Gifts from All Sides

Chapter 41: Gifts from All Sides

Chapter 41: Gifts from All Sides

The night was as dark as ink, the autumn wind rustled.

The once prominent Qianjin Escort Agency was now a scene of utter devastation.

In the center of the courtyard, gold and silver treasures spilled from chests, piling up into a small mountain. Silver ingots and gold bars gleamed coldly under the torchlight.

Lin Mo had brought over thirty men this time, all Martial Artists from Changhe Martial Arts School. They were quick and efficient, but the Qianjin Escort Agency's mansion was quite large, with a sprawling and intricate layout.

After a thorough search, akin to stripping the land bare, it took a good hour or two. Fortunately, the spoils far exceeded the expectations of Lin Mo and Xu Changfeng.

Xu Changfeng, holding his small ledger, walked over with a grin.

"Two chests of gold, twenty-three chests of silver, tens of thousands in banknotes, a total of 385,640 taels confiscated. And that's just the silver..."

"Thirty-seven luminous pearls, over a thousand Qi and Blood Pills, a pair of ten-year-old East Sea corals..."

Lin Mo listened to Xu Changfeng's report, a hint of wistfulness in his expression. Apart from the money and treasures, what he wanted most was naturally the continuation of the breathing technique.

However, it was a pity that he only obtained a partial manuscript of the 'Great Jade Ape Breathing Technique'. It contained more cultivation tips and medicinal aids than the part he had acquired.

Although it could help him increase the proficiency of the breathing technique faster and simultaneously improve his Qi and Blood realm, it was still just an introductory level...

It's fine. If they had the complete breathing technique, the Zhou Family would have cultivated it themselves long ago...

Lin Mo thought, and then felt at ease. As for the treasures he selected, he unhesitatingly chose a Human-grade High-tier fist technique and a Human-grade Mid-tier movement technique.

They were named 'Jade Shattering Flowing Water Fist' and 'Cloud Ascending Ladder'.

The White Ape Eight Section Fist was ultimately just a Human-grade Low-tier technique. No matter how familiar he was with it, it was difficult to achieve a significant breakthrough. Hence, he chose a High-tier fist technique. As for the movement technique...

Lin Mo's idea was simple: speed was key for escaping.

"Junior Brother, these things?" Xu Changfeng rubbed his hands together, looking tempted.

"Senior Brother, you should pick something too. After we raid the Zhao Family Grain Store, we can pick a treasure for Master." Lin Mo grinned. The smooth success of the raid was largely due to his Senior Brother's decisive actions and strength, which stabilized the situation.

As the junior brother, he naturally couldn't be too stingy.

Overnight, the Zhao Family Grain Store and the Qianjin Escort Agency were like locusts passing through, leaving Lin Mo and his men to plunder them clean.

As for many of the land deeds and property titles, at Xu Changfeng's suggestion, Lin Mo kept some of the crucial ones. According to him, someone would naturally take over these things, and at a high price!

The remaining miscellaneous and unimportant assets were converted into silver taels, offsetting debts within the businesses.

Managing shops required manpower, which he naturally didn't have. The Prefecture City wouldn't send people to take over either, so converting them to silver taels was the most practical approach.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

As soon as Xu Changfeng opened the door, he saw many servants waiting outside. There were even several sedan chairs, and large and small boxes filled with gifts.

A servant peeked through the door crack, "Is Master Lin here? I'm from the Meng Family of Changhe County. Our master has specifically brought some gifts..."

"Gifts? Come, come, come in. It's quite cold out here."

Upon hearing that they were there to deliver gifts, Xu Changfeng's sleepiness vanished. He welcomed all the servants, and those dressed as masters or merchants, into the courtyard.

Unlike Lin Mo, Xu Changfeng was much more adept at handling such matters. He casually grabbed a servant and instructed, "Help me tally the gifts from each family present. I'll go inside to wake Master Lin. Remember, shout as loudly as you can! Then, we'll discuss things in the inner room according to this gift registry..."

The people in the courtyard exchanged glances. Apart from those who wanted to curry favor, most wanted to inform them of their intention to purchase the remaining assets of the Zhao Family Grain Store and the Qianjin Escort Agency.

It seemed that only the highest bidder would get priority for the transaction...

"Changhe County Sun Family Grain Store, five hundred taels of silver..." The servant had just picked up his brush when he was interrupted. The master held up five fingers and then produced a banknote, "Don't rush, I'll add another five hundred taels!"

"Hey, your Sun Family isn't playing fair! Our Meng Family will add five hundred taels too! We'll outbid you!"

While the outside was in an uproar, the inner courtyard remained quiet. Xu Changfeng, sleeves rolled up, gestured outwards, "Look, this is the benefit of having power. Money comes knocking on your door."

"Senior Brother, please make the arrangements for me."

On the high wooden stakes, Lin Mo practiced his stances, maintaining a horse stance and constantly adjusting his breathing rhythm.

With long exhales and short inhales, two streams of white mist lingered from his nostrils, dissipating slowly.

He still held the 'Cloud Ascending Ladder' he had confiscated, practicing its basic movements in preparation for learning the movement technique.

Lin Mo also found the coming and going of people troublesome. Since he had obtained the cultivation technique and had no shortage of money, he wanted to focus on improving himself.

"The Prefecture City competition is said to be happening soon. Since you're a favored individual in the eyes of the Patrol Commissioner, you definitely can't avoid it," Xu Changfeng suddenly mentioned.

"Prefecture City competition?"

Lin Mo frowned, unclear about the situation.

"It's a martial arts competition held every three years. Prodigies from several counties, and even the Prefecture City, will participate. The age limit is under twenty-two. I participated once and was rated as Grade B."

Xu Changfeng explained, then continued, "You're only eighteen this year by traditional counting. You'll be at a disadvantage in the competition, but it would be good to go and show off your potential and talent. What if a Prefecture City family takes a liking to you and offers you sponsorship or guidance from a famous master? It's a freebie..."

Background advancement?

From the Li Family of Changhe County to a Prefecture City family?

"But what about the Li Family?" Finding a few more patrons is always good, but Lin Mo still felt a bit worried.

"The Li Family? Don't worry, this is one of the ways for Changhe County families to connect with Prefecture City families. If you can get close to the three great families, the Li Family will be overjoyed!"

"The three great families? Let's just think about it."

Lin Mo shook his head, jumped off the wooden stake, and was about to follow Xu Changfeng's suggestion to let the merchants outside come in order.

Another noisy commotion sounded from outside, and hurried footsteps approached, directly pushing open the inner courtyard door. Lin Mo looked and was somewhat surprised.

The person who arrived was Chen Qing.

"This person looks so familiar, like an apprentice who came from our Stone Wall Courtyard?"

Xu Changfeng had also taught him. This person was taken by Martial Master Wang in just a week, so he naturally remembered.

"Junior Brother Lin."

Chen Qing, relying on his seniority as a personal disciple, directly asked, "Are you interested in joining us and participating together? We have connections in Prefecture City, and we can find a good nominal position for you."

Junior Brother?

Xu Changfeng vaguely remembered that when he was an apprentice, he called Lin Mo Senior Brother.

Lin Mo wasn't annoyed, he just cupped his hands and asked, "Thank you, Brother Chen Qing. However, about this nominal position, can you explain in detail?"

"It should be a guard for a Prefecture City family. If you want to discuss it, you can talk to Senior Brother Wang and Senior Brother Meng."

Chen Qing replied.

A guard?

How much was that worth? Moreover, he was no longer short of money.

"Is that so? Then please thank Senior Brother Wang and Senior Brother Meng for me. I will definitely do so if I have the chance."

Lin Mo waved his hand and refused, then turned to discuss land deeds and property with the merchants who had entered, leaving Chen Qing on the side.

Xu Changfeng also suppressed the corners of his mouth, a smile showing, almost unable to hold it back.

If it were a little earlier, Lin Mo might have been tempted, but now, there was no need to make such a joke.