Immortality by Merit and Sin Coins

Magpie’s Nest, second floor.

Even though Sister Hua had specifically ordered someone to clean it again, a faint, peculiar odor still lingered in the room.

Lin Shu lowered his gaze slightly, casually examining the short blade in his hand.

These young kids were too naive. Their thoughts were written all over their faces. Give them the slightest opening, and they’d take the bait.

Bullying a greenhorn wasn’t something to be proud of.

He was just recalling the sound of the sword ringing from a moment ago.

If he had actually let that kid use his Sword Technique, he would have likely been forced to use his Immortal Technique.

The Fog was a rare resource, and every bit he used was a bit gone for good.

Lin Shu was a newcomer and hadn’t yet witnessed the methods of other Cultivators. What he had seen from the Young Master of a mere Martial Arts Hall was already enough to intrigue him.

The fact that Zhang Ci could call that fat man Uncle Tian meant the Martial Arts Hall backing him was quite powerful.

Powerful enough, at least, for a Mid-stage Qi Cultivation Cultivator to see value in associating with them.

And he would soon be facing that Martial Arts Hall’s retaliation.

...

Lin Shu licked his cracked lips. The wounds from yesterday’s whipping hadn’t healed yet.

Spurred by the taste of blood, a fiery glint appeared in his eyes.

His reason for luring Zhang Ci into attacking first was to establish a pretext.

If Master Fox, the Black Water Gang’s new recruit, actively stirred up trouble, the gang might be unwilling to intervene.

But if they didn’t even allow a subordinate to defend himself, then the massive gang might as well pack it up and leave the city.

As long as the Hongyun Martial Arts Hall didn’t dare to retaliate openly, any little tricks they tried to pull in secret would be the perfect opportunity for him to earn a nice sum of Sin Coins!

’Of course, before that, it would be best to acquire more means of self-defense.’

He let out a breath.

Lin Shu casually tossed the short blade onto the table.

’This thing was so much trouble just to chop a neck; it’s unlikely to be of much use anymore.’

He washed the filth from his hands in a basin of water.

The reddish water faintly reflected a haggard face.

’I look like I’m not long for this world.’

Lin Shu cursed inwardly, flicked the water from his hands, and turned to sit on the edge of the bed.

He didn’t believe in face-reading, but perhaps because his heart was missing, this body exuded a weakness from head to toe that he found displeasing.

It felt as if a death knell was constantly ringing in his ears.

Since he didn’t know how to restore his heart for the time being, he at least had to find a way to replenish his Fog.

"Time to get up and eat."

Lin Shu casually pulled open his collar, revealing the gruesome cavity in his chest, where scars coiled like earthworms.

Two Sin Coins transformed into black light and surged into the phantom of the White Wolf.

A notification appeared. The name of the Immortal Technique, which had been blurry and hadn’t fully transformed last time, now gradually came into focus.

[Two Sin Coins consumed. Evil Immortal unformed. Magic Technique has changed.]

[Qi Cultivation Sixth Grade. Gloomy Moon Bone Splitting Hand: Minor Success]

HISS—

Even though the grade and proficiency hadn’t changed, Lin Shu suddenly clutched his temples.

The information in his mind about the Moonlight Claw Technique began to distort.

It was as if the words were being dismantled and reassembled until they became something entirely new.

The Fog stirred on its own. Lin Shu slowly lowered his hand and spread his fingers.

The Immortal Technique’s originally clear, flowing light had now transformed into wisps of black energy that coiled around his fingertips, emitting a chilling aura.

Lin Shu frowned and waved it away.

It was still clearly at Qi Cultivation Sixth Grade, but the murderous intent within the Magic Technique had intensified by more than just a little!

It was as if a dull blade had been sharpened, thirsting to be bathed in blood!

It even brought a touch of restlessness to his eyes.

Although Lin Shu had no experience with Cultivation, he could still sense that this change was a good thing.

The original Moonlight Claw Technique had felt very complete after reaching the Sixth-Grade, as if it had hit its ceiling.

But this new Gloomy Moon Bone Splitting Hand clearly had much more room to grow.

He should have been satisfied with such a significant upgrade from just two Sin Coins.

"But what’s the use of having the technique if I can only use it a few times?"

Lin Shu flicked the phantom of the White Wolf with his fingertip.

’This mutt is way too stingy. It lives in my body without paying rent, just eating my money and spitting out a tiny bit of benefit in return.’

The Immortal Technique had changed, but it wasn’t the Inner Technique he desperately needed.

’I’ll have to find another way.’

Maybe when the White Wolf had eaten its fill, it would spit out other Cultivation Techniques.

But Lin Shu wasn’t in the habit of putting all his eggs in one basket.

He fiddled with the two remaining jade coins.

’I have to find a way to spend these Merit Coins, too.’

KNOCK KNOCK.

Just then, a knock came from the door.

Lin Shu put away the jade coins, straightened his clothes, and then looked up. "Come in."

The door was pushed open cautiously.

Sister Hua entered the room, followed by Old Yang.

"Master Lin, about that Jade Pendant of yours..."

As she spoke, Sister Hua’s mouth twitched. She had personally seen him rip the jade from Zhang Ci’s waist.

"Did you get it exchanged?"

Lin Shu looked at the Madam.

Merit and Sin Coins aside, if he wanted to eat and dress well, he still had to rely on shiny silver.

Having empty pockets was just not acceptable.

"This Jade Pendant should be worth at least ten taels of silver, but our establishment’s monthly revenue is only two hundred taels. And since Master Tian just left, we only have seven taels and three mace of silver left in the register."

Sister Hua kept her head down, terrified of angering this Master Fox who killed without batting an eye.

Zhang Ci’s body was still lying in Cyan Willow Lane. Who would dare run around trying to pawn his Jade Pendant?

"This is all? Fine. You may go."

Lin Shu understood the situation. He took the bits of silver and tossed them in his hand.

Old Yang glanced at the silver and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He finally understood why members of the Black Water Gang were so well-off.

In the South Suburbs, even a strong laborer earned no more than thirty-odd copper coins a day. In a single night, Lin Shu had made what would take them half a year to earn.

But the cripple wasn’t envious.

To earn that kind of money, you first needed the strength to kill Young Master Zhang, and even after you got the silver, the matter was far from over.

After Sister Hua left,

Old Yang carefully closed the door, then limped over to Lin Shu.

He didn’t waste any time, pouring out everything he knew in a single breath:

"The Hongyun Martial Arts Hall is in West City. It has numerous disciples, many of whom are stronger than Liu the Third."

"Their Master Zhang is a Grand Martial Artist who has achieved Inner Strength Release. They say he can even go toe-to-toe with Immortal Masters. You must not let your guard down..."

To make a name for yourself in Black Water City, you needed three things: money, power, and connections.

Coincidentally, the Hongyun Martial Arts Hall had a bit of all three.

Lin Shu’s performance over the past two days had completely stunned Old Yang.

But he still didn’t think a newly-joined Master Fox of the Black Water Gang could compare to that Martial Arts Hall’s master.

The cripple cherished his life, but unlike the brothel girls in the Magpie’s Nest, he wasn’t just worried about himself; he was also genuinely concerned for Lin Shu.

"I’m aware."

Lin Shu nodded lightly, somewhat surprised.

He had taken Old Yang under his wing simply because Old Yang was the only one who had been willing to step forward and drag him back to the woodshed.

Since they had shared hardship, he didn’t mind sharing some good fortune.

’I didn’t expect this cripple to know so much.’

Thinking of this, Lin Shu ventured a question, "Do you know how those Immortal Masters in the city became Immortal Masters?"

It was just a casual question.

He hadn’t expected the cripple to pause, a strange look on his face. "That’s common knowledge."

...

This time, it was Lin Shu’s turn to be stunned.

’Could it be that Cultivation here isn’t what I imagined? That it isn’t some incredibly lofty and mysterious affair?’