Chapter Twenty-Six: Clouds of Sorrow Spread Everywhere

“After you left, Master Xu, the court sent troops to search the area. They even hired hunters to comb through the mountains...” Ji Wu recounted earnestly the events that had transpired since Xu Yuan’s departure.

“And you’re still bold enough to come see me?” Xu Yuan asked after listening.

“What’s there to fear? That magistrate was a scoundrel from the start—he got what he deserved! You did well, Master Xu!” Ji Wu replied, utterly unafraid.

Though Wang Hongbo had only been in Qingshan County for a little over a year, he’d done everything possible to line his pockets. He claimed to be improving the irrigation system—collected plenty of money, but never lifted a finger.

Ji Wu’s father had intended to use this as leverage against Wang Hongbo, but Master Xu had simply cut the knot with a single stroke, never bothering with schemes—he just disposed of the man outright.

Now that was a true master!

What need for intrigue or back-alley plots? There was simply no need! To act so decisively was exhilarating!

No wonder he’d set his heart on taking Xu Yuan as his teacher!

“Even so, being close to me may invite trouble from the authorities,” Xu Yuan reminded him.

He himself had no fear of the court. Killing a county magistrate was nothing to him—were the Emperor of Qi himself to stand before him, Xu Yuan would not hesitate to act if need be.

After all, he descended to this world but one day a year—what influence could the Qi court possibly have over him? If they had the means, let them come to the heavens and seek him out. In truth, if they could, Xu Yuan would welcome it.

But though he was fearless, for ordinary folk living on Qi’s soil, offending the court was a calamity.

Xu Yuan could act with impunity; they could not.

That was why he no longer frequented Liu’s tavern. Old Liu was just another common man, seeking only a quiet life. Xu Yuan would not bring him trouble.

If a court spy saw them together, disaster could follow.

“Hah, those fellows have more pressing concerns now,” Ji Wu chuckled. “After you left last year, there were indeed court agents searching Qingshan for a month or two, but then the Emperor called for auspicious omens from across the land, and chaos broke out everywhere.

“This past year, many of the auspicious offerings meant for the Emperor never even reached the palace—they were intercepted along the way. Compared to what those people have done, your slaying of the magistrate is a petty matter. The court has no manpower to spare for a backwater like ours.”

The truth was, the death of a magistrate could be treated as a grave matter or dismissed as trivial.

On a grand scale, it could be seen as treason; on a smaller scale, what was a county magistrate? If he died, he died.

But offerings of auspicious omens for the Emperor—those were another matter entirely! Those were meant for the Son of Heaven himself. Losing them was an offense against imperial majesty—an affront to the throne! It was no mere loss, but a slap to the Emperor’s face—undeniable treason!

And to make matters worse, there were plenty bold and capable enough to dare such things...

The Emperor of Qi was furious, ordering local officials to investigate and hunt down the audacious culprits, even deploying the army.

By comparison, Qingshan’s troubles were insignificant—the court saw them as nothing.

As they walked, Ji Wu chattered on about the news of the past year, and soon they arrived back at the Ji family’s security agency.

“Master Xu,” Ji Yun greeted him, showing no sign of fear, though fatigue was etched deep in his features. “Please sit, I’ll call Shuyun to prepare a meal for you.”

“That won’t be necessary just now.” Xu Yuan studied him for a moment. “You look haggard and unsettled. Is something weighing on your mind?”

“It’s not a secret, just troubling,” Ji Yun sighed. “Since the Emperor ordered all regions to present auspicious omens, there’s been unrest everywhere. The world is no longer peaceful.

“To keep the agency running, we must constantly take escort jobs, but now the risks are far greater. Not only are there more bandits due to the chaos, but the roads are crawling with thieves... On the last run, we even lost several good men. The dangers have multiplied.”

The Emperor wanted auspicious omens, and with a single command, all under heaven scrambled to comply.

Of course, gathering such omens consumed immense manpower and resources—costs far beyond normal taxes, which would inevitably fall on the common people in some way.

Many already burdened beyond endurance by taxes turned to desperate measures; if the court left them no way to live, they’d find their own. In the blink of an eye, they became bandits haunting the mountains and forests.

This was terrible for the Ji family’s agency, threatening their very livelihood.

The risks of each escort had multiplied, journeys took longer, and the dangers were greater. True, prices for escorting goods had risen with the turmoil, but even so, the risks outweighed the gains. No wonder Ji Yun looked so careworn.

After all, a security agency exists to bear others’ risks for profit. But with the current state of the world, the risks had outstripped the profits. If things went on like this, there was no way the business could survive—who wouldn’t be troubled?

“I see,” Xu Yuan said quietly. “The key to escorting is strength: make them fear to attack you.”

“You’re quite right, Master Xu.” Ji Yun forced a smile. Of course, he knew that. But men didn’t appear out of thin air—they had to be paid.

The more men, the stronger the force, the higher the cost. Feeding and equipping them all cost money. Skilled men brought safety, but at such expense that the profit vanished—what was the point?

He was caught in a dilemma: either ignore the risks, or barely scrape by with no profit.

And if things grew worse, even scraping by would become impossible.

Xu Yuan thought for a moment. “I do have an idea...”

“Hm?” Ji Yun, whose worries had nearly turned his hair white, was startled, then overjoyed. “Could it be Master Xu wishes to join the agency? If you were with us, no bandit would dare stand in our way! I’d split the profits with you half and half—what do you say?”

“You’re overthinking it,” Xu Yuan cut him off without hesitation—he hadn’t the time for that.

“Then... are you recommending some expert to me?” Ji Yun’s joy faded. He’d been hoping for too much.

He knew plenty of skilled men. But the issue remained—experts had to be paid.

Not everyone was like Master Xu, worth a hundred or a thousand ordinary men. Unless the expert was head and shoulders above the rest, hiring more made little difference.

“This expert won’t ask for money—just room and board,” Xu Yuan said with a smile.

Ji Yun stared in disbelief. “Is there really such a thing?”