Strongest Scammer: Scamming The World, One Death At A Time
Chapter 240: Checking Out The Rebuilt Outpost

Chapter 240: Checking Out The Rebuilt Outpost

’They not only rebuilt it, they expanded it too.’ Compared to when Han Yu last saw it, it was much bigger and well manned.

The outer gate was reinforced with layered wooden panels and metal studs, and several guard towers rose from the perimeter. A few flags bearing the Mist Eye Sect’s emblem—an open silver eye on a black field—fluttered in the breeze.

Inside, Han Yu could already make out the outlines of supply tents, storage sheds, and barracks under construction. Disciples in dark gray and green robes moved briskly between buildings, some carrying scrolls, others managing Qi-beast drawn carts.

It was far from complete, but it was clearly active.

Han Yu kept his posture relaxed, gaze passive, and heart calm.

As they rolled up to the gate, a pair of Mist Eye disciples approached the caravan and exchanged a few words with Merchant Kuo. The merchant handed over a scroll and gestured at the cargo. After some checking, the gates were opened.

They were in.

As the carts were rolled inside and workers came to unload, Han Yu glanced around without moving his head.

’So this is their newly rebuilt Caldera Outpost...’ he thought. ’Still early, but already taking root. If I stay long enough, I might be able to find out what they’re planning for the altar.’

But first—he had to survive being here.

Han Yu kept his head down and his back busy as the caravan began unloading their goods inside the outpost. Crates filled with dried rations, barrels of medicinal tinctures, weapon bundles wrapped in beast hide—each one had to be lifted off the wagons and carried to the newly constructed storage sheds near the north wall.

He moved with steady rhythm, neither rushing nor dawdling. To the others, he was just another hard-working caravan guard trying to stay on the merchant’s good side.

But his eyes? Always watching.

The outpost had changed significantly since his last visit, back when the place was still a crumbling ruin of half-toppled stone walls and weed-choked pathways. Now, most of the debris had been cleared away. Freshly cut stone blocks formed the perimeter walls, smooth and cleanly fitted together. Guard towers rose at each corner, still incomplete but already manned.

A month. That’s all it had taken.

Han Yu couldn’t help but nod to himself. ’Cultivators can rebuild cities in days if they throw enough Qi at it. Mortals take years to drag stone uphill—these people can split a mountain with a palm strike.’

Still, the most telling signs weren’t the walls or towers.

It was the ground.

Everywhere Han Yu looked, scorch marks clung to the rocks like a lingering curse. Black streaks on the stones, melted patches of earth, and the faint odor of burnt minerals—clear signs of high-temperature fire. Even the central courtyard had a few areas where the stone had cracked from rapid heating.

He didn’t ask about it, of course. Asking would only draw attention.

But he wasn’t the only one who noticed. A few other guards exchanged quiet glances or muttered under their breath as they walked past the scorched areas.

’Not just smoke and vents,’ The others thought. ’Something big burned this place down.’

Once the unloading was complete, the caravan was permitted to set up their own camp inside the outpost walls for the night. The sect had designated a corner area away from the barracks for them, and the guards quickly erected tents while the ox beasts were corralled and fed.

A fire was started. Soon, a pot of stew bubbled atop it, and mugs of cheap grain liquor were passed around.

Merchant Kuo, ever the opportunist, invited a few of the Mist Eye disciples over for drinks. Flattery, favors, and future deals—this was how businessmen survived in sect-controlled territories.

Han Yu made sure to sit close.

He wasn’t part of the inner drinking circle, of course. That would be too forward. But he set his mat just close enough to hear without being obvious, spooning the oily stew into his mouth while keeping his ears perked.

The conversation started off harmless enough.

They joked about the slow progress of construction. One disciple complained that the outer wall still lacked proper spiritual engravings. Another cursed about how many nights he’d had to sleep on cold stone floors while formation masters bickered about node placements.

Han Yu stirred his stew slowly, pretending to listen with disinterest.

Then one of the caravan guards leaned forward, mug in hand, and asked, "So... what’s with all the burn marks, anyway? I know this place is full of steam vents and hot rocks, but this is different."

A short silence followed.

Then one of the disciples, already a few drinks in but not yet slurring, exhaled heavily.

"Ah... that. Yeah, that’s from the last attack. Damn place nearly went up in flames."

Han Yu didn’t move. But he chewed more slowly.

"Attack?" another guard asked. "By what? Bandits? There’s no bandits here though." He added.

The disciple shook his head. "Fire beasts. From the Caldera."

"Seriously?" one of the merchants asked, sounding genuinely surprised. "They wandered out of the Caldera?"

"Yeah," another disciple chimed in, his voice lower but no less clear. "Came from the opening behind, we think. Burned down half the old outpost. That’s why most of what you see is new."

"Damn," someone muttered. "What kind of beasts were they?"

"No idea. Could’ve been Flame Howlers, Flame Lizards or some Ember Serpents," the first disciple said. "When we got here, it was already a mess. Just rubble and burn scars."

"Actually," the quieter disciple added, "we did find a few Magma Back Lizards wandering the area. Big ones. Probably smelled the corpses. Those things love charred meat."

"Corpses? Of whom or what?" Another guard asked.

"Some disciples who were posted here. Probably got drunk on night duty when they were asked not to and got ambushed." The Disciple answered.

Han Yu’s spoon paused halfway to his mouth.

’That explains it,’ he thought. ’The scent of burned flesh... it drew them out.’