Chapter 59: Promotion, Wealth, and the Loss of a Wife

News of Shang Lu’s breakthrough quickly reached the ears of the registrar. Setting aside the ledger of the Black Wind Gang’s assets he had been checking, he looked up in surprise and asked, “Shang Lu has advanced to the Meridian Unblocking stage? Is this true?”

The scribe reporting the matter hurriedly bowed and replied, “It’s true, sir. I saw it with my own eyes. Shang Lu broke through in the constables’ quarters, and many in the yamen witnessed it.”

“Heh, what convenient timing for his breakthrough,” the registrar sneered, narrowing his eyes as he tapped the table lightly. “Seems he’s set his sights on the vacancy left by Head Constable Ma.”

After a brief pause, the registrar said, “So be it. Since he’s entered the Meridian Unblocking stage, there’s no harm in promoting him to head constable. Go and tell him to hand in the payment for the position.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll notify him at once.” The scribe accepted the order and was about to withdraw when he was called back.

“Wait.” The registrar reconsidered, then said thoughtfully, “Forget it. He doesn’t need to pay. Go straight to the clerks’ office and have them deliver the appointment letter to Shang Lu. Consider it my congratulatory gift for his breakthrough.”

The scribe was so shocked by this that he almost thought he’d misheard. Since the registrar had arrived in Luoshui County, no official had ever been promoted without paying for it. This time, Shang Lu not only set a precedent by breaking through in the yamen, but also by being promoted without a bribe.

The scribe was unaware that the registrar was carefully calculating the value of this “transaction.”

“Even with the imperial reward of spiritual fat and the method for refining organs and circulating qi granted by the magistrate, it would still take a rare combination of luck and talent to break through so quickly. Not to mention, just months ago, Shang Lu was so gravely injured he almost died! Someone like this, blessed with talent, opportunity, and even cunning, is destined for great things. Better to do him a favor now—if he truly makes it into the Witch Academy in future, the reward will be far greater than this paltry payment for the position.”

A little while later, the county magistrate received the news as well. At first, he was delighted, thinking his judgment had been vindicated and that Shang Lu had not let him down. He immediately ordered Shang Lu’s promotion to head constable, only to learn that the registrar had already sent someone to deliver the appointment.

“So, you want to steal my favor and claim the credit, do you?”

At once, the magistrate’s expression soured, the previous joy vanishing. Yet soon he relaxed, smirking to himself, “The method for refining organs and circulating qi was taught to Shang Lu by me. Even if I am not his formal mentor, I am at least his instructor in this art. How much credit can you actually steal from me?”

Shang Lu, meanwhile, was unaware that the county’s two leading officials had crossed swords over his promotion. At that moment, he was in the constables’ quarters, accepting everyone’s congratulations.

First, his colleagues congratulated him on reaching the Meridian Unblocking stage. When the clerks arrived with his appointment as head constable, they all offered further well-wishes for his promotion and fortune. Du Feng even urged the constables to chip in for a celebratory banquet.

“How can I let you spend money to celebrate my promotion? It’s I who should be treating you!” Shang Lu laughed, stopping Du Feng’s plan. “There’s no time like the present—this afternoon at the tavern, I’ll set a few tables. All brothers are invited. No gifts needed—just come and say congratulations!”

The crowd voiced their agreement, their cheers even louder. Shang Lu returned their bows and thanks, then approached Head Constable Niu, inviting him sincerely, “Brother Niu, you must come as well.”

“Of course I’ll be there for your happy occasion,” Niu replied with a smile, then sighed, “I never expected you to succeed in unblocking your meridians on the first try.”

“It’s all thanks to your guidance, Brother Niu,” Shang Lu replied, offering a well-timed compliment.

Head Constable Niu blushed and waved his hand. “It had nothing to do with me. I see it clearly now—my level isn’t nearly enough to teach you.”

But Shang Lu insisted seriously, “You’re too modest. Your experience helped me greatly, saving me from many detours.”

“Really?” Niu looked at him, not seeing any sign of deceit, and felt a flush of pleased surprise.

“Absolutely!” Shang Lu nodded vigorously. Yes—so long as I avoided your experience, I’d encounter fewer setbacks.

Regaining his confidence, Niu laughed, “I’m not boasting—while I may lack your talent, I broke through to this stage more than ten years before you. I do have a little experience to share.”

Shortly after noon, Shang Lu sent Du Feng to the tavern to arrange the banquet. When the workday ended, the constables went to the banquet in shifts.

They went in groups because the search for Yuan Guilong and his men was still ongoing. Everyone knew Yuan Guilong and his accomplices had surely fled far away, but since the registrar refused to give up, they had no choice but to continue the search.

Even if it was just for show, they had to appear diligent, and could hardly all vanish for the promotion banquet. Even Head Constable Niu, after sharing a few drinks and dishes with Shang Lu, left early, saying he needed to oversee operations.

Whether true or not, he couldn’t leave himself open to criticism.

After several rounds of guests, every constable remaining in the county seat had eaten at the banquet. Shang Lu settled the bill, took a food box, and walked out of the tavern with the last group of officers.

Some of the constables were a bit tipsy and, upon leaving, started clamoring to go to a brothel for more drinks.

Shang Lu was tempted to sample Luoshui County’s nightlife and experience the local customs, but then remembered that San Niang was still waiting at home. He dismissed the idea.

“No, I have a family—it’s not convenient for me to go to such places. Besides, the search for Yuan Guilong and his men isn’t over yet. If we were reported for visiting such places, a scolding wouldn’t cover it. I could even lose my position.”

Shang Lu’s words sobered the tipsy constables at once, sending a chill down their spines. They dared not mention brothels again.

Only Du Feng asked curiously, “Lu, you have a wife?”

Shang Lu nodded. “Yes. Back when I was gravely wounded and presumed dead, my parents thought I’d truly died and arranged a ghost marriage for me.”

This wasn’t exactly a secret; many in the yamen had heard about it. When Shang Lu’s parents were searching for a bride for the ghost marriage, they hadn’t tried to hide it, even asking people in the yamen if they knew of any suitable deceased women.

But what Shang Lu said next made the constables’ hair stand on end and their backs go cold.

“She’s been waiting for me at home every day lately. I must get back and keep her company.”

With that, Shang Lu waved and turned, heading toward the county’s most infamous haunted house.

He left behind a group of constables staring at each other in the night.

They say when one rises in rank and fortune, one’s wife dies...

Who would have thought Head Constable Shang really did have a dead wife?

A night breeze swept away the lingering heat, leaving the constables with a chill and prompting them to shudder in unison.

None of them noticed a pair of tiny green eyes, shining from the shadows at the corner of the street, staring straight at them.