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After sending a message to Sun Qingnian via the locust, Han Wu felt disgusted to the bone.

When Qin Shuang asked why, he found himself at a loss for words for the first time. Still, he reckoned that she would discover the truth sooner or later, so he told her as plainly as possible that Sun Qingnian was most likely freeloading off a nine-year-old girl.

Qin Shuang was appalled. She had tolerated Sun Qingnian mooching off an eighty-year-old woman, but this was beyond her limit. To think he would target someone so young. To think he would latch onto any female, regardless of age.

The two fell silent until Sun Qingnian came running out, still carrying his wife on his back. More than twenty guards followed behind them.

“Han Wu, Qin Shuang, you are finally here!” Sun Qingnian called, beaming.

Han Wu glanced at his wife and sighed in heavy disappointment. Meanwhile, Qin Shuang shot him a look of pure disgust.

Sun Qingnian introduced them. “This is my wife, the daughter of Everlight City’s city lord, Jin Tuantuan.”

He then turned to her. “These two are my best friends, Han Wu and Qin Shuang. They are also a couple.”

Jin Tuantuan hopped down and bowed elegantly. “My husband has told me about his two sworn allies and friends. It’s an honor to meet you both today. Just like he said, you two really look good together.”

Qin Shuang looked at her with pity, then glared at Sun Qingnian, as if he were something less than human.

Sensing their thoughts, Sun Qingnian hurried to explain, “Wait, you guys are misunderstanding something. Tuantuan is already eighteen this year. She’s of marriageable age!”

Han Wu frowned. Tuantuan barely reached 1.2 meters in height, and her cute face was still plump and soft.

“You are telling me that she's actually eighteen?” Han Wu blurted.

“She’s eighteen! I’m telling the truth!” Sun Qingnian insisted.

Jin Tuantuan explained, “I am indeed eighteen. My condition is due to an unfortunate side effect from cultivating a special technique. I can no longer age. Thankfully, my husband doesn’t resent me and is willing to accept me.”

Han Wu and Qin Shuang’s disdain eased slightly, though it still left an unpleasant aftertaste.

Sun Qingnian eagerly ushered them into the vast and tastefully decorated mansion. Ribbons and lights filled the space, and everyone wore smiles, laughing in joy.

Sun Qingnian spoke with obvious delight. “My father-in-law had told me that once I married Tuantuan, he would support me with all his power in the contest for the legendary Armament Spirit. Han Wu, you’d better work hard, or you won’t even qualify as my rival.”

Han Wu remained cautious. “Are you sure you want to get married here? How about Ms. Shi Shan? How do you plan to explain this to her?”

Sun Qingnian patted his chest proudly. “I’ll explain everything to her once my baby fully recovers. I’ll tell her that I treasure Tuantuan and that I am sincere about marrying her.”

Qin Shuang was not pleased with his answer. “And Shi Shan? Are you going to break up with her?”

“Why should I?” Sun Qingnian replied. “Our love is real, so why can’t we stay together?”

Han Wu was momentarily rendered speechless. “Do you really think Ms. Shi Shan will agree? She’s the bloody Blazing Warrior God. She’ll burn you alive!”

Sun Qingnian shrugged. “Even if my baby burns me, I’ll still insist that Tuantuan has a place by my side. That’s my bottom line as a man.”

“Since when did you have a bottom line?” Qin Shuang scoffed. “What a playboy.”

Jin Tuantuan, however, disagreed. “I will not let Big Sister Shi Shan burn my husband. If I can’t be the legal wife, I’m more than happy to be his mistress.”

Han Wu and Qin Shuang wondered whether the world had gone mad or if they had. They had only entered the Divine Weapon Civilization a few dozen days ago. How had Sun Qingnian managed to win over Jin Tuantuan in such a short time? 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Moreover, judging by the scale of the celebration, the city lord had already approved their marriage. In other words, in just ten days or so, Sun Qingnian had secured not only a wife but also his father-in-law’s support.

Han Wu secretly gave Sun Qingnian a thumbs up. In a twisted sense, Sun Qingnian was remarkable. He even considered proposing that Imperial College establish a course taught by Sun Qingnian on cultivating charisma and mastering the art of freeloading in foreign civilizations. If such methods worked, there wouldn’t be a need for invasions. They could marry and bring the various civilizations’ powerful experts back to the Divine Civilization. Their civilization would be rich!

Sun Qingnian has shown me a brand-new path to conquer the universe. While Han Wu was still lost in thought, Sun Qingnian led them to a room to rest.

Once the guards and Jin Tuantuan were gone, Sun Qingnian’s composure collapsed, panic setting in. “Han Wu, you must help me!”

Han Wu chuckled. You acted unfazed in front of her, and now you ask for my help only after everyone has gone.

Since they were friends, he decided to help him a little. “Don’t worry. Once we return to the Divine Civilization, if Ms. Shi Shan truly intends to burn you, I’ll step in and save you.”

Sun Qingnian shook his head. “I’m not worried about that. It’s something else entirely. I’ve promised my father-in-law that I would lead Everlight City to obtain first place during the contest to obtain the legendary Armament Spirit.

“But you know that I don’t have the ability to do so! I need your help. Join my team and help me win in the contest. Don’t worry, my father-in-law only wants the prestige. You can take the legendary Armament Spirit yourself since you will be the one who claims it. He won’t stop you at all.”

Han Wu had already considered doing this, even without Sun Qingnian asking. The real question now was whether he would help Sun Qingnian and align himself with Everlight City.

“Before I agree. I want to understand something. What are Everlight City’s chances of winning without me?” Han Wu asked.

"Not even 1%," Sun Qingnian answered awkwardly.

Everlight City was one of the four major cities beneath Divine Weapon City. The other three were Wushuang City, Lingxiao City, and Wanyao City. Even though the four cities were technically equal in name, Everlight City usually ranked last in overall strength.

If they failed to achieve anything notable this time, they would be removed from the rankings. Once that happened, Everlight City would descend in turmoil, with every noble fighting for themselves. The Jin family of Everlight City would also perish.

Thus, the city lord’s decision to marry his daughter to an outsider was a Hail Mary. If Sun Qingnian actually succeeded in leading Everlight City to obtain the legendary Armament Spirit, the Jin family would only lose their daughter in exchange for ten years of development and success. It would be a huge gain.

However, if Sun Qingnian lost, the city lord would allow Jin Tuantuan to leave the Divine Weapon Civilization with Sun Qingnian. In that way, she would avoid assassination attempts from the other noble houses and preserve a lineage for the Jin family.

Sun Qingnian’s father-in-law had considered everything before agreeing to the marriage. Naturally, Han Wu wasn’t privy to any of this.

After displaying his Divine Weapons, Han Wu asked, “What if I join? What do you think our chances of winning would be?”

Sun Qingnian thought it over and answered, “At least 2%.”

Han Wu rolled his eyes. “Then we might as well give up.”

Even with him on the team, the chances had only increased by 1%.

“Wait, no. Han Wu, if you don’t help me, no one will. I only calculated the chances of you joining alone. If you use your reputation to rally others from our civilization to join us, our chances will increase.”

“Let me think about it.” Han Wu didn't give an immediate answer. He had no idea who would be willing to join him based on his reputation alone, nor how the city lord would treat outsiders like them.

Still, this was the best answer Sun Qingnian could hope for, and it was the one he wanted.

“Han Wu, please consider this carefully. I will ask my father-in-law to provide you with the best reception and resources.” Sun Qingnian spoke in a tone that suggested his words were meant not only to Han Wu, but for someone else hidden in the room.