By the time Wang Linchi returned to Zheng Mansion, it was already dark. Fortunately, the Zheng Family was a Great Family with a certain status in the city; otherwise, he wouldn't have even been able to enter the city gates.

The other rescued individuals were dismissed. Zheng Li couldn't possibly shelter all of them.

"So this is your family heirloom, quite interesting," Wang Linchi said, looking at the special Token in his hand. It was an Identity Item, one part of his reward.

The other part was, naturally, half of the Zheng Family's assets.

What Wang Linchi saw wasn't particularly impressive, but he didn't refuse. Having money would make many things much easier.

[Family Crest]

[Type: Identity Item]

[Stored in the inventory. Each time you enter an Abyss Difficulty instance, you automatically gain the status of Head of a Great Family and 50% of the wealth of the wealthiest individual from a Great Family within that instance.]

[Note: Wealth includes fixed assets, connections, influence, etc.]

[Note: This identity has a high probability of being coveted by NPC Powers.]

The value of this identity was no less than that of a Demon Suppressing Sorcerer. Although it offered no combat power enhancements, if utilized well, one could complete missions without shedding a drop of blood.

Unfortunately, it didn't suit Wang Linchi; it was more appropriate for those who relied on strategy. The Demon Suppressing Sorcerer identity suited him better.

"You flatter us. It's hardly worth mentioning," Zheng Li said.

If Wang Linchi were to re-enter this instance, he might be able to directly take half of Zheng Li's power and influence.

From what he could see, the Zheng Family was likely the largest Great Family in Qing State.

"Alright then. When will the remaining half of the assets be transferred? We should settle this completely, as I have other matters to attend to," Wang Linchi stated, employing a strategy of pressing forward by feigning a need to depart.

Truthfully, Zheng Li had initially been willing to give up half of the Zheng Family's assets because his son was gone. Now that his son had returned, parting with so much was undoubtedly painful for him.

Zheng Li's son, Zheng Lin, stared wide-eyed. Splitting half of the Zheng Family's assets—he found it too greedy.

He had known his father paid a great price to save him, but he hadn't realized it would be this substantial.

"This might take some time. Perhaps the Mage could stay for a few days?" Zheng Li asked, gritting his teeth. He decided to try and stall. If he could give less, or nothing at all, that would be ideal.

Wang Linchi saw through the other party's intentions but didn't expose them. He chuckled and said, "It seems I've made quite a profit on this venture. Will seven days be enough for you?"

"Could you perhaps grant a little more time? How about a month?" Zheng Li suggested, thinking that since Wang Linchi had made a concession, there might still be room for negotiation.

The next moment, Wang Linchi's expression turned grim.

"I am giving you seven days. This is a notification, not a negotiation."

Beside him, the Saint Master's eyes began to radiate a red glow. The Pig Talisman was primed but not yet unleashed, yet it emitted an incredibly potent aura.

This instantly terrified Zheng Li. These people could kill Evil Demons, let alone ordinary folk like them. Even if they were all slaughtered, no one would stand up for the Zheng Family. If their enemies could annihilate the Zhengs, they could annihilate others too.

"Yes, yes, of course! I will ensure everything is arranged for you, Mage, within seven days," Zheng Li immediately conceded. Zheng Lin, standing beside him, looked as if he wanted to speak but ultimately didn't dare to utter a word at this critical juncture.

He had some discernment. Although he felt uncomfortable with the situation, he understood that speaking out of turn would only make matters more perilous.

The Zheng Family was already at a disadvantage; there was no room for resistance.

"We can't casually go back on what we've agreed upon," Wang Linchi warned them.

He could choose not to take it, but they couldn't choose not to give it. After all, they were the ones who had promised it. For them to renege after he had helped was not just a breach of faith; it also implied they thought he was a pushover and were deliberately making things difficult for him.

If they hadn't agreed to the terms in the first place, Wang Linchi wouldn't have pressed the issue.

With that, he rose, preparing to leave.

"Mage, this way, please. I've had my house servants arrange a room for you. I assure you, you'll be perfectly comfortable during these seven days," Zheng Li said ingratiatingly.

Wang Linchi had initially planned to leave the Zheng Mansion and find a random place to stay for the night. He also intended to spend the next few days clearing out the surrounding Abyssal Demons. Yet, upon further reflection, he realized that anywhere outside would indeed be less comfortable than the Zheng Mansion.

As for operating under the cover of darkness, there was no rush. He still needed to gather some intelligence. For instance, about the Demon Suppression Alliance.

On the way to Verdant Mountain, Wang Linchi had already subtly questioned Zheng Li, but the latter knew nothing specific about the Demon Suppression Alliance. It had been sheer luck that Zheng Li had managed to enlist the help of a Demon Suppressing Sorcerer like Wang Linchi, having done so through a connection with the City Lord.

Normally, such an attempt probably wouldn't have succeeded. The City Lord wouldn't meddle, as Demon Suppressing Sorcerers were not to be trifled with, and there was no need for the City Lord to invite trouble.

However, the Game System had directly inserted Wang Linchi's identity, allowing a scenario that should have failed to proceed.

Upon learning the full story, Wang Linchi found it rather interesting. It was somewhat similar to the identity-bestowing function of his Cycle Remnant Mark, just with a different focus.

The identity granted by the Cycle Remnant Mark seemed to directly modify data, whereas this Identity Item provided corresponding logic. If the two could be combined, perhaps his identity in the next world would be more complete. He might not even be a mere nobody; he could potentially attain a significant social standing.

The Cycle Remnant Mark could also achieve this if invested with enough 'protagonist's luck.' However, upon closer scrutiny, one would discover many inconsistencies.

For example, the parents associated with his current identity didn't exist at all. There was a car accident record, but no body or ashes were ever found. Further investigation revealed no grandparents either.

But if he possessed the Identity Item technology from the Game System, the acquired identity could seamlessly integrate from a logical point, preventing such discrepancies.

Zheng Li arranged a detached courtyard for Wang Linchi, complete with attractive maids assigned to attend to him. However, Wang Linchi was not accustomed to having people around, so he dismissed them all.

"These wealthy folks really are different," Wang Linchi couldn't help but muse. "They can even have detached courtyards as guest quarters within their own mansion."

A pity, he thought. No amount of wealth could help against Transcendent beings. Money couldn't provide adequate protection; on the contrary, it could become the root of their downfall.

Just like this time, if not for Wang Linchi's appearance, Zheng Li would have been left without an heir.

Then, the Zheng Family would face a pack of hungry wolves. With their son gone and unable to produce another heir, they would merely become prey for others. Various powers would eagerly look to carve them up for their own gain; even relatives sharing the Zheng surname would harbor such thoughts.

As for resistance? If the powers of the entire city united against them, how could a single family resist?

What about killing Zheng Lin again? That was unlikely. People still abided by certain unwritten rules. Zheng Lin had previously died at the hands of an Evil Demon, and Zheng Li lacked the strength to retaliate against such a foe. However, if other human powers were to kill Zheng Lin, Zheng Li might not be able to take revenge on Abyssal Demons, but could he not retaliate against other ordinary human factions?

In that scenario, Zheng Li could resort to hiring assassins. Even if he couldn't wipe out these rival powers entirely, he could certainly eliminate their most promising heirs. He might even kill enough members of a rival's main lineage to throw them into disarray, with secondary branches then fighting for control.

Moreover, everyone preys on each other with a certain degree of subtlety, maintaining a facade. If someone were to resort to outright murder at the slightest provocation, the other powers would quickly unite to eliminate such an unruly individual.

Ordinary people had to abide by these rules. Only Demon Suppressing Sorcerers were exempt from the rules of ordinary people, but even they had to follow the rules of the Demon Suppression Alliance.

...

"Father, do we really have to give half of our family's assets to that Mage?" Zheng Lin asked, his expression unwilling.

"What else can we do? Didn't you see that Evil Demon under his command? It's truly capable of killing," Zheng Li replied, feeling somewhat exhausted. He had been genuinely terrified earlier. Then, he complained, "If it weren't for you causing trouble, we wouldn't have ended up in this mess!"

Guilt flickered in Zheng Lin's eyes, but he quickly thought of a solution. "What if we could bribe the Evil Demon under his command and make it work for us? Wouldn't that..."

"This..." Zheng Li was tempted.

This incident made him understand: what good was power and influence without sufficient strength? One was merely fish on another's chopping block.

"Bribing an Evil Demon isn't that simple. That one looks incredibly loyal," Zheng Li mused. Though tempted, he also had his worries.

"Leave this to me. It will likely require a considerable sum of silver, though," Zheng Lin volunteered. If I could bribe that Evil Demon, he thought, wouldn't I also become a lofty Demon Suppressing Sorcerer? Who would dare to scheme against our Zheng Family then?

"Go to the accounts office and get what you need," Zheng Li instructed. "But be extremely careful. If that Mage finds out, our entire family will face annihilation." He naturally understood the risks involved.

"Don't worry, Father, I know what I'm doing." Although Zheng Lin claimed to have a plan, he wasn't foolish enough to carry it out openly.

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