Zhang Chen hid the pork head meat well, sent Chengyu upstairs to sleep, and then transformed into a Vampire Bat and flew away.
Zhang Chen never lets go of a grudge; he always repays it the same day!
That Mr. Wuliu dared to humiliate him like that—it was utterly detestable! The key issue was that he actually embezzled Zhang Chen’s money. Was Zhang Chen’s money just blown in by the wind? Did his money come so easily?
With the moonlight aiding him at night, Zhang Chen’s speed was faster. Accompanied by the absorption of Moonlight, he seemed completely untiring. In just an hour, he returned again, landing in the mountain forest.
Standing in the moonlight looking toward the Thatched Cottage in the mountain, a murderous intent flashed in Zhang Chen’s eyes: "What a pity! The remaining wild animals in the mountain are nearly non-existent. Instead, there are many serpents near the Empress Tomb. But these people are Martial Dao experts and are equipped with sharp weapons. Killing them by relying on serpents is nearly impossible. For now, I’ll spare their lives and first move all their belongings."
Zhang Chen directly summoned the Fox Spirit, then watched as the Fox Spirit swaggered out. Simultaneously, a peculiar wave dispersed from the Fox Spirit’s body—the Illusion Technique was already at work.
Soon, the Fox Spirit carried jewels, antiques calligraphy and paintings, and various valuable items, and presented them before Zhang Chen like treasures: "I’ve moved out everything valuable that I could carry from the Thatched Cottage of that old guy."
Zhang Chen looked at the treasures on the ground, piled into a small hill that reached the height of his knees, fearing it wouldn’t translate into thousands of taels of silver.
"Antiques and paintings are hard to sell. Once sold, if someone traces them back, that wouldn’t be good. Although I have some tricks, I can’t withstand a siege by Martial Arts experts. But those jewels and gold can be used as a token of gratitude to a master," Zhang Chen mused to himself.
He no longer lacked money!
Ever since acquiring the Fox Spirit, he hadn’t been short of wealth.
But it would be a pity to just discard these calligraphy and paintings. Later, when heading south, he would go to another city to exchange some gold and silver at a pawnshop, making up for the loss.
However, with so much wealth, he had no place to hide it.
After pondering for a moment, he decided to hide it directly underwater in the depths of a cave. Then Zhang Chen looked at the Thatched Cottage, holding a flint, and told the Fox Spirit: "Go set that house on fire to vent my anger."
At his words, the Fox Spirit gasped, their eyes fixed on Zhang Chen, a thought jumping into their mind: "Is this guy a devil?"
"We seek wealth, not life. Isn’t it excessive to burn them alive?" The Fox Spirit was somewhat resistant.
"They are living people, not dead animals. Can a mere Thatched Cottage hold them?" Zhang Chen said.
Of course, he knew that he wouldn’t burn that old guy to death, but venting his anger was also good.
Hearing this, the Fox Spirit could only comply. Soon, in the dark night, a fire erupted, and within a breath, it engulfed the cottage. Then noise came from the mountain, revealing Mr. Wuliu standing outside the cottage, his voice filled with heart-wrenching pain: "Ah! My Lottery Chart! My Wu Xiaozi Calligraphy Guide."
Mr. Wuliu’s piercing voice resounded through the mountain, leaving Zhang Chen surprised: "Could there be some significance to this Calligraphy Guide and paintings?"
But none of it mattered now!
Zhang Chen glanced at the burning cottage and transformed into a bat, disappearing into the night.
The next morning
Another day of morning lessons had arrived, where a group of disciples gathered at the training ground. This time, Zhang Chen and Xiaodouding were not late, obediently standing in the square.
At this moment, the Law Enforcement Elder stood with a grim face on the high platform, his eyes sweeping over the disciples below, fuming with anger.
"Some of you are truly audacious. How long has it been since I last admonished you? Some of you actually laid a malicious hand on the kitchen again!" The Law Enforcement Elder stood on the high platform, his face dark as he reprimanded: "You may steal a thousand times, but I only need to catch you once, and you’re done for!"
Then followed another lengthy admonition.
Zhang Chen and Xiaodouding exchanged glances below the platform, listening to the reprimand above, with slight smirks on their faces.
After training, Zhang Chen felt the Qi Blood flowing within him activate, and he sensed the direction of the tendons between his arms.
"It seems I’m not far from entry-level Ming Jin." Zhang Chen and Xiaodouding followed the other disciples to the main hall, where they began reciting the Huangting Scripture with everyone.
Unfortunately, no Skill acquired, Zhang Chen suspected it was due to the absence of the original Golden Book or an issue with the disciples’ recitation process.
There are ten thousand words in the Huangting Scripture, but after a month, Zhang Chen had only memorized a few hundred words, knowing only the sound but not the meaning.
Breakfast dining hall
The Law Enforcement Elder’s eyes, like an eagle’s, stared at the disciples serving food, instructing the Law Enforcement Disciple beside him: "Keep an eye on whoever doesn’t seem hungry; that indicates they ate well last night and are a prime suspect. Later, search their quarters to see who left behind buns, focusing on them."
The disciple quickly responded accordingly.
"Did you buy the hunting dogs I asked for?" The Law Enforcement Elder inquired.
"There’s already a lead on that," the disciple replied.
"That’s good! Once we’ve bought the hunting dogs, I will see who stole the meat! These disciples are simply audacious; this evil trend must be suppressed." The Law Enforcement Elder said.
Zhang Chen and Xiaodouding, holding bowls of porridge and buns, walked together, both having no appetite.
"What if I can’t eat?" Xiaodouding quietly asked Zhang Chen.