Whether it was Inner Strength Release or Spiritual Power, such methods were far beyond what ordinary people could comprehend.
Two savage auras clashed in midair.
Even though the victor was decided in mere moments, the crowd in Cyan Willow Lane remained steeped in that murderous intent until Zhang Zhongping’s corpse slammed onto the ground.
Their bodies were stiff, their gazes vacant.
A Grand Martial Artist who could collapse a high wall with his aura alone had just died so... effortlessly.
He didn’t even put up a better fight than his disciples.
At least those brutes had managed to sap some of Master Lin’s stamina and dirty his clothes.
But now, the young man stood in the lane, casually waving a hand to disperse the black qi at his fingertips.
Far from looking tired, his breathing hadn’t even become the slightest bit disordered.
This shocking scene made everyone overlook the unusual presence nearby.
The instant Zhang Zhongping shattered the stone steps and lunged forward to kill, a tall figure in green robes had woven through the crowd, their pace unhurried yet incredibly fast.
She walked with her arms crossed, one palm slightly raised. Several fine, white threads danced at her fingertips.
Each strand of silk was like the glint of a sharp sword.
It was only when the black qi surged forth that a hint of confusion finally appeared on the green-robed woman’s beautiful, indifferent face.
She stopped and studied the scene ahead intently.
A moment later, as Zhang Zhongping fell, the Sword Silk on the woman’s palm dissipated into Spiritual Qi and returned to her body.
"Hm?"
Yan Jin slowly lowered her hands.
She was used to working alone and was only somewhat familiar with Bai Feng.
As a result, she was slow to receive news from within the gang.
She had only happened to overhear someone mention her name, which was how she learned that a certain Fierce Wolf was asking about this "fox’s" background.
He was, after all, someone she had recruited into the gang.
After getting a brief rundown of the situation, she decided to come take a look.
She never expected to see a scene like this.
In Yan Jin’s mind, the young man should have been on the verge of death. But the person standing before her was clearly a genuine Early-stage Qi Cultivation Cultivator!
’This time... I seem to have misjudged him.’
"Another score."
Lin Shu casually closed his fist. Unseen by anyone else, a stream of black copper coins rattled into his sleeve.
Trailing behind them were, surprisingly, two White Jade Merit Coins.
[Life and death are governed by fate. A life snatched from the hands of Yama. For saving one wretched soul, one Merit Coin is granted.]
Two nearly identical prompts appeared.
’What’s going on?’
Lin Shu was a little surprised.
Today was different from before. Those disciples had dared to come with the intent to slaughter his entire household because they had made arrangements in advance.
But in broad daylight, with constables still on patrol...
Hongyun Martial Arts Hall wasn’t some all-powerful faction. It was absurd enough that this old bastard had dared to come for revenge; how could he have had the chance to take his anger out on innocent lives?
’Where did these Merit Coins come from?’
With this in mind, Lin Shu turned his head, a hint of confusion on his face.
He saw Old Yang and Jin Gui standing silently at the half-open gate of the Magpie’s Nest. They seemed utterly out of place compared to the many Brothel Madams and the Madam herself, who were peeking out from the stairwell.
Zhang Zhongping indeed wouldn’t have dared to go on a killing spree.
But if someone was asking for death, that would be a different story.
Lin Shu raised an eyebrow, a strange feeling stirring within him.
He had a good idea where those two Merit Coins came from.
’Black Water City really is a strange place.’
’Just for a hot meal and a helping hand for a fee, I earned their lives in return.’
"What are you looking at? Get inside."
Lin Shu waved his hand, shooing the two of them back into the building.
Then, he glanced to the side at the figure walking toward him.
"Let’s talk inside." The woman’s words were as concise as ever, completely unconcerned by the two corpses on the ground.
It was as if her presence alone ensured no one would dare question the matter.
Lin Shu suppressed the urge to indulge in his Merit and Sin Coins, shot her a look, and turned. "Up to the second floor."
’Strange. That fatso named Tian is also a Fierce Wolf, but he doesn’t give me this sense of danger.’
’And now that my Realm has reached Early-stage Qi Cultivation, this feeling hasn’t diminished at all. In fact, it’s become much clearer.’
「Inside a room on the second floor of the Magpie’s Nest.」
Lin Shu was lounging improperly against the bed, while Yan Jin had taken the chair by the window.
She tilted her head, watching the young man’s chest out of the corner of her eye.
’If I remember correctly, there’s nothing under there. A piece of flesh, heart and all, was gouged right out.’
"What, you want to have another go?" Lin Shu raised an eyebrow, his tone flirtatious.
Yan Jin couldn’t be bothered to bicker with him and simply averted her gaze.
She casually took out a Small Jade Bottle and placed it on the table. "A Qi Replenishing Pill. It contains a sliver of Spiritual Power. I originally brought it to keep you alive, figuring I’d try my luck."
This item was meant for Cultivators to recuperate.
It did indeed contain Spiritual Power, but without knowing an Inner Technique, it would be difficult to absorb that power before the elixir’s effects dissipated.
Evidently, Yan Jin had heard about the young man killing nine Martial Artists in a single night.
She had also guessed that Lin Shu had over-consumed the Fog around him and was at risk of dying from Spiritual Power exhaustion.
She had brought the pill, yet her attitude remained cold.
Just as she’d said, she was only trying her luck. If it didn’t work, so be it.
"Now, it seems you’ll be able to use it after all."
"Just a lucky break."
Lin Shu, who had been lazily slouched, sat up straight, his attitude becoming a bit more enthusiastic. "You’re too kind. You came all this way, you didn’t have to bring anything."
’At least she knows not to show up empty-handed. Much better than the people from Hongyun Martial Arts Hall.’
’Those Martial Artists came by so many times, but only Zhang Ci remembered to give me a Jade Pendant. The rest of them truly have no manners.’
Yan Jin silently watched his change in demeanor, the corner of her mouth twitching almost imperceptibly.
’In his eyes, my title as the Silk Wolf seems to be worth less than this one Elixir.’
"I’ve heard some things about why Zhang Zhongping came here, and it involves you."
Yan Jin reined in her thoughts, intending to remind this young man that even though Zhang Zhongping was dead, the matter wasn’t over.
This young man had stepped into Cultivation and had personally slain a Grand Martial Artist.
While this was certainly a joyous occasion, if he became arrogant and careless because of it, he would inevitably fall for some schemer’s plot and needlessly throw his life away.
Of course, she was also bringing this up to give him an opportunity to ask for help.
If they hadn’t left in such a hurry last time, she wouldn’t have forgotten that Lin Shu had no way of contacting her.
The Magpie’s Nest alone couldn’t have attracted this much trouble.
It was a small favor she could resolve with a single word, so Yan Jin didn’t mind helping.
"I have a pretty good idea of what’s going on. Let’s talk about something else."
Lin Shu shook his head, showing no intention of asking further.
He had already sorted the whole thing out in his mind on his way downstairs.
’The reason Cunning Fox Hall didn’t show up is simple.’
’After all, the two "foxes" who came to visit already confirmed that I have a rebellious streak.’
’Even Yan Jin rushed over after hearing the news, yet the Fierce Wolf in charge of this street has made no move. That means someone paid him off.’
’The former is one thing, but the latter involves the Black Water Gang’s reputation. It’s not something an outsider could handle with just a bit of silver. Someone with considerable status in the gang must have been pulling strings.’
’As for who that person is, the two "foxes" from before already shouted his name.’
’I’m not one to let a grudge go.’
’I’ll let that fatso named Tian run wild for a few more days. Sooner or later, I’ll find a chance to get him killed!’
Despite his thoughts, Lin Shu’s expression remained normal, maintaining his usual relaxed demeanor.

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