Volume One: The Servants of Changshui County Chapter 132: A Banquet for Deputy Magistrate Wang

All possessions amount to four hundred taels of silver?
This Chief Chen must be terribly poor, Lu Jiuzhang felt a bit embarrassed.
“Chief Chen, why don’t you take it back? Life isn’t easy for you either.” Lu Jiuzhang said, “I still have some silver on me; it should be enough to stay at the Yingtian Inn for ten or fifteen days.”
Those spiritual herbs were worth at least hundreds of thousands of taels. Selling them would easily cover the cost of lodging.
“Huh?”
Chief Chen was stunned.
After all the back and forth, was he the fool? The other party wasn’t short of money?
“Ahem… the silver I sent out—I can’t very well take it back, can I?” Chief Chen cleared his throat twice.
“Well then, I won’t be polite about it.”
…
When the shift ended, Lu Jiuzhang returned earlier than usual.
As soon as he got home, he instructed Big Black Dog and White Xiao Su to pack up, preparing to leave.
“Second Brother Lu, you’re back?”
Outside the door, Zhao Chan’er’s voice rang out.
Lu Jiuzhang opened the door. “What is it, Chan’er?”
“Nothing much, it’s just that my mother has returned. These days, you’ve been busy helping her, so I came specially to thank you.” Zhao Chan’er smiled warmly. “Even though my mother treated you badly before, you still helped her so enthusiastically.”
“I’ll talk things over properly with my mother from now on. Don’t worry, Second Brother Lu, she won’t act like that again!”
Hearing this, Lu Jiuzhang felt a bit embarrassed.
It was Lu Jiuzhang himself who had orchestrated the imprisonment of Zhao Chan’er’s mother.
“It was just a small favor.”
Lu Jiuzhang replied casually.
“Master Lu, I’m ready!”
Inside the courtyard, Big Black Dog’s voice called out.
“Ready? Second Brother Lu, are you going on a long journey?” Zhao Chan’er asked curiously.
“A small matter requires me to visit Anxi Prefecture,” Lu Jiuzhang smiled. “This is a secret matter related to the Monster-Slaying Division; Chan’er must not tell anyone!”
“Don’t worry, Second Brother Lu! My lips are sealed!” Zhao Chan’er quickly promised. “But… how long will you be gone?”
“Not sure, depends on my superiors. It shouldn’t be too long,” Lu Jiuzhang said.
“Alright, Second Brother Lu, go with peace of mind. I’ll keep your residence tidy for you! When you return, it’ll be ready for you to move right in!” Zhao Chan’er nodded eagerly.
“Your mother… well, never mind. Take care!”
Lu Jiuzhang ruffled Zhao Chan’er’s hair.
…
After packing, Lu Jiuzhang rented a carriage and set off directly out of Changshui County.
Since crossing over to this world, Lu Jiuzhang had mostly stayed within Changshui County.
The farthest he had been was San Yi Village and the border with Nanwu County, where he accidentally entered the ruins world.
Aside from that, he had never traveled far.
As for Anxi Prefecture, Lu Jiuzhang had only heard about it in passing during conversations.
It was a prefectural city bustling with countless shops, streets filled with martial artists, and a nightlife far more vibrant and lively than Changshui County, tens of times more so.
The prefectural city was about six or seven hundred kilometers from Changshui County.
Reaching there was no easy feat.
Lu Jiuzhang could outrun the carriage by sprinting, but it would consume too much spiritual energy.
If danger arose, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.
The carriage left the county gate and headed south.
Lu Jiuzhang sat on the carriage, while White Xiao Su and Big Black Dog stayed inside.
“The outside world is much more comfortable. Staying in Changshui County is suffocating,” Big Black Dog complained. “Master Lu, the more you see of the vast world and the more roads you travel, maybe you won’t want to return!”
“Really?”
Lu Jiuzhang looked back toward Changshui County.
The county grew smaller and smaller, about to disappear from sight.
Spending half a year here had brought many experiences; this was his home.
Yet whether he could return after this journey, Lu Jiuzhang was unsure.
“Sometimes, I miss the ruins world home too,” White Xiao Su’s mood darkened. “I miss my master. If I were still in the ruins, maybe I could even offer him incense.”
“Sister Bai, don’t be so formal. Since you’re with us, consider us your family,” Big Black Dog said with a smile. “Sometimes, you don’t have to feel lonely. The outside world is vast and boundless—how interesting is that?”
White Xiao Su didn’t respond but nodded.
There was something she hadn’t said: when her master was alive, he told her that if she ever went to the outside world, she must make her own way.
Relying on others’ protection meant she could never become a towering tree.
Lu Jiuzhang was just like that—though many helped him, most burdens he bore alone.
Though she felt safe beside Lu Jiuzhang, always under his protection, when would she become strong herself?
…
Changshui County had vanished from view, and the sky darkened.
“Let’s find a place to rest and resupply. Night travel can be dangerous, so stay alert,” Lu Jiuzhang said.
“Master Lu, if I were human, I could help you drive the carriage, but I’m a divine beast. Please bear with me,” Big Black Dog said.
“Eat less, then! Even if I have to bear with you, you still eat the most among us!” Lu Jiuzhang rolled his eyes.
“Heh, don’t be so formal. Eating a lot just means my beastly bloodline is strong,” Big Black Dog grinned.
“Stop joking; eat quickly,” White Xiao Su urged. “The moonlight is good tonight, and with some rest, we can cover about four hundred kilometers. Tomorrow, another two hundred kilometers, and we should reach Anxi Prefecture before noon.”
No choice—no matter how tireless the riders, the horses needed rest.
After long rides, the horses were the most exhausted.
“Hmm, time should be about right. If nothing unexpected happens, we should make it.” Lu Jiuzhang nodded.
…
Jile District.
The most upscale entertainment district in Changshui County.
Tonight, Chen Xuanfeng was hosting a banquet here for County Magistrate Wang.
Normally, Chen Xuanfeng seldom came to such places—he wasn’t used to it, and he had limited silver.
Tonight was an exception. Chen Xuanfeng estimated that entertaining Magistrate Wang would cost at least tens or even hundreds of taels of silver.
After all, Magistrate Wang was no ordinary man; he had to be treated well, with plenty of courtesans.
“Hahaha, Chief Chen, this is our first gathering since you took office, isn’t it?”
County Magistrate Wang laughed heartily, raising his cup. “With Chief Chen’s help, I believe the people of Changshui County will live in peace, free from monster attacks.”
“Rest assured, Your Honor. The Monster-Slaying Division will fully cooperate,” Chen Xuanfeng lifted his cup with a stiff tone.
He was uncomfortable in such social settings, preferring solitude.
“Chief Chen, your subordinate Lu…”
Before Wang could finish, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.
A hurried clerk rushed in, interrupting Wang’s words.