Couldn't Become a Confidant, but Could Become a Confidant's Greatest Threat

They kept busy until the following morning. Once the city gates opened, Cui Lang returned to the city with Constable Li.

"You were busy all night too. You don't need to report for duty today—go home and rest." Constable Li had Cui Lang get out of the carriage. "Remember, this matter must be kept absolutely secret."

Cui Lang watched the carriage leave. He knew Constable Li was definitely delivering the Blood Pills to the person behind him, but he could not follow.

Even without following, though, he could guess that Zheng Fengyun, the county commandant in charge of the constables, definitely had a hand in it.

He just did not know whether the county's other officials were involved as well. If he rashly reported it, he would very likely end up getting himself killed.

Lost in thought all the way, Cui Lang hurried home.

"Brother, what were you doing last night? That constable who brought the message wouldn't say anything either."

Cui Ling's face was full of worry. Lately, her brother had seemed mysterious and secretive, as though he were hiding something from her.

"Constable Li took me out of the city on patrol. It was all official business, so he gave me the day off today."

"Xiao Ling, do you want to practice martial arts?"

Before, the family could not afford for two people to train in martial arts. But things were different now. Besides, if she learned martial arts and ever encountered danger while he was not by her side, she would have more ability to protect herself.

Cui Ling looked at her brother in surprise. "Why are you suddenly asking me to practice martial arts? What girl practices martial arts?"

Cui Lang looked at Cui Ling very seriously. "Little sister, martial arts do not distinguish between men and women. There are plenty of female heroes in this world."

Something changed in Cui Ling's gaze. "Brother, did you run into some trouble?"

Cui Lang laughed it off. "What trouble could there be? Your brother is Constable Li's confidant now. But don't tell anyone about it, or people will think I've gotten carried away with success."

"I just think martial arts can strengthen your body. If the man you marry treats you badly someday, you won't have to wait for your brother to come over—you can whip him yourself!"

Cui Ling blushed scarlet. "Brother, what are you talking about? Once you marry a sister-in-law, then I'll consider getting married."

"Then do I have to stand in the courtyard every day and practice horse stance?"

Hearing that his sister had finally agreed to learn martial arts, Cui Lang said with a smile, "No. Your brother will teach you a better technique. It won't make you especially burly either, but you must practice it in secret. Don't let anyone else know."

After breakfast, Cui Lang taught his sister the Blazing Sun Technique. Though she was starting martial arts at a very late age, it was still better to train than not to train at all, even if she could not become an expert.

He would have needed to be extremely cautious before, but now that he had become one of Constable Li's men, Constable Li presumably would not make things difficult for him just because he secretly taught his sister the Blazing Sun Technique.

His sister meditated and practiced in her room, while Cui Lang went into the courtyard and diligently trained in the Eight Desolations Slash.

Supported by his true essence, he could practice longer, and his blade technique grew increasingly refined.

"Last night, when I asked Constable Li for guidance in the carriage, he said the Eight Desolations Slash emphasized fierce force and an unstoppable momentum. Sure enough, after casting aside some distracting thoughts, my blade technique progressed much faster."

At his current rate of improvement, it would take less than half a month for him to reach major mastery.

But to bring the blade technique to completion, he needed to comprehend the martial true intent contained within it. Cui Lang had asked how to achieve that, but Constable Li told him to reach major mastery first and not aim too high.

Cui Lang strongly suspected that Constable Li's Eight Desolations Slash had only reached major mastery as well.

When he got the chance later, he would coax out the movement technique Constable Li had learned too. He had coveted that for a long time.

Once his blade practice exhausted him, Cui Lang returned to his room, sat cross-legged on the bed, and circulated the Blazing Sun Technique, continuing to strengthen his true essence.

The night before, Constable Li had taken him to see many demons and monsters. Cui Lang had memorized all their addresses and roughly judged their strength.

Any who could act tough in front of Constable Li were certainly no weaklings. If he went after them himself, he might very well capsize in the gutter; those who became meek and submissive the moment they saw Constable Li were probably nothing much and could be treated as targets.

But before making a move, he not only needed to keep improving his strength, but also had to ensure Constable Li would not suspect him. He needed to plan this carefully.

The next morning, Cui Lang had just arrived at the yamen to check in when Zhao Changshan sidled over. "Kid, why didn't you come yesterday? Don't tell me you snuck off to Dark Fragrance Pavilion by yourself?"

Cui Lang answered casually, "There was something going on at home, so I asked Constable Li for leave. Dark Fragrance Pavilion is not actually that interesting. You shouldn't go there again either."

Although Constable Li had not taken him to Dark Fragrance Pavilion to collect Blood Pills, he was certain that Peony was a demon.

He did not know whether Constable Li had already collected the Blood Pills Peony refined or was deliberately keeping it from him, so for now, he would pretend not to know.

If Zhao Changshan went there and discovered Peony's identity, he might suddenly drop dead or vanish without a trace.

Zhao Changshan looked unconvinced. "Dark Fragrance Pavilion isn't interesting? Then where is?"

He had spent so many years in Cloud Mountain County and had never seen anywhere more interesting than Dark Fragrance Pavilion.

"Wait, you just said you asked Constable Li for leave, and he agreed?"

The last time Zhao Changshan had spent the night at Red Sleeve Pavilion, he had been too tired the next day and wanted to take leave. Why had Constable Li chewed him out instead?

"Is Constable Li grooming you as a confidant? Did you give him a gift?"

Why should Cui Lang get that treatment?

Cui Lang had only been a constable for a few days, yet he had already climbed up a lofty branch so quickly?

"How would I have money to give gifts? Maybe Constable Li is just more considerate because I'm young."

He had no interest in becoming Constable Li's confidant, but he could become Constable Li's greatest threat!

Zhao Changshan relaxed. It was fine so long as Cui Lang had not latched onto Constable Li's thigh.

A few days later, it was payday. Cui Lang stood in line and received his first pay from the accounts office.

After leaving the yamen, Cui Lang caught up to Zhao Changshan. "Brother Zhao, I have you to thank for taking care of me and teaching me so much lately. We got paid today, so I'll treat you to drinks."

Zhao Changshan immediately beamed. "Brother Cui, you're too polite. How about Red Sleeve Pavilion?"

Dark Fragrance Pavilion was too expensive. Red Sleeve Pavilion gave better value for money.

Cui Lang looked embarrassed. "Brother Zhao, you know I still have a younger sister at home, and I haven't even served a full month, so I did not get much. How about I buy some wine and food, and we drink at your place?"

"I'll head home first and tell my sister. I'll sleep at your place tonight, then come find you shortly. Just prepare some bowls and chopsticks."

Zhao Changshan was somewhat disappointed, but although there would be no girls to accompany them, free wine and meat were still not bad.

"Fine. I'll go home and wait for you."

Half an hour later, Cui Lang entered Zhao Changshan's home carrying two large jars of strong liquor and some cooked meat.

The two sat in the room, raising cups beneath the oil lamp. Before long, Cui Lang's eyes turned bleary with drunkenness. "Brother Zhao, come on, let's drink some more."

As soon as he finished speaking, his head dropped onto the table, and he began snoring.

"Cui Lang, Cui Lang, your drinking capacity really is pathetic."

With great effort, Zhao Changshan got Cui Lang onto the bed, then returned to the table and grabbed a chicken leg to gnaw on.

What a waste it would be to leave all this wine and food behind. It was perfect for him to drink to his heart's content alone; he could even skip breakfast tomorrow.

Not long afterward, Zhao Changshan drained the wine from the jars, then staggered to his feet, climbed onto the bed, and began snoring loud enough to shake the heavens.

After a moment, Cui Lang suddenly opened his eyes and lightly rolled off the bed. There was not the slightest trace of drunkenness on him.

"Brother Zhao, sleep well. I'm going to take a piss."

Seeing that Zhao Changshan's snoring had not stopped, Cui Lang quietly slipped out of the room and climbed over the wall.