Love letters are not allowed in the exorcism notebook!-Chapter 651 - 74: The Good News Is No Need to Spend Money Anymore

Wu Jingzhong from Tianmen City’s Confidential Bureau... Sorry, I got the name wrong. Wu Jingzhan, the head of the General Affairs Department at the Tianmen City Water Affairs Bureau, a native of Baoding, forty-five years old this year, his wife is from the Du family. They have an only son, Wu Chaoran, who is eighteen years old and currently a sophomore in the Civil Engineering Department at Northern University. He got married at the end of last year, his daughter-in-law being from the Zhang family.

This is the information regarding the original owner of the villa that Wang Yunxiao obtained.

As the saying goes, a minute on stage requires ten years of practice off stage.

For craftsmen in the Jianghu World, the more spectacular their public performance, the more effort they must put in behind the scenes.

Magicians need to prepare props in advance, and even find shills to plant in the audience.

The Swallow Sect is no different. The so-called secret technique "Swallow Nesting" of their lineage simply means to identify an appropriate family in advance. Then they move in and meticulously imitate the family’s every move, usurping their identity to prepare for the "big job" that follows.

Currently, the master of this house, Wu Jingzhan, along with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law are all bound and locked in the basement. Having consumed a stupefying drug, they are groggy and talkative, spilling all the secrets they hold in their hearts.

Meanwhile, Old Master He, along with his eldest disciple, the disciple’s wife, his second disciple, and the eldest disciple’s granddaughter, have moved into this residence with all pomp and ceremony. They’ve disguised themselves as members of the Wu Family and assumed their identities.

Wang Yunxiao had thought that Old Master He merely forged a few invitations casually, but he didn’t expect Old Master He to play his hand so grandly.

They directly targeted the family that would receive the invitations, with "Swallow Nesting" confusing reality with deceit, thus attending the banquet with total legitimacy.

Honestly, with the capabilities of our sect... it would be great if you went and made movies instead!

"Swallow Nesting" focuses on the act of "nesting", in the sense of connecting and building bridges.

Using the identity of the Wu family as a stepping stone, they build bridges and pave paths to get close to the members of the Shen Family.

Engaging in this craft, it’s not about kidnapping for ransom. That’s a crude act with no skill involved, something that only bandits would engage in.

From preliminary reconnaissance to interrogation, then dressing up and performing... if you say these are real skills, there’s indeed nothing wrong with that.

But this is not what I want to learn!

Wang Yunxiao looked at the unfamiliar self in the mirror, helplessly curling his lips.

No need to spend five hundred dollars on a tailored suit anymore, the family had everything: suits, shirts, ties, leather shoes, and even top hats.

Although they were not quite the perfect fit.

This Wu Chaoran was quite a bit slimmer than Wang Yunxiao, obviously a bookworm who had not seriously pursued physical exercise in his childhood.

But it was not unmanageable.

It wasn’t to the outrageous extent of a blind bear shucking corn.

Comparatively, his wife’s clothes seemed a bit too tight on He Lan; they appeared to be ones that she couldn’t fit into without binding her chest.

Wang Yunxiao turned around only to see He Lan had changed into a silk pajama, her little face blushingly scrutinizing him.

Compared to foreigners’ underwear, silk pajamas have one advantage – they showcase the subtle beauty of Eastern culture. Tightly wrapped yet still clearly outlined, they possess a compelling quality that makes one uncontrollably want to reach out and knead.

Wang Yunxiao just couldn’t help himself, reaching out to touch it.

The silk is really smooth; rich folks sure know how to enjoy life.

He Lan giggled as she covered her arm, "Husband, you pinched me."

Don’t act like I’ve done something terrible to you, alright?

Having changed into proper clothes and put on makeup, I came downstairs, only to see Wu Jingzhan and his wife lounging in the living room in their pajamas.

The eldest senior brother and his wife really are skilled actors. They become whatever they pretend to be, and sitting there, I couldn’t see any hint of their true selves.

The old master changed into a clean outfit as well, swiftly made tea, placed it on the coffee table, cleared his throat, and said, "Yuanxiao has arrived late, so I’ll go over the main points with him again. Little Lanzi, you listen too. You’re green behind the ears and lack experience. If anything goes wrong on your end, the Counselor won’t take you out anymore!"

"Oh, got it."

He Lan obediently responded, putting on the meek appearance of a decent housewife.

"This charity auction arranged by the Shen Family has invited many high-ranking officials and dignitaries. It will feature not only the Imperial Jade Seal up for auction, but other families will also bring out their treasures to contribute to the event. There’s an etiquette to which family donates treasures and which gives money; I won’t go into details here. We can’t touch the donated funds as they’re too conspicuous, so our main target this time will be the treasures that get auctioned off."

Wang Yunxiao: "???"

Hold on, Old Master He, this isn’t what you told me outside!

Are we really talking team-building here?

But he quickly realized that although Old Master He brought along First Ms. Liu and her daughter, he still had his guard up around them and didn’t disclose the actual plan.

Moreover, even if you take a step back, the Swallow Sect participating in such an important event couldn’t just focus on the task and neglect the main line of work. Otherwise, what’s the point of being called the Swallow Sect? Might as well change the name to the Six Gates Division.

Build openly, tunnel secretly.

Old Master He tapped his finger on the table, bringing Wang Yunxiao’s attention back, "Let’s talk about ourselves first, the relationship between the Wu Family and the Shen Family. Wu Jingzhan works in the general affairs department of the Water Affairs Bureau. He’s not a high-ranking official, but it’s a cushy job. No need to say more, just looking at their house, you can tell they’ve raked in quite a lot of oil and water over the year."

"Wu Jingzhan is a confidant of the Water Affairs Bureau Director Meng Liang. Meng Liang’s ability to occupy the position of Director is closely tied to the Shen Family’s influence. Back when Shen Zhidong was developing real estate in the Seaside District, laying out the fresh water and underground water pipelines, it was through interactions with Meng Liang."

"This time, for the charity auction, the Shen Family sent out an invitation to Meng Liang. In the past, Meng Liang would certainly have attended in person. But times have changed, and given the current uncertain state of the Shen Family, Meng Liang probably can’t get a clear picture. So he’s delegated the task to his trusted aide, the head of the general affairs department, Wu Jingzhan, to attend with his wife and family."

"Wu Jingzhan himself isn’t particularly familiar with that circle, so once we’re on-site, we can keep a low profile. No need for pleasantries if we encounter acquaintances, and no need for others to suspect us."

See, this is professionalism.

Old Master He, an experienced leader of thieves, has chosen a family that is neither too high nor too low -- just the sort of group that’s easiest to overlook.

Wang Yunxiao thought for a moment before asking, "Once we’re on the scene, what exactly are we supposed to do?"

"No one knows what the situation will be like on-site, so the focus will still be on watching the Shen Family people. I’m not sure if the person in charge this time is their second or third son. The third son of the Shen Family is a wastrel with no real talent. But Shen Family’s second son has always kept a low profile, and no one can be sure how capable he might be."

Old Master He glanced at He Lan, standing obediently behind Wang Yunxiao, and spoke seriously, "You and Little Lanzi are posing as the Wu Family’s son and daughter-in-law this time. You may try to interact with the young people of the Shen Family, as it’s possible that a talent has emerged among the third generation. Just feel them out, and it’s best not to arouse any suspicion."