Chapter 96: Treating Guests and Giving Gifts, Hard to Refuse Such Hospitality

Zhou You revealed a display of fine movement technique, and even Head Constable Qu came to poach him, which shows he has already become a highly sought-after talent.

Logically speaking, the Hall Master should value him and put him to important use, right? However, that did not happen...

Head Constable Qu returned disappointed, chatted for a few sentences, then stood up to take his leave; today's business came to an end.

Wang Jianxiong yawned, summoned a concubine to light his pipe and pound his legs, and incidentally waved his hand to dismiss the two of them.

Lu Qiang led Zhou You away from the Inner Courtyard, explaining his upcoming duties as they walked.

The guards around the Eldest Miss, Wang Yan, had been replaced again recently.

After the "One Mastiff Suppresses Ten Tigers" incident, the Apprentices involved had lost all face and were unwilling to go out.

But the wind had been blowing hard lately; a flower-plucking thief was committing crimes everywhere, and the Eldest Miss had a restless nature and often went out, so guards had to be assigned.

Thus, the Hall Master assigned her another batch of Strength Apprentices to serve as guards in the open.

Zhou You was originally on the list, and today he displayed such formidable movement technique, so it was a done deal.

"Remember, a single hair of the Eldest Miss is more important than your life."

Lu Qiang, this Big Senior Brother, was unprecedentedly stern, "You must not be negligent, otherwise..."

He did not say the threatening words again, but anyone with a brain could imagine them.

Captain Chang was heartbroken over his beloved daughter's tragic death and took his anger out on Yang Xi; this guard who fought to the death still could not be buried, his corpse was rotting and stinking in his home, his father and mother had become demented, and a perfectly good family was ruined just like that.

The Constables on duty that night were held accountable, each receiving 50 heavy strokes, and every one of them was beaten half to death.

Why did Head Constable Qu come to ask for help? It was because he was forced into a corner with no other choice.

That damned flower-plucking thief—if he only toyed with the daughters of poor families, it would be no big deal. But he specifically targeted wealthy households, and the victims were either rich or noble; the matter grew bigger and bigger, to the point where it could no longer be covered up.

As a guard, if Zhou You failed to handle things well, his entire family would be implicated.

"Big Senior Brother, I have heard you, and I have noted it down."

Zhou You cupped his hands, "Zhou You will certainly not fail the mission."

He had originally intended to conserve his energy so he could go to work the next day.

Unexpectedly, in the evening, someone passed a post in from outside the gate; it was an acquaintance, Constable Liu.

"Young Master Zhou, Head Constable Qu has set up a banquet at Zhaijin Lou to invite you; please do us the honor of attending."

He walked with a limp and wore a painful expression on his face; clearly, the punishment of 50 heavy strokes was severe and had injured his bones and tendons.

Zhou You immediately understood the reason behind this; the other party was trying to win him over indirectly! He immediately declined politely, "I'm sorry, I have things to do the next day; please thank Head Constable Qu for his kindness on my behalf."

The Hall Master had refused in person during the day, and he would go to eat with them at night—that would be committing a mistake! Although Constable Liu was an acquaintance and had been beaten pitifully, he still could not agree.

"Young Master Zhou, Head Constable Qu said he won't make things difficult for you; just having a meal will count as making friends."

Constable Liu anxiously stepped forward, tugging at the wounds on his back, shivering with pain.

At this moment, he appeared incomparably humble, "The matter does not violate any taboos, Young Master Zhou!"

What truly moved Zhou You was the final sentence.

"Young Master Zhou, Head Constable Qu has prepared a heavy gift for you; it is of great benefit to your movement technique and is a treasure rare to find in a thousand gold."

Zhaijin Lou, second-floor private room...

Constable Liu limped as he invited Zhou You into the private room, then stood outside the door to wait.

Inside the room, Head Constable Qu had been waiting for a long time; he was alone, and upon seeing Zhou You, he came forward to greet him.

"Young Hero Zhou!"

This form of address was quite interesting! Head Constable Qu was a minor official after all; if he addressed him as Young Master Zhou like Constable Liu, it would be too sycophantic, but adding the word "Hero" made it very natural.

"Head Constable Qu, let's state beforehand, it's best if we just eat."

Zhou You swept his gaze over the room and made a rough estimate of the cost of this meal: about 200 to 300 taels.

With a per-capita consumption of over 100, Head Constable Qu had spent a fortune this time.

Zhaijin Lou was a true "gold-consuming den," claiming that no matter how much money one brought upstairs, it could all be spent until not a cent remained. Inviting someone to eat here, beyond the social exchange, hid huge interest exchanges.

"Young Hero Zhou, I mean nothing else; I just want to chat with you."

After the banquet began, eight cold and hot dishes, dried fruits and candied preserves, birds and beasts, and mountain delicacies and sea flavors were served like a flowing stream.

There were many delicious delicacies, but no one had the heart to eat; they were too busy chatting.

"Young Hero Zhou, those who practice martial arts mostly have to settle on a livelihood and manage industries to pass down to their families."

"In the future, when you have finished your apprenticeship and want to do business or build connections, I am willing to help from the official side, with all my heart and strength."

"Drink..."

Zhou You nodded; these words were correct. He could not stay in the martial arts hall for his whole life and had to manage his own connections.

Constables were the local tyrants in the city, and even gangs had to give them some face; they could solve many troubles!

But these alone were not enough!

"Young Hero Zhou, the bounty for the flower-plucking thief has been preliminarily set, and it will be sent to the major martial arts halls in a few days."

"I, Qu, am telling you in advance..."

The lamplight flickered a few times, then returned to stillness.

After hearing the contents of the bounty, Zhou You's heart was in a state of great tremor.

The various victims and aggrieved parties in the city had jointly offered a bounty, and the pool of reward money accumulated was terrifying.

Until Captain Chang joined in, these bounties were integrated into one, named "Flower Red."

The Flower Red included a hundred acres of fertile land funded by the Grain Store owner, a precious sword passed down in Head Constable Qu's family, as well as jewelry, Property Deeds, and so on from other wealthy and noble families.

The most tempting bounty came from the ghost-catching Captain Chang; he had a Sea of Blood feud with the flower-plucking thief and was the most willing to spend heavily.

"Captain Chang's reward is 20 Scale-Beard Pills."

The Scale-Beard Pill, which has a minimum threshold of Qi and blood to consume, is a special pill for the warrior level among the City Gate Guards.

The grade of this kind of pill is not below that of the Mountain Monarch Life-Changing Pill.

To bring out 20 at once would make any Qi-Blood warrior's heart race; after all, this is a massive fortune.

This batch of medicinal pills alone is enough to make countless Qi-Blood warriors risk their lives.

Zhou You's goal is to break through the Qi-Blood realm, so no amount of Secret Medicine is ever enough; upon hearing of the Scale-Whiskered Pill, he was already determined to obtain it.

Head Constable Qu observes Zhou You's expression, knowing he is already tempted, knowing the time is ripe.

He suddenly takes an object from his bosom...

"Young Hero Zhou, this object... is called a Charm Bone."

"My family has passed down two treasures, a precious sword and the Charm Bone; the sword was my ancestor's sidearm, nourished by his Qi-Blood for a century without rusting, and it never chipped when killing."

"My ancestor killed a Charm-beast that had transformed into a bird, and after it died, it left behind two things: a section of wing bone and a Charm Core."

"The Charm Core is the most expensive gemstone in the world, inlaid on the sword hilt as a decoration."

"This section of wing bone has great utility; if ground into powder and consumed, it has the effect of enhancing movement techniques."

Zhou You suddenly realizes that the previous content was all just buildup, and this is the other party's true objective.

Head Constable Qu stirred his competitive spirit and then stimulated him with a generous bounty.

Now, by bringing out the Charm Bone and telling him that if he accepts this item to improve his movement technique, he will have a chance to slay the Flower-Plucking Thief and take the top prize.

The temptation of gaining both fame and fortune is laid out right before him.

"Young Hero Zhou, this is not a bribe, but a way to make a friend."

Head Constable Qu says politely, "In the future, when we hunt the Flower-Plucking Thief, Young Hero Zhou will surely have a place; at that time, please avenge my tragically deceased niece, and do not let that beast die too quickly."

(End of chapter)