Taking Risks and Planning Thoroughly

sleepless nights.

Early in the morning, Gu Lin, exhausted, headed to Shiyang Academy.

With only the strength of the seventh level of the Meridian Opening Realm, there is absolutely no way he can pass the seed selection tournament!

Only nine days left.

What should I do?

Upon arriving at the Huangzihao Academy, I chatted with Wang Mu for a while and then asked in a low voice:

"Could you lend me three taels of silver? I'll return it in seven days!"

He was preparing to travel to the neighboring Youxi County and Xiajiang County to see if there were any reward notices, but he was penniless and needed to borrow money for travel expenses and lodging.

"This..." The chubby boy frowned, but considering their friendship, he still took out three pieces of silver from his purse and urged them on:

"It must be repaid!"

Gu Lin nodded and was just about to leave.

A group of people entered the school.

The leader was eighteen or nineteen years old, with an exceptionally robust build and eyes as wide as copper bells, scanning the school.

"Zhuang Wei of the Yu-class Academy is also one of Li Qingwu's followers," the chubby boy said in a low voice.

The burly young man fixed his gaze on Gu Lin, strode over with an imposing air, and demanded an explanation:

"Goddess Li said you are extremely disrespectful, how dare you insult her? Who gave you the courage?"

Seeing this, the chubby boy stepped forward with a smile. He was always popular and took the initiative to put his arm around Zhuang Wei's shoulder, trying to smooth things over:

"Zhuang Wei, give me some face, I'll invite you to dine at Wufenglou later."

Unexpectedly, Zhuang Wei shoved the chubby boy to the ground, furious.

"You fat, pig-eared bastard, who do you think you are? I swear I won't rest until I teach that Gu fellow a lesson today!!"

The desolate academy was eerily silent, but many students wore smiles, enjoying the spectacle.

The chubby boy looked embarrassed, got up, dusted himself off, and stood to the side with his head down.

Gu Lin stared at the newcomer, his eyes completely unmoved.

  

Faced with the howling of the wild dogs, he had no interest in showing off or being aggressive.

"A coward scared? Too afraid to go to the training ground?" Zhuang Wei pressed closer, his finger almost poking Gu Lin's forehead, looking down at him and saying:

"You're a cripple with blocked meridians, I won't use my internal energy..."

The speaker was interrupted.

"Get out!" An old man with graying temples strode into the school and roared in a voice as loud as thunder.

"With the seed selection competition just around the corner, if you vermin and maggots dare to cause trouble and disrupt the academy's order again, you'll be confined at best, and expelled from the academy at worst!"

The visitor was none other than Teacher Zhao from the Huangzi School.

During these nine days, anyone who dares to cause trouble will face severe punishment!

Zhuang Wei dared not disobey, and as he turned to leave, he glanced back at Gu Lin, his smile concealing a dagger:

"I'll catch up with you after the selection competition is over."

The threat was unmistakable.

Gu Lin did not respond.

Li Qingwu, must be killed.

This guy should also be on the kill list.

In his eyes, there was no such thing as a lesson; there was only death.

Once the academy had returned to quiet and order, Teacher Zhao stared at Gu Lin and said with deep sorrow:

"Gu Jingming, your parents spend dozens of taels of silver a year to send you to the academy, only to produce such an utterly stupid thing. It's a waste of money and your parents' hard work. You're foolish and unfilial. If you have even a shred of conscience, you should drop out of school as soon as possible!"

The Huangzihao Academy was already ranked last among the academies, and Gu Jingming's grades in the academy were also at the bottom. Continuing to stay in the academy would only make him a laughing stock.

The chubby boy understood the good intentions in Teacher Zhao's words, and he repeatedly advised Jingming to drop out of school as soon as possible and stay away from the conflicts.

Take Zhuang Wei's case for example. If he had dropped out of school, would he still have dared to cause trouble at the Gu family's house? Does he think the government and county yamen are just clay statues for decoration?

Seeing that Gu Lin did not answer, Master Zhao was too lazy to say more. He opened a book of basic martial arts and began to explain the hidden and manifest strength of Qi and blood to the students.

There's nothing we can do; the useless students at the "Desolate" school can only understand common sense that's been passed down to the wind.

Two hours later, the lecture ended.

Gu Lin, however, seemed to want more.

Judging from Master Zhao's relevant explanations, the strength of his own Qi and blood far surpasses that of others in the same realm!

As I left the Huangzihao School, someone blocked my way.

"Gu Lin, do you need a loan?"

The visitor got straight to the point.

This man was dressed in silk and had a handsome, elegant appearance.

Gu Lin had a deep impression of this guy.

Their family had fallen into this predicament because they kept borrowing money, and the lenders were none other than the Shen family.

Shen Xun shook his folding fan and said unhurriedly:

"The top-tier academies are scrambling to buy medicinal herbs and pills on the market in preparation for a final push. Your Li Qingwu is far behind. If you can offer her help at this crucial moment, you will surely win her heart and marry her."

"Lend me three hundred taels of silver, the old rule, nine out of thirteen back."

Gu Lin sneered.

Nine outs and thirteen returns; borrowed one hundred taels, received ninety taels, but owed one hundred and thirty taels, with overdue interest.

They were like gaping maws, relentlessly exploiting people for profit.

Its predecessor was a family that fell step by step, and its business was destroyed!

Seeing that the other party remained unmoved, Shen Xun continued to incite:

"Goddess Li is noble and beautiful, and Young Master Gu is generous. They are a match made in heaven. If Goddess Li can obtain the seed spot as she wishes, she will soar to great heights, and Young Master Gu will also become famous in Shiyang County. To express her gratitude, Goddess Li will probably agree to a marriage agreement with you."

Shen Xun's face was tense, and as he spoke, his eyes twitched slightly, and he almost laughed out loud.

Li Qingwu is proud and ambitious; how could a good-for-nothing like her be a match for her?

Just as Gu Lin was about to leave, an idea suddenly popped into his mind.

Are you willing to take the risk?!

Compared to an unknown bounty, he could almost be certain that a person had committed numerous evils, and killing him would definitely bring him merit.

That person is Shen Xun's older brother, Shen Chi!

Every time Gu Lin borrowed money from the Shen family, he signed a loan agreement with Shen Chi.

Shen Chi is a man of mediocre talent, only at the first level of Qi Condensation in his thirties. However, he abuses the power of the Shen family to commit crimes and lend money everywhere.

He was imprisoned for the crime of forcibly taking and raping women, and served a five-year sentence. The Shen family went to great lengths to get their eldest son out and gave the victim a large sum of compensation.

These are only the crimes that have been exposed.

Shen Chi has definitely committed crimes hidden beneath the surface!

Shen Chi's head is definitely a meritorious act.

"Think it over carefully." Seeing that the loan was promising, Shen Xun remained calm and waited patiently.

Gu Lin smiled and nodded.

You really need to think carefully about whether or not you should kill your brother!

The risk of assassination is too great.

First of all, whether it can succeed is a question.

Although Shen Chi's body was weakened by wine and women, he was still at the Qi Condensation Realm, and his internal energy could be used to overwhelm both obvious and hidden strength!

Secondly, murder is a crime!

How dare a commoner attempt assassination? Does he have no respect for the law? Even if the other party is utterly wicked, is it your place to act so arrogantly? Are you an official of the Divine Dynasty? Even if you are a county official, you would have to fabricate a very convincing charge, unless you are a disciple of the Holy Land who can draft official documents and kill people with a stroke of the pen.

If we're exposed, everything will be ruined!

As long as they take action, they will leave clues. Don't underestimate the coroners in the county government's criminal investigation department. Even if they are incompetent, they can still apply to higher authorities for top criminal investigators in the prefecture and ghostwriters who are good at solving cases!

But Gu Lin also has one major advantage—

His Xuanming Divine Palm technique is unique; he is the only person in the entire world who knows how to use it, and even expert investigators have no way of finding out.

As long as he doesn't use it in the future, that's fine. Of course, if he has the opportunity to join one of the Four Holy Lands, then he won't have any worries.

This is not a problem; you will be rewarded with martial arts skills in addition to the merit you gain.

Shen Xun lost his patience and pressed for an answer:

Have you thought it through?

Gu Lin regained his composure and nodded:

"Borrow thirty taels first."

Thirty? Shen Xun almost flew into a rage. Thirty taels after all that talking?

However, he also knew Gu Lin's nature well. This fellow was obsequious at heart, and he would need to borrow another three hundred taels in a couple of days!

"Please." Shen Xun gestured.

After the two left the academy, Shen Xun invited Gu Lin to get into the carriage and go to the Shen family pawnshop together.

......

Shen Family Pawnshop.

At this moment, a group of young people dressed in ruqun and qingshan gathered. They were all students from the top-tier schools. Although their chances of getting a seeded spot were extremely slim, who wouldn't want to take a gamble when faced with a turning point in their life?

Martial arts, pills, medicinal herbs... all require silver.

If you're short of money, just borrow!

In the center of the shop, a man with sunken eyes smiled broadly. He was Shen Chi, the eldest son of the Shen family. How could he not be happy in the face of such a prosperous lending situation?

Shen Xun and Gu Lin walked in, and Shen Xun smiled and sighed:

"I don't have the talent for cultivation, otherwise I would spend money to nourish myself as much as possible."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but glance at Gu Lin, finding it even more absurd and laughable.

Even the most useless person is borrowing money; it really proves the saying, "Even if a thief comes from your own house, don't let a good-for-nothing come out!"

"Do as you please," Shen Xun said, then helped his brother.

Gu Lin looked around and saw two of Shen's henchmen chatting in a corner, so he found a seat and sat down.

Seeing the two looking over, Gu Lin smiled and said:

"I only need a small amount, please sit here and wait."

The older, horse-faced henchman glanced at him sideways:

"I recognize you; you're a regular at the pawnshop."

Then they ignored him and continued chatting quietly.

Gu Lin looked at the counter, but listened intently.

For a full half hour, people came and went at the pawnshop, but Gu Lin still couldn't get any useful information from the idle chatter.

until--

The horse-faced henchman said in a barely audible voice:

"The Liu family's daughter in the East Market is getting married the day after tomorrow. Do you think the eldest young master will go and show her affection?"

Another hook-nosed lackey grinned lewdly and nodded in agreement:

"On the eve of the wedding, the young master should naturally try to win her over; that would be very rewarding."

The two looked at each other and smiled, their understanding unspoken.

The voice was extremely low, but Gu Lin's hearing and eyesight had been excellent since he broke through to the next level, so he naturally remembered it.

This is a golden opportunity!

After waiting for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, it was finally Gu Lin's turn.

Shen Chi raised his eyelids and chuckled softly:

"Young Master Gu, how much will you lend this time?"

Gu Lin: "Thirty taels."

Shen Chi's attitude was harsh. He picked up the two loan agreements and urged them on:

"Sign and affix your fingerprint. One month's deadline. Forty-two taels of silver to be paid!"

Gu Lin immediately retorted:

"Logically, it should be thirty-nine taels."

Shen Chi raised his eyelids and scrutinized Gu Lin for a long time. This foolish and wasteful Gu family brat actually knew how to do math. He said casually:

"If you borrow three hundred taels, you'll get nine out of ten and thirteen back; if you borrow thirty taels, you'll get fourteen back. Think it through!"

Gu Lin deliberately gritted his teeth and pondered for a long time before signing and affixing his fingerprint.

Shen Chi presented the loan agreement and waved his hand, saying:

"Same old rule: if you don't repay on time, you'll face the consequences!"

After saying that, he instructed the shopkeeper to hand over the money bag.

Gu Lin counted the money and found only twenty-seven taels of silver inside.

In other words, forty-two taels must be returned one month later.

Making a net profit of fifteen taels in a month, what a heartless jackal!

......

Back at the Gu residence.

While his parents were out, Gu Lin hurried to his father's bedroom.

As a bodyguard and bounty hunter, the father had a collection of human skin masks in the house. After all, taking on bounty jobs carried the risk of retaliation, so wearing a mask was a safer option.

Gu Lin certainly wouldn't buy it from the market, as that would be too easy to leave clues.

Searching in the drawer, he took out a piece of dough as thin as a cicada's wing, returned to his room, and began trimming and fiddling with it in front of the bronze mirror. The mirror reflected a wretched, mournful face.

After doing all this, Gu Lin carefully removed the dough.

Next, he made five foot pads according to the length of the boots.

This is the effect of increasing height.

It was a full half a head taller.

......

Evening, East Street, Shiyang County.

A mourning man carrying a shoulder pole, selling cold noodles, walked through the streets and alleys.

Without much effort, he easily found out about the Liu family's daughter's marriage.

According to the locals in East Street, Miss Liu was the most beautiful woman within a ten-mile radius, and she was also gentle in nature. Whoever married her was said to have had their ancestors blessed.

The mournful-looking man continued selling two bowls of cold noodles, and "unknowingly" arrived at the Liu family's house.

The day after tomorrow is the day after tomorrow's wedding, and the house is bustling with activity. Many merchants are selling their goods, so the presence of a vendor selling cold noodles goes unnoticed.

He stayed for more than an hour, until all the cold noodles were sold out, before he finally left with his load on a shoulder pole.

......

At the end of Hai hour (9-11 PM), Gu Lin returned home.

He went into his room, took out a brush, ink, and Xuan paper, and began to draw a detailed map of the area around the Liu family's house. He marked not only the height of the houses but also which family's dogs were barking the loudest.

"I bet that lustful Shen Chi will sneak off to the Liu family's house!"

"He certainly wouldn't dare to do something like this through the main entrance; if word got out, the Liu family would be ruined."

"If it's the back door, where is the ambush point?"

Gu Lin stared at the blueprints and fenced off an abandoned woodshed.

That's it!