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After intimidating the Armament Spirit, Han Wu extracted a considerable amount of information. For example, he learned the truth about the maze. The answer largely matched his expectations. This wasn’t a naturally formed underground cavern but the interior of a massive mutated beast.

Master Ou almost collapsed from shock. This was unheard of. He had never imagined that he had once escaped through a mutated beast’s body!

"How should we get out?" Han Wu asked.

The Armament Spirit answered crudely, "Naturally, through the place where an organism excretes waste. You enter through the mouth and exit through..."

Han Wu immediately de-summoned Locust-V. Didn’t my earlier threats frighten it? Where did it find the galls to keep spouting nonsense?

Han Wu wouldn’t press it further and didn’t fully believe it. After all, who would place a gate made out of Essence Gold within their own body?

The two continued to let their Divine Weapons absorb the Essence Gold. Even after raising all their weapons to rank 100, half of the gate remained.

Essence Gold was invaluable, so they wanted to take the rest with them. However, no matter what Han Wu and Master Ou attempted, they couldn’t remove the gate. Aside from absorbing it on the spot, they couldn’t take a single gram.

After trying numerous methods, they gave up. Absorbing the Essence Gold had already yielded significant benefits. They had three Divine Weapons at rank 100 now, which saved both resources and time.

Reluctantly, they abandoned the Essence Gold gate and searched for another path. Using the mental map, Han Wu checked the last three exit points before finally finding the true exit and escaping to the surface. He didn’t know whether it really was the mutated beast’s anus, but he was glad that they were finally free.

Once outside, they got their bearings and ran to the nearest village.

The village was sparsely populated, but the residents were kind and warmly welcomed them. After making inquiries, the trio learned that they were within the borders of Everlight City, which was 10,000 kilometers from Kang City.

They had only spent two days at most in the Carefree Valley, yet had somehow traversed 5,000 kilometers in a day. Not only had their journey not been delayed, but it had actually been accelerated.

Han Wu was both impressed and relieved. He resolved to investigate the massive underground mutated beast if he ever had the chance. He was very curious about what it was.

After leaving the Carefree Valley, Master Ou told them that he would part ways with them. He now needed to bring his master’s remains to Divine Weapon City for burial.

Han Wu recalled that he had once obtained a deed for a piece of land just outside Divine Weapon City.

He told Master Ou to head there if he had no place to stay. He could rest there before deciding his next steps. Master Ou agreed, took the deed, and departed for Divine Weapon City.

Meanwhile, Han Wu and Qin Shuang traveled to Everlight City. Even though their destination was Divine Weapon City, the legendary Armament Spirit hadn’t been born yet. Rather than waste time waiting and doing nothing, they decided to explore Everlight City in case they could discover something of interest.

Following the villagers’ directions, they walked for half a day before finding themselves at Everlight City.

It was nighttime by the time they arrived, but the city glowed with lanterns and bright lights. The name was quite accurate.

After paying the entrance fee and presenting their identity plates for inspection, the two successfully entered the city. It was in full celebration, as if a festival were underway. Firecrackers burst in the streets, flower-shaped lanterns hung everywhere, and the citizens wore bright smiles.

Han Wu asked around to learn the reason for the festivities. A citizen explained that the city lord’s daughter was getting married, so the city lord had decreed ten days of celebration. Not only were the roadside stalls exempt from fees, but the shops also offered a 20% discount on wares to mark the occasion.

Han Wu found it interesting. A universal 20% discount was simple, yet effective in attracting customers. Sometimes, simplicity worked best.

They chose a random inn for their meal. They ordered a table full of food and spent only two gold coins. The price was remarkably low! Moreover, the inn had invited a speaker to advertise and spread the news of the city lord’s daughter's marriage for free to everyone else.

Although many parts of the story were exaggerated, it still entertained the many warriors who passed through the city. In fact, they loved gossip like this.

Han Wu and Qin Shuang listened as they ate. When they heard the name of the son-in-law, time seemed to stop. It was shocking, because his name was Sun Qingnian!

Despite the possibility of a shared surname and name, they more or less confirmed that it was the same Sun Qingnian they knew. They could not explain why, but their instincts told them so. To them, Sun Qingnian's method of living off women was as fundamental and immutable as a Law itself. He would never miss an opportunity to freeload.

"Should we... go and join his faction?" Han Wu suggested.

Qin Shuang nodded. If Sun Qingnian could rely on another woman to advance himself, it wouldn't be dishonorable for them to copy him by freeloading off him instead.

After finishing their meal, they ran toward the city lord's mansion.

Lanterns of various colors and shapes covered the grounds, and the entire mansion radiated celebration.

They approached a guard and said they were friends of Sun Qingnian.

The guard ignored Han Wu, but his gaze briefly lingered on the beautiful Qin Shuang. Without a choice, Han Wu took out ten gold coins and tried to bribe him into sending word that Sun Qingnian's friends were there.

Unexpectedly, the guard refused the gold and scolded them for even attempting to bribe him. This was the first time Han Wu had encountered someone in the Divine Weapon Civilization who wasn’t greedy, and the man was a guard at that!

Han Wu had to find another way now. Barging into the mansion would be a death sentence. He didn't know its layout, let alone where to find Sun Qingnian. It would also create trouble for Sun Qingnian if they forced their way inside.

He decided to use his locusts to deliver the message instead. He summoned a swarm and controlled them to infiltrate the mansion under the cover of darkness.

The mansion was heavily guarded, and it was difficult for one to evade the hidden surveillance. Moreover, bells that could detect energy emitted by monsters were strategically positioned throughout the grounds. They would ring the moment a monster entered their detection range, preventing any infiltration. Against the weak locusts, however, the guards, hidden sentries, and bells were useless.

Using them as mini surveillance drones, Han Wu soon located a courtyard filled with flowers and ribbons. It was most likely the residence of the city lord’s daughter.

Han Wu controlled the locust and quickly found Sun Qingnian. The locust perched near a window and picked up a youthful voice from inside. "Husband, I want to ride a horse."

Sun Qingnian's familiar voice followed. "Little Tuan, do you want to ride forward or backward?"

Han Wu was stumped. Is there a difference between riding a horse forward or backward?

He controlled the locust to squeeze through the gap and saw Sun Qingnian on all fours, his face and stomach turned upward. A young girl sat on his stomach, laughing in a clear, bright voice.