Volume One: The Menial of Changshui County Chapter 130: Hidden Murderous Intent

“Big brother, we can’t let him die so cheaply!” the sharp-tongued woman in ancient attire snapped viciously. “I want to tear him apart piece by piece!”

“Otherwise, I can’t avenge my son’s broken leg!”

“And, big brother, I’ve heard of elixirs in this world that can bring the dead back to life, restore bones, and heal all wounds. You must find a way to get such an elixir. You can’t let your nephew spend his whole life bedridden!”

County Magistrate Wang sighed helplessly. “Do you think those elixirs are that easy to obtain?”

“I don’t care! This is your own nephew, and only you have the ability to help him stand again!” the woman threw a tantrum.

“Nonsense! Do you really think I have miraculous powers? Such elixirs are not only priceless but extremely rare. I’m just a county magistrate, not the governor!”

Wang scolded sharply, “If you had raised him properly, it wouldn’t have come to this!”

“He bullies men and women alike, runs rampant in Chang County. If I weren’t the magistrate, he would have died dozens, maybe a hundred times over!”

“What kind of mother are you?” Wang retorted.

The sharp-tongued woman snapped back, “What good is saying that now? Since things have come this far, if you won’t save your own nephew, then I’ll die alongside him!”

“You…”

Wang spat a mouthful of blood, furious beyond measure.

With a sister and nephew like these, Wang felt truly cursed.

…

The next day, at the Demon-Slaying Division.

Lu Jiuzhang arrived somewhat late.

When he got there, he found Chen Xuanfeng standing in front of his office door.

“Director Chen!” Lu Jiuzhang greeted, cupping his fists.

“Take a look at this,” Chen Xuanfeng said, tossing a letter over.

Lu Jiuzhang opened the letter and read:

[There is a reckless martial artist in Chang County. We earnestly request the Governor of Anxi Prefecture to dispatch several seventh-rank martial experts to provide support. The reckless martial artist is Lu Jiuzhang, the demon slayer of Chang County’s Demon-Slaying Division. We implore the governor to pressure the Anxi Prefecture Demon-Slaying Division to remove Lu Jiuzhang from his position.]

[Your servant, County Magistrate Wang An of Chang County, bows deeply. I have faithfully served you for many years, diligently fulfilling my duties, never neglecting my responsibilities. I hope the governor considers this and personally intervenes with the Anxi Prefecture Demon-Slaying Division.]

[Your servant only has this one nephew, who is now crippled in both legs. My heart is broken; I beg for your understanding!]

That was the entirety of the letter.

The beginning was a demand, the middle played on emotions, and the end was a plea for sympathy—a clever tactic indeed.

County Magistrate Wang had taken his plea to the governor.

One must understand, the governor wielded immense power as the master of the entire prefecture.

It seemed they belonged to the same faction.

If not, Wang’s position as county magistrate would hardly be secure.

“Director Chen, how did this letter come into your hands?” Lu Jiuzhang asked, curious.

“This morning, Wang An wrote this letter and sent someone to deliver it to Anxi Prefecture, but my men intercepted it,” Chen Xuanfeng explained. “Wang An doesn’t know yet, so we can buy some time.”

“But it only addresses the symptom, not the root cause!”

“If he doesn’t receive a reply within a few days, he’ll realize something’s wrong. Next time, stopping the messenger won’t be so easy.”

“I can at most buy you fifteen to twenty days. After that, it depends on your luck whether you can evade this crisis.”

“If you’re lucky, we’ll be on a demon-slaying mission in Anxi Prefecture, and even if Wang An wants to trouble you, he won’t be able to find you!”

Chen Xuanfeng said.

That was the only method available for now.

“Is the governor’s power really that terrifying?” Lu Jiuzhang asked.

“What do you think?” Chen Xuanfeng glanced at him. “The governor of a prefecture is like a feudal lord, able to command vast forces. That’s one reason.”

“Second, the governor can travel to the capital to meet the emperor! They can even contact the emperor’s spies.”

“Of course, they can’t visit the capital every year—only on special occasions. When the previous emperor was alive, he summoned all the governors to the capital five times for reporting!”

A governor was like a feudal lord; a prefect was akin to a noble granted land and title!

Such a figure could not be underestimated anywhere in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If they pressured the Anxi Prefecture Demon-Slaying Division, out of respect, the division might really comply.

They might remove Lu Jiuzhang from his post and send several seventh-rank martial artists to suppress him.

They were trying to drive Lu Jiuzhang to ruin!

“If worse comes to worst, I’ll fight to the death. I’ll kill County Magistrate Wang before reinforcements arrive!” Lu Jiuzhang growled.

“What good would killing him do? In my eyes, your life is more precious than his,” Chen Xuanfeng shook his head. “My background isn’t as strong as Director Zhong’s. Since you broke his nephew’s legs, peace talks are probably off the table.”

“I can only do my best to intercept messengers for you. After that, it’s up to you.”

Lu Jiuzhang nodded. “Thank you, Director Chen.”

“No need for formalities. I came to warn you. My task is done, I should be going.”

With that, Chen Xuanfeng headed toward the backyard.

Lu Jiuzhang entered his house and sat on his bed, pondering his next move.

The most helpless option was to kill Wang and hide in the relic world.

It was a last resort.

By now, Lu Jiuzhang and Wang had become sworn enemies.

If he hadn’t broken the bully from the Zhang family’s legs yesterday, Wang would never have let him be.

So Lu Jiuzhang had struck hard.

The Zhang family bully, crippled, was worse off alive than dead.

Spending the rest of his life bedridden would be his greatest torment.

As for Wang, he had to figure out a way to deal with him.

…

Lu Jiuzhang’s residence.

The big black dog led Bai Xiaosu inside.

“Bai, have you noticed? It seems like someone’s been watching our every move around here,” the black dog asked.

“Really? I haven’t noticed,” Bai Xiaosu shook her head.

“Uh… Your heart’s really big, huh?”

When the black dog entered this alley, he had already spotted someone glancing at them from time to time, observing their every word and action.

No doubt, these were men sent by Magistrate Wang to spy on Lu Jiuzhang and his associates.

“Black Master, what do we do then?” Bai Xiaosu asked, still confused.

“Let’s lead them out, lure them beyond the city,” the black dog chuckled. “This great beast will teach them a lesson, so they’ll know what happens when they offend me!”

“Oh!”

Bai Xiaosu nodded and headed toward the door.

Outside, some of the spies trailed behind her.

Seeing Bai Xiaosu walk further and further off, heading out of the city, the spies panicked.

Although she was a woman, Bai Xiaosu was a martial artist.

The spies were mere ordinary people and no match for her.

But she was about to leave the city—possibly leaving Chang County altogether. What should they do now?

The spies found themselves in a dilemma.