Volume One: Menial Worker of Changshui County Chapter Eighty-Four: To Hell With You

"Lu Jiuzhang, to hell with you! If you mention finding me a little bitch again, I’ll fight you to the death," the big black dog barked in fury.

A little bitch? How could such a lowly creature be worthy of its noble status?

"Look at you, already being picky," Lu Jiuzhang chuckled, raising his cup and draining the tea in one gulp.

"Lu, Demon-Slaying Guard!"

At that moment, a voice called out from outside the tent. It was Zhong Zhengming.

The black dog immediately fell silent.

Lu Jiuzhang stood and stepped out, greeting Zhong Zhengming respectfully, "Director Zhong!"

"As promised, I brought an old bottle of wine tonight. Thought I’d have a chat with you," Zhong Zhengming said, holding a jar of wine in his right hand and a roast duck in the other.

The duck was freshly cooked, likely from a wild fowl hunted in the nearby mountains.

"Please, come in, Director Zhong," Lu Jiuzhang invited him warmly into the tent.

The two of them sat on the ground. Lu Jiuzhang produced two large, black ceramic bowls and set them before them.

The roast duck, wrapped in oilpaper, was laid out; as the paper was spread on the ground, the aroma wafted through the air. The duck was golden and glistening, sprinkled with just a touch of salt—a true delicacy.

"Before coming here, Director Chen Xuanfeng spoke with me," Zhong Zhengming said slowly after a cup of wine.

"And what was the matter?" Lu Jiuzhang asked.

"Your eldest brother, Lu Huaigu, died from a venomous curse," Zhong Zhengming explained. "Chen Xuanfeng wants me to investigate the matter."

Would Chen Xuanfeng really say that? Or was Zhong Zhengming testing him? Or perhaps Chen Xuanfeng was testing Zhong Zhengming?

Lu Jiuzhang’s mind was a tangled mess.

"My eldest brother’s death truly is shrouded in mystery," Lu Jiuzhang ventured, forcing himself to speak steadily. "That day, many set out to suppress the demons, and several high-level martial cultivators accompanied them."

"But only my brother died!"

Lu Jiuzhang gazed at Zhong Zhengming. "Director Zhong, my brother and I relied on each other since childhood. His death has troubled me for a long time. Even now, I am searching for answers."

"And the mastermind who’s been trying to kill me—I’ve made many guesses, suspected many people, but I still have no leads."

He watched Zhong Zhengming closely, searching his eyes for any sign of duplicity.

Yet, to his disappointment, Zhong Zhengming revealed nothing, only replying calmly, "Once you join the Demon-Slaying Bureau, you’re my brother. I will do what I can to investigate your brother’s death."

"As for whoever is plotting against you, rest easy while I am here. Since you call me your leader, I will protect you all. Otherwise, I am unworthy of my position."

"About your brother, all I can offer is my condolences," Zhong Zhengming nodded. "Sometimes, though, you must consider—perhaps his death was simply an accident. Demon-hunting is fraught with peril; who can truly say what fate has in store?"

"You’re right, Chief," Lu Jiuzhang replied, whatever the man said. Outwardly, he showed agreement, but inwardly, he would never let the matter drop so easily.

"There’s no use talking about it further," Zhong Zhengming went on. "You are clever—a promising talent. Don’t let yourself be buried in a small place like Changshui County. Before long, I may be transferred to Anxi Prefecture’s Demon-Slaying Bureau."

"When that time comes, I hope you’ll accompany me to Anxi. There, you’ll have the chance to spread your wings and grow stronger."

"Changshui is but a small pond—no great fish can thrive in such shallow water. Only in the open sea can you truly show your worth."

Zhong Zhengming looked at Lu Jiuzhang. Though still young, he had already reached the ninth rank in both martial and scholar’s cultivation—a true genius by any measure.

"Thank you, Chief, for your generosity," Lu Jiuzhang said sincerely.

"It’s late. Get some rest so you’ll be ready for tomorrow’s demon hunt. Remember, prepare well and bring all your weapons—we may be in for a tough fight," Zhong Zhengming warned.

A tough battle? Was this demon hunt truly so dangerous?

Lu Jiuzhang was about to ask when Zhong Zhengming stood, patted his shoulder, and said, "I’ll take my leave. See you in the morning!"

With that, Zhong Zhengming left the tent.

Lu Jiuzhang got up to see him off.

When he returned, he found the ground littered with duck bones and a half-empty jar of old wine.

A sound of gulping reached his ears.

He saw the big black dog eyeing the pile of bones hungrily.

With Zhong Zhengming’s footsteps fading, the black dog finally relaxed. "That Chief Zhong is already seventh rank in martial cultivation. Such a powerful cultivator—yet so stingy! He finished all the meat and didn’t leave me a scrap."

Grumbling, the black dog muttered, "Only bones left for me. How pitiful."

"Master Jiu, when we get back to Changshui, don’t forget to treat me well. Give me more meat. I’ve been eating nothing but vegetables for days—my mouth can barely taste anything anymore," the black dog complained.

While the two men had talked, the black dog had hoped for some leftovers from the roast duck. Who’d have guessed they would chat so much and eat even more?

Well, at least there’s something left.

The black dog devoured the bones with wild abandon.

Seventh rank in martial cultivation? Lu Jiuzhang gazed in the direction Zhong Zhengming had gone.

Rumors said Chief Zhong had reached seventh rank in martial skills; now it was confirmed.

But why hide his strength? Was he pretending to be unassuming, waiting for the perfect moment to strike?

None of these men were easy to deal with.

Poor brother—after all this time, I still don’t know who killed you.

...

The next morning.

At dawn, Lu Jiuzhang woke to the sounds of bustling activity. Attendants were dismantling tents and preparing for departure.

He washed his face by the river. When he returned, the tent was gone and his luggage neatly packed.

The big black dog sat beside his baggage, watching over it. With the dog there, no one would dare touch Lu Jiuzhang’s things.

Once everything was ready and the group had assembled, the Demon-Slaying Envoy of Anxi Prefecture, Li, stood at the front.

"Changshui and Nanwu counties’ men will combine forces, mix together, and divide into two teams to head to the objective," he announced.

"One team will be led by Chief Xue, the other by Chief Bai of Nanwu County."

At his command, the members of the two counties’ Demon-Slaying Bureaus mingled and formed two evenly matched teams.

Many of the Bureau’s attendants grouped together with familiar faces—some in threes or fives, others in groups of eight or nine.

Only Lu Jiuzhang stood alone, uncertain where he should go.

"Lu, Demon-Slaying Guard, come here," Chief Xue called from the front.

"Yes, sir!" Lu Jiuzhang responded, hurrying to stand by Chief Xue.

"Move out!" Li, the Demon-Slaying Envoy, shouted.

The entire party began to move, splitting into east and west-bound groups.

As for Envoy Li, Chief Song, and Zhong Zhengming, the three of them traveled together. They quickly leaped up a tall tree, and in the blink of an eye, disappeared among the treetops, vanishing from sight.