Chapter 36 Redeeming Sins Through Meritorious Service

"Oh, isn't that Mr. Liang!"Before Chen Sansi could make a move, a sharp voice rang out.

Wang Zhi stood in front of the old servant and cheerfully said, "What wind has blown such an honored guest our way? Forgive me for not receiving you from afar! May I ask what brings Mr. Liang here?"

Chen Sansi interjected, "Mr. Liang was thinking of inviting me to the Spring Pavilion."

"Really?!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi burst into joy, his small eyes squeezing into slits, "Mr. Liang, that's not fair, why invite Sansi and not me? Let's go together!"

Damn...

Liang Zhan hastily retreated, squeezing out an awkward smile, "Hundred Households Wang, actually I just wanted to inquire about something, and since Chen Qigu is busy, we should reschedule."

He then attempted to leave.

Wang Zhi stepped forward and grasped his shoulder, "He's busy, but I'm not! Let's go, I've heard that the Spring Pavilion recently got some fresh girls, so tender~"

"Hundred Households Wang!"

Liang Zhan struggled to free himself, "Ah, I just remembered, I also have something urgent, I must go."

"Hmm?"

Wang Zhi's face fell, "Has Mr. Liang grown distant from me?"

"Not at all."

Liang Zhan took out a silver ingot weighing five taels from his sleeve, "Truly, I have urgent matters, but next time for sure!"

He stuffed the money into Wang Zhi's hands and then hurriedly grabbed his servant to flee.

"Nearly lost twenty taels of silver!"

After confirming that no one had followed them, Liang Zhan sighed in relief.

At the tavern, this Fatty Wang wouldn't hold back, he'd order anything expensive, and even with a large family business, Mr. Liang couldn't afford to throw money around unnecessarily.

"Master."

The old servant asked, "Are we just letting this go?"

"Guess what I just saw?"

Liang Zhan gestured around his neck, "That kid Qin Feng's longevity lock has ended up around Fatty Wang's neck. This has nothing to do with the Chens."

"Oh?"

The old servant said in surprise, "Could Hundred Households Wang have come into contact with the Immortal Treasure?"

"No."

Liang Zhan analyzed, "If he had acquired the Immortal Treasure, would he dare to show off the longevity lock so blatantly?

"It seems my previous worries were unfounded, the Immortal Treasure has indeed been stolen by the people of the Witch God Sect. Uncle Wu, we must hasten, exhaust all means to find the Immortal Treasure before Xiang Tingchun does, or else we'll have to spend a fortune to buy it!"

"Don't worry, master."

The old servant bowed, "The trustworthy disciples from the Martial Arts Academy have all been sent out."

...

"This Mr. Liang is getting tighter with his money, huh? I'm giving this to you."

Wang Zhi was about to throw the silver ingot to Chen Sansi, then stopped midway and changed it for two taels in smaller denominations, "Split fifty-fifty!"

"..."

Chen Sansi wanted no less, and pocketed the money. Sёarch* The nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"What did he want from you?"

Wang Zhi's narrowed eyes gleamed, clutching the golden lock around his neck, "It was about that kid, what's-his-name, Qin something?"

"I'm not sure."

Chen Sansi feigned confusion.

He hadn't expected the golden lock to belong to Qin Feng; no wonder Liang Zhan had glanced at it several times just now.

Qin Feng's death could likely not be concealed much longer.

But in fact, as long as it didn't involve the Immortal Treasure, no one would trouble him over the death of a Qin Feng.

"Ha, you don't trust me?"

Wang Zhi found it amusing, "Do you remember what I told you before? No need to be overly cautious about such matters; if you killed someone, you killed someone, what's there to fear? With me here, no one dares to touch you."

Chen Sansi conservatively said, "I really don't know."

Some things, even when both parties well understand, it's still best not to articulate them.

"Look at you guarding against others!

"Alright, let's not hide things anymore, lest you always suspect I have designs against you."

Wang Zhi suddenly turned serious, "In Po Yang County, no matter whom you offend, I will help you, even if it's Households Commander Xiang!

"I have but one request of you.

"Should the day come when you can enter the Eight Camps and become a personal disciple of the Lord Governor, I only ask you to convey a message for me.

"Tell the Lord Governor that I, Wang Zhi, wish to make amends through meritorious deeds!

"I only ask for a chance from the Lord Governor, even if it's to be a coachman or to face death; I want to die in the Eight Camps!"

Chen Sansi had indeed heard some rumors in the military camp.

Such as Wang Zhi coming from the Eight Camps and even knowing some high officials there.

But 'making amends through meritorious deeds'...

That phrase sounded quite severe.

Given that Wang Zhi was a Hundred Households, his realm would not exceed bone training.

A bone training martial artist, how grave a crime could he have committed to talk about 'making amends through meritorious deeds'? And it sounded as if he was quite familiar with Commander Sun before.

Alas.

Since the other party had already said so much, Chen Sansi also had to take a stand.

He solemnly said, "Hundred Households Wang, rest assured, if I really live up to expectations and enter the Eight Camps to meet Commander Sun, I will surely deliver the message no matter what."

"Good, good!"

Wang Zhi nodded repeatedly, "From now on, don't call me Hundred Households, just call me Fatty since we're brothers."

"Is that appropriate?" Chen Sansi asked.

"Pretentious! Why wouldn't it be?"

Wang Zhi cursed, waving his sleeve as he left, "If those from the Liang family come looking for trouble again, let me know. I'll cover my face at night and take care of him for you."

"..."

At this moment, as Chen Sansi watched Fatty's hefty back, why did he feel that the phrases "greedy as life" and "cunning villain" seemed somewhat out of place when applied to him?

Of course.

One shouldn't judge a book by its cover, nor should one easily believe what others say on the surface; actions are what truly matter.

He stopped pondering and went home to consider tomorrow's hunting.

Improving his strength was urgent.

This feeling of being approached at home was something Chen Sansi did not want to experience again.

Lion!

If he could hunt a lion, it would be very useful for a long time!

Tomorrow he would go back to Yanbian Village and ask Uncle Zhao.

Although they did not have the strength to hunt lions, having roamed the mountains for years, they surely knew where to find one.

Although he possessed tracking skills, he still needed a rough area, or else how long would it take to search the vast Hutou Mountain Range?

After dinner, Chen Sansi also prepared and drank some Blood Replenishing Soup, practicing until late into the night before resting.

...

The next day.

Chen Sansi rose early.

Going to Yanbian Village was not close, and he wanted to ride a horse to save time.

He failed again.

This horse was fiercely defiant, utterly refusing to be subdued and continuously acting up.

Fortunately, his proficiency had increased quite a bit.

[Skill: Horse Control (Entry-level)]

[Progress: (75/100)]

[Utility: None]

After one or two more tries, he would enter the initial stage of Horse Control Skill, surely subduing it then.

Having a means of transportation was crucial.

Leaving the military camp, he went straight to Yanbian Village.

"You want to hunt tigers?"

Zhao Qiao, Wu Da, and Zhuang Yi were all there, ready to team up to hunt wolves.

"Yes."

Chen Sansi nodded, "Uncle Zhao is an experienced hunter, he surely knows."

"Okay, let's go up the mountain together!"

The group of four arrived at the creek at the border between the North and South Peaks of Hutou Mountain.

Zhao Qiao pointed toward the southwest direction, "Five years ago, Old Liu from the village saw a Big Worm in a cave twenty miles in this direction. He was so frightened that he wet his pants on the spot; luckily, he wasn't discovered and managed to run back. However, I'm not sure if the Big Worm is still there now."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhao!"

Chen Sansi bowed his hands, ready to cross the creek.

From afar, he could already see the traces left by animals in the forest on the other side.

All silver!

Zhao Qiao and the other two stood there, eagerly watching him.

"Uncle Zhao."

Chen Sansi knew they were having a hard time, "How about we do it together?"

"Not at all, not at all."

Zhao Qiao waved his hands repeatedly, "Black Bear almost took our lives, let alone Big Worm. We would only be holding you back, we dare not go. Little Stone, you be careful too, Big Worm is even more dangerous than Black Bear!"

"Uncle Zhao."

Wu Da looked longingly at the lush forest on the other side, "What if we also go over there? Not to hunt tigers, but even hunting a mountain goat would be good."

"Are you crazy?"

Zhao Qiao chided, "Have you forgotten how Old Liu died?"

"He ran over there to hunt because he couldn't survive three years ago, ended up shooting a deer, but the Martial Arts Academy Disciples coveted it and wanted to snatch it. Those people didn't want to pay for it and shot him full of arrows! If I hadn't risked going over, you wouldn't even see his body!"

"..."

Just because one couldn't survive and went hunting on the other side, did that mean one deserved to die?

Chen Sansi felt heartbroken.

He dared not urge further; he could go to the other side without issue, but since he wasn't a high-ranking official, if something happened to Uncle Zhao and the others, it wouldn't be worth it.

After saying goodbye to the three men,

Chen Sansi, carrying a bow and arrow and holding a gun, leaped over the creek and plunged into the dense jungle.