WALKER OF THE WORLDS

Chapter 2680  Information Broker

Was it possibly him?" the man asked.

Chung Pung narrowed his eyes, his instincts tingling with suspicion. Something about this entire situation felt off. However, before he could act on his concerns, the other hunters around him responded eagerly.

"Yeah! That's him!" they said with excitement.

"You sure?" the man pressed, wanting absolute confirmation.

"Yeah, there's no way we'd forget him," one of them added confidently.

Chung Pung let out a deep sigh, rubbing his face in frustration.

Having been a hunter for many years, he knew when something was amiss. He also knew exactly what kind of place this tavern was. While it served as a resting spot where hunters could enjoy food and drinks, it was also a hub of information exchange.

Intel collectors, spies, and informants lurked here at all times, eavesdropping on conversations between patrons.

The fact that this suspicious man not only knew Lin Mu's characteristics but even had a prepared portrait meant that he was deliberately seeking information about him.

Chung Pung had no intention of letting harm come to their benefactor. If this stranger had ill intentions, he had to act now.

"What do you want with him?" Chung Pung questioned, his voice firm.

"Head Hunter?" The hunters under him looked at him, surprised by his sudden change in demeanor.

It was enough to make them realize that things weren't as simple as they had initially seemed. In their excitement, fueled by a bit of booze, they had momentarily forgotten the caution they had been trained to uphold.

"Wait a second… Why are you looking for him?" one of them asked, their wariness now rising.

"Ah! Nothing bad, don't worry." The suspicious man quickly changed his tone. "We're merely looking to recruit him." He flashed a disarming smile.

"Recruit him?" the hunters raised their brows in skepticism.

"Yes, he's incredibly strong, and there are many sects looking for individuals of such caliber," the man explained smoothly.

"Now that I think about it… there are information brokers who sell such details to sects, aren't there?" a hunter at another table commented.

"Yeah, yeah! I'm one of them," the man nodded eagerly.

Of course, Chung Pung wasn't convinced so easily.

"See?" The man then pulled out a small badge, holding it up for all to see.

"Isn't that the badge of the Six Rivers Information Pavilion?" one of the hunters recognized it immediately.

"Ah, so you're a broker from there," another hunter remarked, his earlier suspicion slightly easing.

"Exactly! So, if you have any information about his whereabouts, I'd be glad to pay a commission for it." He offered enticingly. "Where exactly did you see him in the forest?" he probed, pretending as if he hadn't already overheard their previous discussion.

"We don't know." Chung Pung shut him down immediately.

The cold finality in his tone left no room for argument.

"Leave," he ordered, his expression unreadable.

The man, however, merely chuckled as if unaffected.

"That's alright." He smiled. "Though, if you change your mind, feel free to visit the Six Rivers branch in the city. Any valuable information you provide will be rewarded handsomely."

With that, he turned and made his way out of the tavern, slipping into the night.

Chung Pung watched his retreating figure, his mind still troubled.

He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong.

Why was this man so intent on finding Lin Mu?

Had Lin Mu somehow come into conflict with a sect?

No, that didn't seem right. From the brief interactions he'd had with Lin Mu, the man didn't strike him as someone who would provoke trouble without cause.

'Did he really just want to recruit him?' Chung Pung wondered, unconvinced.

Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it. He had no means of contacting Lin Mu.

'I should've asked for his Communication Jade Slip contact,' he berated himself internally.

For a brief moment, he even considered venturing into the forest to warn Lin Mu. But that was no simple task. The forest was vast, and Lin Mu had mentioned he was traveling. There was no telling where he might be now.

'He could have already left the area… that would be for the best,' Chung Pung thought grimly.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, he could only hope that nothing bad would happen. He poured himself another drink, drowning his concerns for the moment.

Of course, he didn't forget to reprimand his men once they were back at their quarters. They needed to be more mindful of the information they gave away. If a similar situation arose in the future, and a target came looking for revenge, things could quickly turn dire.

Unbeknownst to Chung Pung, his fears were already becoming a reality.

The suspicious man wasted no time after leaving the tavern. He slipped into the shadows of the streets before taking out a jade slip. Holding it between his fingers, he transmitted a message.

"I have positive confirmation on the target. Ram Orchard Forest, approximately two hundred to three hundred kilometers from the outer ring. Likely near Thumb Hill, though he may have moved."

With his task complete, he smirked to himself before taking to the skies, flying away in haste.

"This should fetch me a decent reward. Who would have thought the Bending River Axe Sect would raise the bounty this much?" he muttered.

His mind drifted to the lavish meals he could now afford.

"I might just be able to dine at the Four Fruits Restaurant tonight," he mused in satisfaction, his mouth watering at the thought.

Meanwhile, in the Bending River Axe Sect, events were already being set into motion.

Within one of the large pavilions, a flurry of activity filled the halls. Alchemists and healers moved quickly, carrying medicinal needles, bandages, elixirs, and pills. The pavilion, known as the Healing Hall, was one of the busiest places within the sect, catering to injured disciples at all times.

THUD!

The heavy doors of the pavilion burst open as an inner court disciple rushed in, clutching a sealed scroll in his hand.

His arrival did not stand out—in this hall, people were constantly moving in urgency.

Still, his pace was relentless as he weaved through the corridors, making his way to a chamber in the heart of the Healing Hall.

Something significant was about to unfold.

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