The Gang Leader's Adopted Daughter

A moment later.

Lu Changsheng arrived before the Demon Suppression Department's library pavilion and stepped inside.

"Apprentice Demon Suppressors may only select cultivation arts from the second floor."

The old man merely cast him a faint glance without even raising his head.

Lu Changsheng cupped his hands, then passed the old man and headed for the stairs.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

The moment he reached the second floor, he saw Xing Zhaolin leaning against a corner, catching up on sleep.

Hearing someone arrive, Xing Zhaolin opened his bleary eyes.

"So it's Brother Lu. What cultivation art do you need this time?"

Once he saw that it was Lu Changsheng, his spirits immediately lifted, and his face broke into a broad smile.

He still remembered Lu Changsheng well—after all, he was a man with money to burn.

Lu Changsheng did not waste words. He directly tossed a tael of silver over, smacking Xing Zhaolin in the face.

"I have one minor merit to spend. What cultivation arts or secret techniques can I exchange it for?"

With greedy people, all one needed to do was cater to their tastes and smash them with money. It saved both time and effort.

If he had to search through this sea of books himself, he might not find anything even after several days.

His time was precious, and he naturally could not waste it on such trivial matters.

Having been struck in the face by silver, Xing Zhaolin was not angered. Instead, his smile grew even wider.

Today, magpies had come to his door. He had opened for business so early in the morning—he would not mind even being beaten to death with silver.

"I'll personally take you over to choose."

He hurriedly rose and walked toward the northwest corner.

Lu Changsheng followed close behind.

The two quickly arrived beside a particularly secluded bookshelf.

"Normally, decent secret manuals cost three minor merits, while poorer ones cost two. These incomplete secret arts only cost one minor merit."

"Are you sure you don't want to wait, Brother Lu? Merits are quite precious. A single group mission only earns one minor merit."

Xing Zhaolin reminded him with a solemn expression.

He had a favorable impression of Lu Changsheng and naturally did not want him to take a detour.

"It's fine. Thank you for the advice, Brother Xing. I'll look around here."

Lu Changsheng smiled, then carefully examined the books along the shelf.

Dragon-Subduing Tiger-Taming Art (Incomplete)

Black Tiger Blade Art (Incomplete)

Nine Spiral Transformations, incomplete volume

Bone Shrinking Art (Incomplete)

Lu Changsheng's gaze swept over the entire shelf. When he saw the Bone Shrinking Art, his eyes flickered slightly.

"What kind of cultivation art is this Bone Shrinking Art?"

Xing Zhaolin looked dismissive. "This art is rather useless. It can only shrink one's bones to enter narrow caves and the like. Besides, it's an incomplete volume. No one has ever exchanged for it."

"I'll take this one."

Lu Changsheng smiled faintly.

He only had one minor merit in hand, and this art happened to suit him best.

Besides, he intended to use this cultivation art to verify something.

"Since you need it, Brother Lu, I won't say any more."

With that, Xing Zhaolin immediately took out the manual and handed it to Lu Changsheng.

They were only casual acquaintances. Interfering too much would be inappropriate. Xing Zhaolin was a smooth man and naturally would not do something so unwise.

"Thank you, Brother Xing."

Lu Changsheng accepted the cultivation art and thanked him.

After exchanging a few more words, he turned and left.

When he reached the old man on the first floor, he handed over his waist token and began copying down the cultivation art.

"All cultivation arts must not be passed on to outsiders..."

As usual, the old man gave his warning.

A moment later, Lu Changsheng left the library pavilion with the copied cultivation art in hand.

At the same time, the minor merit on his waist token had been crossed off.

Retracing his route, Lu Changsheng quickly returned to his small courtyard.

He immediately spread open the manual and began carefully reading through it.

"An incomplete volume of the Bone Shrinking Art has been discovered. Would you like to record it?"

A familiar prompt sounded deep in his mind.

"Record it."

Lu Changsheng nodded.

A new skill appeared on the blue panel.

Skill: Bone Shrinking Art (Incomplete)

Note: Can alter the arrangement of bones throughout the body, shrinking or enlarging one's physique. Cannot be maintained in battle.

Lu Changsheng frowned at this.

The effect was far too useless. Altering one's physique was of little use and could not increase his strength.

Just then, another prompt sounded.

"An incomplete cultivation skill has been detected. Would you like to complete it?"

Lu Changsheng's expression shifted slightly.

"Complete it."

As the remaining two Source Energy Points in his hand were completely consumed, the cultivation art on the panel changed accordingly.

Skill: Bone Shrinking Art (Uninitiated)

Note: Can freely alter the bones and muscles throughout the body. Can also be used in battle, but has a duration limit.

Seeing this, Lu Changsheng's face lit up with joy.

This was simply a divine skill essential for killing and plundering. As long as he cultivated it to the entry level, no one would discover his identity when he acted.

It would be of enormous help to his next move.

That was right. Lu Changsheng was already prepared to begin his counterattack at once.

Now, he was completely free of worries.

From the day he first began martial training until now, he had always been extremely cautious. He had also carefully considered dealing with the Three Rivers Gang. After all, with his current strength, he was not yet a match for the gang's upper ranks. He could only strike at their forces from the shadows. This cultivation art had resolved his pressing need like rain upon parched earth.

At last, he could set his plan in motion.

Lu Changsheng then put away his thoughts and began cultivating impatiently.

"Crack, crack..."

As the cultivation art circulated, the muscles and bones in his legs rapidly changed.

Three days later.

Skill: Bone Shrinking Art (Minor Accomplishment)

Source Energy Points: 0

Note: After using the skill, it can be maintained for one hour when striking with full force.

Lu Changsheng looked at the data on the panel with a satisfied expression.

One hour was enough to accomplish many things.

Once he obtained more Source Energy Points in the future, he could slowly improve it. This sort of ordinary cultivation art consumed very little anyway.

But now, he no longer had any Source Energy Points. The last two had been used up as well.

It seems I need to speed up my exploration of the mountains and forests.

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

Just then, a crisp voice came from the courtyard.

"May I ask if Young Master Lu is here?"

A woman dressed as a maid entered from outside the courtyard, her steps light and brisk.

Hearing the movement, Lu Changsheng immediately emerged from his room.

His face held some confusion. "I'm Lu Changsheng. What is it?"

"My young lady has invited you."

The woman smiled gently, her manner very amiable.

Lu Changsheng was even more puzzled upon hearing this. He did not know any young lady.

Ever since joining the Demon Suppression Department, he had been training desperately in martial arts.

The woman seemed to sense Lu Changsheng's confusion and hurriedly explained with a smile, "My young lady's surname is Yue. She said she is an old acquaintance of yours and specifically sent this servant to invite you..."

Lu Changsheng's eyes stirred. He instantly guessed her identity.

The person inviting him was Yue Shulan. They had carried out a mission together, so they did share some acquaintance.

"Lead the way."

Lu Changsheng did not refuse.

The woman then walked gracefully ahead, with Lu Changsheng following behind.

The two proceeded along the streets.

Before long, they stopped before a large pavilion.

Lu Changsheng looked up.

Three gilded words hung above the entrance: "Mandarin Duck Pavilion."

His expression turned exceedingly strange.

He was quite familiar with this place from his memories. It was said to be the greatest gold-swallowing den in all of Changping County.

He had never expected that a woman inviting him for a meal would choose a brothel of all places.

Lu Changsheng did not dwell on it and stepped directly into the pavilion.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

The two went up the stairs and entered a private room on the left.

At this moment, the table was already laden with wine and dishes, their fragrance drifting through the room.

Yue Shulan sat upright in the seat of honor.

Seeing Lu Changsheng arrive as promised, she quickly rose to receive him, her face full of smiles.

"I am deeply grateful that Young Master Lu was willing to honor me with your presence."

"Madam Jing is performing today, which is why I chose this place."

Her tone was exceedingly gentle.

Lu Changsheng smiled and walked straight to the table before sitting down.

The Madam Jing she spoke of was the leading courtesan of this establishment. She was highly skilled in music, blessed with both talent and beauty.

She was immensely sought after throughout Changping County.

"What did Miss Yue invite me here for today?"

He went straight to the point.

"I hope to become friends with Young Master Lu."

Yue Shulan smiled faintly and did not beat around the bush.

After speaking, she clapped her hands. The maid beside her immediately brought out an exquisite wooden box.

Lu Changsheng's expression remained blank. "One should not accept rewards without merit. Miss Yue should take it back."

He did not dare casually accept her gift.

Yue Shulan took a sip of tea and signaled to the maid beside her with her eyes.

The maid hurriedly opened the wooden box.

Inside lay an enormous ginseng root, giving off waves of fragrant aroma.

Lu Changsheng was taken aback, somewhat unable to make head or tail of it.

Such a lavish gesture merely to make friends was quite rare.

This ginseng appeared to be more than a hundred years old and was worth a great deal.

"Miss Yue should state your intentions directly."

His tone was calm.

Yue Shulan was not angered. She smiled and said, "My mother is the gang leader of the Sea Shark Gang. She hopes to invite Young Master Lu to join our Sea Shark Gang as a guest elder."

Lu Changsheng smiled faintly. "I hear that the Sea Shark Gang's leader has an adopted daughter. That would be you, correct?"

He had heard of this matter before, but he had not expected the woman to be Yue Shulan.

He knew that the Sea Shark Gang was having difficult times now. Under the suppression of the Three Rivers Gang, it was struggling greatly.

Coupled with fierce internal strife, even Yue Shulan had been forced to seek refuge in the Demon Suppression Department.

Now that she had come looking for him, she likely wanted him to deal with the gang's powerful figures. This spiritual medicine would not be so easy to accept.

"My strength is limited. For now, I cannot shoulder such an important responsibility."

Lu Changsheng refused without hesitation.

Although the Sea Shark Gang and the Three Rivers Gang were hostile toward one another, forming good relations with the Sea Shark Gang would not be a bad thing. As the saying went, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

But asking him to enter the fray now was impossible.

Even if the two sides were to cooperate, he had to be the one to decide the timing.

Rather than letting the other side lead him by the nose.

With his current strength, taking part in a large gang conflict would undoubtedly be like snatching chestnuts from the fire—extremely dangerous.

It ran severely counter to his own interests.

Lu Changsheng had long since decided to deal with the Three Rivers Gang in secret. As for cooperation, that could wait until his cultivation had grown stronger.

"No matter. If Young Master Lu wishes to join a faction in the future, I hope you will give us careful consideration."

Yue Shulan's willow-leaf brows lifted slightly, but she did not get angry.

As she spoke, she pushed the wooden box toward Lu Changsheng.

"Only the two of us returned safely from the last mission. We can be considered companions who shared hardship. Take this spiritual medicine as a gift upon our acquaintance."

Her tone was quite sincere.

Lu Changsheng's expression shifted slightly. He had not expected Yue Shulan to be so generous.

"Then I shall humbly accept."

He smiled and accepted the gift.

Since she had already put it that way, refusing again would be somewhat ungrateful.

Once he became stronger in the future, there would likely be quite a few people coming to offer him gifts.

That, too, was one of the benefits brought by strength.