Chapter 58: More Hands Make Light Work

Qin Feng returned to the mansion with his men, his face dark with gloom.

He came before the main hall and said, “Come out. That bastard isn’t stupid.”

Soon after, a man dressed as a scholar emerged from the inner chamber.

“Master Qin,” the scholar bowed slightly. “I failed to accomplish anything—I’m deeply ashamed.”

“It’s not your fault,” Qin Feng waved dismissively, his expression still grim.

At that moment, several constables emerged from each room of the Qin mansion, gathering into a group of over a hundred within moments.

Most carried longbows; a few held net-like devices with hooks along the edges.

“Then I’ll return and report to the County Magistrate.”

“Another day, when this matter is settled, let us share a fine wine together, Master Ji.”

“You’re too kind. You’re far too kind.”

Master Ji exchanged a few polite phrases, then departed with his large contingent.

At that moment, a young boy approached from the side—it was Qin Huan, the last remaining heir of the Qin family.

“Father, where is Mother?” Qin Huan’s expression was uneasy. “Why haven’t I seen her all day?”

“I sent her back to Dafeng Village. It’s too dangerous here.”

Qin Huan sighed in relief.

Qin Feng asked, “Have you seen your second uncle?”

Qin Huan shook his head.

At that moment, Qin Feng’s sense of dread grew stronger. Disposing of a corpse isn’t difficult—unless something went wrong.

No way.

Qin Feng’s eyes blazed with fury. He shouted, “Men! Organize search parties! Find Second Master—alive or dead! Leave no suspicious clue unexamined!”

A group of servants immediately rushed out of the mansion.

Meanwhile, Li Lin arrived at another wealthy household’s pavilion, carrying his newly purchased supplies.

He noticed that the mansions of the rich were enormous, yet many areas were neglected—perfect places to hide.

He spread out his bundle and sorted its contents into piles by category.

Then he took out white paper, scissors, and cinnabar.

He cut out over a dozen paper figures, each about the size of a palm, then painted eyes and mouths on them with cinnabar.

Next, he inscribed talismanic patterns on their backs and infused them with yin energy.

The white paper gradually darkened, turning pink.

[Paper Folding Technique +1]

Li Lin froze. He pulled out his book, “The Daoist’s Detailed Notes,” studied it, then stared at his pink paper figures. “After infusing yin energy, shouldn’t they turn blood-red? Why are they pink?!”

He tried controlling them and found them easy to command—nimble, quick to run and jump.

Nothing seems wrong… then why are they fading?

Li Lin made several more paper figures—all pink, never blood-red.

He gave up… as long as they worked, what did color matter?

Blood-red paper figures were too terrifying. Pink ones were almost cute. Besides, when he drew their eyes, he’d naturally used a chibi style.

He made over a dozen paper figures in one go and dispatched them all.

He ordered them to find Wang Tianyou.

The small paper figures hopped and bounced out of the pavilion.

They weren’t very intelligent. Though instructed to head for hidden, shadowed places, their movements were clumsy.

Some fell into foul ditches; others were snatched and torn apart by stray cats.

But a few eventually found Wang Tianyou.

Wang Tianyou was hiding in a ruined hut, cultivating to heal his wounds, guarded by three warriors.

Soon after, one warrior suddenly drew his longsword.

A pink paper figure that had just darted from the corner was sliced in half.

Wang Tianyou opened his eyes.

“Paper figures tracking us,” the warrior said, sword in hand. “We can’t stay here.”

Wang Tianyou nodded.

Just as the four prepared to leave, several more paper figures emerged from around them.

“The Qin family won’t let go,” one warrior growled. “They’re even using Paper Folding Technique now.”

Another warrior glanced and said, “Why are all these paper figures faded?”

“Who cares what color they are—they’re still dangerous.”

The first warrior slashed his sword through several paper figures.

Just as he raised his blade to cut the last one, Wang Tianyou spoke.

“Wait. These paper figures aren’t from the Qin family.”

The warriors looked. The remaining paper figure was using its “round” hands to point insistently outward.

It didn’t seem like a warning—it looked more like an invitation.

Wang Tianyou stepped forward. The paper figure immediately moved ahead, then paused a short distance away and pointed in another direction.

“It seems to want us to meet someone.”

One warrior said, “Could it be a trap?”

“If the Qin family had found us, the paper figures wouldn’t have revealed themselves,” Wang Tianyou coughed, clutching his chest. “Let’s take the risk. I don’t think this is their trick.”

The three warriors exchanged glances and nodded—they agreed the young master made sense.

The paper figure led the way. Though slow, it took shortcuts, so its pace was decent.

Fortunately, Wang Tianyou and his men knew Light Body Technique; otherwise, they’d have lost it.

After walking a while, they reached the wasteland south of the county.

There, the paper figure collapsed, its pink color slowly fading.

Its time had run out—yin energy was limited.

Wang Tianyou scanned the surroundings and soon spotted a figure emerging from the darkness.

All four tensed—but when they saw who it was, Wang Tianyou exclaimed, “Brother Li? How is it you?!”

“Why not me?” Li Lin laughed.

Wang Tianyou exhaled in relief. “So you killed the two Qin young masters?”

“Yes.”

Wang Tianyou said with admiration, “Only two months since we last met, and you’ve already entered the ranks.”

“Thanks to the Yin Nourishing Scripture you gave me,” Li Lin smiled. “This isn’t a place for idle talk. Let’s move to somewhere safer.”

Wang Tianyou naturally agreed.

Soon, the five reached the pavilion where Li Lin had been hiding.

He took out his dried rations; Wang Tianyou and the three warriors devoured them eagerly.

They were truly starving.

For days, they’d been chased from place to place, with no time to eat—nowhere near as comfortable as Li Lin’s life.

After eating two hard pieces of dried food, Wang Tianyou patted his stomach. “Brother Li, I owe you a debt. When we return, I’ll repay you handsomely.”

Li Lin waved his hand. “We’ll discuss that later. Right now, we should figure out how to kill Qin Feng and destroy the Qin mansion.”

“Why do you hate the Qin family?” Wang Tianyou asked curiously.

Li Lin recounted the events of the past, naturally omitting the two Concealing Ghost Robes—he wasn’t wearing one now.

He understood the principle: never flaunt wealth.

“Meeting us, the Qin family has stepped on iron,” Wang Tianyou suppressed a grin. “My family assigned me to handle the Qin matter, but Qin Feng is tougher than we imagined. We don’t need brute force—we need more allies.”

“Are there allies left in this city?” Li Lin asked.

“The Ding family has informants here,” Wang Tianyou smiled. “We never had a chance to contact them before—but now, with your Paper Folding Technique, we can. By the way… you know Paper Folding Technique?”

“I learned it long ago, only recently mastered it,” Li Lin smiled. “Let’s contact the Ding family first. More hands make light work. How many paper figures do you need?”

(End of Chapter)