novelraw Chapter 941: Gathering Information In The Town
Chapter 941: Gathering Information In The Town
The Tropic Snow town itself was relatively modest in size.
Yet the atmosphere felt unusually tense.
Nearly thirty thousand people lived there according to Daoist Snake Face’s earlier reports.
More importantly...
Almost ninety percent of them were cultivators.
Han Yu immediately sensed numerous energy fluctuations throughout the town the moment he approached closer. Core Condensation realm cultivators moved openly through the streets. Qi Refining realm cultivators were practically everywhere.
And hidden among them...
A couple Nascent Soul realm presences lurked quietly.
This was no ordinary frontier settlement.
Tropic Snow Town existed because cultivators gathered here willingly.
The surrounding region contained too many dangers and opportunities.
Rare herbs.
Mutated beasts.
Ancient ruins.
Frozen spirit mines.
Secret black markets.
Everything attracted desperate cultivators seeking fortune.
Han Yu walked calmly toward the gates.
The guards barely glanced at him.
Clearly travelers like him arrived frequently.
The streets inside bustled with activity.
Merchants sold beast materials openly.
Weapon shops displayed frost covered blades beside tropical venom artifacts.
Restaurants advertised both frozen spirit fish and roasted jungle beast meat simultaneously.
Some cultivators wore thick fur coats while others dressed lightly for tropical climates.
The contradiction felt surreal.
Han Yu maintained a calm expression externally.
Internally however...
His preparations had already begun.
Several tiny rodents had quietly slipped underground the moment he approached the town earlier.
Now more continued emerging silently from the hidden spatial realm within his bracelet.
They disappeared into alleys, drains, tunnels, rooftops, and underground passages.
Within minutes...
The rat network had already begun spreading beneath Tropic Snow Town.
Han Yu did not enter Tropic Snow Town acting like Legacy Disciple Ju Fan of the Slaughtered Moon Divine Blood Sect.
That identity was far too eye catching.
Even his natural demeanor carried an oppressive coldness after years of living within the sect. His face alone tended to make ordinary cultivators nervous. Combined with the faint murderous aura that naturally clung to him after years of dealing with Jiangshi, poisons, curses, and blood techniques, he naturally stood out even when he tried not to.
That would not work here.
So before entering the town proper, Han Yu stopped briefly within an abandoned building near the outskirts and altered himself.
He changed his robes first.
The black and crimson style associated with the Blood Sect disappeared completely. Instead he wore loose dark blue robes with silver lining that looked expensive enough to imply wealth while lacking any obvious sect insignia.
Then came the more subtle changes.
Han Yu took out several small containers from his spatial ring. Powders, oils, and strange creams were carefully applied across his face and neck. The makeup itself was not intended to make him handsome. He already possessed naturally sharp features.
Instead...
It softened the danger in his appearance.
His eyes no longer looked as cold.
The harshness around his jaw eased slightly.
Even his skin tone changed subtly.
Combined with a minor facial distortion technique he had learned years ago from one of the Inheritance Stelae, his appearance shifted enough that even people familiar with Ju Fan would hesitate to recognize him immediately.
It was one of many disguise methods used commonly within the Blood Sect.
After all, assassinations, infiltration, seduction, and deception were practically core life skills there.
Though Han Yu lacked the specialized cultivation methods required to fully master such techniques, the surface level applications still proved extremely useful.
Finally...
He adjusted his demeanor.
That perhaps mattered the most.
The oppressive calmness vanished.
In its place appeared a relaxed rogue cultivator carrying faint arrogance and confidence. The kind of wandering cultivator who possessed some ability, some money, and enough experience to avoid trouble while still enjoying life.
The transformation became complete.
Even his posture changed slightly.
Only then did Han Yu properly enter the town.
And sure enough...
No one paid him any unusual attention.
He blended into the town perfectly.
The streets of Tropic Snow Town bustled with activity despite the strange climate. Han Yu passed merchants selling preserved beast meat beside snow harvested herbs. One side of the road held stalls serving steaming hot soups while another sold frozen desserts carved from spirit ice.
The cultivators here came from everywhere.
Rogue cultivators.
Mercenaries.
Treasure hunters.
Escaped criminals.
Beast hunters.
Even spies from various organizations likely lurked among the crowds.
No one cared too much about another traveler arriving.
Han Yu walked leisurely through the streets while silently observing everything around him.
His rats had already spread underground beneath the town.
Several climbed beneath floorboards.
Others entered drainage systems.
A few even reached rooftops and attic spaces.
The intelligence network quietly began forming beneath the settlement.
Meanwhile Han Yu headed directly toward his destination.
A tavern.
Though not just any tavern.
According to the information Daoist Snake Face provided earlier, one of his local informants operated from there. The place itself served as a neutral ground frequented by cultivators traveling through the frontier.
Its name was the Frost Palm Tavern.
The building stood near the center of town, built from dark wood and stone with large open windows allowing cool air to circulate through the interior. Lanterns hung from the ceiling while the scent of alcohol, roasted meat, and spice filled the air heavily.
The noise inside remained lively.
Cultivators drank loudly while discussing beast hunts and trade routes. Several musicians played strange tropical instruments in one corner while a pair of rogue cultivators argued about spirit stone debts nearby.
Han Yu entered calmly and selected a random table near the side wall.
A waiter approached almost immediately.
The young man wore simple brown clothing and carried a practiced smile.
"Honored guest, would you like to hear today’s menu?"
Han Yu did not even let him finish.
"I’ll take Twice Brewed Salt Mountain Wine," Han Yu said casually. "And extra crispy Coconut Worms."
The waiter paused for the slightest fraction of a second.
Then his expression returned to normal.
"Understood, honored guest. I’ll bring your order shortly."
He bowed politely before leaving.
Han Yu calmly poured himself tea from the table while waiting.