Chapter 111: Deadly

If one assumes Shen Xuchen’s intervention was solely to stand up for Zhuang Jin, they would be severely underestimating him. He also intended to use this as a pretext to oust a director of the Law Enforcement Division and extend his influence into that department.

Previously, he only spoke at the very end, and not merely for the sake of appearances. As a young master of the Shen family, he could not act like a street shrew, bickering endlessly and losing his dignity. There were two other reasons: First, allowing Zhao Bin to run wild created a dire situation that would make Shen’s subsequent favor toward Zhuang Jin feel all the more impactful—though this failed, as Zhuang Jin managed to “debate a room of scholars” and break Zhao Bin’s composure. Second, by letting Zhao Bin display his unchecked arrogance, he made himself so detestable that when Shen eventually stepped in to remove him and install his own man, the backlash would be minimized.

Zou Qingfeng knew Zhao Bin was doomed, but he was more concerned about his master’s affairs. While becoming a director in the Law Enforcement Division offered more status, power, and profit, he knew who had provided him with everything he had. “This old servant only wishes to stay by your side, Young Master...”

Shen Xuchen raised a hand to stop him. “Uncle Zou, I know your loyalty, but your going there serves me better.”

“This old servant understands. I will follow your orders, Young Master!”

...

The matter of Miao Lun was fully resolved, leaving no loose ends. Zhuang Jin surrendered beast treasures he had no use for anyway. In truth, calling it a sacrifice was inaccurate; the treasures were meant to be sold, and trading them to Zou Qingfeng to establish a connection was perfect. According to the agreement, if the opportunity to become a personal guard failed, he would still have to pay for the “enhanced meridian-clearing pill” voucher.

If he did succeed, all the better.

Becoming a personal guard to the Eighth Young Master meant he could remain at the Shen family’s main base, no longer needing to worry about monthly assignments or fighting on the front lines in the north or south of the city, near the Medicine King Gang. He would also receive prioritized resources, such as being higher on the list for meridian-clearing pills earned through military merit.

Of course, Zhuang Jin had no bottlenecks and little need for “high-end resources,” so the benefits of this position were not as significant for him as they were for others.

*I heard they are selecting two people from dozens of Seven-Meridian cultivators, and one spot is already taken. It’s all uncertain; nothing is set in stone!*

Zhuang Jin held a “lucky if I get it, fate if I don’t” attitude. He was more focused on another point: *With this promotion, I’ve received Black Origin Powder, mental cultivation techniques, and movement martial arts. Once I return, my strength will see an explosive surge.*

It was fair to say that in a short time, it would be Miao Shao who feared him.

Afterward, Zhuang Jin used the military credits granted as compensation to find Chen Yun, collect the follow-up benefits for a Seven-Meridian cultivator, and choose a servant and a maid.

It was here that Chen Yun’s popularity in the outer courtyard became evident. The young maids were all eager to serve; after consulting Zhuang Jin, he chose an acquaintance, Yu Xiaoxiao. As for the young servant, Chen Yun was unfamiliar with the options, so Zhuang Jin picked one who looked pleasant, sharp, and was only thirteen or fourteen years old, a boy named Min Shang.

It was only then that Qian Wende and Xing Yan hurried over. Qian Wende had gone looking for Xing Yan, but found he wasn't at the local station; he was away at a meeting. Qian Wende had chased after him, waiting under the sun until the meeting concluded. Only then did they rush over together.

Qian Wende’s forehead was still damp with sweat, showing his dedication. This was hardly surprising; now that Zhuang Jin had broken through to the Seven-Meridian stage, he realized the “big thigh” he had latched onto was made of pure gold. How could he not give it his all? He would never let go, even in death.

The matter was settled, and though Xing Yan had made a wasted trip, Zhuang Jin apologized and thanked him. While this preparation had not been needed, Qian Wende had performed well, and his hard work was noted. Zhuang Jin rewarded him with a few pounds of the remaining perfect-grade beast meat; such trifles need not be mentioned further.

...

Back at the medicine fields outside the city, it was only the eighth of the eleventh month. With over twenty days left in the month, he continued his duties at the fields. The reassignment based on his guard status would not take effect until next month, so he seized the time to cultivate.

During the day, Zhuang Jin focused on refining the mid-grade Black Origin Powder to stabilize his cultivation realm, while at night, he practiced the movement technique, Galestep.

He also upgraded his beast meat to that of a beast at the entry-level of the Flesh-Refining stage. It cost 50 military credits—equivalent to 50 taels of silver—per pound.

Expensive? High prices were expected. Beasts at the Flesh-Refining stage were rarely found in the outer fields; they were all transported from the provincial city, and the cost was naturally high.

But buy them he must. Zhuang Jin considered this necessary, both because of the pressure from Miao Shao and the current situation in the city where strength was paramount.

Besides, he was not short on credits. With the compensation from Miao Lun, his account had surpassed the three-thousand mark. His cultivation resources and meat would be sufficient for at least two months.

The meat of a Flesh-Refining beast was costly, but its effects were extraordinary, accelerating his Seven-Meridian cultivation by fifty or sixty percent.

Flesh-Refining, as the name implied, meant that at this stage, the beast’s power permeated its flesh and blood. It was incomparable to a Skin-Refining beast, and thus the effect on strengthening blood and qi was terrifying.

Zhuang Jin estimated his progress: with sufficient cultivation resources and Flesh-Refining beast meat, he could complete his accumulation at the Seven-Meridian realm in about two months. Practicing Galestep for an hour each night, he would likely master it by the end of the month.

Chen Yun knew there were enemies outside, so she handled all the trivial tasks to let Zhuang Jin focus on his cultivation. With a maid and a servant to help, her burden was significantly lightened.

Thus, it felt as though they had returned to the days after their marriage in the sixth and seventh months at the medicine fields—one handling the chores and logistics, the other practicing with disciplined rigor. While the news of Zhuang Jin’s breakthrough to the Seven-Meridian stage caused a massive stir in the outside world, he remained tucked away, advancing at a speed unimaginable to others, progressing a thousand miles a day!

...

Time flew, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye. It was the twenty-ninth of the eleventh month.

This was the final day for the Eighth Young Master, Shen Xuchen, to decide on his personal guards.

One person had already been chosen internally. The other was selected through three rounds of filtering from dozens of candidates. The final list contained only three names: one was Zhuang Jin, and another was his former superior, Xing Yan.

As a seasoned Seven-Meridian cultivator in his early thirties, Xing Yan was in his prime, had performed brilliantly in the north, and was well-regarded. Moreover, he was magnanimous, considerate of his subordinates, cherished his juniors, and maintained extensive connections, so it was no surprise he was on the list.

Of the three, Shen Xuchen was most interested in Zhuang Jin. However, there were some peculiar things about him—such as his progression from the Six-Meridian to Seven-Meridian stage in less than two months. He was currently awaiting a detailed investigation report.

Just then, Zou Qingfeng hurried in. “Young Master, this is what you requested, just delivered by the General Affairs Division.”

“Hmm.”

Shen Xuchen nodded slightly and opened the report. It contained detailed information on Zhuang Jin, including his past deeds and evaluations from acquaintances.

...

Like repaying kindness a hundredfold... Pingyong Peak, delivering Lotus Grass... The image of a man who valued gratitude leaped off the page.

There was also information on his subordinates like Lin Hong, Bi Kai, and Qian Wende.

Shen Xuchen was not a man who couldn't tolerate a grain of sand in his eye. He paused briefly when he saw the entry on Qian Wende, but he did not find it inappropriate; rather, he felt it showed Zhuang Jin’s proficiency in human affairs.

He continued reading quickly, nodding continuously until he reached the evaluation of Xing Yan.

Xing Yan, as Zhuang Jin’s former superior, naturally provided his own assessment, which was full of praise: excellent talent, knows his place, understands how to advance and retreat, well-versed in social nuances, gets along well with colleagues... listing his merits... specifically mentioning his tactical prowess on the fifteenth of the eighth month and the seventeenth of the ninth month, where he turned the tide... calm, composed, and unruffled in the face of crisis.

Everything seemed perfect, until the final sentence: “Too cautious, perhaps hiding his true strength.” That sentence made Shen Xuchen narrow his eyes. The anomalies in Zhuang Jin’s file suddenly made sense.

No one is a fool!

Clearly, while Zhuang Jin was under Xing Yan in the north during the eighth and ninth months, he had been concealing his true cultivation level and martial skill. Xing Yan had likely suspected it all along. But just like the saying, “One who is not deaf or mute does not make a family head,” sometimes those in high positions must learn to play the fool. As long as the core principles were not violated and it brought him benefits, other minor details could be ignored.

At this moment, Xing Yan’s evaluation of Zhuang Jin was very interesting. He hadn't said certain things directly, but he had managed to convey everything.

Shen Xuchen looked at the evaluation and then at Zhuang Jin objectively: he was perfect in every way—grateful, worldly, tactful, and capable.

But he was also overly cautious and too protective of himself!

If one were looking for a friend, this wasn't even a flaw; it was a bonus. But he was selecting a personal guard. In an extreme moment—when someone needed to block a blade or hold the line—this personality trait would be...

“A flaw in the jade, but the ‘flaw’ is far too fatal,” Shen Xuchen sighed, mentally moving Zhuang Jin to the bottom of the list of three.

Just then, Zou Qingfeng, who had just stepped out, returned. “Young Master, the Head of the General Affairs Division has sent someone to deliver a note to you.”

“Oh?”

Shen Xuchen opened it. His expression sharpened. After putting it down, he immediately struck Zhuang Jin’s name from his list of personal guard candidates.