No taboos

Chapter 360 The Ruler of Law (Two Chapters Combined)

Xu Yuan, with Shi Bading in tow, and Zhu Zhanlei, with Miao Yu in tow, each escorted them back.

"Zhan Lei".

Xu Yuan called out, and Zhu Zhanlei turned around: "Hmm?"

Xu Yuan originally wanted Zhu Zhanlei to explain to his sister that he really didn't want to go to Baiyue Pavilion.

But then I thought, if this kid were to explain, Zhu Zhanmei would probably be even less likely to believe him.

"Please take good care of Lao Miao. Please thank your sister for me."

Zhu Zhanlei made a "don't worry" gesture and left.

Xu Yuan took Shi Bading home directly, and then returned to the South City patrol post himself.

Where is Zhou Leizi?

"I'll go and get it for you."

Zhou Leizi arrived shortly afterward.

Xu Yuan briefly recounted his experiences on the road, then took out the object: "Take a look at this."

Zhou Leizi examined it carefully, then scratched his forehead and said, "Sir, I can only confirm that this 'seed' comes from the agricultural method."

But this level far surpasses mine.

Therefore, I cannot see the deeper mysteries.

As for why this thing drained a rice paddy and created this monster, I have even less of a clue.

Xu Yuan frowned as he listened.

Seeds produced using agricultural methods?

In other words, there is a "murderer" behind the incident in that village!
Xu Yuan initially thought that the village was not far from Ghost Witch Mountain, and that the evil spirits from the mountain had escaped.

But now it seems that someone did this in secret, and the reason for using this seed was to disguise it as an evil spirit from Ghost Mountain.

Xu Yuan waved his hand gently: "Okay, you can go now."

"Yes." Zhou Leizi withdrew.

Xu Yuan spat out a ball of fire, burning the thing to ashes.

Then he took out the folded document and told Jiao about the situation.

After Jiao and Tian Jing take the cattle back, they should secretly keep an eye on whether anything is watching them.

Or perhaps, there are some hidden tricks within these cattle.

After closing the folded document, Xu Yuan thought about it again. He couldn't just leave that village unattended.

The village is called "Xiapo Village".

Xu Yuan pondered who to send... But if the people from the Exorcism Bureau were sent, the culprit in the shadows would surely become alert upon discovering unfamiliar faces in the village.

It would be best to conduct the investigation secretly under the guise of a passing caravan.

However, the caravan could not stay for long. They could not find anything in a day or two, and it would be very suspicious if they continued to stay.

Xu Yuan suddenly thought of the two little foxes.

They are evil spirits; once they reveal their true forms, they can remain outside the village indefinitely.

But Xu Yuan had a vague sense of unease: he had to go to the White Moon Pavilion.

What if what I fear most comes true, and I happen to run into Zhu Zhanmei at Baiyue Pavilion?

But if we can't send the two foxes, then there's only one option left: the nest of weasels on Xiaoyushan Mountain.

It's too far to make a trip to Xiaoyushan.

Xu Yuan shook his head. What a coincidence! I don't go to Baiyue Pavilion for months at a time, yet Zhu Zhanmei happened to run into me this time.

And why should I feel guilty?

What's wrong with me going to Baiyue Pavilion?
Lord Xu kept encouraging himself and bolstering his courage—after several attempts, he finally went out and headed towards Xieliu Lane.

……

The white fox has been a bit bored these past few days.

Humans have lived for so long that these festivals have become uninteresting.

Business is slow during the holidays; not making money means losing money.

Such a large courtyard must cost a considerable amount in rent each day.

Therefore, the white fox dislikes this festival.

The fox sisters, however, were both nervous and excited as it was their first time celebrating the New Year in a human city.

The two of them were getting ready to go out and play when guests arrived in the yard.

The two little foxes remained silent, hiding behind the artificial hill by the fish pond, too afraid to show themselves.

This woman is so fierce.

Last time we came, we beat up our two patrons, Zhu Zhanlei and Miao Yu, and threw them out!
Such a fierce woman will never be able to get married.

Who would want her?

The fox sisters hugged each other affectionately.

We sisters are the best; they're gentle, obedient, and know so many tricks.

Whoever marries us in the future will be so happy they'll live thirty years less!

The white fox hadn't expected Zhu Zhanmei to come.

Moreover, Zhu Zhanmei doesn't pay; she only chooses the most expensive items.

"My younger brother still has some silver stored here," Zhu Zhanmei said calmly. "We can just deduct it from there."

The white fox understood that this was to spend all the money so that her underlings would never have any more thoughts about it.

However, the White Fox has been navigating the mortal world for hundreds of years, and what kind of guests hasn't he seen?

It neither tries to ingratiate itself nor deliberately opposes others.

They chatted idly, exchanging a few words here and there. Gradually, Zhu Zhanmei went from being absent-minded to becoming a little interested, and before they knew it, they had more and more to talk about.

In the end, the two women successfully found common interests.

They quickly set up a chessboard and began to play.

Moreover, their skills were truly evenly matched.

The white fox is cunning and shrewd, while Zhu Zhanmei is exceptionally talented.

They played several rounds in a row, with each side winning and losing, and they all found it incredibly exciting.

The two started another game. Zhu Zhanmei went first, and just as she placed her piece, a maid came in to report, "The person from the Exorcism Department has arrived."

Zhu Zhanmei was taken aback.

The white fox frowned: "Tell him I have guests here."

He said he wouldn't date a girl like you.

"Looking for those two little girls again?" White Fox muttered, then waved his hand and said, "Just tell him not to bother us."

"Yes."

The white fox continued playing chess, but found that Zhu Zhanmei was distracted and made several bad moves, which greatly worsened the situation.

The white fox, quick-witted and perceptive, smiled and asked, "You know them?"

……

Xu Yuan was led in, and the maid led him to the residence of the fox sisters.

The two sisters sat on either side of the table with long faces: "Sir, what kind of hard work are we being given this time?"

Xu Yuan seemed not to hear their complaints at all and told them about what happened in Xiapo Village.

The two foxes rolled their eyes. We were outside the city, and no one was watching us!
"Okay, let's get going."

Anyway, we went.

Then they can play around for a few days and come back to report that they found nothing. Even the most wicked person wouldn't know.

Xu Yuan then said, "You must do your work diligently. I will send Corpse Sparrows to supervise you."

"what?!"

The two poor sisters were dumbfounded: Is this evil person bringing bad luck to us?
Did he see through our thoughts?
"Since you can control the corpse sparrows, why don't you let them keep an eye on that village?" the older sister asked.

“Those dead birds are restless and stupid,” Xu Yuan said, “far less clever than you two. So I’ll have to entrust this heavy responsibility to you two before I can rest easy. Don’t let me down!”

However, this praise and encouragement had no effect whatsoever.

The two sisters still felt wronged and wanted to cry.

Xu Yuan certainly couldn't command the flock of dead sparrows; he was just bluffing the two sisters.

"Alright, let's get going." Xu Yuan got up and walked out.

As I passed by the white fox's bamboo hut, I glanced over there as if by some strange impulse, and behind the white gauze curtains of the hut, I saw a pair of beautiful and familiar eyes.

Xu Yuan paused, finally believing it: in this era rife with the bizarre, everything was just such a strange coincidence.

When he was indeed seen, Xu Yuan was quite frank, saying, "I'm here on official business."

Zhu Zhanmei behind the window seemed to turn back and say goodbye to the white fox, then pushed open the door and walked down the same road as Xu Yuan.

The white fox leaned against the door, smiling and waving goodbye to Zhu Zhanmei.

She thought to herself with a touch of smugness: "I've gained another patron." Zhu Zhanmei and Xu Yuan walked side by side until they reached the outside of Baiyue Pavilion.

The two of them didn't say a word the whole way.

After they came out, as soon as the door of the White Moon Pavilion closed behind them, Zhu Zhanmei suddenly looked up, glanced at Xu Yuan with a half-smile, and said, "No wonder you all like to come here. It is indeed pleasant to be with a woman like this. Time and money slip away without you even noticing."

Xu Yuan opened his mouth as if to say, "I don't actually like coming here. I have official business to attend to."

Zhu Zhanmei didn't give him a chance. The smile on her face suddenly disappeared, and she asked, "You know this woman is an evil spirit, right?"

Xu Yuan was surprised that he could see it because he had the ability to "observe fate".

How did Zhu Sanya figure that out?

This woman is no ordinary person.

“It’s a thousand-year-old white fox,” Xu Yuan nodded in acknowledgment.

"Then why didn't you tell Miao Yu and your younger brother?"

Xu Yuan couldn't answer that question.

The reason for not capturing the white fox is the "tacit understanding" between the Three Offices of Strange Affairs in the city and the evil spirits.

As long as the white fox doesn't do evil, you must tolerate her living in the city.

However, Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanlei became frequent visitors to the White Fox, and Xu Yuan, knowing the White Fox's identity, did not tell them...

Xu Yuan had told Fu Jingyu about the white fox's identity.

The reason why Miao Yu wasn't told at first was because at that time, Lord Xu didn't like the person in charge of the Mountain and River Bureau.

This law master was thinking of "subduing" Xu Yuan and cultivating him into his right-hand man.

Miao Yu came to Baiyue Pavilion to spend money, and Xu Yuan secretly watched the show, having a great time!

After helping each other through several hardships, their relationship improved, and Xu Yuan worried that if he really told the truth... he feared that Lord Miao would be so ashamed that he would want to bang his head against a wall.

So I simply pretended not to know.

As for the deeper reasons...

Xu Yuan felt that he and Bai Hu had a tacit understanding: Xu Yuan would not expose her, and she would continue to earn money from Miao Yu and Zhu Zhanlei.

The white fox then tacitly allowed Xu Yuan to order around the two little foxes.

That's right, it was the white fox who was "selling out her grandson for personal gain".

After asking, Zhu Zhanmei noticed that Xu Yuan didn't answer for a long time, so she turned her face away and said, "If it's inconvenient to say, then forget it."

Xu Yuan felt that it wasn't that he couldn't tell the truth, but he and Zhu Zhanmei didn't seem to be familiar enough to be able to break down and explain such things in detail.

Therefore, it is somewhat difficult.

After hesitating for a moment, Xu Yuan gave an answer: "I'll tell you the truth in a while."

"Oh," Zhu Zhanmei responded softly.

I was honestly at a loss for words. You could at least come up with a reason, but what kind of answer is this?
But then I suddenly thought: Is it that they can't tell me, but they don't want to lie to me?
Zhu Zhanmei's cheeks flushed slightly, and she felt a little guilty. She slowly lowered her head... but unfortunately, she couldn't see her toes.

Zhu Zhanmei was a valiant and courageous female warrior who dared to love and hate.

She almost never walks with her head down.

At an intersection, Xu Yuan clasped his hands in farewell to Zhu Zhanmei, saying, "Sister Zhu, goodbye."

Zhu Zhanmei had regained her capable and efficient demeanor and returned the greeting, saying, "Farewell."

After walking four or five steps, she unconsciously slowed down and hesitated before looking back.

Xu Yuan had broad shoulders and a tall, imposing figure, and walked away with a powerful stride.

Zhu Zhanmei rolled her eyes at herself and muttered to herself, "What's so interesting about it..."

I couldn't help but take another look.

……

Xu Yuan suddenly remembered that he hadn't thanked Zhu Zhanmei for the red envelope.

Furthermore, the silver should be returned to the original owner.

So Xu Yuan turned around and prepared to catch up with Zhu Zhanmei.

As he turned around, his eyes met Zhu Zhanmei's for the second time.

Zhu Zhanmei's face flushed red instantly, and she rushed forward as if fleeing.

Xu Yuan found it strange and hurriedly chased after her, saying, "Sister Zhu, please wait a moment."

Zhu Zhanmei ran even faster.

"Hey, Sister Zhu!"

The more Xu Yuan called her, the faster she ran; the more he chased her, the faster she ran.

Xu Yuan stopped chasing and scratched his head, completely bewildered.

……

Xu Yuan ultimately didn't have a chance to thank him in person and return the money.

Because Zhu Zhanmei left Champa the next day and returned to Luocheng.

She brought her younger brother over this time.

Everyone in the Zhu family was very worried about this unreliable younger brother.

After a few days of peace in the city, Xu Yuan escorted Old Zhang back to the old market town of Xiaoxi Temple to guard his shop.

Next, Xu Yuan had to supply goods to both Xiaoxi Temple and Guanghuo Street simultaneously, which made him feel a little pressured.

Tian Jing has already taken Hei Jie and the others away.

Jiao told Lord Xu in his memorial that this herd of big black oxen was very popular in Gaojia Village and Wangxiang Village.

The villagers in the mountains also farm, and of course they need oxen for plowing.

Moreover, Old Man Bai specifically asked for Blackie, and when he wasn't farming, Blackie was his mount.

Old Bai rode his ox around the mountains all day, feeling extremely proud.

After all that, only one sentence was useful: No one has been found secretly watching these cows, nor have they been found to have any hidden tricks up their sleeves.

This notebook is used up...

Xu Yuan sighed, preparing to secretly open a gap to allow the Pingtian Society members to re-enter Champa.

The fox sisters kept watch in Xiapo Village, and every day one of them would return to the city to report to Lord Xu.

Every time, it's just two words: Nothing happened.

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, a detachment from the Southern Army entered the city.

The team was led by Mr. Yan.

Among the entourage was a short, plump woman.

Old Yan went straight into the Champa government office, where Shi Bading hurriedly greeted him.

Old Master Yan instructed him: "Go and call Xu Yuan and the others back. I have something to announce."

"Yes!" Shi Bading excitedly went off.

What else could it be but announcing my brother's promotion to law master?

He didn't notice that as he turned and ran away, a hint of mockery flashed in the eyes of the short, plump woman behind him.

Xu Yuan was quickly summoned, and all the city's patrol inspectors, except for Sang Yizi, were present.

Old Master Yan took out the official appointment document from the imperial court: "Xu Yuan, from this day forward, you will be the head of the Champa branch of my Exorcism Bureau!"

Xu Yuan bowed and accepted the document with both hands: "Thank you for the court's high regard! Thank you for the promotion, Commander!"

Old Yan smiled and pointed to the short, plump woman beside him, saying, "This is Gao Wanli, a sixth-rate craftsman. She is your deputy, the deputy head of the Champa Bureau."

Xu Yuan politely cupped his hands in greeting: "Lord Gao, I hope you will lend me your strength in the future."

Gao Wanli sat still, coldly sizing up Xu Yuan a few times: "I've heard that Lord Xu is quite capable. I'd like to see more of his abilities in the future."

Xu Yuan and the others frowned secretly; this person seemed to have ill intentions.

Gao Wanli was impolite, and Xu Yuan, not one to fawn over a woman, put down his hand with a stern face, ignoring her and starting a heart-to-heart talk with Old Yan.

Xu Yuan hosted a welcome dinner for Old Master Yan at noon, but Gao Wanli did not attend.

Since everyone present was one of their own, Old Yan explained the situation truthfully: "The Commander recommended you to be the head of the Champa Bureau, but this Gao Wanli barged in and tried to take the position."

The excuse is that you are too young and lack sufficient experience in the Exorcism Division.

Gao Wanli's family was quite powerful, and she was a sixth-rate craftsman. In this day and age, craftsmen were highly regarded.

So the matter remained deadlocked for a while.

Later, a high-ranking official in the court suddenly stepped forward, went to the General Administration Office, and said a few words on your behalf.

The commander inquired and learned that the high-ranking official was there to repay a favor to the Zhu family.

Xu Yuan suddenly realized why Zhu Zhanmei said the Zhu family had repaid their kindness; it turned out this was the reason.

"Gao Wanli only ended up as a deputy head of the law enforcement, she must be unwilling to accept it, and I'm afraid she will cause some trouble in the future. The commander said that you don't need to be afraid of her, just do your job well."

Xu Yuan nodded.

Old Yan added, "By the way, this Gao Wanli is a new craftsman."

(End of this chapter)