Chapter 25

Qin Shaoyou already had a plan and arranged, "Xiucai, go back to the inn and fetch the Heavenly King Heart Nourishing Pills we seized from the Wu family fortress."

"Sir, why do we need this medicine?" Zhu Xiucai was a bit puzzled.

Qin Shaoyou explained, "Didn't the gatekeeper say that Attendant Zhang's direct grandson was so frightened that he developed symptoms of dizziness and headache? The Heavenly King Heart Nourishing Pills from the Wu family were refined by the great monk at Luohan Temple, and they are excellent for calming the mind and soothing shock. They are just what he needs.

"From what I understand, Attendant Zhang is a man who values propriety. After retiring, he has focused on cultivating his reputation. If we bring him good medicine and visit in the name of the Prefect of Luocheng, he will have to see us. He might even call out his grandson to thank us for our kindness."

Zhu Xiucai was surprised, "Sir, you even studied Attendant Zhang's temperament and character before coming to Mianyuan County? That's quite forward-thinking, isn't it?"

Not just him, but the monk Ma and the other enforcers all had expressions of admiration.

Qin Shaoyou said, "Attendant Zhang is the most influential person in Mianyuan County, even more so than the county magistrate. We can't avoid him while investigating here. Of course, we need to understand him well and prepare in advance. Alright, Xiucai, don't waste time. Go fetch the Heavenly King Heart Nourishing Pills."

He then called out two enforcers to head to the abandoned temple in the eastern part of the city to check on the situation there.

After waiting for a while outside the Zhang residence, Zhu Xiucai returned with a box of Heavenly King Heart Nourishing Pills.

He was a meticulous person and had even found a beautiful wooden box to package the pills, making the gift more presentable.

Qin Shaoyou gestured for Ma the monk to knock on the door again.

The door opened quickly.

It was the same gatekeeper from before.

Seeing Qin Shaoyou and his group knocking again, the gatekeeper couldn't help but frown, a bit unhappy.

"What's the matter? Didn't I just tell you that my young master needs rest and won't see any guests..."

He was about to close the door.

Qin Shaoyou extended his hand to stop him.

"We're not here to investigate this time. I heard from you that the young master of your household was severely frightened. We happen to have some Heavenly King Heart Nourishing Pills refined by the great monk at Luohan Temple, which are perfect for someone who has been severely frightened. Additionally, we have a message from the Prefect for Attendant Zhang. So, please inform him."

This time, his reason was compelling, and the gatekeeper had no choice but to say, "Wait here, I'll inform him and see if the master wants to see you."

"Thank you." Qin Shaoyou withdrew his hand.

The gatekeeper closed the door and promptly went to inform the master.

Qin Shaoyou and his group waited outside for about a quarter of an hour before the door opened again.

The gatekeeper called them, "Come in, the master wants to see you."

They thanked him and crossed the high threshold to enter the Zhang residence.

A steward-like figure was waiting behind the door. Seeing them enter, he didn't introduce himself but directly said, "Follow me, don't wander around the estate." Then he turned and led the way.

Qin Shaoyou and his group hurried to follow, curiously observing their surroundings as they walked.

From the outside, it didn't seem so impressive, but once inside the Zhang residence, they realized how vast it was.

Corridors, courtyards, artificial hills, and ponds made the demon hunters' eyes widen in amazement.

"Wow, how big is Attendant Zhang's house? How much money must he have embezzled to build such a large estate?"

One of the enforcers marveled, filled with envy.

Fortunately, his voice was low, and the steward leading them didn't hear it, or he would have been spat on.

The other enforcers also began to discuss.

"There must be hundreds of rooms here, right?"

"Wow, I've never seen such a large estate."

"If Attendant Zhang's estate is this big, how big must the imperial palace be?"

"Speaking of the imperial palace, I've heard that it's even larger than a county town, with tens of thousands of rooms..."

"Tens of thousands of rooms? Can the Emperor even live in all of them?"

"Are you stupid? The palace isn't just for the Emperor; there are eunuchs and palace maids too."

"Right, and the thousands of concubines. The Emperor must be so happy, with three thousand women. If he sleeps with one every day, it would take him seven to eight years to get through them all."

The discussion veered off track.

These people, who dealt with demons and ghosts and lived on the edge, were extremely bold in their gossip.

"Is it true that the Emperor has three thousand concubines?"

"Of course, it's true. Our village's second son, Mei, became a eunuch in the palace. His family visited him in the capital and came back boasting about the palace secrets. According to Mei's family, there are at least three thousand concubines, if not more."

"Wow, the Emperor's kidneys must be amazing. How much leek and roasted kidneys does he eat every day?"

"You all envy the Emperor, but I pity those concubines... three thousand people. How long must they wait to be with the Emperor? They must just sigh and wait, how tragic! They could get sick from it."

"That's why there are heartless men..."

Seeing that these reckless people were getting more and more out of hand, Qin Shaoyou quickly intervened.

"Shut up, all of you! Can you even discuss these things? I don't want to die, and I don't want to be implicated!"

Fortunately, these people, though bold, knew their limits and kept their voices low, so the steward leading them didn't hear. Otherwise, Qin Shaoyou would have had to consider silencing them or fleeing.

Ma the monk nodded in agreement, "Sir is right. Words can bring disaster. You must control your mouths. Otherwise, learn to keep silent like me."

"That's impossible. If we learn to keep silent, how can we talk when we go to Cat Alley?"

The enforcers all objected but closed their mouths, no longer daring to discuss further.

It was unclear whether they were afraid of disaster or of having to keep silent.

One person's reaction was unexpected.

Zhu Xiucai didn't participate in the discussion at all. Instead, he squinted his eyes, observing the surroundings, as if he was looking at something or noting something down.

Qin Shaoyou couldn't help but ask, "What are you looking at?"

Zhu Xiucai whispered, "The terrain and layout."

Qin Shaoyou was surprised, "Do you understand feng shui?"

"No."

Zhu Xiucai shook his head, still speaking softly, "I'm looking at how to climb over the walls and enter the estate without being caught, and how to open doors and locks without being noticed..."

"I..."

Qin Shaoyou almost couldn't hold back from cursing.

What kind of talented people do I have under me?

Shaking his head, he whispered, "You're lucky to be in the Demon Suppression Bureau, or you'd eventually be beaten to death."

Zhu Xiucai didn't think much of it.

"Sir, it's as if being in the Demon Suppression Bureau means we won't be beaten or killed. Don't forget, our bureau has the highest injury and death rates every year."

Qin Shaoyou was speechless.

After passing through a courtyard, Qin Shaoyou and his group were led by the steward to a hall.

There, they met Attendant Zhang.

Attendant Zhang had white hair, but his body was still relatively strong. However, Qin Shaoyou noticed through his "Clear Vision" that his spirit and energy were somewhat weak, and his blood was not in good condition.

It was unclear whether it was due to old age or the shock of his grandson's disappearance the previous night, which he had not yet recovered from.

Qin Shaoyou and his group presented the Heavenly King Heart Nourishing Pills and exchanged some pleasantries.

Attendant Zhang said, "Thank you for your kindness. I know you came to see my grandson and ask him about the situation. I've already sent someone to call him, but he has just escaped and is still in a state of shock. You can ask him, but don't keep him for too long."

Qin Shaoyou, relieved by his cooperation, bowed and said, "Thank you, Sir Zhang, for your understanding. We will only ask a few questions and won't disturb the young master for long."

Attendant Zhang nodded, "That's best."

A moment later, a rosy-cheeked and white-toothed little boy, accompanied by a wet nurse and maids, entered the hall.

It was Attendant Zhang's direct grandson, Zhang Benwu.

He first greeted Attendant Zhang and then bowed to Qin Shaoyou and his group.

Qin Shaoyou returned the bow and observed him.

This observation revealed a problem.