Security Patrol Association

Zhang Yu left the reef cluster aboard Ming Yi's skiff. Guided by him, he boarded one of the warships, the Thornheart. A middle-aged man had long been waiting there with several attendants.

He sized up the distinguished guest Ming Yi had spoken of. The man was around forty, dressed in a sapphire-blue robe, his hair gathered into a topknot and secured with an ebony hairpin. His beard and mustache were trimmed neat and clean, and he looked spirited, suave, and dignified.

Ming Yi introduced him, "Young Master Zhang, this is Zhao Xiangcheng, Director Zhao of the Security Patrol Association."

Zhang Yu clasped his hands and bowed. "Director Zhao."

Only then did Zhao Xiangcheng clearly see Zhang Yu's features, and he could not help but marvel inwardly. Then he noticed the Xia Sword at Zhang Yu's side and could not resist asking, "Could it be that Yao Salamander was killed by you, Young Master?"

"By luck, nothing more," Zhang Yu said.

Having received confirmation, Zhao Xiangcheng's heart churned. The Security Patrol Association's primary duty was to clear pirates and monstrous aberrations from the shipping routes between the islands. He knew all too well how formidable spiritual creatures were. His guards had already confirmed that Zhang Yu was an ordinary man.

It was difficult to imagine that a young man without any extraordinary power could accomplish such a thing.

With a solemn expression, he said, "Young Master Zhang, the Great Fortune is one of my properties. A sunken ship can be rebuilt, but lost lives are hard to recover. I must thank you for saving everyone aboard."

As he spoke, he gave a solemn bow.

Zhang Yu returned a modest salute. "I was only saving myself."

Zhao Xiangcheng smiled. "Young Master Zhang is too modest. Actions follow the heart, and the heart follows one's nature. Often, even a person himself does not know his true character; only in a moment of danger can it be seen. What you did is worthy of being called a gentleman." As if recalling something, he paused before asking, "Forgive my presumptuousness, but are you a Xia-born, Young Master Zhang?"

"According to the household records, both my parents were Xia people," Zhang Yu said.

After the Protectorate Office was established, many natives had submitted to Celestial Xia. The descendants born of unions between them and Xia people were naturally registered as Xia citizens by the Protectorate Office. However, only those whose parents were both Xia people could be called "Xia-born." The requirements in the homeland were even stricter; one had to trace one's lineage back three generations.

"So you truly are Xia-born." Zhao Xiangcheng's expression grew even warmer. Fixing his eyes on Zhang Yu, he slowly asked, "Young Master Zhang, do you think... Celestial Xia still exists?"

Ming Yi had stood to one side ever since coming aboard. Hearing those words, he too raised his head to look at Zhang Yu, seeming to want to know his answer.

At the thought, Zhang Yu recalled how, sixty years ago, the arrival of the Turbid Tide had severed contact between the Eastern Court Protectorate and the homeland. Though the Protectorate Office had tried several times to send word, every attempt had vanished like a stone sinking into the sea.

Now, many people suspected that Celestial Xia no longer existed, that like the civilizations which had risen in several previous eras, it had been swallowed by this great catastrophe.

He looked at both men and answered with complete certainty, "Of course it does."

Zhao Xiangcheng asked in surprise, "Oh? Why do you think so?"

He had seen many people who still held hope for Celestial Xia's existence, and just as many who were pessimistic. Yet he had rarely heard an answer so firm and resolute.

Zhang Yu's voice remained calm. "Wherever there are people of Celestial Xia, there is Celestial Xia."

Zhao Xiangcheng froze. After a while, his eyes shone as he nodded forcefully. "Well said! Well said indeed! Wherever there are people of Celestial Xia, there is Celestial Xia!" Turning sideways, he gestured invitingly. "Young Master Zhang, come. I had a banquet prepared earlier. Please do me the honor of attending."

Zhang Yu readily agreed and followed him toward the guest cabin.

Just then, the two of them saw small boats sailing across the sea toward the reef cluster. Clearly, they were headed for the Yao Salamander's corpse.

Zhao Xiangcheng slowed his steps and turned his head. "Young Master Zhang, you killed this monster. How do you intend to dispose of it?"

Spiritual creatures were extremely valuable. Their tendons, bones, hides, and membranes could be used to make weapons, while their organs and fat could mostly be used for medicine and rendered oil. Moreover, many throughout the Protectorate Office firmly believed that eating the flesh of spiritual creatures could grant strength. Such meat was often snatched up the moment it appeared on the market and could fetch a very high price.

Zhang Yu had considered this matter earlier. "As I recall, the Protectorate Office has clear laws regarding the spoils from spiritual creatures?"

"There is such a law," Zhao Xiangcheng said. "Provided it can be proven that you personally killed the spiritual creature, thirty percent goes to the claimant, fifty percent to the public treasury, and the remaining twenty percent is allocated for local expenditures. But these reefs fall under no island's jurisdiction, so there is no need to account for local expenditures."

Zhang Yu clasped his hands. "According to the written agreement established by the Protectorate Office sixty years ago, as long as it is within the Soaring Sea, it should fall under the jurisdiction of the various islands. Please have Director Zhao transfer that twenty percent on my behalf to the island lords."

After a brief consideration, Zhao Xiangcheng said, "I understand Young Master Zhang's concerns. Very well, then I shall accept it on behalf of the island lords. If it is inconvenient for you, I can also handle your thirty percent for you. We can discuss the exact settlement later. What do you think?"

Zhang Yu did not stand on ceremony. "Then I will trouble you with all of it." He currently had no means to handle the Yao Salamander, and it would only invite covetous eyes for no reason. Entrusting it to Zhao Xiangcheng was the safest choice.

After settling the matter, the two arrived at the upper deck cabin of the Thornheart, where the light was brightest.

Zhang Yu removed his cloak in the outer chamber. A maid brought over a bronze basin, while another came with a long-spouted ewer to pour water for him to wash his hands. After wiping them clean with a handkerchief, he passed behind the screen into the inner room.

The host and guest seats had already been arranged. Red silk covered the dining tables, upon which rested glossy white jade plates and bowls, clean ivory chopsticks, spoons, and small dishes. Behind each seat stood a green bamboo-and-wood rack holding towels and cloths for wiping away sweat, while a tall porcelain chamber pot sat beside the legs of each table.

At that moment, an attendant came forward and bowed deeply, his head lowered. "Guest, weapons are not permitted at a banquet. Please remove your sword."

Zhao Xiangcheng waved a hand. "Today, I am hosting Young Master Zhang, and we are aboard a ship. There is no need for such stale formalities." He turned back and made an inviting gesture. "Young Master Zhang, please take your seat. We departed in haste, and the arrangements are simple. I hope you will not take offense."

After a polite reply, Zhang Yu joined him at the table.

At this time, atop the reefs, a group of people surrounded the Yao Salamander's corpse, pointing and discussing it. The place was only a day's journey from the capital, so they skipped the step of cutting it apart. They prepared to attach towing hooks and drag the giant monster back whole.

When Qiao Zhan arrived, a crowd was busily at work. He called to an old man in green robes, "Wang Jianlian, how is it? Have you determined what killed this monster?"

Wang Jianlian was small and wiry, with sharp, lively eyes. He seemed unusually excited as he pulled Qiao Zhan over. "Captain, come look here."

He gestured at the Yao Salamander's head. "The sword pierced in diagonally from here, splitting the brain precisely in two through the middle. There are no other wounds. It was killed with a single strike. Whoever made the move must have known the Yao Salamander's body structure extremely well, and that sword must have been extraordinary. Otherwise, it could never have cut through that spiritual outer layer."

Qiao Zhan was secretly alarmed. The Yao Salamander was at least ten zhang long. Facing such an immense spiritual creature, even if he wielded such a sharp weapon, he had no absolute confidence that he could achieve this without assistance.

He was certain Zhang Yu had not surpassed the limits of an ordinary man. To kill a spiritual creature with a human body, and without even using firearms—this was surely unprecedented.

At that moment, he could not help but feel the urge to recruit such talent.

Then it occurred to him that if he could bring Zhang Yu into the Divine Commandery Army, would that achievement not count as an achievement of the Divine Commandery Army as well?

Once the thought arose, his heart stirred greatly. Yet there were practical difficulties, and it was not a decision he could make alone.

He stroked the stubble on his chin and pondered for a while before an idea came to him.

In the guest cabin atop the Thornheart, a servant first brought out a dish of pastries. Once it had been set on the table, he lowered his head, bowed, and withdrew.

Zhang Yu looked down to see little white dough balls gently rolling in the broth at the bottom of a black-glazed bowl before him. They looked as delicate and lovely as jade and snow. He scooped one up with his spoon and tasted it. At once, a delicate fragrance filled his cheeks, and beneath its soft, glutinous texture was a hint of sweetness.

Zhao Xiangcheng smiled. "These are Fragrant Jade Pills, a famous pastry from Fragrant Island. Do they suit your taste, Young Master Zhang?"

Zhang Yu set down his spoon. "They are excellent."

After the two had finished the pastries and rinsed their mouths, attendants came forward to clear them away. Only then did they bring out the main dishes one by one.

Zhao Xiangcheng invited him to begin, and the two raised their chopsticks and ate in silence.

After the meal, host and guest each went to the outer chamber to wash and freshen up. When they returned to their seats, small plates of fruits and vegetables had been placed on the tables, along with cups of fragrant digestive tea.

Zhao Xiangcheng took a small sip of tea, then set down his cup and sat upright. "Young Master Zhang, how much do you know about our Security Patrol Association?"

"I have heard a little of it," Zhang Yu said.

When he had traveled with his teacher, he had encountered members of the Security Patrol Association. It was a private armed force of the islands at sea. Although this organization was not an office under the Protectorate Office's administration, behind it lay a vast web of shared interests, including the contest between the outer islands and the Protectorate Office.

Zhao Xiangcheng tested the waters. "Would Young Master Zhang be interested in joining the Security Patrol Association? I could serve as your sponsor."

Zhang Yu declined politely. "Thank you, Director Zhao. I came to the capital only to pursue my studies. For now, I have no other plans."

Zhao Xiangcheng felt somewhat regretful. "Since Young Master Zhang is unwilling, I will not force you. But do you know that killing a Yao Salamander alone is no small matter? If someone were to help arrange things and have your name entered into the merit register, you could be awarded the rank of 'Scholar.'"

Zhang Yu was very familiar with the laws and ranks of the Eastern Protectorate.

"Scholar" was the first rank among civilian nobility. Once one became a Scholar, one was no longer merely a commoner, but gained the right to participate in deliberations, offer remonstrance, and enter the Protectorate Office as an official.

Yet in practice, this was not easy to achieve.

Civilian ranks were generally granted after the Protectorate Office verified one's merits. But if the person being assessed lacked sufficient resources and background, it was almost impossible. Conversely, if recommended by someone of high standing, the chances of approval were much greater.

"This will not be easy," he said.

"It will not," Zhao Xiangcheng admitted. A trace of sincerity appeared on his face. "Young Master Zhang, I greatly admire what you did before. If a gentleman like you is not worthy of being a Scholar, then who is? I will arrange this matter for the association, but you must wait patiently. Putting forward a Scholar is no simple matter. For this year's Scholars' Deliberation, we have not made sufficient preparations."

This time, Zhang Yu did not refuse. He nodded. "Then many thanks, Director Zhao."

With the status of a Scholar, many things would become easier. It would include being able to visit places commoners could not enter and consult many unpublished classics and documents.

After the banquet, host and guest were both thoroughly pleased.

Citing fatigue, Zhang Yu went first to rest in the guest cabin.

Zhao Xiangcheng sighed. "What a pity. If only he could join our Security Patrol Association."

Ming Yi said, "Director, you seem to think very highly of Young Master Zhang?"

Zhao Xiangcheng gazed out the window at the boundless blue sea. "Do you know why I am willing to help him? Not because he saved everyone aboard the Great Fortune, nor because he killed that Yao Salamander. It is because talents like him are the foundation stones of Celestial Xia. Celestial Xia was supported by countless young people like him."

"But now there is only the Protectorate Office," Ming Yi said.

"Yes, now there is only the Protectorate Office," Zhao Xiangcheng said firmly. "But the Turbid Tide will recede. Wait and see. Before long, the light of Celestial Xia will once again shine upon the summit of Peace Mountain."