Chapter 44

Compared to the Immovable Diamond Technique, the Light Body Technique is slightly better, as it consumes magical power at a slower rate. Additionally, while using the Light Body Technique, Li Wenjun can still cast the Fireball Spell. However, if he uses both spells simultaneously, the rate of magical power consumption will increase exponentially.

Moreover, although the Light Body Technique is superior to the lightness skills of martial artists, it is not equivalent to a flying technique. The height and duration of suspension are very limited, and in a sense, it is more like an enhanced version of lightness skills.

The three spells have various flaws or shortcomings, but they are ultimately divine techniques that only cultivators can master. Li Wenjun practiced them every day without the slightest slack. He believed that practice makes perfect, and with more practice and application, he might be able to shorten the preparation time for casting the Fireball Spell. Even a slight reduction in time could be the key to victory in a confrontation.

Time passed quickly, and more than half a month had gone by. The twelfth lunar month was almost over, and the Spring Festival was approaching. If nothing unexpected happened, Li Wenjun would spend his first Spring Festival away from his family in the county town of Sankou County.

During festivals, one misses family even more, and Li Wenjun was no exception. He longed to be with his family, but the people he had hired to help find his relatives had not yet returned with any news. He could only suppress his longing for his parents and focus on his cultivation.

Apart from searching for his family, Li Wenjun was determined to improve his cultivation and did not want to interact much with others. However, sometimes, even if you do not want to deal with others, they will not ignore you.

One day, after finishing his cultivation, Li Wenjun was stretching in the courtyard when the dog suddenly started barking wildly. The gate of the courtyard was pushed open, and a constable walked in with his hands behind his back. "Is there anyone here? If so, come out."

Li Wenjun frowned. He remembered this constable. When Wu Xuemei first came to his place and insisted on taking the dictionary given by the head of Sankou Academy, Zhou Wei, Wu Xuemei's brother, Wu Yiming, had compensated him with ten taels of silver. However, as soon as Wu Xuemei and Wu Yiming left, this constable returned and took the silver away.

Afterward, Li Wenjun inquired about the constable and learned that his name was Fan Xiaobo. He was one of the two bailiffs in the county and also a local bully. He was related to the county magistrate, Wu Qi, and often oppressed the good and extorted money. The common people hated him but could do nothing about it.

"Ah, it's you, Constable Fan. What brings you here?" Li Wenjun said indifferently.

"Hey, it's you. We really have a connection, meeting again like this." Fan Xiaobo's words were laced with a hint of frivolity, making it hard to believe he was a bailiff.

"I wish we didn't have this connection," Li Wenjun replied coldly. "Constable Fan, I have things to do and no time to chat. If you have something to say, say it quickly."

Fan Xiaobo clicked his tongue and said, "After a few months, your temper has grown. It's normal for young people to have a temper. You have things to do, and so do I. With the New Year approaching, my brothers can't take a break. They have to organize the search for the notorious bandit Wang Yonggui. Have you paid this month's bandit suppression tax?"

Li Wenjun reached into his pocket and took out ten copper coins, handing them to Fan Xiaobo. "Here you go."

Fan Xiaobo didn't take them and laughed. "Little brother, you misunderstood. When did I say ten coins? Let me tell you, it's increased. You need to pay ten taels of silver."

Li Wenjun's face changed, and he demanded, "Ten taels of silver? Why?"

Fan Xiaobo chuckled and said, "Little brother, others may not know your background, but I have thoroughly investigated you. You claim to be a refugee, having fled due to a drought in your hometown. How much money could a refugee have? Just enough to feed yourself. But look at you, renting such a large house, not working, eating and drinking well, learning martial arts at the martial hall, and listening to stories at the teahouse. Your life is quite comfortable. I also heard that you offered a reward of several dozen taels of silver to find your so-called lost parents.

"Tell me, where did you get your money? You didn't steal it or rob it from someone, did you? Recently, there was a theft at a gambling den in our county, with over a thousand taels of silver stolen. Little brother, can you explain to me if you have anything to do with the theft at the gambling den?"

"Constable Fan, you need evidence to solve cases. Accusing people baselessly is against the law," Li Wenjun said.

Fan Xiaobo laughed and said, "Of course, we need the law. In Sankou County, what I say is the law, and my words are the evidence. If you are smart, you will give me half of your money. I can turn a blind eye and protect you in the future. If you don't, don't blame me for being rude. I'll have to lock you up in the county jail for a few days to clear your head."

As he spoke, Fan Xiaobo took out his handcuffs and shook them. "What do you think? Do you want to pay to avoid trouble, or do you want to taste the methods my brothers use in the jail?"

Li Wenjun suppressed the urge to cast a fireball and burn Fan Xiaobo to ashes. Someone must have seen Fan Xiaobo come to his house. If he killed Fan Xiaobo now, he would have to leave the county, and finding a place close to Wufeng Mountain would not be easy.

After some thought, Li Wenjun said, "Constable Fan, I do have some money, but I swear to heaven that it has nothing to do with the theft at the gambling den. How about this? I don't have much more, but I can gather fifty taels of silver. If you want, I'll give you thirty taels and keep the remaining twenty for myself."

Fan Xiaobo initially wanted ten taels of silver, but he didn't expect Li Wenjun to offer thirty. His eyes narrowed, not out of happiness, but out of greed. Thirty taels were not enough to satisfy him; he wanted all fifty.

"Thirty taels it is. Bring it over," Fan Xiaobo said, touching the large knife at his waist. He was considering whether to follow Li Wenjun into the house and stab him in the back to take the money.

He had done such things before, relying on his position as a bailiff and his connection to the county magistrate, and he had always gotten away with it.

Li Wenjun smiled and said, "Constable Fan, you know that my house was searched twice by the young lady and her people. If I had any silver, it would have been found. To be honest, I hide my silver in a secret place outside the city. When I need money, I go outside the city and dig it up. If you want it, you'll have to wait for me to get it."

"Buried outside the city? You're not trying to make an excuse to run away, are you?" Fan Xiaobo looked at Li Wenjun with disbelief.

"Absolutely not. If you don't trust me, come with me. I'm also worried about carrying so much silver alone," Li Wenjun said.

Fan Xiaobo stared at Li Wenjun for a long time, trying to see if he was lying. After a while, he found Li Wenjun to be very calm, with a pure gaze like a child. Based on his experience, the likelihood of Li Wenjun lying was small. Besides, he was a bailiff with a knife and handcuffs; why should he fear Li Wenjun?

"Alright, I'll go with you," Fan Xiaobo decided, his greed taking over. He planned to kill Li Wenjun if the hiding place was remote enough, and then take the money. Robbery and murder were his favorite activities.

"Alright, Constable Fan, wait a moment while I change clothes," Li Wenjun said.

Li Wenjun turned and went into the house, put on a coat, and took a hat, explaining that it was to prevent anyone from recognizing him. If someone knew that Fan Xiaobo had taken thirty taels from him, it would not be good for Fan Xiaobo.

Fan Xiaobo didn't believe Li Wenjun could cause any trouble and even praised him for being cautious and having a bright future.

Thus, the two walked around the city for a while before leaving. They kept a distance of several dozen feet, making it hard for outsiders to connect them.

After leaving the city, Fan Xiaobo quickened his pace and caught up with Li Wenjun. Impatiently, he said, "Li Wenjun, where did you hide the silver?"

Li Wenjun replied, "Constable Fan, something as valuable as silver can't be hidden in a conspicuous place. It must be hidden where no one knows. Just follow me, and I'll show you the money soon."

A hint of doubt flashed through Fan Xiaobo's mind. Li Wenjun was too calm, almost unnaturally so. But then he thought, a teenager couldn't possibly have any sinister intentions. He gripped his knife and warned Li Wenjun, "Little brother, don't try anything funny. I know you, but my knife doesn't."

"Constable Fan, I won't try anything. Just follow me. The place where I buried the silver is just ahead," Li Wenjun said.

Li Wenjun led Fan Xiaobo off the main road and walked along a small path for a while before entering a field. In a small forest, Li Wenjun stopped.

"Constable Fan, what do you think of the scenery here?" Li Wenjun said indifferently.

"Boy, I want silver, not to look at the scenery," Fan Xiaobo said, realizing something might be wrong and drawing his knife.

Li Wenjun smiled and said, "What a pity, you didn't even take a good look. This is the feng shui treasure land I chose for you."

"What are you saying? Little brother, don't make a mistake," Fan Xiaobo said, suddenly swinging his knife at Li Wenjun.

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