Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Chapter 281: Chapter 280: The Demon Skill Reappears

"Demon Skill?"

These two words felt as if they carried a chill, silencing the once-lively atmosphere.

"The Sect and its allies launched a joint purge last time. How could any have escaped?"

Li Feng’s brow furrowed instantly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"If this is true, it’s terrifying! Progress with a Demon Skill is incredibly fast, but it harms others for one’s own benefit. I can’t imagine how many more people will suffer."

The smile on Huang Ling’er’s face vanished, replaced by a look of worry.

"These heretics and devils really deserve to die!"

Shi Meng said in a booming voice, clenching his fists.

"Once a Demon Skill starts to spread, those with wicked intentions will surely covet it. They’ll do anything to increase their strength. I fear the commandery will know no peace."

Xiao Chen also wore a serious expression as he spoke in a low voice.

Fang Han’s hand, holding his wine cup, paused slightly. A grim light flickered in his eyes.

’The reappearance of a Demon Skill is no small matter.’

’During the last purge, the Sect expended a great deal of manpower and resources. I thought they had been completely eradicated, but it seems some remnants survived.’

’Its characteristics—fast and tyrannical—hold a fatal allure for many Martial Artists who are stuck at a bottleneck or lack a firm will.’

’If left unchecked, the consequences would be unimaginable.’

However, this gravity in his eyes was fleeting, quickly replaced by calm.

He gently swirled the clear wine in his cup and said in a calm tone:

"The reappearance of a Demon Skill is certainly cause for alarm. However, since even we have caught wind of it, the Sect’s upper echelons and the Government Office must have been alerted long ago."

"Perhaps a covert investigation has already begun. They’re just keeping it quiet to avoid alerting the enemy. All we need to do is wait and see how things unfold."

His words were like a cool breeze rippling across a lake, calming everyone’s tense moods considerably.

"Senior Brother Fang makes a good point. We were worrying needlessly."

Yun Qianyue nodded slightly, a hint of approval in her eyes.

"That’s right. The Sect should have a way to deal with this."

Li Feng’s tense expression also relaxed, and he nodded.

The topic of conversation shifted, and the atmosphere became lighthearted once more.

The group continued to enjoy the food, discussing their Cultivation insights and interesting Sect matters until they dispersed late at night.

「...」

In the days that followed, Fang Han’s life returned to its usual routine.

He focused on his Inner Qi Cultivation, Swordsmanship practice, and Body Technique training, all while taking Vajra Pills to strengthen his physique.

His Cultivation advanced steadily toward the Peak of the Late Stage of Fifth Grade, and his mastery of the *Nine Swords of Sky Splitting* was also progressing quickly and surely toward the Mastery Realm.

Only his progress with the *Wind and Cloud Escape* was slow compared to his Cultivation and Swordsmanship, but it was not something that could be rushed.

This afternoon, Fang Han had just finished a round of Body Technique training and was regulating his breath in the courtyard.

The maid, Qiu Lan, approached. Her face showed unconcealed exhaustion, but her eyes revealed the relief of having completed a major task.

In her hands, she held a thick wooden box, about a foot square, made of common materials.

"Senior Brother, the matter you instructed me to handle is done."

Qiu Lan’s voice was a little hoarse; it was clear that running errands and worrying over the past few days had taken a great toll on her.

"You’ve worked hard."

Fang Han opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the wooden box as he nodded slightly.

He took the box. It was heavy in his hands, clearly weighing a fair amount.

Opening the lid, he saw stacks of brand-new silver notes packed neatly inside. Each note had a denomination of ten thousand taels!

The silver notes were stacked like bricks, almost filling the box to the brim. The smell of fresh ink, mixed with the unique scent of "wealth," washed over him.

Even with Fang Han’s disposition, the sight of a box filled to the brim with ten-thousand-tael silver notes made his breath catch for a moment.

"Senior Brother, I have followed your instructions and borrowed funds from twenty-seven affiliated powers. This is the total sum, ten million, five hundred and seventy thousand taels. Please count it."

As Qiu Lan spoke, she took out a neatly bound booklet from her sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"This is a detailed ledger of the loans, including the amount borrowed from each power, the agreed-upon repayment method, and the signatures of the handlers. Everything is recorded."

Fang Han placed the wooden box on a nearby stone table for the moment and took the ledger, beginning to flip through it carefully.

The accounts were recorded with extreme clarity and neatness. The name of each power, the loan amount, the agreed-upon monthly deduction percentage, the date of the loan, and even the signature or seal of the person who handled it were all listed one by one.

It was methodical and clear at a glance.

It was evident that Qiu Lan had poured a great deal of effort into this matter, handling it with exceptional thoroughness and care.

"You did an excellent job. The accounts are clear and methodical. You’ve worked hard."

Fang Han closed the ledger, his gaze toward Qiu Lan filled with unconcealed admiration.

The task was tedious and involved a huge sum of money. The fact that Qiu Lan could handle it so beautifully in such a short time was a testament to her ability.

"It is my duty to help ease your burdens, Senior Brother."

Hearing the praise, a genuine look of joy appeared on Qiu Lan’s weary face as she bowed slightly.

"Wait here a moment."

Fang Han went back into his bedroom and quickly came out, holding a small, jade-white Porcelain Bottle, which he offered to Qiu Lan.

"This is a Low-Grade Realm-Breaking Pill. It is quite helpful for breaking through the bottleneck between the Bone Refining Realm and the Inner Qi Realm. You are at the Peak of Bone Refining now. This Elixir may be able to help you. Take it."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lan’s delicate body trembled violently.

She looked up in disbelief at the porcelain bottle in Fang Han’s hand, her eyes instantly filling with excitement and astonishment.

’A Low-Grade Realm-Breaking Pill!’

’This is an Elixir that countless servant disciples stuck at the Peak of Bone Refining dream of obtaining!’

’Although it’s Low Grade, that doesn’t mean its quality is poor. It just means it’s suitable for Martial Artists breaking through the Lower Three Grades.’

’Its medicinal effects are gentle, and it can increase the success rate of a breakthrough by more than thirty percent. It’s incredibly valuable, far beyond what an ordinary Qi Blood Pill can compare to.’

’Most importantly, this type of Elixir requires many precious medicinal ingredients to refine. Only a major Sect like the Qingxuan Sect possesses them; they generally can’t be bought outside.’

She never imagined that Fang Han would bestow such a precious Elixir upon her!

"Senior Brother... this... this is too precious! I am unworthy of accepting it!"

Qiu Lan’s voice trembled. She wanted to refuse, but she couldn’t bear to let go of this life-changing opportunity.

"If I’m giving it to you, then take it."

Fang Han’s tone was calm, yet it carried an air of finality that brooked no argument.

"You’ve proven yourself capable. This is what you deserve. If you can use this Elixir to break through to the Inner Qi Realm, you’ll be able to serve me even better in the future."

Qiu Lan no longer hesitated. With slightly trembling hands, she accepted the Porcelain Bottle and clutched it tightly, as if holding a priceless treasure.

She took a step back and bowed deeply to Fang Han, her voice choked with emotion yet firm.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Senior Brother! I... I will definitely cultivate diligently, break through as soon as possible, and never disappoint your expectations!"

"Mm, go and get some rest."

Fang Han waved his hand.

"Yes! I will take my leave!"

Qiu Lan bowed once more before carefully cradling the Porcelain Bottle and backing away.

Though still exhausted, she exuded an unprecedented sense of lightness and hope.

’They really are silver notes!’

Watching Qiu Lan leave, Fang Han’s gaze returned to the wooden box on the stone table, filled with silver notes.

Ten million, five hundred and seventy thousand taels!

This was a colossal sum that many small and mid-sized families couldn’t produce even if they sold everything they owned. And now, it lay quietly before him.

This massive sum was enough to unlock the Level 7 Amplification for his Body Technique Talent.

However, a problem came with it—these were all silver notes, not the physical gold and silver that could be directly deposited into the system.

He had already anticipated this.

Ten million, five hundred and seventy thousand taels of silver, if converted entirely into physical silver ingots, would weigh over five hundred tons.

Even if converted into the more valuable gold, it would still weigh more than five tons.

Such a terrifying weight would be impossible for an individual to carry. Even using a large convoy for transport would be extremely conspicuous and inconvenient.

Exchanging it for lightweight silver notes was almost a certainty.

And so the problem arose: depositing into the system panel required tangible "physical assets," not silver notes that merely represented a certificate of wealth.

He had tested it before. When he deposited a thousand-tael silver note, the wealth he received was less than a single tael. It was a crippling loss.

’I have to convert these silver notes into ’physical assets’ that the system will recognize.’

Fang Han’s fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop, making a dull TAP, TAP sound as his mind raced, thinking of how to convert the silver notes into physical assets.

The most direct method was to go to a Money Shop or a merchant guild in Qingxuan City and exchange the silver notes for gold and silver.

But the moment this thought emerged, he immediately dismissed it.

Putting aside whether Qingxuan City even had ten million taels’ worth of gold and silver reserves available at once, even if it did, such a massive flow of precious metals would inevitably attract the close attention of various powers.

If all that gold and silver were to "mysteriously disappear" shortly after the exchange, it would be difficult to prevent interested parties from launching a thorough investigation. The risk was too great.

’I can use an auction!’

After a moment of contemplation, a gleam of light flashed in Fang Han’s eyes.

’Large-scale auctions often feature priceless rare treasures, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and Divine Weapons and sharp blades.’

’These physical items would surely be recognized by the system and could be deposited.’

’Moreover, participating in an auction and bidding on treasures is a perfectly normal activity that wouldn’t arouse suspicion.’

’Even if the treasures "disappeared" afterward, I could pass it off as having used or collected them. It’s far more discreet than directly exchanging for a large amount of gold and silver.’

’Besides, based on my past experience depositing Elixirs, medicinal herbs, and other items without their value shrinking significantly, this method should be viable.’

"Someone, come."

Fang Han called out in a deep voice.

"Senior Brother, what are your orders?"

A servant entered in response and bowed respectfully.

"Go to Tingyu Hall and fetch me information on any large-scale auctions being held in the commandery soon—preferably within the next few days—along with their auction catalogs."

Fang Han ordered.

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

The servant accepted the order and quickly departed.

Fang Han closed the lid of the wooden box again, picked it up, and returned to his Quiet Chamber.

About an hour later, the servant returned, holding a thick stack of exquisitely made booklets with various covers.

"Senior Brother, there are a total of seven large-scale auctions being held soon. These are their auction catalogs."

The servant presented the booklets with both hands.

"Mm, you may leave."

Fang Han took the booklets and dismissed the servant.

Sitting at the desk in his Quiet Chamber, he began to look through the auction catalogs one by one.

He flipped through one auction catalog after another, but found nothing that satisfied him.

Although these auctions had some decent Elixirs and Weapons, the most valuable items were only worth one or two million taels, far from enough to spend the enormous amount of silver notes he held.

Fang Han’s brow furrowed slightly as he continued to flip through the catalogs.

When his gaze fell upon the cover of the fourth booklet, his movements paused slightly.

The material of this booklet was clearly more refined. The cover, embroidered with dark gold thread, bore three large, ancient seal characters spelling out "Hundred Treasures Pavilion," giving off an air of gravitas and luxury.