Immortality by Merit and Sin Coins

"Congratulations on your promotion, Master Lin! May your fortune be as vast as the eastern sea!"

"May you live as long as the southern mountains, Master Lin!"

"May your family flourish with many children and grandchildren!"

The congratulations grew more and more absurd, mostly because there were just too many people, and they were running out of original well-wishes.

After only one night of deliberation, the shopkeepers of Sifang Street had swiftly changed their tune.

From early morning, they formed a long line in the alley outside the Old Woodshed’s gate.

Paying protection money couldn’t be said directly; it had to be called a "congratulatory gift."

This was to avoid making it look like Master Lin was bullying someone, forcefully extorting them.

In contrast, the common folk seemed less tactful.

They huddled in groups of two or three, approaching timidly, their faces fixed in forced smiles that couldn’t hide the bitterness in their eyes.

They held out bits of silver and copper coins, damp with sweat.

They stammered, "A tribute... a tribute for Master Lin."

After paying Master Wolf and Liu Zhen, then being ruthlessly fleeced by Tian Jingyuan, not even half a month had passed before another Master Lin came along.

"..."

Miss Yun leaned against the door inside the house, watching the courtyard through the window.

She didn’t dare show her face, so the task of collecting the money fell solely to Dong Cheng.

Ever since this "young wolf" had come to Sifang Street, he had never enjoyed such prestige. His face was about to crack from smiling so much.

It wasn’t until the young man walked up behind him that Dong Cheng reacted, hastily putting on a grin. "Master Lin, you’re awake!"

"Accept their gifts, but return the tributes from the commoners."

Lin Shu yawned, his eyes still heavy with sleep. "We’ll see about it next month."

"Hehe, I understand!"

Dong Cheng had specifically placed the loose silver and copper coins on a separate table, keeping each portion distinct and not mixing them.

He hadn’t forgotten what Master Lin had said before.

’Master Lin doesn’t give a damn about this piddling amount of money stained with sweat and grime. He’d feel like it dirties his hands just to take it. If they’re going to squeeze someone, it has to be a fat pig like Liu Zhen!’

One good haul from a guy like that would be more than these poor bastards could earn in dozens of lifetimes.

"You hear that? Scram, all of you!" Dong Cheng barked.

Even though the "young wolf’s" attitude was harsh, to the poor men crowded outside the courtyard, his words were like music from the heavens.

They cautiously watched the Fierce Wolf’s expression.

After confirming that he wasn’t joking, their poverty-stricken faces finally broke out in looks of incredulous joy.

"Thank you for your mercy, Master Lin!"

The Fierce Wolf of Sifang Street had changed hands many times, but this was the first time something like this had ever happened.

As the crowd in the courtyard receded like a tide, Dong Cheng grabbed the gold and jade ornaments, stuffing them into a bundle.

"I’ll go exchange these for silver for you. Right... Master Lin, about White Tiger Hall..." He had finally started living a comfortable life; naturally, he hoped it would last.

"Just go for now."

Lin Shu rubbed his stomach.

’No wonder that fried dough stick vendor ran off so quickly after seeing my face.’

’The food he was selling didn’t seem very sanitary.’

As for White Tiger Hall, which Dong Cheng had mentioned...

’I’ve just barely secured my territory and can finally get a peaceful night’s sleep, only to wake up to more trouble.’

’If I count carefully, I think I’ve offended them three times now?’

’At best, they’re just Qi Cultivation Cultivators. If I work hard and earn more Merit and Sin Coins, I should be able to catch up.’

’No use overthinking it. I’ll just take it one step at a time.’

"Congratulations on your promotion, Master Lin~"

With the outsiders gone from the courtyard, Miss Yun finally came out of the house. A rare, bright smile graced her face, and even her steps were much lighter.

It was as if a weight she had been carrying in her heart had finally been lifted.

"You just woke up. I’ll go prepare something for you to eat."

"..."

Lin Shu stared at her graceful back, his eyes glinting.

’A moment ago, Yu Sheng seemed to say the little widow had absorbed a few wisps of Cyan Qi.’

’No wonder she’s so happy.’

Lin Shu didn’t have strong feelings about it. After all, she had encountered the Immortal Descendant long before he did, and she had single-handedly supported this household by scrubbing laundry.

It was only right that she should receive some good fortune.

If Yu Sheng had been the one to choose, that little chick probably would have given all the Cyan Qi to Miss Yun without sparing a single wisp for him.

Lin Shu was just curious whether she had also comprehended the Cyan Bird Qi-Introducing Formulas, or some other Immortal Technique.

’In a way, that would make us fellow disciples.’

’When I have time tonight, we can definitely exchange some notes.’

"Huh!"

Just as Miss Yun was about to close the courtyard gate, she saw several figures emerge from a corner.

They were all teenagers, about thirteen or fourteen years old. They looked sturdy, but their appearance was utterly wretched.

Their clothes were tattered, and their faces were covered in blood and swelling.

They didn’t speak. With downcast eyes, they approached the gate, knelt in unison, and kowtowed soundly several times toward the courtyard.

Then they scrambled out of the alley as if fleeing.

"How wonderful."

The smile on Miss Yun’s face grew even sweeter.

There were too many ill-fated people in Black Water City; one could never save them all.

But for these people to have met their benefactor was their greatest fortune, just like her.

She reached out to close the gate again, but an extremely beautiful woman appeared at the end of her line of sight.

The woman looked slightly older than her, with a tall and slender figure that made her a head taller than most girls.

Although she wore a uniform similar to a constable’s, it did nothing to hide her beauty.

On the contrary, in addition to her gentle maturity, it gave her a subtle heroic air.

Two completely different temperaments were perfectly blended in one person.

A hint of envy showed in Miss Yun’s eyes.

"Go back inside."

Just then, a hand from behind casually pulled her back. The young man’s somewhat thin frame completely shielded her from view.

His calm voice left no room for negotiation.

"Okay." Miss Yun nodded obediently and hurried back into the house.

’They must have important business to discuss, and they need a quiet environment.’

’Besides, my own status is somewhat shameful. I can’t cause trouble for my benefactor.’

"Is it convenient for me to come in and talk?"

The strange woman held a smile, first looking up at the space above the Old Woodshed before letting her gaze fall upon the young man.

She politely stopped at the threshold. "You should have guessed who I am."

"Not particularly convenient, and I can’t quite guess." Lin Shu crossed his arms, leaning lazily against the door.

He had never survived this long by relying on brute force.

Forget about encountering a true Great Cultivator; even when facing the two ordinary constables who came with Yan Jin and Bai Feng, Lin Shu knew when to be prudent and not shoot his mouth off.

’This woman... something’s not right about her.’

The woman’s action of looking up at the space above the Woodshed reminded Lin Shu of what Yu Sheng had just said.

’Below the Foundation Establishment Stage, it’s very difficult to notice the Array in the courtyard in a short amount of time.’

"Don’t misunderstand. I’m not an arrogant person, nor do I think everyone in the city should know me."

The strange woman’s smile held a touch of wistfulness as she shook her head. "But in the instant I appeared, in no more than a single breath, you glanced at me three times."

"First, you looked at my chest. To be precise, at this Wave-Treading Purple Flood Dragon on my lapel."

"After confirming my identity, your second glance was at my face. You were wondering if I was Chang Yi’s mother, but you realized the age didn’t quite match. After all, I’m only twenty-seven, so I don’t look the part. You concluded I must be one of his relatives."

"Third, you looked at my chest again, and only then at my legs. This shows that you care more about a woman’s chest than her legs. And you were quite satisfied."

"Having the leisure to pay attention to such things means you were certain I wouldn’t harm you."

The woman finished speaking in a slow voice, her expression turning more serious. "Gu Nanzhi, Black Water County Captain, and Chang Yi’s maternal aunt."

"I’m telling you this because I’m rather amazed by the meticulous mind of Greedy Wolf. But my visit today truly comes with no ill intent. Can we have a frank conversation now?"

"..."

Lin Shu raised an eyebrow. After a moment of silence, he turned and said flatly, "Actually, I wasn’t *that* satisfied."

He really hated people with such sharp powers of observation.

"Lies."

Gu Nanzhi also stood with her arms crossed, her chin lifted slightly in a show of confidence.

’Don’t be afraid of her! She reeks of Immortal Flavor, but she’s just a World Traveler Disciple! Even if she discovered me, she wouldn’t dare do anything. She’d have to worship me!’

The indignant, childlike voice rang out in Lin Shu’s mind.

Clearly, Lin Shu wasn’t the only one displeased with Gu Nanzhi’s deliberate show of superiority.

A chubby, white baby-doll figure, only as long as a forearm, stood on the bed with its cheeks puffed out.

She had just been about to cross her arms to look more imposing, but one glance at her own jade-green underbodice made her remember what she looked like as a young woman. She resentfully lowered her arms and clenched her two small fists tightly.

"What’s so great about having a big chest!"