaction. She did not cling nord did she plead. She did not crumble and was walking forward with her own strength.

He nodded. "Good. If you need me, use the jade slip."

She lifted the jade slip hanging at her waist. "I will."

Steward Yun stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Honored lord, I have prepared a steed for you. It is the finest we could acquire. Please accept it."

Han Yu almost laughed. Just a few weeks ago, Steward Yun was a trembling driver trying to save a child. Now he behaved like a proper steward of a rising clan. It was funny how status changed people.

He accepted the gesture with a nod. "Thank you."

Qing Luan and the others walked with him through the courtyard, past the newly renovated walls and the repaired stone paths, until they reached the small stable outside the estate. The black horse prepared for him was sleek, well fed and spirited. Its eyes were clear and intelligent.

Han Yu placed a hand on its neck. "Good horse."

He mounted it smoothly.

From the corner of his eye he caught Qing Luan watching him with unwavering focus. Steward Yun bowed so low that his forehead nearly touched the dirt. Elder Dugong straightened his back proudly. Ziyue held her hands together and prayed silently.

Han Yu looked at the four of them and said, "Grow well. I will return."

Then he tugged the reins and galloped away, the hooves kicking up dust as he left the White Peacock Town behind.

None of them moved until his silhouette disappeared completely from sight.

Qing Luan whispered, almost reverently, "I will be ready when you come back."

Steward Yun murmured, "Miss will surpass even the heavens at this rate."

Dugong sighed and smiled. "Our clan is not done yet. The ancestors may rest in peace finally."

Ziyue held Little Mue, who had finally woken up and wandered outside half asleep. She kissed his cheek and whispered, "This is the beginning of everything, child."

The road ahead was quiet.

Han Yu kept his face concealed under a hooded cloth, and wore simple but fine traveling clothes. He looked like a wandering cultivator now, exactly the appearance he wanted.

If Zhao Liumen had placed any watchers, they would have trouble identifying him.

He kept his identity token hidden and his killing intent suppressed. Even his gait was different. He did not walk like a predator anymore, but like a weathered traveler who had seen many places and carried heavy stories.

Within a day, the road left the town behind and gradually entered deeper forests. The sun filtered through the foliage in golden lines, and the ground was soft with fallen leaves.

Along the way he finally caught sight of White Peacock Beasts.

Three of them.

The white feathers shimmered like polished marble. Their tails fanned out beautifully. They looked almost majestic, even if they were no threat to him. Han Yu watched them hop across the clearing with an amused grin.

"There. Local tourist nonsense accomplished."

He nudged his horse forward.

His journey took him past small villages, tiny hamlets and a few scattered towns. But Han Yu did not stop. He could have farmed more Eight Emotions Energy. He could have created more terror or awe or drama.

But that would be reckless.

If Zhao Liumen really had someone tailing him, announcing his presence repeatedly would be a mistake. He had already generated enough emotion energy from the Birch Leaf event to feed his Soul core for weeks.

There was no need to create more attention.

He rode for two days straight, only stopping when necessary. The horse was strong and fast, much faster than his own jogging speed, and required far less effort.

On the third day, the mountains finally came into view.

Massive, jagged peaks piercing the horizon like spearheads.

The Harrow Mountains.

Their sheer size was oppressive. Clouds clung to the upper slopes. The air grew colder. The paths roughened. Strange cries echoed from deep within the crags. Han Yu could feel the ripple of spiritual beasts and wild Qi flowing down from the mountain depths.

And at the base of those mountains, nestled between thick forests and rocky terrain, stood the last settlement before the wilderness.

Harrow Edge Town.

A town built from dark stone, with tall wooden barricades and numerous guard posts.

It was a place where adventurers gathered. A place where mercenaries drank their fill before risking their lives in the mountains. A place where beast hunters sold hides and cultivators traded valuable herbs harvested from dangerous cliffs.