Anhuai-wang’s palace was located in Henan, in the capital city of Jiyang Prefecture.

It had been built on the same street as the subordinate government offices – that was, the “mini-court” of the entire Henan region.

It was the evening of the 19th.

Dark clouds shrouded the city, and the rain, which had stopped for half a day, showed signs of falling again.

A soldier on horseback galloped all the way from outside the Jiyang Prefecture capital city, stopping only once he reached the gates of the palace.

A servant boy stepped forward to take the reins, and the soldier quickly entered the manor and proceeded toward the main council hall.

Upon seeing the main courtyard steward, he took a letter from his pocket and handed it over.

The steward accepted the letter, then turned and entered the courtyard.

Inside the main room, a fresh-faced youth sat at the head of the table. He wore long robes in dark blue and white, and his high ponytail was fixed in place by a jade guan.

To his right sat an older man well past fifty, sporting a long white beard.

Directly opposite the old man was a man in his thirties. With a broad face and a square jaw, he wore a dignified, solemn expression, and carried the aura of death unique to military commanders.

“Xiansheng.” The youth looked at the older man and said in a gentle voice, “If Ning-wang doesn’t agree to our conditions, are we really going to withhold the grain?”

“Do not worry, Your Highness,” said the old man, Strategist Jiang Yongshou. “Hexi Prefecture is short of food and supplies, and our conditions are not unreasonable. Ning-wang has no reason to refuse.”

“But what if he does?” Anhuai-wang Bai Liming frowned slightly. “There are so many common people. We can’t just watch them starve to death.”

“Please relax, the reply from Hexi Prefecture should arrive soon.”

After saying this, Jiang Yongshou sent a surreptitious glance toward the military officer.

He Zhen was the commander of 30,000 Henan troops, and also the protégé of the old prince.

However, the old prince had been in poor health since childhood and passed away two years ago, which was why his only son, Bai Liming, inherited his title at only eighteen years old.

Jiang Yongshou and He Zhen had followed the old prince before he came to his fiefdom. One a civil official and one a military officer, they worked together along the way.

Before his death, the old prince entrusted the care of Bai Liming to these two men, and at present, decisions on all matters big and small regarding the fiefdom were made after discussion between the three of them.

Bai Liming wasn’t a particularly intelligent person, but he wasn’t a fool either – he was just an ordinary child.

After the old prince passed away, the old princess had doted on her son even more, which caused Bai Liming to develop a somewhat weak personality.

Such a person was incapable of being a wise ruler, nor could he effectively manage a fiefdom.

But for Jiang Yongshou and He Zhen, such a master was absolutely perfect.

The other party was extremely dependent on them, and heeded them both very well.

And no matter what decisions they made, Bai Liming would obediently agree.

But as a result, Bai Liming became increasingly indecisive, while the statuses of these two civil and military officials rose accordingly, thus making them the true decision-makers in Henan.

Anhuai-wang’s fiefdom was the true embodiment of “using a figurehead to control the government.”

If Jiang Yongshou and He Zhen weren’t in contention with one another, Bai Liming might not even have the courage to offer his own suggestions.

This arrangement was likely the last bit of protection the old prince left for his only son.

Outside, the steward knocked on the door.

Upon receiving permission, he took the letter given to him by the soldier and went inside, handing it to Bai Liming.

Bai Liming opened it immediately.

He glanced over the contents and breathed a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his face as he said, “That’s great.”

“What does it say?” Jiang Yongshou asked urgently. “Has Ning-wang agreed to our conditions?”

He Zhen’s expression changed slightly, and he took a couple of steps to Bai Liming’s side.

Bai Liming handed him the letter, then turned to Jiang Yongshou with a smile: “Ning-wang said he has enough grain, so we don’t need to send any more.”

Bai Liming was genuinely happy. This way, the common people of Hexi Prefecture wouldn’t starve to death, and he himself wouldn’t have to seize Hexi Prefecture.

Regarding the exchange for Hexi Prefecture this time, Jiang Yongshou and He Zhen, who were usually at odds, actually agreed with each other.

They harbored ambition in their hearts, and were unwilling to remain as obscure strategists and commanders in this fiefdom.

Bai Liming didn’t know how to refuse them, but he really didn’t want to do any of this pointless work. He didn’t want to fight for this or that – he just wanted to live a peaceful, carefree life in his own little secluded corner of the world.

Anhuai-wang was worried.

His father’s dying words to him were that he should not get involved in politics, but simply stay in his fiefdom and live a peaceful life.

The old prince knew his son very well, and he also knew those brothers who were eyeing him covetously.

Therefore, he didn’t stop saying this to Bai Liming until the moment he died, and passed away with his eyes wide open.

“He has grain?” Jiang Yongshou’s expression changed, and he got up and walked to He Zhen’s side, where they read the letter together.

There were just two short sentences: [Hexi Prefecture has sufficient grain. There is no need for Anhuai-wang to trouble himself.]

The handwriting and tone clearly indicated that it had been written by Qin Xiao himself.

While Bai Liming was relieved, the other two looked increasingly grim.

Qin Xiao was clearly mocking them!

Jiang Yongshou shut his eyes, his brow furrowed tightly.

He Zhen didn’t even bother to pretend as he crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it at his feet. Then, with a flick of his sleeves, he stepped right over the crumpled paper and out the door.

At the sight of his anger, Bai Liming immediately grew flustered and didn’t dare reveal his joy so openly anymore.

He sent Jiang Yongshou a cautious look.

The old man stroked his beard, and when he looked at Bai Liming again, his brow was no longer furrowed. He even donned a gentle smile and said: “Your Highness is right. It is a good thing that Hexi Prefecture has grain.”

Bai Liming’s tense nerves relaxed all at once, and he said: “Xiansheng thinks so too?”

“How wonderful it is that the common people will have enough to eat,” Jiang Yongshou said. “It is getting late, please go and have your dinner, Your Highness. This official will take his leave now.”

Although he was a strategist, he had his own residence outside the palace, which the old prince had prepared for him when he was still alive.

Jiang Yongshou rushed home after leaving the palace, but halfway there, a sudden downpour began.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared.

Upon arriving at the manor gates, Jiang Yongshou got out of the carriage.

A servant hurriedly held up an umbrella for him as he walked toward his study at a brisk pace.

He ordered someone to grind ink and dismissed all but one trusted servant.

Approaching his desk, he picked up a brush and dipped it in ink.

A line of text soon appeared on the paper: [The plan has failed. Hexi Prefecture not obtained. The variable is 九.]

He deliberately drew a circle around the character “九.”^[1]

He folded the letter and sealed it in a bamboo tube, then handed it to the servant: “Send this to the prince by fast horse.”

The servant accepted his orders and left.

After a long while, Jiang Yongshou finally set down his brush and exhaled.

He walked to the window and pushed it open.

His aged eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a complex mix of emotions.

The old Anhuai-wang had treated him with utmost sincerity. But unfortunately, since the moment he met him, Jiang Yongshou was already a pawn in someone else’s hands.

No one had contacted him for many years. He had even become accustomed to life in Henan, and had nearly forgotten why he had approached the old Anhuai-wang in the first place.

But now, the chess player had approached him again.

The other party wanted Anhuai-wang to take Hexi Prefecture.

But what would happen after he took it?

Could Anhui-wang keep it in his hands?

Could he even hold onto…..Henan?

He seemed to see before his eyes the young boy’s innocent dependence and prudence.

He was still just a child, ah.

A resolute glint appeared in Jiang Yongshou’s cloudy eyes. Regardless of whether or not Henan could be saved, he would definitely protect Anhuai-wang.

*

*

Chu Jiubian had arrived in Hexi Prefecture on the evening of the 17th. Two days had now passed.

The rain came in fits and starts, and finally came to a brief stop on the morning of the 20th after several days of continuous rainfall.

Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian had been busy from morning till night these past two days, and hadn’t seen each other often.

Even when they did meet, they would only exchange a few words before going back to their own business.

There was so much to do after the disaster.

At the moment, they were just busy settling the refugees and distributing supplies, but they were already overwhelmed. Once the floodwaters receded, they would begin to restore the common peoples’ livelihoods, and that was when they would truly face a shortage of manpower and supplies.

Fortunately, Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian had recently found several capable individuals among some of the former Hexi Prefecture officials, as well as some wealthy merchants and their sons.

These people may not be considered to be exceptionally talented, but they were conscientious, responsible, and could understand instructions.

Most importantly, none of these people had ever done evil, much less harmed the common people.

In fact, all of these dozen or so subordinate officials had been demoted to remote and obscure positions by their former superiors in the prefecture and counties, just because they disagreed with the political views of their superiors.

Such people may have selfish motives, and might still embezzle, but they were much better than past officials.

Then there were those wealthy merchants and their children. They weren’t particularly wealthy, so even if their family’s younger generations or they themselves had some talent and ambition, they were unable to enter officialdom – because the little money they had couldn’t satisfy the appetites of their superiors.

Now that Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian had given them the opportunity to enter officialdom, they cherished their positions and certainly wouldn’t do anything improper.

And there was one other very important point.

The “god,” Chu Jiubian.

These subordinates both respected and feared him, and for at least a couple of years, they would be too intimidated by him to cause trouble.

This was enough.

In two years, the common people of Hexi Prefecture would have resumed their livelihoods, and Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian would have the bureaucracy cleaned up.

By then, if they thought that their distance from the capital would allow them to embezzle at will, they would have no chance.

At noon, the rain resumed again after a half day break.

A mist-like drizzle enveloped the entire city, as well as the daoist temple north of town.

Inside the temple, refugees were lining up to receive their lunch.

Although a bowl of porridge and a steamed bun wasn’t enough to fill one’s stomach, it could at least prevent them from starving to death.

Inside the women’s rooms, several aunties gathered by the beds, chatting as they mended clothing.

Among them, one figure stood out.

That was a woman with a large, pregnant belly.

“Dan Niang, you’re feeling a little better, but you should still rest,” an auntie said. “We can do this work. You don’t need to lift a finger.”

Among the refugees were many able-bodied young men who would go out during the day to help the Imperial Court. Although they couldn’t earn money or eat anything good, if they left a good impression on their superiors, they could reap some benefits after the disaster was over.

The jobs they excelled at were mostly physical labor, so they often tore their clothes.

The women would cook porridge and make steamed buns during the day, and after the meal, they would mend the clothes of the young men. The daoist temple had begun to function much like a small, united village.

Dan Niang’s lips took on a gentle curve, and she said softly: “It’s alright, I’m just idling around anyway. I feel much better now.”

“That’s true. Your complexion is much different than before.”

“Then you must continue to take care of yourself, and remember to take that medicine the Divine Lord bestowed upon you.”

“I’ll remember,” Dan Niang said, lowering her head as she gently stroked her pregnant belly. “Thanks to Doctor Zhao and the Divine Lord, I will never act like that again. I will definitely raise my child well.”

This was the last bloodline Sanzhuang left in the world, and also the last thing he left for her.

The way she was before, the fact that the child was still safe and sound must be because Sanzhuang was watching over them from heaven.

Now that a god had descended to earth to protect ordinary people like them, their lives would surely improve. She should cheer up and support her family.

“You surely will.” An auntie clasped her hands together and bowed toward the main hall of the temple, saying, “Now that a god has been reincarnated as the Grand Tutor, he must know of the suffering we’ve endured and come to help us.”

Upon hearing this, everyone including Dan Niang bowed three times in the direction of the main hall.

Meanwhile.

Jian Hongzhuo had already transferred seventeen large ships from surrounding counties around the river. These ships were ones the government used to transport salt, silk, and other goods.

It was unknown what Jiang Hongzhuo said to those local prefects and governors, but it was truly not easy to borrow so many ships in three days.

The raging floodwaters had now almost reached the Huai County seat. If this sinking ship method didn’t work, the flood would surely submerge the entire city.

Qin Xiao had gone to meet up with Jian Hongzhuo, but Chu Jiubian didn’t go with him. Instead, he went to the Huai County granaries.

The stored grain was nearly depleted, so Chu Jiubian intended to buy some from the System.

Qin Xiao had previously ordered people to build “shrines” in every place refugees had been settled in the surrounding area.

They weren’t actually proper shrines; some were brick buildings, while others were just dilapidated huts that were at most wind and rain-proof.

And a shrine must naturally have a statue of its god.

However, given the current situation, not only Qin Xiao, but even Chu Jiubian himself wouldn’t waste resources on something so useless.

So he ordered people to prepare some writing brushes and brush holders, and put one brush in each shrine as an “idol.”

As Dan Niang’s condition improved, and with Doctor Zhao’s promotion, the news that Chu Jiubian was the reincarnation of the “Sacred Star God” spread farther and farther.

Qin Xiao ordered more tinderboxes to be made and distributed to various locations, while also having people spread rumors of Chu Jiubian’s miracles in the capital.

The common people were easily swayed. When they heard those around them saying that “the god does practical things for the people,” they all believed it and went to shrines to kneel and worship. 

All they needed at the moment was food and clothing, so that was what they prayed for.

And Chu Jiubian was able to provide both of these for them, so how could he not do practical things?

Chu Jiubian’s most trusted subordinate was a grain merchant named Han Yuandao. He was in his early thirties, and had come from Shabao Village in the south of Huai County.

Although this man was a merchant, he came from a farming family and was skilled in such work.

Chu Jiubian came to notice him because after the flood, he had secretly transported all of his grain to the affected areas and helped many people make it through the most difficult time of their lives.

After conducting a thorough investigation, Chu Jiubian found that the other party had a particularly good reputation among the common people, especially in his hometown, Shabao Village.

Everyone said that they bought grain from him at fair prices, and he never sold inferior goods to the common people. He always sold the grain as it was.

Just like his name suggested, he had never gone astray.^[2]

Chu Jiubian found that this person was genuinely good. Not only was he upright, but he also remembered his own roots. And someone who could rise from an ordinary farmer to a grain merchant capable of helping so many people must possess a high level of intelligence.

He was practically a natural-born official.

Thus, he summoned the man and asked him if he would be willing to become an official.

The man was stunned at first, then immediately knelt down and kowtowed three times, saying in a trembling voice: “This humble subject is willing!”

In their subsequent interactions, Han Yuandao demonstrated exceptional competence and efficiency. Anything Chu Jiubian ordered him to do, he would complete in the shortest possible time, and do it excellently.

Sometimes, if Chu Jiubian was so busy that he didn’t take care of himself, Han Yuandao would remind him.

It felt like having a super-helpful personal assistant. It was only at this point in time that Chu Jiubian truly understood the joy Qin Xiao must feel when ordering Qin Chaoyang around.

Having a subordinate like this really saved a lot of trouble.

As they arrived at the entrance to the granary, Han Yuandao looked at the nearly depleted grain and asked worriedly: “My Lord, when will the new batch of grain arrive? Should this official go and meet them?”

For the past two days, he had been uneasy about the dwindling grain supply and had asked Chu Jiubian about it.

At the time, Chu Jiubian only said that there would be grain, but didn’t disclose the specifics.

Han Yuandao didn’t press him further, but looking at the empty granary now, he couldn’t help but ask again – though in a more tactful way.

Chu Jiubian said: “It will be here shortly.”

Overjoyed, Han Yuandao subconsciously turned to look toward the official road outside the granary, but didn’t see anything there.

But in an instant, he realized how ridiculous he was being. When His Lordship said “shortly,” he meant that it would be delivered today. How could it be delivered right at this moment?

No matter what time it arrived today, the fact that it would arrive at all was good enough.

With his heart at ease, Han Yuandao looked away and faced the granary in front of him.

With one glance, he froze on the spot.

The granary that was empty seconds ago was now filled with sacks of grain!

Layer upon layer, each one was plump and full, visibly packed to the brim.

“From today onwards, there is no need to be so frugal. Give the refugees more food.”

These Faith Points had all been contributed by the refugees themselves, so Chu Jiubian wasn’t bothered at all by paying them back.

He turned his head and, unsurprisingly, saw a look of astonishment on Han Yuandao’s face, mixed with fear and awe.

Chu Jiubian had done this in front of him for a purpose.

He intended to give Han Yuandao an important position later, but he couldn’t just trust in the man’s grateful, upright, and kind disposition. That was too unrealistic.

Anyone who entered officialdom would change over time, and few would remember their original aspirations.

Therefore, Chu Jiubian needed the other party in fear and awe of him, and to know that he was working for a “god.” This show of supernatural power would ensure that even if he had any wicked thoughts in the future, he would remember this scene today.

Such a shock would be a constant reminder for Han Yuandao to not go astray.

Han Yuandao was in a daze for quite a while, and Chu Jiubian gave a couple of light coughs.

After a pause, Han Yuandao immediately took a step back and bowed to Chu Jiubian: “This humble official was impolite.”

“It’s alright,” Chu Jiubian said softly. “The grain in the other villages is also running out, so instruct people to send them some. There is also some cloth, as well as needles and thread. Send that as well so that the common people can sew their own clothes.”

Chu Jiubian departed after giving these instructions, leaving Han Yuandao there to process what had just happened.

Something occurred to him, and Han Yuandao rushed into the granary to inspect the sacks of grain.

The granary was overflowing, and there was also a large quantity of linen that the common people used to make clothing on a daily basis!

It wasn’t a dream.

This wasn’t a dream!

Rumors that Chu Jiubian was the reincarnation of the “Sacred Star God” had been circulating. Han Yuandao had heard them, but he only saw Chu Jiubian acting and speaking like an ordinary person each day – though perhaps smarter and more powerful than an ordinary person.

Witnessing this scene now, he finally believed in Chu Jiubian’s identity as a “god.”

A god descended to earth.

A god had really descended to earth to help them!

Chu Jiubian went to the daoist temple after leaving the granary.

He had already subscribed to a monthly service that allowed the System to conduct comprehensive medical exams for the refugees, as well as to dispense medicine.

However, Chu Jiubian still had to buy the medicine himself.

He still spent three points to buy the function that isolated him from others, and although it only lasted for a three-hour duration, it was enough.

He walked with an umbrella all the way to the daoist temple, where the refugees had just eaten lunch and were resting in their rooms.

Chu Jiubian entered one of the rooms with the door open.

Although the window was open, with twelve to twenty people crammed in each room, the smell and air quality were truly poor.

Chief Physician Zhang of the Imperial Medical Academy was administering acupuncture to a refugee who had been suffering from diarrhea for two days, while Doctor Zhao watched intently from the side. Physician Zhang would occasionally explain why he was using the needles a certain way, showing that he wasn’t secretive about his methods.

Chu Jiubian had previously thought that this physician was rather opportunistic, with eyes that were constantly full of calculations.

He knew that the other party had likely come with him to provide disaster relief because he remembered how Chu Jiubian had cured Bai Lihai’s cold, and wanted to take this opportunity to learn something from him.

However, even though the other party did have ulterior motives, he wasn’t a bad person.

These past two days, he had been running around treating the refugees without any complaints. Chu Jiubian truly saw in him the saying, “a healer should have a benevolent heart.”

Since this was the case, it was only right to give him some benefits.

Chu Jiubian left the room. The System had already scanned all of the refugees in the temple, and even thoughtfully compiled a table listing who had what disease, what symptoms they had, and how to treat them.

[Host can purchase the list for only 5 points.]

Chu Jiubian: “……”

In the wake of his silence, the System waited for a moment before speaking again: [Host, for only 10 points, this System can give you the check-up lists for the next month.]

“Deal.” Chu Jiubian quickly agreed.

It was the System’s turn to fall silent this time. It then quietly deducted ten points and handed the list to Chu Jiubian.

After a quick readthrough, there were no serious cases. Most were minor bumps and bruises, colds, and diarrhea, with the majority of cases being malnutrition.

Chu Jiubian breathed a sigh of relief. Doctor Zhao would be able to treat these illnesses, so there was no need for him to spend more points to buy medicine.

However, he also needed to visit the other disaster sites posthaste. And then there was Pu County. He had promised to protect the people there, and would only feel at ease once he had checked on them all.

He stood in the courtyard, umbrella in hand.

After a while, Physician Zhang finally came out to get some fresh air and spotted Chu Jiubian.

Chu Jiubian’s expression was distant and aloof when he looked up at him, but Physician Zhang knew the other party must have come to see him.

He hurried over and bowed, saying: “What are My Lord’s orders?”

Chu Jiubian said: “Come with me to visit the other disaster-stricken areas.”

Physician Zhang agreed at once.

The roads were not easy to travel at the moment, so after finishing their business here, the two rode directly to the next disaster areas.

Chu Jiubian inspected each one individually, and even went to Pu County.

Although it was hard work, Chu Jiubian felt at ease knowing that the common people were healthy.

By the time he finished scanning the people in Pu County, it was already dark.

As the person temporarily in charge of the area, Liu Junqi prepared a place for the two of them to rest.

Physician Zhang was twenty years older than Chu Jiubian, and after all of the excitement, he was a little unsteady on his feet.

Upon arriving at his assigned courtyard, he gave a hasty farewell to Chu Jiubian, intending to go wash up and rest.

“Wait a moment,” Chu Jiubian called out to him.

Physician Zhang wondered to himself, What does this ancestor want to do now?!

But he still asked with a smile: “What are your orders, My Lord?”

Chu Jiubian could easily see through his hidden thoughts, and was somewhat amused. But he was a man nearing fifty, and this ordeal had indeed been hard on him.

So he would just make his reward more substantial.

As Physician Zhang smiled at him, Chu Jiubian took a book from his pocket.

This book had been adapted to fit the paper and text of the Great Ning era, so it didn’t look out of place.

“You’ve been working hard these past few days. This book is a gift for you.”

“Thanking My Lord.” Physician Zhang accepted the book and read the characters “Compendium of Materia Medica” on the front page.

His pupils contracted sharply. When he looked up again, Chu Jiubian had already turned and headed toward his own courtyard.

Disregarding his own exhaustion, Physician Zhang hurriedly hugged the book to his chest, fearful of it getting wet from the drizzle.

Then he jogged back to his room and closed the door. His lamp was lit the entire night.

He was unable to get out of bed the next day, so Chu Jiubian and Liu Junqi went to the Pu County dam.

“The barrier is almost complete. Once the water recedes, we can rebuild the dam,” said Liu Junqi.

Chu Jiubian nodded: “Thank you for your hard work.”

“I just did what should be done.”

Chu Jiubian glanced at the man again.

He had a dignified appearance, and because he was a student of Minister of Rites Wang Zhiyuan’s, his demeanor was exceptionally good.

The situation in the capital was constantly in flux, and Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao couldn’t stay here to keep an eye on things forever. Thus, once the dam in Huai County was blocked, they would have to return to the capital.

However, a high-ranking official was still needed to stay and provide disaster relief. This person should be either Liu Junqi or Jian Hongzhuo.

Chu Jiubian was leaning toward Liu Junqi, but he still needed to conduct a background check first, as well as ask Wang Qichen about his background with the Wang family. If his connection to them was too strong, it was best not to give him too much power.

Moreover, this matter needed to be discussed with Qin Xiao.

When he left Pu County, Chu Jiubian rode back to Huai County alone.

Upon arriving at the magistrate’s residence, his knees suddenly went weak when he dismounted, but he managed to stay upright by holding onto the horse’s back.

After riding a horse for so long without a saddle or stirrups, the constantly tensed muscles of his legs were bound to shake.

When Chu Jiubian’s trousers rubbed against his legs as he walked, the burning pain indicated that they had been rubbed raw.

He glanced down; he was wearing black robes today, but his trousers were white, so if he was bleeding, the blood might seep through.

A servant came over and took the reins with a greeting, then said: “Lord Ning-wang is awaiting you at the residence.”

Qin Xiao hadn’t gone out today?

Chu Jiubian gave a hum of assent and entered the manor. It seemed that Jian Hongzhuo must have succeeded.

Now that the floodwaters had been contained, the next step should be to restore the common people’s livelihoods.

Land would be surveyed, household registrations verified, and order restored. Work-for-relief programs would be implemented to rebuild the dams and dredge waterways, and sweet potatoes and cattle would be distributed to the people to help them cultivate the land…..

So many matters needed to be assigned to the right people.

Only then could he and Qin Xiao set off to return to the capital.

Chu Jiubian entered the manor, and before he could even cross the outer courtyard gate, he spied Qin Xiao walking toward him.

Coincidentally, the man was also dressed in all black today. And his inner garments were all white, including the collar and cuffs, which happened to match Chu Jiubian’s outfit.

Just like at the Qixi Festival.

Qin Xiao immediately noticed the pallor of Chu Jiubian’s face. He must have been very busy the past few days.

However, now that everything was on the right track, there was time to take a break.

He continued walking toward the young man, his attention fixed on him unwaveringly.

Although it seemed like they saw each other every day, Qin Xiao felt like it had been a long time since they last met.

Chu Jiubian looked at him for a few moments before taking another step.

This happened to aggravate his leg injury. Although his expression didn’t change, he felt the blood flowing down his legs, and the legs of his loose trousers clung to them as a result.

It was very uncomfortable.

He should have changed clothes first before coming to find Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao immediately frowned when he reached him: “You’re injured?”

Chu Jiubian: “ ? ”

Do you have the nose of a dog?

---

[1] 九 is the number nine, as well as a character in Chu Jiubian’s name. ⮐

[2] In Han Yuandao’s name (韩远道), 远道 means ‘to come a long way.’ ⮐

---

Consider donating via Kofi here.

Chapter 47 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 49