Strongest Scammer: Scamming The World, One Death At A Time-Chapter 679: Leverage Against Each Other

For a brief moment after Madam Cold Fang spoke those words, Han Yu found that he could not even form a reply.

It was not fear that froze him, nor anger, nor even shock alone, but rather the sharp realization that all the layers he had so carefully built had been peeled away by nothing more than observation, experience, and a mind that clearly worked in patterns far deeper than he had expected.

He had hidden his Blood Qi.

He had suppressed his aura.

He had altered his habits, his posture, even the way he spoke.

And yet she had still seen through him, not by force, not by probing with spirit sense, but by simply watching how he moved, how he fought, how he restrained himself, and how his power expressed itself even when hidden.

For a few breaths, he simply stared at her.

Then, slowly, he let go.

The calm, casual expression of Chen Xiu faded from his face as if it had never been there.

His posture straightened, his eyes cooled, and the faint sharpness that had been buried beneath layers of pretending finally surfaced.

The face that looked back at Madam Cold Fang was no longer that of a wandering messenger, nor of a carefree traveler, but the face of Ju Fan, disciple of the Slaughtered Moon Divine Blood Sect.

Cold.

Steady.

Carrying a weight that came not from arrogance, but from blood, death, and long walks through violence.

When Madam Cold Fang saw that change, she finally smiled fully, even though the veil still hid her mouth.

"It seems I was not wrong," she said calmly. "Now that is the kind of bearing I would expect from someone of the Divine Blood Sect."

Han Yu’s gaze did not waver.

"Since you have said it outright," he replied, his voice now deeper and sharper than before, "you must have a reason for doing so. Someone of your level would not reveal such a thing carelessly. You should also have guessed why a disciple of the Slaughtered Moon Divine Blood Sect would come so far and why he would hide his identity."

Madam Cold Fang leaned back slightly, her fingers resting loosely on the desk.

"I do not care what you are here for," she said evenly. "What concerns me is that someone like you has entered my establishment. I must care about that. What assurance do I have that you are alone, and that there are not more of you hiding in this town?"

Han Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained controlled.

"The only assurance you have," he said, "is my word."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

The air in the room felt thick, as if even the formations around them were listening.

Two predators were measuring each other, not with weapons, but with intent.

Each of them had guessed something of the other.

Each of them knew that neither wanted this meeting to become known to the world.

Finally, Madam Cold Fang let out a slow breath.

"You may go," she said. "There is nothing between us beyond this."

Han Yu inclined his head slightly.

"Very well."

He understood perfectly why she had revealed his identity now and not later.

He had guessed her strength, and she had guessed his origin.

Now they both held a secret about the other, and that balance was exactly what kept both sides quiet.

Without another word, Han Yu turned and left, passing once more through the layered corridors of arrays that now felt even heavier than before, though his mind was already elsewhere.

When he returned to the hall where Snow Reed waited, her expression changed instantly when she saw him unharmed.

She hurried to his side, relief clear in her eyes, and asked him in a soft voice what had happened.

Han Yu allowed the sharpness of Ju Fan to fade, returning to the calm and easy manner of Chen Xiu, as if changing masks were as simple as breathing.

"We just talked for a bit," he said lightly. "Madam Cold Fang thanked me for handling the trouble."

Snow Reed let out a long breath she had been holding without realizing it, her shoulders relaxing.

"That is good," she said sincerely. "I was worried."

She gently tugged at his sleeve and led him back to their table, where the music and chatter were slowly returning as the earlier tension faded.

The hunters immediately noticed him.

Changli grinned and slapped the table loudly. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"So, brother Chen," he said, eyes full of curiosity, "what did our great Madam Cold Fang want with you? Do not tell me she took a liking to you."

The others laughed, some teasing, some half serious, and a few even looked at Han Yu with a new kind of curiosity.

Han Yu waved his hand lazily.

"She just thanked me and told me to be careful in her pavilion," he said casually. "Nothing special."

The men clearly did not believe it entirely, but they did not press too hard, choosing instead to turn the matter into jokes, with one of them laughing that Han Yu must have charmed even the madam herself.

Han Yu only smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying anything.

As the night continued, the performance resumed, the music flowing once more through the hall, and Snow Reed returned to his side, pouring him tea and occasionally playing her flute for him and the others.

Yet Han Yu could feel the change.

The atmosphere around him was not the same as before.

He could sense the Eight Emotions Energy flowing more strongly now, not only from the hunters but also from the courtesans, and even from some of the patrons nearby.

There was Grey surprise from those who had heard whispers of what had happened in the inner halls.

There was Yellow joy from those who were glad the trouble had been handled.

There was Green admiration and trust from those who now saw him as someone powerful but not cruel.

And there was also a faint thread of curiosity and reverence, especially from the courtesans, because very few men ever received a private audience with Madam Cold Fang and walked out unharmed.