Chapter Forty-Eight: The Allure of Gold Coins

After leaving Fubinen, Han Shuo made his way straight toward the outskirts of the Dark Forest, retracing the paths he had traveled before. On the journey, he continued to cultivate his demonic arts without pause. After his body had been reforged during the “Solid Body” phase, Han Shuo had truly been reborn. Now, his practice of the art was markedly effective; his demonic energy could flow through every bone and sinew at will.

The demonic art contained nine stages. Han Shuo had now reached the second stage, “Channel Expansion.” Unlike the previous “Solid Body” stage, this phase focused on widening and strengthening the meridians throughout the body. With every session, the process of “Channel Expansion” brought excruciating pain, as though insects were gnawing away inside his veins.

The first three stages—Solid Body, Channel Expansion, and Soul Shaping—were the most fundamental. The further one advanced, the more arduous the cultivation became. However, having endured the agony of the “Solid Body” stage, Han Shuo understood that the path of the demonic arts was, by nature, fraught with pain and inhuman torment. The suffering of this phase was no surprise. With unyielding determination, he forced his demonic energy to expand his meridians again and again, never relaxing his effort.

After twelve days of cultivation and travel, Han Shuo did not encounter Fanny or the others along the way. At last, he emerged from the Dark Forest alone and arrived at Dolo Town as dusk was falling.

Compared to over a month ago, Han Shuo had undergone tremendous changes in both strength and spirit after the trials of the Dark Forest. He now stood over one meter seventy tall; though not burly, he was no longer scrawny. Having been baptized in blood, his courage and insight had both grown, and his entire demeanor had taken on an enigmatic transformation. Even Han Shuo himself was unaware of the gradual change taking place within him.

At dusk, Dolo Town brimmed with a carefree and joyful air. Many adventurers were returning from the Dark Forest: some with sorrowful faces from the loss of companions, others grinning in satisfaction, having secured handsome spoils and ready to indulge themselves in the town’s pleasures.

Upon his return, Han Shuo first went to the stable where Gene and the others had left their warhorses. Observing from a distance and seeing that the horses they had rented from the military were still there, he understood at once that Fanny and her group had not yet returned.

Though gold had been spent on these horses, the necromancer students and teachers held only usage rights. Upon their return to Zacchaeus City, the steeds would have to be returned intact to the city guards. Since the horses remained, it was clear Fanny’s group had not yet departed.

Han Shuo naturally understood that, having hurried on alone without rest, he was bound to arrive much sooner than the dawdling group. It was possible that Fanny and the others might even be delayed by magical beasts along the way. Their absence did not surprise him.

He then made his way to the modest inn where Fanny and her group had previously lodged. At the counter, Han Shuo smiled and said, “I’d like a room.”

The innkeeper, eyes half-closed as he munched on fruit, glanced up at Han Shuo and lazily replied, “Oh, it’s you. Ten copper coins, then. That storeroom’s always empty—you can go right over.”

The last time Han Shuo had come with Gene and the group, Gene had rented a storeroom for him, which had drawn the innkeeper’s scorn. Now, seeing Han Shuo alone, the innkeeper naturally assumed he would only rent the storeroom again.

Unbothered, Han Shuo smiled, pulled out his coin pouch, and let a single gold coin fall with a clink onto the wooden counter. He glanced at the innkeeper and said, “I don’t want the storeroom.”

The innkeeper, who had been lounging only a moment ago, instantly sat bolt upright, snatched up the gold coin, and plastered a professional smile across his face. “Of course, of course! How could a storeroom be worthy of a gold coin? My dear young man, you may take any room you wish. For a gold coin, you’ll have only the best.”

Indeed, gold made all the difference. Han Shuo nodded with a faint smile. “I’ll take the room where the lady teacher stayed last time. Make the arrangements.”

“No problem at all! Here’s the key. A gold coin will cover five days in that room. Anything else you need, young man?” the innkeeper replied, grinning broadly as he handed Han Shuo a key from behind the counter, his tone obsequious.

“That’s all. Get back to your work,” Han Shuo said, taking the key and heading to the room where Fanny had once stayed. Inwardly, he mused at the power of money; no matter the world, gold had a mysterious influence. If he was to make his way here, gold was the one thing he couldn’t do without.

After placing his belongings in the room, Han Shuo indulged in a hot bath. Reminded of the alluring encounter he’d had here previously, he felt a flame surge within him, a physical response impossible to restrain.

Cursing under his breath, Han Shuo stood naked and reached for a towel. As he was about to leave the bath, he caught sight of his own body in the large mirror nearby.

The reflection showed a physique now lined with muscle, a well-proportioned frame, and skin bronzed from days under the sun—healthy, powerful, and masculine, worlds apart from his former frail self.

Pleased, he squeezed his chest, which was now firm but not overly large, and struck a few poses before the mirror. Pointing at his reflection, he laughed and praised himself, “Looking good, young man!”

After leaving the inn, Han Shuo went to a clothing shop and spent a gold coin on a set of fine, soft undergarments, which he wore beneath his academy-issued servant’s garb.

He then headed to a weapons shop, spending ten gold coins on a better-quality dagger, four gold on fifteen sharp steel needles to strap to his calf, and six gold on a compact crossbow to hide in his sleeve. He now armed himself thoroughly.

Afterward, Han Shuo went to an apothecary, where he spent forty gold coins on various potions and powders. In addition to basic medical supplies, he purchased powders for anesthesia and aphrodisia, as well as a bottle of poison.

Some of these items were banned in Orson City, where even with money, connections were necessary to obtain them. But in Dolo Town, because of the needs of adventurers, such goods were openly for sale. Now that Han Shuo grasped the importance of strength and had gold at his disposal, naturally he stocked up in case of future need.

With his purchases complete, Han Shuo relished the feeling of being flush with gold. Upon leaving the apothecary, he walked taller, as if with gold in his pouch, everything suddenly became easier.

On the way back to the inn, Han Shuo’s stomach twisted at the sight of the bright lights and lively taverns lining the street. Yielding to his bodily needs, he turned into one of the establishments.

The tavern was a cacophony of noise, neon lights flickered overhead, and groups of adventurers and merchants clustered around the tables, boasting of their exploits.

Faces flushed, cups in hand, the patrons shouted and laughed without inhibition. Dishes of delicious food were everywhere, while young male and female servers darted back and forth, delivering wine and fare.

Han Shuo walked directly to the only empty table in the corner and sat. Soon, a shy-looking young server approached and politely asked, “What would you like?”

“Fine wine and good meat. Bring me plenty,” Han Shuo said, tossing a gold coin onto the server’s tray with a flick of his thumb, his tone boisterous.

The server’s eyes lit up at the sight of the coin. Bowing lower, he accepted the payment with a smile and said gently, “Certainly, sir. One moment, please.”

If you had gold, you ought to enjoy it, Han Shuo thought, lounging back in his chair, eyes half-closed as he observed the varied adventurers and merchants in the hall. Some had just returned from the Dark Forest, others were about to venture in; some had escaped danger, others were about to face it. All of them, wild and uninhibited, were savoring the town’s decadence.

Before long, the shy server returned with a bottle of pale violet wine, three large plates of roast meat, and two dishes of fruit.

“This is Violet Fire Orchid, Dolo Town’s most famous wine, a favorite with adventurers. I hope it pleases you,” the server said, setting everything down before retreating with a bow.

Han Shuo could wait no longer—he seized the meat and devoured it. Though not as delicious as his own cooking, it was still quite good. He uncorked the wine and took a deep draught. The sweet flavor, laced with fire, left a lingering aftertaste of rich fragrance in his mouth and sent warmth blooming in his belly—a unique pleasure.

“Excellent wine,” Han Shuo praised. Glancing around, he suddenly spotted two familiar faces at the entrance—Claude and Irene.

They surveyed the room as if searching for a seat. Then, both their gazes landed on Han Shuo. After a brief look of surprise, they moved in unison, making their way toward him.