Leaving aside the reactions of Guangyue, Yuanjing, and Xin Zhanting as they watched Lu Zheng fly off, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan were quite delighted.
Lu Zheng didn’t fly too high, maintaining an altitude of one or two hundred feet while casting the *West Pole Wind-Calling Charm* to accelerate. His speed rivalled that of a high-speed train, and soon the outline of Yizhou Prefecture came into view.
It was just past dawn, with the sun slowly rising in the east, casting a golden glow on the white clouds beneath Lu Zheng’s feet, making him and Liu Qingyan look like a divine couple.
“Not to mention, flying is far more convenient for travel!” Lu Zheng said with a grin.
“Lu Lang, cast an invisibility spell. Let’s not be too ostentatious or show off in front of others,” Liu Qingyan said, noting the rising smoke from chimneys across Yizhou Prefecture, where the citizens were already up, cooking and starting their day.
Lu Zheng nodded, took Liu Qingyan’s hand, and cast an invisibility spell to conceal their forms. He then aimed for the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, descending from the clouds and landing at its main gate.
Before Lu Zheng could knock, the bureau’s gate swung open automatically.
“Which friend has graced our bureau with their presence? I, Chu, have failed to welcome you from afar,” the voice of Chu Jin, the Chief Inspector of Yizhou’s Anomaly Suppression Bureau, rang in their ears.
It wasn’t that Chu Jin saw through Lu Zheng’s invisibility spell, but rather that Lu Zheng had courteously landed at the bureau’s entrance, and Chu Jin, out of politeness, refrained from probing with magic.
Lu Zheng waved his hand to dispel the invisibility spell and entered with Liu Qingyan, “Lord Chu, I, Lu Zheng of Baiyun Temple, have news of the Black Wheel King and have come to report it!”
“Young Master Lu?”
In the next moment, Chu Jin’s figure appeared in the front courtyard, looking at Lu Zheng with surprise before composing himself.
“The Black Wheel King? He’s shown himself?”
Immediately, six or seven figures appeared around the courtyard, though Lu Zheng’s acquaintances Duan Changzai and Du Huanzhen were absent. Only the cold and aloof You Che and the scruffy old man Yan Xiaolou were present.
Lu Zheng nodded, greeted everyone, and then continued to Chu Jin, “A ghost abducting women in the mortal world inadvertently uncovered the Black Wheel King’s identity, and we happened to capture it.”
Chu Jin raised an eyebrow and said to Lu Zheng, “Please come inside and explain in detail. Hong, go prepare tea.”
“Yes, sir!”
A mortal constable cupped his hands and hurriedly headed to the back courtyard.
The Black Wheel King’s reputation had once resounded through Yizhou, and most present had dealt with his lingering schemes. Hearing that Lu Zheng had news of him, they all followed into the main hall.
After exchanging courtesies, Lu Zheng gave a concise account of the night’s events, explaining the cause and effect.
Just as he finished, Constable Hong arrived with tea, quickly handing a cup to Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng took a sip and concluded, “According to the ghost, the Black Wheel King has possessed a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy. His cultivation is just recovering, and his powers are weak, but as a ghost king’s soul with months of practice, he could still be formidable if he fights desperately. Moreover, it’s been less than three days since he left Pingtang County. Using a boy’s identity, he likely wouldn’t dare reveal much, so he may still be in Yizhou.”
Chu Jin nodded and immediately ordered Constable Hong, who was standing by, “Send word to the Yizhou Prefecture Office to instruct all county offices to dispatch constables to the countryside. Have them investigate if a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy has entered their borders in the past few days.”
“Yes, sir!”
Constable Hong cupped his hands and left swiftly to deliver the order to the prefecture office.
Chu Jin turned to the others, “Each of you pick a county to assist the local offices in their search. If all goes well, we should have news within a day or two. The Black Wheel King won’t escape this time. But to prevent him from abandoning his host, don’t act rashly. Report back to me, and I’ll handle it.”
Everyone nodded and dispersed to prepare their gear.
With the tasks assigned, Chu Jin turned to Lu Zheng, his tone full of admiration, “I never expected you’d already mastered cloud-riding, Young Master.”
Lu Zheng smiled modestly, “Lord Chu, you’re too kind. It’s just a slight convenience for travel, hardly worth mentioning.”
Chu Jin: ⊙_⊙
Feeling that Chu Jin was momentarily at a loss for words, Liu Qingyan stifled a laugh and pinched Lu Zheng, who coughed awkwardly.
“I’ve gained some skill now, and since the Black Wheel King matter originated with Baiyun Temple, I plan to stay in Yizhou for a few days until we find and eliminate him.”
Chu Jin nodded with a smile, “Your dedication is admirable, Young Master Lu. A mere Black Wheel King is nothing I couldn’t handle with a flick of my hand.”
Lu Zheng shook his head, sincerely saying, “I can’t rest easy without contributing. Please, Lord Chu, leave this matter to me.”
Since Lu Zheng wasn’t part of the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, there was no suspicion of him vying for credit. To Chu Jin, Lu Zheng’s earnest resolve was driven by a desire for inner peace and a clear conscience.
What fine character! What a noble mindset!
Why would he refuse someone willing to do the work for him? It would give him more time to cultivate in seclusion.
“Very well! I won’t stand on ceremony. The Black Wheel King is yours to handle, Young Master Lu. The bureau’s rear courtyard is spacious, so you and Miss Liu are welcome to stay.”
Chu Jin arranged for a subordinate to set up a quiet, private courtyard for Lu Zheng, then returned to his room to continue cultivating.
…
Liu Qingyan believed Lu Zheng’s intentions were genuine, and looking at her responsible Lu Lang, her eyes sparkled with admiration.
Since Lu Zheng was staying for a couple of days, she naturally would stay with him. With her father and Du Yueyao managing Benevolence Hall, a day or two wouldn’t matter.
She asked You Che, who was heading to Tonglin County, to deliver a message, and so Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan settled into the Anomaly Suppression Bureau.
…
That day, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan explored Yizhou Prefecture, visiting the Du Yuru couple. That night, they stayed in the bureau’s rear courtyard.
For three days, they didn’t leave the city, enjoying meals at restaurants, visiting theaters, and even joining a cockfight and cricket match, winning three strings of cash, enough to cover their expenses.
On the fourth day, news of the Black Wheel King finally arrived.
…
At the border of Yizhou and Yuzhou, in Zhongling County.
The Black Wheel King, possessing Guo Xiaodan, had just entered Zhongling County when he was spotted by constables posing as fugitive hunters at the county border.
Despite his centuries of experience, the Black Wheel King was fooled by the constables’ flawless acting and didn’t notice anything amiss.
So, as he bypassed the county town, planning to cross a mountain path into Yuzhou, he encountered a striking couple outside a pavilion to the left of the path.
The man, in a green robe and silk headscarf, held a white jade fan, gesturing confidently.
The woman, in a water-green silk skirt, wielded a floral fan, gently stirring a breeze.
“Black Wheel King, it’s been a while. Are you well? I’ve been waiting for you,” the man said.
