Having decided to take on the case to investigate the Demon Energy, Jiang Shouzhong no longer had any reservations and went to the Wenxin Departnt of the Liushan Division to enlist the case under the Wind Thunder Hall.
Nalan Xie rushed over upon hearing the news, grasped Jiang Shouzhong’s hand with eyes brimming with tearful light, his expression and words incredibly exaggerated, "Jiang Shouzhong, to finally be able to fight alongside you, do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this day?"
Disgusted, Jiang Shouzhong yanked his hand away and retorted coldly, "Don’t celebrate too soon, you’ll likely be hoping for my early death before long."
With a smile, Nalan Xie seed unfazed, "From the first day you ca to the Liushan Division, I knew Jiang Shouzhong was no ordinary man. Unfortunately, I was a step behind and didn’t get the chance to turn Jiang Shouzhong to one of our own, letting Mr. Li beat to it.
However, the heavens are fair, my fervent heart has finally awaited this mont. Jiang Shouzhong, starting now, my Iron Cloth Hall is entirely at your disposal, you tell to go east, and I’ll go east; you want to investigate the west, and I’ll investigate the west, call the shots as you please."
"Really?"
Jiang Shouzhong expressed doubt.
He glanced behind the other party and didn’t see that dark grape-like woman present.
Grinning, Nalan Xie said, "One must be aware of one’s abilities, and I know where I stand. Jiang Shouzhong’s case-solving skills are recognized by all in the Liushan Division; any interference from would only be a hindrance."
Jiang Shouzhong, upon hearing this, chuckled and patted the other man’s shoulder, "Good, I was waiting for you to say that. In fact, I already have so clues; we’re going to be busy for a while."
"I knew it was right to entrust the case to Jiang Shouzhong; you’ve found leads so quickly." Nalan Xie held up his thumb with admiration on his face, then in a lowered voice, he inquired, "So where shall we start our investigation?"
"Xichu Pavilion."
Jiang Shouzhong said lightly.
The smile on Nalan Xie’s face froze, his cheeks twitched several tis, and he asked uncertainly, "Where?"
Observing the other’s expression, Jiang Shouzhong’s mouth twitched faintly as he said lightly, "Actually, when we were killing the rabbit demon, the creature ntioned ’Xichu Pavilion’ with an expression of great resentnt. But we were in a hurry to close the case and neglected to report it. Now upon reflection, Demon Energy seems greatly connected to Xichu Pavilion. Nalan, what do you think?"
"That...
Nalan Xie lowered his head as if pondering, his gaze sowhat dim. Then, pulling Jiang Shouzhong to one side with a mysterious air, he said, "Jiang Shouzhong, you might not be familiar with this Xichu Pavilion. The place has a complex web of power behind it; if we investigate, it could cause trouble."
"So you’re saying we can’t investigate? Then what’s the bloody point of this case! If that’s the case, let another hall take it over."
Jiang Shouzhong spoke discontentedly, turning to head back to the Wenxin Departnt.
Nalan Xie hastily grasped him, frowning as he asked, "Can’t we start from sowhere else?"
Jiang Shouzhong replied irritably, "Nalan, you too are a mber of the Liushan Division; you should know investigation isn’t about looking here or there by whim, but following the thread from clue to clue. Now if Xichu Pavilion can’t be investigated, then I’m out of options."
"Alright, alright, we’ll investigate Xichu Pavilion."
Nalan Xie seed sowhat helpless, "If we must, I’ll just join Jiang Shouzhong in stirring up a hornet’s nest and suffer the stings—it doesn’t matter."
Jiang Shouzhong snickered to himself.
If you at Xichu Pavilion want an investigation, I’ll play along for now.
Nalan Xie asked, "Shall we go investigate now?"
Jiang Shouzhong shook his head, "At night. Such places are best visited at night for finding clues—and for the spectacle, wouldn’t you agree?"
Nalan Xie displayed a knowing look only n would understand, "Nightti is good, very good indeed."
...
After allowing Nalan Xie sufficient ti to send a ssage to Xichu Pavilion, Jiang Shouzhong returned to his own courtyard.
The courtyard was still swept clean; Lu Renjia, wearing a coarse jacket, sat on a small wooden stool beside the door, nibbling on a hot sweet potato and keeping another in his embrace.
"Jiang!"
Seeing Jiang Shouzhong, Lu Renjia got up to greet him, yet the sweet potato in his arms tumbled out. Instinctively raising his foot, the sweet potato was instead kicked away. Just as it seed it would hit the ground, Jiang Shouzhong moved swiftly and caught it neatly.
Lu Renjia paused in stunned amazent, "Impressive, Jiang, when did you learn that move?"
Jiang Shouzhong tossed back the sweet potato and entered the house, "Where have you been these past two days? I see you’ve been having a good ti at Spring Rain Building with Qing Niang."
"Whether Qing Niang had a good ti, I don’t know, but I sure did."
Lu Renjia followed him inside, grinning like a monkey, "The boss said we had a few days off, and I had nothing better to do, so I went to Wuchan Temple to draw a peace talisman for Qing Niang, and offered so incense for her. I heard she’s been having trouble sleeping, so I picked so Shanxiang grass on the mountain that might help with sleep, but she didn’t want it. Bored, I just went ahead and cleaned her yard and the outhouse..."
Listening to Lu Renjia ramble about his activities over the past few days, Jiang Shouzhong offhandedly asked, "Did you sweep my yard too?"
"When would I have the free ti for that, unless you pay for it?"
Lu Renjia answered grumpily.
So, he would be prepared to lick the outhouse clean for the goddess, yet sweeping the yard for his brother requires paynt—Jiang Shouzhong’s heart was filled with utter contempt, no wonder Qing Niang did not give him the ti of day.
As Lu Renjia handed over a sweet potato, Jiang Shouzhong said dismissively, "You expect to eat sothing you kicked with your foot? Push off."
"Suit yourself."
Lu Renjia rolled his eyes and rubbed the sweet potato on his clothing, then said softly, "Jiang, I heard the boss’s family had so trouble, nothing serious I hope? Should we go check on them?"
"What, we follow her to Qingzhou?"
"It’s only a two or three days’ journey." Lu Renjia took a bite of his sweet potato, "If we had troubles in Qingzhou, the boss would definitely co without a second thought to check on us."
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