Wu Family Treasure Vault

The Wu Family was the most prominent household in Baoshan Village, possessing countless acres of fertile land and immense wealth.

The method for accumulating such a vast fortune was actually quite simple.

Lending money!

Usurious loans!

It wasn't for just a little bit of interest.

Every time a farmer came to borrow money, they would use their land as collateral.

Then, after some time, these farmers who borrowed money would mysteriously disappear.

On the surface, it was said they encountered fierce beasts in the mountains and were eaten.

But in reality, the Wu Family had a cooperative relationship with the demonic creatures in the mountains.

The demonic creatures got their meals, and the Wu Family, while helping to cover up the truth, acquired their land.

It had always been foolproof.

Hearing this, Shen Lin asked with some curiosity, "Then, over all this time, haven't the other residents of Baoshan Village noticed? Hasn't the County Yamen sent anyone to investigate?"

Zi Jing's lips curled into a sneer. "When the Wu Family makes a move, they naturally grease all the right palms. The common folk are easily swayed and can't discern the truth. And people from the County Yamen haven't not come."

As she spoke, she glanced at Sun Zhi ahead and continued, "For example, this Captain Sun has been here several times. However, each time, his judgment was that it was the work of fierce beasts from the mountains. Coincidentally, not long after, he would find traces of demons and monsters elsewhere."

Shen Lin fell silent, sighing helplessly.

Not long after, they arrived at a village ahead.

Compared to the previous Bai Family Village, Baoshan Village was more than five times larger. Within the densely packed earthen houses, candlelight flickered.

Just as Shen Lin was about to continue forward, Zi Jing stopped him.

"Wait a moment. Dog Demons have keen senses, their smell and hearing are much stronger than ordinary demonic creatures. We need to maintain a distance of at least five li. We'll act once their attention is on Sun Zhi."

Shen Lin nodded, quietly waiting for Sun Zhi to walk in.

"Speaking of which, aren't you afraid those demonic creatures will directly attack Captain Sun? At this distance, you won't be able to get there in time."

Zi Jing looked at Shen Lin with some confusion.

This guy, hadn't he always used Sun Zhi as his cover before?

Why was he so easily letting the man fall into danger this time?

Shen Lin said faintly, "If that happens, Captain Sun can only resist with his life, killing three demonic creatures, but he will die from his severe injuries on the way back."

Listening to the script he had devised for Sun Zhi, Zi Jing shivered. "You're truly ruthless. But if that's the case, you won't be able to conceal your cultivation anymore."

Shen Lin nodded, but offered no further response.

If he couldn't conceal it, he would simply act boldly.

After some more time, once he broke through the twelfth meridian, he would reach the Innate Realm.

With his talent, he should be qualified to enter the Demon Suppression Division then.

Thinking of this, Shen Lin felt greatly invigorated.

The Demon Suppression Division specialized in slaying demons and monsters. If he could join the Demon Suppression Division, he would undoubtedly encounter more demons and monsters and gain more lifespan from them.

While contemplating, his gaze suddenly shifted, and he noticed two figures had appeared before Sun Zhi at some point.

Then, Sun Zhi exchanged a few words with them and was led by the two towards a corner of the village.

"Let's go!"

Zi Jing, seeing this as well, her eyes lit up. She led Shen Lin around the edge of the village towards a very conspicuous large mansion.

Their movements were light and silent, not making a sound.

Successfully bypassing the Wu Family's patrolling guards, they soon ran into a courtyard.

"That's the Wu Family's treasury. I'll pick the lock, you keep an eye on the perimeter," Zi Jing said. Just as she was about to move, Shen Lin stopped her.

Shen Lin shushed her and pointed to a corner of the courtyard.

Zi Jing looked over with confusion, her pupils suddenly constricting.

In the dark shadow of the courtyard corner, a figure was standing silently.

Meridian Opening Realm!

Even if an ordinary Martial Artist suppressed their internal aura with all their might, they couldn't escape the perception of a Meridian Opening Realm expert.

Zi Jing hadn't noticed the other person at first, which meant they were definitely a powerhouse of the same level as her.

She frowned and thought to herself, This is troublesome.

The intelligence she had obtained previously did not mention that the Wu Family had a Meridian Opening Realm Martial Artist guarding it.

It seemed her actions in the past period had alerted the Wu Family, causing them to specifically invite such a Meridian Opening Realm expert to guard the treasury.

The opponent's position was chosen very well; the entire treasury was within their observation range, making it impossible for her to bypass them.

Should I deal with the other party first?

But if I do that, the commotion will be too big, and it's very likely... Huh?

While Zi Jing was still brainstorming and thinking of solutions, she suddenly noticed the other party's shadow twitch, and a figure appeared beside her.

That's... Shen Lin?

Zi Jing subconsciously turned her head, only to find the space beside her empty, confirming her guess.

Shen Lin didn't have time to dawdle here. What if those dog demons discovered Sun Zhi's objective and ran away if they saw things going south?

Where would he find three more demonic creatures at the Meridian Opening Realm?

So while Zi Jing was still thinking, he had already started acting.

Using the Shadow-Breaking Step, he silently appeared behind the Wu Family's Meridian Opening Realm expert. Shen Lin gestured at his neck, formed his right hand into a blade, and struck.

Thump!

The other party didn't even grunt before collapsing to the ground, eyes rolling back.

Although this guy was also at the Meridian Opening Realm, he had only opened one or two meridians, a huge gap compared to Shen Lin.

Coupled with Shen Lin's unsportsmanlike sneak attack, the Meridian Opening Realm expert hired by the Wu Family at great expense promptly fell fast asleep.

Not far away, seeing Shen Lin's "all clear" gesture, Zi Jing's expression immediately turned strange.

But she knew there was no time to dwell on these things and immediately ran to the treasure vault door to try and pick the lock.

Watching Zi Jing pull out various tools and diligently start her lock-picking endeavor, Shen Lin yawned out of boredom and bent down to search the body.

And he really found something good.

Besides bank notes worth nearly a thousand taels of silver, Shen Lin also found a martial art.

Mountain-Opening Fist

Hmm... such a domineering name, it must be better than the Blood Battle Saber Technique, right?

He casually flipped it open, took a look, and then put it back in his embrace.

Just then, there was a click from Zi Jing's side, and the treasure vault door lock was opened.

"It's open?"

Hearing the voice from behind, Zi Jing took a deep breath and pushed the door open with slightly trembling hands.

As soon as the door opened, a dazzling array of treasures greeted them.

Pearls, corals, gold bars, and silver ingots filled the room.

But Zi Jing didn't even glance at this wealth that ordinary people couldn't earn in a lifetime. Instead, she immediately looked at the famous paintings hanging on the wall.

After just a quick scan, the excited expression on her face froze.

"How is that possible???"

Her mood stirred, and she rushed in, searching.

After a while, she leaned back in a chair, looking dejected, and murmured, "How could it not be here..."

Shen Lin wasn't blinded by the gold and silver filling the room either. Instead, he carefully searched the area, trying to find some martial arts manuals.

After all, even if he filled his pockets with these common items, he couldn't carry much.

And if his strength was sufficient, wealth would be as simple as a thought.

Unfortunately, he didn't find any martial arts manuals in this treasure vault.

He walked back, looking at the crestfallen Zi Jing, and stroked his chin, saying, "You didn't find what you were looking for, why not just ask?"

"Ask who?"

Zi Jing's voice was dull as she subconsciously asked, then suddenly took a deep breath and stood up abruptly, "That's right! Let's go ask!"

She originally didn't want to personally interact with the Wu family head because of the risk of exposure.

But now, since she hadn't found what she was looking for, she had no choice but to trouble this Master Wu.

As for the risk of exposure...

There was a simple solution.