Volume 12 Chapter 14 Master Jiu

“Is dumping him in the lake not bad enough? Why did you take his belongings?” grumbled Uncle Huang. “So, you took this small knife?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

I was actually going to get rid of the knife, but, judging from its architecture, it had to be around ten silver taels, so I kept it. That would be enough to buy ten chickens, man! Everything else was mine.

“What’s that seal in your hand?”

“This? Wearing bling is in fashion in the capital these days. Wearing this around your neck makes you look wicked. You want it, Uncle Huang?”

“No.” With a hand on his beard, Uncle Huang paced around, then sighed. “To err on the safe side, make peace with Zhao Xin.”

“What? Zhao Xin? I thought he’s called Zhao Yuejing.”

“His father wields a tremendous amount of influence in the military. On account of you being affiliated with Liu Shan Men, it’s best you avoid disputes with them.”

“Uncle Huang, a little brat who can’t even handle the smallest breeze has you quaking in your boots? Where has the energy you used to chase my shifu through eight cities straight gone?”

“That’s because he dumped me at Spring Wind Lunar Brothel!”

“I never imagined I could be even more disappointed in you. Why would you waste the opportunity to enjoy yourself at such a high-class place?”

“Enjoy, my foot! He owed them fifty thousand taels and sold me off!”

Okay, I take back what I said…

“As for Zhao Tiankui, he doesn’t scare me. That said, with students here forming cliques, they’re forming complicated networks… Zhao Xin is one of such faction. One of his friends is Lu Feiming, who broke Yingyang’s leg.”

Speaking of Yingyang, the guy was a freak. The man started writing as soon as tests began and stayed back to read once he was done. How does such a student exist?! Nevertheless, he was the favourite type of student among teachers, yet nobody did anything when someone broke his leg.

“How come nobody has said anything about his leg?”

“It’s not that people are turning a blind eye. If we want to fairly dispute the case, then we’ll have to clash with Lu Feiming’s backing. When matters are so complicated, it’s better to avoid them wherever possible.”

While my shifu can lead Uncle Huang by the nose, Uncle Huang is quite the man in the capital, yet he’s avoiding a confrontation? Is the student some hot shot? I should make some time to find out more over tea with Uncle Huang.

“Therefore, you know what I’m about to say. Thoughts?”

“Oh, I’ll start with roast duck and grilled chicken.”

“… Can you… grow some sense?”

“Grow some what?”

“… Just come with me!”

***

Although Ming Feizhen had gone into “hiding” after signing the agreement, Hong Jiu, Ming Feizhen’s best assistant, still didn’t feel safe about leaving his defenceless brother alone. Therefore, he sneaked into Daren Academy the same afternoon they parted ways. To be more specific, he infiltrated Daren Academy’s Miscellaneous Logistics Department.

“Hey, you the new guy who didn’t ask for a salary while promising to do more work than a bull and rise earlier than a chicken? What was your name again? Hong… Zhichuang?”

“Yes sir. This one is ninth in his family, so you can call him Hong Jiu.” Hong Jiu didn’t need to prepare a business smile when he already practiced implementing one all throughout his days as a wanderer.

”Your name… is ear murder.” The manager cleared his throat. “If Ol’ Chang did suffer an injury out of the blue, need to go home for rest and recommend you, we wouldn’t have employed you since we usually don’t recruit new employees. All our employees have to go through a two-year probation period.”

“Indeed, it was strange for Brother Chang to suddenly fall into a hole. I wish him all the best.”

The accident was anything but an accident. Hong Jiu dug up evidence of Ol’ Chang frequenting brothels, gambling and squandering money, and then he approached the man to give his head a kiss with his warm fists. Once Ol’ Chang was beat, he persuaded Ol’ Chang to write him a letter of recommendation.

The work quota that the manager assigned Hong Jiu for the day really would take until midnight to fulfill. “We are the soul of the institute. Without us, the place is crippled, so don’t slack off.” With that, he strolled off.

“Understood.” Hong Jiu crossed his arms while musing. “… Let’s start with a three day nap first.”

How was it Hong Jiu’s problem if the place was crippled? He threw the broom he just took out back into the storehouse and dusted off his hands.

“Hey, you the new guy?”

“Yeah.” Hong Jiu, sporting a bright smile and innocent puppy eyes, pivoted around to see several students who made his stomach turn.

The group performed a visual audit of Hong Jiu, then began discussing amongst each other.

“Pretty sure it’s him. Tall, wears white and has a small pouch. Fits the description word for word.”

“Yeah, he also admitted he’s the new guy.”

“Hey, you started today?”

“Yeah,” replied Hong Jiu.

“He’s our guy.”

“Let’s make sure. There’s no room for mistakes. His name is supposed to be Hong Jiu.”

“Yeah, that’s me.”

The five asked each other, “Is there any way someone coincidentally has the same given name and surname?”

“I remember he’s supposed to be ugly.”

The five looked back at Hong Jiu, then turned back to each other. “It’s him for sure!”

“Can I help you?” Hong Jiu still kept up the innocent act.

Their leader politely responded, “Nothing much. We were ordered to beat you.”

“Huh?”

“Talks are over. Come over and accept your beating!”

Though their lanky physiques made them look unassuming, the five were quick on their feet and knew how to throw a punch.

Moments later, Hong Jiu could be heard griping, “How you can just suddenly assault a man? Besides, who are you expecting to hurt when you’re so weak? Like, I didn’t even get to finish one move.” He palmed head of the student at the top of the stack he formed and said, “Hey, I’m talking to you.”

The student groaned, “H-how dare you hit me…? My father…”

Hong Jiu slapped his face the other way. “Shed another tear and your old man is getting it, too! Now, who’s the prick who sent you after me?”

None of them answered.

Perhaps Hong Jiu understood Ming Feizhen’s predicament best because the number of enemies he made and problems he caused weren’t that far behind Ming Feizhen’s. At the very least, it’d take more than four hours to list all of them.

“You asked for it.” Hong Jiu rubbed his hands whilst sneering. “Hope you like the touch of my Big Swinging Cracker Hands.”

“Wait! Wh-what will happen to us if you hit us?”

“You’ll… have an extra butt crack.”

“Okay, okay, we’ll talk! Zhao Xin sent us. Sir, please show forbearance. Please spare our bottoms!”

“Hmph, I’ll decide based on how cooperative you are. Who’s Zhao X-”

Hong Jiu felt the air stir abnormally due to someone closing in at high speed. He reactively pivoted around and extended an open hand. He managed to force his assailant back, but he was also forced to skid back.

“Not bad.” Hong Jiu’s assailant chortled.

“Who goes there?! How dare you sneak attack Master Jiu?!”

Glossary

Grow some sense - The joke doesn’t work in English. This version of “grow some sense” has components that make up “dessert/snacks” and similar words. So, after Huang Yuzao says that, Ming Feizhen actually asked, “There’s dessert, too?”

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