Tomb Raiders: After the Nine Gates Ancestor, they let loose and did whatever they wanted!

Fate is truly a wonderful thing...

The hermit Jianxuan, who left behind many "legends" in the territory of the Jin clan of Lanling, finally drifted down to the Jin clan's main residence, which was euphemistically called...

I'm curious, what does the cinnabar dot between the eyebrows of the young master of the Jin family look like?

……

The following day, a bank owner who was always arrogant and looked down on everyone because of his connection to the Jin family received a special visitor—the connoisseur Jianxuan, who had come to "appraise" his newly acquired antique jade.

Even though he had business dealings with the Jin family, and the patriarch hadn't given any instructions, the money shop owner naturally felt disdain.

He simply assumed the man was yet another江湖闲人 (jianghu xiong, a wandering swordsman) trying to curry favor with the Jin family, or perhaps he saw the mask on the other person and thought he was a pretentious charlatan.

(n→v←n) Cross-eyed disdain

His words were full of sarcasm and disdain, mocking him as a "charlatan."

His arrogant demeanor was exactly like that of a nouveau riche tyrant who wouldn't survive three episodes.

?( ￣??)?

The sandalwood counter was cool and smooth, reflecting the expressionless, icy mask on Jianxuan Sanren's face.

Unseen by anyone, beneath that mask, a cold yet playful smile subtly curved upwards.

The gathering ended, and the sun was setting in the west.

Faced with such subtle neglect, Jianxuan Sanren showed no anger whatsoever. He simply extended a few long, slender fingers with distinct knuckles.

Fingertips tapped casually, one tap at a time, on the manor owner's luxurious rosewood counter, inlaid with gold and jade.

"Tap...tap...tap..."

The knocking was neither hurried nor slow, but it sounded exceptionally clear in the now-silent hall.

Behind that cold mask that shut out all emotions, his voice wasn't loud, but each word was like an icicle, possessing a strange penetrating power that struck straight to the heart:

"Such fine material... the sandalwood exudes a subtle fragrance, and gold and jade add luster... What a pity..."

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, his subtle breathy tone seeming to have a hook, which, sure enough, caused the manor lord's profit-driven ears to perk up instinctively.

He has always been most concerned about the foundation of his wealth!

"...The thing underneath might be dirty," Jianxuan Sanren said lightly, deftly shifting the subject as if brushing away a speck of dust, but leading the conversation to a chilling place.

"Oh, by the way, when you get back... take a close look at the foundation of your house. See if... something has already secretly 'set a price' for you?"

This manor owner was also an extraordinary person; he was neither a tyrant who acted recklessly and oppressed the villagers, nor did he have a penchant for having beautiful concubines around him.

All he ever wanted in this life was that glittering gold—money!

Money, come here quickly!

The shopkeeper, stung by these hurtful words, dismissed them as a vicious curse and delirious rambling from someone who had lost face.

Although he was filled with resentment, he dared not openly offend this "Jade Fox" with whom the Jin family had a delicate relationship.

His face instantly turned ashen. He flicked his sleeve and turned to leave, his heart filled with schadenfreude, waiting to see the other party make a fool of themselves.

However, not long after, during one of Jin Lintai's routine, thorough inspections, he discovered something extremely deep beneath the vault of his prized money exchange.

A horrifying sight was unearthed—several unidentified corpses, their faces twisted and contorted in a grotesque manner, created using bizarre methods!

The placement of the corpses was eerily precise, directly opposite the ancestral tomb that the shopkeeper was so proud of, which he claimed had excellent feng shui. This arrangement was a sinister and malevolent formation designed to steal fortune and power!

The location was so precise that it was as if an invisible hand, capable of seeing into the depths of the underworld, had coldly marked it on the earth's vein map!

This event was like a bolt from the blue, instantly igniting an uproar throughout the entire Jin family territory.

The name Jianxuan Sanren has completely transformed from the "Jade-Faced Plague God" that everyone avoids to the "Living Yama on Duty."

At that moment, a very soft whisper came from somewhere, with a cool texture like jade striking each other: "Tsk tsk, the turbid air is so thick that it looks like ink, yet no one has pointed it out."

Perhaps... he's already a pawn in someone else's game without even realizing it, only managing to survive because his greed hasn't yet led to greater evil, and his karmic debts aren't yet incurred.

My well-intentioned advice has backfired, making me seem like I don't appreciate your kindness..."

Later, rumors circulated that the once arrogant and domineering money shop manager had completely changed.

He was emaciated and overweight, and whenever he met someone, he would beat his chest and weep, recounting the lessons learned through blood and tears.

"'Jianxuan,' 'Jianxuan,' the outcome is uncertain after the appraisal! If you encounter this gentleman... don't even think about anything else!"

Immediately! Right now! Whether you kowtow or give away money, investigate first! ↗

Check yourself... haven't you already been signed and put a price tag on the Book of the Dead?

Who saw it? Not a word was uttered about the impermanence of life.

……