Zheng Residence.
Zheng Fengyun sat in a chair, drinking wine and admiring his newly purchased dancer as she performed. He was in an exceptionally good mood.
He had slain a demon just two days ago and already reported it to the prefectural yamen. His performance evaluation this year was sure to be top-grade. Perhaps he'd even get promoted next year.
As he watched, growing more and more pleased, he beckoned the dancer over with a finger, ready to enjoy himself, when the steward's voice suddenly came from outside the door. "My lord, there's a man who guards the city gates outside. He says he has something important to report to you."
Zheng Fengyun's face fell. "What time is it? Can't it wait until tomorrow?!"
Any man would be in a bad mood if he were interrupted at a time like this.
Even if someone had been killed, they could investigate tomorrow.
Bandits didn't need to rest, but he did.
"My lord, he says two constables slew a demon outside the city..."
The door flew open. Zheng Fengyun hurried outside. "A demon was slain? Where? Get the carriage ready!"
Two constables had actually dared to hunt down a demon—and even succeeded?
Something this important, and they hadn't reported it to him beforehand. Did they have any regard for him as county commandant?
Zheng Fengyun brooded the whole way. When they reached the area near the East Gate, the horse sensed the demon's presence and refused to go any farther. Zheng Fengyun climbed straight out of the carriage, used his movement technique, and arrived beside the handcart carrying the demon's corpse.
Cui Lang was waiting at the city gate. From a distance, he saw someone climb out of the carriage and reach him in the blink of an eye.
If he had that kind of movement technique, would he have needed to risk his life against the Tiger Demon? It wouldn't even have touched the hem of his clothes.
"Cui Lang, what happened with this Tiger Demon?"
Zheng Fengyun stared into Cui Lang's eyes. Had this newly hired constable, Cui Lang, really slain a demon?
Zhao Changshan climbed off the handcart. He was about to give the story he'd made up, but Zheng Fengyun shot him a glare. "You're injured. Lie still."
He didn't want to hear a report from an old slacker. The new guy, Cui Lang, was more trustworthy.
Cui Lang clasped his hands. "Brother Zhao and I were ordered by Constable Li to investigate Zhang Si's murder. In the case file, Zhang Si said an evil spirit had lured him to the river, so we went there. We happened to run into Zhang Si's wife, who had turned into an evil spirit and was trying to lure us into the woods by the river."
"Brother Zhao immediately realized that Zhang Si's wife had become a Chang Ghost, and that a Tiger Demon must be lurking in the woods. So he pretended to fall for the trap and drew out the Tiger Demon. Brother Zhao charged in ahead of me and fought desperately to slay it. He was badly wounded in the process."
Cui Lang couldn't very well say that they'd gone outside the city to look for a scapegoat. This version was better for everyone.
"Exactly, exactly, Magistrate Zheng. Brother Cui is telling the truth. I must have broken a bone while slaying the demon. I'll probably need to lie in bed for at least a month."
"But what does a little injury matter, when I was slaying demons and protecting the people of Cloud Mountain County?"
Zhao Changshan was deeply moved. Cui Lang had credited him with most of the achievement.
Next time they went to the Red Sleeve Pavilion, Cui Lang had to pick first!
Zheng Fengyun glanced at the badly wounded Zhao Changshan. Whenever that fellow ran into a demon, didn't he always hide if he could? Would he really take the initiative to investigate a case?
Most likely, he'd gone outside the city to find a scapegoat, then accidentally run into the Tiger Demon and been forced to fight for his life. He'd slain it by sheer luck.
But there was no need to spell any of that out. The two of them had, after all, slain the Tiger Demon and solved the case.
"You two did well. You've earned merit this time, and I never skimp on rewards for those who distinguish themselves."
"Cui Lang, if I remember correctly, you haven't learned any proper cultivation methods yet. You only know some basic stance training. I'll reward you with the Blazing Sun Technique."
"Zhao Changshan, teach Cui Lang the Blazing Sun Technique. Since you're injured, I'll reward you with a Herbal Restoration Pill."
"You both must cultivate diligently. I look forward to seeing you break through to the Gathering Essence Realm and do an even better job of protecting Cloud Mountain County."
Cui Lang was overjoyed. The cultivation method and martial skill he'd been longing for were his at last. He immediately clasped his hands and thanked Zheng Fengyun.
But Zhao Changshan suddenly began coughing violently, as though he were about to cough up his insides. "M-Magistrate Zheng, this subordinate thanks... cough, cough~~ you for the reward... cough, cough, cough~~ The Tiger Demon's corpse... cough, cough~~"
Zheng Fengyun frowned slightly, then reluctantly pulled two small silver ingots from his robes. "I'll take the Tiger Demon's corpse away to be dealt with. I'll also grant you three days of leave. Take this silver as an extra reward, and hurry home."
Zheng Fengyun left in his carriage. Cui Lang carried Zhao Changshan on his back and took him home.
"Brother Zhao, you're so badly injured, and Magistrate Zheng only gave you three days off?" Cui Lang asked, puzzled. "Is that Herbal Restoration Pill really that potent?"
"It's all right," Zhao Changshan said vaguely.
"Put me down. I need to take a leak."
Cui Lang watched Zhao Changshan stride briskly into an alley to relieve himself. How was that supposed to look like a serious injury?
As he drew a map in the dirt, Zhao Changshan turned his head and said, "Brother Cui, don't look at me like that. I really wasn't that badly hurt, but if I didn't act seriously wounded, how would my achievement look impressive?"
Cui Lang glared at Zhao Changshan. "Then why did you make me push you all the way back from outside the city? And why did I carry you for so long just now? Couldn't you have faked it at the city gate?"
Zhao Changshan pulled up his trousers. "Hey, if I hadn't fooled you, how could I have made Magistrate Zheng believe it?"
"If I hadn't acted so convincingly, would we have gotten any reward money? Come on, hand over the silver so we can split it."
"Half each. Don't try to take more, or I won't teach you the Blazing Sun Technique."
He'd really struck it rich this time. With the Herbal Restoration Pill and the reward money, he'd surely have enough to enjoy himself at the Red Sleeve Pavilion twice.
Cui Lang suddenly asked, "Brother Zhao, you know more than just the Blazing Sun Technique, don't you?"
Zhao Changshan's expression changed. "Brother Cui, technically, the cultivation methods and martial skills awarded by the county yamen aren't supposed to be taught to others without permission..."
Cui Lang tossed both silver ingots over to him. "Keep all the reward money."
After all, the reward Zheng Fengyun had given them only amounted to ten taels. Spending five taels to learn another martial skill was a bargain. If he went to a martial arts school, they might not teach him a real martial skill even for a hundred taels.
Zhao Changshan immediately broke into a smile. "But then again, you're my brother, so I'll risk it and teach you the Eight Desolations Slash, too."
"If anyone asks, just say you learned it by watching me. At worst, they'll reprimand you and give you a smaller reward next time you earn merit."
Cui Lang asked curiously, "The Eight Desolations Slash? Is it a saber technique? Do you know any movement techniques?"
Zhao Changshan said irritably, "A movement technique? You've got some nerve. Those are far more valuable than saber techniques, fist techniques, and the like. No one in our constable squad has learned one except Constable Li."
"My place is just ahead. Come on, spend the night at my house. I'll teach you the Blazing Sun Technique first."
A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Changshan had recited the entire Blazing Sun Technique to Cui Lang. "Are you sure you've memorized all of it? Then try circulating the technique on your own to strengthen your blood and qi."
"When you reach the peak of the Refining Essence Realm and your blood and qi are abundant, you can try condensing Blazing Sun True Essence and breaking through to the Gathering Essence Realm."
"Practice on your own. I'm going to bed. I'll teach you the Eight Desolations Slash tomorrow morning."
Zhao Changshan figured Cui Lang wouldn't get anywhere with the technique in a year or two. He was broke, too.
Without money for nourishing tonics, he couldn't even guarantee himself meat with every meal. His blood and qi would grow slowly, and the Gathering Essence Realm was even farther out of reach.
Zhao Changshan had had the Blazing Sun Technique for five years, and he was still stuck at the peak of the Refining Essence Realm.
But now that he had the Herbal Restoration Pill, he could skip a couple of trips to the Red Sleeve Pavilion and save up for nourishing tonics. Then he might be able to try breaking through to the Gathering Essence Realm.
If he succeeded, he'd be the second-strongest member of the constable squad, surpassed only by Constable Li.
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