Chapter Sixty-Four: Zhang Yinshan's Request

Naturally, Chu Han was quite curious about Zhang Yinshan as well. He couldn’t fathom why the man had sought him out—after all, they had neither prior connections nor any intersections in their lives.

Nevertheless, seeing that Chu Han had agreed, Zhang Yinshan’s face lit up with joy. He hurriedly took the lead, guiding Chu Han along, while Chu Han, full of questions, followed close behind.

Zhang Yinshan led Chu Han to the guest hall of the Xuanming Sect. There, he instructed the servants to withdraw at once, and closed the door behind them. Witnessing this, Chu Han’s curiosity only deepened; it seemed Zhang truly did have something important to discuss.

“Thank you, Elder, for your intervention,” Chu Han was the first to speak, immediately rising to his feet and offering him a respectful salute. After all, the man had just come to his aid, and it was only right to express his gratitude.

“Think nothing of it,” Zhang Yinshan waved it off. “The Valley of Reincarnation has become far too domineering; it was high time they were given a little lesson. Still, you must be careful. The Second Elder of the Valley is notorious for holding grudges and has a violent temper. I doubt he’ll let this matter slide so easily.”

He gave a final warning, for after so many years dealing with such people in the Eastern Wastes, he knew their temperaments well. The Second Elder, having lost face at Chu Han’s hands, would surely not be quick to forget this humiliation.

Chu Han, of course, had already considered this, but he hadn’t taken it to heart. To speak frankly, the entire Valley of Reincarnation was beneath his notice, let alone a mere Second Elder.

Seeing Chu Han remain so composed, Zhang Yinshan silently gave him his due respect. Regardless of what thoughts might be hidden within, to display such poise at so young an age spoke volumes about his potential; the future ahead of him was surely boundless.

“And what, Elder, is the reason you summoned me here?” Chu Han pressed on. He was certain Zhang Yinshan wanted a favor—there was no need for all these roundabout pleasantries, which he found tiresome.

Faced with Chu Han’s straightforwardness, Zhang Yinshan could no longer beat around the bush. “To tell you the truth, young friend, I do have an urgent matter for which I seek your help. I hope you’ll consider aiding me, for the sake of what I did for you today.”

He spoke with some embarrassment, for it was their very first meeting, and immediately asking for such a favor was awkward. Observing his demeanor, Chu Han found it rather amusing; he hadn’t expected this old fellow to have such an endearing side.

“Just say the word, Elder Zhang. If it’s within my power, I will help. What exactly would you have me do?”

Chu Han smiled. Zhang Yinshan seemed to be of decent character, and he saw no reason to refuse if he could be of assistance.

“It’s a long story,” Zhang Yinshan began. “Every year, our Xuanming Sect sends a group of disciples to Mount Mangdang for training. It’s a dangerous place, but with elders escorting them, nothing serious has happened in years. But this year, trouble has struck.”

Chu Han was surprised to hear this. Though the Xuanming Sect’s strength was middling, they were evidently very proactive about their disciples’ training.

He knew of Mount Mangdang—a mountain range to the north of the Eastern Wastes, teeming with fierce magical beasts. The outer regions were infested with lesser creatures, while the inner reaches were home to the most powerful of monsters, a place no one dared to enter. Its dangers were well known, but it was undeniably an excellent place for tempering one’s will and strength. The Xuanming Sect’s practice was well-intentioned.

Yet, danger was ever-present. The sect had been fortunate to avoid disaster for so long, but no one could guarantee such luck forever. Clearly, Zhang Yinshan’s troubles were grave.

“Most of the disciples who went out today returned safely, save for one—a young woman who vanished on Mount Mangdang. We’ve searched several times, but found no trace of her. We dare not venture too deep; the beasts within are too powerful.”

Chu Han nodded. It seemed this girl’s background was extraordinary, for Zhang Yinshan to be so anxious.

Any disciple of the Xuanming Sect would be aware of this tradition. They would have long since resigned themselves—should misfortune befall them on Mount Mangdang, it was a matter of fate. For Zhang Yinshan to be so concerned now, the missing girl must be someone of great importance.

“Who is she, that you would be so concerned, Elder?” Chu Han asked the crucial question. Zhang Yinshan, realizing Chu Han had guessed as much, did not conceal the truth.

“She is a princess of the Great Chu, and a particular favorite of the Emperor himself. She was sent here by the Emperor to cultivate, and now, I’ve lost her.”

He glanced around furtively as he spoke, his voice low and conspiratorial.

At that, Chu Han finally understood Zhang Yinshan’s panic. The princess of Great Chu—a person of such exalted status—had disappeared on his watch. Should the Emperor learn of it, a storm would surely sweep across the Eastern Wastes.

Though the Eastern Wastes were home to many powerful figures, none could stand against a nation. No matter how great one’s martial prowess, it was no match for tens of thousands of imperial soldiers. Even the mightiest expert would have no choice but to flee.

“How careless of you! How could you allow a princess, so precious, to venture into Mount Mangdang? It’s far too dangerous,” Chu Han couldn’t help but chide him. He wasn’t wrong—no matter how many guards accompanied her, danger was ever-present. How could they let a princess risk such peril?

“It wasn’t my wish, either. The princess insisted on training at Mount Mangdang. Even if we’d refused her, she threatened to sneak in on her own.”

Faced with Chu Han’s reproach, Zhang Yinshan could only sigh. Had he any choice, he would never have allowed such a thing to happen.

“Afterwards, we dispatched several waves of experts to search the mountain, but all to no avail. It seems word of the princess’s disappearance has already reached Great Chu, though they have yet to make it public. As such, no one from the Xuanming Sect can set foot in Mount Mangdang again. Thus, I hope you might enter the mountain on our behalf, to search for the princess.”

Zhang Yinshan laid his request bare. Truly, had he any other option, he would not have asked for help. But if their enemies learned that the Xuanming Sect was sending people into Mount Mangdang, they would surely investigate. Such secrets could not be kept forever—news would inevitably leak. Thus, even if they wished to search for the princess, they could not send their own disciples. Yet entrusting the task to a stranger felt too risky. Chu Han, however, was the ideal candidate: his strength was proven—he had stood his ground against the Second Elder—and his conduct, as observed during the tournament, was satisfactory. This was a gamble, but if he lost, the Xuanming Sect could do nothing but flee.

Chu Han fell silent. He knew well the perils of Mount Mangdang; in his previous life, he had nearly perished there. If the princess truly had gone missing on that mountain, she was likely already dead.

But the living must be found, or the dead recovered. For the Xuanming Sect, this was a matter of utmost importance. He could have refused outright, but he hesitated. Human kindness weighed heavily—Zhang Yinshan had come to his aid, and now he owed him a debt that must be repaid.

“Young friend Chu Han, I know you are still wavering. How about this: if you agree, I will gift you this item. I hope it will be of use to you.”