Let's Get Rich Together

Inside the Yanbin Restaurant, Hu Dongxing and a group of Head Constables were seated in a private room.

Shen Lin, who had recently become a Martial Artist, was also invited.

With food and wine prepared, Hu Dongxing didn't rush to start. Instead, he raised his cup, his expression solemn, and said, "Everyone! This first cup of wine is for our fallen brothers!"

As he spoke, he looked at Shen Lin, explaining, "Brother Shen, you haven't been a Martial Artist for long, but you should understand that while hunting demons offers generous rewards, the risks are equally significant.

This time, only you and... who was it... survived from your squad. And last year, our County Office lost fifty-seven brothers.

These brothers had no rank, not even officials, so the court wouldn't provide any compensation. Their affairs naturally fall to us, the living, to handle.

You've likely gained considerable benefits from the Demons, and with the rewards from the Demon Suppression Bureau coming soon, your net worth in a single day will surpass many in Qiulin County.

Therefore, you must set aside a portion of those rewards and deliver it to the families of the fallen brothers."

He then pointed to Sun Zhi and the other Head Constables, saying, "Don't think I'm bullying you. It's just that these Head Constables all do this. It can't be helped, who asked us to be Martial Artists."

Shen Lin showed no displeasure and nodded, "Prefect Hu, I understand!"

Seeing his agreement, Hu Dongxing smiled with relief and led the way by sprinkling the wine on the ground.

For others, the greatest benefit of hunting demons might be the rewards.

But for Shen Lin, the Demon lifespans he gained were the most important things.

As for wealth, although purchasing cultivation techniques and resources is costly, he wasn't lacking for this amount of compensation.

It was just unexpected...

Shen Lin gave Sun Zhi a deep look. Though he said nothing, the mockery in his eyes was evident.

Those brothers were pushed into the fire pit by you.

After their deaths, do you think a little bit of disposable income is enough for their families?

"Good! Come, come, this second cup of wine..."

After commemorating their deceased colleagues, the atmosphere in the room, spurred by Hu Dongxing, became much more lively.

Everyone began to toast and clink glasses, enjoying the fine wine and food.

But Sun Zhi was somewhat distracted.

He still hadn't figured out what Shen Lin was up to.

At first, he thought the guy intended to expose his past misdeeds at the banquet in front of the County Lieutenant and others.

While he was wary of this, he had already prepared his defense.

Ultimately, Sun Zhi's confidence in returning to the County Office stemmed from his clean record; he had left no clues.

Shen Lin's word alone wouldn't be enough to convict him.

But Shen Lin sat there silently now, only occasionally casting a lingering glance at him.

This made Sun Zhi increasingly uneasy.

Because he couldn't quite grasp the other's intentions.

Just as he was thinking of finding an opportunity to probe, Shen Lin suddenly stood up, seemingly intending to go to the restroom.

Seeing this, Sun Zhi waited a moment before also standing up and leaving the private room, planning to find Shen Lin alone to sound him out.

Shen Lin was young and wouldn't be in such a hurry to relieve himself after a little drink.

He was specifically waiting for Sun Zhi.

Seeing Sun Zhi approach, Shen Lin smiled and said, "I heard Head Constable Sun had quite a harvest this time?"

"You should have spared that Mantis Demon's life," Sun Zhi replied, avoiding the question, and said in a low voice.

"Head Constable Sun is joking. You've been in Qiulin County for so many years; a demon's testimony can't bring you down."

"Good that you know!" Sun Zhi replied sternly, but his face showed no sign of relief.

If Shen Lin had reported him immediately upon returning to the County Office, he wouldn't be this nervous.

He was confident that his actions were handled cleanly. Those who had colluded with him and survived had already sworn loyalty, and if he were exposed, they wouldn't escape either.

Even if demons he had cooperated with came forward to testify, it could be dismissed as them slandering him.

After all, who would the County Office believe more: a Head Constable who had hunted countless demons, or the testimony of demons?

But now, Shen Lin had done nothing, and that was what bothered Sun Zhi the most.

Without knowing the other party's plan, he couldn't prepare his response.

Thinking this, he stopped beating around the bush and directly asked Shen Lin, "What do you want?"

Shen Lin smiled playfully, "I don't want much, I just hope Head Constable Sun can help me get rich too."

Hearing this, Sun Zhi first frowned, then looked Shen Lin up and down, and chuckled, "You want to exchange for meridian-opening martial arts from the Demon Suppression Bureau?"

He thought he understood the other's intentions.

Already a Martial Artist at such a young age, Shen Lin naturally wished to cultivate further.

However, progressing from Martial Artist to the Opening Meridians Realm wasn't something achievable by simply continuing to practice the Blood Battle Saber Technique.

The Opening Meridians Realm required one to locate the meridians within their body and then forcefully open them using Qi and Blood Force.

Relying on a common, widely-practiced martial art like the Blood Battle Saber Technique to sense and open internal meridians was incredibly difficult.

At the very least, aside from the old soldiers who constantly fought on the border, Sun Zhi had never heard of many people who could open meridians using the Blood Battle Saber Technique.

Furthermore, even if Shen Lin possessed exceptional talent and could open meridians with the Blood Battle Saber Technique, he could at most open two.

To advance further beyond the Opening Meridians Realm, one needed to open at least three meridians.

Unaware of Shen Lin's thoughts, the other party was momentarily stunned by his words, but his expression remained unchanged as he ambiguously replied, "Who wouldn't want to?"

The other party's guess wasn't entirely wrong.

Sun Zhi was indeed a scumbag, engaging in transactions with the Yao Clan using the lives of his own people, which disgusted Shen Lin.

If he had wanted to kill Sun Zhi, Shen Lin could have simply waited a bit longer at the Mantis Demon's place last night.

But after some thought, he decided to spare Sun Zhi's life for now.

Beheading him with a blade would indeed be satisfying, but what then?

Finding Demons was no simple task.

Whether it was Shen Lin, who had just arrived, or his predecessor who had spent years in Qiulin County, their understanding of Demons was too limited. He needed someone to guide him into this world.

Sun Zhi was an excellent choice.

Having dealt with Demons for so long, this guy must have his own methods for finding them.

Shen Lin only had one year left to live and couldn't afford to waste any time.

He had to quickly accumulate Demon lifespan and simultaneously find ways to acquire some higher-level cultivation techniques to break through faster and extend his life.

For this goal, temporarily keeping this guy alive was acceptable.

More importantly, killing him with a single blow would be too easy for him.

Shen Lin already had some wonderful plans brewing in his mind.

With this thought, he smiled and asked, "Head Constable Sun, what do you think of my proposal?"