Volume One: Miscellaneous Servants of Changshui County Chapter Seventy: Director Zhong Returns

"Brother Lu... Brother Lu is here."

From inside the room came the sound of someone fumbling to get out of bed.

Wang Yunshan still hadn't gotten up? Could it be...

In the next moment, Lu Jiuzhang walked in and saw Wang Yunshan sitting on the bed, leaning against the wall, wearing a pitiful smile. His complexion was sickly, and the blood-red claw mark on his face made him look all the more frightening.

Good heavens!

Lu Jiuzhang was stunned.

He couldn't even get out of bed! Was his sister-in-law the one who beat him like this?

"Brother Wang, I came empty-handed, didn't even bring a gift," Lu Jiuzhang said a bit awkwardly.

How could he have known Wang Yunshan had been beaten so badly? He thought Wang Yunshan had just enjoyed himself a bit too much last night.

"Ahem... what use is a gift? It's a miracle I'm still alive," Wang Yunshan coughed lightly.

Even he hadn't expected his wife's ferocity last night.

"Husband, don't rush, have some tea to soothe yourself," his sister-in-law said as she headed to the kitchen.

As soon as she left, Wang Yunshan's expression changed instantly. "Brother Lu, I'm suffering!"

"Brother Wang, why not just write a divorce letter and have someone deliver it to your wife? You wouldn't need to face her yourself, would that work?" Lu Jiuzhang suggested.

"Forget it. A true man knows when to yield or endure. I'll bear it," Wang Yunshan shook his head. "Besides, she realized she was a bit too harsh last night, and her attitude toward me has already improved today!"

In the end, Wang Yunshan simply didn't dare bring it up, fearing the tigress would unleash her fury again.

"Take care of yourself, Brother Wang!"

Lu Jiuzhang felt a pang in his heart. Once, Wang Yunshan had been carefree and debonair, always inviting Lu Jiuzhang to the pleasure quarters after work to listen to music and enjoy himself.

And now, reduced to this miserable state!

"Brother Lu, when it comes to choosing a wife..." He was about to finish his sentence when footsteps sounded outside, and he quickly changed his words. "One should marry a wife like mine—capable and virtuous, a true keeper of the household. If you could marry such a woman, Brother Lu, you would be truly blessed!"

Blessed? That couldn't have been more insincere!

"Brother Wang, I understand," Lu Jiuzhang nodded.

No wonder his sister-in-law was so polite—Brother Wang had almost been beaten to death. If he didn't put on a good face now, he'd really be in trouble.

...

After leaving Wang Yunshan's house, Lu Jiuzhang returned to his own residence.

Guard Mo was once again gazing at the moon. Seeing Lu Jiuzhang return, he glanced over. "What is it? You've been coming home often these days."

"I went to visit a colleague. It was getting late, so I just headed back," Lu Jiuzhang replied as he entered the courtyard.

"I forgot to tell you: the county assistant will definitely make a move against you soon," Guard Mo said. "They may have already negotiated with the Thousand Mechanisms Hall in Anxi Prefecture to have me reassigned."

"You..." Lu Jiuzhang began.

Guard Mo sighed. "Stay within the Demon-Slaying Bureau as much as you can these days."

"What’s meant to come can’t be avoided. Even if I hide in the bureau, what difference does it make?" Lu Jiuzhang said helplessly.

Even with a contract signed with the Thousand Mechanisms Hall, if they truly wanted to recall Guard Mo, there would be nothing he could do.

The power in a contract always lies with the stronger party. If the two sides are not equals, the contract is nothing but a piece of scrap paper.

"They might give you some silver or compensation, but..." Guard Mo wanted to advise him to accept it, but then thought, what use is silver to a dead man?

"Take care," Guard Mo said, retreating into the house.

He was Lu Jiuzhang's main support. Once he left, the danger would increase greatly.

But what could Lu Jiuzhang do?

...

Although Guard Mo expressed his intention to leave, he remained in Lu Jiuzhang's residence for the next few days.

The waiting was the hardest part. Who knew when he would actually go?

Lu Jiuzhang spent most of his days in the Demon-Slaying Bureau, mainly to practice and cultivate.

Even in times of great danger, any improvement in strength might mean a better chance of survival.

One day, while Lu Jiuzhang was training in the martial arena, he heard a commotion outside.

"What's going on?" he asked Zhou Cheng, who was nearby.

"No idea," Zhou Cheng shook his head.

Usually, the Demon-Slaying Bureau was fairly calm. The servants who gambled with dice did so inside the barracks; their voices rarely carried this far.

"Shall we take a look?" Lu Jiuzhang suggested.

Zhou Cheng nodded. The two of them walked towards the front gate.

There, they found a crowd gathered. The servants kept glancing into the distance.

"Old Chen, what's happening?" Zhou Cheng asked one of them.

As an official demon slayer, Zhou Cheng was now a figure of some standing, with Chen Xuanfeng supporting him both openly and behind the scenes. These people dared not slight him.

"Sir Zhou, I heard that Director Zhong has returned," the man replied.

Director Zhong had returned?

Zhou Cheng looked into the distance.

The head of the Demon-Slaying Bureau in Changshui County had been dispatched to Anxi Prefecture to hunt demons nearly half a year ago, and now was finally back.

"Director Zhong is a good man, treats everyone here with kindness. Now that he's back, I'm sure he'll be able to help you," Zhou Cheng said to Lu Jiuzhang.

"Let's hope so," Lu Jiuzhang replied, not holding out much hope for help from outsiders.

He didn’t know much about Director Zhong’s character.

...

Soon, the sound of hooves could be heard. A strange horse, horns jutting from its head and covered with black scales, pulled a carriage toward them.

The carriage was not luxurious, but exuded a subtle air of nobility.

It had to be Director Zhong returning.

Moments later, the carriage’s curtain was lifted, and an elderly man with graying hair alighted. Though advanced in years, he looked ruddy and healthy—clearly a martial artist of some attainment.

"That's the bureau’s other deputy, Director Zhong’s confidant," Zhou Cheng explained quietly. "Rumor has it he was once a servant in Zhong’s household and has been with him ever since."

A servant? Did that mean Director Zhong came from a powerful background? Even his subordinates were martial artists of rank!

"Director Zhong’s origins are mysterious, but there’s no way he has no backing. Not just anyone can take the position of bureau director," Zhou Cheng mused. "All these years, Director Zhong has only revealed the strength of an eighth-rank martial artist, same as the other directors. Why has no one tried to take his position?"

"Strength isn’t everything. The power behind you matters too!"

Zhou Cheng sounded envious. If his own sect had had such backing back then, perhaps it wouldn’t have been destroyed.

After the old man, a man of about thirty, spirited and imposing, stepped down from the carriage, wearing a scholar’s cap and a long sword at his waist.

He looked even younger than Chen Xuanfeng.

"Director Zhong has returned!" the crowd cheered enthusiastically.

So popular!

Lu Jiuzhang, blending into the crowd, stared intently at the director.

"Hahaha, you’re all too kind! After months away in Anxi Prefecture, I missed you all dearly," the young man—Director Zhong, who was clearly younger than Chen Xuanfeng—said to the assembled crowd, beaming.