Immortality by Merit and Sin Coins

Chapter 56: Chapter 54: The Slacking Fierce Wolf

Early morning, Sifang Street.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and vendors were already setting up their stalls along the street.

Young servants swept the fallen leaves from the courtyards.

The street was far from bustling, but it was slowly coming to life with people.

Just then, several conspicuous figures suddenly barged onto the long street.

The two in front were richly dressed, followed by two martial artists in short jackets who walked with a powerful, confident stride.

”Pick up the pace! Hurry!”

At the command of the man in front, the two brawny men violently broke into a residence.

BANG!

Hearing the sound of the door being kicked in, the vendors’ faces paled.

They exchanged glances but said nothing.

To be dressed like that in the city, accompanied by guards, and acting with such arrogance...

It was obvious they were the Masters Fox from the Black Water Gang.

However, compared to the relatively peaceful West City, these ”foxes” preferred to stir up trouble in the South Suburbs. Such a brazen act of kicking down a door was indeed a rare sight here.

Remembering the violent death of Chief Liu, the servants timidly shrank back into their courtyards.

The two ”foxes” glanced around warily before stepping into the courtyard.

”You...”

The haggard old Shopkeeper stood frozen, watching the two martial artists rampage through his home without restraint.

The men ignored the porcelain and furniture that could be sold for money, instead dragging out several terrified figures from a side yard.

”I... My business did lose a lot of silver... Just give me some time to raise the money... Why must you involve my servants...?”

The old Shopkeeper forced himself forward, his voice trembling, raising his arms to try and stop them.

He had just stepped forward when one of the ”foxes” kicked him viciously to the ground. With an impatient flick of his sleeve, the man sent a paper IOU fluttering down onto the Shopkeeper’s face.

”Paying your debts is the law of the land! It’d be the same even if you took this to the Government Office. Enough of your nonsense!”

The ”foxes” were always meticulous in their affairs. Even if a constable were standing at the door right now, they wouldn’t be afraid.

”Sir, this pair is father and son, and those two are brothers.”

The guards tied the men up with hemp rope and stuffed their mouths with rags to muffle their pleas for mercy.

The old Shopkeeper lay on the ground, his lips trembling.

’I don’t understand,’ he thought. ’The ”foxes” have always been after silver.’

’So why did they suddenly grab my gatekeeper and stablehand today? They’re coarse old men in their later years, not young girls. Surely they can’t be sold to a brothel for money?’

”Alright, the debt is cleared. Go back to running your business properly from now on.”

The corners of the two ”foxes’” mouths turned up in a threatening smirk. They ordered the guards to shoulder the captives and turned to leave the courtyard.

Hearing the commotion, the people on the street quickly lowered their heads, afraid of getting involved.

They dared not speak, only sighing sorrowfully in their hearts.

’With the violent methods of that Greedy Wolf, Sifang Street has become the Black Water Gang’s personal fiefdom. Things like this will only happen more and more often.’

”...”

Just then, the two ”foxes” who were about to leave suddenly froze in their tracks.

Then, in unison, they took several steps back.

Under their fearful gazes, a handsome young man leisurely approached and sat down at a breakfast stall outside the residence.

Behind him, Dong Cheng, a smile playing on his lips, slowly moved to block the doorway. ”Making such a ruckus this early in the morning. It’s just a bit of silver, isn’t it? Master Lin will cover it.”

As he spoke, this ”young wolf” pulled a heavy, palm-sized silver ingot from his robes and tossed it in his hand a couple of times.

At these words, the expressions on the faces of everyone on the street changed. Even the old Shopkeeper inside the courtyard dazedly lifted his head, his eyes filled not with grateful surprise, but with sheer terror.

’A Fierce Wolf paying off a debt for a commoner? It was like seeing a ghost in broad daylight!’

GULP.

One of the ”foxes” swallowed hard, and the two guards behind him went completely rigid.

”Master Lin, this isn’t about money...”

He wanted to explain further but found his voice had grown hoarse.

Everyone knew that although Greedy Wolf had come from the Cunning Fox Hall, he held a personal grudge against them, even going so far as to severely injure High-legged Fox.

If this business hadn’t been so urgent and the conditions so strict, the two of them would never have come to Sifang Street looking for trouble.

”We’re on an errand for the gang, we have no intention of offending you. Please, be magnanimous and let this slide.”

Normally, the Cunning Fox Hall and the Fierce Wolf Hall operated independently, with no strict hierarchy. In fact, the Fierce Wolves were supposed to be the protectors of the ”foxes.”

But right now, these two ”foxes” were acting utterly subservient.

Lin Shu, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard a word. He casually had the vendor bring him a plate of salted vegetables, along with some plain congee and steamed buns.

’I’m not really in the mood for anything deep-fried anymore,’ he thought.

Seeing this, the ”foxes” looked dejected. They had no choice but to wave at their guards, signaling for them to put the men down.

’If he dares let a personal grudge delay the tiger’s birthday celebration and prevent us from delivering this Hundred Heart Birthday Gift, someone will eventually come to teach this Greedy Wolf a lesson.’

”Thank you for your generosity, Master Lin!”

The two men suppressed their anger and reached for the silver ingot.

Watching the outstretched hands, the smile on Dong Cheng’s face suddenly turned cold. ”You motherfuckers really dare to take it?”

SLAP! SLAP!

As the words fell, he swung his arm ferociously. A palm infused with Spiritual Power slammed viciously across the ”foxes’” faces, sending them flying several meters away.

They tumbled across the ground several times, trembling as they swallowed the metallic, sweet taste of blood in their throats.

It took them a long moment to recover, the shock in their eyes quickly turning to humiliation and rage.

”Master Lin... you killed a Chief Constable, you didn’t become one...”

The ”fox” didn’t look at Dong Cheng. Instead, he fixed his venomous gaze on the young man at the small stall.

’Without a signal from this Greedy Wolf, how would that man surnamed Dong dare to be so arrogant and attack members of the Cunning Fox Hall for no reason?’

The two dared not say more. They could only wave for their guards to help them up and stumble away from Sifang Street.

”Master Lin, should we have men follow these two as well?” Dong Cheng asked, returning to the stall.

Before dawn, Master Lin had ordered him to arrange for men to investigate the nearby ”foxes.”

Although he didn’t understand why they were antagonizing the Cunning Fox Hall, he was used to asking fewer questions and getting more done.

’Master Lin has his reasons!’

”Follow them all. Inform me immediately if there’s any news.”

Lin Shu toyed with the four white jade coins that had quietly materialized in his hand.

[Life and death are fated, yet you snatch souls from Yama’s hand. For saving four lowly lives, you are granted four Merit Coins.]

’The South Suburbs aren’t enough for these ”foxes” to wreak havoc in, now they have the gall to force their way into Sifang Street.’

’And they’re no longer after silver. They’ve switched to killing people.’

’It seems my guess was correct.’

’That ”tiger” has quite the appetite. The Black Water Gang is already in a frantic rush preparing his birthday gift.’

’If that’s the case, as long as I can find out what devilry the gang is up to...’

’...then the expensive Merit Coins I calculated I needed to raise the grade of my Inner Technique... might just be within reach.’

At this thought, Lin Shu finished his breakfast swiftly.

He had specifically gotten a good number of copper coins from Dong Cheng today, and now he casually tossed ten of them onto the table.

’Splurging like this is fine once in a while,’ he thought, ’but I can’t make a habit of it.’

After paying, Lin Shu rose and left.

Only after the young man’s figure had vanished from sight did the sound of sharp, collective gasps echo through the street.

The crowd looked on in disbelief.

’There was no twist, no catch. He really just wanted to save those four people.’

’The ”fox’s” words were harsh, but they hit home. What the hell kind of thing was that for a Fierce Wolf to do?’

’Could it be there’s something special about this street?’

’Did we just get rid of one Evil Constable, rotten to the core, only to welcome a great, righteous wolf in his place?’