Business Settled

"You two have waited a long time!"

Before long, Old Master Bai returned, forcing a smile. "This child, you really can't spoil them. Look at the mess now..."

Taking a sip of tea, he continued their previous discussion. "As you two have seen, we have a new mouth to feed at home, so the expenses have increased. Naturally, the price can't be the same as before."

Sun Zhi frowned and asked, "Then how much do you want?"

"Double it!"

"What???"

Sun Zhi's eyes widened, and he exclaimed in disbelief.

What Shen Lin had given was already worth a thousand taels of silver.

A thousand taels of silver was enough to buy this old man's entire estate.

This old man was simply too greedy.

If Sun Zhi were to take out his savings, he could scrape together a thousand taels.

But it would be too much of a loss.

Killing a demon, the Demon Suppression Bureau would only award around three thousand taels.

And that was after it passed through the hands of the County Magistrate, the Chief Clerk, and the County Lieutenant. Getting over a thousand taels in hand would be good.

Besides, he still needed to convert these rewards into Demon Suppression Bureau contribution points to exchange for another Meridian Unblocking Pill.

Just as he was about to refuse, he suddenly sensed several figures flash past the window.

His keen hearing as a martial artist allowed him to faintly catch words like "young, martial artist, delicious."

Sun Zhi's expression turned grim, realizing that if he refused, he might not be able to leave this place today.

But he was unwilling to hand over so much money directly.

Just then, Shen Lin spoke.

"Old Master Bai, doubling the price is no problem, but can you give us something satisfactory in return?"

He seemed completely oblivious to the abnormality outside, picking up his teacup and taking a gentle sip.

Old Master Bai, seeing his composure, couldn't help but look at him with more respect. He smiled and said, "Of course, we won't let you leave empty-handed. I know the location of a wolf demon. That fellow had a conflict with the one on the mountain and was driven out of the village. According to your terms, its cultivation is already infinitely close to the Opening Meridians Realm. If you take it back, you will naturally receive a considerable reward."

Hearing this, Sun Zhi breathed a sigh of relief.

If the wolf demon's strength was truly as the other party claimed, then at least he would break even.

Just as he was about to reach into his pocket for the silver notes, Shen Lin's words interrupted his movement before he could even lift his hand.

"That could work, but a thousand taels is not a small sum. Head Constable Sun and I don't have that much on us. We'll have to go back and get it."

Old Master Bai had no objections to this and stated plainly, "Alright! But this silver..."

Before he could finish, Shen Lin smiled and continued, "Let's consider the thousand taels as a deposit. Old Master Bai, why don't you give us the wolf demon's location first? After we kill the wolf demon, we'll bring the remaining silver."

Seeing a hint of displeasure on the other's face, Shen Lin continued, "Of course, this isn't about not trusting Old Master Bai. After all, we'll continue to do business in the future. Neither of us wants to do a one-off deal, right? If you're unwilling, then we can go back and get the silver first, and then get the wolf demon's location."

Hearing this, Old Master Bai was no longer angry. After some thought, he suddenly laughed heartily. "You humans also value integrity in business. Head Constable Sun and I have transacted before, but this is the first time with you. Since that's the case, I'll listen to you. Let this silver be a deposit. I'll give you the wolf demon's location now. As you said, there's plenty more business to be done."

As he spoke, he walked to the desk, took a piece of white paper, and drew some lines on it. When he was done, he blew on it and handed it to Sun Zhi.

"In that case, we'll take our leave. We will definitely deliver the promised subsequent payment within three days!"

Shen Lin clasped his hands in a bow and walked out.

At this moment, several people stood in the courtyard, looking at him with veiled eyes.

Besides the young fox demon Qianqian and the stout little fox demon who had entered once before, there were two others.

One was an old woman. Although her hair was silver, her attire and demeanor exuded elegance.

The other was a man, powerfully built with fierce eyes.

Shen Lin strode past them, nodding occasionally, showing no fear at all.

Behind him, Sun Zhi's expression was tense. He forced a smile, adopting a very humble posture, bowing and greeting them from time to time.

Seeing the two leave, the burly man walked into the house and said to Old Master Bai, "Father! You just let them go? These guys must have all their wealth on them. 'Going back to get money' is just an excuse. What if they kill the wolf demon and then renege on the deal, or even turn around and lead people to attack us?"

Old Master Bai took a book from the bookshelf, returned to his seat, and opened it, saying softly, "That young man has good talent and a steady disposition!"

"So?"

"A person like him is not content with the ordinary. Therefore, he will definitely return with the remaining payment and ask to do more business with us. Besides, even if they go back on their word and try to attack us, so what?"

Old Master Bai opened the book and slowly said, "This old man still has some connections at the County Office. If they want to attack, it will cause a great commotion. By then, we will have already received news and left before their large forces arrive. Why are you panicking?"

"You, you just don't like to use your brain. You're nowhere near as good as Ah Hao!"

The man scratched the back of his head and chuckled foolishly. "Third Brother is skilled in both civil and martial arts. Naturally, I can't compare. Speaking of which, shouldn't Third Brother and Sister-in-law come back this year?"

"Yes! We received a letter saying they will be back in a month or two. By the way, Ah Hao mentioned in his letter that he has already opened seven demon meridians and is preparing to break through to the Xiantian Realm."

"Seven?"

The man's eyes widened, and he murmured, "As expected of the Qingqiu family. Sister-in-law must have secured those secret cultivation techniques for him. Seven meridians, he should have no problem breaking through to the Xiantian Realm, right?"

"That's for sure. After all, Ah Hao already has the Qingqiu surname. He's one of their own now. Second son, our family is counting on you. You can't disappoint me..."

The discussion in the study gradually died down as night began to fall.

After Shen Lin and Sun Zhi left the village, they immediately headed towards the location Old Master Bai had given them.

Monsters had no fixed abode. It was best to act quickly upon receiving information. If they delayed, the target might have already moved.

However, Sun Zhi appeared deeply worried at this moment.

Clearly, the scene earlier had genuinely frightened him.

"Head Constable Sun!"

Shen Lin's shout pulled him back from his thoughts.

"You said they had seven family members, but why did I only see five just now?"

"I heard their youngest son and his wife often live away from home, only returning once a year."

"Ah, I see. What a pity..."

"What's a pity?"

"Nothing."

Shen Lin shook his head, then glanced back at the village under the night sky, chuckling softly. "Let's pick up the pace and get back quickly."