Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 360 - 343: Shen Bao Reports a Case

Chapter 360: Chapter 343: Shen Bao Reports a Case

A day’s plan lies in the morning!

The meaning is that the most important and most beautiful time of the day is the morning.

It does not mean anything else!

However, this morning, Jin Xiang felt extremely displeased from the moment he got out of bed.

After a sleepless night, his whole being was out of sorts.

Strangely enough, the ghost that wanted to dig out his heart chased him the entire night but just couldn’t catch up to him.

Of course, he did not wish for it to catch up to him.

But running a marathon within his own residence the whole night had indeed left him exhausted.

Fortunately, his son was coming back this afternoon.

By then, he could let his son figure out a way, as he was smarter, and would naturally know how to eliminate the ghost from the mansion.

Otherwise, he feared he would indeed have to find some sucker to sell this vast residence to.

And at this moment, the butler walked over with a gloomy face and said in a low voice, "Master, a group of Taoists has arrived outside."

"A group of Taoists? That’s great! Hurry, invite them all in!"

Soon, a group of Taoists walked in.

The leading Taoist, an old man with an air of transcendence, was accompanied by a dozen other Taoists ranging in age from their thirties to their twenties.

"Esteemed Taoists, my estate has been haunted every night recently, I wonder if you could exorcise the evil spirit? Rest assured, as long as these specters are cleanly removed, money is no object!"

Upon hearing Jin Xiang’s words, the leading old Taoist snorted coldly.

"Do not misunderstand, patron, we are not here to exorcise spirits; I have come to seek compensation for my nephew who was injured on your estate last night!"

It was then that Jin Xiang remembered the Taoist from last night who had failed in his ghost hunt and had instead taken quite a beating from the ghost.

"Taoist, I invited him to catch a ghost in my estate, but not only did he fail to capture the ghost, he got injured as well. What now—you mean he’s unskilled in his studies, and I still have to pay compensation? Are you trying to swindle me?"

The old Taoist snorted coldly and said angrily, "Not to mention my nephew, who is of no mean strength and certainly did not get injured due to a lack of skill. Let’s discuss your mansion..."

The old Taoist, saying this, employed his Observation Skill to survey the surroundings of the mansion and, after a round, flicked his sleeve dismissively.

"You, as a Martial Artist who walks the Imperial Path, should know that here on Capital Region Road, under the Emperor’s feet, lies the foundation of the dynasty. The rules of the Imperial Path are the most potent here, and other paths are suppressed within Capital Region Road."

"Therefore, in the vastness of the Capital, it’s rare for evil ghosts to roam."

"Throughout the Capital, only in the Ministry of Punishment’s dungeons can one occasionally find a few strong evil spirits."

"Yet within the confines of your estate, I saw with the Observation Skill several evil ghosts of considerable strength."

"If you don’t pay compensation, I will make it known that evil ghosts inhabit your mansion. After that, you won’t be able to live here, nor will you be able to sell it."

"Such potent evil spirits reside in your estate; surely, something significant must have happened! Patron, will you compensate with money today? Or will you compensate with money?"

Jin Xiang naturally knew who had died in the residence before, but hadn’t he had the Feng Family’s remains sealed away at the time?

How could evil spirits strong enough to belong only in the dungeons of the Ministry of Punishment spring out now?

With no other choice, Jin Xiang, through gritted teeth, could only settle the matter with money.

However, no sooner had the butler paid off the Taoists demanding recompense and sent them on their way than he saw a familiar figure appear at the gate.

"We meet again, butler. Today, I have come to ask..."

"Scram!"

The steward was too lazy to deal with the fatso who came asking every day and went straight to scolding.

The fatty cursed again, then spat towards the front door and turned to leave.

But suddenly, the steward remembered his master’s words from yesterday, immediately called Shen Bao back, and then ran into the mansion to tell his master that the fatso who had been talking about buying the house had arrived.

Jin Xiang, who had been eating and sleeping poorly lately, finally heard some good news, hurriedly ran to the front door, and warmly grabbed Shen Bao’s hand.

Seeing the other’s sleazy face, Shen Bao immediately withdrew his hand in fright.

"Little brother, are you interested in buying my mansion? It’s not cheap, you know."

"Of course, such a fine mansion I was always reluctant to sell, but due to some recent troubles in business, I fear I can’t continue doing business in the Capital, hence the need to leave."

"So, little brother, you’re really in luck."

Shen Bao smiled awkwardly, knowing all too well what was really going on with the mansion.

"The price is negotiable, but we need to sign the paperwork at the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture’s Government Office."

"If that’s the case, I happen to need money for my business as well, shall we go to the Magistrate’s Government Office now to handle the procedures?"

"Great! Once we’re there, I will immediately call for someone to bring the money."

So, Shen Bao and Jin Xiang headed straight for the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture’s Government Office.

At first, Jin Xiang walked ahead of Shen Bao, boasting as they went of his excellent relations with the Magistrate.

But as they approached the Government Office’s entrance, Shen Bao suddenly grabbed Jin Xiang’s hand, as if he was worried the latter might run away.

While Jin Xiang was wondering why the fatty was in such a hurry, he heard the sound of drumming coming from outside the Government Office.

Dong dong dong dong—

"What’s that noise?"

"It’s not important, not important at all. Come on, let’s go see the Magistrate first to talk about the property transfer."

At that moment, Jin Xiang vaguely felt something was amiss and wanted to excuse himself and leave.

But when he tried to withdraw his hand, he discovered that the fatso, who appeared extremely obese, had a grip stronger than a bull, and he couldn’t free his hand.

And as he was dragged by the fatty into the grand hall of the Magistrate’s Government Office, he realized the Magistrate seated above seemed to have been replaced.

Jin Xiang bowed to the new Magistrate above and said, "Magistrate, we’ve come to process the transfer of a property."

"Not so, we’re here to sue," said the fatty standing beside him, giving Jin Xiang a very bad feeling.

Then, the fatty pointed at Jin Xiang and said, "This person, named Jin Xiang, is currently living in the mansion originally belonging to the Feng Family. Even the taverns in his name are Feng Family assets. He was a bandit by origin, saved by the unsuspecting Feng Family, who he later repaid with betrayal by killing the entire Feng Family and seizing their property, bribing the former Magistrate Shen Wen to handle the paperwork."

Jin Xiang never imagined that the things he had done would be exposed like this.

But an evil person is not only evil because they are bad but also because they have no shame.

"Your honor! This fat liar just wants to buy my mansion and refuses to pay more, hence his slander against me! You must stand up for me! Such a blood-spraying scoundrel should be dragged down and given twenty lashes!"

The Magistrate on the seat turned to look at Shen Bao, whom Jin Xiang was accusing, and said coldly, "Son, is what he’s saying true?"

In that moment, Jin Xiang felt his head buzz.

Shen Bao grinned and said, "Ah, Grandfather, don’t you understand my character? I might lie to ask for a little more money, but I would not dare to lie about such a serious matter. Besides, I have a witness."

At that moment, Zhang San stepped into the grand hall.