Immortality by Merit and Sin Coins

"Thank you."

Lin Shu shook his head lightly, not pressing the matter.

After all, the County Captain’s previous act of issuing a Corpse Hanging Notice was already strange enough. One more oddity wouldn’t make a difference.

As for what she was truly thinking, he wasn’t particularly concerned.

They were only cooperating temporarily for the sake of leaving the city. Besides, he had plenty of secrets of his own.

Now that he had the help of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it was, all in all, a good thing.

"There’s actually not much to discuss. County Captain, please return for now and wait a few days. If an opportunity truly arises, we can talk in detail then."

Lin Shu wasn’t sure to what extent Overseas Dragon’s arrangements would go.

"It’s fine, I won’t go back. I can just share a room with her," Gu Nanzhi said, pointing to the curvaceous young woman beside her.

’Since I’ve decided to get involved, of course I need to make my presence felt before the Immortal Descendant.’

But as soon as she said this, Miss Yun froze on the spot.

’County Captain Gu... is she going to live in the same courtyard as Brother Lin now?’

She gently clutched her sleeve, a sense of regret welling up in her heart.

’If my Cultivation were a bit stronger, maybe I could be like the County Captain and help my benefactor with some of his burdens.’

’Instead of just sitting uselessly in my room, worrying.’

"I don’t mind," Miss Yun said, shaking off her distracting thoughts and nodding quickly.

...

Lin Shu was also a little surprised.

Even though he didn’t want to meddle in others’ affairs, the County Captain’s enthusiasm was a bit much, making him suspicious.

But before he could refuse, a constable rushed over in a hurry.

"Lord Gu, I’ve finally found you! The Tributors request your immediate return to East City."

"What happened?" Gu Nanzhi’s brows furrowed slightly as she instantly reverted to the imposing County Captain.

"The Cheng Family is holding a grand Immortal Medicine Banquet to celebrate cultivating a Dragon Bone Plum. They’ve invited the three Gang Leaders of the Black Water Gang and that ’pride of tigers,’ intending to offer this treasure to Mountain-Smashing Dragon, the head boss!"

"When I was on my way here, Mountain-Smashing Dragon had already taken the item and seemed to be in a hurry to leave with it."

The constable, panting, continued, "They’re all in East City right now. The two Tributors were afraid something might happen, so they’ve both rushed to the Government Office to hold down the fort."

...

Gu Nanzhi’s expression changed slightly when she heard the name Dragon Bone Plum.

This item wasn’t considered rare outside, but it had never appeared within Black Water City before.

More importantly, this Spirit Medicine happened to be the very thing that could heal the injuries she sustained years ago when she tried to force her way through the Black River.

"Are you certain it’s that item?"

"Absolutely. When the banquet began, the Cheng Family put it on high display. Both Tributors saw it with their own eyes."

After speaking, a look of resignation appeared on the constable’s face.

If not for the grudge between the Cheng Family and the Government Office from years ago, this Treasure Medicine would have likely been offered to Lord Gu.

"I understand. You may go back first."

Gu Nanzhi pondered for a moment, then dismissed the constable with a wave of her sleeve.

When she looked at Lin Shu again, the look in her eyes had changed. "This must be the opportunity you mentioned, right?"

’If I’m to believe the records on that medicine list from earlier, then Mountain-Smashing Dragon’s hidden ailment also requires a Treasure Medicine like this to be treated.’

’The three bosses are gathered in East City, so the Tributors won’t dare to act rashly.’

’If Mountain-Smashing Dragon were to hastily return to North City with the Treasure Medicine at this moment, I would most likely assume he was in a rush to refine and consume it for his own healing.’

’As long as two of the bosses remain at the Cheng Family’s estate, even with my connections through my sister and brother-in-law, I, as County Captain, would have no way of mobilizing the Tributors.’

’If I were to go alone to seize the medicine...’

HUFF.

Gu Nanzhi’s eyes narrowed, a hint of trepidation in her heart. "It seems I’m the one who should be thanking you."

She felt she most likely wouldn’t have fallen for it; after all, the setup was a bit crude, and the appearance of a Dragon Bone Plum in Black Water City was bizarre in itself.

But you can never rule out the ’what ifs’.

The old injury she carried had always been a great concern. If there was a chance to heal it, how could she be willing to give it up so easily?

Even knowing it was a trap, she would likely have been unable to get it off her mind.

"What are your thoughts? Mountain-Smashing Dragon has already returned with the Spirit Medicine." A hint of unease appeared in Gu Nanzhi’s eyes.

Before, she had been planning to help Lin Shu for the Immortal Descendant’s sake. But now, the situation had changed. Now, it was she who wanted to borrow the Immortal Descendant’s power to seize the Spirit Medicine.

TSK.

Lin Shu sighed to himself.

He had originally thought Overseas Dragon might have been deliberately playing dumb, with some other scheme in the works.

He hadn’t expected the man to be so wholeheartedly dedicated to promoting him as the new Gang Leader.

To create a reason that would force Gu Nanzhi to act, he’d even gone so far as to use a Spirit Medicine as bait.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but think about that jade-white pouch again, wondering how many other good things were inside.

’What a pity.’

’Your Master Lin has no interest in being a Gang Leader. I’m much more interested in Merit and Sin Coins.’

"Kill him, take the medicine," Lin Shu replied, clean and direct.

...

Gu Nanzhi shot him a look of astonishment.

This was a major affair—making a move against a Black Water Gang Leader—yet he seemed even calmer than she, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

She knew that when she had first arrived in Black Water City, she would have been 100 percent confident in her ability to slay Mountain-Smashing Dragon without injury.

But the thing hidden in that Black River had severely depleted her Primordial Qi with a single blow.

The terrifying, malevolent aura contained within it had even caused her Cultivation to decline year by year.

Now, if she were to face that head boss in a direct confrontation, she would have a 60 percent chance of victory at best, and even if she won, she wouldn’t be able to take his life.

Furthermore, she would have no spare energy to protect the young man before her.

’Since Lin Shu knows what happened, he must also be aware of my injuries. Where on earth is he getting this confidence from?’

’Could it be... that the Immortal Descendant in this courtyard will also be going?’