Volume One: Menial Servant of Changshui County Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Demon-Slaying Blade Technique

March 21st.

Ren Yin, Jia Chen, Jia Chen.

Auspicious for setting the hearth and laying foundations, with no taboos today.

At dawn, Lu Jiuzhang awoke from his cultivation. The sky was just beginning to lighten as he made his way to Master Zhou’s home.

In front of the house, Lu Jiuzhang encountered a number of young children. They must have come early for their studies, hoping to attain scholarly success in the future. Master Zhou had not yet risen, so the children gathered at the door, chattering away about the amusing events of their journeys home the previous evening, the insects by the roadside, the flowers along the street…

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a servant in hemp clothing finally opened the door, allowing the children to enter for their morning reading.

Lu Jiuzhang followed them in single file and made his way to Master Zhou’s backyard.

It seemed Master Zhou had not slept through the night, for he appeared somewhat worn and listless.

“The printing is done. I reviewed it several times last night and found no omissions,” Master Zhou said, handing both the original manuscript and the bound copies of the prints to Lu Jiuzhang.

“Thank you, Master,” Lu Jiuzhang said with a bow.

“No need for thanks. You’ve said it enough already. If you ever make your name in history, just reserve a little space in your biography to recount my humble deeds—that will suffice,” Master Zhou replied with a wave, dismissing further gratitude.

Scholars possess a deep-seated longing for their names to be recorded in the annals of history.

It is said that decades ago, in an effort to persuade the emperor to cease his campaigns, several great scholars dashed themselves to death against the pillars beside the Imperial Hall.

Their names, of course, were remembered!

Many scholars recall that event to this day.

Yet no one accused those scholars of being overly rigid; instead, all lamented their devotion to the nation and its people.

As long as there is a chance to be recorded in history, these men would face death unflinchingly.

Master Zhou’s request was but a hope.

If Lu Jiuzhang should one day rise to prominence, his biography would surely contain at least a passing mention of this man.

That too would be a form of remembrance!

…

After leaving Master Zhou’s home, Lu Jiuzhang headed straight for the Demon-Slaying Bureau.

He had not yet entered when he encountered Yuan Wufeng at the gate.

Director Yuan and Lu Jiuzhang had always been at odds, and from what Lu had heard from Chen Xuanfeng, Yuan was also highly suspicious.

Therefore, Lu Jiuzhang greeted him only with the barest courtesy, addressing him as Director Yuan before moving on.

Yuan Wufeng paid him no mind, remaining at the gate.

Shortly after Lu Jiuzhang arrived at the office, he heard colleagues calling out that Directors Yuan and Chen were in a fierce quarrel and had nearly come to blows at the bureau’s entrance.

A crowd rushed out to watch the spectacle.

But by the time they arrived, the commotion had ended; Director Yuan was nowhere to be seen, while Director Chen stood at the door, glaring at the onlookers and ordering them back to their posts.

Lu Jiuzhang had never cared for such commotions. Taking advantage of the dispersing crowd, he first returned the “Swift Wind Step” manual, then proceeded to the training grounds to practice his swordsmanship.

The night before, while practicing the “Demon-Slaying Blade Technique,” he had sensed a change in the Star Pavilion within his mind.

Immersing himself in his consciousness, he noticed a small illusory figure practicing martial arts above the Literary Pool.

The figure was also wielding a blade, and the style closely resembled the “Demon-Slaying Blade Technique.”

Yet the moves were far more intricate—clearly beyond what his current manual contained.

Recalling the unusual event when Zhou Cheng had gifted him the “Ninefold Chaos Art,” Lu Jiuzhang guessed that the Star Pavilion might have an automatic correction function, filling in the flaws of these martial arts and techniques.

Of course, this was only speculation.

If true, the Star Pavilion would indeed be a priceless treasure.

“Bang…”

Lu Jiuzhang swung his blade, striking a wooden stake.

The stake, crafted from unknown material, showed not the slightest mark despite the sharp blade’s force.

Immersed in his training, Lu Jiuzhang slashed five hundred times by noon.

In truth, by the four-hundredth strike, he had been utterly exhausted, but he forced himself to complete another hundred.

Were there no dangers lurking, he might have allowed himself to rest. But with wolves circling, there could be no carelessness.

Every bit of strength he gained increased his chances of survival.

…

In the afternoon, after his meal, Lu Jiuzhang continued his cultivation, absorbing the ambient spiritual energy between heaven and earth.

The training ground, once frequented by Zhou Cheng, was now abandoned save for Lu Jiuzhang.

The quiet emboldened him.

He sat cross-legged to restore his energy—after all, the morning’s training had been grueling.

His right arm ached so badly he could barely lift his blade.

As the sun slanted westward, around three o’clock, Lu Jiuzhang, feeling somewhat recovered, prepared to resume his practice.

“Impressive endurance!” a voice sounded behind him.

Lu Jiuzhang turned to see Director Chen.

“Director Chen,” he greeted, pausing to bow.

“I always thought Zhou Cheng was the most diligent in the Bureau, though he lacked talent. Reaching the ninth rank in martial arts was already a feat for him. Now it seems you, too, have begun to strive,” Chen Xuanfeng said, approaching him. “There’s truth to the saying, ‘Literature thrives in poverty, martial arts in wealth.’”

“The martial path requires tremendous resources—most ordinary people cannot afford it. Thus, cultivation depends on ‘Wealth, Partner, Method, and Place,’ with wealth coming first. Without vast fortunes, pursuing martial arts is harder than climbing to the heavens.”

“Partner refers to a companion on the path. If you have one, supporting each other makes progress far easier.”

So partner refers to a companion? Lu Jiuzhang had always taken it to mean a wealthy patroness!

With a rich lady by one’s side, cultivating martial arts would surely be a breeze.

A woman three years older is worth her weight in gold; thirty years older, she bestows a kingdom; three hundred years, she gifts an immortal pill; three thousand, she grants you a seat among the immortals…

“Ahem…” Chen Xuanfeng coughed, noticing Lu Jiuzhang’s mind had wandered.

“Method means the cultivation technique, and Place is the training ground—a place to practice.”

“You lack all four. Pursuing martial arts will inevitably be extremely arduous,” Chen Xuanfeng said, glancing at Lin Yi. “You should head to Anxi Prefecture soon.”

“You’re advising me to go to Anxi Prefecture as well?” Lu Jiuzhang asked.

“Oh? Has someone else said the same to you?” Chen countered.

“No, I just said it without thinking,” Lu Jiuzhang replied, making up an excuse.

He still hadn’t figured out the letter he received yesterday. Now, with Chen Xuanfeng echoing the advice, he couldn’t help but wonder.

“Go out and see the world. Changshui County is too small—like a pond; no great fish can grow in such a tiny pool,” Chen Xuanfeng sighed.

“Did you seek me out just to say this, Director Chen?”

“It was merely a passing thought,” Chen said, waving his hand as he prepared to leave.

But before he did, he added, “If you have time, pay a visit to the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion. Manager Chen owes me a favor. It’s of no use to me, but if you need anything, he’ll oblige.”

“Oh, and don’t mention I sent you. Just say it was Director Yuan Wufeng’s recommendation.”

“Act well—don’t let anyone see through you!”