337: Chapter 337 Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period Agate Carving: Fiery Red Lotus Handheld Piece

Han Jingyang was tempted.

But he quickly shook his head and refused.

This thing definitely couldn't fall into Doudou's hands again. Doudou had been refined by Lyu Zhiqiang for several years; if she encountered this thing, ghost knows if it would trigger something bad again.

Better to have one less trouble than one more.

He would eliminate the future trouble; he didn't lack that bit of money from Wang Zhiwei.

Besides, he had already fleeced Wang Zhiwei several times and nearly plucked him bald. He couldn't fleece him completely clean in one go; he had to wait for Old Wang to recover before fleecing him again.

Thinking of this, he directly summoned the Chaotian Temple. Pointing at the oil painting, the Chaotian Temple pounced on it excitedly and smashed it with its fists.

A hideous ghost face was smashed out; it was exactly one of the Wraiths of Doudou's biological mother, Sun Qian.

The Wraith, which should have been baring its fangs and brandishing its claws in a terrifying manner, was like a weak and pitiful little woman, shivering in the corner. The room was full of great gods, any of whom had the strength to crush her. How could she not be afraid?

But being afraid was useless.

The Chaotian Temple grabbed the Wraith, crumpled it up, stuffed it into its mouth, and began chewing vigorously. A moment later, it even let out a burp, patted its belly, bowed to Han Jingyang, and then ducked back into the shikigami token.

Han Jingyang touched the picture frame again.

The Appraisal Technique still gave a reaction.

But he felt that the oil painting had already returned to normal.

After thinking for a moment, he called Zou Shuying out: "Shuying, look at this painting. What's the difference from before?"

"The difference is huge. Now it's just an ordinary painting. The Wraith and the sinister evil energy inside are all gone."

"All gone?"

"Mhm, not a trace left. We are Painting Spirits, so we're very sensitive to the aura of our own kind."

Han Jingyang nodded and said to Shi Xiaoya, "Burn it."

"Where should I burn it?"

"Wait, let me look for something," Han Jingyang thought of a dharma instrument he had obtained earlier. Its attributes were quite strange, but its level was very low, so he hadn't taken it to heart. But in this situation, it might come in handy.

"Name: Qing Dynasty Qianlong Agate Carved Karmic Fire Red Lotus Handheld Piece."

"Grade: Rank 7."

"Attributes: Karmic Fire +2."

"Skills: None."

It was of the lowest level and had no skills. Its attributes were somewhat useful but not commonly needed; he might not use it once in a long time.

But he could try it now.

Han Jingyang took the handheld piece, pretentiously gestured as if casting a spell, and finally pointed at the portrait.

Simultaneously, he activated the 'Karmic Fire' attribute.

The next second.

A dark red flame rose from the portrait, quickly sweeping across the entire image.

After a few breaths, the original portrait disappeared into thin air. Not even a pile of ash was left; it was completely burned away, vaporized.

Han Jingyang watched, dumbfounded.

This Karmic Fire is this awesome?

It can even burn physical objects completely clean?

This is practically a must-have divine tool for traveling, killing, and arson. Using this thing to destroy evidence and eliminate corpses is much better than finding someone to clean up the aftermath, isn't it?

Where the Karmic Fire passes, forget clues—even the traces of existence would probably be burned away. A person would just evaporate from the world, all karma cleared, and all information erased from the Three Realms and Six Paths. Even the Haotian Mirror or the Book of Life and Death wouldn't find a single clue.

Well, the above was purely bragging.

But it really is useful for destroying evidence.

Han Jingyang directly put this unremarkable handheld piece into his binding pocket; it would be much more convenient to use in the future.

The space inside the binding pocket was very large. He couldn't calculate exactly how large, but Han Jingyang felt he could fit all his current items inside, with extra space left for daily necessities, weapons, and so on.

This binding pocket really is a divine tool.

Too convenient.

Convenient for doing anything.

Shi Xiaoya immediately noticed the anomaly and widened her eyes: "Hubby, what dharma instrument is this? Could it be... the legendary Sumeru Mustard Seed type of dharma instrument?"

Han Jingyang chuckled as he held up the binding pocket and shook it: "Yes."

Shi Xiaoya was even more surprised: "Isn't this the one that Zhou Rui just fished out today?"

"Yes, that's the one."

"That kid has really good luck. How about letting him fish for more? He definitely has channels, maybe even a tunnel leading straight to some big pit. He can just go in and grab something whenever he needs to."

Han Jingyang shook his head.

Shi Xiaoya's speculation was sound. The bronze tripod and the binding pocket that Zhou Rui had delivered at the end were both items just fished out; they still carried an indescribable scent. Ordinary people wouldn't understand, but those who frequently dealt with antiques or underground workers knew exactly what was going on.

If he asked, Zhou Rui certainly wouldn't refuse.

But it was better to do this sort of thing as little as possible.

Using a favor to demand a reward isn't a good habit; that's pushing a friend toward becoming an enemy.

On the contrary, by leaving a good impression on Zhou Rui, maintaining a good relationship, and giving him benefits from time to time, Zhou Rui would definitely choose him first when he really had good stuff.

Casting a long line to catch a big fish, a steady stream—that is the kingly way.

It's not that a one-off deal can't be done, but doing a one-off deal in your own hometown—isn't that just looking for trouble for yourself and your family?

Rejecting Shi Xiaoya's suggestion, and after a video call with Liu Jing, who was still in Shenzhuang Village accompanying and protecting Doudou, Han Jingyang hugged Shi Xiaoya, washed up, and went to sleep.

At the same time.

In Zhang Dahai's villa.

A woman was reporting information to Zhang Dahai: "Boss, the person is dead."

"And the item?"

"Didn't get it. They didn't even get through the door. Just as they pried it open, they were driven out by Shi Xiaoya, and half a minute later, they were cut in half by her."

Zhang Dahai snorted: "Ruthless!"

"Should we continue to send people?"

"Wait. Wait for Han Jingyang and that woman to leave the house."

"Yes."

"What about Lyu Zhiqiang's side? Any gains?"

"There's some cash, gold, silver, and other valuables. Added up, it's at least two hundred million."

"And the dharma instruments?"

"All taken by Han Jingyang. Not a single one left. Those left behind were all destroyed."

Zhang Dahai took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, "What about Lyu Zhiqiang's cultivation manual?"

"Not found."

"And that one painting?"

"Not found either. People have been arranged to investigate, but I suspect it's also in Han Jingyang's hands."

"Suspect?"

"Yes, there's no evidence, but Zhou Fangfei definitely knows. I've already arranged for someone to go to Shenzhuang Village to scout the situation," the woman said softly. "Lyu Zhiqiang's life's work was all on Zhou Fangfei. Even without those dharma instruments and cultivation manuals, having Zhou Fangfei isn't bad either."

Zhang Dahai nodded: "How is things on Zhang Chaoyue's side?"

"A Qi just sent back news. Zhang Chaoyue has been receiving guests, so it's not convenient to strike. We have to wait a bit longer."

"Mhm, tell her not to worry. If there's no chance tonight, then tomorrow night."

"Yes."

"Go. Have someone keep an eye on Han Jingyang. I have a premonition that sooner or later, I'll have a life-and-death struggle with this little bastard. Make some preparations in advance."

"He has family and friends. Should we..."

"No need to rush. See how things go. Currently, we don't have an irreconcilable hatred with him yet. The focus is still on those dharma instruments he took, especially the ones brought over by the reporter Wu Zhiyang. Send someone to his door again to offer to buy them; give a higher price."

"What if he demands an exorbitant price..."

"If it's one or two times the reasonable price, agree to it. Anything up to ten times can be discussed. If it exceeds ten times..." Zhang Dahai pondered for a few seconds and suddenly waved his hand. "Then there's no need to be polite with him."

"Exterminate him completely?"

"No, show our strength and state our attitude. His strength is formidable and strange; exterminating him would provoke a desperate counterattack from him. At that point, it would likely be a situation where both sides suffer. So, find his weakness. Once we hold his weakness, we don't have to worry about him not yielding."