Chapter 13

Uncle Hu -> raw_term: "Uncle Hu". original_term: "Uncle Hu".

Zou Zhen -> raw_term: "Zou Zhen". original_term: "Zou Zhen".

Zou Big Brother refers to the same person; we already have a person entry, so it's not needed.

Flag Commander Yang -> raw_term: "Flag Commander Yang". original_term: "Flag Commander Yang". Alternatively we could split: person "Yang Zongqi" and rank "Flag Commander". But we already have rank entry. Let's decide to include both person and rank. We'll add person entry: "Yang Zongqi" (pinyin for rank) maybe? But we need to be consistent. Let's think: The term Flag Commander Yang includes surname Yang and rank Flag Commander. If we list person as "Yang Zongqi", we lose the meaning of rank but still it's a name. However the rank is also a named entity; we can list rank separately. The person entry could be "Yang Zongqi". That would be using pinyin for the rank part, which is okay because it's part of how he's referred to. But the instruction says for person names we should use pinyin for the actual name. The actual name of the person is Yang (surname) plus maybe a given name? We don't have given name; we only have rank. So the person is known by his rank. So using pinyin for the rank is acceptable as it's part of how he's referred to. So we could list person as "Yang Zongqi". And also list rank "Flag Commander". Let's do that.

Thus:

- Person: Yang Zongqi (original Flag Commander Yang). raw_term: "Yang Zongqi". original_term: "Flag Commander Yang".

- Rank: Flag Commander (original Flag Commander). raw_term: "Flag Commander". original_term: "Flag Commander".

But note that the rank appears only as part of Flag Commander Yang; we still list it.

South Pacification Office -> raw_term: "South Pacification Office". original_term: "South Pacification Office".

North Pacification Office -> raw_term: "North Pacification Office". original_term: "North Pacification Office".

Lord Dong Yun -> raw_term: "Lord Dong Yun". original_term: "Lord Dong Yun".

Shen Qingru -> raw_term: "Shen Qingru". original_term: "Shen Qingru".

Yang Hanlu -> raw_term: "Yang Hanlu". original_term: "Yang Hanlu".

Grand Void Temple -> raw_term: "Grand Void Temple". original_term: "Grand Void Temple".

The Southern Pacification Office's external assignment waist badge can only be issued by the Chief Banner, but our Chief Banner Yang doesn't handle any external affairs, so it ended up in my hands, because the Southern Pacification Office is perpetually short-staffed, so they specially approved to increase external staff.

Upper Yang City -> raw_term: "Upper Yang City". original_term: "Upper Yang City".

Jade Stele Forest -> raw_term: "Jade Stele Forest". original_term: "Jade Stele Forest".

Pure Yang Infant Technique -> raw_term: "Pure Yang Infant Technique". original_term: "Pure Yang Infant Technique".

Tiger and Wolf Medicine -> raw_term: "Tiger and Wolf Medicine". original_term: "Tiger and Wolf Medicine".

Eighth Rank -> raw_term: "Eighth Rank". original_term: "Eighth Rank".

Cang Medical Hall -> raw_term: "Cang Medical Hall". original_term: "Cang Medical Hall".

Cang Medical Pavilion -> raw_term: "Cang Medical Pavilion". original_term: "Cang Medical Pavilion".

"This one has no signature either; how can it be verified? If something happens to me, will Brother Zou not be implicated as well?"

Zou Zhenman waved his hand indifferently and said:

"That iron lump can be identified as who distributed it using the special tools of the Zhenning Office; as long as you don't use this waist token to do evil and get caught, I won't suffer any collateral punishment."

"Internally distributed, this item won't be counterfeited; when produced, the brothers of the Zhenning Office basically recognize it, and using it saves a lot of trouble in genuine work—normally only very familiar people would take it out."

"Moreover, this waist token has been improved by the Wuji Observatory; injecting internal energy into its front can shoot fire meteors, used as a signal, and the brothers of the Southern Zhenning Office will rush over upon seeing it."

"I'm not just taking this as a favor because Brother Jiang saved my life."

"Then little brother thanks you, but I have one question: the Northern Zhenning Office catches corrupt officials, the Southern Zhenning Office eliminates demons and heresy. Such a powerful organization as the Zhenning Office—outsiders would fight to get in—so why is it so short-staffed?"

Upon hearing Jiang Yunzhou's inquiry, Zou Zhen seemed to recall something irritating, and cursed:

"Damn it, it sounds like you think the Northern and Southern Zhenning Offices have equal status; actually, if you think about it you'll understand—the Northern Zhenning Office catches corrupt officials, plainly meaning arresting people, interrogating them, and confiscating property—there's plenty of profit and little danger."

"Naturally, more people want to get in, and the Northern Zhenning Office rarely employs outsiders without connections."

"The Southern Zhenning Office is exactly the opposite—what they encounter are either rebel traitors or foreign forces, and even many demonic poison practitioners; the situation is far more dangerous, so naturally few are willing to join, and later they even absorbed some pardoned prisoners."

"That's why we use this method to expand external forces to assist investigations; besides, the Southern Zhenning Office doesn't take just anyone—it still requires strict selection."

"I see; since Brother Zou doesn't mind, I'll become an external operative of the Southern Zhenning Office. By the way, can I also learn about the Southern Zhenning Office's recent operations as an external operative?"

Zou Zhen shifted to a more comfortable posture and replied:

"Of course; recent operations have been about the Southern Witch rebels. I don't know why, but these folks from the far south have started appearing around Shangyang City, indiscriminately killing several households."

"Although we suffered a loss here, I also learned that the Southern Witch rebels will gather at the Jade Stele Forest south of Shangyang City at the chou hour tonight; we sent people to ambush there at the zi hour, but unfortunately I'm injured and can't go."

"Does the Southern Zhenning Office have an operation tonight?"

"That's great; it's just the chance to let the paper man see real combat."

"This time it's not at home, so I should be able to unleash it without restraint."

"Just out of the infirmary, I saw Elder Sister Qingu holding a prescription box as she went downstairs."

"Yunzhou, have you reached eighth rank?"

"No, my master only taught me internal cultivation and not practical combat techniques, so I've never had the chance to reach eighth rank."

Shen Qingu furrowed her brows slightly, as if speaking up for Jiang Yunzhou's grievance, and complained:

"Big brother really, he just wants you to inherit the medical path, and it wouldn't affect your training; although we doctors belong to the miscellaneous gate, learning a protective skill while young still offers hope to reach eighth rank and compete for seventh—at least you'd have the ability to protect yourself and survive. Fortunately, the medical hall also has many prescriptions that aid internal cultivation."

"Elder Sister Qingu, no need to worry so much; my master only teaching internal cultivation has his reasons. As for techniques, I went to see Lord Dong Yun this morning and got two manuals from him."

"Oh? You went to see Lord Dong Yun this morning?"

"Does Elder Sister Qingu know him too?"

"We do know each other, but big brother once instructed not to involve the Cang Medical Hall and the Shen family when seeking Lord Dong Yun."

"Could it be that the palace case from years ago has some entanglements, and the master fears dragging Lord Dong Yun into it?"

"This is originally just an affair between our medical halls; letting Lord Dong Yun intervene really isn't appropriate. Just now, Elder Sister Qingu said there are prescriptions that help enhance internal strength?"

"That hits Shen Qingu's area of expertise."

"Back then, the Cang Medical Hall also served the royal nobility; many young masters of great clans had no time to train daily, so using medicinal cuisine to supplement and thus enhance internal strength became the best choice."

"Shen Qingu also improved upon these prescriptions, which is why palace ladies especially like using the Cang Medical Hall's medicines."

"I may not match you in detoxifying, curing illness, and saving people, but I'm quite confident in medicinal cuisine; no matter what attribute your internal strength is, it can help you improve. By the way, Yunzhou, what internal cultivation do you practice?"

Jiang Yunzhou heard this and rejoiced:

"The Pure Yang Child's Skill, the utmost yang and utmost rigid."

Upon hearing Jiang Yunzhou's reply, Shen Qingu blinked slightly:

"Pure Yang...... Child's Skill?"

Seeing Elder Sister Qingu's embarrassed expression, Jiang Yunzhou asked curiously:

"What's wrong, Elder Sister Qingu? No enhancing prescription?"

"Not exactly; of course there are, but the prescriptions for enhancing that skill are rather extreme—basically they're medicines that help men... tiger-wolf drugs."