Chapter 879 - Kunpeng Divine Art
Han Wu stored the jade bed in his Shadow Space before heading down the hidden passage with Xun in the lead and Jia Gui at the back.
They descended a long flight of stairs and emerged in a chamber roughly the size of a basketball court. The space was packed with rows of shelves, each loaded with valuables. There were jade carvings, paintings, vases, weapons, and manuals in the form of books, bamboo scrolls, and rolled parchments.
“We’re rich!” Jia Gui exclaimed in joy. Every item in this chamber was clearly worth a fortune. Some would qualify as treasures even outside the Martial Arts Civilization.
Unfortunately, the Shadow Space wasn’t big enough. In fact, the jade bed had already taken up most of it. Jia Gui almost cried when he heard this. There was nothing more heartbreaking than being confronted with a mountain of treasure but having no way to take it home.
Even so, the jade bed was essential for training, so it stayed. The remaining space simply had to be used wisely. Han Wu prioritized the manuals, as they would accelerate the group’s growth. After the manuals came the weapons, as a strong weapon could amplify any technique. It was too bad that he only had the space to pick a few.
Jia Gui claimed a small but razor-sharp dagger for himself and tucked it into his belt. He then grabbed as many of the most valuable-looking jade carvings as he could carry.
While this was going on, Han Wu noticed writing carved into the wooden shelf boards closest to him. Upon examining the other shelves, he discovered that every board had them.
He and Xun quickly pulled the boards down and arranged them in order. Together, the etchings made up a manual called the Kunpeng Divine Art, though it seemed only the upper half, the Kun chapter, was recorded. The lower half, the Peng chapter, was missing.
Han Wu skimmed the chapter and learned that the art couldn’t generate internal energy, qi, sword energy, or any other conventional energy. In fact, practicing it would erase all previously cultivated techniques. Its sole function was to absorb the internal energy and qi of others and make it the user’s own.
The Kunpeng Divine Art didn’t produce energy, but moved energy around.
For others, this cost would’ve been devastating. Giving up all prior cultivation was an enormous sacrifice. Han Wu, however, hadn’t personally cultivated any techniques since entering the Martial Arts Civilization.
Xun was the one who had been training. When Han Wu needed energy, he simply drew it from Xun. He had no cultivation of his own to erase.
Even more exciting was the art’s hidden advantage. It was a natural counter against any opponent with internal energy or qi. Han Wu could simply drain them dry and turn their energy against them. If the opponent had no such energy, it would simply be a fair fight.
Still, most high-level fighters inevitably cultivated some form of energy. Those who relied purely on physical strength and technique alone were an extreme minority.
It didn’t take much consideration for Han Wu to commit to learning the Kunpeng Divine Art. After memorizing every detail, he smashed the wooden boards into splinters and set them on fire. That would greatly reduce the chances of anyone else learning the same art.
Loaded with treasures, Jia Gui piggybacked Han Wu back across rooftops to Han Feng’s estate.
The estate was in chaos. The city lord’s soldiers had come to search the property, but Han Feng’s fighters were holding them off. The initial shoving had since escalated into a full brawl. Although the soldiers had numbers on their side, Han Feng’s fighters had individual strength, so the outcome remained up in the air.
Han Wu walked straight out and stood in front of the soldiers.
The lead officer’s eyes lit up. “Han Feng! You said you weren’t sheltering the fugitives!”
Han Feng groaned. He’d told the butler to make sure Han Wu stayed hidden. Why hadn’t he listened?
Before Han Feng could scramble for an excuse, Han Wu asked innocently, “What do you mean, fugitives?”
The officer scoffed and pulled out Han Wu’s wanted poster. “Take a good look. Is this you or not?”
Han Wu studied the drawing for a moment before nodding thoughtfully. “That’s me. I was thinner back then.”
“So you admit it. Men, seize him!” the officer barked.
Several guards rushed forward, but Han Wu held up a hand. “Hold on. I have something to say.”
“You’re about to die. What could you possibly have to say?” The officer sneered.
“Actually, my bounty’s been cancelled. I went and talked to the city lord about it personally.”
“Nonsense. We’re here on the city lord’s orders!”
“Guess I’ll have to show you proof.” Han Wu gestured with his hand.
Jia Gui appeared, holding the city lord’s severed head by the hair.
“Feel free to ask your city lord about the state of my bounty,” Han Wu said with a cold smile. “If you can’t hear him clearly, I can send you to ask in person.”
These words hit the soldiers like a chill from beyond the grave. Every man froze.
One of the officers leaned in and whispered, “Sir, do we still arrest them?”
The lead officer shoved the guy to the ground before kicking him twice for good measure. “Who told you to speak? Unauthorized deployment and illegal entry into a private residence are serious crimes! Who gave you the authority?”
The guy was completely lost. Hadn’t the city lord ordered this? How had it turned into his unauthorized action? The blame had landed squarely on his shoulders before he even realized what was happening.
“Master Han, today was a misunderstanding. My subordinate acted without permission. Please accept my apologies. I’ll take him back and discipline him thoroughly.” The lead officer kicked the officer one more time before he ordered all his men to pull out.
Han Wu shouted, “Take your city lord with you!”
Jia Gui tossed the head into the lead officer’s arms. The officer silently clutched the head and retreated in a hurry.
