Just as Li Ang had anticipated, the next morning a new visitor sought an audience at the entrance of Security Hall.
Every day, numerous river and sea merchants passed through Yizhou City. These people spent lavishly and, to foster connections, brought gifts such as pearls, coral, conch, or, more modestly, the Four Treasures of the Study and household porcelain.
Even Li Ang had come to witness what the upper society deemed "elegant bribery."
The gift-givers would present exquisitely crafted, nearly genuine-looking counterfeit items.
Nominal value of these counterfeits might be only five, ten, or twenty strings of coins but, if taken to the recommended pawnshop for pawning, they could be sold at the price of genuine items for hundreds of strings of coins.
Essentially, it was still gift-giving, just without direct cash transactions, making verification harder and sounding more "cultured."
"One could only say, what has already happened will happen again. What has already been done, will be done again."
Li Ang complained, "Even the elaborate charades of gift-giving are a time-honored tradition."
Just like yesterday, he declined all gifts that were even slightly expensive—his house simply couldn't accommodate more, with enough stacks of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones to last for over a decade.
"My rouge, my rouge..."
Chai Cuiqiao wasn't listening to Li Ang; she propped her chin on the table, pursed her lips, and sadly watched as a whole box of rouges and powders from Jinxiu Hall was carried away by servants.
"Why are you always fixated on your rouge?"
Li Ang, helplessly closing the "Shangqing Linggan Chapter," said, "Couldn't you think of something useful, like what to have for lunch?"
"That's Jinxiu Hall's rouge! Even the cheapest small bottle costs a hundred strings of coins. It doesn't come off even when applied to the hand and submerged in water.
Apricot branch tips burst with fragrance as light red fades from the white rouge."
Chai Chai lamented to herself, rhythmically patting the desk with both small hands, hardly caring about the topic of what to have for lunch anymore, "There's a saying, 'A life without Jinxiu Hall's rouge is a heroic life lived in vain.' My heart has been stolen by Jinxiu Hall; perhaps I'll never feel joy or sorrow again..."
"What nonsense."
Li Ang, his head full of black lines, tapped lightly on Chai Cuiqiao's head with the scroll of "Shangqing Linggan Chapter," "If you won't cook, then I will. Lunch will be the yellow croaker that Shade just brought over."
"No!"
Chai Cuiqiao immediately jumped up from her stool, anxiously saying, "That yellow croaker is eleven inches long; it would be a pity to just cook it like any other dish. How about steaming half and braising the other half?"
"Who splits a single yellow croaker to cook it in two different ways?"
Li Ang hummed, "Still, let's go for braised; it's tastier that way."
Just as the master and servant were fiercely debating whether steaming or braising was better, a dense and heavy sound of footsteps arose outside Security Hall.
All the pedestrians along the street showed faces of surprise and fear, giving way on their own.
These were soldiers mounted on military horses. Each was draped in iron scale armor, with a broadsword and quiver at their waist, and a longbow on their back. A fully strung powerful crossbow was hung on the side of each horse's saddle.
In Yu Country, although swords were not banned, armor and crossbows were.
This was a group of elite Yu Country cavalry.
They belonged to the Yizhou Town Governor's Office.
The leading soldier dismounted, instructed his subordinates to wait outside Security Hall, and entered the gate himself, bowing, "Is this Mr. Li?"
"It is I."
Li Ang stood up somewhat surprised, returning the bow, "And you are..."
"Garrison Training Judge, Niu Wenshu."
The garrison soldier stated solemnly, "On the command of the Academic Palace Patrol, you are requested to come to the garrison."
"Senior Brother Cheng?"
Li Ang said unexpectedly, "What's the matter? Why didn't he come himself?"
Niu Wenshu blinked silently and spoke softly, "Outside Yizhou City, traces of demons were discovered."
The closer one approached the path of cultivation, the closer one came to danger...
A phrase flashed inexplicably through Li Ang's mind. Within Yu Country's territory, no one dared to impersonate a garrison official on the bustling streets; the identity of the other party was undoubtedly genuine.
However, what did Cheng Juxiu want from him?
"Please wait a moment, Judge Niu. I'll wash my face and be right there."
Li Ang stood up and gestured with his eyes for Chai Cuiqiao to follow; the two of them went to the backyard.
Chai Cuiqiao lowered her voice and hurriedly said, "Young master, why are they summoning you for the discovery of a demon? Aren't you still unestablished in your cultivation?"
Can we skip the second half of that?
Li Ang looked at the fallen leaves in the courtyard and rolled his eyes.
Back in the Security Hall, Niu Wenshu sat serenely with his eyes closed, concentrating as if he hadn't heard Li Ang's voice in the courtyard.
"Assisting the garrison and the Academic Palace in exterminating demons is the duty of every citizen of Yu Country and every Academic Palace Disciple. I can't refuse when called. Perhaps they need some skill of mine."
"In any case, you stay home and take good care of the house, and don't go out without a proper reason."
"Be good, I'm off."
Li Ang casually washed his face with well water, left the courtyard, placed the "Shangqing Linggan Chapter" on the bookshelf, then nodded to Niu Wenshu.
The two walked out of Security Hall. As they left, Li Ang took his medicine box and a key to securely lock the front door. This new lock and key had also been delivered yesterday. It featured two curved iron plates added to the base of the bolt. The ends of these plates, which had holes, protruded through the door crack. This allowed the lock to pass through, enabling the front door to be locked from the outside without needing to use the courtyard's side door every time.
Niu Wenshu casually asked, "Does Mr. Li have a dog at home?"
"Ah? What?"
Li Ang, utterly baffled, mounted his horse and settled into the saddle.
"No, it's nothing."
Niu Wenshu shook his head and rode ahead, heading toward the garrison located in the southern part of the city.
It was a building similar in appearance to other government offices. However, the garrison was distinguished by its walls, which were over ten feet high, and a yard filled with somber locust trees. Despite it being the height of summer in June, a chill seemed to emanate from the shadows and corners, as if something were lurking there.
Watchtowers, observation towers, suspended passageways, shooting holes. The entire structure was akin to a fortress, easy to defend but hard to attack, capable of accommodating thousands or even more soldiers.
As a native of Yizhou, Li Ang had never entered the garrison. He followed Niu Wenshu straight into the main hall of the garrison and saw Cheng Juxiu sitting on the left-hand chair, holding a piece of paper, with an iron box and a bronze bell the size of a palm on the table beside him.
"Risheng."
Cheng Juxiu stood up from the chair, handed over the piece of paper, and spoke quickly, "Fifteen li west of Yizhou City, in Sha Tao Village, traces of demons have been found. Some villagers and livestock have sustained external injuries and need treatment. The Training Commander who oversees Yizhou Garrison is currently out of town, so Judge Niu and I are in charge. Come with me to take care of the demon and, in the process, treat the people of Sha Tao Village."
"Alright."
Li Ang agreed, glanced at the paper Cheng Juxiu handed over, and realized it was a loan certificate.
Date: Zaiqian Year 3, May 19.
Location: Yizhou Town Governor's Office.
Borrower: Academic Palace Patrol Cheng Juxiu.
Borrowed Mutated Objects: Mutated - 5674, Nightmare Bell.
"This bell is a Mutated Object that I borrowed from the garrison."
Cheng Juxiu handed the bronze bell to Li Ang, "Take this for your protection for now."