Volume Two: Winds Rising in Anxi Prefecture - Chapter 165: Gathering Men

Early the next morning, the one-armed fierce man departed.

Watching him leave in the distance, the large black dog turned to Lu Jiuzhang and asked, "Master Lu, shall we follow him?"

"Let him go. We should get some good rest. I suspect they won't agree to the terms easily. When the time comes, I'll lure them outside the city and then kill them to take their goods!" Lu Jiuzhang said.

"Really, Master Jiu? Isn't that a bit too ruthless? Besides, what if they have numerous experts? If we rush in blindly, wouldn't we be walking right into danger?" The large black dog felt this was unwise.

"Don't worry, I never fight a battle without preparation!" Lu Jiuzhang remained unconcerned.

"Very well then, Master Jiu, handle it as you see fit." Hearing this, the large black dog let down its guard.

Since Master Jiu wasn't worried, why should it be?

A qualified divine beast must learn to be lazy and let others do the work. After all, being a divine beast, how could it possibly do everything by itself? That would demean its divine dignity.

...

When the sun was three poles high, Lu Jiuzhang finally stepped out.

Without going anywhere else, he headed straight for the Qianji Tower in Anxi Prefecture.

Having become a familiar face there this time, as soon as he stepped inside, an attendant went in to announce his arrival, and before long, Manager Zhao walked out.

"Miss Yuru!" Lu Jiuzhang cupped his fists in salute.

"Shucheng, you're here!" Upon seeing Lu Jiuzhang, Zhao Yuru's expression clearly lit up with joy. "Come to the back courtyard."

Lu Jiuzhang nodded, and the two walked toward the back courtyard together.

Back in the main hall, the attendants were consumed with envy.

"It's a done deal now. The two of them don't even avoid outsiders anymore, walking together so openly," one attendant sighed with emotion.

"Why would they need to avoid anyone? I heard this Master Lu is of quite high status; Manager Zhao is actually marrying up!" said another attendant.

"Really? His background is even higher than Manager Zhao's?"

"Why would I lie to you? This is internal information, so make sure you don't tell anyone else. Wasn't Master Lu arrested before? While he was being detained, a formidable martial arts expert came to intercede. That martial arts expert is Master Lu's guardian, and possesses the cultivation of the fourth rank of martial arts!"

"Holy crap, fourth rank of martial arts! That's an expert among experts! You're not making this up, are you?"

"Why would I lie to you? The cousin of the third concubine of the nephew of my aunt works in the upper management of the Anxi Prefecture Qianji Tower, and he said it himself. The moment that expert appeared, the head manager softened his stance. I doubt there's a single fourth-rank martial arts expert in our entire Anxi Prefecture!"

"..."

The rumors grew more and more outrageous, and stories about Lu Jiuzhang having a profound and powerful background were already circulating.

***

Of course, Lu Jiuzhang knew nothing of this.

Stepping into the back courtyard, Lu Jiuzhang entered Manager Zhao's room.

It was the very same room where Lu Jiuzhang had been arrested last time, and also where he had received the defensive soft armor from Manager Zhao.

"What brings Shucheng to see me this time?" Manager Zhao asked.

"Can't I come to see you just for nothing?" Lu Jiuzhang countered.

Of course he had a purpose in coming to see Manager Zhao.

Yet he couldn't state it too bluntly, as that might cause aversion, so Lu Jiuzhang deliberately beat around the bush.

"Hahaha, of course you can," Manager Zhao laughed. "It's almost noon, let's have a meal together. Someone will bring the food over shortly."

Manager Zhao had always been very gentle toward Lu Jiuzhang, harboring a special affection for him as well.

The two chatted until the noon meal was delivered.

The food was provided by a famous inn in Anxi Prefecture, and the dishes were exceptionally lavish.

Looking at the large table full of food before him, Lu Jiuzhang couldn't help asking, "Do you always eat such a massive spread for your meals?"

"Is it a lot?" Manager Zhao countered. "I can't get used to the food in Anxi Prefecture, so I have them prepare a wider variety and just pick a few dishes I happen to like."

Jingzhao Prefecture was in the south, while Anxi Prefecture was in the north.

The culinary styles of the two regions differed greatly.

It was only natural that she wasn't used to it.

Moreover, Manager Zhao's family in Jingzhao Prefecture was quite prominent, and meals in such grand families were bound to be lavish.

Lu Jiuzhang felt that hitching a ride on this meal was thoroughly worthwhile.

During the meal, Manager Zhao said slowly, "Go ahead and speak. I've been waiting for you to say it, but you kept beating around the bush."

Manager Zhao knew in her heart that Lu Jiuzhang must have a reason for seeking her out.

If there were no business, he certainly wouldn't have come to the Anxi Prefecture Qianji Tower.

Besides, this wasn't the first time, and Manager Zhao had already grown accustomed to it.

She had originally intended to wait for Lu Jiuzhang to bring it up himself, but after waiting for so long, he had only continued to talk about irrelevant things.

"I do indeed have a matter to discuss!" Lu Jiuzhang suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. "I would like to hire a few bodyguards from the Anxi Prefecture Qianji Tower, requiring those of the seventh rank of martial arts or above."

"That's somewhat difficult!"

***

Manager Zhao contemplated for a moment before speaking slowly, "The Qianji Tower is not a escort agency. There aren't many experts within the tower, and most of them are assigned to escort cargo."

"In fact, Anxi Prefecture doesn't dare to gather a large number of martial artists, for fear of being suppressed by the new emperor."

If too many martial artists gathered together, it would inevitably pose a certain threat to the rule of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The new emperor would never allow commercial associations to command an excessive number of experts.

The martial artists in Qianji Tower were kept strictly within reasonable limits.

"Not too many, two or three will suffice," Lu Jiuzhang added. "Moreover, I only need them for half a day. Don't worry, I will pay in silver."

"Since Shucheng has put it that way, how could I possibly refuse?"

Manager Zhao nodded. "Among those who accompanied me to the Anxi Prefecture Qianji Tower this time, there is a martial artist of the sixth rank who has always remained by my side. After I entered the Anxi Prefecture Qianji Tower, he was also assigned to the tower's guard unit."

"He can stay by your side and ensure your safety."

"As for other martial artists of the seventh rank, they are somewhat hard to spare; I can allocate at most two."

Guards of the seventh rank of martial arts were not abundant in the Anxi Prefecture Qianji Tower.

Being able to spare two was already quite remarkable.

"Many thanks, Miss Yuru!" Lu Jiuzhang cupped his fists in gratitude.

His mission to the Qianji Tower was already accomplished.

"As for the silver, those two seventh-rank martial guards will cost five thousand taels of silver for half a day's work. As for the sixth-rank bodyguard, never mind that; I have the authority to deploy him directly," Manager Zhao said.

"Here are the silver notes for five thousand taels." Lu Jiuzhang retrieved the five thousand-tael silver notes from his spatial ring and handed them to Manager Zhao.

To outsiders, these five thousand taels of silver would represent an astronomical sum.

Yet in Manager Zhao's eyes, it was merely trivial.

"There is one thing I find somewhat puzzling, Shucheng. Since you hold the token of the proprietor of the [Yingtian Restaurant], are you still afraid of someone ambushing you here in Anxi Prefecture?" Manager Zhao asked.

A token?

Lu Jiuzhang recalled the scene when he had run into Manager Zhao at the [Beimu Dao Hall] that day.

It seemed she mistakenly believed he had the backing of the [Yingtian Restaurant], which was why she had been exceptionally polite to him.

For a moment, Lu Jiuzhang felt a twinge of disappointment.

He had originally hoped it was due to his own personal charm!

Taking a deep breath, Lu Jiuzhang explained, "Some identities are best not made public, so as to avoid drawing unnecessary trouble."