Volume One: The Miscellaneous Duties of Changshui County Chapter 121: Returning to the Demon-Slaying Bureau

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Having heard all this, Lu Jiuzhang finally understood. It was because he hadn’t returned, and they thought he was dead, so they sold his family estate. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, property deeds were essential; to sell a house, one had to establish a deed and have it signed by a reputable person to validate the transaction. Zhao Chan’er’s mother, by some means—likely bribery—had the deed forged. This was utterly shameless!

“Lu nephew, you’re back! Let Auntie see if you’ve lost weight during this time,” came the voice of a middle-aged woman. Zhao Auntie came running in, her face not at all embarrassed, but rather gleeful. When she saw the exceptionally beautiful young woman beside Lu Jiuzhang, her heart tightened, though she tried to keep a composed expression.

She scanned Lu Jiuzhang from head to toe before speaking. “Lu nephew, you don’t know, during the time you were missing, Auntie could neither eat nor sleep well. I often dreamed of you back then—you were still so tall.” She gestured around her waist. “At that time, people joked that when you grew up, you’d be betrothed to Chan’er.”

“Auntie can’t read, but she always felt close to you, treating you like her own son-in-law. Chan’er likes you too; Auntie wants to see you two together.” Zhao Auntie immediately tried to get close.

She thought that after saying so much, the young woman should understand her meaning. Her daughter and Lu Jiuzhang were childhood sweethearts; no outsider could come between them—this was just a dream! But the young woman remained cold and silent, not speaking a word. In truth, she had no idea what this stout, coarse woman was talking about, only sensing that she and Lu Jiuzhang knew each other.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiuzhang remained unmoved; he knew exactly what kind of neighbor this was. “Auntie Zhao, what exactly happened to the house?” he demanded.

“Ah, since you didn’t come back, I thought the house was empty and it’d be a waste to leave it vacant, so I sold it. You and Chan’er are childhood sweethearts; I couldn’t bear to see her suffer,” Zhao Auntie feigned ease. “Now that you’re back, it’s fine. You don’t have to live there—just move into my house. The house is sold; let it be, I don’t want it anymore!”

Lu Jiuzhang’s face darkened. “Tonight, I want to see everyone move out of the house. No matter what means you use, I will move in. If not, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

The saying goes, when people leave, the warmth fades—true enough. But selling one’s own estate while the owner is away was outrageous!

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Such petty, despicable behavior was truly detestable.

“Lu nephew, don’t be like that. Let’s talk it over again, okay?” Zhao Auntie hurried after Lu Jiuzhang as he left the estate, but her heavy steps lagged behind.

Just as she prepared to pursue further, a strange woman living in Lu Jiuzhang’s estate came rushing out and grabbed Zhao Auntie. “Sister-in-law Zhao, what you did wasn’t fair! Selling a house that already belongs to someone—is this how you want to pocket my money? I live in the countryside, it’s inconvenient, and I saved up for years to move into the city. I thought you were a good person, but you tricked me.”

The stranger was furious. For common folk, saving enough silver was no easy task. She had hoped the house would be cheap so she could live in the city, only to be caught in a trap.

“Sister, watch your words. Who tricked you? When I sold it to you, didn’t I tell you the owner was dead? But we didn’t know he was still alive... It was an accident, you understand?” Zhao Auntie defended herself.

“Ugh! Shameless, seizing by force and then speaking so grandly.”

“Who are you calling a tramp? Try saying that again!”

The two women started fighting in the street, drawing a crowd.

Eventually, Chan’er’s father stepped in and stopped them.

“Mom, please, I told you Brother Lu would come back. I begged you not to sell his estate, but you...” Chan’er began to plead, only to be cut off by Zhao Auntie.

“You foolish girl, why did I sell it? Because of you! That brat Lu kept pestering you, ruining your reputation. If he left, how could you get married? I had to prepare a dowry for you in advance. And now, Lu Jiuzhang came back bringing that little tramp with him. If he doesn’t marry you, wouldn’t all those years be wasted?”

These words made Chan’er break down in tears. “Mom, what are you saying? Brother Lu and I are innocent. We didn’t do anything!”

...

Leaving the estate, Lu Jiuzhang went to an inn, first settling the cold, beautiful young woman inside and having his big black dog keep watch. Then he headed to the Demon-Slaying Bureau.

When he arrived, Zhou Cheng and Wang Yunshan were standing at the door.

“Lu, little brother, I was anxious waiting for you. I heard you were back half an incense stick’s time ago. Lord Zhou and I have been waiting here.” Wang Yunshan greeted him first.

His wounds had mostly healed, while Zhou Cheng looked the same as ever, missing one arm with an empty sleeve.

“Thanks, Brother Wang, and Lord Zhou for your concern,” Lu Jiuzhang responded.

“Hey, we’re family, no need for formalities. Come on in, Director Chen is waiting in the backyard,” Wang Yunshan smiled.

Lu Jiuzhang nodded and strode toward the backyard. Official business came first; there would be time to reminisce later.

“By the way, Brother Wang, what’s the date today?” Lu Jiuzhang asked, glancing back after walking a few paces.

“May fifteenth!” Wang Yunshan replied quickly. “A good day—Ren Yin, Yi Si, Wu Chen—suitable for moving, weddings, traveling, no taboos!”

Lu Jiuzhang nodded and marched toward the backyard.

It had been nearly a month since he entered the ruins world at the border of Changshui County and Nanwu County to exterminate demons. Time was hard to track there, as the ruins world lacked sun and moon, nearly driving him mad.

...

In the backyard, Chen Xuanfeng stood with his hands behind his back.

“You’re here!” he said slowly as he sensed someone approaching.

Dressed in a white robe embroidered with patterns, it was clear he had been promoted to full director.

“Congratulations on your promotion, Director Chen!” Lu Jiuzhang saluted.

“Just words?” Chen teased.

“Ha ha ha, since when did Director Chen learn to joke like this? Of course, congratulations can’t be only words. Tonight I’ll host a banquet and invite you to Jile Lane to enjoy some music and entertainment!” Lu Jiuzhang laughed.

“Not my style; I don’t like those places,” Chen shook his head. “Let’s get to business. Where are Director Zhong and the others? And Director Xue, Director Song from Nanwu County...”

“They’re dead!” Lu Jiuzhang said bluntly. “All dead. Only I’m left alive.”

He concealed Zhong Zhengming’s whereabouts. Even though Chen Xuanfeng wasn’t a bad man, Lu Jiuzhang was unwilling to reveal too much; the stakes were too high. One slip could expose the ruins world, attracting countless powerful foes. Then more than just Zhong Zhengming would perish—no one in the Sword Mountain Villa would have a good ending.