Chapter 690 - Bandits of Black Wind Caves

In the hut, Han Wu found two ores, some jerky, and a manual titled Mountain Splitter, intended for axe users.

The ores were compatible with his Explosive Locust Blade, so he absorbed them. As for the axe manual, he didn’t have an axe and couldn’t learn it for now. Still, he knew that it had to be a secret manual within this civilization. He would likely earn some money by selling it.

Han Wu packed the manual and jerky, changed into the hunter’s clothes, and set out toward the village the dead hunter had mentioned.

He hadn’t expected the information to be true, but a small village stood just five kilometers away.

Han Wu entered cautiously. The village seemed quiet, with only a couple of old men basking in the sunlight at the crossroads. He assumed that they were local farmers. He then recalled what the hunter had told him: he would need some form of recommendation before he could travel to Divine Weapon City.

Even if the information proved unreliable, he still decided to try. He asked the farmers at the crossroads where he could find the village chief.

One of the old men smiled and pointed him in the right direction. He followed the directions and soon reached the village chief’s house. Through the small fence, he saw a skinny middle-aged man walking out of the house. He was the village chief.

The village chief’s eyes were sharp. Han Wu’s clothes clearly belonged to the hunter. Since he was wearing them now, the hunter was most likely dead.

The village chief started trembling. After all, the hunter living in the mountain had hunted wolves and tigers before.

How could such a strong man die at the hands of this young man? How powerful is he?

The village chief discreetly examined Han Wu and called out to him, “Good man, why are you here in the village? Is something wrong?”

Han Wu noticed the village chief’s suspiciously courteous tone and assumed that he had already guessed what had happened. Since the village chief said nothing, Han Wu decided not to break the illusion. It was best for both of them to feign ignorance.

“Chief, I want to go to Divine Weapon City. I’m here to request a recommendation from you,” Han Wu stated.

The village chief grew even more cautious now. Ten years had passed since the last Armament Spirit was born, which meant that a new wave of outsiders had likely been invited here. The chief had experienced this several times before.

He coughed. “I do have recommendations, but according to Divine Weapon City’s rules, you must first prove your strength. Only then can I grant one to you.”

“How can I prove it?”

“It won’t be difficult for you.” The village chief told him to wait while he retrieved a map of this village and its surrounding area. “I have three matters that need someone capable to resolve them. If you can solve even one, I will give you the recommendation.

“The first is to hunt a tiger in the eastern mountains. It appeared three months ago and has killed more than a dozen villagers on the village’s outskirts. We hired hunters, but none succeeded.

“The second is the fish monster in the western river. It has lived there for three years and has sunk numerous fishing boats. We are so scared that none of us dares to fish there anymore.

“The third is a group of bandits hiding in Black Wind Cave on the northern side. They are vicious and always come during harvest season to rob us. One of our villagers married just last year, but the bandits abducted and assaulted her in the cave!”

The village chief fumed as he spoke about the bandits.

Han Wu studied the map before asking, “I’m more curious about this recommendation now. What is it?”

The village chief worried that Han Wu would find the missions too difficult and try to take the recommendation by force. That way, he would obtain it without doing anything. He even suspected that Han Wu would simply kill him and take it.

He spoke with a slight stammer. “The recommendation is proof from our village stating that you have helped us eliminate a threat. In return, we acknowledge you as a villager here.”

Han Wu understood; it functioned like an identity card. Traveling without one would be difficult. He also wondered whether the recommendation included any anti-forgery measures.

He examined the map and noted that the river was closest to him, while the mountain was farthest away. To save time, he dismissed the tiger and ruled out the fish monster. His Divine Weapons didn’t work well underwater, and he couldn’t use his full power here.[1] Only the bandit mission remained.

He kept the map and replied, “I will eradicate the bandits then. Today.”

“Good, good.” The village chief wiped the imaginary sweat from his forehead, “Then I’ll wait for your good news. Please bring back the bandit leader’s head to exchange for the recommendation.”

The village chief took out a picture. “This is the bandit leader, Zhang Mazi.”

Han Wu took the picture and studied it. The crude sketch showed a spirited man whose face was covered in pockmarks. He couldn’t tell whether the man had a face full of pockmarks or whether the pockmarks themselves formed a face. Either way, he doubted that he would fail to recognize someone that ugly.

Han Wu stored the map and picture before departing. Only then did the village chief sigh with relief. “Thankfully, I could negotiate with him.”

***

Following the map, Han Wu reached the cave after three hours on foot and heard the raucous peals of laughter from hundreds of meters away. The sounds of fighting, drinking, gambling, and women moaning echoed from within.

“What a deplorable place. Time to deliver justice today.” Han Wu sighed and approached the cave.

One of the gambling bandits noticed Han Wu. “Hey, am I seeing this right? This is the first time someone has actually come to us.”

“Look at how clean he is. There aren’t many women left in the cave. Capture him so we can have some fun.”

“Deputy, are you for real? Thank you!”

“Don’t try to take him first. He’s mine.”

Four bandits rushed out to capture him.

Han Wu smiled, controlled his Small Locust Blade, and killed the four bandits without a sound. They collapsed to the ground, and blood pooled beneath their corpses.

The deputy finally realized what was happening. Han Wu was no sheep. He was a wolf!

“You dare kill my brothers? Everyone, attack!” he thundered.

The bandits swarmed out from the cave and followed the deputy to attack Han Wu.

Han Wu counted how many bandits carried Divine Weapons and grinned. He had chosen the correct mission. Once he finished dealing with them, he reckoned that he would unlock another Divine Weapon.

1. Never heard of blast fishing? ☜