She Gave Too Much

This night was sleepless for many.

Chief Qian faced the cold wind, waiting outside the County Magistrate's home for the sun to rise.

Prefect Hu examined Cao Yongjun's corpse, trying to glean even the slightest piece of information.

After flying away from the county town, the bird demon returned through a secret passage.

Inside Miaoyin Tower, Zi Jing was playing chess with someone.

Her slender, fair arms placed a black piece, and she softly asked, "Was that bird demon from earlier one of the great demons from Black Wind Stronghold?"

"No!"

A white piece landed, and the man opposite her spoke with a steady voice, continuing, "None of the eight leaders of Black Wind Stronghold are bird demons."

Zi Jing held a chess piece, lost in thought. "That's strange, then where did this bird demon in the Opening Meridians Realm come from?"

"Compared to that..."

The man opposite her looked up, his expression solemn. "Miss, you need to be more discreet lately. I've heard that the major families have already made preparations in secret, just waiting for you to fall into their trap."

His face was resolute, and even while sitting cross-legged on the soft couch, his back remained perfectly straight.

"Inspector Cheng!"

Zi Jing spoke his name in one go, revealing his identity as Qiulin County's Inspector, Cheng Yi.

"You should know, my father died unjustly, and my entire family of fourteen perished. Only I survived. They are all watching me from below, waiting for me to avenge them. To achieve this, I must find my family's inherited cultivation technique!"

Crack!

Her long, slender, fair fingers easily crushed the stone chess piece.

As she spoke these words, Zi Jing's face contorted, her eyes filled with endless hatred.

Cheng Yi sighed and said softly, "I believe Lord Yuan, in spirit, would only wish for you to live a peaceful life, forever..."

"Cheng Yi!!!"

Zi Jing suddenly let out a low cry. "You were just a stable boy for my father back then, don't pretend you understand him so well!"

Despite being insulted in such a manner, Cheng Yi showed no anger on his face. After a long silence, he finally said, "How do you need me to help?"

Hearing this, Zi Jing's expression softened slightly. "The Thousand Pine Painting, which hides our family's secret technique, was indeed sold to this Qiulin County by a merchant back then. However, I've already searched all the wealthy households in the city and haven't found its whereabouts."

"But a few days ago, the foolish son of the Wu Family, a prominent household in Baoshan Village, was drinking in Miaoyin Tower. Someone heard him say that his family possessed a Thousand Pine Painting, a rare treasure of that era."

Cheng Yi frowned. "Baoshan Village? That's near the Qiulin Mountains. Most of the prominent households in the village are friendly with those fiends from Black Wind Stronghold..."

Zi Jing seemed to sense his concerns and smiled. "Don't worry, you don't need to take any risks. All you need to do is impersonate me during this time and continue to visit the treasuries of a few wealthy families."

Cheng Yi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly seemed to understand something, his face growing grim. "They've started to suspect you?"

Zi Jing spread her hands with a hint of helplessness. "Last time, I carelessly ran into the foolish son of the Li family. Although I escaped safely then, the Li family has been investigating me in secret recently. This trip to Baoshan Village is also to take the opportunity to clear my name."

"You're going alone?" Cheng Yi immediately shook his head. "No! It's too dangerous. If you encounter any of the leaders from Black Wind Stronghold, even with your strength, it will be difficult to escape."

"Don't worry!" Zi Jing had an inscrutable smile on her face as she murmured, "I recently met an interesting fellow. I think he'd be quite happy to help me."

The seemingly peaceful night in Qiulin County was filled with undercurrents.

But none of this seemed to concern Shen Lin.

After a solid night's sleep, he received good news the next morning.

"I contacted many people, and only one demon agreed to meet me."

Sun Zhi stood by the table with his head bowed. Seeing that Shen Lin had finished breakfast, he quickly and solicitously handed him a towel.

After wiping his hands, Shen Lin smiled. "Head Constable Sun, you truly didn't disappoint me."

Despite Shen Lin's praise, Sun Zhi showed no hint of joy.

A troubled expression crossed his face. "It's just that the other party requested I go alone."

Alone, not even bringing a human as blood food.

This condition seemed problematic no matter how you looked at it.

But Shen Lin paid it no mind. He stood up and patted Sun Zhi's shoulder. "Don't be afraid. You have me behind you."

"I guarantee that those fellows won't be able to harm a single hair on your head."

After receiving Shen Lin's promise, Sun Zhi hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted his teeth and nodded. "They told me to go to Baoshan Village tonight. I'll set off first, and you can follow a quarter of an hour later. The transaction target this time is a dog demon; its senses are extremely sharp. Be extra careful!"

With that, Sun Zhi hurried away to pack his things.

After seeing him off, Shen Lin looked at the clear sky and stretched comfortably.

What a perfect day for work.

Thinking so, he was about to return to his bedroom when he heard a knock at the door.

"Another case?"

He thought someone from the County Office had come looking for him.

But when he opened the door, what greeted him was Zi Jing, dressed in a pink dress and smiling charmingly.

BANG!

Shen Lin decisively slammed the door shut.

Outside the door, the smile on Zi Jing's face froze.

After a moment of stunned silence, she looked around and, finding no one paying attention, immediately gathered her strength and leaped, clearing the courtyard wall.

She landed directly in front of Shen Lin, sneering, "Master Shen! Why are you ignoring your own little lover?"

"Tired of playing!"

Shen Lin rolled his eyes and replied unceremoniously.

He truly didn't want anything to do with this woman.

While she was beautiful, had a great figure, and a pleasant voice, she was a rich woman who could casually offer two Meridian Unblocking Pills. Her background must be extraordinary.

Although Shen Lin's current strength was top-tier in Qiulin County, he had no idea how many hidden dangers lurked in the shadows.

Take the Demon Cultivator he dealt with yesterday. Although his combat power wasn't impressive, his ability to control zombies and his various underhanded tactics, if Shen Lin hadn't comprehended the Shadow Severing Step, he would have at least paid a price.

Therefore, apart from demons, it was best to avoid any other trouble if possible.

With that in mind, he yawned and said, "Whatever it is, I'm not interested. You should go back."

However, Zi Jing seemed to understand Shen Lin's personality. She knew it would be difficult to get this old schemer, who had hidden his strength for so many years, to act without a substantial price. Thus, she came out with her trump card.

"Five Meridian Unblocking Pills! Help me with something tonight!"

Shen Lin's eyes widened, and his steps, which were about to take him back inside, stopped abruptly.

Five Meridian Unblocking Pills!

Damn, this rich woman!

After hesitating for a long time, he still shook his head. "I can't help."

Although the Meridian Unblocking Pills were tempting, he had something important to do tonight.

If his guess was correct, Sun Zhi would at least lure out two Opening Meridians Realm monsters this time. After all, Sun Zhi had previously killed an Opening Meridians Realm wolf demon, so they would definitely be prepared.

Two Opening Meridians Realm monsters meant at least two hundred years of demon lifespan.

Moreover, the danger level was controllable. At worst, he could abandon Sun Zhi as bait and leave. His safety could still be guaranteed.

But Zi Jing's matter was full of unknown risks. He should still...

"It's not a troublesome matter. You just need to accompany me to Baoshan Village to retrieve something."

Shen Lin suddenly turned his head. "Did you say where?"

"Baoshan Village!"

"Actually, I'm not after those Meridian Unblocking Pills. I just genuinely enjoy helping others. How about giving me a few Meridian Unblocking Pills beforehand?"