Immortality by Merit and Sin Coins

"Everyone talks about Immortals, but no one’s ever seen one."

Old Yang used to be a martial artist. His knowledge couldn’t compare to the wealthy and powerful families in the city, but it was certainly better than that of the common folk.

He clicked his tongue, his expression full of envy. "But some people get incredibly lucky and stumble upon a Treasure related to an Immortal. Even if they only grasp a single move or half a technique from it, they can transform overnight and become a great Cultivator."

At this, the cripple suddenly froze.

He secretly glanced at Lin Shu.

’His recent behavior is exactly like the kind of person I was just talking about.’

"Are there many of these Treasures?" Lin Shu’s interest was piqued.

"Not many, but a common person can get their hands on one if they’re lucky."

Old Yang had once seen a poor boy from the South Suburbs who, relying on a broken bowl from his home, managed to establish a household in West City.

He sighed. "But if you’re trying to seek one out specifically, that’s not something money can solve."

"Besides, even if most people manage to comprehend an Immortal Technique, once their Immortal Fate is used up, they can forget about ever using it again in this lifetime."

"..."

Lin Shu nodded thoughtfully.

’The Immortal Fate the cripple mentioned is most likely the Fog on my body. That woman, Yan, called it Spiritual Power.’

’Something about this doesn’t sound right.’

’This doesn’t sound like a proper path of Cultivation at all.’

’It seems most people are just relying on luck and unorthodox methods.’

"Those people who comprehended an Immortal Technique, didn’t they pass it down?" Lin Shu frowned, sensing the crux of the problem.

"It’s not that easy. The moment of comprehension consumes the Spiritual Light on the Immortal Family’s Treasure, turning it into an ordinary object. If you haven’t personally felt an Immortal’s aura, how could you possibly learn their Immortal Technique?"

Old Yang gave an awkward smile.

Pretty much every commoner who grew up in Black Water City had probably pondered these same questions.

After all, who wouldn’t want to be a high and mighty Cultivator?

That was why he’d said earlier that this was common knowledge.

"Hiss."

Lin Shu pondered for a moment, his brow slowly furrowing.

’This seems a lot more complicated than I imagined.’

’Even if such a rare Treasure still exists, it’s not something a mere fox could obtain.’

’As for relying on luck...’

Lin Shu got up from the bed and stood by the window.

He looked down on the dark and gloomy lane.

’Looks like I need to make a name for myself, and faster. Only by climbing higher will I get a chance to come into contact with those things.’

"Er..."

Old Yang stared at the young man’s back, a bit dumbfounded.

’He’s not at all worried about retaliation from the Hongyun Martial Arts Hall. Instead, he seems more concerned with these Illusory and Vague rumors.’

"Alright, you keep an eye on things here for me. If anything happens, send someone to get me."

Lin Shu stretched his body, turned, and headed for the door.

It was late, and the lane was empty.

The brothel girls were also getting ready to clean up and rest, so there shouldn’t be any more trouble.

Lin Shu really didn’t like the atmosphere in this Brothel, let alone living in it.

"Where... where should I send them to get you?" Old Yang scratched the back of his head.

"The little widow’s house."

Lin Shu waved his hand dismissively.

’That white fur cloak is still at her place. I can sell it for some silver if I get it back.’

’My clothes are stained with blood, so I’ll change while I’m at it.’

’I’ll make do for a few hours. When morning comes, I’ll find a new place to live.’

’I’m not exactly flush with cash right now. I have to save wherever I can.’

Lost in thought, he arrived downstairs.

A group of exhausted-looking girls were huddled together, whispering about the day’s patrons.

When they saw Lin Shu, they all fell silent.

The strange looks in their eyes from before were gone, replaced by a touch of gratitude.

"Master Lin, thank you for your hard work." Jin Gui whispered, bowing to the young man.

Seeing this, the other girls also waved their handkerchiefs. "Thank you, Master. Take care."

"..."

Lin Shu had just stepped out of Magpie’s Nest when he heard the synchronized, soft calls of more than ten people from behind him.

His eyelid couldn’t help but twitch.

’It’s a good thing no one else is around. Anyone who didn’t know the situation would get the wrong idea.’

’Hard work? I didn’t do a damn thing.’

Lin Shu grumbled to himself.

He walked slowly through the silent, long lane, lit only by two battered lanterns swaying precariously at its entrance.

The moment he was about to step out of Cyan Willow Lane.

Lin Shu’s eyes flashed. He came to a silent stop as Black Mist pulsed between his five fingers.

Following his movement, a cold rebuke quickly came from ahead.

"Stop!"

As the voice fell, a sturdy figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

He was dressed in a fitted tunic, a long saber at his waist. He reached out and threw a corpse onto the ground.

In the faint light of the lanterns.

Even with a cold expression, he couldn’t hide the immaturity in his eyes.

He was clearly just a half-grown boy of fifteen or sixteen.

Moreover, his skin was dark, making him look like a lump of charcoal.

"Lord Official, is there a problem?"

Lin Shu relaxed his palm, dispersing the Fog.

He even threw in a yawn for good measure.

He had seen this uniform on a constable before. The only difference was that this man’s collar was embroidered with a Purple Flood Dragon.

’It must signify a higher rank.’

"Stop playing dumb with me."

Chang Yi’s brow furrowed tightly. He had already investigated this person; he was a "fox" transferred over from the Black Water Gang.

Although he hadn’t been in his post for long, he had learned how to deal with this pack of foxes through the words and deeds of his seniors.

SHING!

The long saber was suddenly unsheathed, held horizontally right in front of Lin Shu.

"Cyan Willow Lane is under my jurisdiction. Since you’re the one who killed him, you’ll be coming with me."

Based on Chang Yi’s usual experience, the Purple Flood Dragon on his collar had already announced his strength to others.

He only needed to draw his saber, and most of the "foxes" would understand the gravity of the situation and drop their slick-talking act.

But what happened next was completely unexpected.

Lin Shu’s expression didn’t change. He calmly studied the long saber before him.

A moment later, the corners of his lips lifted, and he flicked the body of the blade with his finger.

DANG—

The ringing hum was especially crisp in the dead of night.

"A fine saber. It’s just a bit of a pity," Lin Shu remarked with a sigh.

"A pity for what?"

Chang Yi felt greatly offended and was about to erupt in anger, but then he heard the other man’s baffling words.

He froze for a second, not rushing to make a move.

Lin Shu glanced at him sideways, his smile playful, yet his eyes were unnervingly calm. "A pity that the two brothel girls from my building, the ones who were toyed with to death, didn’t get the chance to see the Lord Official’s Treasure Saber."

"You!"

Chang Yi was stunned for a moment, instinctively gritting his teeth.

But the hand holding the saber trembled.

He of course knew what the other man was talking about. After all, Zhang Ci’s vile reputation wasn’t something new.

"I was about to arrest him then, but my colleagues came under orders and took him away..."

Chang Yi didn’t even realize it himself, but he had absolutely no need to explain himself to a "fox."

Under Lin Shu’s gaze, he felt inexplicably guilty and even began to stammer, "Later, people from Magpie’s Nest came to explain... said it was... said it was a domestic affair..."

Chang Yi’s voice grew quieter and quieter.

He knew, of course, that those girls had been forced, but as a constable who had just put on this uniform, there was nothing he could do to change anything.

"Since it was a domestic affair back then,"

Lin Shu’s gaze was calm as he placed his five fingers on the back of the trembling constable’s hand, slowly and deliberately pushing the long saber back into its sheath for him.

"it’s a domestic affair now, too."

He casually patted the other man’s shoulder, stepped over Zhang Ci’s corpse, and ambled slowly into the distance.

"..."

Chang Yi stood stunned for a long while before suddenly spinning around. He gripped his scabbard tightly and shouted angrily, "The Hongyun Martial Arts Hall will never let this go! If you come back with me obediently for interrogation, you’ll at least have a chance to save your own life!"

He stared intently at that slender back.

But he saw that the other man didn’t even bother to turn his head, his voice full of mockery. "Then I won’t trouble the Lord Official to worry about it."

Not until Lin Shu’s figure had vanished completely from sight.

Chang Yi took a couple of ragged breaths and was shocked to find beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.

"That old fox!"

He flung his hand in frustration. Although the other man looked young, not much older than himself,

he was clearly a veteran who had been navigating the Black Water Gang for years.

’To think he could completely dominate me, a constable, with his presence alone!’

Chang Yi resentfully withdrew his gaze. ’What good is veteran experience in the face of revenge for a murdered son? Those brutes from the Martial Arts Hall won’t waste time with clever talk.’

’When the time comes, they’ll still have to rely on me, the constable, to control the situation!’

"Sigh."

Chang Yi was full of anger with nowhere to vent it. After a moment’s thought, he looked down and spat fiercely on the corpse.

’You fucking animal. Good riddance!’