In Ascending Cloud County, anyone making a living naturally had connections with the constables. Shen Bai was no exception.
His pawnshop business also required dealings with the authorities in certain matters.
While Chief Constable Zheng was speaking, a young constable behind him kept giving Shen Bai meaningful looks.
Shen Bai understood at once. Putting together the cause and effect, he knew the yamen was investigating the Old Daoist Priest's death.
"Chief Constable Zheng, an Old Daoist Priest did indeed come to redeem a Peachwood Sword some days ago, but he left after redeeming it."
There was not a shred of falsehood in those words, nor did Shen Bai have any need to lie.
Chief Constable Zheng pondered for a moment. "Shopkeeper Shen, I know you and Zhou Qing are close, but this matter is of great importance. Could you let my men go inside and search the place?"
Shen Bai gestured him in with a smile. "Old Zhou serves as a constable at the yamen and has long relied on Chief Constable Zheng's care. Of course we will cooperate."
Chief Constable Zheng gave a grunt and waved to the constables behind him. "Watch yourselves. Don't damage anything inside."
Several constables immediately headed into the Shen Family Pawnshop. Only the young constable remained outside.
Chief Constable Zheng smiled. "I'll go in and sit for a while as well. You two can catch up on your own."
After Chief Constable Zheng left, the young constable Zhou Qing came over.
"Old Zhou, that wasn't very brotherly of you. If you were coming to search the place, you should at least have given me a heads-up."
Shen Bai hooked an arm around Zhou Qing's shoulders. "You made it sound so alarmingly sudden."
Zhou Qing was a constable of Ascending Cloud County and also Shen Bai's friend at the yamen.
Over the past few months, whenever people regretted selling something outright to the Shen Family Pawnshop or came to make trouble, Zhou Qing had always settled it.
Zhou Qing gave a bitter smile. "Old Shen, this is a major matter. There was no time to notify you. Don't go out at night these next few days. If you run into anything strange or bizarre, be sure to report it to the authorities."
Shen Bai asked curiously, "Could it all be connected to Old Master Qian's death?"
Zhou Qing nodded. "A faction has recently appeared in Ascending Cloud County, calling itself the Five Hearts Sect. They preach Five Hearts Facing Heaven, carefree and unfettered. Master Qian believed in the Five Hearts Sect, and not long after, he died. The yamen investigated the Five Hearts Sect and found no problems, but only a ghost would believe that."
The Great Zhou Dynasty had countless factions, and Ascending Cloud County was no different. As long as such groups obeyed regulation, the authorities generally would not interfere without cause.
Furthermore, the Great Zhou Dynasty was in turmoil now. Remote little counties could not keep much under control anyway.
Shen Bai rubbed his chin.
He had heard of this Five Hearts Sect before. It seemed to have quite a few followers in the county town.
While the two chatted, Chief Constable Zheng had already emerged from the building with his men.
"We're finished searching. Shopkeeper Shen, you may resume business. Sorry for the disturbance."
"You're too courteous, Chief Constable Zheng. As ordinary citizens, it is only natural that we cooperate with the yamen."
Shen Bai glanced inside the shop. "How about the brothers join me for a meal? Once Zhang Chaofeng returns, I'll have him buy some wine and meat."
Chief Constable Zheng shook his head. "Another time. Zhou Qing, take your men. We're going to the next place. Wait, Shopkeeper Shen, you're carrying a sword?"
"Everyone knows about Old Master Qian's affair. I'm carrying a sword for protection as well." Shen Bai smiled.
Chief Constable Zheng patted Shen Bai's shoulder. "As long as you go out less at night, there naturally won't be any danger. Brothers, move out!"
The constables hurried away without exchanging any further pleasantries with Shen Bai.
Shen Bai watched Chief Constable Zheng's retreating back. After thinking for a while, he silently said to himself, But I really am craving it.
After returning to the pawnshop, Zhang Chaofeng arrived not long afterward.
Today was another perfectly ordinary day. The only difference was that Zhang Chaofeng was alone at the counter.
Shen Bai returned to the rear courtyard, picked up the Rusty Longsword, and began practicing the Blood Sword Dance.
Blood Sword Dance +1 +1 +1...
His proficiency was rising more slowly now, but Shen Bai was not in a hurry. As long as it was increasing, that was enough.
Moreover, with every increase, Shen Bai could feel his control over the Blood Sword Dance growing more familiar.
Throughout the entire morning, Shen Bai kept grinding the Blood Sword Dance, and his stomach grew steadily emptier.
"Old Zhang, keep an eye on things. I'm going out to eat."
Every swing of his sword was accompanied by surging vitality and blood. Shen Bai truly got hungry quickly.
When he reached the street, Shen Bai ate five bowls of rice and another two pounds of meat before returning to the pawnshop under the shop owner's astonished gaze.
"Shopkeeper, why aren't you drinking tea and looking at paintings today?" Zhang Chaofeng asked curiously.
Shen Bai coughed. "I can't play the refined scholar."
With that, Shen Bai intended to return to the inner courtyard and continue practicing the Blood Sword Dance.
Zhang Chaofeng hurriedly said, "Shopkeeper, I'd like to take a few days off in a few days. My troublesome wife is returning to her parents' home, and I need to see her off."
Shen Bai thought for a moment. "Times are bad. Be careful on the road."
"Sure thing." Zhang Chaofeng agreed.
The entire afternoon, Shen Bai continued practicing the Blood Sword Dance. He went out for another huge meal midway through, until evening finally arrived.
A line of smoke appeared before his eyes, gradually condensing into words.
Blood Sword Dance lv.3 (Swordsmanship +4, Demonbreaking +4, Tremor +4): 800/5000
Shen Bai stared at the words until they vanished, then carried the rusty iron sword to the entrance.
Zhang Chaofeng had left long ago. People were always enthusiastic about getting off work.
"I still can't resist."
Shen Bai looked at the dark street ahead, then down at his black outfit.
Grinding was one method. Killing Intent was another.
Killing Intent could not only increase the speed of appraisal, but also allow divine abilities to undergo a qualitative transformation at critical moments.
And the source of Killing Intent came from the bizarre.
The Old Daoist Priest had died at the Qian Family residence and become something bizarre.
Master Qian had died at the Qian Family residence too, and he might very well have become something bizarre.
Shen Bai felt that since he had come here to live a second life and possessed this Cheat System, if he did not take a gamble, this trip would have been for nothing.
Lying low was possible.
But watching immense fortune slip away was not Shen Bai's style.
It was like seeing an unparalleled beauty take off her clothes—what man could possibly hold himself back?
The night was black as ink. Shen Bai shut the door, covered his face with black cloth that exposed only his eyes, and quietly made his way toward the Qian Family residence.
The Qian Family residence.
As one of Ascending Cloud County's great households, it was currently shrouded beneath gloomy clouds.
White cloth draped over the main gate, while the once-lively estate had long since become utterly deserted.
After such a major incident, and with another Daoist dead, no one dared continue living here.
The entire Qian Family residence was silent, like a soundless ghost domain.
Shen Bai came to a secluded corner of the wall. After making sure no one was around, he pushed off hard with both legs.
The Scorching Qi Flow within him coursed into his legs, and Shen Bai effortlessly vaulted onto the wall.
Using the branches as cover, Shen Bai carefully surveyed the grounds.
The constables had already come during the day. Now that it was night, there was not a soul in sight.
After thinking briefly, Shen Bai prepared to flip down and investigate what was real and what was false.
Since he had come, he could not come for nothing. Even if he returned empty-handed, he still had to take a look around.
Those fishing fellows might fail to catch fish and still carry a cow home on their backs. How could he be any less?
Just as Shen Bai was about to climb over the wall, a gust of wind swept past.
A figure appeared on the wall opposite him, dressed in black and using branches for cover just as Shen Bai was.
Beneath the high, bright moon.
Shen Bai and the black-clad figure stared at each other, and an awkward atmosphere spread between them.
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