Chapter 32: The Gang Leader's Adopted Daughter

A moment later.

Lu Zhangsheng arrived at the Demon Suppression Office Library, lifted his foot and walked inside.

"Apprentice ZhenYaosi can only go to the second floor to select skills."

The old man glanced briefly, without lifting his head.

Lu Zhangsheng clasped his fists, then walked past the old man toward the corridor.

"Thud thud thud..."

As soon as he arrived on the second floor, he saw Xing Zhaolin leaning in a corner, napping.

Seeing someone approach, Xing Zhaolin opened his drowsy eyes.

"It's Lu Zhangsheng, what skill do you need this time?"

Upon recognizing Lu Zhangsheng, he brightened, his face breaking into a smile.

As for Lu Zhangsheng, this rich and generous man, he still left a deep impression.

Lu Zhangsheng didn't waste words, directly throwing a lump of silver at him, which struck his face.

"I have a Small Merit; can I exchange it for those skills?"

For a greedy person, as long as you cater to his liking, just throw money at him—saving time and effort.

Letting him search the library himself would likely take days.

His time is extremely precious, naturally not to be wasted on such trivial matters.

Even after being hit in the face with silver, Xing Zhaolin wasn't annoyed; he smiled even more happily.

Today is truly auspicious, having opened early; even if he were smashed to death by silver, it would be fine.

"I'll personally take you over to pick."

He hurriedly rose and walked toward the northwest corner.

Lu Zhangsheng followed closely behind.

The two quickly arrived at a very secluded bookshelf.

"Ordinary decent Secret Manuals cost three Small Merits, poorer ones two; these fragmentary secret arts need only one Small Merit."

"Are you sure you don't want to wait, Junior Brother? Merit is quite precious; a group task yields only a bit of Small Merit."

Xing Zhaolin reminded him solemnly.

As for Lu Zhangsheng, he felt favorable toward him, naturally not wanting him to take a detour.

"No problem, thanks for the advice, Older Brother; I'll look around here."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled, then carefully examined the bookshelf.

【Capture Dragon Subdue Tiger Skill】（Remnant Chapter）

【Black Tiger Sword Technique】（Remnant Chapter）

【Spiral Nine Transformations】【Remnant Chapter】

……

【Bone Shrinking Skill】（Remnant Chapter）

Lu Zhangsheng scanned the entire bookshelf; when he saw Bone Shrinking Skill, his eyes twitched.

"What is this Bone Shrinking Skill?"

Xing Zhaolin wore a dismissive expression: "This skill is rather useless, only able to shrink bones to enter narrow caves; it's a fragment, basically no one redeems it."

"I'll take this one."

Lu Zhangsheng gave a light smile.

He only had one Small Merit in hand; this skill happened to be most suitable for him.

Moreover, he planned to use this skill to verify some things.

"Since Junior Brother needs it, Older Brother won't say more."

After saying that, Xing Zhaolin immediately took out the skill and handed it to Lu Zhangsheng.

They were merely acquaintances; excessive interference would be inappropriate; he was quite smooth, naturally wouldn't be so foolish.

"Thank you, Elder Brother Xing."

Lu Zhangsheng received the skill and gave thanks.

After they exchanged a few words, he turned and left.

Arriving at the old man on the first floor, he handed over the Waist Badge, then would begin copying the skill.

"No skill may be transmitted outside..."

The old man, as usual, spoke the warning.

A moment later, Lu Zhangsheng walked out of the library hall with the copied skill.

At the same time, the Small Merit on the Waist Badge was crossed out.

Returning the same way, Lu Zhangsheng quickly returned to his own small courtyard.

He immediately unfolded the Secret Manual and began to peruse it carefully.

"Detected one fragment of Bone Shrinking Skill; record it?"

A familiar Prompt Sound echoed deep in his mind.

"Record."

Lu Zhangsheng nodded.

Only saw a new skill appear on the blue panel.

Skill: 【Bone Shrinking Skill】（Remnant Chapter）

Note: Can rearrange the entire body's bones, shrink or enlarge the physique, cannot be maintained in combat.

Lu Zhangsheng frowned at the words.

This effect is truly useless; changing one's shape has little use and doesn't boost strength.

Just then, another Prompt Sound rang out.

"Remnant Chapter of a technique detected. Choose to supplement?"

Lu Zhangsheng's expression shifted slightly.

"Supplement."

As the remaining two Source Energy Points in his hand were exhausted, the technique on the panel also changed.

Skill: 【Bone Shrinking Skill】 (Uninitiated) Note: Can freely alter all bones and muscles, usable in combat, with a duration limit.

Seeing this, Lu Zhangsheng's face lit up with joy.

This is literally an essential divine skill for killing and looting; once mastered, one can act without revealing one's identity.

It will greatly aid his upcoming actions.

Indeed, Lu Zhangsheng is ready to strike back at once.

Now he has no worries at all.

From the beginning of his martial training to today, he has always been very cautious, and he is carefully contemplating taking action against the Sanhe Gang, because with his current strength he is not yet a match for the gang's higher‑ups, so he can only strike at their forces covertly; this technique solves his urgent problem.

At this moment he can finally set his own plan in motion.

Then Lu Zhangsheng gathered his thoughts and began to cultivate impatiently.

"Kaka…"

As the technique ran, his leg muscles and bones changed rapidly.

……

Three days later.

Skill: 【Bone Shrinking Skill】 (Minor Accomplishment)

Source Energy Points: 0.

Note: After using the skill, full‑power attacks can be maintained for one hour.

Lu Zhangsheng looked at the data on the panel, a satisfied expression on his face. One hour is enough to do many things.

Later, when he regains Source Energy Points, he can gradually improve; this ordinary technique consumes little.

But now he has no Source Energy Points left; the last two have been fully consumed.

"Looks like I need to speed up exploring the mountains and forests."

Lu Zhangsheng thought to himself.

Just then, a crisp voice came from the courtyard.

"May I ask if Young Master Lu is here?"

A maid‑dressed woman stepped in from outside the courtyard, her steps very light.

Hearing the movement, Lu Zhangsheng immediately walked out of the house.

With a puzzled look, he said, "I am Lu Zhangsheng, what is it?"

"My lady has a request."

The woman smiled faintly, very friendly.

Lu Zhangsheng became even more puzzled; he doesn't know any lady.

Since joining the DemonSubduingOffice, he has been desperately refining his martial skills.

The woman seemed to sense his doubt and hurriedly explained with a smile, "My lady's surname is Yue; she says she is an old acquaintance of Young Master Lu, and has specially sent me to invite you…"

Lu Zhangsheng's eyes flickered; he instantly guessed her identity.

The one inviting him was Yue Shulan; the two had previously undertaken a mission together, so they had some rapport.

"Lead the way."

Lu Zhangsheng did not refuse.

Then the woman walked gracefully forward, and Lu Zhangsheng followed closely.

The two walked along the street.

Soon, they stopped in front of a large loft.

Lu Zhangsheng looked up.

"Mandarin Duck Pavilion" three gilt characters hung above the door.

His expression turned extremely strange.

He recognized the place well; it is reputed as the largest Xiao Jin Cave in all Changping County.

He didn't expect that a mere woman would invite him, and would choose a brothel such a place.

Lu Zhangsheng didn't think further and stepped straight into the loft.

"Dong dong dong…"

The two went up the stairs and entered a private room on the left.

At this moment, the table was already laden with wine and dishes, their aroma filling the room.

Yue Shulan sat upright at the main seat.

Seeing Lu Zhangsheng arrive for the appointment, she quickly rose to greet him, her face full of smiles.

"Young Master Lu, you honor me with your presence; I am deeply grateful."

"Today there is a performance by Madam Jing, so we chose this place."

Her tone was very friendly.

Lu Zhangsheng smiled and walked directly to the table to sit down.

The Jing Miss mentioned by the other party is precisely this building's top performer, highly skilled in music, with both talent and beauty.

She is extremely popular throughout Changping County.

"Miss Yue, what brings you here today?"

He got straight to the point.

"I hope to make friends with Master Lu."

Yue Shulan smiled slightly, without beating around the bush.

After speaking, she clapped her hands, and the maid beside her immediately brought out an exquisite wooden box.

Lu Zhangsheng showed no expression: "No merit, no reward; Miss Yue, please take it back."

He dared not casually accept the other party's gift.

Yue Shulan took a sip of tea, gesturing to the maid beside her with her eyes.

The maid hurriedly opened the wooden box.

Only a large ginseng lay in the box, emitting a fresh fragrance.

Lu Zhangsheng's expression froze, somewhat at a loss.

Making friends with such a grand gesture is still quite rare.

This ginseng is over a hundred years old, and its price is not small.

"Miss Yue, just state your purpose directly."

His tone was very calm.

Yue Shulan wasn't annoyed, smiling as she said: "My mother is the leader of the Shark Gang; I hope to invite Master Lu to join our Shark Gang as a Guest Minister."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled slightly: "I heard the Shark Gang leader has an adopted daughter; that must be you."

He had also heard of this, but never expected it to be Yue Shulan herself.

He knew well that the Shark Gang's situation was not good, being suppressed by the Sanhe Gang, making things quite difficult.

Moreover, internal conflicts were intense; even Yue Shulan had to take refuge in the Demon Subduing Office.

Now that the other party has come to find me, they likely want me to deal with the gang's strongmen; this spiritual medicine is not so easily obtained.

"I am of low strength and temporarily unable to bear this important task."

Lu Zhangsheng refused without hesitation.

Although the Shark Gang and the Sanhe Gang are hostile, being on good terms with the Shark Gang is also not bad, as the saying goes, the enemy's enemy is a friend.

But now to let me enter the fray is not very possible.

Even if the two sides were to cooperate, the timing must be decided by myself.

Rather than being led by the nose by the other party.

With his current strength, participating in a large gang conflict would undoubtedly be like pulling a chestnut from the fire, extremely dangerous.

This seriously conflicts with his own interests.

Lu Zhangsheng had long ago made a secret plan to deal with the Sanhe Gang; as for cooperation, we'll wait until his cultivation improves.

"No problem, I hope that in the future, Master Lu, if you wish to join a faction, will give us careful consideration."

Yue Shulan raised her eyebrows slightly, also not angry.

Saying that, she pushed the wooden box toward Lu Zhangsheng.

"Last time on the mission we both returned safely; that also counts as a bond forged in adversity, so let this spiritual medicine be a meeting gift."

Her tone was quite sincere.

Lu Zhangsheng's expression shifted slightly; he didn't expect Yue Shulan to have such grand ambition.

"Then I shall not refuse."

He smiled as he accepted the gift.

Since the other party has spoken to this extent, if I still refused, it would be somewhat ungrateful.

In the future, when my strength grows stronger, I expect many more people will bring gifts.

This is also one of the benefits brought by strength.

(End of chapter)