Immortality by Merit and Sin Coins

Hearing this, a glimmer sparked in Lin Shu’s eyes.

’Even if the Yu Family speaks for Black Water City and keeps the people safe, I’ve accepted the Ink Flood Dragon Sword Bracelet. I definitely need to leave as soon as possible.’

’Once I’m out there, the most important thing will be ensuring my own safety while continuing to increase my strength and find a way to mend my heart.’

’This Qi Family sounds quite militant.’

’And if I follow them to slay Demon Fiends, I could probably earn more Merit and Sin Coins.’

"By the way, Daoist Brother Lin, what you just used seemed to be Divine Soul Formulas."

Gu Nanzhi seemed to recall something. She snuck a glance at the side room and lowered her voice, "The Qi Family’s Immortal Descendants happen to specialize in this. You should go to Yongzhou and try to join the Demon-slaying Bureau."

She had absolutely no intention of offending the Yu Family Mountain God.

But judging from the way Lin Shu had stood there so calmly when the young Immortal Descendant came out, the two of them didn’t seem to be master and disciple.

That was the only reason she dared to say more.

"The Qi Family specializes in Divine Soul techniques?"

Lin Shu suddenly felt that something was off.

’Things are going a little too smoothly.’

’It’s as if this Qi Family was tailor-made for me. From any angle, it seems like I should do everything I can to join them.’

"Of course! They are the Silver-eyed White Wolf Immortal! When it comes to the path of the Divine Soul, they are unmatched in all of Yongzhou."

Gu Nanzhi made no effort to hide the reverence on her face.

She had wanted to join the Demon-slaying Bureau since she was young, but sadly, her talent was insufficient. Wearing the uniform of a County Captain in Black Water City was her way of scratching that itch.

But she didn’t notice.

The instant those words left her mouth, a fleeting wisp of red mist flashed in the young man’s eyes.

"..."

Lin Shu lowered his gaze, suppressing the restless Spiritual Power stirring within him.

He forced his voice to remain calm. "This Demon-slaying Bureau you speak of... are they powerful?"

"They slay Demon Monarchs on high and cut down Demon Generals below! Their reach extends across all of Yongzhou! Just a few decades ago, the Qi Family’s Half-Life Immortal personally made a move and severely wounded Yuan Yuan, one of the two great Demon Kings of Yongzhou!"

Perhaps it was because the city was open again.

When the Demon-slaying Bureau was mentioned, Gu Nanzhi seemed like a different person.

The composed County Captain gradually took on the lively, gossipy air of a young Immortal Sect Disciple.

Her words came out in a rush, as if she’d met a kindred spirit and was desperate to share.

Yan Jin shot the other woman a helpless glance and took over the conversation. "Those Demon Generals she just breezed past with such a dismissive tone? They’re at the Core Formation Stage. One could destroy Black Water City with a flick of a finger."

This was why, even after being trapped in the city with her for ten years, she still didn’t much like chatting with the County Captain.

’What do all those secondhand rumors have to do with a group of Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment Cultivators like us?’

"So, will you come with me to Anren Prefecture? There’s a branch of the Demon-slaying Bureau there, and there might even be a Qi Family Immortal Descendant stationed there!"

After speaking, Gu Nanzhi stared at the young man, her eyes full of expectation.

A moment later.

Lin Shu slowly turned around. "Forget it. It’s too dangerous."

"Huh?" Gu Nanzhi was taken aback, clearly not expecting that to be his reason.

’How could Lin Shu, who dared to slay three dragons all by himself, possibly be afraid of those Demon Evils?’

’If he joins the Demon-slaying Bureau, couldn’t I tag along when I have time and watch how those magnificent Cultivators slay Demons?’

’Just imagining the young man in a Profound Robe, with his fair and handsome face... it would suit him perfectly!’

At this thought, she shot a dissatisfied glance at Yan Jin. "You just had to open your mouth."

"It *is* dangerous." The Silk Wolf stood motionlessly, her face devoid of expression, clearly holding a different opinion.

She herself had grown up in Yongzhou and had never personally experienced a demon scourge, so she didn’t have a particularly strong feeling about it.

’It’s only common sense for ordinary Cultivators to stay far away from those things. Someone like Gu Nanzhi, who has clearly never even seen a Demon Fiend but is full of notions about slaying them, is bound to get into trouble sooner or later.’

While the two women were bickering,

Lin Shu had already entered the side room and pulled the door shut.

The danger he spoke of was not the same danger Gu Nanzhi understood.

Only when there were no longer any outsiders around did he sit on the edge of the bed and silently turn his attention to the Filthy Moon Wolf Lord in his heart.

’Granted, one Immortal Descendant can’t represent the entire Qi Family Immortal Sect, and they probably couldn’t pull all the Demon-slaying Bureau constables to do their private bidding.’

’But no matter how you look at it, they’re still a menace.’

"What’s wrong with you now?"

In the time it took for them to chat, Yu Sheng had fallen asleep again. Now, she groggily raised a fair-skinned arm and gently tugged on Lin Shu’s sleeve.

"You pretended to be calm, but you rushed back so quickly. You must have been thinking about me and Miss Yun, hee hee."

Drool was still at the corner of her lips, but she squeezed out a dopey smile and slurred, "Don’t worry, everything will be fine once we get out. The Yu Family has clout. The three of us will just laze around on the mountain, eating and waiting to die, feasting on big pork knuckles for every meal. We won’t go anywhere."

"..."

The young man raised his head, a faint but unshakeable exhaustion in his eyes.

He glanced at Yu Sheng, gently stroking her head, and watched as she fell back into a deep sleep.

A moment later.

Lin Shu quickly composed himself.

’No matter how incredible that faction is, they haven’t come knocking yet, have they?’

’What’s there to be afraid of?’

’Although I said before that I can’t pin all my hopes on Yu Sheng...’

’...but it seems now that there are Demons on the outside and the Demon-slaying Bureau on the inside.’

’Between the two, if I want to find a temporary hiding place, the Chen Family where those two women are staying definitely isn’t secure enough.’

’The only place I know that fits the bill is the Yu Family.’

’Before that, it’s always right to be more prepared.’

At this thought, Lin Shu summoned his Sin Coins.

[Arson and murder earn a golden sash; building bridges and roads leaves not even a corpse. One worthless life killed. Reward: 170 Sin Coins.]

[Arson and murder earn a golden sash; building bridges and roads leaves not even a corpse. One worthless life killed. Reward: 75 Sin Coins.]

The former was for the Tigers, and the latter for the pack of Fierce Wolves that had planned to get a piece of the action.

Twenty-four people in total.

The eight Tigers amounted to a little over fourteen hundred coins, while the Fierce Wolves were valued at around twelve hundred.

He had already set aside a string of a thousand for emergencies. He invested the surplus without hesitation into the Wolf Lord.

[Foundation Establishment Seventh Grade. Howling Moon Soul-Eroding Curse: Minor Success]

With another string of coins spent, the Immortal Technique Level was raised again, reaching the limit of the Lower Three Grades.

The remaining Sin Coins were used to successively boost its proficiency.

[Foundation Establishment Seventh Grade. Howling Moon Soul-Eroding Curse: Perfection]

Lin Shu felt the Immortal Technique grow more masterful. His gaze fell upon the prompt, where he saw the name of the technique beginning to blur again—a sign that it was on the verge of a major breakthrough.

’Even though I refined myself with the lowest grade of Spirit Liquid, I’m still a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, after all.’

As his Realm had improved, Lin Shu could also perceive the Filthy Moon Wolf Lord more clearly.

’Its current state is probably equivalent to the fifth or sixth level of Spirit Liquid Foundation Establishment—not quite at the strength of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.’

’If I borrow its Magical Power, my own foundation will be further solidified.’

’And if I can continue to supplement my abilities... ’

’...then my chances of being chosen by the Yu Family will be even higher.’

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Yu Sheng.

It was that he had seen the strange look in Gu Nanzhi’s eyes earlier.

’Clearly, the little chick’s condition is extremely rare among Immortal Descendants.’

’This confirmed my earlier judgment that she was like a ’premature baby.’’

’If life in the Immortal Sects was all fun and games, that would be one thing.’

’But since she mentioned going to Yongzhou Pass for a trial to build a retinue, that means there’s competition among the Immortal Descendants.’

’That’s something I need to consider in advance, too.’

"Hooo..."

Lin Shu reached out his fingertips and rubbed the space between his brows.

He had done everything he could. All that remained was to wait.

On the bed, the little porcelain doll lay spread-eagled.

With Lin Shu by her side, Yu Sheng slept with profound peace of mind.

She finally had the courage to release her aura and call out to that Mountain God’s Immortal Family.