Transmigrating to the Primordial Era as a Peerless Great Witch, Changing Fate in the Primordial Worl

Wei Xiaobao didn't stand on ceremony and directly instructed the clerk next to him to change the total amount of "two million two hundred thousand taels" of cash and easily convertible assets in the ledger to "one million taels" in a stroke of his pen.

Therefore, in the "official account book" that was finally presented to Emperor Kangxi, the total value of the cash and valuables confiscated from Aobai's family became "one million taels".

This figure is still staggeringly large, enough to demonstrate Ao Bai's corruption, but not so "horrifying" as to cause uncontrollable ripples.

As for the remaining 1.2 million taels of silver, the "difference" was like falling into a bottomless pit.

According to their "spoils" agreement, and after some "reasonable" maneuvering,

This included distributing "hardship fees" and "hush money" to officials and military leaders involved in the raids, bribing relevant government offices, and offering discounts under the guise of "losses" and "damage."

In the end, this sum of 1.2 million taels was cleverly "digested".

What ended up in the hands of Wei Xiaobao and Suo'etu was a huge sum of 600,000 taels of silver notes each.

Of course, those who came to confiscate the property were also Suo'etu's trusted subordinates and key officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice.

Everyone got a share of the "soup," and everyone was happy, so naturally they all kept quiet about it.

After layers of "tribute" and bribes, the silver that finally ended up in Wei Xiaobao's hands "cleanly" and without any trouble was still a huge sum of 500,000 taels.

Although Wei Xiaobao is a projection of Wu Gu,

His fundamental will, unwavering Daoist heart, and the character of "my fate is in my own hands" when facing major events were indeed deeply influenced by Wugu's trace of divine origin.

However, as an individual named "Wei Xiaobao",

The deep-seated traits of "greed," "lust," and "love of pleasure" that develop during the growth process in the world of The Deer and the Cauldron.

It seems that it hasn't "changed" much despite merging with the "Dao Heart" of a higher-level being.

Instead, it's as if they've been given a more solid "foundation" and "goal."

Since we're going to be in this world anyway, to live a good life, and to protect those we want to protect...

Wealth and power are always a good thing, the more the better.

Possessing a fortune equivalent to that of a billionaire in later generations,

Wei Xiaobao felt lightheaded, and only one thought was screaming wildly in his mind:

"We've struck it rich! This is like a windfall!"

He was in high spirits; although he tried his best to control himself, the joy in his eyes and brows was evident.

And his light, almost floating gait as he walked revealed his extreme "happiness" all the way.

This windfall is enough for him to instantly achieve financial freedom in this era and live the luxurious life of his dreams.

They will have more resources to do many things they never dared to think about or couldn't do before.

Back in the imperial palace, to the secluded, secluded courtyard near the Xihua Gate that the emperor had recently bestowed upon him,

Wei Xiaobao immediately dismissed all the eunuchs and maids who were serving him, closed the door, and bolted it.

Only then did he carefully take off the seemingly inconspicuous blue cloth bundle that he had been carrying on his back.

Upon opening the package, one found a thick stack of silver notes of varying denominations, totaling 500,000 taels of silver.

There were also three "treasures" that he had secretly left behind and had not registered.

These three items were found during the search of his home.

Based on his familiarity with Ao Bai's residence, his vague memory of the original text, and his own observations and speculations,

And with the intentional or unintentional "negligence" and tacit approval of Songgotu,

It was secretly taken out from a very hidden compartment.

They are:

A rather old-looking book with a dark yellow cover, titled "The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters".

Rumors circulated among the martial arts world and high-ranking officials of the imperial court that this book was related to a tremendous treasure, which was secretly kept by Ao Bai, and it was clearly no ordinary item.

A short dagger, entirely black, only a foot long, yet heavy in the hand, its blade gleaming with a faint blue light under the candlelight, and incomparably sharp.

The dagger was unsheathed, wrapped only in a piece of soft dragon hide, which was icy cold to the touch, clearly indicating it was either coated with a rare poison or forged from special cold iron.

It is an excellent weapon for cunning people to protect themselves.

A piece of "protective soft armor" that is as thin as a cicada's wing, smooth to the touch yet extremely resilient, and pale gold in color.

This armor, woven from some unknown material, is as light as a feather.

However, it can withstand ordinary sword and blade strikes, and may even have a certain weakening effect on internal force attacks.

"Good stuff, all good stuff."

Wei Xiaobao's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together.

He quickly took out the Forty-Two Chapters Sutra and carefully examined it.

Relying on his vague memory of the original work and a strange intuition, he carefully examined the book cover, spine, and other places where there might be hidden compartments. Sure enough, he found several pieces of silk cloth with a special texture and as thin as cicada wings in the compartment of the cover.

He held his breath and carefully used the sharp dagger to pry open the stitches and take out the "treasure map fragment" from the interlayer.

They were several fragments of silk, depicting strange terrain and Manchu script, which, when pieced together, seemed to point to a certain location.

Wei Xiaobao suppressed his excitement and tried his best to "restore" the cover of the scripture.

Although you can see signs of disassembly upon close inspection, it is difficult to detect without a specific check.

Then he took off his outer clothes and put the "protective garment" directly on his body.

The soft armor felt cool instantly, but was then warmed by body heat, becoming very comfortable, and I could hardly feel any weight or restraint.

"After all, Wei Xiaobao's martial arts skills are not strong at the moment, and it can even be said that he does not have a main martial arts technique."

It all came down to the few rudimentary martial arts moves I learned as a child from fighting in brothels and later from secretly learning them at the palace.

It's just that their physical bodies are slightly stronger than ordinary people due to the nourishment of that "Light of Creation"—they are stronger, recover faster, and have better endurance.

He was calculating in his mind,

"Now that I'm wearing this protective soft armor, I finally feel a real sense of security."

At least when facing ordinary sneak attacks or dagger strikes, they have a better chance of survival.

As for the poisoned or cold iron dagger, Wei Xiaobao held it in his hand for a while, tested its sharpness, and easily cut off the corner of the table, which made him even more satisfied.

He carefully wrapped it in the original dragon skin and then carefully hid it in a specially made hidden pocket inside the boot for emergencies.

This thing might be a lifesaver in a critical moment, and it can also be used to do some "wet work".

Finally, he looked at the Forty-Two Chapters Sutra, which had lost its treasure map and only contained ordinary scriptures, and his eyes darted around.

The scripture itself remains a hot potato; keeping it in one's own hands would only cause trouble.

He had already thought of a solution.

The next day, Wei Xiaobao found an opportunity to report to Emperor Kangxi about the confiscation of his property—specifically, the version involving one million taels of silver.

After finishing the report, pretend to have "just remembered" or act as if "faithfully serving the Lord."

He took out the Forty-Two Chapters Sutra from his pocket, presented it to Kangxi, and reported the facts "truthfully".