Volume One: Menial Tasks in Changshui County Chapter Sixty-Nine: Fondness for Married Women

April 6th.

Year of Renyin, month of Yisi, day of Jiwei.

Auspicious for burials and mourning, with no taboos.

At dawn, Lu Jiuzhang set out for the Demon-Slaying Bureau.

Passing by Madam Zhao’s door, she greeted him warmly, “Lu, nephew, why haven’t I seen you these past few days?”

“Things have been busy at the Demon-Slaying Bureau,” Lu Jiuzhang replied, making an excuse.

“The Bureau is important, but your health matters too. Don’t wear yourself out so young,” Madam Zhao said with a smile. “Our Chan’er has been wanting to visit you lately.”

“It’s best if Chan’er stays home quietly, Madam Zhao. Girls should not be wandering about,” Lu Jiuzhang answered offhandedly, then hurried on his way.

Arriving at the Bureau, he glanced about the office, but saw no sign of Wang Yunshan’s men.

Could it be that last night’s revelry left him too weakened to come today?

The young must mind their health; the women at the pleasure houses are as fierce as tigers and wolves—far too dangerous!

His old friend might well have been drained dry.

…

Returning to the training grounds, Zhou Cheng was already practicing.

“Demon-Slaying Guard Lu, you stole some leisure last night. You must make up for it today. Chief Chen was just here, asking after you,” Zhou Cheng said.

“Thank you, Chief Chen and Master Zhou, for your concern!” Lu Jiuzhang replied, bowing. “I will work diligently today.”

No matter what, it was best to keep up the pace.

Soon, Lu Jiuzhang would be able to cut eight or even nine parts deep into the stone tablet.

Though he benefited from his sword and scholarly cultivation, his martial skills had also advanced greatly.

If he met that fox demon again, he would no longer be afraid.

And so, Lu Jiuzhang immersed himself in training until the day’s end.

He visited the office several times, but still saw no sign of Wang Yunshan.

He asked his colleagues, but they too had no idea where Wang Yunshan had gone—only that there seemed to be something amiss with his family.

As for what was amiss, the man stopped speaking, only giving a strange smile.

Lu Jiuzhang resolved to check in after work.

Leaving the Bureau’s gate, he ran into Chen Xuanfeng.

The two walked together for a stretch.

Walking beside his superior, Lu Jiuzhang felt immense pressure.

He was about to find an excuse to leave when Chen Xuanfeng spoke first, “Walk with me a while.”

Lu Jiuzhang had no choice but to follow beside Chen Xuanfeng.

“These days, I have been investigating your elder brother’s death,” Chen Xuanfeng said slowly. “The cause is indeed strange. I was at his side that day—he did not die of poison, but rather…”

For a moment, Chen Xuanfeng could not find the right word.

“His body was flushed red, like a furnace, radiating heat. His skin cracked and dried, his moisture drained away, and he shriveled up entirely.”

“His death was so tragic that I burned his corpse.”

Chen Xuanfeng continued, “Thinking back, I suspect his death was connected to a Gu master.”

A Gu master?

Another bizarre figure had appeared?

Last time it was a shaman, now a Gu master.

All signs pointed to this matter being extraordinary.

“Did you notice anything at the time, Master Chen?” Lu Jiuzhang asked.

“No. Gu masters are extremely rare, even less so than shamans, and are found only in the Ten-Thousand Mountains of the southern frontier,” Chen Xuanfeng replied. “I spent most of my time in the northern border army and know little of Gu masters, only that they exist.”

“As for the mastermind, I have a rough guess. To mobilize shamans or Gu masters, there are only a few in Anxi Prefecture who could do so. There are more powerful figures in North Ridge County, but such people would not bother with a minor figure like you.”

“Most likely, a big shot from North Ridge gave the order, a notable from Anxi executed it, and someone from Changshui County cooperated.”

“I suspect the collaborator in Changshui was Yuan Wufeng, though he had an alibi that day. If any others had acted, I would have noticed.”

“That, then, is the most puzzling part.”

Chen Xuanfeng had spent this time reviewing the case files and had uncovered some clues.

“Chief Chen, could you tell me the names of those notable figures in Anxi Prefecture, so I can prepare myself?” Lu Jiuzhang asked, bowing.

Chen Xuanfeng’s guess was accurate.

Most likely, a powerful figure in Anxi had orchestrated everything.

Knowing the enemy’s strength would help Lu Jiuzhang prepare.

“It’s too soon for you to know,” Chen Xuanfeng said. “Focus on your cultivation. I’ve asked Chief Zhong to hurry back and help you deal with the trouble from Magistrate Wang.”

Magistrate Wang was not easily dealt with.

Only the ruthless could rise to such a position.

“Thank you, Chief Chen.”

Lu Jiuzhang bowed again.

“No need for formalities. You were once part of the Crown Prince’s faction—really, we’re all in the same boat, just helping each other survive,” Chen Xuanfeng said. “My house is nearby, so I’ll head off.”

With a brief farewell, Chen Xuanfeng departed.

Lu Jiuzhang bowed, watching him go. When he was out of sight, Lu Jiuzhang finally moved on.

Chen Xuanfeng’s words were sound, but what puzzled Lu Jiuzhang was why he helped him.

Lu Jiuzhang did not buy the idea of shared faction.

So many years had passed, any relationship would have faded, and besides, his father and Chen Xuanfeng were not close!

…

After a short walk, Lu Jiuzhang arrived at Wang Yunshan’s door.

Knocking loudly, he called, “Brother Wang, are you home? Sister-in-law, are you there?”

The door creaked open, and Sister-in-law came out.

Seeing Lu Jiuzhang, she changed to a smiling face, “Come in!”

“Sister-in-law, is Brother Wang home? If not, I won’t come in,” Lu Jiuzhang said, smiling awkwardly.

A man and a woman alone in a room was a grave taboo.

Lu Jiuzhang had no taste for married women.

“He’s here, come in,” Sister-in-law replied warmly.

Hearing this, Lu Jiuzhang was relieved and entered Wang Yunshan’s house.

The place was tidy and well-kept—clearly, Sister-in-law was diligent in her housekeeping.

“Where’s Brother Wang?” Lu Jiuzhang asked, looking around.

“In the bedroom. Follow me,” Sister-in-law said, leading the way.

Lu Jiuzhang followed with trepidation.

What if Brother Wang was not there?

Then even the truth would be hard to explain.

He quietly stepped back a few paces, keeping his distance.

Reputation was important!

If any misunderstanding arose, he hoped it could be cleared up.

“Old Wang, Master Lu has come to see you!” Sister-in-law called.