Chapter 658: Chapter 18: The Benefits of the "Scholar" Persona
The next day, Marianne woke up from a deep sleep.
She couldn’t help but stretch comfortably, letting out a coquettish moan.
It had been so long, so long, so long since she had slept so well.
So long that she almost forgot what it felt like to sleep until dawn.
But today, she was no longer disturbed by nightmares or awakened by the Black Fog Beast’s engulfment. All thanks to the master behind it, who is in dream communion with the crafty Li Lingzhen.
Marianne blushed and, surprisingly, didn’t angrily reprimand him, a behavior clearly deemed disrespectful beyond a slave’s bounds.
Han Zhan was still sleeping soundly.
Watching his peaceful profile, Marianne naturally overlaid him with the hero who saved her once again in her dreams.
Although she knew full well, they couldn’t be the same person.
"A scholar... huh?"
"Perhaps, I should give you a more fitting position."
Just as she was thinking, Marianne suddenly took a breath.
The intensity of suppression upon the mountain suddenly increased, tottering, she angrily kicked the instigator off the bed.
Han Zhan was kicked out by dream Li Lingzhen, waking up entirely.
"Awake?" Marianne’s tone was slightly cold, as if she was suppressing her anger.
Han Zhan was somewhat puzzled, clearly, she wasn’t such a person in the dream.
Starting the role-playing so early, really not easy. Han Zhan thought.
"Take your clothes and get out!" Marianne tossed the clothes she had prepared for Han Zhan early on to him, pointing towards the door.
Han Zhan said nothing more, got dressed, and walked outside.
As he opened the door to leave, he found that there were more people in the corridor during the day than when they returned yesterday.
Without exception, their gazes towards Han Zhan were filled with admiration.
At this moment, Punk, sporting dark circles, walked in from afar.
The two exchanged a knowing glance, then found a moment to move to a secluded spot.
"Hey kid, did you pull a heist last night or something? How come one night’s no show and you have these dark circles?" Unable to resist, Han Zhan teased upon seeing Punk’s appearance.
Punk’s face darkened.
Looking at Han Zhan’s cheerful demeanor, he could only take a deep breath.
He’s a Tier Nine Ultimate, he’s a Tier Nine Ultimate, hold it in, Punk, hold it in, he’s a Tier Nine Ultimate, could crush you with just one finger.
After his mental soothing, Punk finally continued: "You think everyone’s life is as smooth as yours."
"I heard from others that you hadn’t left Lady Marianne’s room from last night till this morning. Tsk."
Towards the end, Punk clicked his tongue lightly.
It would be false to say there’s no envy.
"You might not know, over the years, for humans recruited by Lady Marianne, none have remained in her room for more than ten minutes, let alone over an hour."
"Yet you spent the entire night; indeed, you!"
Having heard Punk’s words, Han Zhan finally understood why so many people kept staring at him with that look after leaving Marianne’s room.
"With limited time, let’s not talk about trivialities, get to the point," Han Zhan urged.
Punk’s expression turned serious, nodded: "I’ve been handling the Tukalu work all night, and finally found who holds the keys to these energy suppressors."
"Who is it?" Han Zhan hastened his tone.
"It’s Lady Dais, who has a good relationship with Lady Marianne." Punk paused, "Lady Dais procured these energy suppressors from within the Alliance Army and gifted some to Lady Marianne."
"Then Lady Marianne gave those energy suppressors to Tukalu, who is responsible for capturing smugglers, enslaving them."
"So to unlock the energy suppressors, one must find Lady Dais."
Unexpected.
Han Zhan originally thought tracing back to Marianne would lead to the keys for unlocking the energy suppressors.
But now Lady Dais surfaces, adding another hurdle.
However, it wasn’t entirely unfruitful; at least now Lady Dais is pinpointed. Perhaps at night, he could plant a dream whisper to Marianne, asking her to approach Lady Dais.
They’re said to be good friends, asking Lady Dais for the keys wouldn’t be a difficult task, right?
Han Zhan pondered.
His ear subtly twitched, swiftly reacting, distancing himself from Punk.
His face instantly transformed, like switching faces, turning explosively angry.
"You damn bastard, finally I found you! It’s you! You captured me here, made me a slave!"
"I’m a scholar, a scholar! Such indignity, truly disgraceful!"
Han Zhan’s hand was about to grab Punk’s collar.
Suddenly a hand from the side blocked him.
It was the steward who appeared in the Marian Mansion yesterday, and the one Punk exchanged Tukalu duties with.
He possessed the Tier Four Realm, already among the top strength in the Marian Mansion.
"No need for agitation." The steward stopped Han Zhan but didn’t reprimand or strike as expected, he smiled warmly.
"The lady has ordered, given your exceptional performance yesterday, she decided to appoint you as the librarian of the Marian Mansion."
"You’re a scholar, the lady isn’t treating you unfairly, nor is there any loss, distinct from other slaves."
The steward stopped speaking.
His meaning was clear.
Lady Marianne appreciates you; you should be grateful, not undignified.
As a "slave", Han Zhan could only suppress the "anger" on his face, slowly bowing his head.
"Thank you, Lady."
"Mm." The steward nodded with satisfaction, handing the library keys and identity card to Han Zhan, then turned to Punk: "Punk, we should resume the Tukalu Camp’s duties."
"The Tukalu Camp cannot go a day without a master; you ought to quickly adapt and serve the lady well."
Punk heard the steward’s words, flashed a signature smile, nodded: "I understand, thank you for the reminder, steward."
"As long as you understand, then let’s go now."
After exchanging words with Punk, the steward turned and left together.
Leaving Han Zhan standing alone in place.
He looked down at the keys and identity card in his hand, his lips curled into a smile.
Marian Mansion, librarian.
With this identity, he could conveniently delve into Yongsha Star’s history, exploring more secrets of Yongsha Star.
This must be the benefit of the "scholar" persona, huh?
