Chapter 411: The Time to Perform (Three-in-One)

Xu Yuan had guessed correctly, but there were parts he had not yet guessed.

Geng Qi and the other three had watched the Young Lady grow up and knew her personality very well.

At the Southern Jiaozhi Branch of the Purification Bureau, when selecting targets from the wanted evil spirits, the four worked in tacit coordination, using some verbal tricks to subtly guide the Young Lady until she chose this Nail-Head Boil.

This evil spirit was extremely rare, with bizarre abilities.

But in reality, even if one were possessed by this thing, it would not be immediately fatal.

Even if the Young Lady encountered an accident, there would still be room for recovery.

But regarding such matters, the four would never speak a word of it, even under torture.

For servants to use such means to "control" their masters was a grave taboo.

If not for the Young Lady's safety being paramount, the four would not have employed such tactics.

Geng Qi became even more convinced that this young man had become the Master of Laws through his own merits.

Pity, such a talented young man was not born into a good family; otherwise, his future would truly be limitless.

"Then..." Xu Yuan continued, "Tomorrow, when pursuing the Nail-Head Boil, I will also try my best to let it escape."

If Xu Yuan had said this when they first met, Geng Qi would have bluntly replied, "No need to hold back; pursue as you wish. That Nail-Head Boil is cunning and slippery; even with full pursuit, it cannot be caught."

But now, Geng Qi nodded repeatedly: "My Lord Xu, please show mercy and do not truly catch that thing. We will all remember this favor from the Master of Laws."

Having settled the matter, Xu Yuan immediately took his leave.

He did not so much as glance once more into the courtyard.

Geng Qi nodded inwardly: This young man is truly cautious, refusing to create trouble for himself.

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

He exonerated the local magistrate with a few words and, additionally, emphasized praising his excellent work in resettling the disaster victims after the strange calamity.

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

"Xiao Ba." He called out. Lang Xiao Ba immediately pushed the door open and entered.

"Take this Juan Sect to the magistrate and ask him to review it once more. If there are no issues, send it to the Southern Branch tomorrow."

"Yes."

Lang Xiao Ba took the documents away; after the magistrate read them, he was moved to tears of gratitude.

Do not think that because Xu Yuan had previously made a promise...

... in the official world, verbal promises are often made and then reneged upon afterwards; such cases are everywhere.

My Lord Xu being so straightforward is truly rare.

That night, the magistrate came again to invite My Lord Xu to a banquet.

The banquet was held at the most elegant venue in the county, "Pipa Pavilion."

The magistrate further explained to Xu Yuan the wonderful aspects of this "Pipa Pavilion."

Inside the pavilion are four top-ranking courtesans who have not yet lost their virginity, purchased by the pavilion master at great expense from the Southern Capital.

These four Misses have fingers like spring onions, nimble and graceful; their pipal skills are of first-rate standard even in Zhengzhou.

They can compose poetry and couplets, and are also skilled in ink wash painting.

They are first-class talented women.

My Lord Xu seemed moved by the description.

This banquet had been prepared on the very day Xu Yuan arrived.

Now that the case was concluded, Xu Yuan no longer declined.

But Xu Yuan said, "I will not go to Pipa Pavilion. It is inconvenient to stay overnight outside the yamen; let us stay in this rear courtyard instead."

The magistrate understood the implication and arranged the banquet in the rear courtyard of the yamen.

The four Misses from Pipa Pavilion, skilled in playing the pipa, were also invited over.

Xu Yuan drank until he was thoroughly drunk; the laughter of men and women echoed in the night sky of the rear courtyard.

This left the Young Lady speechless, and she said to Wei Shi, "Auntie, you guarded so strictly that you frightened the person, even going so far as to break the law by engaging in brothel revelry within the yamen, all just to sully your reputation before me."

Wei Shi could not help but feel embarrassed; my Young Lady is as intelligent as ice and snow.

But she did not blame Xu Yuan for "trying too hard."

One must know gratitude; why else would My Lord Xu exert himself so much?

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

The Young Lady sent Geng Jiu to inquire twice, and Lang Xiao Ba answered with a stern face: "My Lord has not yet awakened."

Wei Shi thought Xu Yuan had tried too hard, but she did not know that My Lord Xu was executing a chain of schemes.

All just to depart a bit later today.

To let the Nail-Head Boil run even further away.

To avoid accidentally catching it.

Thus, they waited until the second quarter of the Si hour before Xu Yuan rose.

After washing and dressing and having a simple breakfast, he solemnly apologized to the Young Lady, who had already waited with some impatience.

He said things like "indulging last night."

The Young Lady, behind her flower-patterned hat, could not help but roll Old Baiyan again.

"Let us go quickly; Auntie has already found the direction the Nail-Head Boil took..."

Just as the Young Lady was speaking, the magistrate arrived, smiling and saying, "My Lord Xu, those four Misses from last night were instantly smitten with you. Seeing that you had no one to serve tea and water by your side, I took the liberty of purchasing them and gifting them to My Lord..."

Four girls, holding pipas, followed behind the magistrate, looking at Xu Yuan with a mixture of shyness and expectation.

But the magistrate had not finished speaking when he was interrupted again.

Ji Shuangqiu burst in with a thud-thud-thud, her voice booming like a great bell: "My lord, Zhu Zhanmei has arrived."

As Xu Yuan was still wondering who this "Zhu Zhanglv" she mentioned might be, he saw a nimble, slender figure flash out from behind Ji Shuangqiu's burly, delicate frame.

Zhu Zhanmei!

She had been promoted to Zhanglv upon her return last time.

She had even changed into a new official robe.

Her clothes were bright and fresh, her pretty face stern and solemn.

She did not look very happy.

Xu Yuan stood with his eyes wide and mouth agape.

He felt as though some kind of law had been triggered...

The magistrate, an old bureaucrat, keenly sensed something.

He immediately fell silent, daring no longer to mention offering women to Lord Xu.

He stepped back, hid his left hand behind his back, and gestured to the four pipa-playing women: Get out quickly!

The Young Lady suddenly spoke: "Magistrate, you are truly generous. How much silver did it cost you to gift these four chaste courtesans to Lord Xu Zhanglv?"

The old bureaucrat's mind could not keep up: Young Lady, you appear as sharp as ice and snow, yet why are you adding fuel to the fire at this moment?

The magistrate looked at Zhu Zhanmei, then at the Young Lady—he felt the Young Lady seemed to be taking malicious delight in his misfortune.

Xu Yuan decided instantly, waving his hand: "I appreciate the magistrate's kindness, but I am accustomed to being alone. I appreciate the kindness, but please take the people back."

"Yes." The magistrate hurriedly pushed the four girls out.

Xu Yuan looked again at Zhu Zhanmei: "Why have you come?"

Zhu Zhanmei glanced at the Young Lady standing aside; she knew who this noble lady was.

She simply could not understand how this woman had become involved with Xu Yuan.

"Old Master Ma sent me to summon you to Luo City."

"Commander Ma sent you?"

Zhu Zhanmei was from the Shanhe Office; if Ma Tianshou wanted to summon Xu Yuan, he would have sent someone from the Quwei Office.

Zhu Zhanmei said: "There is a major incident in Luo City. The court has secretly issued an order; now the Quwei Office, the Shanhe Office, and the Demon-Extermination Army are working together with one heart to respond jointly."

"Speak inside." Xu Yuan said.

With so many people in the courtyard and too many eyes, secrets could easily be leaked.

Zhu Zhanmei and Xu Yuan went inside together.

"An embassy has arrived from Tianzhu, but they are all Green-Eyed Barbarians!"

Xu Yuan frowned: "Green-Eyed Barbarians?"

"We have learned through various channels that the Green-Eyed Barbarians have already conquered Southern Tianzhu..."

Zhu Zhanmei detailed all the known current situation to Xu Yuan.

The Hongming Dynasty was ambitious; there was even a long-term plan within the court to send troops on two fronts in the future to completely conquer Tianzhu.

It was said that the greatest force behind this was the Canal Dragon King.

Tianzhu has a great river, and the Canal Dragon King is determined to secure this river.

The court's grand plan involves sending five hundred thousand troops, plus conscripting three million river workers and common laborers!

Now the Green-Eyed Barbarians have seized Tianzhu first!

"It is said that in Tianzhu, the Green-Eyed Barbarians' military might was sharp and unstoppable, encountering almost no serious resistance; after their steamships landed, it took only half a year to occupy all of Southern Tianzhu."

Xu Yuan furrowed his brow and asked: "What is their purpose in sending an embassy?"

"To proclaim their martial prowess and warn our court not to meddle in Tianzhu again. Therefore, more than half of the embassy consists of their 'professionals'.

It is said they also brought several 'creations' as 'gifts' for the Son of Heaven.

These creations possess terrifying power; they are the latest achievements of the Green-Eyed Barbarians."

Xu Yuan sneered; were they coming to intimidate us?

We have fought the Green-Eyed Barbarians before; the Hongming Dynasty won.

"Have they already reached Champa?"

"Not yet; it is estimated they have five days left." Zhu Zhanmei said: "However, the situation is not optimistic; they passed through the Demon-Extermination Army's territory earlier, and it is likely several skirmishes occurred secretly.

The Demon-Extermination Army has been vague about the details, but it is estimated they suffered a major defeat."

Xu Yuan understood: "So the court is preparing to show them some color in Champa?"

Zhu Zhanmei nodded: "This matter has been entrusted to Old Master Ma by the court. Now in Champa, all three offices of the Ghost Wushan are under the old master's command.

I happened to be going to Luo City to deliver a batch of military equipment, so the old master asked me to bring you this message along the way; you must appear in Luo City in five days."

Xu Yuan nodded, suddenly realizing: "You just happened to pass through Shiping County."

"Yes, I was passing outside the city and had no intention of entering; I happened to meet Ji Shuangqiu, and she told me you were in the city."

Early in the morning, Ji Shuangqiu, what were you doing wandering outside the city?!

Xu Yuan made a mental note against this hero Ji Shuangqiu.

"Champa has no River Canal Camp stationed there; who are you delivering the military equipment to?" Xu Yuan asked again.

"There will be one in the future." Zhu Zhanmei said: "The court will soon reach a conclusion regarding the Princess Consort's matter. An order has already been issued to station a camp of five hundred River Canal soldiers near the Champa dock.

This batch of military equipment is being delivered in advance for building the camp."

"A camp of five hundred men, what use is that against Ghost Wushan?"

Zhu Zhanmei: "The court's intention is likely to advance step by step and proceed gradually. But it is also possible... they are currently unable to do anything about Lord Ruan Tian, so they can only make a show of it; they cannot let a Princess Consort die without any reaction."

Xu Yuan vaguely felt that it would not be that simple.

But regardless... this is my opportunity.

If I operate in the shadows, I can surely cause some trouble for Master Ruan Tian.

"What exactly is the strength of that Green-Eyed Barbarian delegation?"

"The old lord has already arranged people to investigate." Zhu Zhanmei said with a hint of dissatisfaction: "The Demon-Subduing Army is tight-lipped; they simply refuse to tell us."

Xu Yuan felt a wave of disgust.

It was very much in the style of the Demon-Subduing Army.

They suffered a loss and felt they had lost face.

The court put Ma Tianshou in charge to get revenge within Luocheng.

But the Demon-Subduing Army did not want the Sin-Erasing Bureau and the Shanhe Bureau to steal the spotlight.

I lost; if you win, doesn't that prove I'm a waste?

So the Demon-Subduing Army must secretly hope for Ma Tianshou's crushing defeat and is unwilling to share intelligence.

Xu Yuan shook his head: "The strange case in Shiping County has been resolved, but I owe a favor to that noble person outside. I promised her yesterday that I would help her hunt down a malevolent spirit, so I cannot accompany you back to Zhancheng."

Zhu Zhanmei made an "Oh" sound, looked at Xu Yuan, and couldn't help but remind him: "That Miss's background is far from simple."

Xu Yuan smiled bitterly: "Do you think that's why I was carousing last night?"

Zhu Zhanmei's eyes rolled, her mood suddenly brightened, and a smile hung on the corner of her lips: "Why are you explaining this to me?"

Xu Yuan: "..."

After the two came out, Xu Yuan said to the Young Lady: "My affairs are settled; we can depart now to hunt down the Nail-Head Boil."

The Young Lady nodded.

Wei Nian Yi said: "That malevolent spirit has gone to Zhancheng."

Xu Yuan was stunned: It went to my Zhancheng!

Zhu Zhanmei had almost walked out of the courtyard, but hearing this, she stopped.

Xu Yuan smiled: "Perfect, let's return to Zhancheng together."

The Young Lady looked at Zhu Zhanmei with interest, then looked at Xu Yuan.

She knew this third Young Lady of the Zhu family.

"Then let's go quickly," the Young Lady said with a smile.

The county magistrate had no face to see my lord Xu, so he did not come out to see them off again.

He assigned Wei Zhenbang to escort the entire group all the way out of the city.

On the road, Wei Nian Yi said to Xu Yuan: "I can only pinpoint that thing's location to Changhuai Ward. You are the Lawkeeper of Zhancheng; how is the situation in that ward? Is it convenient for an arrest?"

Wei Nian Yi already knew about the "agreement" between Xu Yuan and Geng Qi.

By asking this, he was giving Xu Yuan a chance to voice various difficulties; if they ultimately failed to catch the Nail-Head Boil, the Young Lady would find it understandable and refrain from blaming Lawkeeper Xu.

But when Wei Nian Yi spoke the name "Changhuai Ward," he noticed Xu Yuan's expression suddenly change.

Immediately after, Xu Yuan said: "I am far too familiar with Changhuai Ward!"

Wei Nian Yi felt something was off; this... felt like a grinding of teeth?

The Young Lady, Geng Qi, and the others all looked at Xu Yuan strangely.

Only Zhu Zhanmei suddenly remembered something.

Ji Shuangqiu, that hero, raised his thick eyebrows and let out a loud shout: "What! That malevolent spirit ran to our old nest? Seeing Fu Jingyu is still on patrol duty at the Nancheng Patrol Station!"

Lawkeeper Xu Yuan of the Zhancheng Sin-Erasing Bureau has deep feelings for Changhuai Ward.

At least for now, my lord Xu Yuan has ranked it as his "second hometown."

Because the Nancheng Patrol Station is right in Changhuai Ward!

In the future, if my lord Xu prospers and spends more time elsewhere, this "second hometown" might change hands.

But at least for now, my lord Xu cannot allow a malevolent spirit to run wild in Changhuai Ward.

Besides, Seeing Fu Jingyu and Song Lu are both there.

Xu Yuan suddenly raised his hand and ordered: "Hang the notices! Full speed back to Zhancheng!"

"Yes!" the Captains under him shouted in unison, hung the notices on their horse legs, and then galloped away in a rolling rush.

Xu Yuan didn't even say goodbye to Geng Qi.

Previously, he had agreed with Geng Qi to let the Nail-Head Boil escape.

But this thing actually ran to Changhuai Ward; if it truly causes some disaster, how can my lord Xu spare it!

He felt too embarrassed to say much more to Geng Qi.

The Young Lady and the other four looked utterly bewildered: What is going on?

Zhu Zhanmei couldn't keep up.

She was escorting military equipment; over a dozen large carts and more than a hundred people could only move slowly along the official road.

Wei Nian Yi came over to ask, and Zhu Zhanmei told the truth.

Geng Qi's expression turned strange; he turned his head to the side to avoid the Young Lady noticing anything amiss.

How did this matter turn out so awkwardly?

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

The Young Lady clapped her hands repeatedly, greatly delighted, and said: "Let's hang notices too and quickly catch up! That malevolent spirit stroked Lawkeeper Xu's tiger whiskers; under Lawkeeper Xu's great anger, he will surely catch that thing!"

Geng Qi, Wei Nian Yi, and the others were reluctant but could not disobey.

Zhu Zhanmei thought to herself: You guessed right!

When they arrived, calligraphy copies were hung throughout the Purification Bureau.

The case was urgent; they had to reach Shiping County as soon as possible.

But on the return journey, Lord Xu wanted to save some effort.

In the end, he didn't manage to save any.

This group of riders galloped twenty li, only to see the Young Lady and her four companions catch up with ease.

Calligraphy copies also have different levels of quality.

Geng Qi had been looking for a chance to avoid the Young Lady and communicate with Xu Yuan again.

But Lord Xu did not give him that opportunity until they entered Zhancheng.

……

The Nail-Head Pimple parasitizes the human brain.

This evil spirit is half physical and half yin soul.

The physical part takes the form of a worm no larger than a needle's eye.

The yin soul part, however, is fully half a zhang in size.

When spread out, it resembles a large umbrella.

Relying on the rotation and flight of its yin soul part, it can move freely in mid-air.

Yesterday, after entering Zhancheng through the South City Gate, it gently trembled its yin soul umbrella.

This is one of its cunning techniques, allowing it to sense whether any existence capable of threatening it is present in this territory.

If there is one, it will leave without hesitation.

Previously, it always managed to escape the pursuit of Geng Qi and others by relying on this cunning technique.

Unfortunately, yesterday neither Lord Xu nor Da Fu was in Zhancheng.

No one inside the city could threaten it.

The Nail-Head Pimple rejoiced wildly: "Such a huge city, with a population of hundreds of thousands, is all mine!"

It spun and drifted, entering Changhuai Ward.

With the vibration of its half-zhang umbrella, it could clearly perceive the strength of everyone within a range of roughly ten zhang below.

The Nail-Head Pimple likes to parasitize cultivators.

A Captain practicing the ninth-rank method from the South City Patrol Station happened to pass by; the Nail-Head Pimple drifted down and followed behind his head.

Not too far, not too close, exactly an arm's length away.

Others could not see it.

It did not rush to act; in its current state, the Nail-Head Pimple retracted its half-zhang yin qi umbrella, dragging it behind like a goldfish's tail, swimming through the air while swaying.

As the Captain passed through a narrow alley with no one ahead or behind, the Nail-Head Pimple suddenly pounced.

It chiseled a needle-point-sized Kong Dong into the back of his head and drilled in; the yin qi umbrella rapidly spread out, occupying the entire cranial cavity and sucking the Captain's brain matter dry!

The Captain fell headfirst, rolling his eyes and convulsing uncontrollably.

A porter passing through this alley saw the Captain lying on the ground and hurried forward to ask: "My lord, my lord? What has happened to you..."

Suddenly, the Captain's entire body went rigid, frightening the porter into stumbling backward.

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

The porter shook his head in confusion: "Strange..."

The Captain returned smoothly to the South City Patrol Station, then somewhat awkwardly greeted his colleagues around him before saying he felt unwell and went to his room to rest.

After sucking the brain matter, the Nail-Head Pimple needs one night to digest it, then gives birth to a brood of offspring.

The brain matter of a ninth-rank method cultivator allows it to produce at least one hundred offspring at once!

If it were an ordinary person, it would produce at most twenty.

……

Xu Yuan led his team galloping toward the West City Gate; the guards saw them from afar and immediately cleared the roads inside and outside the gate.

"Lord Xu is in such a hurry; there must be something important."

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

Wei Shi, being meticulous, noticed from this detail: this young Law Master enjoys extremely high prestige in Zhancheng.

Fu Jingyu was diligently handling various documents.

He was determined to ensure no errors occurred in the procedures.

Xu Yuan rushed in quickly; the Captains along the way all bowed and saluted: "My lord!"

Seeing him, Fu Jingyu smiled: "You're back..."

Xu Yuan first used "Wang Ming" to check him, breathed a long sigh of relief, then asked in a deep voice: "Are all the brothers on duty today?"

"They have all arrived."

"Has anyone requested leave?"

"No." Fu Jingyu was somewhat puzzled: "What has happened?"

Xu Yuan said: "Gather all the brothers immediately; I will explain to you slowly."

"Very well." Fu Jingyu left at once.

Soon, everyone in the South City Patrol Station was gathered.

"There are still twelve brothers out patrolling the streets."

"Send someone to retrieve them immediately." Xu Yuan emphasized again: "You go yourself."

"Very well." Fu Jingyu headed out.

After he left the door, Xu Yuan immediately raised his hand; the Evil Filth Net flew out with a "Whoosh," spreading rapidly.

Enveloping the entire courtyard.

Filthy threads crawled everywhere—on the ground, the walls, the ceiling, omnipresent.

Geng Qi and Wei Shi had originally intended to stop the Young Lady from following them inside.

But they could not stop her.

Seeing Xu Yuan making such a grand display, the four immediately surrounded the Young Lady in the center.

Geng Jiu whispered quietly, "Does Rule-Enforcement Master Xu have a way to see through the Nail-Head Pimple?"

Geng Qi shook his head gently; he did not know either.

Xu Yuan activated "Gazing at Fate," scanned everyone, and breathed a sigh of relief.

None of the brothers in the Nancheng Patrol Station were harmed.

But immediately after, Xu Yuan suddenly thought of another possibility: Could it be among the twelve patrolling the streets?!

If that were truly the case, Fu Jingyu might be in danger!

Xu Yuan immediately turned and rushed out; halfway there, he suddenly remembered something and called out, "Da Fu!"

Da Fu's long neck stretched out from behind Lord Xu, twisting left and right at his forehead, looking rather unintelligent.

Xu Yuan grabbed him, ignoring Da Fu's fierce resistance: "Your time to perform has arrived!"

Then he rushed out.

The Young Lady's interest surged greatly: Da Fu was so cute; could he possibly catch evil spirits?

Otherwise, why would Xu Yuan have said that?

"Quick, quick, quick, follow!" the Young Lady urged.

The four of Wei Shi were extremely reluctant, dragging their feet, and followed twenty zhang behind Lord Xu.

Xu Yuan came out, asked around the shops along the street, and immediately knew the direction Fu Jingyu had taken.

So he immediately gave chase.

Wei Shi guessed Xu Yuan's thought and found it strange: "Is he so certain that the Nail-Head Pimple is parasitizing the brains of the Purification Bureau Captains?"

Actually, Xu Yuan was not certain.

It was just that in Xu Yuan's heart, the Captains of the Nancheng Patrol Station were his own men, so their priority naturally ranked higher than that of ordinary people.

Lord Xu needed to confirm first that his own brothers were unharmed.

That was why, upon entering the city, he went straight to the Nancheng Patrol Station.

Those twelve Captains were divided into two teams, each patrolling the streets along a fixed route.

Fu Jingyu found one of the teams first and immediately waved, saying, "Suspend the patrol; return with me."

"Yes!" the six men bowed and responded to the order.

As one of the Captains opened his mouth to speak, a Nail-Head Pimple spat out.

Fu Jingyu turned and left; that Nail-Head Pimple swiftly followed, immediately attempting to drill into the back of Fu Jingyu's head!

Suddenly, a white shadow flew in, clamping its jaws around the insect!

The Nail-Head Pimple struggled violently, revealing its form.

Da Fu did not care about you; he stretched his neck and swallowed it whole.

The Young Lady happened to witness this scene from behind; her surprised cherry mouth could have swallowed an egg, and her eyes were full of little stars: "So cute and so powerful?!"

(End of this chapter)