Chapter Thirty-Five: Yuan of Anhua

Chen Jiu let his gaze fall to the ground, searching for something intently. The peddler noticed and felt a slight suspicion, urging him, “Young master, don’t delay now. The sun will rise soon and I won’t be able to do business then!”

Chen Jiu clicked his tongue impatiently, “Quiet, you.”

The peddler’s face hardened at the rebuke, cursing inwardly.

Not long after, Chen Jiu’s eyes lit up as he found what he was looking for. He bent down carefully and picked it up.

The peddler stared closely, and saw—it was a tiny ant.

“What are you…?” he asked, utterly confused.

Meanwhile, the surrounding crowd began whispering among themselves.

The man in the jade robe looked surprised, his eyes flashing with understanding before realization dawned.

“So that’s it…”

Chen Jiu placed the bead, string, and pastries aside, then plucked a strand of his own hair.

At this, the peddler felt as if his mind thundered. He understood.

In his heart echoed a lament,

“My fifteen taels… my fifteen taels…”

Chen Jiu, deft and nimble, quickly looped the hair around the ant, connecting the other end to the thin string.

Next, he took a tiny crumb and placed it at one end of the bead, setting the ant at the opposite end.

Now, everyone understood, and they marvelled in silence.

The ant was just slightly smaller than the hole, and lured by the crumb, it obediently crawled into the bead.

The peddler’s face soured as if he were chewing on bitter herbs.

Soon enough, the ant emerged from the other hole, carrying the hair along with it.

Chen Jiu’s expression flickered, and he quickly pinched the hair, applying a bit of force to pull the string through the bead’s hole!

He raised the threaded bead, smiling, “How about that?”

A chorus of applause erupted from the crowd.

The peddler was miserable; so many witnesses meant he could not cheat.

Reluctantly, he handed over fifteen taels of silver to Chen Jiu and hurried away as if fleeing.

Chen Jiu could not be happier; what he needed had come to him just in time.

The excitement faded, and the crowd dispersed.

The jade-robed man approached, clapping his hands. “Well done! Young master, your wit is extraordinary.”

Chen Jiu cupped his hands, “Wit, perhaps. Extraordinary? I wouldn’t say so.”

The jade-robed man chuckled, “I am An Huayuan, and I’m somewhat known in Jingyang County. Here, as promised, ten taels of silver.”

Chen Jiu accepted the silver, thanked him, and prepared to leave.

But after only a few steps, he paused and turned. “Are you the son of Old An?”

An Huayuan laughed, “Who in Jingyang County doesn’t know the An family? You must not be from here.”

Chen Jiu understood now—no wonder the jade-robed man seemed familiar.

“Master An, I have a word, and I hope you’ll remember it,” Chen Jiu said suddenly.

An Huayuan’s brows furrowed, “Speak freely.”

“Tonight, in the valley grounds of An Mansion, a specter may appear. The old master may be in danger.”

An Huayuan’s gaze turned icy. “Who are you, really?”

Chen Jiu sighed, “Believe it or not, I’ve done my duty. Farewell.”

But An Huayuan barred his way, “I am An Huayuan, Left Envoy of the County’s Civil Order Bureau. Please, elaborate.”

Chen Jiu shook his head, “I have other matters and cannot stay. Goodbye!”

“What matters? I can help. But you must tell me why there would be a specter, and why my father is in danger?”

Chen Jiu hesitated.

This man was clearly an ordinary mortal, lacking any aura unique to cultivators.

Yet he served as Left Envoy of the Civil Order Bureau—unexpected.

Sensing Chen Jiu’s doubt, An Huayuan explained, “I hold this post because the An family’s wheat is vital to Jingyang County. To win over the landlords led by the An family, I was given this position… So, you should explain about the specter.”

Chen Jiu considered this, then said, “I can, but this isn’t the place.”

…

Inside the tavern, Chen Jiu feasted heartily.

An Huayuan eyed the empty plates with suspicion, wondering if Chen Jiu was just a charlatan.

After eating his fill, Chen Jiu wiped his mouth and laughed, “Forgive me, I was a bit famished.”

An Huayuan fell silent, watching Chen Jiu.

“In truth, hearing about specters is nothing compared to seeing them. If none appear tonight, all is well; if they do, better to be prepared,” Chen Jiu said.

An Huayuan’s face darkened, “Though I have no cultivation, I’ve weathered many storms within the Civil Order Bureau. If you’re playing tricks, you’ve chosen the wrong man.”

Chen Jiu was somewhat annoyed. If not for the Concealment Talisman he wore, he’d have taught this fellow a lesson.

So what if you’re with the Civil Order Bureau? I’m currently wanted by the Civil Order Bureau in Xinyang County!

He suspected the black-robed assassin who had chased him was likely a Bureau operative.

But thinking about it, he realized this man before him might know something.

Being the Left Envoy, he must be no ordinary person.

“Do you have a Concealment Talisman? If you do, I’ll return with you to An Mansion tonight and perhaps we’ll see for ourselves,” Chen Jiu said.

An Huayuan suddenly asked, “Are you a cultivator?”

Chen Jiu considered briefly, then produced the Civil Order Medallion.

An Huayuan’s expression shifted; he examined it, astonished.

“I’m returning home without Bureau personnel, and I am not a cultivator. If you speak the truth, I’d like your assistance,” An Huayuan said, returning the medallion. “But if you dare deceive me, you’ll have to come with me to the Bureau.”

Chen Jiu certainly had no desire for that.

Yet, one can never be too careful.

He now wanted to stay close to the Jingyang County Civil Order Bureau; it was safer that way.

“If you can provide a Concealment Talisman, it’s possible,” Chen Jiu said.

An Huayuan chuckled, “A Concealment Talisman costs eighty merit points apiece. You think it’s as cheap as cabbages?”

Chen Jiu was startled.

Eighty merit points for one? So expensive…

He realized he’d used two, costing him one hundred sixty merit points!

He felt a pang of regret.

After a pause, An Huayuan said, “But I have one or two left in the An Mansion. If you prove yourself and subdue the specter, I’ll give you one.”

Chen Jiu considered, finding it worth thinking over.

Of course, it wasn’t that he believed An Huayuan would honor his promise… Rather, staying by a Left Envoy’s side would be safer.

His worries diminished.

Chen Jiu nodded, “Very well, but I have another question for you, Left Envoy.”

An Huayuan narrowed his eyes, “What is it?”

Chen Jiu’s expression turned cold, “Within the Civil Order Bureau, is there any organization whose members wear black robes and move mysteriously…?”