Volume One: Odd Jobs in Changshui County Chapter Eighty-One: Grant Me This Favor

“Director Song, do me a favor!”

Li Beishan, the Demon Slayer from the Demon Slayer Division of Anxi Prefecture, looked at Director Song of Nanwu County as he spoke.

“The favor of Demon Slayer Li must, of course, be granted.”

Director Song’s expression was as dark as water, but he still extended his right hand.

“Heh, that’s more like it. Harmony is precious.”

Zhong Zhengming also extended his hand.

Their hands met, a gesture of reconciliation in form but not in spirit—merely a temporary truce before Demon Slayer Li.

“Tonight we’ll set up camp first. Later, we’ll discuss our plan. Tomorrow, we’ll set out.” Demon Slayer Li glanced at Zhong Zhengming and Director Song of Nanwu County as he spoke. “What do you two think?”

“Agreed,” the pair replied in quick succession.

...

Orders were soon issued.

Lu Jiuzhang, being a Demon Slayer, held some official position and thus need not pitch his own tent. That task fell to the menial workers.

Yet within the Demon Slayer Division, Lu Jiuzhang knew few people.

Especially since Chen Xuanfeng and Zhou Cheng had stayed behind in Changshui County, and Wang Yunshan hadn’t come along—his wounds were still unhealed.

For a moment, Lu Jiuzhang found he had no one to talk to.

Just as he was about to wander nearby, he noticed a dozen men gathered ahead, chatting animatedly.

“Speaking of Director Zhong and Director Song of Nanwu County, their feud goes way back. Our previous Director of the Demon Slayer Division once went to Anxi Prefecture to hunt monsters and got played by Director Song.”

“Director Song wasn’t so easy-going back then. It was all thanks to Director Chen.”

“Did you see that scar on his face? During a monster hunt, Director Song mocked our Changshui Demon Slayer Division, so Director Zhong, furious, slashed at him and left that mark.”

“You’ve got to admit, Director Zhong has guts!”

“…”

At the center of the group was a Demon Slayer from Changshui County.

Lu Jiuzhang had met him a few times, but they weren’t close.

Still, Lu Jiuzhang didn’t quite believe what he was hearing.

Whether it was Director Song or Zhong Zhengming, both were prominent figures—how could they have brawled before everyone?

People of their stature cared deeply about their reputation and propriety.

Even if a fight broke out, they wouldn’t strike someone’s face.

One should never hit the face; to ruin someone’s looks would invite desperate retaliation.

Lu Jiuzhang shook his head and moved on.

“Demon Slayer Lu!”

Just as Lu Jiuzhang walked a short distance, Zhong Zhengming’s voice called out nearby.

---

Lu Jiuzhang turned to see Zhong Zhengming standing outside his tent, beckoning him.

“Director Zhong!”

Lu Jiuzhang hurried forward to stand at Zhong Zhengming’s side.

“Demon Slayer Lu, is your lodging arranged?”

Zhong Zhengming struck up a casual conversation.

“Yes, Director Zhong, everything’s settled,” Lu Jiuzhang replied with a nod.

“No need for such formality between us. Just call me Boss—everyone does. Don’t be a stranger. Now that you’re in the Demon Slayer Division, we’re all brothers; there’s no need for ‘Director’ at every turn—it’s too distant.”

With a few words, Zhong Zhengming narrowed the gap between them.

“Boss, you’re right!”

Lu Jiuzhang nodded again.

“See? You’re still too reserved. Since we’re brothers, be lively, laugh when you want, get angry when you must. Too much respect makes me seem unapproachable,” Zhong Zhengming said with a smile. “How about you stay in the tent next to mine tonight?”

“If you’re bored later, I’ll bring a bottle of vintage wine and we’ll have a good chat.”

Lu Jiuzhang had intended to refuse, but seeing Zhong Zhengming’s enthusiasm, he could only agree.

He might call him ‘brother,’ but Zhong Zhengming was still Director—the highest authority in Changshui County’s Demon Slayer Division.

His words could not be contradicted.

Lu Jiuzhang had neither the status nor the strength.

“Then I’ll be troubling you, Boss,” Lu Jiuzhang said politely.

“Between brothers, there’s no such thing as trouble!”

Zhong Zhengming clapped Lu Jiuzhang on the back. “All right, go about your business.”

Lu Jiuzhang took his leave and departed from Zhong Zhengming’s tent.

All the way, he pondered Zhong Zhengming’s intentions.

If Zhong Zhengming were the mastermind, living so close would be dangerous.

No, Lu Jiuzhang reconsidered.

Zhong Zhengming was known as a Martial Artist of the Eighth Rank, rumored to have stepped into the Seventh. If he wanted to strike, even if Lu Jiuzhang didn’t live nearby, he’d never escape.

Besides, most members of the Demon Slayer Division from Changshui and Nanwu counties were gathered here, and Li Beishan from Anxi Prefecture was present too.

With so many eyes watching, even if Zhong Zhengming had murderous intentions, he’d have to weigh the consequences.

So what was his real purpose?

And was Zhong Zhengming truly the one behind everything?

Lu Jiuzhang was puzzled.

---

With Chen Xuanfeng and Zhou Cheng absent, Lu Jiuzhang had lost some support.

...

Returning to his tent, Lu Jiuzhang packed his belongings and headed, with his big black dog, to the area near Zhong Zhengming’s tent.

But when Lu Jiuzhang arrived, Zhong Zhengming was nowhere to be seen.

Presumably, he was discussing strategy with Li Beishan and Director Song.

Lu Jiuzhang lay in his tent, hastily setting up a simple bed.

From his bed, he watched the bustle outside.

By now, dusk had fallen, and the menial workers were busy lighting fires and cooking.

Traveling was nothing like being at home; meals were meager and rough.

“Woof…”

Suddenly, the big black dog slipped into Lu Jiuzhang’s tent, dropping a purse from its mouth.

“Ninth Master, brought you a little gift,” the dog said.

A little gift?

Lu Jiuzhang opened the purse to find two silver ingots inside.

Each ingot was about a hundred taels; two made two hundred.

Where had the dog gotten two hundred taels of silver?

“Where did you get this? You didn’t steal it, did you?”

Lu Jiuzhang asked.

“Steal? I’m educated—this is called pilfering! A scholar’s dog does not simply steal,” the black dog protested. “I found the silver, so just keep it safe!”

“When we get back to Changshui County, remember to buy me a few more bones!”

If it was found, all the better. Lu Jiuzhang pocketed the silver with a smile, “Two hundred taels—never mind bones, I could find you two pretty little lady dogs!”

“How vulgar! Lady dogs aren’t worthy of me,” the black dog scoffed. “At the very least, find me a phoenix—that’s suited to a divine beast like me!”

A phoenix?

Was this mangy dog craving phoenix meat?

Nonsense!

Lu Jiuzhang had no idea if phoenixes even existed in this world. If they did, they’d be top-tier monsters.

Even if everyone here went after a phoenix, they’d likely end up as its snack.