「Several more days passed in a flash.」
Ever since Hu Hao received his orders to investigate the Wuu Family, there had been no substantive results. The Wuu Family had operated in Anping County for many years and their roots ran deep.
Chu Bai, however, was not in a hurry. He continued to handle the daily affairs of the Demon-slaying Team and hone his Spiritual Power as usual.
One day, a young servant from the academy knocked on the door of the duty office and handed over a letter.
Chu Bai opened it and saw the familiar, elegant script on the stationery. It was from his master, Daoist Zhang.
The letter’s contents were concise: Wuu Shang of the Wuu Family was an old acquaintance of Daoist Zhang from his younger days.
Recently, Wuu Shang had gone to great lengths to find Daoist Zhang. Adopting a very humble attitude, he hoped Daoist Zhang would use their connection to arrange an introduction and a meeting with Chu Bai.
Daoist Zhang naturally understood that as a Regular Ninth Grade Demon Slaying Officer, Chu Bai was at the center of a vortex of power and needed to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
But this was an old friend of many years who had come to his door asking for a favor, and he found it difficult to refuse outright.
Therefore, Daoist Zhang tactfully suggested in his letter that if Chu Bai could find the time, he should visit his residence to fulfill the favor of an introduction.
Chu Bai folded the letter, his fingertips tapping lightly on the desk.
He remembered Wuu Shang. In fact, he had even dealt with him before, regarding the matter of being a training partner.
’First a valuable gift, and now calling in a favor with an old friend... The Wuu Family’s methods are certainly systematic. They had Hu Hao deliver a Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact to test the waters, and after being rejected, they immediately went to Daoist Zhang.’
Chu Bai had always held Daoist Zhang in high esteem.
Since his master had spoken, he naturally had to grant him this favor.
Besides, he couldn’t find out what the Wuu Family truly wanted by constantly avoiding them. Ultimately, he would have to meet them to understand the situation.
As for their gift, this was the perfect opportunity.
Chu Bai stood up, called for Hu Hao outside the door, and instructed, "Go and get the sandalwood box the Wuu Family sent over a few days ago."
Ever since Hu Hao had brought the Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact back, Chu Bai had left it untouched, sealed it, and stored it in the main hall’s storeroom.
Now that he was going to see Wuu Shang, this was the perfect chance to return it in person and avoid giving anyone grounds for gossip.
"Captain, are you preparing to meet with the Wuu Family?" Hu Hao asked in a low voice as he went to get the box.
"My master is doing a favor for an old friend, so it would be improper not to go."
Chu Bai took the heavy sandalwood box, casually concealed it within his sleeve, and changed into a more unassuming blue long-robe, forgoing the regulation cloak of a Demon Slaying Officer.
Fortunately, there were no urgent tasks for the Demon-slaying Team to handle that day. Feng Qin and Hu Hao would take care of any minor affairs.
Without further delay, Chu Bai left the Evil Suppression Department and headed straight for the Zhang Mansion.
The spring breeze brushed his face. The streets of Anping County were as bustling as ever, but Chu Bai’s thoughts had already flown ahead to the impending meeting.
Before long, the quiet and elegant gates of the Zhang Mansion were in sight.
With a patter of light footsteps, the young gatekeeper hurried forward.
He, of course, recognized Chu Bai. In fact, it could be said that every servant in the Zhang Mansion had watched this young man rise step by step from a down-on-his-luck scholar to his current high position as a Demon Slaying Officer whose name awed the entire city.
"Lord Chu, you’ve finally arrived! The master has been waiting for you in the rear courtyard for some time," the servant said with a slight bow. Beyond respect, his expression held a hint of heartfelt pride.
Chu Bai gave him a slight nod and walked with a composed gait through the familiar covered corridors.
When he reached the rear courtyard’s pavilion, he found Daoist Zhang playing a game of Go by himself.
Chu Bai walked over, but instead of sitting down, he first took the heavy sandalwood box from his sleeve.
"Master, this item was sent to the Evil Suppression Department by the Wuu Family. A Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact is exceptionally valuable, and I dare not accept it privately. Therefore, I came to ask—does Master know what matter the Wuu Family seeks my help with?"
Daoist Zhang put down the white Go stone in his hand. His gaze fell upon the box, and he tapped it lightly with a fingertip, sensing the rich Spiritual Mechanism emanating from within. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"A Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact..." Daoist Zhang murmured thoughtfully. "When Wuu Shang came to me for help, he did not mention any specific details.
"However, he deliberately bypassed the official channels of the County Yamen and the Evil Suppression Department to seek me out for an introduction privately. It must... not be about official business."
Hearing this, Chu Bai’s heart stirred.
He understood the implication of Daoist Zhang’s words.
If it wasn’t a request related to official duties but rather a personal favor, then according to the rules of officialdom, accepting the Dharma Artifact would not be considered taking a bribe. At most, it would be a greeting gift from an old family friend to a junior.
But Chu Bai knew the principle well: the greater the gift, the greater the favor being asked.
A Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact might not be something he couldn’t afford now, but it was definitely not a gift one would casually give for a simple "private matter."
"Since you put it that way, Master, let’s have the meeting."
Chu Bai put the box away and sat down across from Daoist Zhang.
Daoist Zhang called for the young servant and told him to fetch Wuu Shang, who had been waiting in a side hall for some time.
A few moments later, a burly, middle-aged man with a restrained aura walked slowly into the hall.
It was Wuu Shang.
The moment he entered, his eyes fell on Chu Bai, who was drinking with Daoist Zhang.
At just a single glance, Wuu Shang’s body couldn’t help but stiffen slightly, his heart pounding as if it had taken a heavy blow.
’This young man... What an astonishing presence!’
Wuu Shang was secretly shocked. It had only been about a year since he last saw Chu Bai.
Back then, he had been a private Instructor hired by the Zhao Mansion, responsible for the combat practice of the Zhao Family’s young master. Daoist Zhang had introduced Chu Bai, who came from a Humble Family, to serve as a human Spirit Target to earn some resources for his cultivation.

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