Immortality by Merit and Sin Coins

"..."

Bai Feng sat silently at the table, staring intently at the sticky, severed head.

On Tian Jingyuan’s grotesque face, his mouth was wide open in terror.

It seemed to be silently mocking his earlier assessment of Lin Shu as a "milk-fed pup."

Based on that sudden, explosive, and ruthlessly efficient kill, the boy was more of a Fierce Wolf than anyone else present!

Bai Feng suddenly realized he had made a grave error in judgment.

The boy had still used some sort of Claw Technique.

When he had previously examined Liu San’s corpse at the Old Woodshed, he had judged the technique to be no higher than the Seventh Grade.

But now, it seemed that was likely because Lin Shu hadn’t possessed an Inner Technique at the time and lacked the Spiritual Power to support this Immortal Technique.

Even Bai Feng felt a bit wary of the chilling intent contained within the black energy that had just emerged.

It was clearly a genuine Fifth Grade Immortal Technique!

Even many Mid-stage Qi Cultivation Cultivators would be green with envy.

"You knew all along, didn’t you?"

Bai Feng turned his head resentfully, glaring at the woman beside him and hissing through clenched teeth, "You were waiting to see me make a fool of myself!"

’No wonder she protected that kid from the very beginning.’

’Was she trying to stop me from snatching him from her?’

’Damn her. She looks so quiet and reserved, but she’s this cunning!’

"..."

Yan Jin couldn’t be bothered to respond, instead turning her gaze toward the young man not far away.

She had indeed seen this Claw Technique before.

But she had never thought Lin Shu could win.

Compared to his fight to the death with Zhang Zhongping, the young man had improved significantly, both in his Cultivation and in the Immortal Technique itself!

Thirty wisps of Spiritual Power—he had already reached the limit of Early-stage Qi Cultivation.

That wasn’t a level an Eighth Grade Inner Technique could reach.

Although she had been deceived, Yan Jin wasn’t overly displeased.

In a place like Black Water City, hiding a few trump cards increased one’s chances of survival.

It was perfectly normal.

CREAK—

Lin Shu pulled over another chair and placed it where Tian Jingyuan had been sitting.

In the current atmosphere, his every move drew everyone’s attention.

Nearly all the hall members, including Master Mo, had a look of fear and trepidation in their eyes.

The Immortal Technique the young man had displayed wasn’t enough to truly frighten them.

After all, Black Water City lacked many things, but not stories of people who achieved enlightenment and learned High-grade Skills from Immortal Relics, turning their lives around in the process.

Everyone present who had been a Fierce Wolf for a few years had a few little secrets of their own.

What truly silenced them was Lin Shu’s vicious, vindictive nature.

Someone dared to sell his life, so he dared to cut off that person’s head in front of all the hall members without the slightest hesitation.

"What’s everyone looking at me for?"

Lin Shu leaned back in his chair, regulating his breathing while giving the people at the table a clean smile.

So clean it was almost harmless.

It was as if the blood spattering the table and the head with its eyes still open had nothing to do with him.

"According to what this fatty said, doesn’t his street belong to me now?"

Lin Shu gestured casually at the table. Even with so many people staring at him with ill intent, his expression didn’t change in the slightest.

’Many principles in this world are actually the same.’

’If this group of hall members wasn’t willing to speak up for a young wolf, they most likely wouldn’t stand up for a dead one either.’

’Besides, I even waited a moment to let Tian Jingyuan draw his blade first.’

"You... You dared to attack one of our own brothers!"

Yin Ling shot to his feet, his breath trembling, but he still slammed his hand on the table.

He had intended to take the lead, but after waiting a few moments, the people around him remained silent.

He looked around in confusion.

Everyone was just staring at him with odd expressions.

"Why don’t we have the Hall Master investigate?"

The hall members rolled their eyes.

’If you’re going to bring up the "one of our own brothers" rule now, then what about when Fatty Tian just admitted to selling the young wolf’s life?’

’If you want to talk rules, then let’s apply them equally. Lay everything out, investigate it thoroughly, and let the higher-ups decide who’s right and who’s wrong.’

’If you want to use power to crush people, then it comes down to who’s stronger.’

’There’s no sense in trying to have it both ways.’

’You two really expect to split the silver from Hongyun Martial Arts Hall and have the rest of us brothers clean up your mess?’

"GULP."

Yin Ling swallowed, waved his hand dismissively, and sat back down with an embarrassed look on his face.

’With Fatty Tian’s crude methods that he practically broadcasted to the world, it’d be a miracle if they survived an investigation.’

"..."

Master Mo took in everyone’s expressions, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and dismissed the thought of reprimanding Lin Shu.

’Good thing Xiaoyin jumped out, or I might have lost face myself.’

The old man cleared his throat. "Since you two already came to an agreement, we have no objections. Sifang Street is yours. As for your wolf name, we can discuss that after the Hall Master is informed."

"Fine."

Lin Shu nodded slightly and added, "Are we still eating?"

As soon as he said it, the corners of several people’s eyes twitched.

They might be known as Fierce Wolves, but they hadn’t yet stooped to feasting around a reeking, severed head.

"Let’s call it a day. Everyone, dismiss."

Master Mo waved his hand in resignation. The older he got, the deeper his sense of crisis became watching these kids, all reeking of murderous intent.

"..."

Lin Shu was a little disappointed. He hadn’t had a single decent meal since he’d transmigrated.

’Oh well, there’ll be other chances.’

Besides, he had more important things to do than eat right now.

He turned his head, his gaze sweeping casually into the void.

[Murder and arson wins you a golden belt; building bridges and roads leaves you a nameless corpse. One worthless life taken, forty-seven Sin Coins awarded.]

The clinking of coins falling into his sleeve was an incredibly pleasant sound.

"Master Mo, we’ll take our leave now."

The Fierce Wolves rose one by one, leading the younger wolves toward the door.

But before they could leave, they caught a glimpse of something across the table out of the corners of their eyes, and their faces couldn’t help but twitch again.

Lin Shu wasn’t being discreet at all.

He was openly rummaging through Tian Jingyuan’s headless corpse.

He not only looted a few pieces of silver but also snatched the pouch of Elixirs from the fatty’s waist. He even hesitated for a moment while eyeing the blood-stained silk clothes.

A quiet exhale.

Yan Jin silently averted her gaze.

She recalled that everyone had seen her bring Lin Shu in.

She pressed her lips together, her steps quickening as she walked toward the door.

...

「At dusk.」

The long street in front of the Old Woodshed.

Lin Shu casually toyed with the pouch in his hand.

At the very end, Fatty Tian had been about to swallow the Qi Replenishing Pills inside. Luckily, Lin Shu had been quick enough, earning himself another hundred silver.

A full sixteen Qi Replenishing Pills, worth sixteen hundred silver!

Just a few days ago at Magpie’s Nest, that man Tian had been haggling with him over a few dozen silver.

Relying on that group of Brothel Madams alone, it would have taken him two or three years to earn this much silver.

Clearly, he had come into a sudden windfall.

As for the source? It was obvious: he’d sold Lin Shu’s life for a high price.

’This is all my blood money, after all.’ Feeling much more content, Lin Shu looked up and suddenly noticed the constable, Blackhead, under a tree by the street.

His expression remained neutral as he casually put the cloth pouch away.

’Never flash your wealth at a poor man wearing a Purple Flood Dragon uniform; it’s easy to make them resent the rich.’