Volume One: Menial Worker of Changshui County Chapter 85: The Crime One Seeks to Impose

Twenty li is not far.
With Lu Jiuzhang's speed, he could cover the distance in about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn.
However, considering the pace of most of the menial workers, none of the martial artists who had reached a certain rank used their full strength.
Around seventeen or eighteen li into the journey, Director Xue gave the order to rest.
Soon, they would be heading straight up the mountain, and after such a long march, everyone was exhausted; it would be detrimental to the upcoming battle.
Lu Jiuzhang sat on a large stone to catch his breath.
Beside him were six or seven menial workers.
Some of them looked unfamiliar, likely from Nanwu County.
After sitting, they began to chat.
"Brother, I noticed that our Director Song seems to have some friction with Director Zhong from Changshui County," one of the workers remarked.
"Of course there's friction!" replied the man next to him. "Back in the day, Director Song and the previous director of the Demon-Slaying Division in Changshui County went on a demon eradication mission together. On the way, the previous director from Changshui County found himself in danger, and Director Song tried to save him."
"But the other party didn't appreciate it! In the end, Director Song went into danger with him."
"And as you all saw, the previous director from Changshui County died, and Director Song was left with a scar on his face."
"Later, Director Zhong of Changshui County's Demon-Slaying Division started to suspect Director Song of treachery, always making things difficult for him."
Hearing this explanation, the group finally understood, and promptly began to criticize Zhong Zhengming together.
"This Director Zhong is really ungrateful! Director Song saved their man, yet he repaid kindness with resentment."
"It's more than just ungrateful; it's like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, unable to recognize a good person."
"Right, it seems all those from Changshui County's Demon-Slaying Division are treacherous and ungrateful."
"..."
Their curses grew ever more spirited.
Noticing the unfriendly glances of Changshui County's Demon-Slaying Division workers nearby, they quickly lowered their voices.
Lu Jiuzhang merely smiled, saying nothing.
Everyone has their own justification.
The people from Changshui County believed themselves to be right, and thought the Nanwu County folk were full of scheming.
Nanwu County's people thought themselves decent, and saw the Changshui County group as ungrateful wretches.
Two camps, worlds apart in ideals and beliefs.
But what really happened, only those involved truly knew.
"Damn you, how dare you speak ill of our Director Zhong!"

Someone could no longer hold back. He jumped up, pointing at the Nanwu County workers and cursing, "Look at your monkey-faced, sharp-mouthed appearance; how dare you speak of Director Zhong?"
"There are no good people in Nanwu County, just a bunch of schemers. If I don't mention you, you should be grateful, yet you dare speak of Director Zhong?"
With those words, it was as if a powder keg had been tipped over.
"Who are you calling schemers? A bunch of ungrateful petty men! What's wrong with criticizing Director Zhong? If you have guts, let's settle it with a fight!"
The Nanwu County men, unwilling to be insulted, shot back.
In an instant, the two sides squared off, a fight about to erupt.
"Is this really necessary?"
Director Xue shook his head.
Even though Director Zhong had said, if bullied, fight back,
Director Xue still did not want the matter to escalate, lest it harm Zhong Zhengming's prospects.
Miss this opportunity, and to seek promotion, they would have to look elsewhere.
There were only so many positions, and countless people were eyeing that spot. Miss this chance, and it would be difficult.
"Silence!"
Director Xue shouted, fixing his gaze on a black-clad figure in the distance.
That man was Nanwu County's Deputy Director, accompanying the team.
In exchange, Yuan Wufeng had gone to the other team.
So, both squads were led by two or three martial artists of the eighth rank.
It was clear that Director Xue led this group, and though many from Nanwu County were present, Changshui County's Demon-Slaying Division workers made up the majority.
"On this demon eradication mission, no matter what conflicts arise, the monsters must be slain before anything else," Director Xue thundered. "If you let your disputes delay the task, who among you can bear the consequences?"
With that angry shout, everyone barely suppressed their anger.
...
On the other side, not far away, was the resting place of the other squad.
While Director Xue's team was embroiled in conflict, so too was this one.
As if it had been agreed upon, the people from Changshui County and Nanwu County squared off against each other.
Nanwu County had a larger population, and boasted one more eighth-rank martial artist than Changshui County.
Here, though a Deputy Director from Nanwu County’s Demon-Slaying Division was present, another Demon-Slaying Officer from Nanwu County was also an eighth-rank martial artist.
Yuan Wufeng found himself in a difficult situation.
Facing two eighth-rank martial artists at once was no easy task.

If only Chen Xuanfeng were here; not only was he strong, but his temper was fierce—he would fight at the slightest provocation.
Under the watchful gaze of those two eighth-rank martial artists, Yuan Wufeng barked at the Changshui County workers who had started the conflict, "Apologize!"
"Director Yuan, they were speaking ill of Director Zhong,"
The reprimanded men protested, hoping Yuan Wufeng would stand up for them.
"You fools! Did I hear any slander? It was clearly just friendly conversation. Who’s spreading divisive nonsense? If you keep it up, do you believe I’ll punish you right here and now?"
Yuan Wufeng scowled, scolding them.
"Apologize!"
He ordered the men to apologize to Nanwu County’s group.
"To hell with you, Yuan Wufeng, you cowardly woman! I’ve been fed up with you for ages," one of the Changshui County workers retorted, full of spirit. "They’re already humiliating us, and you want us to apologize?"
"Screw them! Those Nanwu County bastards need a lesson."
He charged forward.
The others shouted in unison, "Get them!"
Chaos erupted instantly, as Changshui County and Nanwu County workers mixed together, fighting and beating one another.
"Enough! Stop this nonsense!"
Yuan Wufeng was frantic, shouting at his own men, "At this critical moment, how can you start a brawl? You disobedient little fools, just wait till we get back—see how I deal with you."
Then, Yuan Wufeng looked at Nanwu County’s leader, Director Bai, giving him a sheepish smile, "My subordinates are unruly, Director Bai, forgive the embarrassment. Let’s stop this fight at once."
"Stop the fight? That never crossed my mind."
Director Bai from Nanwu County smiled cheerfully at Yuan Wufeng. "I’ve heard you’ve insulted our Director Song in private. Is that true?"
"Nonsense, never happened!" Yuan Wufeng panicked, stammering defensively, "I greatly admire Director Song—please don’t believe the slander of petty men."
To accuse is easy when one seeks to condemn.
As Yuan Wufeng tried to defend himself, he had already lost.
The other side had made their intention clear—they wanted to provoke discord.
"To hell with you, Yuan Wufeng, you useless coward!"
Just as Yuan Wufeng was about to argue, someone behind him landed a vicious kick.