Chapter 370: Family Thieves Are Hard to Guard Against

Midnight, the Zhang Family great hall.

"Dad, wake up!"

Du Wenxuan shook him, and Du Guan, who was asleep on the chair, wore a look of disdain.

He should have been sleeping, but the old fellow came to stand watch; yet he doesn't follow the martial code, waiting for no one, so the hall is left with just the two of them on watch, and the old fellow just lies on the armchair, saying to call him after everyone sleeps.

Not long after.

He fell into deep sleep!

"What's wrong..."

Du Guan groggily opened his eyes, but before he could finish speaking, Du Wenxuan cut in: "Dad, have you forgotten the purpose of us keeping watch for my uncle—no, for Zhang Deben?"

Uncle?

If Zhang Deben could still serve as the Shizi Ling Mountain God, it would merit a "uncle" address, but now both father and son have designs on Zhang Deben's Mountain God Token, and the Shizi Ling Mountain God no longer belongs to Zhang Deben.

It won't take long.

He, Du Wenxuan, is the next Shizi Ling Mountain God.

Zhang Deben?

He's just a man who had terrible luck—no, to be precise, a dead man who missed his chance to become Shizi Ling Mountain God and passed that chance to him. He appreciates Zhang Deben's deeds, but expecting to call him "uncle"?

Almost impossible!

"Zhang Deben, that's your uncle—no courtesy at all!"

Du Guan instinctively cursed, but before finishing, a flash of insight struck his mind, his sleepy eyes snapped awake, and he turned his head, saying:

"They're all asleep?"

He then recalled that what they were to do later was to pry open Zhang Deben's coffin, take the Mountain God Token from his corpse; his son—no, he himself would become Shizi Ling's Mountain God, so his son need not call Zhang Deben "uncle" any more.

Du Wenxuan plaintively said, "Dad, if they're not asleep, how could I dare wake you?"

Du Guan remembered what he said to Du Wenxuan before sleep, ignored Du Wenxuan's plaintive gaze, and sternly said, "Go check again, make sure everyone is asleep!"

"Dad..."

Du Wenxuan was about to refuse, thinking Du Guan was looking for trouble, but Du Guan cut him off, "Don't forget what we're about to do; if we're discovered, we'll be beaten to death, so be as careful as possible!"

Seizing the Mountain God Token, snatching Zhang Deben's chance to become Shizi Ling Mountain God—that's even more serious than a father‑killing grudge.

Never mind the many years without contact with the Zhang Family; whether it's Zhang Deben or the Zhang Family members, they all harbor resentment toward him, and would be outraged to learn he dared such a heinous act.

The Zhang Family would tear his heart to pieces!

Of course.

The Zhang Family—more precisely, Zhang Deben might care about him as his brother‑in‑law, about his sister, fearing she would be widowed, perhaps sparing his life; with Zhang Deben's restraint, the Zhang Family wouldn't harm him.

But the Zhang Family members of Zhang Family Village would certainly not let him off.

After a long struggle they finally produced a Mountain God, the Shizi Ling Mountain God, and with Zhang Deben's care, it may not make every Zhang Family member of Zhang Family Village rich, but at least it can ensure the whole village no longer worries about food.

If he were to steal the Shizi Ling Mountain God Token, knowing he wouldn't tend the Shizi Ling Mountain God, it's fine if he becomes the Mountain God, but if not, the Zhang Family members of Zhang Family Village would be the first to punish him.

How could he dare any carelessness?

He wouldn't gamble with his own life!

"Dad, how did I not notice? When did your courage become so small?" Du Wenxuan snorted in displeasure, yet he knew prying open Zhang Deben's coffin required more than himself; he needed his father's help.

Du Guan watched Du Wenxuan's departing back, his expression turning extremely complex, then, as if making a resolve, thought silently:

"This kid, ten to nine times out of ten, also has designs on the Shizi Ling Mountain God, but the Shizi Ling Mountain God isn't that easy to be."

Moreover, the kid is still young; whether he can become the Shizi Ling Mountain God is uncertain, but at least he has a promising future, unlike the dead‑end role of Shizi Ling Mountain God.

I'll do it then; after all, I'm this brat's father—if I don't endure hardship, who will?

All for the sake of this brat!

Wang Ping'an slept in the center of a wooden bed; outside was his mother, inside his grandmother. Multitasking, he alternated cultivating one technique after another while diligently drawing talismans in the World Pearl. He hadn't forgotten he still owed a huge sum; he's not the type to like owing money.

He must repay the debt soon, so he naturally works hard on drawing talismans.

Suddenly.

He noticed something odd outside the house!

When Wang Ping'an's thoughts shifted, the miniature Paper Person he had hidden outside the house instantly opened its eyes and immediately spotted a silhouette peering through the window. Upon closer look, it wasn't anyone else but the child of his grandmother's second sister, who had recently clashed with his mother.

"How did he get here?"

"This novel you..."

In Wang Ping'an's mind, countless thoughts swirled, suspecting Du Wenxuan of plotting against his family, when he saw Du Wenxuan turn and walk toward other bedrooms, laughing as if he had thought of something good.

"Something's off, very off—could this guy be up to something nasty?"

Wang Ping'an dared not be careless; though he saw no sign of cultivation on Du Wenxuan, one needn't be cultivated to do evil, so he quickly commanded the Paper Person to stealthily follow.

He actually wanted to see what mischief Du Wenxuan was planning.

Before long.

Du Wenxuan carefully inspected each Zhang Family bedroom one by one; just as he entered the great hall, Du Guan impatiently asked, "How's it going, all asleep?"

Du Wenxuan nodded, about to speak, when Du Guan handed him something.

Du Guan, seeing Du Wenxuan stunned, whispered, "Stop dazing, pry open your uncle's coffin already!"

"Dad, where did this thing come from?"

Du Wenxuan asked oddly.

Du Wenxuan snorted coldly, gave no reply, and after learning from Du Guan the purpose of the Mountain God Token, which sparked an improper thought, he promptly began stealthily searching for a tool to pry open Zhang Deben's coffin.

"These two beasts—what are they trying to do, desecrate my grand‑uncle's corpse?"

Wang Ping'an glared at the Du father‑son duo, brandishing a tool, surrounding his grand‑uncle's coffin, intending harm to it.

Wang Ping'an was about to give the two pig‑dog‑like father and son a harsh blow when he recalled a principle: catch the adulterer in bed, catch the thief with the loot.

If we settle this pair of father and son, as low as pigs and dogs, like this, then the next day that pair will surely find excuses to justify themselves.

Moreover.

His uncle's whole family might not even know the misdeeds this pair of father and son, as low as pigs and dogs, are preparing.

(End of chapter)