Han Xuhan's eyes lit up with otherworldly wisdom as he followed Mu Ran into a dusty corner of the Archives, where a dusty old crate sat, neglected even by the sweepers.
Mu Ran looked around shiftily as Han Xuhan hid behind a big shelf. Then (s)he knelt over the crate and started pulling out scrolls from it one by one.
Han Xuhan wasn't in a hurry to show himself. He watched Mu Ran impatiently sift through the contents of each scroll. Some of the things (s)he muttered even reached his ears.
"What a shitty technique! No wonder it's been abandoned."
"Huh? This one is involved with some Celestial feuds? Shit, better stay away from it."
"This looks a little interesting. But my special Physique would be averse to these elements. Can't risk that..."
Special Physique?
Han Xuhan nearly wailed out loud in a mixture of envy and happiness; envy, because he wanted something similar too, and happiness because he finally knew one of the reasons behind Mu Ran's bold confidence.
So this was one of the pillars Mu Ran would rely on, unlike those hardworking protagonists from a certain subset of cultivation novels...
Just then, he heard Mu Ran mutter again.
"Damn it! Is that manual really not here? Did they realize something and take it away somewhere else? To think that I specifically entered this sect just for that manual... Heavens, please don't play such a cruel joke on me!"
The intensity of Mu Ran's search doubled as hints of frustration leaked out. Han Xuhan's heart was beating like a drum. So this guy had come to this sect with a purpose! Something in the archives had brought him here.
He was forced to reevaluate his opinion of Mu Ran. This fellow disciple of his was a fish of deep waters. How did he know about the contents of this crate beforehand? What kind of background did he have?
What technique was (s)he looking for?
Would it be some super overpowered technique that no one else in the sect has been able to identify?
Suddenly, Mu Ran's hands paused. A scroll had caught his eyes. He took it out of the crate and slowly opened it, hands shaking visibly.
"Heavens! This is it! It really is here! No one can stop me anymore! Haha—"
Han Xuhan chose this exact moment to interfere.
"Fellow cultivator Mu Ran! What are you doing? You cannot possibly attempt to practice a technique from that pile of trash! What if it harms your future potential?
"I cannot bear to see this! We are from the same mountain peak. If you have any trouble in choosing cultivation techniques, please ask us for help. That pile of trash only harms innocent and shy people like you!
"Please listen to me and throw that scroll away! Why would you attempt something so insane? If you lack money for a legitimate technique, I can pay for you!"
Han Xuhan offered his meager savings very graciously, only because he was certain that Mu Ran would not accept it. Having already found what (s)he was looking for, what use would (s)he have for Xuhan's money?
Mu Ran appeared to be dumbstruck by his sudden appearance. Han Xuhan could almost read the thoughts reflected in his countenance.
What is going on? Who is this?
What is he talking about?
After the brief moment of confusion and panic, Mu Ran calmed down.
"What are you doing here, Brother Xuhan?"
"Oh, you know what status I have in the sect, Brother Ran. I cannot buy most of the techniques displayed in the Archives. So I was just walking around and lamenting my fate. That's when I saw you, heading towards a fate even worse than mine!"
With his masterful excuse, Han Xuhan brought the topic back to square one and enquired again.
"What is that scroll in your hand? Surely, you can't be thinking of cultivating a mystic art from it? Just because these manuals are free doesn't mean they're to be treated as an opportunity. I don't have the ability to buy a legitimate manual, and yet even I would not touch those!"
Mu Ran nodded along and smiled warmly when he heard the emotion in Han Xuhan's tone. His gaze went from cautious to appreciative.
"Brother Xuhan is truly a genuine friend. A servant disciple like you couldn't have much money, and yet you're offering it all just to help me, unasked too. I must have accumulated a lot of good karma to end up befriending you on my very first day in this sect!"
Bending over the crate, he picked up another scroll from the crate and threw it at a surprised Han Xuhan.
"I, Mu Ran, return enmity a hundredfold, and goodwill a thousandfold. So I will tell you a small secret. This scroll in my hand holds a technique that is tailor-made for me due to some circumstances. You can rest assured that it'll cause no harm to me!
"As for that manual I gave you just now, it's an erm... amazing technique too. Since you can't find a proper technique from the other sections of the archives, why don't you take it home and give it a shot? I won't ask for much in return; just become my trusted underling in this sect!"
"...Become your underling?"
It was Han Xuhan's turn to be stunned this time.
What the fuck was wrong with this guy's brain?
What was he talking about?
His befuddled expression forced Mu Ran to elaborate a bit more.
"The average mystic arts in the archives won't produce a result as magnificent as the one I gave you, even though it's a little unorthodox. And if you become my underling, I can even give you some pointers in laying a foundation better than any disciple of the outer court.
"This is an opportunity many would kill for, you know? I'm only extending the olive branch to you because of your genuine care for me!"
Han Xuhan wasn't too sure where this development was headed, but right at this moment, his system was activated...