Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 177 The Assassin Takes Action
Lu Zheng read the letter carefully and found that An Jing was very sincere.

He had heard that the appointment of an imperial censor had to be approved by the emperor.

Although An Jing did not say where this badge came from, Lu Zheng felt that even if An Jing was the eldest princess, she could not be given a nominal title and a badge that read "Imperial Censor".

Lu Zheng fiddled with the token for a while, trying to use his righteous energy to infuse it into the token.

The token flashed with light, a golden aura emerged, and a line of small golden characters condensed.

"Lu Zheng, the Imperial Censor, oversees the entire world on behalf of the Emperor..."

Lu Zheng could even sense a very powerful aura from this line of small golden characters.

Soon, the small golden characters dissipated and turned into wisps of air, merging back into the token.

Lu Zheng smacked his lips and muttered, "It even has a name, a special token. Could it really be approved by the Emperor himself?"

After thinking for a while, Lu Zheng put the token away.

In any case, An Jing did think about him and did something.

If I refuse directly now, it would be a bit ungrateful.

Keeping the token might actually be useful in the future, but he still hoped that he wouldn't need it.

Lu Zheng took out a pen and paper, preparing to write a letter to An Jing.

Time passed quietly, and by midnight, the gloomy energy in the mountains became even thicker.

The crow on the branch shuddered and flew into the weeds for shelter.

Qing Wan wrapped herself in pea leaves, curled up into a green ball, and fell asleep in Lu Zheng's pocket.

There were gusts of cold wind in the valley, and the ghosts wandering around gathered towards the valley.

Until dawn, the evil spirits dissipated and no more ghosts wandered in the mountains.

Zhusha was busy all night, and he collected all the ghosts around him, and even the foul smoke and miasma in the valley.

The sun shines on the valley, bringing the grass and trees back to life.

Lu Zheng couldn't help but smile when he saw the mountain return to normal.

Zhu Sha came out of the valley and saw Lu Zheng not far away. She walked over and bowed gracefully, "I have taken care of the matter. Do you have any other instructions, Master Lu?"

Lu Zheng took out a storage bag and handed it to Zhu Sha, "Take it back to the princess."

In the storage bag, there was a letter and a return gift specially prepared by Lu Zheng.

Zhu Sha took the storage bag and carefully put it away, not daring to look at the contents. He said, "I will definitely bring the things back to the princess."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Go back, and be careful on your way."

Zhu Sha looked at Lu Zheng, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng asked, "What else?"

Zhu Sha whispered, "Have you ever resented me, sir?"

Lu Zheng thought about it and realized that at the beginning, he didn’t hate Zhu Sha at all, he just disliked him.

The original owner died, and the reason he was able to travel through time and space was more or less because of cinnabar.

Everyone has died once or twice, so there is no longer any entanglement.

Lu Zheng replied, "I don't care about the past anymore. Miss, just look forward to the future."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Sha said no more and felt a lot calmer inside.

"Take care, sir."

Zhu Shaying bowed and floated away.

Lu Zheng watched Zhu Sha leave, then headed towards a nearby town, ready to have a good rest and find out more about the situation.

The crow stood on a branch and did not continue to follow Lu Zheng. It muttered quietly, "They are all powerful figures. When will I become that powerful? I must go and see where there are evil demons and ghosts. If you can help me, I can also gain some benefits..."

Thinking of this, the crow flapped its wings and flew high, disappearing into the distance in a short while.

Lu Zheng passed by a cemetery and could still smell the strong smoke of incense. He thought that someone had come here yesterday to pay tribute to their relatives.

We walked slowly along the path to the town.

At this time, the town was already quite lively with passers-by coming and going.

Some people were talking and said that they encountered a little ghost blocking their way last night, and they spoke very seriously.

There are many demons and ghosts in this world. On the night of the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, ordinary people stay indoors for fear of being contaminated by unclean things.

Lu Zheng came to a restaurant, found a seat by the window, ordered some food, and watched the various aspects of life while eating.

Lu Zheng always deals with monsters and ghosts in the mountains, but when he comes to a populated place, he feels extremely relaxed.

"Hey, Mr. Lu!"

A man who came in to eat glanced around and saw the handsome and eye-catching Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng glanced sideways and had a vague impression of this person.

The man came over excitedly, bowed happily and said, "It's me, Master Lu, from Qing'ao Village. You came to our village before and cured my mother's illness. Now my mother is feeling much better... I didn't expect you to dine here. This meal is my treat! Shopkeeper, please put it on my bill!"

Upon hearing this, the restaurant owner was surprised and said, "It's Mr. Lu Zheng? Then it's my treat. My father-in-law mentioned you to me yesterday. You're a distinguished guest!"

Some diners saw that Lu Zheng had an extraordinary temperament and was obviously a nobleman, so they didn't dare to look at him for too long.

Hearing that it was Lu Zheng, they all turned their heads curiously, and some even ran over to say hello.

Even some passersby outside heard the commotion and came over to take a look out of curiosity.

Among them were some ordinary villagers that Lu Zheng had met.

"Master Lu!"

"Scholar!"

"Master, are you eating? I just made some food and brought it to the town to sell. Master, please try it..."

For a moment, the restaurant became quite lively.

Many people have benefited from Lu Zheng's kindness. Those who have never met Lu Zheng also know some of his reputation and want to come and pay him a visit.

Lu Zheng quickly stood up and greeted everyone, feeling as if everyone in the world knew him.

Lu Zheng hadn't finished his meal yet, but there were already a lot of things piled up on the table. They were all sent by ordinary people who ran small businesses, and he couldn't stop them from giving them away.

After a while, someone stood up and said that Lu Zheng should not be disturbed while eating. Only then did everyone lose their enthusiasm and slowly disperse.

Lu Zheng looked at the things left behind, feeling both heartwarming and helpless.

He extended his hand and called out, "Shopkeeper."

The shopkeeper smiled broadly and said respectfully, "Mr. Lu, what can I do for you?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "Are there any beggars in this town? Please deliver these things to them for me."

The shopkeeper said, "There are a few, sir, please be kind. I'll have them taken away right away!"

The shopkeeper quickly called a few waiters over and delivered these things to the beggars.

The shopkeeper naturally didn't dare to be greedy for these things.

If this is taken, even if Lu Zheng does nothing, his spine will be exposed by others.

Under the eaves opposite the restaurant, a short old man was rubbing straw and weaving straw sandals.

Lu Zheng, I finally found you... The old man's mind flashed with thoughts.

He had received the task before and rushed to Kaiyang County to look for Lu Zheng.

After searching for several days, there was no sign of Lu Zheng. I only heard that Lu Zheng was traveling around studying and his whereabouts were unknown.

Today in this small town, he finally found the person he was waiting for.

As an assassin, he was also quite patient and did not choose to act immediately.

If we try to assassinate Lu Zheng now, things will definitely get out of hand, so we should keep a low profile.

Hearing that Lu Zheng might have treasures on him, he naturally had to choose a suitable place to start so that he would have enough time to slowly search the corpse.

After a while, the old man saw Lu Zheng coming out, so he also carried a bundle of straw sandals and followed slowly behind him.

He didn't pay too much attention to Lu Zheng, but looked left and right, and asked people from time to time whether they wanted to buy straw sandals.

Lu Zheng walked around the town for a while and learned that the officials had already searched the place and arrested some people, so there was nothing for him to worry about.

He left the town and went to the next place.

While walking on the road, Lu Zheng could feel someone behind him. He turned around and found that it was the old man selling straw sandals he had seen before.

When the old man saw Lu Zheng turning around, a simple yet reserved smile appeared on his face.

Lu Zheng had never seen this person in any village, but judging from the route he took, he should be from the village ahead.

He smiled and asked, "Which village are you from?"

Lu Zheng thought that maybe he could go the same way as this old man.

The old man grinned and said, "You are from Tonghua Village, are you going to our village?"

In order to find out about Lu Zheng, the old man had learned about all the places in Kaiyang County and lied without blinking an eye.

"Really?" Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "My father-in-law came out to sell straw sandals, and he's going back so early."

The old man's eyes moved slightly, and he said, "My son is seriously ill. I heard that you are a doctor, so I thought of asking you to go and see him..."

As he spoke, the old man's eyes were red and he raised his hand to wipe his eyes.

While the two were talking, the old man had already walked close to Lu Zheng.

When he was only two steps away from Lu Zheng, the old man slowly put down his hands that were rubbing his eyes. A dagger appeared in his hand and he quickly stabbed towards Lu Zheng.

The old man used all his strength in this move.

When a lion fights a rabbit, he must use all his strength.

What's more, he heard that Lu Zheng had treasures on him and was a scholar with great righteousness, so how could he take it lightly?

As a killer, he is a professional.

A cold light flashed, and the old man attacked as fast as lightning.

However, he was very fast and Lu Zheng's reaction was not slow either.

But Lu Zheng leaned back slightly, raised one hand and suddenly grabbed the old man.

The old man's face suddenly changed, because Lu Zheng's speed was so fast that his stab missed.

However, the old man had no time to think, and the strength in his body burst out and he thrust forward again.

At this time, Lu Zheng had already grabbed the old man with one hand.

Everything happened in a flash.

The poisonous dagger flashing with a faint light stopped in front of Lu Zheng's coat and could not move forward any further.

The old man's right arm was grabbed tightly by Lu Zheng's right hand, and he couldn't use any strength at all.

The old man's face changed instantly, and he felt that his arm was about to be broken by Lu Zheng.

Who said this was a newly promoted scholar? The old man even suspected that he had found the wrong person.

"You want me to heal someone, but I don't need to use a knife, right?"

Lu Zheng looked at the old man and smiled slightly, but his smile was a little cold.

I have been out for so long, but I actually encountered a killer, a warrior who has reached the third realm. Who sent him?
(End of this chapter)