Volume One: Menial Servant in Changshui County Chapter Seven: The Coldness of the World

“Brother Wang!”

As soon as the door opened, Lu Jiuzhang greeted him.

“Brother Lu, I’ve finally caught up with you,” Wang Yunshan complained the moment he stepped inside. “I came to your house an hour ago, waited and waited, but you never returned.”

“I had some business to attend to,” Lu Jiuzhang explained, then asked, “It’s about time for a meal. Have you eaten, Brother Wang?”

“I did. When you didn’t come back for so long, your neighbor was quite hospitable—invited me in, gave me a good meal and drink,” Wang Yunshan replied.

It must have been Aunt Zhao next door who played the host.

She wouldn’t be so welcoming to ordinary folks—unless she was taking his official status into account.

“As long as you’ve eaten.” Lu Jiuzhang nodded—since a neighbor had already served him, he was spared the hassle of cooking. He could just make do with something simple for himself later.

“I’m here on behalf of the Demon Slaying Bureau,” Wang Yunshan said. “Director Chen specifically asked me to tell you—joining the Bureau was your elder brother’s last wish. When your brother died, Director Chen saw the tragedy himself and worried you’d be even more distraught if you saw the body.”

“That’s why the body wasn’t brought back. It was cremated on the spot, and only the ashes returned.”

“As for the rumors about poisoning, that’s nonsense. Director Chen can vouch for it.”

“I trust Director Chen’s character.”

“He wants you to join the Bureau because your brother’s death was so tragic, and you’re all alone now. If the Bureau didn’t take you in, you’d probably never find a wife, and your family line would end.”

What the hell!

What kind of talk is this?

Did they really think so little of him? Unable to marry at all? He’d crossed worlds, after all—he might not be doing exceedingly well, but surely he could at least find a wife?

A lifetime as a bachelor would be an insult.

Still, this did suggest there was something fishy about the Demon Slaying Bureau’s eagerness to recruit him.

Otherwise, why be so insistent?

As for Wang Yunshan, he was a straightforward fellow—easily swayed by Director Chen’s words.

In the eyes of the Bureau, Lu Jiuzhang was as insignificant as an ant.

If he refused again, the Bureau would probably resort to more forceful measures.

Refusing meant death; joining might buy him some time—perhaps things would turn around.

At that thought, Lu Jiuzhang looked at Wang Yunshan. “Brother Wang, I was too stubborn before. Please go back and tell Director Chen I’ve thought it through. I’ll report first thing tomorrow morning.”

“That’s more like it! Once you join, you’re one of us. Tomorrow night, I’ll gather some brothers at the Scarlet Lotus Pavilion and host you,” Wang Yunshan said, clapping him on the shoulder with a laugh.

“Thank you, Brother Wang,” Lu Jiuzhang replied, bowing slightly.

Truth be told, he wasn’t eager to visit such places—but when among others, sometimes you had to go with the flow. If he refused, would they ostracize him? There were plenty of excuses he could use to decline, but he saw no need to look for them. He might as well experience a bit of worldly life—the chaos of the mortal world, after all, was part of cultivation.

Having delivered his message, Wang Yunshan lingered, coughing awkwardly as if he wanted to say something else but was embarrassed.

“Is there something else, Brother Wang? Please, speak freely,” said Lu Jiuzhang.

“Well… I do feel a bit awkward bringing this up,” Wang Yunshan said, looking sheepish. “You know how strict your sister-in-law is—I don’t have any private funds. How am I supposed to host you tomorrow?”

“How about you lend me a few taels of silver? I’ll pay you back when my salary comes in.”

So much for being embarrassed—if he truly was, he wouldn’t have asked.

Inviting Lu Jiuzhang out for revelry, yet asking him to front the money—what kind of logic was that?

“If it’s too much trouble, forget it. Your brother’s pockets are truly empty. I won’t host you tomorrow,” Wang Yunshan said with a bitter laugh.

“Come now, Brother Wang, since you’ve asked, how can I refuse?” Lu Jiuzhang replied. “How much do you need?”

“Not much—just one tael should do,” Wang Yunshan said, holding up a finger.

A single tael was already a generous sum. His monthly salary was only two or three taels, but there were other ways for them to earn, bringing the total to about five taels a month.

They’d spent so much on Lu Huaigu’s burial only because Lu Jiuzhang had chosen top-quality materials.

For ordinary families, a funeral might cost just two or three taels in total.

“That’s too little. Since you’re hosting, it should be lively—let’s spend a bit more. Here, Brother Wang, I’ll lend you more—how about five taels? Let’s spend five taels tomorrow night.”

Lu Jiuzhang smiled. After all, Wang Yunshan would pay him back eventually—he wasn’t worried in the least.

With more money to spend, tomorrow night would certainly be an eye-opener.

It was said the courtesan of the Scarlet Lotus Pavilion was a beauty beyond compare!

One tael probably wouldn’t be enough.

“No, no!” Wang Yunshan quickly waved his hands. “The more I borrow, the more I owe. I still have to turn in my salary to your sister-in-law every month.”

Taking the money from Lu Jiuzhang, Wang Yunshan finally left.

What kind of entertainment could one tael buy?

Lu Jiuzhang shook his head—tomorrow night would probably be a simple affair, just listening to music in a brothel. On reflection, that seemed dull—perhaps it would be better not to go at all.

After Wang Yunshan departed, Lu Jiuzhang prepared to go out once more.

Plans could never keep up with changes—he hadn’t intended to join the Demon Slaying Bureau, but now it seemed inevitable.

This was only the beginning; they had started with soft persuasion.

If he continued to refuse, they would likely turn to force.

If he wouldn’t yield to kindness, then he would have to taste their wrath—only a fool would court such trouble.

First, he would seek out Master Zhou to see if he had any rare books left—anything to strengthen his abilities.

A ninth-grade scholar was rather weak; eighth grade would be better, but reaching seventh grade was the only way to truly protect himself.

The sooner he reached seventh grade, the safer he would be.

He might as well treat himself to a good meal on the way—life was already so perilous, why scrimp now?

If he died suddenly, what good would unspent money do?

…

He locked the door and was just about to leave when his neighbor’s door opened.

Aunt Zhao emerged with a beaming smile. “Lu Erlang, are you heading out?”

Her demeanor had changed completely—she was astonishingly friendly.

“I’m going out to eat,” Lu Jiuzhang replied.

“Oh, what’s the point of eating out? We’re neighbors—just come have a meal at my place! I just finished cooking, and the dishes are still hot,” she said, her tone warm and kind—a stark contrast to her attitude that morning.

“But haven’t you already eaten? When Brother Wang came by earlier, you all…” Lu Jiuzhang began, then suddenly understood.

Wang Yunshan must have told Aunt Zhao about his impending entry into the Demon Slaying Bureau during their meal—otherwise, she would never have been so cordial.