Volume One: Menial Servant of Changshui County Chapter Twenty-Nine: One Is Tongue-Tied When Receiving Favors

The responsibility for the wedding had fallen on Wang Yunshan’s shoulders?

Lu Jiuzhang’s heart trembled, and he was immediately filled with guilt—just hours ago, he’d been inwardly complaining about Wang Yunshan. Who would have thought that, in the end, Wang Yunshan would be the one to arrange his marriage?

A wedding was no small expense; just the betrothal gifts and the banquet alone would be a considerable undertaking.

If Lu Jiuzhang were an ordinary man, it would be nothing—perhaps just a few taels of silver would suffice for the whole affair.

But now that he was a government official, how could it be done without at least several dozen taels? At the very least, the wedding had to match his status!

Thinking of the cost Wang Yunshan would bear on his behalf, Lu Jiuzhang felt deeply moved.

“Brother Wang, I really don't know what to say!” Lu Jiuzhang cupped his hands in gratitude. “I prefer someone a bit more mature, though not too mature, best if she’s curvy—”

“What are you talking about? Curvy? I meant, if I use this as an excuse for your sister-in-law, do you think she’d believe it?” Wang Yunshan interrupted.

What the—!

Lu Jiuzhang wanted to punch him. Just when he was touched, it turned out to be another excuse!

“Believe what?!” Lu Jiuzhang snapped. Then, face dark, he turned and left, ignoring Wang Yunshan altogether.

…

Back home, Lu Jiuzhang didn’t idle. He continued his cultivation, sitting cross-legged and absorbing the ambient spiritual energy.

These past few days, he had managed to draw in spiritual energy from nearly twenty meters around him. His progress was swift; soon, he could probably extend his reach to thirty, even forty meters.

The wider the range, the faster the absorption, and the process of tempering his body would be greatly shortened.

He didn’t sleep all night, yet by dawn, Lu Jiuzhang was full of vigor.

Such was the benefit of body refinement and cultivation.

Upon arriving at the Demon Slayers’ Bureau, Lu Jiuzhang encountered Zhou Cheng at the entrance.

“Master Zhou!” Lu Jiuzhang greeted him with respect.

“How has your cultivation been these past few days?” Zhou Cheng asked.

“I feel like my progress has quickened—I think it's starting to show results,” Lu Jiuzhang replied.

“Good. When you have the time, go test your strength in the training grounds. If you can muster two hundred kilograms of force, that will be proof of your progress,” Zhou Cheng instructed.

“Master Zhou, is there any way to cultivate even faster?” Lu Jiuzhang pressed, eager to grow stronger.

“In the way of cultivation, one must not rush or be fickle,” Zhou Cheng cautioned. “There is a way, but the price is steep. If you boil certain spiritual herbs in water and then immerse yourself while cultivating, it will be twice as effective with half the effort.”

“But even the poorest quality herbs cost dozens of taels of silver.”

…

“Your monthly salary is only a few taels; you can’t possibly afford such an expense!”

Dozens of taels—certainly not cheap.

Lu Jiuzhang currently had about a hundred and twenty taels to his name, but he didn’t know how much that would buy.

…

After their conversation, Lu Jiuzhang returned to Zhou Cheng’s study to cultivate, while Zhou Cheng went to the training grounds.

Recently, apart from a visit to a brothel to listen to music the previous night, Lu Jiuzhang had devoted almost all his time to absorbing spiritual energy.

The sooner he reached the ninth rank of martial cultivation, the sooner he’d have the means to protect himself.

Each time he cultivated, he became completely absorbed in the process.

Knock, knock, knock…

He didn’t know how long had passed before a sudden knocking at the door interrupted him.

Creak…

Lu Jiuzhang opened the door to find Wang Yunshan standing outside.

Wang Yunshan’s face was full of curiosity. He peered inside, and when he saw only Lu Jiuzhang and not Zhou Cheng, his expression became one of disappointment.

“Brother Wang, what’s with that look on your face?” Lu Jiuzhang asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just see you going into Master Zhou’s room every day and thought there was something special between you two!” Wang Yunshan explained.

What the—!

Lu Jiuzhang wanted to curse. Did everyone at the Demon Slayers’ Bureau think he and Zhou Cheng had some improper relationship?

If so, his reputation would be ruined.

He realized he shouldn’t frequent Zhou Cheng’s study so often. But if he didn’t, he couldn’t cultivate in the office, and wasting an entire day seemed unbearable.

“Brother Wang, you can joke about many things, but not this!” Lu Jiuzhang said, face darkening.

“Heh, just teasing you,” Wang Yunshan chuckled awkwardly. “By the way, there’s someone looking for you outside the Bureau’s main gate.”

“For me? Who?” Lu Jiuzhang was puzzled.

He had few acquaintances in Changshui County; who would come looking for him at midday?

“It looks like that girl from your neighbor’s house. She dresses plainly, but she’s quite pretty,” Wang Yunshan grinned. “She’s much better than your sister-in-law. If you like her, you should arrange the engagement soon. There’s no rush for the formal wedding, but it could be set in advance! In a couple of years, when the girl has matured, you can marry her and have a couple of strapping sons!”

Lu Jiuzhang shot Wang Yunshan a look—this suggestion was entirely unreliable.

He wasn’t about to rush into marriage and fatherhood.

Bidding Wang Yunshan farewell, Lu Jiuzhang made his way to the main gate of the Demon Slayers’ Bureau.

The temperature was rising, and Zhao Chan’er’s clothing had grown lighter.

The thinner fabric only accentuated her figure.

She was indeed a pretty girl. If she were a few years older, she would be perfect.

Ahem, ahem…

Lu Jiuzhang coughed twice.

Zhao Chan’er turned and, upon seeing him, ran joyfully over.

“Brother Lu, you haven’t eaten lunch yet, have you? My mother made this for you and sent me to bring it!” Zhao Chan’er said excitedly.

Since Lu Jiuzhang had become a menial at the Demon Slayers’ Bureau, Madam Zhao’s attitude toward him had warmed considerably.

It seemed she already regarded him as a son-in-law.

This made Lu Jiuzhang feel a bit embarrassed, for he had no such feelings for Zhao Chan’er.

He opened the food box and found the meal to be quite substantial: one meat dish, three vegetable dishes, and a bowl of soup.

The soup hadn’t spilled—a clear sign that Zhao Chan’er had carried it with great care.

“Thank your mother for me when you go back,” Lu Jiuzhang said.

Since she’d brought it, he accepted; having her carry it back would be troublesome.

“Brother Lu, my mother’s cooking is delicious!” Zhao Chan’er beamed. “She said that if you like it, I can bring you lunch every day!”

Every day?

This…

Lu Jiuzhang hurriedly waved his hands. “No need for such courtesy, we’re all neighbors here.”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

If he liked Zhao Chan’er, it would be fine to accept her food every day—but the truth was, he had no interest in her, which made things awkward.