Chapter 46 - 44: A Great Haul, Firearms Treasure Manual, Setting Off Firecrackers?

"Courting death!"

Lin Chang’sheng’s eyes flashed coldly as Dawn shot out like a bolt of lightning!

Slash!

"Ah!"

Lei Zhen screamed in agony. The right hand he had moved to the pouch instantly dropped to the ground, blood spurting wildly from his severed arm!

At the same time, several blasts of Qi Force struck out, shattering Lei Zhen’s Dantian, joints, and kneecaps!

Only then did Lin Chang’sheng step forward, cautiously untying the cloth pouch on Lei Zhen’s waist, pulling out six black beads!

"No!"

"Damn thief! I’ll never let you off, even in death! Ah!"

Lei Zhen collapsed to the ground, glaring at Lin Chang’sheng with gritted teeth, hatred and despair burning in his eyes.

"Six Celestial Thunder Beads? Planning to drag me to hell with you?!"

Lin Chang’sheng walked up and slapped out. Instantly, Lei Zhen’s skull shattered, eyes bulging wide as he died with bitter regret!

He was now at the Martial Arts Grandmaster Realm.

His Perception was razor-sharp, many times stronger than before.

The Lei Family were masters of firearms and explosives—he definitely had to watch his every move.

When Lei Zhen knelt to approach, Lin Chang’sheng sensed the violent fluctuation in Lei Zhen’s aura.

Six Celestial Thunder Beads, all about to explode—at this close distance...

Even as a Martial Arts Grandmaster, he’d probably be blown to bits!

Lin Chang’sheng walked into the main hall of the courtyard.

Lei Zhen’s residence was a tranquil quadrangle. Lin Chang’sheng’s swift kill hadn’t disturbed anyone else.

The main hall faced the gate. Past the hall was the bedroom.

He tossed Lei Zhen’s lifeless body in the hall and headed directly for the bedroom. The room was spacious, and a pot of orchids sat on the table.

"Weird. Where’s Lei Zhen hiding his valuables?"

Lin Chang’sheng carefully searched every corner—the walls, paintings, cabinets—nothing valuable in sight. He frowned deeply.

No silver notes, no secret manuals, nothing.

From Lin Chang’sheng’s prior investigations...

The Lei Family produced a ton of firearms; even with big spending, there should be plenty of silver stashed somewhere.

He looked over at the bed. The blanket was neatly folded. He stepped forward and carefully lifted it—nothing. He moved the pillow aside, pulled up the sheet...

Lin Chang’sheng noticed a row of decorative wooden posts at the head of the bed. One was different—unexpectedly smooth, like a frequently handled walnut!

Cautiously, he twisted the left side—but it didn’t budge. He tried twisting to the right.

"Creak!!"

Suddenly, a faint sound—wham! The bedboard flipped up, revealing an underground passage, a few stone steps... looked like a secret room.

"Huh? A secret chamber!"

Seeing the hidden chamber under the bed, Lin Chang’sheng’s eyes lit up. He could see several chests down the stairs.

Lin Chang’sheng descended.

The underground space was about three zhang square, with three chests inside.

He cautiously opened all three.

The left chest held a few registers—secret manuals! [Blazing Fire Technique], [Firearms Treasure Manual], [Thunder Fire Finger].

The middle chest—half-full of gold ingots, sparkling, plus a stack of silver notes.

The right chest contained a delicate sandalwood box. Inside: a piece of pale, slightly yellowed jade, looking quite ancient.

"Now that’s what I call a haul!"

"Hell yeah!"

Lin Chang’sheng eyed the loot, quite satisfied. He went to the bedroom for a cloth, wrapped up the gold, secret manuals, jade—all in one giant bundle.

Just as he emerged from the secret chamber, suddenly, footsteps sounded from outside.

"No! The Patriarch is dead!"

"Father!"

"Uncle!"

"Help—something’s happened to the Patriarch!"

Standing in the main hall, Lin Chang’sheng saw a tall man in black lead five well-dressed youths, discovering Lei Zhen’s corpse in the courtyard. They all cried out at once.

Lin Chang’sheng hefted his big bundle and strode out from the chamber!

"It’s him! He killed the Patriarch!"

"Don’t let the bastard get away!"

Seeing Lin Chang’sheng show up with his loot, the black-robed elder and five young men all changed expressions, grabbing for the cloth pouches at their waists!

"Lei Zhen’s sons and nephews?"

"Good timing!"

As they all tried to pull out Celestial Thunder Beads, Lin Chang’sheng’s eyes flashed. With a flick of his wrist, two Celestial Thunder Beads shot ahead of them, landing among them. He unleashed Fleeting Shadows, his figure zipping away like lightning.

RUMBLE RUMBLE!

RUMBLE RUMBLE!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

......

Deafening explosions rang out, earth trembling beneath his feet!

"Looks like my Celestial Thunder Beads detonated all the beads on those six guys!"

Lin Chang’sheng lugged his loot far away from the Lei estate, hearing wave after wave of explosions from behind, secretly chuckling.

......

Lin Chang’sheng returned to his secluded courtyard.

He tossed the bundle in his room, saw the Little White Fox sleeping in its cage, and sat down to inventory his night’s spoils.

Three Cultivation Techniques, silver notes totalling about 57,000 taels, 88 gold ingots.

And a pale, slightly yellowed jade piece, about 2 inches long and half an inch wide.

"Nice, now I can stock up on Tiger Blood Pills!"

"Dragon Blood Pill Formula—I might as well try to get my hands on it!"

Gazing at the pile of gold, Lin Chang’sheng mused to himself.

If he could get High Level Elixirs to boost his Cultivation Experience Points and raise his Cultivation, and fuse his Cultivation Techniques—that was the most urgent thing on his plate!

"Let’s get these three Cultivation Techniques to Entry Level first!"

As soon as he thought of it, he put the gold, silver notes, and jade aside, flipped open Blazing Fire Technique. Left hand tapping out Tiger Claw, right hand rubbing his belly, and the Minor Circulation Breathing Method racking up experience at the same time.

The only technique not gaining EXP was Gale Saber Technique—no wind, no progress for now.

.......

The next morning.

[Detected Cultivation Technique: Blazing Fire Technique. Consume 30 taels silver to Simplify?]

[Detected Treasure Manual: Firearms Treasure Manual. Consume 20 taels silver to Simplify?]

[Detected Martial Arts: Thunder Fire Finger. Consume 20 taels silver to Simplify?]

Lin Chang’sheng sat in his east wing, staring at the three prompts on his game panel. He immediately tapped "Confirm."

[Great Dao is Simple: Blazing Fire Technique, Firearms Treasure Manual, Thunder Fire Finger are being Simplified... Simplification successful!]

[Blazing Fire Technique = Body Roasting!]

[Thunder Fire Finger = Finger Toasting!]

[Firearms Treasure Manual = Setting off Firecrackers!]

"Huh? Roasting, toasting? So, for these two Techniques, all I need is a fire pit?"

"And the Firearms Treasure Manual—Simplified to setting off firecrackers? That’s hilarious!"

Lin Chang’sheng stared at the red prompts on the panel, interest sparkling in his eyes.

Lighting firecrackers—wonder how that racks up EXP?

If every bang gives an EXP point, just light up a string of those big character firecrackers and I’d hit Perfection instantly!

"Let’s start by trying out the fire pit!"

He tidied up and headed to the kitchen—fire basin and firewood were ready. He carried the basin to the courtyard, piled up wood, and struck it alight with his flint.

Crackle and pop—the flames grew stronger!

Lin Chang’sheng stretched out his hands, sitting at the fire pit, warming himself. Instantly he felt the heat rising.

Blazing Fire Technique Experience Points +1!

Thunder Fire Finger Experience Points +1!

Blazing Fire Technique Experience Points +1!

.........

With Lin Chang’sheng roasting at the fire, red prompts popped up on his panel in rapid succession!

Lin Chang’sheng looked at the panel, satisfied.

"Hmm, Little Fox is injured—might as well let it warm up here too! It’ll help it recover!"

He suddenly thought of the Little White Fox he’d rescued, and headed to the other room.

"Huh? Don’t tell me it’s dead?"

Entering, he saw the Little White Fox lying there, eyes tightly shut, not moving an inch.