330: Chapter 330 A Carefree Life

The white-haired old man nodded slightly. "That's for sure. Those recruited at high prices are just mercenaries, while those cultivated yourself are your own people. However, the efficiency of self-cultivation is too low. Even if it takes three to five years to produce a talent, you have to wait those three to five years, and you only get one. You have to wait another three to five years for the next one."

Zhang Dahai shook his head. "A mere dharma instrument, no matter how precious, has its limits. However, if we can figure something out through reverse engineering, we could mass-produce similar dharma instruments..."

The white-haired old man also grew excited. "If we can really get results, even if the effect isn't as strong, it would be a huge profit."

"Therefore, we must get our hands on that dharma instrument."

"Can A Qi handle it alone? Should we send more people to ensure nothing goes wrong?"

"A Qi is the one with the strongest combat capability among those I trust most, and this matter shouldn't be publicized."

"Then we must handle the aftermath well."

Zhang Dahai smiled. "Isn't there a ready-made scapegoat?"

The white-haired old man realized. "Han Jingyang, he's certainly the most suitable. Everyone knows Han Jingyang is our mortal enemy, so no one will doubt whatever we say."

"No, we don't need to say anything. As long as we let out the word that Han Jingyang did it, no one will doubt it."

"Right, right, right. The more you say, the more mistakes you make. Let them fill in the blanks themselves."

Sunshine Garden Villa Community. Lyu Zhiqiang's home.

Shi Xiaoya asked in a low voice, "Hubby, why did you let him go?"

While packing up the spoils, Han Jingyang chuckled. "Some people are born to work for others; they are very handy to use. Zhang Chaoyue is exactly that type. Releasing him back might come in handy at some point."

"Like that woman from Taiwan?"

"Yes. We don't lack anything right now, except manpower. People like this, who don't need to be recruited or managed and have decent strength, are the best choice."

"What if he's just humoring you?"

"It doesn't matter. There's no loss anyway."

"You gave him a dharma instrument."

"I have plenty of those little trinkets, as many as I want. We don't use them anyway, so giving it away is fine. Think of it as a venture investment; if there's a return, it's a pleasant surprise, and if not, it's within expectations."

"I just feel that the guy surnamed Zhang isn't a good person."

"Right," Han Jingyang nodded. "He's also a damn scoundrel, and he's definitely not as reckless as he looks. He's calculating. Releasing him back might cause some trouble for Zhang Dahai."

Shi Xiaoya thought for a moment and nodded. "If that's the logic, it really might bring us some pleasant surprises. It's just that these surprises often mean trouble. Hubby, when will we be able to live a peaceful life?"

Han Jingyang couldn't help but laugh out loud and pinched Shi Xiaoya's cheek. "What are you thinking? In this day and age, how can anyone live a truly peaceful life? Especially people like us who have already been dragged into this."

"Sigh, I was just saying."

"But it's not entirely impossible."

"What do you mean?"

"Become strong. When we are strong enough that no one dares to harass us, we can live a peaceful life anywhere. Conversely, if our strength is insufficient, no matter how much we hide, we can't escape the trouble of being harassed by various storms."

"That's too far off."

"No, not far off. It will be soon."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Han Jingyang nodded confidently. Isn't it just about becoming stronger? Just hoard more items. Especially items with skills, the more the better. At a critical moment, dump them all at once; who could withstand that? As long as the quantity is sufficient, even the King of Heaven would have to retreat three steps.

Han Jingyang and Shi Xiaoya emptied out all of Lyu Zhiqiang's assets. They didn't touch a cent of the money, didn't even glance at the gold and jewelry, and only took the dharma instruments and quasi-dharma instruments that could trigger the Appraisal Technique.

They didn't bother with the rest. The aftermath? Heh, too lazy to care. Whoever wants to handle it can do it. He did what he should have done. He also did what he shouldn't have done. He had to leave some work for certain people, otherwise, it would be too easy for them. Well, those people naturally refer to Zhang Zhiyang and his lot.

If it were before, he would definitely have made a call to explain things clearly. Now, though, they've had a falling out, so why bother calling? If they want to handle it, fine; if not, forget it. It's that simple. Forget about responsibility, benevolence, righteousness, morality—he doesn't care about any of it. This state of mind is so relaxing. It's like semi-slacking off; I won't do bad things, but don't expect me to do any good deeds either. I'm just following my heart and doing what I want to do, then I'll just walk away when I'm done. It's not illegal, it's not sick; he just wants to be relaxed and happy.

Unfortunately, the harvest here at Lyu Zhiqiang's place wasn't very big. The quantity wasn't high, and the quality was even more mediocre. This Lyu Zhiqiang wasn't as good at hoarding dharma instruments as Huang Jianyong. What a pity. Given Lyu Zhiqiang's strength, ability, and actions, he should have hoarded a lot. Of course, there were gains in other areas, too. For instance, Chaotian Temple.

Chaotian Temple devoured all the Wraiths and licked clean all the oil paintings in the room, not leaving a single bit, while also destroying these evil dharma instruments. That's right, these oil paintings were all dharma instruments, and their quality was probably quite good. But Han Jingyang found them disgusting to look at, so without a second thought, he had Chaotian Temple destroy them all.

The oil paintings themselves weren't damaged in any way, but they were no longer dharma instruments; they had become ordinary oil paintings. These paintings were not only exquisitely beautiful and of considerable artistic and economic value, but they were also helpful for finding those victims and their families from back then. It would have been a pity to just burn them. Anyway, since Lyu Zhiqiang was dead, these paintings were no longer harmful, so there was no need to be too extreme.

Especially since Lyu Zhiqiang, regardless of other aspects, was truly skilled at oil painting. It's possible that his death might make him even more famous, and his works might fetch higher prices. By then, the villagers of Shenzhuang Village who were once controlled by Lyu Zhiqiang might be able to make a fortune, more or less.

Han Jingyang and Shi Xiaoya finished packing up, returned to Jiguang Zhai, dropped off all the spoils, and immediately returned to Shenzhuang Village. As soon as they appeared, they were warmly welcomed. Village Chief Deng Darong, the manager, and several elders surrounded them with beaming faces. "Mr. Han, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Yes, yes, yes. Who would have thought that the guy surnamed Lyu would secretly stab us in the back? He not only hid deep but his methods were so vicious and bizarre; he was just a hair's breadth away from wiping out the entire Shenzhuang Village."

"Mr. Han, we know the whole story, and we are very grateful to you. But we still need to trouble you for the subsequent matters. Especially the matter of Doudou and her mother; there has to be a resolution, doesn't there? Could you help us arrange it?"

"Of course, we understand the rules. There will be a fee for your trouble, and we guarantee you'll be satisfied."