Strongest Scammer: Scamming The World, One Death At A Time-Chapter 672: A Meal With Bragging And A Great Bath

Han Yu ate quickly with the hunters, though to them it looked like he was eating slowly.

In truth, he was savoring every bite.

After weeks of eating nothing but salted meat, grilled meat, or boiled meat, a proper meal with spices, sauces, freshly baked bread and buns felt like a reward from the heavens. The tavern they first stopped at specialized in heavy meals for hunters. Thick stews made from spirit beast bones, flatbread soaked in broth, soup buns, roasted root vegetables, and spicy sauces made from frost peppers.

The hunters ate like wolves that had just found a carcass.

Wei used his bread to scrape the bowl clean. Changli was already on his second bowl before Han Yu had finished half of his first.

Han Yu watched them with mild amusement.

"These men would starve in a sect," he thought. "They would spend all their merit points on food."

They talked loudly, laughed loudly, and praised Han Yu loudly.

"Brother Xiu, if you stayed with us, we would be rich forever!"

"You could start your own hunting group."

"We would call it the Fire Hand Hunters!"

Han Yu just smiled and nodded.

He did not tell them he would be leaving soon.

After the meal, they moved to another tavern which was their favorite tavern for drinking. It was a wide wooden building near the center of Frost Plume Town. Its sign showed two crossed horns and a jug between them. Inside, the air was thick with smoke, laughter, and the sharp scent of alcohol.

They had barely entered before people started turning to look.

Whispers spread fast.

"That is them."

"They are the ones who brought back all those wolves."

"Did you see the Alpha?"

"They say one man did most of it alone."

The hunters loved the attention.

They slapped backs, raised mugs, and shouted for more drinks. The tavern owner himself came out to greet them, offering a discount just to be associated with their success.

Soon, other hunters began approaching.

At first they asked carefully, then boldly.

"How did you hunt so many in winter?"

"Where did you go?"

"Did you find some hidden valley?"

Changli slammed his mug down proudly and pointed at Han Yu.

"This one."

All eyes turned to Han Yu.

"He killed most of them. Core Condensation Realm beasts too. Fire like a god, fists like thunder."

The tavern erupted in noise.

People stared, whispered, and stared some more.

Han Yu could see the vast Eight Emotions energy flowing into him.

Grey surprise.

Light green admiration.

Bright yellow joy.

Soft green trust.

Even a bit of orange anticipation mixed with curiosity.

He felt it soak into him like rain into dry soil.

Han Yu played his part.

He laughed lightly, waved his hand, and said, "They exaggerate. I only helped a little."

That only made the admiration grow stronger.

More drinks came. Stories grew bigger. Each retelling made Han Yu stronger, faster, and more terrifying.

Han Yu did not stop them.

He let the emotions flow.

After a couple of hours, he felt full, warm, and pleasantly heavy. But he also felt the dirt on his skin, the old sweat from travel, the blood and smoke still faintly clinging to him.

"I need a bath," he said.

Changli squinted at him through half-lidded eyes. "Bath? At a time like this?"

"Yes."

Changli sighed dramatically. "Go, go. Clean yourself. But do not forget. Meet us at the Frost Lily Pavilion by evening."

Han Yu nodded. "I will come."

He left the tavern, stepping back into the cold evening air. His breath steamed faintly.

The bathhouse was not far. It was a long, low building with stone walls and thick wooden doors. Warm mist leaked out from its windows.

Inside, the air was hot and wet.

Han Yu paid the fee, received a wooden tag, and was led to the changing area. He carefully placed Chitterfang inside his folded robe, wrapping it so the little rat stayed warm and hidden.

He undressed slowly.

Looking at his own body, he saw many old marks. Faint scars. Healed wounds. Signs of months of struggle. His new body would heal everything, but with how many hardships he had been through, it had not had the time to heal.

But now he could finally relax.

He washed first, scrubbing away dirt, blood, smoke, and sweat. The hot water stung at first, then soothed.

When he finally sank into the bath, he let out a long breath he did not know he had been holding. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Heat wrapped around him.

His muscles loosened.

His mind slowed.

The roar of mountains, beasts, and danger faded.

For the first time in a long while, he felt truly safe.

Too safe.

He closed his eyes.

Just for a moment.

And that moment stretched.

The next thing he knew, someone was gently shaking his shoulder.

"Sir? Sir, your time is up."

Han Yu opened his eyes slowly, confused.

Steam rose around him. The bath was quieter now.

"How long?" he asked.

"Two hours, sir."

Han Yu blinked. Then he laughed softly. "I apologize."

He stood, dried himself, and returned to the changing room. He dressed carefully, checking Chitterfang. The little rat was still asleep, curled into a tiny ball, breathing slowly.

"No food, no water, no movement," Han Yu muttered. "And you are still alive. You are stranger than I am."

He tied his robes and stepped back outside.

The sky had darkened. Lanterns were being lit across the town. Frost Plume Town looked different at night. Softer. Warmer. More alive.

He walked slowly toward the Frost Lily Pavilion.

As he got closer, he felt it again.

That strange, veiled presence.

Not evil. Not friendly. Just… deep.

The Frost Lily Pavilion stood tall, its pale blue beams glowing softly under lantern light. Music drifted from inside. Laughter. Soft conversation. The scent of incense and wine.

Changli and the hunters were already there, waving wildly when they saw him.

"Brother Xiu! Over here!"

Han Yu joined them.