Inventing a Pretext

In the silk shop in Tian'an County, which served as a secret liaison point for the Imperial Demon Hunters, Lu Bai was having breakfast. Across from him was Zhu Yi had grown somewhat tired of serving him these past few days.

"Old Lu, give me a straight answer: where is our Chief Justice?"

Zhu Yi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Lu Bai slowly picked up a small fried dough stick and dipped it in the hot and sour soup in front of him. Only after the dough stick had absorbed the soup but still maintained its original crispness did he pick it up and put it in his mouth to chew slowly.

The sensation of crispness and tanginess blended together.

Tsk.

"What's the rush? We're not going to audit your accounts anyway. Besides, your shabby books can't withstand scrutiny."

Lu Bai was in charge of criminal justice at the Ci Prefecture Thousand-Household Office, while Zhu Yi was in charge of the garrison in Tian'an County.

Both were senior members of the Imperial Demon Hunters but had not been promoted, and they had been familiar with each other because they shared the same plight.

"What am I afraid of? My accounts are all clear. Old Lu, this is the fourth letter from Captain Shi. If Judicial Punisher Su doesn't return to Ci Prefecture City soon, I think Captain Shi will come in person. At that point, not only will we be embarrassed, but even Young Master Su will be in a difficult position. There's no reason for a superior to come and invite him personally..."

"That's why I told you not to rush things, because rushing won't help."

Lu Bai picked up a handkerchief and wiped his mouth.

After a long period of living a life of hardship and exposure to the elements, the longing for the simple pleasures of life only intensifies. Even though one can absorb the essence of heaven and earth, how can one so easily relinquish the five flavors of human life?

Therefore, Lu Bai cherished every meal he ate these past few days, savoring each bite. Lu Bai felt that he couldn't be a detached immortal who had seen through the illusions of the world, but being a long-lived, comfortable mortal was quite good to him.

"Don't be so nonchalant, Old Lu." Zhu Yi looked at the man and said, "I have an analogy for you."

I would like to hear the details.

"Our Judicial Punisher Su is like a white cloud in the sky. It's high, reaching all the way to the sky, but you never know when a spring breeze will blow it away. You can't expect him to shelter you from the wind and rain."

"So?"

Zhu Yi analyzed it very profoundly.

"Captain Shi is like a small hill. He doesn't look tall, but he stands here solidly. Even if some scoundrel from some immortal sect wanted to move a tall mountain back to bolster their prestige, they wouldn't even think of touching him. He can still stand here."

"We, with our shallow roots, need to think this through. We can't rely on the clouds in the sky, but we can't withstand even the slightest movement of the mounds around us, my Old Lu."

"Alright, Old Zhu, you've been in Tian'an for so long, you've been thinking about things here all this time, haven't you?"

Lu Bai stood up and stretched comfortably.

The sun is shining brightly outside; it's time to go out and practice.

"Old Lu, you really need to think this through."

Zhu Yi stepped in front of him.

"I'll lay my cards on the table for you. If you're determined to follow Judicial Punisher Su, I'm afraid you won't be able to explain yourself to Captain Shi in the future."

"Old Zhu, for people like us who have been stuck in a rut our whole lives, if an opportunity suddenly comes our way, even if it's just a mirage, we have to seize it with all our might."

Lu Bai smiled and said, "What's the difference between me following Judicial Punisher Su and following Captain Shi? Aren't we both doing it for the Emperor...?"

Having said that, Zhu Yi remained silent.

Since Old Lu has already made up his mind, then so be it.

Further discussion is pointless.

The two fell silent for a moment, then heard a commotion ahead.

"Lu Bai, Zhu Yi."

Lu Bai's eyes lit up.

"Old Zhu, that cloud on the horizon has returned."

The two straightened their clothes and then saw Su Che walk in from outside.

"Li Xing, where have you been these past two days? We've been looking everywhere for you..."

Zhu Yi stepped forward with a smile on his face.

"You're a local tyrant, let me ask you something."

Su Che didn't stand on ceremony with him.

Who owns Tongde Tower?

"Ah?"

Zhu Yi was momentarily dazed, not understanding what this person meant by suddenly mentioning that family.

"I've got my eye on it. You should find an excuse to go over and ask them how much they're selling it for."

This person is certainly not polite.

Zhu Yi took a breath.

Others might not know Tongde Tower's background, but he certainly did.

That property belongs to the Langya Wang Clan.

"Get me paper and pen, I need to write a letter."

At another command, Zhu Yi quickly got to work. Paper and pen were readily available; he could simply retrieve them from the counter.

Su Che picked up paper and pen and hastily wrote a letter.

"Lu Bai, could you go to Jiankang and deliver this letter to my home? It's not urgent, and you can rest along the way."

As Su Che spoke, he instructed Zhu Yi, "Take fifty taels from the account and give it to Lu Bai so he can use it on his journey."

"Well."

Zhu Yi quickly agreed.

"Ci Prefecture has just suffered a disaster, and land prices are cheap. This kind of thing benefits the local tycoons, so I might as well benefit."

Su Che muttered to himself.

"Old Zhu, what do you think would be a good name for my shop?"

"You want to open a shop?"

"Why not open it? Tian'an County in such a good location, with Ci Prefecture, a fertile land created by immortals, in front, and Jiankang, a prime location, behind. It's rich in resources and prosperous people. What business can't you do there and make a fortune?"

"Never mind, I'll think about it later."

Su Che then said to Zhu Yi, "Do you have any official robes? Give me a set. Gather your men and come with me."

"Sir, according to the rules, those of us who are seated are not allowed to participate..."

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible."

Su Che frowned. "Is Tian'an County peaceful?"

With his haphazard and disjointed approach, Zhu Yi gradually lost track of Su Che's train of thought.

"It's fine..."

"What a load of rubbish! A bunch of Corpse Demon are eating people right under your nose. I don't know how you became the City God."

Su Che frowned.

"Have you thoroughly investigated this matter and reported it to Ci Prefecture?"

"This subordinate acknowledges his guilt."

"Failure to report is a serious crime. Of course, you didn't intentionally deceive anyone, so at most you'll be labeled as incompetent, and demoted one rank, which is a good thing. This job pays little but causes a lot of trouble..."

Su Che frowned. "I've always been kind to people. This time, saying it's against the rules is actually to clean up the mess for you."

"What does the Lord of Justice mean?"

"Let's take care of those Corpse Demon first. Isn't that enough?"

Zhu Yi was somewhat apprehensive.

"But here in our area..."

My goodness, I am the only Imperial Demon Hunters in Tian'an County. Perhaps a few of the servants around me can guess what I do, but they are no match for me.

"Don't worry," Su Che seemed to sense his concern, "I've already checked them out; they're all no match for me."

"You'll come with me to Tian'an County later. Have them send a dozen or so constables, just to show off their power."

Su Che smiled.

"And what about me?" Lu Bai asked Su Che.

He naturally knew about Li Xing's abilities, but Lu Bai was more Su Che about why Su Che was putting on such an unsightly act.

This wasn't the Judicial Punisher Su he knew.

"You'd better hurry up and go to Jiankang, don't delay my chance to make a fortune."

Su Che waved his hand, signaling Lu Bai to hurry on his way.