Volume One: Menial Worker of Changshui County Chapter Nine: Joining the Demon-Slaying Bureau

To record certain biographical details, Lu Jiuzhang needed to dictate while the other party wrote it down. However, upon seeing the handwriting, Lu Jiuzhang grew cautious. Finding an excuse to step outside for a moment, he slipped into a secluded corner and compared the writing with the “final letter” left behind by his elder brother, Lu Huaigu. The handwriting was almost identical to that in the letter.

Did this mean that the clerk recording the dossier and the person who wrote the “final letter” were one and the same?

Returning to the room where the dossiers were stored, Lu Jiuzhang finished dictating the remaining matters, collected his token, and left.

“The dossier is also proof of your identity. With demons running rampant—some even able to disguise themselves as humans—if one cannot tell them apart, there could be disastrous consequences. Moreover, the dossier reveals whether your identity is clean or not,” Wang Yunshan explained.

The dossier played a significant role, far beyond what Wang Yunshan mentioned. It was quite similar to the personal files in his previous life.

“Come, let me show you where you’ll be working.” Wang Yunshan led Lu Jiuzhang toward the Fast Response Office.

On the way, Lu Jiuzhang casually asked, “Brother Wang, the writing of that gentleman in charge of the dossiers was quite delicate.”

“You can’t call him ‘brother’; you must address him as ‘sir’,” Wang Yunshan corrected. “His rank is higher than ours, so don’t get too familiar. The Demon-Slaying Bureau’s hierarchy is quite straightforward. There are four ranks: the Chief and Deputy Chief hold the highest positions, equivalent to a Battalion Commander (or Deputy Battalion Commander). Below them are the Centurions, who are the Demon Slayers. There’s no distinction between chief and deputy among the Demon Slayers. Next are the Demon Guards, equivalent to Squad Leaders. Lastly, there are people like us—the menial staff, without any official rank.

“Of course, this only applies to Changshui County. Here, the Chief is just a Battalion Commander. If we were in Anxi Prefecture, the Chief would be equivalent to a Regimental Commander in the army. In Beilu Commandery, the Chief’s authority would be comparable to that of a Captain, an official of the fifth grade.

“That gentleman handling the dossiers is also surnamed Chen and is a distant relative of Chief Chen. He’s at the Demon Guard level, so he’s about the same as a Squad Leader.”

Wang Yunshan gave a brief overview of the Demon-Slaying Bureau’s hierarchy.

“I understand now!” Lu Jiuzhang replied, feigning sudden realization while subtly extracting information from Wang Yunshan.

Lu Jiuzhang now knew most of the Bureau’s ranking system. It was simple and easy to grasp. Whether it was Lu Huaigu, Wang Yunshan, or himself, they all belonged to the fourth and lowest rank.

Before long, Wang Yunshan brought Lu Jiuzhang to the Fast Response Office.

Though the Demon-Slaying Bureau supposedly had a thousand men, in reality, there were only about three or four hundred, plus several dozen servants and attendants.

The Chief was an eighth-rank martial artist, on the verge of breaking through to the seventh rank. The several Deputy Chiefs were all eighth rank as well. There were ten Demon Slayers in total, all of whom had achieved ranking status. At that level—especially the ninth rank—no ordinary person could stand against them. As for the Demon Guards, most were ordinary people, though even these were extraordinary in some way—either close to achieving a rank themselves or possessed of strength several times that of a normal man. Without some special skill, one couldn’t even dream of holding office.

Most of those in the Fast Response Office were either out on assignment or on leave; only about a hundred or so remained. They gathered in small groups, chatting, playing dice, or gambling at pai gow. With little else to do, they simply passed the time.

“Brother Wang, aren’t you off duty today?” Several people gathered around to greet Wang Yunshan.

“Ah, I’m just here to help a new colleague with his paperwork. This is Lu Jiuzhang, younger brother of Lu Huaigu—we’re all one family here, so take care of him,” Wang Yunshan said.

The moment they heard he was Lu Huaigu’s brother, everyone perked up and gathered around.

“Brother Lu Huaigu was a good man. How could something like this have happened? Heaven truly has no eyes, letting a good man die in vain.”

“Brother Lu, I got along well with your elder brother. If you ever run into trouble, just come to me.”

“That’s right, if you need anything, tell us. We’re not to be trifled with either.”

The crowd was full of high-spirited chatter.

News of Lu Huaigu’s death had already been out for some time. Yet, during this period, none had visited his family to offer condolences or see him off. Now that Lu Jiuzhang had joined the Bureau, their old warmth reignited.

Such was the way of the world. When you stood on the same level as them, you could feel their surface smiles. When you fell below, not even a smile remained—just the chilling indifference of society.

“My elder brother will be laid to rest in a few days. I’d be grateful if all of you could come and accompany him on his final journey,” Lu Jiuzhang said, cupping his hands to those around him. “After all, you worked with my brother for so many years. His last wish was for a lively farewell.”

Lu Jiuzhang lied without batting an eye. Since they were so enthusiastic, it would be remiss not to take advantage.

“Of course, of course.”

“Even if I’m not on leave, I’ll request time off to see him off.”

“No worries, Brother Lu. Your elder and I were as close as brothers; now that he’s gone, I must be there.”

The crowd continued to chime in, each more effusive than the last—though inwardly, they were already cursing Lu Jiuzhang a dozen times over. It was obvious he just wanted some condolence money—why couch it in such roundabout terms? “See him off,” indeed, making it hard for them to refuse.

The entire afternoon, Lu Jiuzhang spent in the Fast Response Office. With nothing important to do, everyone either chatted or gambled. Thanks to Wang Yunshan, Lu Jiuzhang was introduced to many people.

And so, the day slipped by until dusk; it was time to be off duty. In this world, they called it “closing the office” or “dismissing from the yamen.”

Wang Yunshan gathered a few friends, including Lu Jiuzhang, making a party of about seven, and headed straight for the Pleasure Pavilion.

Seeking out beauty and entertainment, frequenting brothels and listening to music—tonight, they even had the perfect excuse: treating the new colleague.

In front of the Pleasure Pavilion, a dozen or so lovely young women stood, warmly soliciting guests. When they saw Lu Jiuzhang and his party approach, they greeted them with coquettish smiles.

“Oh, it’s Master Wang! An old friend—and this young gentleman is new, isn’t he?”

“This is the new Master Lu. Tonight, see that he’s well taken care of. Our Master Lu is still a virgin, you know,” Wang Yunshan laughed, striding into the brothel surrounded by the bevy of charming women.

Inside, the Pleasure Pavilion was buzzing with activity. The hall was filled with guests, the clinking of cups, shouts from drinking games—noisy and lively.

At the center stood a stage nearly eight zhang long, where several women, clad in gauzy dresses, danced with vibrant and joyous steps.