Chapter 117: Refusal, Naughty Hoof
“Xu Fang, Changlong Pounding House gang member, second-rate late stage cultivation, age thirty-six… Everyone, let’s discuss by consensus.”
“Approved.”
“Approved.”
…
Most of the promoted candidates passed by consensus and joined the Inner Department.
After all, everyone present was a prominent figure in Wuqing County, no need to veto and hurt each other’s harmony.
He Qiang smoothly passed by consensus.
Lu Jing picked up a roster, his gaze sweeping over the words on it, his expression unchanged, and said,
“Chen Shun’an, Water Carrier under Zhao Guangxi, second-rate mid stage cultivation, age… fifty.”
The hall below quieted slightly.
On the red clay stove sat a silver kettle, the spring water just beginning to boil, emitting a fine, pine wave-like hum.
After a few breaths of silence, someone spoke: “Approved.”
“Approved.”
“Vetoed.”
Suddenly, Yue Ting from Wanlong Pounding House spoke, his expression calm.
“Vetoed.”
“Vetoed.”
One after another, more veto voices arose.
Without exception, they all came from the Four Great Pounding Houses.
The other water carriers were fine, but this Chen Shun’an, in the eyes of the pounding house gang members, had already been labeled as Zhao Guangxi’s loyal right-hand man.
Especially since there were already rumors that Chen Shun’an was about to take over as shopkeeper of Black Sand Well on Wusheng Street.
Black Sand Well, though a Turbid Water Well, produced Eight Treasures Mercury and was also a treasure well.
If this Chen Shun’an really joined the Inner Department, got lucky, became a late bloomer, and cultivated to first-rate realm, what then?!
Must clamp down hard on Zhao Guangxi!
Nie Zheng’s demeanor was cold and indifferent, he casually lifted the silver kettle to pour himself a cup of mountain spring tea, then sneered and said,
“The Inner Department isn’t some retirement home that can take in just anyone.”
Bang!
The teacup was heavily set down on the table, making a dull sound.
“Vetoed!”
Soon, everyone expressed their stances.
Whether by coincidence or not, when it came to Hong Junxian’s turn, approvals and vetoes were exactly even.
The key vote fell to Hong Junxian.
Hong Junxian, with all white hair and beard, lightly coughed, narrowed his eyes, looked at Lin Shou Zhuo, his gaze strange.
He recalled that before leaving, the Zhao Mansion butler, as the landlord’s confidant, had instructed him to find an opportunity to ‘pressure Chen Shun’an’…
Hong Junxian then spoke: “Alas, mountains and rivers remain, but people age, everyone will have their day of decline sooner or later, why be so harsh on an old senior?
But Virtuous Nephew Nie is right, our Inner Department handles vital matters, not suitable for letting in idlers… How about this, temporarily place this Chen Shun’an in River Patrol to guard against water demons, and once he establishes military merit, promote him to the Inner Department, how about that?”
“This…”
Lin Shou Zhuo stood up, his face displeased, and said: “I cannot decide this matter, I need to ask Chen Shun’an, please wait a moment.”
Lu Jing nodded and said: “Go quick and return quick.”
……
Under the ginkgo tree, Sun Xiao subtly elbowed Chen Shun’an.
Chen Shun’an awoke as if from a dream, yawning and stretching.
Lin Shou Zhuo looked on in astonishment, blinking, anger rising.
I’m busting my ass inside fighting for your benefits, debating the crowd, and you, Old Chen, are napping leisurely here?
After hearing Lin Shou Zhuo’s words.
Chen Shun’an directly shook his head: “Thanks for Brother Lin’s kind intentions, no need. I have even less interest in that River Patrol, just let me stay in the Outer Department.”
The Inner Department held no interest for him.
A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall; for Chen Shun’an, staying in the crowded Outer Department was actually the best choice.
This way it was convenient to fish in troubled waters, with the crowd shielding him.
But…
Chen Shun’an’s heart stirred, and he couldn’t help asking,
“Brother Lin, I wonder which people vetoed my quota?”
He could choose not to go, but could not be rejected.
Among these people, there might be some harboring ill intentions toward him, plotting harm; Chen Shun’an had to stay vigilant.
Lin Shou Zhuo, not understanding, quickly replied: “Quite a few, the Four Great Pounding Houses, and Nie Zheng, Hong Junxian…”
Very good, he noted down these names.
Lin Shou Zhuo persuaded Chen Shun’an a few more times, but seeing his firm attitude, could only sigh, pat his shoulder, and turn to leave.
Sun Xiao and the others looked at Chen Shun’an, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Old Chen, you don’t want to go, but we do.
Why didn’t Instructor Lin promote us?
Sun Xiao lowered his voice and asked: “Old Chen, you didn’t spot some huge risk in it again, so you’re shrinking back, did you?”
Chen Shun’an helplessly said: “That’s called wisely preserving oneself. Besides, with my old arms and legs, how could I withstand the Inner Department’s torments? Fooling around with the brothers is enough.”
Sun Xiao, Cheng Bin and the others chuckled upon hearing this, saying no more.
Moments later, Lin Shou Zhuo returned below the hall.
Chen Shun’an sat in place, keenly sensing various gazes falling on him—curious, scrutinizing, and even undisguised coldness and malice.
His expression unchanged, but his mind clear as a mirror.
Hong Junxian?
Isn’t it just Slay Two Thieves strength, at most lived longer, average strength, yet such an arrogant old man act?
Chen Shun’an hated people who leveraged age the most.
Nie Zheng’s strength was a bit better, but with Chen Shun’an’s seasoned experience, after slaying the Eye Thief, he could discern people’s qi even more clearly, noticing Nie Zheng’s tail offset, force not penetrating the crown, hidden injury in the body leading to damaged cranial meridians.
It wasn’t that Nie Zheng didn’t like to smile; he had facial paralysis and couldn’t smile.
Probably why Nie Zheng joined the official ranks, seeking a way to treat illness.
That Lu Jing’s strength was indeed impressive.
Very strong.
It also proved from the side that Zhao Guangxi had sharp eyes and talent for recognizing great talent.
Just unfortunate in his associates.
……
The establishment of Wuqing Stick Bureau, dividing Inner and Outer Departments, responsible for slaying demons and capturing criminals, soon announced to the crowd of second-rate martial artists.
Regardless of the crowd’s reactions, joyful or worried.
News of a great demon appearing in the Grand Canal weighed like a mountain on everyone’s hearts.
Lu Jing, Nie Zheng and others left one after another, boarding a horse-drawn carriage.
Butlers from various Wuqing great families, even family heads, personally invited them.
Chen Shun’an watched their directions, without exception to the eight great halls, eight great restaurants’ lavish eateries, opera house gatherings.
At worst, catering to hobbies, going hawk flying and horse riding, playing quail fights or dog fights.
“The Sacred Dynasty’s customs are truly corrupt, so extravagant, so decadent…”
Chen Shun’an watched eagerly.
Cheng Bin suddenly stopped the crowd, cupped his hands and said,
“Old Chen, brothers, come to my place at noon for a few bites? Does Instructor Lin have time, why not join? Dishes are already prepared at home…”
Chen Shun’an had a belly full of soup and water, now hungry too.
Lin Shou Zhuo saw it was noon and did not refuse.
Sun Xiao chuckled: “This is something, Cheng Bin, your days now are quite comfortable…”
“Where where.”
Cheng Bin’s face was embarrassed, but the complacency and satisfaction in his eyes were clear to all.
Upon arriving at Cheng Bin’s home, Cheng Bin pushed open the courtyard gate, lifted his robe, hurried ahead, and called loudly,
“Xiao Man, are the dishes ready? Come out quick to greet them.”
“Coming.”
A crisp voice sounded.
Chen Shun’an and the other two entered the guest hall and saw bowls and chopsticks, dish plates already set on the table.
A shy woman lifted the kitchen door curtain, hurried over to pay respects to the crowd.
She had an oval face like a duck egg, face like a peach blossom, eyes like autumn water, around seventeen or eighteen, dressed colorfully, utterly pitiable.
Chen Shun’an saw the woman, his face unchanged.
Indeed that Xiao Man who wanted to come ashore and go straight.
Brother Cheng, oh Brother Cheng, you’re muddled!
Xiao Man obviously recognized Chen Shun’an, her face stunned, somewhat dazed, a flash of panic in her eyes.
But she was quite careful, quickly hid her thoughts, and returned to the kitchen to serve dishes.
At the dinner table, Cheng Bin had only one cup of wine but was already tipsy, face flushed.
Clearly in his eyes, telling his brothers about Xiao Man and his marriage was an extremely happy event.
He felt light as a feather.
Xiao Man brought up several plates of mountain chicken slices, red and white interspersed, looking very appetizing.
Cheng Bin picked up chopsticks, scalding for everyone to eat, about to introduce.
But Chen Shun’an suddenly snatched his chopsticks, taking over, and said,
“This chicken must be ‘Pine Flower Chicken’, right? Mountain goods from West Mountain. Because there are many pine forests in the mountains, this chicken loves eating old pine pollen and pine nuts, runs around the mountains after eating, doesn’t go home. So it doesn’t show on the surface, but the meat has a faint fragrance. Some people don’t like this fragrance, think it’s smelly, but you have to smell it carefully…”
Cheng Bin was stunned, then reacted, slapping his forehead and saying,
“Almost forgot, Old Chen you’re a gourmet, this is showing off in front of an expert… You’re absolutely right, everyone eat up…”
Seeing Cheng Bin didn’t get his implication, Chen Shun’an felt somewhat helpless.
Lin Shou Zhuo curiously glanced at Chen Shun’an.
Sun Xiao didn’t care about fragrance or stink, picked up chopsticks and started eating.
“Xiao Man, come, you sit too.”
“Master, how could this slave…”
“Tch! Come when I tell you to, these few are brothers I trust, you come drink a couple rounds, get acquainted.”
Xiao Man helplessly joined the table, drank a round with them, then sat beside Cheng Bin, next to Chen Shun’an’s side hand.
Amidst toasting and drinking, everyone was more or less drunk.
Taking advantage of Lin Shou Zhuo and Cheng Bin chatting, Xiao Man suddenly smiled charmingly, cast a flirtatious glance at Chen Shun’an.
Then she stretched out her fair leg, tensing her white-as-jade, soft-as-cotton ankle, hooking toward Chen Shun’an.
With Chen Shun’an’s cultivation, even tipsy, how could Xiao Man sneak attack him?
Moreover, Chen Shun’an had long been on guard against this vixen.
He calmly dodged, then shifted position, moving a bit farther from Xiao Man.
Pan, donkey, Deng, little, idle.
Chen Shun’an knew himself well, at most had the ‘donkey’.
Xiao Man doing this to him had ulterior motives!
……
Moments later.
After Chen Shun’an and others left, Cheng Bin tidied up a bit, washed his face, preparing to go on duty at Grit Well.
“Woo woo woo…”
Before going out, Cheng Bin heard sobbing from inside the room.
Entering the room, he saw Xiao Man holding a handkerchief over her face, sitting on the bed, crying like pear blossoms in rain, like Xishi holding her heart.
Cheng Bin panicked at the sight.
“Xiao Man, what’s wrong? Who upset you?”
Xiao Man didn’t speak, just kept sobbing until Cheng Bin’s heart nearly melted, then choked out,
“Isn’t it because of your brother, Chen Shun’an!”
