Volume One: Odd Jobs in Changshui County Chapter Sixty-Three: Lu, the Great Benefactor

"Surprised, aren't you? I was surprised, too." Constable Mo walked over with a teacup in hand. "During dinner, your neighbor knocked on the door, said she wanted to help tidy up your yard, even cleaned up for you, and then insisted we all eat together!"

Dinner time? Lu Jiuzhang understood instantly; word must have gotten out that he had become a Demon-Slaying Guard. Madam Zhao, seeing that Assistant Magistrate Wang not only hadn’t targeted him but even promoted him, probably assumed he now had powerful patrons and was destined for greater things.

How should he put it? Right now, Lu Jiuzhang would much rather Madam Zhao’s family kept their distance. They’d be safer that way. Getting too close would do them no good.

"Heaven must be smiling on us. Who would have thought someone of your status would come out of these shabby old alleys?" Madam Zhao put on a fawning grin. "Master Lu, I was thoughtless before and offended you. I hope you won't hold it against me."

"You're too polite, Madam Zhao. I never took those things to heart," Lu Jiuzhang replied coolly. Why bother with a petty, gossipy woman? It was a waste of time.

"Oh, listen to me! We're all neighbors here, aren't we? As the saying goes, distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. What's a little misunderstanding between us?" Madam Zhao’s smile grew wider. "These days, Chan’er talks about you all the time. Frankly, I think my girl has taken a liking to you."

"You grew up together, after all, and know each other well. I wonder, Master Lu, what do you think of Chan’er?"

What did he think? Lu Jiuzhang could only guess where this was going. Was she hinting at an engagement? Judging by her tone, it seemed likely.

"Madam Zhao, I’ve always thought of Chan’er as a younger sister," Lu Jiuzhang replied gravely.

Changshui County was never meant to be his home. If he survived, Lu Jiuzhang would move on. But Chan’er? She was destined to remain here. They belonged to different worlds, their lives touching only briefly.

"I understand! I really do! Young people are always shy about such things. Calling her ‘sister’ is fine, just fine," Madam Zhao said with a knowing chuckle.

What did she understand? He meant a real sister, not a ‘dear sister’ in that way! A single word made all the difference, yet she simply glossed over it.

"I’ll go check on the food, warm it up a bit. We’re all family here, no need to stand on ceremony—let’s have a drink together," Madam Zhao said as she bustled back to her own house.

"Madam Zhao, you misunderstood me, actually…" Lu Jiuzhang felt weary, wanting to clarify.

"Second Brother Lu, you don’t need to explain. I understand," Chan’er spoke up shyly.

Lu Jiuzhang let out a long sigh of relief, but noticed Chan’er’s expression—she wasn’t upset, but blushing bashfully.

Oh no, had Chan’er misunderstood as well? "Chan’er, what do you think you understand?" Lu Jiuzhang asked anxiously.

"My mother says many people are too embarrassed to call their future wives by name before marriage, so they use ‘sister’ instead," Chan’er replied, her cheeks crimson.

In the dim light, she looked especially small and endearing. Lu Jiuzhang had always thought Chan’er was attractive, despite her simple clothes and shy manner. He remembered when Old Lu Huai was alive, he would joke about proposing to the Zhao family and marrying Chan’er to Lu Jiuzhang. Chan’er had never protested. Once, her face had turned bright red, and she’d even nodded—or so it seemed.

It was ridiculous!

"Not that kind of sister, I—" Lu Jiuzhang began to explain, but Constable Mo cut him off, "Out enjoying yourself again tonight?"

"I just had a couple of drinks," Lu Jiuzhang replied.

After spending time at the brothel, he was still scented with powder and perfume. Chan’er didn’t think much of it—she was too young to understand and just thought he smelled nice. But Constable Mo knew exactly where he’d been.

"Some things are better left unsaid, or you'll hurt people’s feelings," Constable Mo said gently, resting a hand on Lu Jiuzhang’s shoulder.

Suddenly, Lu Jiuzhang understood. Yes, sometimes being too blunt only brings pain. But if he didn’t speak now, wouldn’t it be even worse in the end?

"When you leave, perhaps she’ll understand," Constable Mo said, sipping his tea. "Once you’ve stepped onto the martial path, you’re no longer the same as ordinary people." There was a hint of regret in his voice.

"Second Brother Lu, Uncle Mo, what are you talking about?" Chan’er asked, puzzled.

"Nothing. It’s getting late, you should get some rest. Tell your mother I’ve already eaten, there’s no need to reheat the food," Lu Jiuzhang said.

It really was late. When he’d returned, it was almost the hour of the pig; now it must be close to midnight. Worried Chan’er wouldn’t be able to convince her mother, Lu Jiuzhang went himself to Madam Zhao’s house and persuaded her several times before she finally gave up.

Back in his own courtyard, Lu Jiuzhang intended to cultivate, but he couldn’t muster the energy and simply lay down to rest.

Since joining the Demon-Slaying Bureau, this was the first truly peaceful sleep Lu Jiuzhang had enjoyed.

…

In the days that followed, Lu Jiuzhang kept to a steady routine of training. Progress was slow, but he could sense himself improving. His life was a simple circuit between the Demon-Slaying Bureau and his humble home.

As for news about Wang Yunshan, people gossiped at first, but soon no one mentioned it. After several days recuperating at home, Wang Yunshan finally returned to the Bureau. His wounds had mostly healed, though he still limped. The only real change was in his demeanor: once jovial, now anxious and withdrawn. He kept his troubles to himself, and no one pried.

So time slipped by, and March drew to a close.

One afternoon, as Lu Jiuzhang returned home, the representative from Sanyi Manor responsible for collecting spirit herbs arrived at his door again, this time bringing two more plants, likely purchased from someone else. Lu Jiuzhang was nearly out of silver, so he left his Demon-Slaying Bureau saber as collateral, promising to settle accounts the next time more herbs arrived. The saber had belonged to his elder brother, Lu Huai, and had sat unused for some time. He had meant to place it in Lu Huai’s grave, but never found the chance.

Elsewhere, at Thousand Mechanisms Hall, Manager Chen paced the backyard anxiously. Some days before, two men in black had entered his office and uncovered his false accounts. Since then, he’d been on edge. Nothing untoward had happened recently, and Manager Chen dared to relax slightly. He had to leave this troubled place—quickly. The trouble was, he still hadn’t scraped together the ten thousand taels of silver he needed. Dealing in spirit herbs had once been hugely profitable, but lately he hadn’t received a single plant. He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was targeting him, making life difficult. It was just too hard!

"Manager, Master Lu is here!" a servant announced from the front hall.

"The great benefactor—no, Master Lu is here?" Chen’s heart raced, his hands shook, and he hurried out to greet him.