Chapter 32: The Boss

Moments later.

Lu Zhangsheng arrived before the Cangshu Ge of the Town Suppressing Demons Office and stepped inside.

"Apprentice Town Suppressing Envoys may only select Cultivation Techniques from the second floor."

The old man gave him a casual glance, not lifting his head.

Lu Zhangsheng bowed slightly, then passed the old man and headed toward the staircase.

"Tap-tap-tap…"

Upon reaching the second floor, he saw Xing Zhaolin leaning against a corner, napping.

Seeing someone arrive, Xing Zhaolin opened his drowsy eyes.

"If it isn't younger brother Lu—what Cultivation Technique do you need today?"

Upon recognizing Lu Zhangsheng, he perked up, his face beaming with smiles.

He still held a strong impression of Lu Zhangsheng, this wealthy and generous man.

Lu Zhangsheng wasted no words—he tossed a pile of silver straight at the man, striking him in the face.

"I have one Small Merit—what Cultivation Techniques or Secret Techniques can I exchange for it?"

For a money-loving man, all you need is to cater to his tastes—just throw silver at him; it saves time and effort.

Letting him search the library himself would likely take days.

His time was too precious to waste on such trivial matters.

Struck in the face by silver, Xing Zhaolin wasn't angry—he smiled even wider.

Today was truly a day of good fortune; he'd made his first sale before dawn—even if the silver killed him, it was worth it.

"Older brother will personally guide you to pick."

He quickly rose and walked toward the northwest corner.

Lu Zhangsheng followed closely behind.

The two soon reached a very secluded bookshelf.

"Generally, decent Secret Manuals require three Small Merits; inferior ones still need two. These incomplete Secret Techniques cost only one Small Merit."

"Younger brother, are you sure you don't want to wait? Merits are quite precious—one Small Merit is granted per group mission."

Xing Zhaolin warned him solemnly.

He held genuine goodwill toward Lu Zhangsheng and naturally didn't want him to make a poor choice.

"No need to worry—thank you, older brother, for the advice. I'll look around here myself."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled, then carefully examined the bookshelf.

【Catch the Dragon, Subdue the Tiger Technique】(Incomplete Fragment)

【Black Tiger Blade Art】(Incomplete Fragment)

【Spiral Nine Transformations】(Incomplete Fragment)

……

【Bone Shrinking Art】(Incomplete Fragment)

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

"What kind of technique is this Bone Shrinking Art?"

Xing Zhaolin shrugged dismissively: "This technique is useless—it only shrinks bones, letting you squeeze into narrow caves. And it's incomplete. No one ever exchanges for it."

"I'll take this one."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled faintly.

He had only one Small Merit, and this technique was the most suitable for him.

Moreover, he planned to use this technique to verify something.

"Since younger brother wants it, older brother won't say more."

Saying this, Xing Zhaolin immediately retrieved the technique and handed it to Lu Zhangsheng.

They were only acquaintances; excessive interference would be inappropriate—he was too smooth to act so foolishly.

"Thank you, older brother Xing."

Lu Zhangsheng accepted the technique and bowed in thanks.

After exchanging a few words, he turned and left.

Arriving at the old man on the first floor, he handed over his Yaopian and prepared to copy the technique.

"No Cultivation Technique may be taken outside…"

The old man, as usual, began his warning.

Moments later, Lu Zhangsheng walked out of the Cangshu Ge Main Hall, holding the copied technique.

Simultaneously, the Small Merit on his Yaopian was erased.

Returning the same way, Lu Zhangsheng quickly reached his small courtyard.

He immediately spread open the Secret Manual and carefully studied it.

"Found one incomplete fragment of Bone Shrinking Art. Record it?"

A familiar voice echoed deep in his mind.

"Record it."

Lu Zhangsheng nodded.

A blue Panel appeared, displaying a new Skill.

Skill: 【Bone Shrinking Art】(Incomplete Fragment).

Note: Can rearrange all body bones to shrink or enlarge one's form—cannot be maintained during combat.

Lu Zhangsheng frowned upon hearing this.

This effect was really too much of a white elephant; changing one's body shape wasn't very useful, and it couldn't enhance his strength.

Just then, another prompt sounded.

"Detected a fragmentary cultivation technique skill. Would you like to complete it?"

Lu Zhangsheng's expression shifted slightly.

"Complete it."

As the last two Source Energy Points in his hand were completely consumed, the cultivation technique on the Panel changed accordingly.

Skill: 【Bone Shrinking Art】 (Not Yet Entry Level) Note: Can freely alter all bones and muscles throughout the body, can also be used in combat, with a duration limit.

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

This was simply a must-have divine skill for killing and robbing; as long as he cultivated it to Entry Level, he wouldn't be discovered when he struck.

It would be of tremendous help to his upcoming actions.

That's right, Lu Zhangsheng was already prepared to immediately begin striking back.

Now he had absolutely no worries left behind.

From the very beginning of his martial training, all the way to today, he had always been extremely cautious. Regarding the matter of taking action against Sanhe Gang, he was also carefully deliberating. After all, with his current strength, he was temporarily no match for those high-ranking members of the gang, and could only strike at their forces from the shadows. This cultivation technique had solved his pressing urgent need.

At last, he could now begin his own plan.

Then, Lu Zhangsheng gathered his thoughts and began cultivating impatiently.

"Crack crack…"

As the cultivation technique circulated, the muscles and bones of his legs were rapidly changing.

…………

Three days later.

Skill: 【Bone Shrinking Art】 (Small Achievement)

Source Energy Points: 0.

Note: After using the skill, when striking with full force, it can be maintained for two hours.

Lu Zhangsheng stared at the data on the Panel, his face full of satisfaction. Two hours was enough to do many things.

In the future, once he had Source Energy Points, he could slowly improve it; this ordinary cultivation technique consumed very little.

But now he had no Source Energy Points left; the last two had been completely consumed.

"Looks like I'll have to speed up exploring the mountain forest."

Lu Zhangsheng thought to himself secretly.

Just then, a crisp voice came from the Courtyard.

"May I ask if Young Marquis Lu is in?"

A woman dressed as a maidservant walked in from outside the Courtyard, her steps very light and quick.

Lu Zhangsheng heard the movement and immediately walked out from inside the room.

His face somewhat puzzled: "I am Lu Zhangsheng. What is it?"

"My young lady requests your presence."

The woman smiled slightly, very kindly.

Lu Zhangsheng was even more puzzled upon hearing this; he didn't know any young lady.

Since joining the Town Demon Bureau, he had been desperately training in martial arts the whole time.

The woman seemed to sense Lu Zhangsheng's puzzlement and hurriedly explained with a smile: "My young lady's surname is Yue. She says she is an old acquaintance of Young Marquis Lu, and has specially sent this servant to invite Young Marquis Lu…"

Lu Zhangsheng's eyes shifted slightly; he instantly guessed the other party's identity.

The one inviting him was none other than Yue Shulan. The two had taken on missions together and did have some friendship.

"Lead the way."

Lu Zhangsheng did not refuse.

Then, the woman walked forward gracefully, with Lu Zhangsheng following closely behind.

The two proceeded along the street the whole way.

Before long, the two arrived in front of a large pavilion and stopped.

Lu Zhangsheng looked up.

The three gilded characters "Yuanyang Lou" hung at the top of the doorway.

His expression became extremely strange.

This place was very familiar in his mind; it was reputed to be the largest pleasure house in all of Changping County.

He hadn't expected that the other party, a woman, would choose a place like a brothel to treat him.

Lu Zhangsheng didn't think much of it and stepped directly into the pavilion.

"Thump thump thump…"

The two went up the stairs and arrived at a private room on the left side.

At this time, the table was already filled with wine and dishes, the fragrance wafting through the room.

Yue Shulan was sitting upright in the seat of honor.

Seeing Lu Zhangsheng arrive to keep the appointment, she hurriedly rose to receive him, her face full of smiles.

"Young Marquis Lu is willing to grace us with your presence; Qièshen is extremely grateful."

"Today there is a performance by the great artist Jing, so I chose this place."

Her tone was very kind.

Lu Zhangsheng smiled, walked directly to the table, and sat down.

The "Madam Jing" mentioned by the other party was the top courtesan of this pavilion, highly skilled in music and gifted in both talent and beauty.

She was wildly admired throughout Changping County.

"What has Miss Yue come to see me for today?"

He got straight to the point.

"Qièshen hopes to become friends with Young Marquis Lu."

Yue Shulan smiled faintly, without any hesitation.

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

Lu Zhangsheng's expression remained unreadable: "No merit, no reward. Miss Yue, please take it back."

He dared not accept her gift lightly.

Yue Shulan sipped tea, then glanced at her maid.

The maid hurriedly opened the wooden box.

Inside lay a large ginseng, emitting a steady, fragrant aroma.

Lu Zhangsheng's face froze in surprise—he was at a loss.

Such an extravagant gesture just to become friends was exceedingly rare.

This ginseng appeared to be over a hundred years old, worth a considerable sum.

"Miss Yue, just state your purpose outright."

His tone was utterly calm.

Yue Shulan did not grow angry; she smiled and said: "My mother is the Gang Leader of Haisha Gang. She wishes to invite Young Marquis Lu to join us as a guest minister."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled slightly: "I've heard the Haisha Gang's Gang Leader has an adopted daughter—you must be her."

He had heard of this before, but never imagined it was Yue Shulan.

He knew Haisha Gang was struggling now, crushed under the pressure of Sanhe Gang.

Add to that intense internal strife—even Yue Shulan had to flee to the Town Suppressing Spirits Office for safety.

Now that she's come to me, she likely wants me to deal with the strong persons within her own gang. This Spirit Medicine isn't so easy to accept.

"I am of low strength and cannot yet shoulder such a responsibility."

Lu Zhangsheng refused without hesitation.

Though Haisha Gang and Sanhe Gang are enemies, befriending Haisha Gang would be beneficial—after all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

But for me to join now is impossible.

Even if we were to cooperate, the timing must be chosen by me.

Not dictated by her.

With my current Cultivation Realm, joining a major gang conflict would be like plucking chestnuts from the fire—extremely dangerous.

It directly contradicts my own interests.

Lu Zhangsheng has long planned to secretly undermine Sanhe Gang; as for cooperation, he'll wait until his Cultivation Realm grows stronger.

"No matter. I hope that when Young Marquis Lu someday wishes to join a faction, you'll give us serious thought."

Yue Shulan raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, not angry at all.

She pushed the wooden box toward Lu Zhangsheng.

"Only the two of us returned safely from the last mission—we've shared hardship. This Spirit Medicine is a token of our meeting."

Her tone was genuinely sincere.

Lu Zhangsheng's expression shifted slightly—he hadn't expected Yue Shulan to be so bold.

"Then I shall not refuse your kindness."

He smiled and accepted the gift.

If he still refused after she'd said all this, he'd seem ungrateful.

When my strength grows further, surely many will come bearing gifts.

This is one of the benefits of strength.

(End of Chapter)