Volume One: Menial Duties in Changshui County Chapter Twenty-One: More Than Friends

Page 1 of 3

“Chen Xuanfeng, a martial artist of the eighth rank, once served in the Northern Garrison Army. In his early years, he had already reached the ninth rank in martial arts within that army, and later, thanks to certain connections, he was transferred to the Demon Slayers’ Division, taking up the position of Demon Slayer Guard in the Northern Foothills Commandery.”
“He stayed with the Demon Slayers in the Northern Foothills for a year, then broke through to the eighth rank. After that, he was posted to Changshui County—one could call it a promotion—as Deputy Commissioner!”
“The reason he is the chief suspect is that, while the Commissioner and the other Deputy Commissioners of the Demon Slayers’ Division in Changshui are all locals, Chen Xuanfeng alone has spent time in the Northern Foothills.”
“The letter in question was intercepted in the Northern Foothills. Given Chen Xuanfeng’s connections there, it’s likely that some high-ranking figure from the Northern Foothills gave the order, instructing him to eliminate your elder brother, Lu Huaigu.”
“Moreover, it was Chen Xuanfeng who dispatched your brother to Yanbei Mountain at that time. And that time you were ambushed, Chen Xuanfeng arrived suspiciously late—all of which speaks volumes.”
Miss Muyun gave her analysis in a few simple words.

Lu Jiuzhang had to agree with her reasoning.
Chen Xuanfeng was deeply involved and needed to be watched closely.
“I have another question: why would they want to kill my elder brother over a single letter?” Lu Huaigu asked, puzzled. “Even if there was a motive for murder, why use such methods?”
To lure Lu Huaigu to Yanbei Mountain before killing him seemed needlessly elaborate.
And to wait until Lu Jiuzhang had joined the Demon Slayers’ Division before making a move—
If Lu Jiuzhang had never joined, remaining an ordinary man, wouldn’t it have been easier to kill him?

“That puzzles me as well,”
Miss Muyun shook her head. “The ‘Capital Blood Corpse Case’ of those years was not as simple as it appeared. Some used the opportunity to purge their rivals and suppress opposing factions.”
“Someone in the Northern Foothills must have benefited from that bloody incident—using it to achieve their own aims. Those who wanted your brother dead are likely among them, or perhaps their descendants. They don’t want anyone reopening the investigation.”
“As for why they chose such elaborate means to kill your brother, and to target you, it’s probably due to the great influence of the Earth League. With so much of their power hidden, making an obvious move would only provoke the League to intervene.”
“Of course, this is merely my conjecture. There are still many unexplained points—things might be far more complicated than I can see.”
Miss Muyun did not pretend certainty, for she couldn’t be sure herself.
The mastermind behind the plot had never been uncovered, a testament to their cunning.
And those who benefited from the political struggles of that year were not simple people either; to dare to mix private interest into the former emperor’s decrees required both deep calculation and great resolve.

At that moment, beneath a sky dark with storm clouds, both Lu Jiuzhang and Miss Muyun seemed like a lone boat adrift on the vast sea, unable to protect themselves, unable to find their way back to shore.
They could only drift with the winds, doing their best to shield their frail lives against the raging storm.

…

Lu Jiuzhang, at last, understood something of what happened in those years; the confusion was lifting.

As he was about to leave Miss Muyun’s private residence, she called him back. “Weren’t you curious about the true relationship between me and your elder brother?”

Page 2 of 3

“We were only friends. But had I known he would die, perhaps things might have gone further than friendship.”
Miss Muyun’s words hung in the air, enigmatic and incomplete.

Her full name was Li Muyun—a melodious name.
Her own life had been marked by hardship.
Now, she was about to leave Changshui County and set out for Anxi Prefecture.

As Lu Jiuzhang left the Red Delight House, he caught sight of a familiar face.
He was about to slip away quietly when that acquaintance called to him in a low voice, “Brother Lu!”

“Brother Wang!”
Lu Jiuzhang had no choice but to steel himself and walk over.

This acquaintance was Wang Yunshan, who, it seemed, had sneaked into the Red Delight House for some clandestine pleasure.

“Brother Lu, I didn’t expect to find you sneaking about here as well. Looks like we’re kindred spirits!” Wang Yunshan laughed. “I didn’t see you in the main hall just now—were you in some beauty’s chamber in the back?”
“Tsk, tsk, could it have been Miss Muyun?”

Since he had been discovered, Lu Jiuzhang did not bother to deny it, and nodded.

“What the—so it really was Miss Muyun?”
Wang Yunshan was beside himself. “What kind of luck do you brothers have? First your elder brother, now you, both welcomed into Miss Muyun’s boudoir? I’m green with envy!”

Wang Yunshan was truly jealous.
Back when Lu Huaigu was alive, he would often find his way into Miss Muyun’s private quarters for no apparent reason.
Now that Lu Huaigu was gone, Lu Jiuzhang seemed to have inherited the habit.
Truly, brothers of the same blood!

“Brother Wang, what keeps you out so late tonight?”
Lu Jiuzhang changed the subject, throwing the question back at Wang Yunshan.

“Oh, just needed some relaxation.”
Wang Yunshan grinned sheepishly.
He had attended Lu Huaigu’s funeral that day, and after returning to the Demon Slayers’ Division when it was over, he had come straight to the Red Delight House.

Page 3 of 3

What could he do? Today provided the perfect excuse to fool his wife—
He could simply say that, after the funeral, everyone had gathered to drink and reminisce about Lu Huaigu.
How often did such opportunities arise? Naturally, he couldn’t let it slip by!

“Oh? Then perhaps tomorrow I’ll ask Sister-in-law what she thinks of that,” Lu Jiuzhang said with a sly smile.

“Hey, Brother Lu, you can’t just throw me under the carriage like that!”
Wang Yunshan panicked.
If his wife found out, there would be hell to pay.

“I’m a spontaneous sort,” Lu Jiuzhang replied, “If one day my tongue slips and I mention it to your wife, well, who can say?”

“Alright, I get your drift. Next time, I’ll find a way to bring you along for some fun myself—how about that?”
Wang Yunshan was resigned.
Now he owed Lu Jiuzhang a favor.

Truly, only a bachelor could understand the freedom of a bachelor.
He, on the other hand, was kept on a tight leash by his wife, while Lu Jiuzhang was the very image of carefree living!

Last time, he had only treated Lu Jiuzhang to some music and song at a brothel.
Next time, he’d have to dig deeper into his pockets, at the very least arranging for Lu Jiuzhang to have a more intimate encounter with one of the Red Delight House’s girls—perhaps even an encounter of the closest kind.
Listening to music in a brothel was cheap; intimacy was another matter entirely!
If he were to indulge alone, he’d probably have to go twice just to catch up!

“Brother Wang, you’d better get home and rest now. If your wife asks me, don’t worry—I’ll be sure to take your side.” Lu Jiuzhang nodded in satisfaction.

If Wang Yunshan was going to use Lu Huaigu’s name as an excuse to deceive his own wife, Lu Jiuzhang felt he should at least charge some interest.

“Many thanks, Brother Lu!”
Wang Yunshan offered a somewhat embarrassed salute.

With that, the two men parted, each returning to his own home.