Chapter 20

Two constables searched the courtyard, but what could they find? It wasn't that they hadn't thought of searching the pond; they just didn't think it was necessary. Since Li Wenjun had been summoned by Zhou Wei and received the books, they had always had someone keeping an eye on him, and they hadn't seen him throw anything into the pond.

The constables searched until the wee hours of the night but found nothing at Li Wenjun's place. They reported back to Wu Xuemei truthfully, who had a frosty expression on her face. A man in black whispered to her softly.

Wu Xuemei pointed to the set of dictionaries on the stone table and said, "Li Wenjun, the head of the academy has always been my idol. I really like this set of dictionaries he personally gave me. Can you transfer it to me?"

A determined light shone in Wu Xuemei's phoenix-like eyes. If Li Wenjun dared to say no, she would not only forcibly take it but also make him taste the means of the magistrate's daughter.

Li Wenjun, who had never known about dictionaries before, now knew about them and wasn't so attached to this set. He said very readily, "If Miss likes it, take it."

Wu Xuemei waved her hand, and a constable stepped forward, taking the entire set of dictionaries without missing a single one.

Wu Xuemei looked at Li Wenjun with a disdainful gaze, as if he were an ant, and said in a tone used for servants, "Li Wenjun, remember, no matter what the head of the academy gives you, you must bring it to me first. If you dare to hide anything from me, I'll have my father throw you into the jail. Understand?"

"Yes, I remember," Li Wenjun cooperated fully, wanting to get rid of this female pest as soon as possible.

Wu Xuemei nodded in satisfaction and left with her entourage.

Wu Yiming took out a silver ingot, weighing ten taels, and placed it on the stone table. He said to Li Wenjun with a hint of apology, "Sorry, Brother Li, you'll have to buy another set of dictionaries."

After sending away these pests, Li Wenjun closed the courtyard gate and sat down by the stone table, ready to catch his breath when someone knocked on his courtyard gate again.

Li Wenjun opened the gate, and one of the two constables who had left earlier returned. He stretched out his hand and said, "Boy, hand over the silver ingot the young master gave you."

Li Wenjun stepped aside to let the constable in and pointed to the stone table, saying, "The silver is there; I haven't had time to put it away. Sir, if you want it, take it."

The constable laughed and said, "Boy, you're quite reasonable. I won't make things difficult for you."

He went over, grabbed the silver ingot, and took out a string of copper coins from his pocket, throwing them on the stone table. "You can use this string of copper coins to buy a set of dictionaries from the junk collector."

With that, the constable put the silver ingot in his pocket and left with a smile.

Li Wenjun shook his head. What kind of master, what kind of servant. Wu Xuemei and the constables were not good people. He should not provoke them now.

Although he had killed wolves and an old Taoist, he had never had a direct conflict with a grown, strong man. If he really fought with the constable, he would most likely be the one to suffer. The loss would be small, but the key was that it wasn't worth offending Wu Xuemei over a set of dictionaries. Li Wenjun still needed to keep himself useful to learn the immortal techniques and didn't need to provoke the magistrate before he was ready.

The next day, Sun Jianing and his mother came to see Li Wenjun. They asked about what had happened the previous night and were relieved to confirm that Li Wenjun was unharmed.

Since he couldn't go to the Three Mountains Academy anymore, Li Wenjun began to consider whether to take out the old Taoist's books and start learning. However, without a dictionary, he was hesitant to start, fearing he might misinterpret unfamiliar words and phrases.

After some thought, Li Wenjun decided to walk around the county town to see if he could find a bookstore that sold the Taizu Dictionary.

For now, Li Wenjun did not plan to leave the county town of Sanshan County. If he left now, Wu Xuemei might mistake it for guilt. If she sent people to take him to the county jail, he would be in serious trouble.

After careful consideration, staying in the county town of Sanshan County was safer. If he could learn the immortal techniques here, he would have the means to resist Wu Xuemei if she tried to harm him again. If she pushed him too far, he could throw a fireball and burn her to death first.

Of course, he could not yet match the power of the magistrate Wu Tao and his family, let alone resist them.

The news of the Three Mountains Academy's dissolution had spread, and Sun Jianing no longer went to school. He planned to stay home to take care of his father's injuries and might have to take on the responsibility of supporting the family in the future.

Li Wenjun called Sun Jianing and asked him to accompany him around the county town to see if they could find a Taizu Dictionary.

The county town of Sanshan County was not large, stretching seven li east to west and five li north to south. There was only one bookstore in the entire county. Li Wenjun went to the bookstore but found no Taizu Dictionary for sale.

According to the bookstore owner, a set of Taizu Dictionaries cost ten taels just for the purchase price, plus transportation and other costs, so they usually sold for around fifteen taels. Such an expensive book was beyond the means of most people in Sanshan County, and those who could afford it might not need it, so they didn't stock it.

The bookstore owner asked Li Wenjun if he wanted it and said he could help order a set if Li Wenjun paid a five-tael deposit.

Five taels was a significant amount for a young man like Li Wenjun. He knew the principle of not showing off wealth and was hesitating when a scholar walked in.

"Boss, do you buy old books?" the scholar asked as soon as he entered.

"Scholar Lu, are you selling books again? Is your family short of food again?" the bookstore owner asked.

The scholar nodded with a bitter smile and said, "My wife is pregnant and always complaining of hunger. She has eaten all the food in the house. I have no other choice but to sell books."

The bookstore owner slapped his head and said, "I remember now, Scholar Lu, you have a set of Taizu Dictionaries at home. This young man needs it. The book is just a decoration, good to look at but not to eat. Why don't you sell it to him? I won't take a commission."

Scholar Lu, in a desperate situation, was willing to do anything to get money to buy food. "Young man, do you want the Taizu Dictionary? The set I have is an heirloom, about eight-tenths new. If you like it, I'll sell it to you for one tael."

"I want to see the set first. If it's as good as you say, eight-tenths new and in good condition, I'll buy it," Li Wenjun said.

"Alright, follow me."

Scholar Lu led Li