Wu Family Treasury

The Wu Family is Baoshan Village's wealthiest household, possessing countless fertile fields and immense riches.

The method to earn such vast wealth was actually quite simple.

Lending money!

Usurious loans!

It wasn't for the sake of a small amount of interest.

Each time a farmer came to borrow, 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 monsters in the mountains.

The monsters got their food, and the Wu Family, while helping to cover up the truth, took possession of their land.

This plan had never failed.

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

Zijing's lips curled into a sneer. "When the Wu Family acts, they naturally grease all the right palms. The villagers are blindly obedient and can't discern the truth. And people from the County Office have indeed come."

As she spoke, she glanced at Sun Zhi ahead. "For example, Head Constable Sun here has visited several times. But each time, his conclusion was that it was the work of fierce beasts in the mountains. Coincidentally, not long after, he would find traces of demons elsewhere."

Shen Lin fell silent and sighed helplessly.

Not long after, a village appeared before them.

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

Just as Shen Lin was about to move forward, Zijing stopped him.

"Wait a moment. Dog demons have keen senses, their smell and hearing are much stronger than ordinary demons. We need to keep our distance at least five li away. We'll act when their attention is on Sun Zhi."

Shen Lin nodded and quietly waited for Sun Zhi to walk in.

"Speaking of which, aren't you afraid the demons will attack Head Constable Sun directly? At this distance, you wouldn't be able to get there in time."

Zijing looked at Shen Lin with some confusion.

This guy, didn't he always use 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, Head Constable Sun can only resist desperately and kill three demons, but he will die from his injuries on the way back."

Listening to the script he had planned for Sun Zhi, Zijing shivered. "You're truly ruthless. But if that happens, you won't be able to hide your cultivation anymore."

Shen Lin nodded, but didn't respond at all.

If he couldn't hide it, he would act high-profile.

After some more time, once he broke through the twelfth meridian, he would reach the Xiantian realm.

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

Thinking of this, Shen Lin felt greatly invigorated.

The Demon Suppression Bureau was solely responsible for slaying demons and eradicating evil. If he could enter the Demon Suppression Bureau, he would undoubtedly encounter more demons and gain more demon lifespan.

Lost in thought, his eyes suddenly moved. He noticed two figures had appeared before Sun Zhi at some point.

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

"Let's go!"

Zijing, who had also seen this, her eyes lit up. She led Shen Lin around the edge of the village towards a very conspicuous large mansion.

They moved stealthily, making no 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 watch on the perimeter."

After Zijing finished speaking, just as she was about to move, Shen Lin stopped her.

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

Zijing looked over in confusion, her pupils suddenly contracting.

In the dark corner of the courtyard, a figure stood silently in the shadows.

Opening Meridians Realm!

Even if an ordinary martial artist suppressed their internal energy with all their might, they couldn't escape the perception of an Opening Meridians Realm expert.

Zijing hadn't noticed the person at first, which meant the other party was definitely a strong individual at the same level as her.

She frowned and secretly thought it was troublesome.

The intelligence she had obtained earlier did not mention that the Wu Family had an Opening Meridians Realm martial artist guarding them.

It seemed that her actions in the past period had alerted the Wu Family, and they had specifically invited such an Opening Meridians Realm expert to guard the treasury.

The other party had chosen their position well, with the entire treasury within their line of sight. There was no way for her to bypass them.

Should I take care of the other party first?

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

While Zijing was still brainstorming solutions, she suddenly noticed the opponent's shadow twitch. A figure appeared beside her.

That's... Shen Lin?

Zijing instinctively turned her head, only to find empty space beside her, confirming her guess.

Shen Lin didn't have time to dawdle. What if those dog demons discovered Sun Zhi's objective and fled when they saw trouble?

Where would he find three more monsters in the Opening Meridians Realm?

So, while Zijing was still thinking, he had already taken action.

Using the Shadow Severing Step, he silently appeared behind the Wu Family's Opening Meridians Realm. Shen Lin gestured at his neck and brought his right hand down like a blade.

Thump!

The opponent didn't even groan before collapsing to the ground, eyes rolling back.

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

Coupled with Shen Lin's dishonorable sneak attack, the Opening Meridians Realm that the Wu Family had paid a hefty sum to hire was now fast asleep.

Not far away, upon seeing Shen Lin's "all clear" gesture, Zijing's expression turned strange.

But she knew there was no time to dwell on that now and immediately ran to the treasury door to try and pick the lock.

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

And indeed, he found something good.

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

Mountain Splitting Fist

Hmm... with such a powerful name, it must be better than Blood Battle Saber Technique.

He casually flipped through it and then tucked it into his embrace.

Just then, a click came from Zijing's side as the treasury door lock was opened.

"It's open?"

Hearing the voice behind her, Zijing took a deep breath and pushed the door open with slightly trembling hands.

Upon opening the door, a dazzling array of treasures greeted her.

Pearls, coral, gold bricks, and silver ingots filled the room.

But Zijing didn't even glance at this wealth, which most people couldn't earn in a lifetime. Instead, her eyes immediately went to the famous paintings hanging on the wall.

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

"How is this possible???"

Her emotions surging, she rushed in and searched.

After a while, she slumped onto a chair, leaning back weakly, and murmured, "How could it not be here..."

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

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

And if his strength was sufficient, wealth would be a mere thought away.

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

He walked back and looked at the crestfallen Zijing. He tapped his chin and said, "You didn't find what you were looking for? Why not just go ask?"

"Ask who?"

Zijing's voice was hollow. She asked subconsciously, then suddenly took a deep breath and stood up abruptly. "That's right! Let's go ask!"

She had initially been reluctant to personally confront the Wu Family patriarch due to the risk of exposure.

But now, having not 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 very simple solution.