Strongest Scammer: Scamming The World, One Death At A Time

Chapter 830 830: Hong Yao

Han Yu's eyes met Hong Yaos, for a brief moment.

Neither spoke and neither moved, but something passed between them. It was not recognition... Not yet. But… There was a tension.

It was Faint.

Subtle.

Dangerous.

Han Yu lowered his gaze slightly, maintaining his role.

Calm.

Controlled.

Hidden.

But deep within…

He made a silent vow.

'This time… Things will be different.'

Still, Han Yu's mind was running at full speed, far faster than his calm exterior would ever betray. This was a situation he had not prepared for.

Not because it was impossible.

But because it was unpredictable.

Back at the inheritance grounds, everything had been chaotic. A battlefield of greed, blood, and fleeting opportunities. Faces had blurred, identities were hidden behind techniques, robes, and shifting environment.

While it was certain that Ju Fan had been there, and Hong Yao too, the depth of their interaction was unknown.

And that was the problem.

If they had merely crossed paths, this could be handled.

'If they had spoken…'

Then every word Han Yu said now would have to match a past he did not live.

He kept his breathing steady, his posture respectful and His gaze controlled. But inwardly, he was calculating every possibility.

And then Hong Yao spoke.

"Oh! It's you."

The tone was light.

Almost casual.

Too casual.

Han Yu immediately noticed it.

This was not how most disciples of the Slaughtered Moon Divine Blood Sect spoke. There was no arrogance dripping from his words, no concealed hostility, no underlying threat.

Instead, it felt… normal.

As if he belonged in a completely different sect.

Han Yu felt a faint wisp of grey Eight Emotions energy drift toward him.

Surprise.

Genuine surprise.

That meant the man had recognized him, but had not expected to see him here.

That was good.

That meant there was no prior arrangement, no expectation of this meeting.

Han Yu immediately cupped his hands.

"This disciple greets Senior Hong Yao. It is an honor to see Senior once more."

His tone was respectful.

Measured.

Not too warm.

Not too distant.

Just enough to imply familiarity, without suggesting closeness.

The Peak Head raised a brow.

"Oh? You two know each other?"

Before Han Yu could respond, Hong Yao spoke.

"We crossed paths during the righteous purge. The inheritance expedition."

His voice remained calm.

Matter-of-fact.

No embellishment or probing.

Just a statement.

Han Yu internally relaxed slightly.

That was the answer he needed.

They had crossed paths.

Not interacted deeply.

Otherwise, Hong Yao would have mentioned something more specific.

The Peak Head nodded as he remembered.

"I see. Ju Fan did participate in that."

Hong Yao's gaze returned to Han Yu.

There was curiosity in it now.

A sharper kind.

"You've improved a lot," Hong Yao said. "I wouldn't have expected an outer court disciple I saw once to become a personal disciple of a Peak Head."

Han Yu lowered his head slightly.

"Senior flatters me. Compared to Senior's achievements, this is nothing."

He paused for a fraction of a second, then added,

"This disciple can sense that Senior has already stepped into the Nascent Soul realm. Such progress is truly admirable."

Hong Yao smiled faintly.

It was not prideful.

Nor was it humble.

Just… acknowledgment.

"The inheritance ground was fruitful," he said simply.

Han Yu's eyes flickered imperceptibly.

Yes.

Fruitful.

'That was one way to describe it.'

For Hong Yao, it had been an opportunity.

For Han Yu…

It had been a massacre.

He suppressed the memory.

Locked it away.

Not now.

Not here.

But he observed carefully.

Hong Yao's aura was stable.

Dense.

Not the kind that came from reckless breakthroughs.

This was a refined Nascent Soul.

Well-formed.

Solid.

Which meant his foundation was strong. Extremely strong. Han Yu quickly analyzed the implications.

Back then, Hong Yao had been at the Core Condensation realm.

And yet…

He had been flying.

Using those metallic wings.

A technique or artifact that allowed him to transcend his realm's limitations.

More importantly… He had been killing.

Easily.

Decisively.

Now that he had reached Nascent Soul… Han Yu could only imagine how much stronger he had become. A cultivator who could fight above his realm was already dangerous.

A cultivator who had broken through and retained that edge…

Was terrifying.

Han Yu also recalled something else.

A Core disciple at Core Condensation was not normal. In fact, it was extremely rare. And there was only one way that could happen.

Defeat.

Or kill.

Another core disciple.

Which meant Hong Yao had already proven himself in a life-and-death battle against someone of equal or greater standing.

Han Yu's internal evaluation sharpened.

Danger level: High.

Potential threat: Severe.

Future obstacle: Likely.

He did not let any of this show.

Instead, he maintained his role.

Calm.

Respectful.

Unassuming.

Hong Yao tilted his head slightly.

"You've advanced quickly," he said. "Peak stage of Core Condensation in less than three years… that's not something ordinary."

Han Yu replied without hesitation.

"This disciple was fortunate to receive guidance from my Master."

A safe answer.

Deflecting attention.

Giving credit upward.

Hong Yao nodded slowly.

But his eyes lingered.

Studying.

Not suspicious.

But… interested.

Han Yu could feel it.

A faint thread of anticipation energy.

Orange.

Subtle.

But present.

The man was curious about him.

That was not ideal.

The Peak Head, however, seemed pleased.

He glanced between the two.

"Both of you have done well," he said. "It is rare to see talents like this in the same generation."

Han Yu bowed slightly.

Hong Yao simply inclined his head.

But Han Yu noticed something else. There was no hostility from Hong Yao. No lingering killing intent. No oppressive aura.

In fact… He felt cleaner than most disciples of the sect.

That was strange.

Very strange.

Given what Han Yu had seen him do.

It made Han Yu reconsider.

Was that brutality back then situational?

Or was this calmness now a mask?

Either possibility was dangerous.

Because a man who could kill without hesitation and yet appear composed afterward…

Was far more dangerous than one who wore his bloodlust openly.