Chapter 116: Ah Hua Moves House (First Update)

Should Yang Widow be interrogated? From the perspective of the Purification Office, certainly—after all, she had close contact with a key suspect.

But when Xu Yuan sent Fu Jingyu over just before dusk, it was clearly meant to tease the young master.

Xu Yuan would never tell Fu Jingyu that Yang Widow ran a half-open door.

As Fu Jingyu and two Captains stepped through Yang Widow’s gate, a delighted cry rang out: “Oh! Big business has come calling! But I must be clear with you three gentlemen—if you’re all here together, it’ll cost extra.”

…

After Xu Yuan finished eating and drinking with everyone, Fu Jingyu returned—and brought Yang Widow back with him.

Though Yang Widow’s hands and feet were shackled, Fu Jingyu avoided her as if she were a venomous snake or scorpion, keeping far away.

Xu Yuan called out to the group: “Let’s head back quickly—the sky’s about to darken.”

Fu Jingyu was still lost in thought over the interrogation, head down, walking out—only when he neared Zhao’s Leather Shop did he suddenly realize: I paid for this meal, Xu Yuan ate and drank, and I did all the work—and now I didn’t even get to eat anything?!

Once inside Zhao’s Leather Shop and the door shut, Xu Yuan asked: “Why did you bring her back?”

“This woman is an undercover scout for the Demon Extermination Army,” Fu Jingyu muttered. “Though she knew nothing of Zheng Rongkui’s affairs—she merely passed messages—she can’t just be left alone.”

Yan Lao found it troublesome: “Arresting someone from the Demon Extermination Army? That’s hard to handle.”

Fu Jingyu said: “Following her could uncover who Zheng Rongkui sent messages to!”

Xu Yuan nodded—this was indeed a lead.

Yan Lao thought a moment, then shook his head: “You won’t find anything. The Demon Extermination Army will have already severed all her connections.”

They’ll erase every trace of Zheng Rongkui within their ranks and deny he ever existed.”

By the time we’ve dug for ages and found no evidence, our respective superiors will ‘accidentally’ meet at some gathering—then the Demon Extermination Army will yield some concessions, and we’ll accept the compromise and drop the investigation.”

Yan Lao was in fact passing on decades of experience to Fu Jingyu and Xu Yuan.

Fu Jingyu frowned, unwilling to accept it—but as a scion of a great family, he understood this outcome was nearly inevitable.

Xu Yuan, by contrast, remained calm—he had already thwarted the grand conspiracy within Ghost Witch Mountain.

As for failing to “eradicate evil completely”… it was simply because he lacked the power to do so; forcing it would only cost him his life.

When he gained that power, he would make those scoundrels know: my bottom line as Xu’s Young Master cannot be bought with mere concessions!

Several Captains sized up Yang Widow, who tossed her head defiantly: “You five each pay five hundred cash! But if it’s that clean-faced young master…”

Yang Widow cast a sultry glance at Fu Jingyu: “I’ll take only one hundred cash from him.”

Fu Jingyu rose and stomped up the stairs. Yang Widow burst into loud, tinkling laughter.

Xu Yuan followed him upstairs and pulled out an oiled paper bundle, handing it to Fu Jingyu: “Eat something.”

Inside the bundle was a roasted chicken and two steamed buns.

The two Captains who accompanied him also received some.

Fu Jingyu ate silently. After finishing one bun, he suddenly said to Xu Yuan: “Join the Purification Office. You’re good at investigations—you can save many lives!”

…

The next day, Ah Hua leapt onto the roof and crowed loudly—“Cock-a-doodle-doo!”—dispelling the night’s ill omen.

The sun rose, its light soft and warm—a rare fine day in early winter.

Xu Yuan checked the almanac first: today’s prohibitions were:

Crossing water, reciting scriptures, singing, gazing at the moon.

The prohibition against “reciting scriptures” suppressed the abilities of Literary Cultivators.

Below, the Captains were already preparing breakfast. After a simple meal, they prepared to return to the city.

Xu Yuan said: “A few of you come with me to help Grandma Ying move.”

They had previously agreed to bring Grandma Ying to the county seat.

Four Captains volunteered and followed Xu Yuan to Grandma Ying’s home—then froze in shock: she had already packed everything, piling it into a mountain in the courtyard!

All sorts of junk—old clothes, rags, needles and thread, pots, pans, bowls, ladles…

She refused to throw away a single thing.

And since Grandma Ying always bought things and then forgot about them—only to buy more later…

Xu Yuan even spotted a bellows used on the stove—he had no idea how an old woman like her had managed to dismantle it.

The Captains were about to urge her not to bring so much, but Xu Yuan raised his hand to stop them and sighed: “Go find two large carts to hire.”

Xu Yuan understood Grandma Ying—no amount of persuasion would work.

In truth, Grandma Ying herself knew nine-tenths of these things would never be used again—but making her throw them away was harder than killing Ah Hua.

Though Xu Yuan was still not yet a Jianxiao, the Captains obeyed him instantly, rushing out to Xi Tou’s Xi Yaxi Restaurant to negotiate with the morning caravan for two large carts.

The Captains were sharp—they knew caravans always departed early; delay further and they’d be gone.

Showing the Purification Office’s badge usually ensured success.

But this was truly asking too much—the four Captains tried everything, finally spending ten taels of silver to secure just one cart.

That ten taels would later be claimed as forty taels in official expenses.

The four Captains returned with the cart, apologetic: “Young Master Xu, we truly couldn’t do more…”

Xu Yuan knew they had done their best and waved them off to fetch several horses.

These horses had belonged to officers who had died in service—perfect for use as pack animals. Other Captains joined in, and after two hours of labor, everything was finally loaded.

Throughout, Fu the Young Master stood with arms crossed, watching.

He wasn’t unwilling to help the old woman—he simply had no idea how to begin; he’d never done such work since childhood.

Once everything was loaded, Fu Jingyu stepped forward and bowed to Grandma Ying: “Madam, please ride with me.”

Grandma Ying cast a lingering look at her house, then allowed Xu Yuan to help her onto the cart. He told her: “I’ve asked Ah Guang and Xi Yaxi to come often and clean for you.”

Xu Yuan remained outside with the driver. Ah Hua flapped his wings and leapt onto the cart roof—then spotted his old rival, raised his feathers, and lunged upward.

Grandma Ying called out: “Hua Hua, come down!”

The rooster flew down like a bird and slipped through the window.

Fu the Young Master was utterly at a loss.

Grandma Ying hugged her rooster, her wrinkled face smiling: “Young Master, you don’t mind, do you?”

Fu Jingyu’s face stiffened: “N-no, not at all. Elder, please do as you wish.”

Ah Hua stood tall and proud—he had won: I’m inside, you’re outside.

Da Fu, utterly indifferent, also felt victorious—he was on top, you’re below!

(End of Chapter)