Volume One: Menial Worker of Changshui County Chapter Seventy-Nine: Remarrying with a Child

“Ahem...”

Early in the morning, just as Lu Jiuzhang was about to leave the house, he saw the big yellow dog lying by the wall.

“I’m going to the Demon Slayers’ Division. You stay at home,” Lu Jiuzhang said. “I thought it over last night—I'll give you the remaining half of the spirit stone as well, so you can achieve success in your cultivation sooner.”

The yellow dog seemed a little embarrassed. It had absorbed most of the spirit stones last night and had already broken through to the ninth rank of the demon path. Thinking how Lu Jiuzhang was still only at the ninth rank of the martial path, the dog felt even more awkward.

At this moment, the yellow fur on the dog’s body had faded, turning somewhat black.

Lu Jiuzhang accepted the half spirit stone without hesitation.

“Don’t worry. As long as I have food to eat, you’ll at least have soup,” Lu Jiuzhang said, touched, as he patted the dog’s head.

…

Arriving at the Demon Slayers’ Division, Lu Jiuzhang made his way directly to the martial training grounds.

“Bang!”

He drew his blade and struck the stone stele with a single slash.

The blade sank an inch into the stone!

This meant Lu Jiuzhang’s strength had reached the eighth rank of the martial path. This was also thanks to the enhancement from being at the ninth rank of the scholar path. Although the ninth scholar rank was weak, it still offered some strengthening of the body.

At this point, Lu Jiuzhang could be considered a pseudo-eighth rank martial artist. Only when he truly stepped into the eighth rank of the martial path would he be a true master of that level.

Soon, Zhou Cheng arrived at the training grounds. Lu Jiuzhang pretended to be unconcerned, left the stele, and found a quiet corner to practice his swordplay. Zhou Cheng was focused on his own training and didn’t notice the mark left on the stele. If he had, he might have started to question his own life choices.

“Bang, bang, bang…”

Suddenly, a drum sounded loudly.

This was the warning signal to gather everyone.

Lu Jiuzhang and Zhou Cheng hurried to the main hall. By the time they arrived, most people were already there.

Hundreds of menial members of the Demon Slayers’ Division had assembled.

Something had happened.

Lu Jiuzhang was puzzled. Since joining the Division, it was the first time he had seen so many menials gathered at once.

“It must be something big,” Zhou Cheng whispered. “Looks like the whole Division is going out together.”

“Ahem...” A cough sounded from the front.

Zhong Zhengming stepped before the crowd, sweeping his gaze over them. “The purpose of the Demon Slayers’ Division is to subdue demons and protect the peace of the land. News has just come in—monsters have appeared at the border of Nanwu County.”

“According to the orders from the Anxi Prefecture Demon Slayers’ Division, the Changshui County Division is to head to the border and join forces with the Nanwu County Division to eliminate the demons together.”

“This mission will take some time. Go home and pack your things—we depart in half a day.”

At these words, everyone felt a trace of fear.

What kind of monster could force two counties’ Demon Slayers’ Divisions to mobilize together?

The Changshui County Division alone had several eighth-rank martial experts. With Nanwu County’s, there would be nearly ten. Such a force was no small matter!

…

He’d only just joined the Division and now had to return home.

As soon as Lu Jiuzhang entered his house, he noticed the yellow fur on the big dog was completely gone—it had all turned brownish black.

He couldn’t call it the big yellow dog anymore; now it was the big black dog.

“What happened?” Lu Jiuzhang asked the dog.

“Last night, after breaking into the ninth rank of the demon path, my appearance changed a bit,” the big black dog replied. “There may be more changes in a few days—don’t worry, it’s nothing serious!”

The big black dog tried to reassure Lu Jiuzhang.

“What am I worried about? I’m not afraid. It just feels odd for you to suddenly turn from yellow to black,” Lu Jiuzhang said casually, then went back to his room to pack.

This was his first time traveling far since arriving in this world, and he needed to be well prepared.

“Woof—Human, you’re going out?” the big black dog asked.

“I’ll be away for a few days. Stay quietly in the yard. Wait for me to return and don’t go wandering. If you get caught and stewed, don’t blame me,” Lu Jiuzhang replied.

“Woof… Human, I don’t like the way you put that. I advise you to rephrase it,” the big black dog grumbled.

Stewed? Wasn’t that a curse?

He was a divine beast, after all!

“Oh? How should I rephrase it?” Lu Jiuzhang tapped the hilt of his blade at his waist. “And what’s this ‘human’ business? I don’t like it. I’ll give you one chance to try again, or I’ll have dog meat for dinner tonight!”

“Woof... Lu Jiuzhang, you’ve gone too far!”

The big black dog lunged at him.

Lu Jiuzhang sidestepped and punched the dog in the belly.

This was a weak spot for demons, but his fist felt as if it had struck stone.

“Woof... That hurt like hell!” the big black dog yelped as he was knocked flying.

Unlike the previous night, when he’d been sent rolling several yards, this time he simply fell from the air.

So tough?

Lu Jiuzhang was a little surprised.

The big black dog had only just entered the demon path, yet his physical toughness nearly matched Lu Jiuzhang’s own, who was close to the eighth rank in the martial path.

“I’ll take you along this time,” Lu Jiuzhang decided after some thought.

With such impressive defense, the big black dog could serve as a punching bag—and might even protect him in a critical moment.

“Woof… Now that’s what I like to hear! Bring plenty of food. I have a big appetite. No vegetarian fare—I want meat,” the big black dog added.

…

After a few more quips, Lu Jiuzhang went in to finish packing.

By noon, having gotten everything ready, he stopped by Zhao Chan’er’s house to say a few words.

First, he urged her not to bring meals to the Demon Slayers’ Division anymore.

Second, he told the girl to take good care of herself.

Upon hearing Lu Jiuzhang was heading out on a long journey, Zhao Chan’er was extremely worried, her eyes filled with concern and reluctance.

“Second Young Master Lu, why not delay your departure by a day and handle your business first?” Aunt Zhao suggested. “If, heaven forbid, you die out there, our Chan’er could at least bear you a son.”

What the…?

Lu Jiuzhang had just wished the big black dog dead, only to have someone now curse him as well.

If you can’t say something nice, don’t speak at all.

His face darkened. “Don’t worry, Aunt Zhao. I’ll return safely. There are several martial experts from the Division—at the eighth rank. Dealing with a few monsters will be easy enough.”

“It’s getting late. I should go.”

He cupped his hands in farewell and turned toward the Demon Slayers’ Division.

As Lu Jiuzhang walked away, Zhao Chan’er protested, “Mother, how could you say that? How can you curse Brother Lu to die?”

“You silly child, you don’t understand,” Aunt Zhao replied. “Think about it: if you were pregnant with Lu Jiuzhang’s child, and with his official post, the compensation would be considerable—at least several hundred taels of silver. Then, when you remarry with the child, you’d get another bride price. That’s double the money!”

“And if you don’t want to keep the child, that’s fine. I can raise it for you, and you can live in your new home, focused on your husband and family...”