Qin Hanchu looked at Wang Shangshuai's butler, whose gaze was filled with shock.
"You may go. I wish to speak with Wang Shangshuai alone," Qin Hanchu said.
Qin Hanchu was so powerful that the butler dared not leave.
Wang Shangshuai understood his butler's concern. He said, "He intends to make a move, and you cannot stop him. Moreover, I am not a frail old man."
The butler respectfully bowed and then turned to walk away.
Qin Hanchu leaped lightly, arriving beside Wang Shangshuai.
He casually sat down next to Wang Shangshuai and then said, "Shangshuai, I have a question for you."
"Please ask?" Wang Shangshuai suppressed his astonishment and asked.
"What is your rank among the strongest in Hua Country?"
Although Wang Shangshuai had reached the Grandmaster realm, it was of little help to Qin Hanchu.
Qin Hanchu was looking for experts comparable to the Martial King realm.
Only by reaching the Martial King realm could one access elemental power.
"In the past, Hua Country had a total of eighteen registered experts at the Unity of Heaven and Man realm."
"There were also many experts who kept a low profile."
"I am unsure of the exact ranking."
"Your master must be one of these reclusive individuals."
"To have reached the Unity of Heaven and Man realm at such a young age is truly unbelievable!"
After hearing Wang Shangshuai's answer, Qin Hanchu continued to inquire, "Who is stronger than you? How many moves could you withstand against him?"
"There are indeed those more powerful than me, but our strength difference is not significant."
"If we were to fight, neither of us could overcome the other in a short period."
"Why are you asking this? Are you perhaps looking to spar with the strongest?"
Qin Hanchu sighed.
Either Wang Shangshuai was hiding something, or the true powerhouses were concealed too deeply.
Perhaps this world also had hidden paradises like the Dragon Gate.
It was truly difficult to find these people.
"It's nothing, I just wanted to understand."
"You continue fishing, I'll be going now."
Seeing Qin Hanchu about to leave, Wang Shangshuai said, "Wait a moment."
Qin Hanchu stopped, "Is something the matter?"
"Since you are here, how about staying for a simple meal?" Wang Shangshuai said.
Qin Hanchu nodded, "Alright, I am indeed a bit hungry."
Upon receiving Qin Hanchu's reply, Wang Shangshuai casually inserted the fishing rod into the giant rock beneath him.
The two leaped lightly and returned to the bank.
As they walked side-by-side, Wang Shangshuai asked calmly, "May I ask your name?"
"You can call me Qin Hanchu, or you can call me Hong Juncai!"
Wang Shangshuai was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"My real name is Qin Hanchu. I used to live in the deep mountains with my master."
"When I came to this city, I was mistaken for the missing Hong Juncai."
"I had no identity before, so I went along with the mistake and used his identity."
With Wang Shangshuai's status, it was easy to investigate Hong Juncai's background.
Hong Juncai had been missing for two years and could not possibly have become a Grandmaster.
To avoid arousing suspicion from Hua Country, Qin Hanchu fabricated this story.
"You two look very alike?"
Qin Hanchu chuckled, "Nine parts alike!"
Wang Shangshuai said, "Could you be twin brothers?"
Qin Hanchu chuckled and shook his head.
"Forgive my presumption, but where does your esteemed master practice seclusion?"
"Your disciple has reached the Unity of Heaven and Man realm, so he must be even stronger."
Qin Hanchu sighed, "He passed away at the beginning of the year. My master disliked noise, so his burial place cannot be disclosed."
Wang Shangshuai sighed regretfully, "What a pity. Otherwise, Hua Country would have another protector."
Qin Hanchu did not respond, his expression filled with reminiscence.
Seeing Qin Hanchu's expression, Wang Shangshuai said, "Brother Hong, are you interested in serving the country? If you are willing, I can secure a Marshal position for you!"
"I am accustomed to freedom," Qin Hanchu said.
"Being appointed Marshal does not mean you have to take on official duties."
"I will absolutely not trouble you on a daily basis, as long as you can act when Hua Country is in distress."
Qin Hanchu did not care about official positions, but the higher the status, the more information he could access.
Besides, he should be able to command the people of Hua Country to serve him.
If there really was a hidden paradise like the Dragon Gate, it would be difficult for Qin Hanchu to find it alone.
"What will I gain?" Qin Hanchu asked.
"Power!"
"As long as you agree to be appointed Marshal, most of Hua Country's systems can be at your disposal," Wang Shangshuai said.
Qin Hanchu did not reply, appearing to be in thought.
As the two walked into the manor, he finally said, "Alright, I agree!"
Wang Shangshuai smiled, "Excellent, I will report this matter to the royal family later. Under which name should this Marshal position be?"
"Let's use the identity of Hong Juncai."
"Do not publicize this matter," Qin Hanchu said.
Wang Shangshuai nodded, "Understood!"
Upon returning to the manor, Wang Shangshuai instructed the servants to prepare lunch.
While the kitchen prepared lunch, Qin Hanchu played chess with Wang Shangshuai and chatted casually.
At two in the afternoon, Qin Hanchu left the Marshal's residence.
This Wang Shangshuai, while seemingly sincere, did not speak the whole truth.
The fact that the royal family could have these Grandmasters serve them indicated its immense strength.
Qin Hanchu guessed that there must be a Great Grandmaster in the royal family.
This Great Grandmaster would likely know more.
Although Qin Hanchu possessed formidable combat power, he might not be able to withstand modern weaponry at the moment.
Therefore, even if he knew there were clues within the royal family, he could not act rashly.
For now, he would accept the Marshal appointment from the royal family, and perhaps in the future, he might have an opportunity to interact with the powerful individuals within the royal family.
Having completed his business, Qin Hanchu was not in a hurry to return to Lin City.
Since he had nothing else to do, he decided to spend some time exploring the provincial capital.
Wandering through the city, it was soon evening.
He entered a restaurant and ordered several dishes he had never tried before.
As he was eating, Hu Ran called him again.
Qin Hanchu did not answer, directly pressing the reject button.
After finishing his meal, he entered a bar.
Ordering a drink, Qin Hanchu idly watched the men and women in the bar.
The city also had its advantages; at least it was not as cruel as the martial arts world.
In the martial arts world, the weak were like ants, lacking even legal protection for their lives.
While there were class distinctions in the city, at least laws protected the survival rights of most people.
"Handsome, are you alone?"
As Qin Hanchu was lost in thought, a woman with a hot body approached him.
Qin Hanchu was already accustomed to such scenes. He calmly said, "Don't bother me, go find someone else."
Hearing this response, the woman's expression showed displeasure.
She let out a hmph and turned to leave. m..oΓg
At that moment, Qin Hanchu's gaze was drawn to three women not far away.
These three girls were all very beautiful. Their attire and demeanor suggested they were not the type to frequent such places.
Qin Hanchu observed them for a while and was certain it was their first time at a bar.
The three took a few sips of their drinks, then laughing and talking, they headed towards the dance floor.
Just then, a young man walked over to the booth where the three girls were.
While the three girls were away, he dropped three crystal-like objects into their drinks.