Chapter 39: Zhou Yi
Ergou shuddered at Chu Qing's words, his skin crawling. He instinctively ran his hands over his body but couldn't tell where this so-called demonic seed lay.
He didn't believe Chu Qing would deceive him. The man's martial strength was overwhelming—someone like Tang Xi had been slain without hesitation. Before him, Ergou felt as insignificant as an ant; why would such a man need to lie?
He immediately dropped to his knees with a thud. "Thank you, master, for saving my life."
Master…
Chu Qing stood silently, hands clasped behind his back. "Get up. The name Ergou is unpleasant. Choose a new one."
Ergou scratched his head awkwardly. "Master, I—I never went to school. I can't come up with a name."
Neither can I, thought Chu Qing, feeling troubled. Ergou's name was the typical "humble-child survives" sort of thing—unfit to use for life.
"What's your surname?" he asked.
Ergou, his grief softened after a long cry, seemed a little calmer and more honest now. "Master, my family name is Zhou."
Chu Qing pondered for a while before speaking. "When the first day dawns, all things renew. From today on, you'll be called Zhou Yi."
His tone carried deliberate weight. Zhou Yi froze in awe—what a profound name! Even naming carried such wisdom!
He nodded rapidly. "Yes, master. I'll remember. From today onward, I'm Zhou Yi."
Chu Qing exhaled softly, relieved that the matter was settled. Naming truly was a headache—best avoided in the future. "Zhou Yi, I have several tasks for you."
"Please command me, master."
Zhou Yi had already resolved to obey without question—no matter if it meant walking through fire or blades.
Chu Qing spoke quietly. "I want you to take over Chen's Oil and Grain Shop on North Street."
"Ah?" Zhou Yi blinked, scratching his head. "Master… I have no money." If he did, he wouldn't be living here.
"You needn't worry about that," said Chu Qing calmly. "Since you work for me, silver won't be lacking. Listen carefully—after you take over the shop, run it normally; profit or loss is your concern.
"Each night at midnight, go to the back alley behind the shop. There's a large stone there. If there's a letter beneath it, take it.
"In the courtyard, keep a large jar with a basin on top. If there's a letter, fill the basin with water and place the letter beneath it. If there's no letter, still set the basin, but leave it empty.
"Have you memorized all that?"
Zhou Yi remained silent for a moment, committing every word to memory before nodding. "Yes, master, I've remembered."
"Good."
Chu Qing nodded, pulled several golden leaves from his robe, estimated the cost of the shop, and handed over a portion along with some broken silver.
Zhou Yi glanced at the gold and silver but accepted them without hesitation.
"That's all. Go."
Chu Qing waved his sleeve, dismissing him.
Zhou Yi was about to leave, but turned back. "Master, if I need to find you, how should I do it?"
Chu Qing shook his head. "You need not seek me. If anything arises, I will find you."
"Yes."
After hearing this, Zhou Yi asked no more. He looked once more at Tang Xi's severed head on the ground, then picked it up carefully.
"Your servant takes his leave."
After saying that, Zhou Yi turned and walked out of the Earth Temple.
Chu Qing waited until he was out of sight before leaping silently onto the roof and following from a distance.
Working alone had many inconveniences. In his current state, every job he took depended largely on luck—an unstable way to live.
He needed to build his own network.
Yet he didn't need a massive organization like the Mirror of Retribution. All he required were "eyes" to see and "mouths" to speak.
His subordinates didn't need to be experts in martial arts; what mattered was that they were rooted among the common folk, capable of gathering real information.
Zhou Yi would serve as the first trial.
If he took Chu Qing's gold and silver and ran, that would at least prove something—trust, after all, began with temptation.
The oil and grain shop's profits and losses would be entirely his own.
He could support himself through the shop, marry, and live comfortably. Wealth and fame might be beyond reach, but a stable life was no problem.
And if he did run away with the money, Chu Qing would not bother to pursue him.
The demonic seed within him had not been fully removed.
Not because Chu Qing deliberately held back, but because the seed had already taken deep root—something that could not be resolved in a short time.
The Purple Mist Clear-Void Sutra contained the ability to dissolve foreign energies, and the demonic seed, in essence, was one such energy. It could be neutralized slowly—but only with time.
Chu Qing hadn't mentioned this, wanting instead to test Zhou Yi's nature.
As for whether it was unfair, Chu Qing felt he had already done enough. Without his intervention, Zhou Yi would have ended up with his heart ripped open and devoured alive.
Moreover, Chu Qing had already avenged him.
Zhou Yi had willingly pledged his life; if he still chose betrayal, then death would be a fitting end.
Following him silently, Chu Qing watched as Zhou Yi found a deserted place, took out a short knife, and hacked Tang Xi's face beyond recognition. Then he continued walking down a narrow path, seemingly searching for something.
Moments later, a mangy stray dog darted from the underbrush. Zhou Yi flinched instinctively—it must have bitten him before. He hesitated, then threw the severed head toward it.
The starving dog snatched the head and bolted, as if afraid someone might steal its meal.
Zhou Yi let out a faint, relieved smile, then turned toward a clothing shop.
There, he replaced his tattered garments with a clean, respectable outfit.
Next, he went to the bathhouse. When he emerged, freshly washed and dressed, he looked like a completely different man.
Afterward, he headed straight for the oil and grain shop.
When he came out again, he was walking alongside the shop's former owner. The two proceeded to the City Lord's Mansion together—necessary for registering the shop transfer.
The process was not fast. By the time dusk fell, the oil and grain shop had officially changed hands.
Only then did Chu Qing depart, his first test of trust complete.
For now, things looked promising.
As for what came next—time would tell.
Chu Qing also had matters of his own to handle.
He had stayed at the inn too long. For an assassin, remaining in one place was unwise.
So he purchased a small courtyard as a temporary residence.
He thought the next few days would be uneventful—he only needed to wait for the "big job" to begin.
But that night, as he was meditating at home, a fierce gust of wind broke the silence. Someone was approaching under the cover of darkness.
(End of Chapter)
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