Volume One: Menial Servant of Changshui County Chapter Fifty-Six: Matters of the Scholar

Hearing that the other party had a request, Manager Chen let out a long sigh of relief.

So long as there was a request, it meant there was an exchange of interests.

What he feared most was that the visitor came with ill intent, looking specifically to cause him trouble, and would not relent no matter how much he pleaded.

“That depends on what you ask for,” Manager Chen said, settling himself across from the man. “Some requests, I can help you with. But if you ask for something unreasonable, you might as well kill me now!”

Though he spoke so, Manager Chen was actually probing for the man’s identity and his limits.

To break into his room as if no one else existed, the intruder had to be at least an eighth-rank martial artist.

In Changshui County, martial artists of the eighth rank were few and far between!

This man had clearly disguised his voice on purpose; it was impossible to determine who he was just by listening. But perhaps, with a few more questions, Manager Chen might tease out a clue.

“Rest assured, I am a man of discretion,” the black-cloaked man replied. “I won’t make any excessive demands. The reason I’ve come is to inquire about Lu Jiuzhang. I’ve heard that he’s been visiting the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion frequently of late, meeting with you in this back courtyard.”

“I want to know—what exactly does he seek you for?”

Learning that the man’s purpose was to gather information on Lu Jiuzhang, Manager Chen relaxed further. If the matter did not concern himself, he could keep his distance.

“It’s nothing major. He merely seeks to buy spirit herbs from me,” Manager Chen said.

“Oh, spirit herbs?”

The black-cloaked man pondered for a moment, then asked, “I’ve heard that the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion rates all the prominent talents in the world. How would you evaluate Lu Jiuzhang?”

“My evaluation is of little importance—a mere reference. The final judgment rests with those above,” Manager Chen answered. “The first time I learned he had advanced to ninth-rank in the Confucian way, I rated him as Grade A.”

“But then I discovered he also cultivated martial arts, and so I changed his evaluation to Grade C.”

“In the path of cultivation, nothing is more dangerous than biting off more than one can chew. Some spend their whole lives unable to break into the ranks of the Confucian way, let alone attempt martial arts as well.”

“That fellow Lu Jiuzhang is simply too young—he doesn’t realize that his ambition is higher than the sky, but his life is thinner than paper.”

Manager Chen sighed.

“Hahaha, ‘ambition higher than the sky, life thinner than paper’—I quite like that saying,” the black-cloaked man nodded. “From now on, you will report to me all your dealings with Lu Jiuzhang.”

“I’ll come find you from time to time to inquire about him.”

“If you discover anything unusual in your transactions with him, you can also let me know. Just place a white flower outside your shop.”

“As for the favor I will ask of you, I haven’t decided yet. We’ll speak of it another time.”

With these words, the black-cloaked man moved to the door, opened it, and vanished into the vast night.

Manager Chen let out a long breath.

The conversation had been too brief for him to discern the man’s identity.

Still, there were only so many who fit the profile; perhaps next time he would have a chance to find out exactly who it was.

And in the end, simply keeping an eye on Lu Jiuzhang did not seem too troublesome.

Manager Chen was certainly capable of handling that!

For now, he turned back to his false accounts.

He was highly skilled at cooking the books—otherwise, Supervisor Zhao and his men would have uncovered them long ago when they came to Changshui County.

Shutting the door, Manager Chen returned to his accounting.

He dared not neglect it; if the higher-ups came for another inspection, he would be done for!

Bookkeeping was a task best left uninterrupted.

One’s train of thought must not be broken, for it involved remembering all the amounts of silver.

Even while working the abacus, one had to maintain utmost focus.

He resolved to finish all the accounts tonight.

Creak—

Suddenly, another gust of wind blew outside.

The door to the room swung open.

“Damn it all…”

Manager Chen could not help but curse.

He got up and closed the door in one swift motion.

But when he turned around, he found another figure had appeared in the room.

“Will this never end? If you keep this up, I’ll fight you with my life!” Manager Chen shouted.

“You can try,”

In the next instant, a blade was pressed against Manager Chen’s throat.

“Never mind, I won’t,” Manager Chen said with an awkward smile.

This black-cloaked man was not the same as the last; judging from the situation, he was at least an eighth-rank martial artist as well.

How could such a remote place as Changshui County have so many eighth-rank martial artists?

“I hear Lu Jiuzhang has been coming to the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion often of late?” the new black-cloaked man asked.

“That’s true. He comes to buy spirit herbs from me. I suspect he’s seeking to make a breakthrough in martial arts,” Manager Chen replied, not bothering to wait for more questions and laying out the facts directly.

“I didn’t ask for that much detail. I came to tell you that if anyone tries to inquire about Lu Jiuzhang, you are to make up any excuse you like, but do not reveal his true purpose,” the newcomer said.

“Too late, someone just came before you—a man in black. He asked, and I already answered,” Manager Chen spread his hands helplessly.

One wanted to know about Lu Jiuzhang, the other didn’t want anyone to find out about him.

If you two have an issue, why not settle it yourselves? Why keep pestering me at the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion?

“Oh?” The new black-cloaked man nodded. “How long has it been since he left?”

“About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”

“Interesting,” the man chuckled. “If anyone else comes asking, make up a reason. As for that one, I’ll deal with him personally.”

With that, the new black-cloaked man prepared to leave.

Manager Chen breathed a long sigh of relief.

Hopefully, the man hadn’t noticed the account books on the table.

Thank heavens!

“Oh, by the way,” the newcomer turned back before leaving, fixing Manager Chen with a look. “You’re dressed so neatly in the middle of the night, and the account books are laid out on the table. Are you falsifying accounts?”

“Nonsense! You’re slandering me with baseless accusations. I’ll have you know, I was once half a scholar myself!” Manager Chen protested with all his might.

“Oh? What do you think the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion in Anxi Prefecture would do if I told them?” The black-cloaked man let a smile play at the corner of his mouth.

“Uh… you must be joking. A scholar’s work surely can’t be described as falsifying accounts. I’m just… perfecting the records,” Manager Chen replied with a sheepish grin.

“Promise me one thing. I’ll let you know the details tomorrow morning or the day after—someone will come to find you.”

With those words, the new black-cloaked man left.

Not long after he departed, Manager Chen’s expression darkened. With a sweep of his sleeve, he sent the teapot on the table crashing to the floor.

Damn it!

Do they think the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion is a brothel?

Coming and going as they please?

To be exposed by two people in one night for falsifying the accounts—Manager Chen’s heart seethed with anger.

Did he have it easy? He’d spent all these years walking on eggshells, treading as if over thin ice, only to be undone because of Lu Jiuzhang!