"Watch them. If I discover you trying to let them go, you know the consequences."

Fang Han ignored the young man, who had gone limp as a noodle, and spoke coldly to an elderly man nearby who appeared to be the butler.

"Y-Yes... Yes, Young Hero, rest assured!"

The butler hastily bowed in assent, his forehead slick with cold sweat.

Fang Han turned and, following the young man’s directions, strode toward Zhou Tianxiong’s study.

The study was elegantly furnished, filled with the rich scent of old books.

Fang Han’s gaze fell upon a row of bookshelves against the wall, which he began to examine carefully.

Soon, he discovered a tiny, extremely well-hidden nub on the side of the bookshelf.

He tried pressing it.

With a soft CLICK, the bookshelf slowly slid to one side, revealing a heavy iron door behind it.

A huge bronze lock hung on the iron door.

Fang Han drew his Cyan Blade Sword, concentrated his Inner Qi at its tip, and made a light slash.

With a SHINK, the bronze lock snapped.

He pushed open the iron door, and an odor of gold and silver, medicinal herbs, and old wood washed over him.

Behind the door was a secret chamber, roughly twenty meters square, with walls built of hard granite.

The sight within the secret chamber was dazzling.

To the left, over a dozen massive mahogany chests were neatly stacked. Their lids were ajar, revealing gleaming gold ingots and brilliant silver ingots that cast a tempting sheen in the light filtering in from the doorway.

To the right stood rows of Treasure Cabinets displaying all sorts of Antique Jade Artifacts, Pearl Agate, and precious medicinal herbs like Ginseng and Lingzhi. The collection was dazzling and resplendent with treasure.

At the very back were several smaller iron chests, their contents unknown.

A rough estimate placed the value of the entire treasury’s contents at well over a million taels of silver!

Even with Fang Han’s steady disposition, the sight of such immense wealth made his breath catch in his throat.

A thought flickered through his mind, and he summoned the system panel.

[Host: Fang Han]

[Root Bone Talent Amplification: 32x (Level 6 Amplification requires 1,000,000 silver)]

[Swordsmanship Talent Amplification: 32x (Level 6 Amplification requires 1,000,000 silver)]

[Stepping Talent Amplification: 16x (Level 5 Amplification requires 100,000 silver)]

[Secret Technique Talent Amplification: 16x (Level 5 Amplification requires 100,000 silver)]

[Current Wealth: 402 silver]

His eyes swept over the dozen or so chests of gold and silver, and a fervent glint appeared in their depths.

’Convert!’

He walked up to a chest filled with gold ingots and focused his intent.

WHOOSH!

In an instant, nearly half the gold ingots in the chest vanished.

The wealth value on the panel began to jump wildly!

[Current Wealth: 100,402 silver]

[Current Wealth: 200,402 silver]

[Current Wealth: 300,402 silver]

...

Finally, after Fang Han had converted about half of the gold and jewels, the number slowly settled—

[Current Wealth: 637,000 silver]

’Six hundred thirty-seven thousand?!’

Fang Han’s heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Six hundred thirty-seven thousand taels, and that was only half of the wealth in the Zhou Family’s treasury.

If he converted the other half, his wealth would exceed one million taels!

At that point, he’d have more than enough to activate the Level 6 Amplification for his Root Bone Talent, let alone the Level 5 Amplifications for his Stepping Talent and Secret Technique Talent!

Level 6 Amplification—a sixty-four-fold Talent boost!

’What a terrifying Cultivation speed that would be!’

The immense temptation echoed in his mind like a devil’s whisper.

His gaze burned as he stared at the remaining gold and jewels, his fingers tightening slightly.

But after only a moment, the fervor in his eyes faded, replaced by clarity and calm.

’I mustn’t!’

Fang Han took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the greed in his heart.

’The Zhou Family has been wiped out, so all their wealth must be handed over to the Sect.’

’If I empty the treasury, I’ll have no way to explain myself when the Sect investigates.’

’The Zhou Family was backed by Chu Feng. It’s easy to imagine that once he finds out, he’ll come after me like a mad dog.’

’Leaving such an obvious trail would be foolish.’

’I’ve already gained six hundred thirty-seven thousand taels from converting half. It’s an unexpected windfall, and I can’t get too greedy.’

’Insatiable greed will only bring about my doom.’

’This is enough!’

No longer hesitating, Fang Han carefully tidied the scene. He erased any sign that he had touched the chests, making the treasury look as if it had just been opened but not yet inventoried.

With that, he exited the treasury.

...

「At the same time, at the Black Water Gang’s stronghold, over a hundred li from Yellow Leaf City.」

Zhao Qian, Li Ming, Zhang Yuan, and the four other Law Enforcement Hall disciples had just finished questioning Qian Bao, the Gang Leader known as "Soul-Breaking Saber."

Qian Bao was an extremely slippery character. He was vague about his whereabouts and kept beating around the bush. While his attitude wasn’t confrontational, he was profoundly uncooperative.

It took Zhao Qian’s group over an hour of pestering, threats, and bribes to get a clear story out of him, but they finally ruled Qian Bao out as a suspect.

As they left the oppressive atmosphere of the gang’s main hall, all seven wore expressions of unconcealed exhaustion and frustration.

The afternoon spring sun was a bit glaring, but it failed to dispel the gloom hanging over them.

"Pah! That Qian Bao is a real piece of work!"

Sun Yi spat viciously, his voice thick with frustration.

"We’ve investigated over a dozen people, and every one of them is this difficult. At this rate, when will we ever finish investigating all thirty-seven?"

Zhang Yuan rubbed his throbbing temples and sighed.

Li Ming looked up at the sky, his tone carrying a trace of resentment.

"While we’re out here running ourselves ragged, a certain someone is probably off enjoying himself, having found a nice, quiet place to hide."

Although he didn’t name anyone, everyone knew he was talking about Fang Han.

Thinking of Fang Han’s "willful" insistence on returning to Huangshi Village, their resentment bubbled to the surface once more.

Sun Yi snorted coldly.

"Hmph! Just because he has a bit of Talent, he acts so high and mighty, slacking off on a Sect mission! When we get back to the Sect, I’m definitely reporting this to the Steward Elder!"

"That’s right! We can’t let him get away with this!"

Zhou Bo also grumbled in agreement.

Just as they were fuming, a clear eagle’s cry suddenly echoed from the sky.

The seven instinctively looked up to see a magnificent goshawk circling above them.

"It’s a Mail Eagle from the Sect!"

Liu Yun had sharp eyes and recognized the marking on the goshawk’s leg.

Zhao Qian’s heart stirred. He quickly took out a special Silver Whistle from his robes, put it to his lips, circulated his Inner Qi, and blew a unique melody.

The goshawk in the sky heard the whistle, circled twice, then swooped down and landed steadily on Zhao Qian’s outstretched arm.

Zhao Qian untied the small bamboo tube from the eagle’s leg and tipped out a rolled-up strip of paper.

He unrolled the paper, his eyes sweeping over the writing.

The next moment, the exhaustion and frustration on his face froze, replaced by utter shock and disbelief!

"This... How is this possible?!"

He let out an involuntary gasp, the hand holding the paper trembling slightly.

"Senior Brother Zhao, what is it? Are there urgent orders from the Sect?" Li Ming saw his reaction and quickly asked.

Zhao Qian didn’t answer, merely handing over the strip of paper.

Li Ming took it, and Zhang Yuan, Sun Yi, and the others immediately gathered around.

On the strip of paper was just a single line of concise, small characters.

"Case closed. Culprit Zhou Tong captured. Rendezvous at Zhou Mansion in Yellow Leaf City immediately. —Fang Han"

In an instant, the scene fell deathly silent.

The seven stared at each other, each seeing the same shock, bewilderment, and a hint of... an indescribable sense of the absurd in the others’ eyes.

’Case closed? Culprit Zhou Tong captured?’

’And the one who did all this was Fang Han? The same Fang Han they’d written off as a slacker?’

’The seven of them had spent days investigating over a dozen suspects with zero progress.’

’Yet Fang Han had gone back to Huangshi Village alone, found a clue, and solved the case? He’d even captured the culprit alive?’

"Let’s go! To the Zhou Mansion in Yellow Leaf City!"

Zhao Qian was the first to react, his face burning with shame as he growled in a hoarse voice.

In that moment, their exhaustion and resentment were shattered by this incredible turn of events, leaving only shocked suspicion and a desperate need to see the truth for themselves.

The seven said no more, using their Body Techniques to race towards Yellow Leaf City.

Four hours later, the seven arrived at the Zhou Mansion in Yellow Leaf City, covered in dust from their journey.

Outside the mansion gates, city Soldiers had already taken over security, a clear sign that Fang Han had already notified the local Government Office to cooperate.

Entering the mansion, they saw Fang Han in the front hall, talking with a city official.

Fang Han stood there in spotless cyan robes, bearing no trace of having been in a fight.

Yet in a corner, Zhou Tong was bound tightly with thick hemp ropes, his aura weak. That, along with the lingering traces of a struggle and the faint smell of blood in the hall, all testified to the fierce battle that had recently occurred.

The gazes of Zhao Qian and the other six fell upon Zhou Tong, then shifted to Fang Han, their emotions a chaotic mess.

Shame, embarrassment, disbelief... a whirlwind of emotions.

Seeing them, Fang Han simply gave a slight nod before turning to the official.

"Lord Li, my fellow disciples have arrived. Please excuse me for a moment."

He then walked over to Zhao Qian and the others and concisely briefed them on Zhou Tong and the results of his preliminary interrogation.

His tone was flat and businesslike, hardly warm.

After all, ever since he’d joined their search party, Zhao Qian’s group had given him the cold shoulder. He wasn’t about to bend over backward to be friendly now.

Zhao Qian’s group listened carefully, and the more they heard, the more shocked they became.

Not only had Fang Han found the clue and captured the culprit, Zhou Tong, but he had also managed to kill Zhou Tianxiong and five other experts from the Zhou Family who had ambushed him, all while taking Zhou Tong alive!

His strength, his decisiveness, his Insight... it was all far beyond what they could have imagined!

The idea that Fang Han was a "rookie" or a "burden" now seemed utterly laughable.

Zhao Qian’s face flushed with shame. He took a deep breath, walked up to Fang Han, and the other six followed silently.

Zhao Qian faced Fang Han and gave a deep, formal bow, cupping his fist. His voice was laced with profound regret.

"Junior Brother Fang, before... we were prejudiced and misunderstood you. We offended you with our rude words. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us!"

Li Ming, Zhang Yuan, and the others also bowed in unison.

"Please forgive us, Junior Brother Fang!"

Fang Han watched the seven of them bow in apology, and a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes.

He didn’t have a favorable impression of these seven Law Enforcement Hall disciples who had been so dismissive of him, but seeing them swallow their pride and frankly admit their mistake, some of his own displeasure faded.

After all, they had been dragged into this mess because of him, so their previous misunderstanding was somewhat excusable.

"Senior Brothers, Senior Sister, you overstate things. We are all serving the Sect. It was a simple misunderstanding. Let’s put it behind us."

Fang Han waved his hand, his tone softening slightly.

Hearing this, all seven of them visibly relaxed. The gazes they now directed at Fang Han held less distance and more genuine respect and gratitude.

After this incident, their impression of Fang Han had completely changed.