Strongest Scammer: Scamming The World, One Death At A Time-Chapter 738: A New Neighbour

In the Blood Sect, favors were never free, and goodwill never lasted without reinforcement.

He stopped before the first cave and sent out a brief pulse of Qi into the door's array.

A moment later, the stone door slid open, revealing a thin faced disciple with sharp eyes and dried blood stains on his sleeves. The man stiffened slightly when he saw Han Yu.

"Senior Brother Ju Fan," the man greeted, clasping his fists. "You are back."

Han Yu nodded faintly. "There was commotion near my cave while I was gone. Explain."

The disciple hesitated only briefly before answering. "It was not related to you directly, Senior Brother. There were several fights nearby, but the cause was… a new neighbor."

Han Yu's eyes narrowed a fraction. "A new neighbor."

"Yes," the man confirmed. "Two caves to the right of yours. That cave was empty before, but someone moved in a few months ago."

Han Yu frowned slightly. He distinctly remembered that cave being unoccupied when he had left. It was a marginally better location than his own, but not by much.

"Who," Han Yu asked.

The disciple licked his lips. "Her name is Hou Luli."

That name was unfamiliar.

Han Yu studied the man's expression carefully. "Continue."

"She used to live on the Twelfth Rib Peak," the disciple said. "Near one of the Blood Moon River tributaries."

This time, Han Yu's brows lifted slightly.

The Twelfth Rib Peak was undeniably better than the Fifth. Better blood Qi density, better access to resources, and fewer unstable disciples roaming around. Moving from there to here made no sense unless something had gone very wrong.

"Why did she move," Han Yu asked.

The disciple snorted quietly. "Debt."

That answer alone explained a lot.

"She owes a large amount," the man continued. "Too much to pay off. She could no longer afford the cave fees on the Twelfth Rib Peak, so she was forced to relocate to a cheaper one."

Han Yu nodded slowly.

"In the past few months," the disciple went on, "several people have come looking for her. Senior disciples, or people working for them. Most of the time they demand payment. When she cannot provide it, they turn violent."

"And the fights," Han Yu said flatly.

"Yes. She is not weak," the disciple admitted. "She has driven them away every time so far. But they keep coming back. Sometimes alone, sometimes in groups."

Han Yu absorbed this information in silence.

Debt disputes were common in the sect, but persistent ones like this often escalated into something uglier. And worse, repeated fights so close to his cave increased the chances of him being dragged into trouble whether he wanted it or not.

"Has she caused problems for others," Han Yu asked.

The disciple shook his head. "Not directly. She keeps to herself. The fights only happen when people come looking for her."

Han Yu reached into his storage pouch and casually tossed a few spirit stones toward the man. The disciple caught them instinctively, eyes flickering with appreciation.

"For the information," Han Yu said simply.

The man bowed slightly. "If Senior Brother needs anything else, inform me."

Han Yu turned and walked away without another word.

As he moved along the peak, his gaze drifted briefly toward the direction of the cave mentioned. From here, it was barely visible, a dark slit in the rock face, unremarkable at a glance.

Hou Luli.

A former Twelfth Rib Peak disciple, drowning in debt, constantly fending off violent creditors.

Han Yu did not feel curiosity so much as caution.

In the Blood Sect, proximity alone was reason enough for conflict.

If her problems escalated further, it was only a matter of time before someone would use nearby caves as leverage, or someone would misdirect their aggression.

And if that happened, it could easily involve him.

He filed the name away in his mind, resolving to learn more later if necessary.

For now, he turned his attention to the broader environment.

As he descended the Fifth Rib Peak toward the lower paths leading into the sect proper, the atmosphere felt unchanged. Disciples argued openly, bloodied figures limped past without complaint, and the ever present tension hung thick in the air.

A sudden shout erupted nearby, followed by the clash of Qi. Two disciples were already fighting over something trivial, their weapons scraping against stone as blood splattered the ground. No elders intervened. No one cared.

Han Yu passed them without slowing his pace.

Below, the Blood Moon River came into view, its dark red waters churning violently as massive shapes moved beneath the surface. Occasionally, something enormous broke through, splashing crimson water high into the air before disappearing again.

The river's blood Qi washed over the surrounding area in heavy waves, sinking into flesh and bone alike.

Han Yu felt it brush against his senses, but it no longer felt as oppressive as before.

Along the way, a few disciples glanced at him longer than usual. Some recognition flickered in their eyes, followed by mild surprise. Ju Fan had not been seen for a long time.

But none approached him.

None followed.

And more importantly, none radiated the kind of sharp emotional spike that would indicate prior instructions to monitor him.

Han Yu noted this with quiet satisfaction.

If Zhao Liumen had ordered people to keep watch for his return, there would have been stronger reactions. Fear. Shock. Anticipation. He would've gotten Eight Emotions Energy.

Instead, what he sensed was little more than idle recognition.

It seemed that Zhao Liumen truly had done nothing further.

Or perhaps he was simply waiting.

Han Yu kept his expression cold and his steps measured as he approached the towering structure ahead.

The Mission Hall.

Its massive stone pillars loomed over the courtyard, carved with ancient runes stained dark by countless years of blood Qi exposure. Disciples moved in and out constantly, some eager, some exhausted, some injured, all bound by the same ruthless system.

Han Yu slowed slightly as he reached the edge of the courtyard.

He had arrived.