Chen Jian’s question hit Su Han like a sudden gust of cold wind, dragging him deep into the dark corridors of his mind.

  ?Twenty-five days. That’s how much time was left before the Su Clan’s monthly meeting.

  ?Should he use this time to wander the wild, or head back to the place he once called home?

  ?Tsk.

  ?The thought of Chu Yao flashed in his mind, a sharp pang of worry tightening his chest.

  ?Before entering the Black Wolf Mountain Range, he had stashed her away in an inn on the outskirts of Liangshan Town.

  ?He had done it for her safety. Before leaving, he had snuffed out Su Xiao—a traitor who, despite being a nobody, was a loyal dog to Su Chen, the Grand Elder’s arrogant son.

  ?Su Xiao wasn't worth much, but he was constant, always wagging his tail behind Su Chen.

  ?If Su Chen used his father’s influence to dig into the disappearance and found Su Han responsible, he wouldn't hesitate to vent his rage on Chu Yao.

  ?The girl’s life would be forfeit the moment Su Han turned his back.

  ?It had only been two days since he stepped into these mountains, but the separation felt like years.

  ?Even though he had transmigrated from Earth and merged with this body, the girl’s kindness and pure love had seeped into his very marrow.

  ?Every dragon has a "reverse scale"—a point of absolute vulnerability and lethal protection.

  ?In this world, Su Han had two.

  ?First was Chu Yao. The second was his father, a man who had vanished into the unknown, facing gods-know-what dangers just to find a cure for Su Han’s shattered Dantian.

  ?A shadow of genuine concern clouded Su Han’s eyes, thick enough for anyone to see.

  ?Chen Jian noticed the sudden shift in atmosphere. He reached out, giving Su Han’s shoulder a firm, grounding pat.

  ?"Whoa, Brother Han! Where’d you go? Thinking about a girlfriend already?"

  ?He gave a cheeky grin, leaning in closer. "At your age, it’s only natural to have someone special on your mind."

  ?Su Han blinked, the fog of memory clearing as he looked at Chen Jian’s teasing face.

  ?"Brother Jian, you’re quite a bit older than me. Are you married?"

  ?Chen Jian suddenly choked, a frantic cough racking his chest. He narrowed his eyes, looking at Su Han with a mix of mock outrage and embarrassment.

  ?"Hey! I was just teasing you about a girlfriend. Why are you jumping straight to wives and kids?"

  ?Su Han didn't let him off the hook. A small, playful smirk danced on his lips.

  ?"I’m serious. At your age, you should have a couple of kids running around by now. Where are they?"

  ?Seeing Su Han’s deadpan expression, Chen Jian let out a long, dramatic groan of frustration.

  ?"Brother Han, why are you making me sound like an ancient relic? Sure, I’m older, but only by a few years. I’m only twenty!"

  ?He gestured to his face, looking genuinely wounded. "Do I really look that old to you?"

  ?Su Han leaned back, scanning Chen Jian from head to toe with the clinical precision of a judge. He let the silence stretch, making the other man squirm.

  ?"Hard to say," Su Han finally muttered, his face a mask of absolute seriousness.

  ?Chen Jian looked like he was about to vomit blood from the sheer disrespect.

  ?"Damn you!" he barked, his face turning a bright shade of crimson.

  ?Su Han finally let out a short laugh, patting Chen Jian’s shoulder in return.

  ?"Relax, Brother Jian. I’m just messing with you. Don't worry, a beautiful girl will cross your path soon. I’ve said it, so it will happen."

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  ?Chen Jian huffed, crossing his arms. "Hmph. You say that like I’m struggling to find one."

  ?"Aha... aren't you?"

  ?Chen Jian ground his teeth, but seeing the widening grin on Su Han’s face, he couldn't hold the grudge. Within seconds, both were laughing, the bond between them cementing in the quiet of the night.

  ?As the meal finished, the group settled into the grim routine of survival. Those with wounds applied salves or swallowed pills, the air thick with the scent of medicinal herbs and cooling embers.

  ?Night fell hard over the clearing, the darkness pressing in from all sides.

  ?Chen Jian approached Su Han again, his voice dropping to a professional whisper.

  ?"Brother Han, we’ll take turns pulling security tonight, just like before."

  ?Su Han felt his body. The internal injuries were about seventy to eighty percent healed—good enough to fight if needed.

  ?"I’ll take the first watch," Su Han offered, standing up.

  ?Captain Zhao Lucy stepped into the firelight just then. Her eyes lingered on Su Han, a strange, unreadable glint reflecting in her pupils.

  ?"Since you're taking the first shift, I’ll get some rest," she said simply.

  ?She didn't wait for an answer. She walked to a nearby rock, leaned back against its cold surface, and closed her eyes, seemingly falling into a deep sleep instantly.

  ?Su Han stood there, momentarily stunned. "What was that about?"

  ?Chen Jian leaned in, whispering so softly that only Su Han could hear.

  ?"It means she trusts you, brother. Completely."

  ?He gave a knowing wink. "She knows that if something comes that you can't handle, her being awake wouldn't change the outcome anyway. You’ve won her heart, Han. If you want to make a move, I’m all for it. I might even help you out."

  ?Su Han turned his gaze away from the sleeping Captain and glared at Chen Jian, his teeth clicking together.

  ?"Get lost. Go sleep before I help you go under."

  ?Chen Jian chuckled at the "ugly" look on Su Han's face. "Fine, fine. I’m putting my life in your hands then."

  ?Su Han snorted, turning his attention to the dark perimeter.

  ?He wasn't alone. One of the less-injured Iron-Fist warriors joined him, nodding silently as they began their vigil. In a few hours, the next shift would take over, but for now, the safety of the camp rested on Su Han's shoulders.

  ?Su Han didn’t believe in wasting a single heartbeat. As the camp settled into a heavy slumber, he began his practice.

  ?His focus was entirely on the second stage of 'Shadow Steps'—a Yellow-Level High-Grade movement technique that was as lethal as it was fast.

  ?After all the blood-soaked battles he had survived, his mastery sat at a mere 61%.

  ?He had realized a harsh truth: as his cultivation level climbed, the Experience Points (XP) required to level up hit like a mountain.

  ?The same rule applied to his martial arts. The higher the grade, the slower the progress.

  ?Normally, a warrior would spend years, even decades, trying to master a high-level skill, often hitting a wall they could never climb.

  ?But Su Han had the System.

  ?While others crawled like turtles up a million-mile mountain, Su Han’s progress was steady and guaranteed.

  ?Most geniuses would consider 90% mastery their absolute limit, but for Su Han, 100% wasn't a dream—it was just a matter of time.

  ?Swish...

  ?He moved through the trees like a wisp of smoke, his eyes constantly scanning the perimeter even as his legs pushed the limits of the technique.

  ?The Iron-Fist mercenaries didn't even blink this time. It was the third night they had seen him doing these "weird" movements.

  ?To them, Su Han was just a freak who didn't know how to rest. They simply closed their eyes, leaving the watch to him and another lightly wounded warrior.

  ?The night passed without a single growl from the darkness. When dawn broke, the group packed up, the air filled with the quiet relief of survivors.

  ?Captain Zhao Lucy walked over to Su Han, her boots crunching softly on the dry leaves.

  ?"How are your injuries? If you need a healing pill, I have a few left in my stock."

  ?Her voice was different—no longer sharp or commanding, but cool and sweet, like a mountain spring.

  ?Su Han was looking the other way, but hearing that tone made his heart skip a beat. He turned to see her standing there, the morning light catching the angles of her face.

  ?He felt a rare heat creep into his neck. "No... no need. I’m almost back to full strength."

  ?Lucy didn't push. She just gave a small nod and walked away.

  ?Su Han watched her go, realizing that behind that icy, professional exterior was a woman who actually gave a damn about her people.

  ?A few hours later, the suffocating tension of the Black Wolf Mountain Range finally vanished. They stepped into the Mercenary Market.

  ?Phew...

  ?Deep breaths of relief echoed through the group. They were home. The mission was officially a success.

  ?Every man there knew how close they had come to death. Their gear was shredded, their potions gone, and their bodies were a map of scars.

  ?The inner zone of the mountain was no joke; going back there anytime soon would be a death wish.

  ?"At least a week of rest," one of the men muttered. "I’m not picking up a blade for seven days."

  ?Usually, the Iron-Fist Group had a choice in taking missions, unless a 'Special Order' came down from the higher-ups. If that happened, they had to move, no questions asked.

  ?They reached the familiar inn, and this time, Lucy didn't hold back. She booked the best rooms available, ensuring everyone—including Su Han—had a place to wash off the grime of battle.

  ?She stopped Su Han before he could head upstairs.

  ?"Ten people went into those woods. Only seven of us came back," she said, her voice dropping.

  ?"You’re the only one outside the Iron-Fist Group who survived. And your role in taking down that traitor Wang Pan... it didn't go unnoticed."

  ?She paused, looking him in the eye. "I’ve decided. You’re getting a full share of the reward."

  ?Su Han hadn't joined them for the money. He wanted XP and real-world combat experience to survive the Black Wolf Range.

  ?But he wasn't an idiot. If someone was handing him a bag of silver, he wasn't going to play the saint.

  ?The reward for a successful mission was 5,000 silver coins.

  ?In the market, that was enough to buy at least two Yellow-Level High-Grade healing pills. To a warrior, those pills weren't just medicine—they were extra lives.

  ?"Take some rest," Lucy commanded, though her eyes were softer now.

  ?"Once I settle the accounts with the two clients and clear the paperwork, I’ll bring your reward to you personally."

  ?Su Han nodded, offering a short "Thank you," before turning toward his room. He needed a bed, a bath, and a moment of silence to plan his next move.