Volume One: The Menial of Changshui County - Chapter 119: Director Zhong's Plan

When the Master of the Villa learned that Lu Jiuzhang had emptied the entire North Blade Sect, he was only slightly surprised and did not take much action.

They had previously emptied the Blazing Gate as well.

It was just tit for tat!

The North Blade Sect was now deserted, and leaving resources there would only be a waste; it was better to put them to good use.

...

The ruins world had temporarily stabilized, and two days later, it was time for Lu Jiuzhang to depart.

In front of the Leaving Sword Villa, Feng Wanqing stood gazing at him, her heart filled with complex emotions.

"Mr. Lu, as you head out into the world, if one day you reach the higher ranks of martial arts, I hope you might take us with you," the Master said. "Imprisoned here for decades, we are like fish in a pond, unable to glimpse the vast ocean."

"While this place is indeed a paradise, the bitterness within—who is there to tell it to?"

"A vast world is the wish of us all!"

"Mr. Lu, take care! The road ahead is treacherous, but I hope you will remember the Leaving Sword Villa!"

The Master cupped his hands and spoke solemnly.

"Take care, Master! If I ever find a way to resolve this, I will certainly return to bring everyone out," Lu Jiuzhang nodded.

"These spirit herbs are ones I selected overnight; they are all of superior quality and rich in spiritual energy." The Master handed over a ring. "This is a storage ring; the interior space is about one cubic meter."

"The spirit herbs are all kept inside!"

A storage ring?

It could store items and was convenient to carry. He had not expected the Leaving Sword Villa to possess such an item.

"Many thanks, Master!"

Lu Jiuzhang cupped his hands; this was a generous gift indeed!

"Mr. Lu!"

Behind the Master, Feng Wanqing mustered her spirits. "May your journey ahead be bright, and may we remain as we are when we meet again!"

"Good grief, sister, that doesn't sound like something you'd say, does it? Why so flowery and poetic?"

The big black dog spoke in human tongue. "Look, there's no need for all that beating around the bush. Why not just say you hope Master Nine will think of you from time to time?"

People were truly the most troublesome! Expressing affection so cryptically.

"Big Black, you..."

Feng Wanqing was almost in tears. She had racked her brains the night before, scouring through books to find such a refined line, thinking it would be so poignant and moving to say during a farewell. She had not expected the big black dog to ruin the moment entirely.

"Sister Feng, in life, one must sometimes be bold. Once an opportunity is missed, it is missed forever!" The big black dog felt he had just uttered a profound truth of dog-life.

Lu Jiuzhang had obtained enough benefits here; this departure was like a carp leaping over the dragon gate. By the time he saw these people again, they would likely still be standing in the same spot, while Lu Jiuzhang might have already become a fourth or even third-rank martial arts master. Such an expert, while not necessarily famous across the world, would have a firm footing within the Great Xia Kingdom and command a massive force of his own.

"Hahaha, Sister Feng, don't listen to this big black dog's nonsense. You are right; I hope that when we meet again, we shall remain as we are!" Lu Jiuzhang flashed a smile—gentle, handsome, and akin to the first ray of sunlight in the morning.

"Let me see you off!"

Zhong Zhengming stepped forward and accompanied Lu Jiuzhang for a stretch of the journey.

"After going out, do you still intend to stay in the Demon Suppression Division?" Zhong Zhengming asked.

"What else? I have nowhere else to go." Lu Jiuzhang pondered. The world was vast, yet everywhere felt like a strange land. Where else could he go?

"Staying in the Demon Suppression Division... well, it is not an ideal choice, but if you wish to investigate your elder brother's cause of death and the events of that year, it is the most convenient path."

Zhong Zhengming analyzed, "Building your own influence within the Division, recruiting heroes from all over, and befriending powerful figures—this will all be to your advantage."

"The Capital Blood Corpse Case involves too much; I know a few names, and perhaps you could uncover something. But knowing your enemies too early and rushing for revenge would only harm you."

"The mastermind behind your brother's murder in Changshui County is likely Yuan Wufeng. Once you are out, find a way to slay him. Do not use official methods; you can disguise it as the work of the Zhong family. Although the Zhong family has fallen, I believe many disciples must have escaped."

"This identity is untraceable and will not implicate you."

At this moment, Zhong Zhengming did not know that Yuan Wufeng was already dead, mistakenly believing he had sought refuge with the Nanwu County Demon Suppression Division. In truth, Yuan Wufeng had tried to defect, but the division had denied him, left him severely wounded, and he was later beaten to death by laborers.

"The upper echelons of the Changshui and Nanwu County Demon Suppression Divisions have suffered heavy losses. Chen Xuanfeng is highly likely to succeed as the Commander of the Changshui County Division; no one will contend with him."

"Chen Xuanfeng is a good man, but he has a streak of arrogance. Even when I was Commander, I couldn't fully win him over."

"Follow him for now; you won't go wrong. Afterward, plan your entry into Anxi Prefecture. The larger the territory, the higher your potential. If you stay in Changshui County forever, you will never break through the sixth rank of martial arts."

"The resources in Changshui County are too scarce. Only by going to Anxi Prefecture or North Foothill Commandery can you compete with the heroes of the world."

"This path is destined to be difficult—no less challenging than investigating the Capital Blood Corpse Case."

"After you arrive in Anxi Prefecture, I have an acquaintance named Chen Feng. If your life is in danger, you may seek him out. But in normal times, try not to have too much contact."

"The last point is this: if you find yourself in trouble after going out, you may speak a few bad words about me to protect yourself. Rest assured, I will not mind."

Zhong Zhengming said a lot in one breath, both mapping out the road ahead for Lu Jiuzhang and considering everything for his safety.

"Brother Lu, a thousand-mile journey must eventually come to an end!"

Zhong Zhengming stopped and looked at Lu Jiuzhang with a smile. "One day, we shall meet at the pinnacle!"

"Commander Zhong, we shall meet at the pinnacle!"

Lu Jiuzhang cupped his hands. From this day forward, he truly respected Zhong Zhengming. He was indeed the "Boss" the laborers spoke of—he truly possessed a warm and generous heart. This kind of character was something most people lacked.

With a thought, Lu Jiuzhang channeled his spiritual energy into the token, activating it.

A flash of white light occurred, and when the surroundings became clear again, Lu Jiuzhang found himself on a mountaintop.

This place was filled with ruins and debris—the very spot where they had entered the mountains to suppress demons. The laborers from the Changshui County Demon Suppression Division were gone, and only the remnants of the battle remained on the ground.

The sun in the sky was dazzling, and the air here was fresh; Lu Jiuzhang’s mood inevitably improved. The hazy, white-shrouded ruins had been suffocating and oppressive.

Lu Jiuzhang stood gazing into the distance. The big black dog breathed in the fresh air to its heart's content, while the young woman left behind by the North Blade Sect remained cold and indifferent, as if she cared for nothing around her.

"Master Nine, it's so comfortable being out!" the big black dog laughed. "Let's hurry back to Changshui County. We can have a good rest once we're home."

"These past few days in the ruins, my mouth has been so bland I could die. We must go back and improve our meals; I, for one, intend to have a feast of fish and meat."

"Wait a moment..."

Lu Jiuzhang paused, suddenly speaking.