Chapter 411: The Time to Perform Has Come (Combined Three Parts)

Xu Yuan guessed correctly, but there were still parts he hadn’t figured out.

Geng Qi and the other three had all grown up with the Young Lady and understood her temperament well.

At the Qushui Office’s Jiaozhi South Branch, when selecting targets from the bounty-listed malevolent spirits, the four worked in perfect harmony, using subtle verbal tactics to indirectly guide the Young Lady into choosing this Nail Head Abscess.

This malevolent spirit was exceedingly rare and possessed strange abilities.

But in truth, even if possessed by it, one would not die immediately.

Even if the Young Lady suffered misfortune, there would still be room to recover.

Yet the four would rather die than ever reveal this.

For servants to “control” their masters through such means is a grave taboo.

Had the Young Lady’s safety not been paramount, they would never have resorted to this tactic.

Geng Qi grew even more certain that this young man had become Zhanglu through his own abilities.

What a pity—such a talented youth was not born into a good family; otherwise, his future would have been truly boundless.

“Then…” Xu Yuan continued, “tomorrow, during the pursuit of the Nail Head Abscess, I’ll do my best to let it escape.”

If he had said this when they first met, Geng Qi would have bluntly replied, “No need to hold back—go all out. That Nail Head Abscess is cunning and slippery; even full pursuit won’t catch it.”

But now, Geng Qi nodded repeatedly: “Master Xu, please be merciful—don’t actually capture it. We’ll all remember this favor of yours, Zhanglu.”

The two reached an agreement, and Xu Yuan immediately took his leave.

He never so much as glanced into the courtyard the entire time.

Geng Qi nodded inwardly: This young man is truly cautious—he never invites trouble upon himself.

…

Xu Yuan returned to his room and took out the case documents, adding a new section to the end.

He offered a few words to exonerate the local County Magistrate and emphasized how effectively he had handled the resettlement of disaster victims after the calamity.

Then, Xu Yuan took his official seal and stamped it.

“Xiao Ba.” He called out. Lang Xiao Ba immediately pushed the door open.

“Take this dossier to the County Magistrate. Ask him to review it again. If there are no issues, send it to the South Branch tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Lang Xiao Ba took the documents. The County Magistrate read them and wept with gratitude.

Never mind that Xu Yuan had previously made promises.

In officialdom, verbal promises were often reneged upon after the fact.

It was rare to find an official as straightforward as Master Xu.

That night, the County Magistrate invited Master Xu to a banquet again.

The venue was the most elegant place in the county: “Pipa Pavilion.”

The County Magistrate personally explained to Xu Yuan the charms of the “Pipa Pavilion.”

Inside were four top-tier courtesans, purchased at great expense by the owner from the Southern Capital.

The four girls had fingers like spring scallions—graceful, nimble, and their pipa skills were top-tier even by Zhengzhou standards.

They could compose poetry and couplets, and were skilled in ink wash painting.

They were first-class talents.

Master Xu seemed to be swayed by the description.

The banquet had been prepared the very day Xu Yuan arrived.

Now that the case was settled, Xu Yuan no longer refused.

But Xu Yuan said: “No need to go to Pipa Pavilion. Staying overnight outside the yamen is inconvenient. Let’s hold it here, in the back courtyard.”

The County Magistrate understood at once and arranged the banquet in the yamen’s back courtyard.

The four pipa-playing girls from Pipa Pavilion were also summoned.

Xu Yuan got thoroughly drunk; laughter and merriment of men and women echoed through the night air of the back courtyard.

This left the Young Lady both exasperated and amused. She said to Wei Shi: “Auntie, you’ve been guarding me so tightly you scared him—so much so that you even broke the law by hosting prostitutes in the yamen, just to sully your own reputation before me.”

Wei Shi felt awkward. My Young Lady is as brilliant as ice and snow.

Yet she did not blame Xu Yuan for going too far.

One must know gratitude—what was Xu Yuan striving so hard for?

…

Xu Yuan slept until the sun was high the next day.

The Young Lady sent Geng Jiu twice to inquire. Both times, Lang Xiao Ba answered with a grim face: “My lord has not yet awakened.”

Wei Shi assumed Xu Yuan had overexerted himself, but she did not know this was a stratagem.

It was solely to delay their departure.

To let the Nail Head Abscess run farther away.

So it wouldn’t be accidentally caught.

They waited until the hour of Si, two parts in, before Xu Yuan finally rose.

After washing and a light breakfast, he formally apologized to the Young Lady, who had already grown impatient.

He spoke of “last night’s indulgence” and similar excuses.

Behind her veil, the Young Lady’s peach-blossom eyes couldn’t help rolling another white one.

“Let’s go quickly—Auntie has already traced the Nail Head Abscess’s whereabouts…”

As the Young Lady spoke, the County Magistrate arrived, smiling: “Master Xu, those four girls last night fell head over heels for you. I noticed you have no servant to pour tea or attend you, so I took the liberty of purchasing them and present them to you—”

Four girls, holding pipas, stood behind the County Magistrate, blushing yet expectant as they gazed at Xu Yuan.

But before he could finish, someone interrupted him.

Ji Shuangqiu burst in with a voice like a bronze bell: “My lord, Zhanglu Zhu has arrived!”

As Xu Yuan was still wondering who this “Zhanglu Zhu” was, a lithe, agile figure stepped out from behind Ji Shuangqiu’s sturdy frame.

Zhu Zhanmei!

She had been promoted to Zhanglu since last they met.

Her official robes were new.

Her attire was bright, her face composed and cool.

She looked displeased.

Xu Yuan stared, dumbfounded.

He felt some cosmic law had been triggered…

The seasoned official, the County Magistrate, sensed something instantly.

He immediately fell silent and dared not mention giving Xu Yuan women again.

He stepped back, his left hand behind his back, gesturing to the four pipa girls: Leave at once!

But the Young Lady suddenly spoke: “County Magistrate, you’re truly generous. How much silver did you spend to buy these four courtesans for Zhanglu Xu?”

The old official’s mind couldn’t keep up: My Young Lady, so brilliant—why are you pouring oil on the fire now?

The County Magistrate glanced between Zhu Zhanmei and the Young Lady—he couldn’t shake the feeling that the Young Lady was enjoying this.

Xu Yuan acted decisively, waving his hand: “I appreciate the County Magistrate’s kindness, but I’m used to being alone. Thank you, but please take the girls back.”

“Yes!” The County Magistrate hurriedly shoved the four girls out.

Xu Yuan turned to Zhu Zhanmei: “Why are you here?”

Zhu Zhanmei glanced at the Young Lady beside her—she knew who this noblewoman was.

But she couldn’t fathom how this woman had become entangled with Xu Yuan.

“Master Ma ordered me to summon you to Luocheng.”

“Commander Ma sent you?”

Zhu Zhanmei was from Shanhe Office. If Ma Tianshou wanted to summon Xu Yuan, he’d send someone from Qushui Office.

Zhu Zhanmei said: “Something major has happened in Luocheng. The court has secretly issued orders—Qushui Office, Shanhe Office, and the Demon Extermination Army are now uniting to respond together.”

“Let’s go inside,” Xu Yuan said.

The courtyard was too crowded—secrets could leak easily.

Zhu Zhanmei and Xu Yuan entered together.

“A diplomatic delegation arrived from India—but they’re all blue-eyed barbarians!”

Xu Yuan frowned: “Blue-eyed barbarians?”

“We’ve learned through various channels that the blue-eyed barbarians have conquered Southern India…”

Zhu Zhanmei detailed all known information to Xu Yuan.

The Ming Court had grand ambitions; some in the court even had a long-term plan to launch two-pronged invasions and fully conquer India.

Rumor had it the greatest driving force behind this plan was the River Dragon King.

India has a great river—the River Dragon King covets it above all.

The court’s massive plan called for fifty thousand troops and three million laborers and conscripts!

Now the blue-eyed barbarians have seized India first!

“They say the blue-eyed barbarians’ military advance in India has been swift and unstoppable, encountering little serious resistance. After landing with steamships, they conquered all of Southern India in just half a year.”

Xu Yuan frowned: “What’s their purpose in sending this delegation?”

“To flaunt their military might and warn our court against meddling in India again. More than half of the delegation are their ‘professionals.’”

It’s said they also brought several artifacts as “gifts” for the Son of Heaven.

These artifacts are terrifying in power—latest achievements of the Blue-Eyed Barbarians.

Xu Yuan sneered. Are they here to scare us?

We’ve fought the Blue-Eyed Barbarians before—and the Ming Court won.

“They’ve reached Chancheng?”

“Not yet. Probably five days away,” Zhu Zhanlei said. “But the situation is grim. They passed through the Demon-Slaying Army’s territory and likely clashed with them several times in secret.”

The Demon-Slaying Army gave vague reports, but they probably suffered heavy losses.

Xu Yuan understood: “So the Court plans to teach them a lesson in Chancheng?”

Zhu Zhanlei nodded. “The Court entrusted this matter to Elder Ma. Right now, all three Ghost Affairs Offices in Chancheng answer to Elder Ma.”

I’m delivering a batch of military supplies to Luocheng—he told me to bring you word: be in Luocheng in five days.”

Xu Yuan nodded, then suddenly realized: “You’re passing right through Shiping County.”

“Yes. I was passing outside the city, had no intention of entering—then I ran into Ji Shuangqiu. She told me you were inside.”

What are you doing wandering outside the city at this hour, Ji Shuangqiu?!

Xu Yuan mentally marked down a debt to this good man, Ji Shuangqiu.

“Chancheng has no River Patrol stationed there. Who are you delivering these supplies to?” Xu Yuan asked again.

“There will be one soon,” Zhu Zhanlei said. “The Court is about to settle the matter of the Prince’s Consort. An order has been issued: station five hundred River Troops near the Chancheng docks.”

This batch of supplies was sent ahead to build the garrison.”

“Five hundred troops? What good will that do against Ghost Witch Mountain?”

Zhu Zhanlei: “The Court’s intent is likely steady advancement, slow encirclement. But perhaps… they’re currently powerless against Ruan Tianye, so they’re just putting on a show—can’t let the Prince’s Consort be killed without any response.”

Xu Yuan vaguely felt it wouldn’t be this simple.

But regardless… this was his chance.

He could work in secret to make trouble for Ruan Tianye.

“Just how strong is this Blue-Eyed Barbarian delegation?”

“Elder Ma has already sent people to investigate,” Zhu Zhanlei said, sounding annoyed. “The Demon-Slaying Army won’t tell us a thing.”

Xu Yuan felt a wave of disgust.

Typical of the Demon-Slaying Army.

They took a beating and lost face.

The Court assigned Ma Tianshou to restore honor in Luocheng.

But the Demon-Slaying Army doesn’t want the Cleansing Office or Shanhe Office to steal the spotlight.

We lost. If you win, does that make me a useless fool?

So the Demon-Slaying Army secretly hopes Ma Tianshou fails—and refuses to share intelligence.

Xu Yuan shook his head. “The Ghost Case in Shiping County is resolved, but I owe that outsider a favor. Yesterday I promised to help her track down a malevolent spirit—I can’t return to Chancheng with you.”

Zhu Zhanlei “Oh”ed, glanced at Xu Yuan, and couldn’t help warning: “That girl’s background isn’t simple.”

Xu Yuan chuckled bitterly. “Do you think that’s why I spent last night drinking and carousing?”

Zhu Zhanlei’s eyes flickered, her mood suddenly brightened, a smile tugging at her lips: “Why are you explaining to me?”

Xu Yuan: “…”

…

After they stepped out, Xu Yuan said to the Young Lady: “My business here is done. I can now set out to pursue the Dingtoujie.”

The Young Lady nodded.

Wei Shi said: “That malevolent spirit went to Chancheng.”

Xu Yuan froze: It went to my Chancheng!

Zhu Zhanlei had almost left the courtyard, but stopped at this.

Xu Yuan smiled: “Perfect. Let’s head back to Chancheng together.”

The Young Lady studied Zhu Zhanlei, then Xu Yuan, with keen interest.

She knew this Zhu family’s third daughter.

“Then let’s go,” the Young Lady said cheerfully.

The County Magistrate, too ashamed to face Xu my lord, didn’t come out to see them off.

He assigned Wei Zhenbang to escort them all out of the city.

On the road, Wei Shi said to Xu Yuan: “I can only narrow the thing’s location to Changhuai Fang. You’re the Chancheng Zhanglu—how’s the district? Will it be easy to capture?”

Wei Shi already knew about Xu Yuan’s “agreement” with Geng Qi.

This question gave Xu Yuan a chance to list difficulties—so if he failed to catch the Dingtoujie, the Young Lady would understand it wasn’t his fault, sparing him blame.

But when Wei Shi said “Changhuai Fang,” she noticed Xu Yuan’s expression suddenly changed.

Immediately, Xu Yuan said: “I know Changhuai Fang better than anyone!”

Wei Shi sensed something odd—this sounded like gritted teeth.

The Young Lady and Geng Qi and the others stared at Xu Yuan in confusion.

Only Zhu Zhanlei suddenly remembered something.

Ji Shuangqiu, that good man, raised his bushy eyebrows and bellowed: “What?! The malevolent spirit went to our base?! Prince Fu Jingyu is still on patrol in the Nan Cheng Watchhouse!”

The Chancheng Cleansing Office Zhanglu, Xu Yuan, had deep feelings for Changhuai Fang.

At least for now, he ranked it as his “second hometown.”

Because the Nan Cheng Watchhouse was in Changhuai Fang!

In the future, when Xu my lord rises higher and spends more time elsewhere, this “second hometown” might change.

But for now, Xu my lord would not allow a malevolent spirit to run rampant in Changhuai Fang.

Especially since Fu Jingyu and Song Lu were both there.

Xu Yuan suddenly raised his hand and ordered: “Post the speed notice—full speed back to Chancheng!”

“Yes!” His subordinate captains chorused, tying speed notices to their horses’ legs and galloping off in a cloud of dust.

Xu Yuan didn’t even greet Geng Qi.

He and Geng Qi had agreed to let the Dingtoujie escape.

But now this thing had gone to Changhuai Fang—if it caused real disaster, how could Xu my lord let it live?

He couldn’t afford to explain further to Geng Qi.

The Young Lady and her four companions stared, bewildered: What just happened?

Zhu Zhanlei couldn’t keep up.

She was escorting military supplies—dozens of carts, over a hundred men—forced to move slowly along the main road.

Wei Ershi came over to ask; Zhu Zhanlei told her the truth.

Geng Qi’s expression turned strange. He turned his head aside, avoiding the Young Lady’s gaze.

How could this be so unlucky?

Geng Qi couldn’t accuse Xu Yuan of breaking his word.

The Young Lady clapped her hands repeatedly, delighted: “We’ll post speed notices too—chase after them! The malevolent spirit has ruffled Xu Zhanglu’s beard—he’ll be furious and catch it for sure!”

Geng Qi and Wei Shi and the others were reluctant, but couldn’t disobey.

Zhu Zhanlei thought inwardly: You guessed right!

…

When they came, every member of the Cleansing Office had posted speed notices.

That was because the case was urgent—they needed to reach Shiping County fast.

But on the return trip, Xu my lord wanted to save effort.

He didn’t even get to save it.

This group galloped twenty li—then the Young Lady and her four companions easily caught up.

Speed notices varied in quality.

Geng Qi had been looking for a chance to speak privately with Xu Yuan, away from the Young Lady.

But Xu my lord gave him no opportunity until they entered Chancheng.

…

The Dingtoujie parasitizes inside a human brain.

This malevolent spirit is half-physical, half-shadow-soul.

Its physical form is a tiny worm, no bigger than a needle’s eye.

Its shadow-soul portion, however, spans half a zhang wide.

When spread out, it resembles a giant umbrella.

By rotating and drifting with its shadow-soul, it can move freely through the air.

Yesterday, it entered Chancheng through the South Gate and gently trembled its shadow-umbrella.

This was one of its ghost techniques—allowing it to sense whether any threats existed in the area.

If it detected one, it would leave without hesitation.

It had always escaped Geng Qi and the others thanks to this technique.

Unfortunately, yesterday Xu my lord and Da Fu were both absent from Chancheng.

No one in the city could threaten it.

Ding Tou Jie rejoiced: this vast city, with hundreds of thousands of people, was all his!

It spun and drifted into Changhuai Fang.

A parasol half a zhang wide trembled, allowing it to clearly sense the strength of all within a ten-zhang radius below.

Ding Tou Jie preferred to parasitize cultivators.

A ninth-rank Law Cultivator, a Captain of the Southern City Patrol Station, happened to pass by; Ding Tou Jie drifted down and settled behind his head.

Just an arm’s length away—neither too close nor too far.

No one else could see it.

It did not act immediately; at this stage, Ding Tou Jie retracted its half-zhang-wide yin parasol, dragging it behind like the tail of a goldfish, swaying as it glided through the air.

The Captain passed down an alley, empty ahead and behind; Ding Tou Jie lunged forward.

It drilled a hole no larger than a needle point into the back of his skull and slipped inside; the yin parasol rapidly expanded, filling the entire cranial cavity, sucking dry his brain matter!

The Captain collapsed face-first, eyes rolling back, his whole body convulsing.

A porter passed through the alley, saw the fallen Captain, and hurried forward: “My lord, my lord? What’s wrong with you…?”

The Captain suddenly stiffened, startling the porter into a backward stumble.

Then the Captain stood up, brushed the dust off his body, ignored the porter entirely, and walked away.

The porter shook his head, baffled: “Strange…”

The Captain returned smoothly to the Southern City Patrol Station, then awkwardly greeted his colleagues, claiming he felt unwell and retired to his room.

Having consumed the brain matter, Ding Tou Jie needed a full night to digest it before birthing a brood of offspring.

The brain matter of a ninth-rank Law Cultivator would allow it to produce at least a hundred offspring at once!

For an ordinary person, it could produce at most twenty.

…

Xu Yuan led his team racing toward the city; the guards at the Western City Gate saw them from afar and urgently cleared the roads inside and outside the gate.

“Master Xu is in such a hurry—he must have something urgent.”

Xu Yuan did not slow down at all, charging straight through the city gate.

Wei Shi, ever observant, deduced from this detail: this young Zhanglu held immense prestige within the city.

Fu Jingyu was diligently processing documents.

He must ensure not a single procedural error.

Xu Yuan rushed in; the Captains along the way saluted: “My lord!”

Fu Jingyu smiled upon seeing him: “You’re back…”

Xu Yuan first used “Wang Ming” to scan him, then exhaled deeply and asked gravely: “Are all the brothers on duty today?”

“All are here.”

“Has anyone requested leave?”

“No,” Fu Jingyu frowned slightly. “What’s happened?”

Xu Yuan said: “Gather all the brothers immediately. I’ll explain slowly.”

“Understood.” Fu Jingyu left at once.

Soon, everyone in the Southern City Patrol Station was assembled.

“Twelve brothers are out patrolling the streets.”

“Send men to recall them immediately,” Xu Yuan emphasized: “You go yourself.”

“Yes.” Fu Jingyu headed out.

As soon as he stepped outside, Xu Yuan raised his hand; the Filth Net shot out with a whoosh, spreading rapidly.

It enveloped the entire courtyard.

Filth threads crawled everywhere—on the ground, walls, ceiling—everywhere.

Geng Qi and Wei Shi had tried to block the Young Lady from entering.

But they couldn’t stop her.

Now seeing Xu Yuan’s grand display, the four immediately surrounded the Young Lady in the center.

Geng Jiu whispered: “Does Master Xu have a way to see through Ding Tou Jie?”

Geng Qi shook his head slightly—he didn’t know.

Xu Yuan activated “Wang Ming,” scanning everyone once, then relaxed.

All the brothers in the Southern City Patrol Station were unharmed.

But then Xu Yuan suddenly realized another possibility: could one of the twelve patrolling Captains be infected?!

If so, Fu Jingyu might be in danger!

Xu Yuan spun around and dashed out; halfway there, he suddenly remembered something and shouted: “Da Fu!”

Da Fu’s long neck slithered out from behind Xu Yuan’s back, his head twisting left and right, looking utterly dim-witted.

Xu Yuan grabbed him up, ignoring Da Fu’s fierce resistance: “It’s time to prove yourself!”

Then he rushed out.

The Young Lady’s interest surged: Da Fu was so adorable—could he really catch evil spirits?

Otherwise, why would Xu Yuan say that?

“Hurry, hurry, follow!” the Young Lady urged.

The four Wei soldiers reluctantly trailed behind, dragging their feet, twenty zhang back from Master Xu.

Xu Yuan emerged onto the street, asked at shops, and learned which direction Fu Jingyu had gone.

He immediately gave chase.

Wei Shi guessed Xu Yuan’s thought, yet found it odd: “Is he so certain Ding Tou Jie has parasitized a Quhui Corps Captain?”

In truth, Xu Yuan wasn’t certain.

But in his mind, the Captains of the Southern City Patrol Station were his own men—of course they ranked higher than ordinary people.

Master Xu needed to confirm his own men were safe first.

That’s why he came straight to the Southern City Patrol Station after entering the city.

The twelve Captains were split into two squads, each patrolling fixed routes.

Fu Jingyu found the first squad and immediately waved: “Cease patrol. Return with me.”

“Yes!” The six bowed in response.

As one Captain spoke, a Ding Tou Jie spat out of his mouth.

Fu Jingyu turned to leave; the Ding Tou Jie darted after him, ready to drill into the back of his skull!

Suddenly, a white shadow lunged forward and clamped its jaws around the insect!

The Ding Tou Jie thrashed violently, revealing its true form.

Da Fu didn’t care—he stretched his neck and swallowed it whole.

The Young Lady, watching from behind, gasped, her cherry lips wide enough to fit an egg, her eyes sparkling: “So adorable—and so powerful?!”

(End of Chapter)