Da Xuan Martial Saint

Chapter 105 – 101: Leaving Office

“Finally, the south and the north sides are where the branches of the Yu Family reside, and most of the family servants are also here. You know about the Yu Family Martial Arts Institute; it’s over on the north side… Right, your sister is now living with Yu Ru, you should know that, right?”

As Xiao He spoke, she glanced at Chen Mu.

Chen Mu smiled and said, “Hmm, they do get along very well.”

Chen Yue had initially lived in the Martial Arts Institute but got along better and better with Yu Ru as time went on and eventually moved into Yu Ru’s house. They shared a bed, and had informed Chen Mu about it previously.

Yu Ru was a direct descendant of the Yu Family, and Chen Yue got along with her as if they were sisters. Chen Mu had been happy about it before because, with the relationship between Chen Yue and Yu Ru, even if he suddenly left Yu City one day, Chen Yue could still stay with the Yu Family.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Yue’er had actually developed some ability to stand on her own.

“Yu Ru is just a bit soft-hearted by nature,” Xiao He said softly.

Chen Mu did not seem to have any particular feelings for Yu Ru, but after Yu Ru’s visit to the Outer City last time, she seemed to have developed feelings for Chen Mu. Initially, Xu Hongyu had planned to arrange a marriage between Chen Mu and Yu Ru, but now the situation had changed somewhat.

Mainly because Chen Mu was indeed very reserved, hardly revealing any of his thoughts, so much so that Xiao He could not figure out what he was thinking. But since she could not tell, she did not guess because she knew that Chen Mu always behaved with proper measure, never doing anything presumptuous. In this world, strength was always revered.

If Chen Mu had the talent and remarkable abilities to shock the world, let alone Yu Ru, even Xu Hongyu or both sisters together… the Yu family would not obstruct it at all.

And if Chen Mu really took an interest in Xu Hongyu…

Xiao He couldn’t help but steal a glance at Chen Mu. After all, she would follow her lady for the rest of her life.

A moment later.

Xiao He led Chen Mu to a courtyard in the southern part of the Yu estate and found an old steward, dressed in the attire of a housekeeper, with whitening temples, looking to be in his sixties or seventies.

“Oh, it’s Xiao He… Did I hear the young miss has returned?”

The old steward looked at Xiao He with a kind smile.

With a sweet voice, Xiao He said, “Yes, the young miss has gone to the City Defense Division. She’ll be back soon. Oh right, Grandfather Yu, this is Chen Mu. He came back with the young miss. She asked if there are any suitable empty courtyards available.”

“Empty courtyards, there should be some. I’ll go ask around,” the old steward said cheerfully, then walked away with hands clasped behind his back.

Xiao He turned to Chen Mu and whispered, “This is Elder Yu. He was brought back by the old master when he was very young. He was allowed to take the Yu surname. In his youth, he stepped into the Bone Tempering Realm. Now, nearly seventy, he doesn’t deal with external affairs anymore, just manages various household chores and the personnel matters of the servants.”

Chen Mu nodded slightly.

After all, the Bone Tempering Realm was not the Five Viscera Realm. Approaching seventy, his Qi-Blood had largely deteriorated. The strength he could exert now was probably only about twenty to thirty percent of his past ability, and he might not even be able to defeat a young Tendon Changing Perfection.

But having once stepped into the Bone Tempering Realm, even in old age, his status was still different. According to Xiao He’s description, he essentially served as the ‘head steward’ of the Yu Family, managing everything except for the family affairs.

A moment later.

Elder Yu returned with hands behind his back and said with a smile, “There’s an empty two-section courtyard in the north that’s quite suitable. It’s close to the Martial Arts Institute. Your sister could also stay there with you. I’ve already had someone arrange it, and it’ll be ready shortly.”

“Thank you, Elder Yu,” replied Chen Mu, giving Elder Yu a cupped-fist salute.

Elder Yu replied amiably, “Xiao He, you can take him there. It’s the third room in the north-facing courtyard of the locust trees. You should know where it is. If there’s anything else, just come and find me.”

As he spoke, he gave Chen Mu an extra glance, nodding slightly in his heart.

Setting aside other matters, his demeanor was composed and proper; at such an age, there was little to criticize. As for talent and aptitude, since Xu Hongyu took notice of him and even brought him back to the Yu Family’s residence, it must be quite exceptional, and he had also heard a little about him before.

If Chen Mu could step into the Tendon Changing Realm within the next year or two, then reaching the peak and achieving Tendon Changing Perfection in the future would not be a problem. Combined with his rare and naturally strong Horizontally Trained Body, he could hold his own against a standard Bone Tempering Realm opponent.

Indeed, he was a talent worth recruiting.

If there were a slight chance for him to comprehend Artistic Conception, or to step into Bone Tempering… then he could become an important strength for the Yu Family. However, both were very difficult to achieve.

“Thank you, Grandfather Yu. Next time, I’ll bring some wine for you,” Xiao He said sweetly to Elder Yu.

Elder Yu waved his hand and replied, “I’m too old for good wine now, it can only cause trouble…”

“But you have the vitality to live a hundred years, you’re not old at all,” Xiao He said giggly, then led Chen Mu out, leaving Elder Yu behind with a chuckling shake of his head.

…

Before long.

Xiao He led Chen Mu to a courtyard that had been cleaned already.

The courtyard was located to the north of the Yu Family Martial Arts Institute and consisted of two lesser yards, one in front and one behind. It was smaller than the three-yard, three-room courtyard where Chen Mu had lived in Wutong Grove District, but this was the Inner City, and moreover, the Yu Family’s residence.

Being able to live alone in a two-section courtyard was actually not very common in the Yu Family and was indicative of a certain status.

“Thank you for your efforts,”

After inspecting the courtyard, Chen Mu smiled at Xiao He.

Little Lotus chuckled and said, “What hardships could a maid like me have? You’ll be able to help Miss more once you break through to the Tendon Changing Realm. For the coming period, Miss and I should both be staying in the Inner City.”

“Alright.”

Chen Mu smiled.

In fact, he had already achieved Tendon Changing Major Achievement, but meditating for a while suited him just fine.

Little Lotus quickly waved her hand and then left the courtyard, leaving only Chen Mu alone. He walked into the bedroom, which had been cleaned and the bedding made, though no other servants or maids were present in the entire yard.

“A two-entry courtyard is a bit small, but I only have three maids by my side, not many servants, so bringing them over is just right… Hmm, the room on the eastern side will be for Yue’er.”

Chen Mu pondered briefly.

The most valuable Thunderclap Diagram was always carried on his person, but the rest of the silver taels and gold leaves were still at home; he would need to bring them over tomorrow. There was nothing else.

Seeing that it was gradually getting dark outside, Chen Mu thought about it and decided not to light a lamp to study the Thunderclap Diagram. Instead, he went to bed early. The next morning, he left the Inner City and made his way back to Wutong Grove District.

The City Defense Division acted quickly.

Early in the morning, someone went to the City Defense Division and announced that Chen Mu would no longer hold the position of Prefecture Chief of Wutong Grove District, which astonished everyone there. The conflict the day before was clearly resolved by Xu Hongyu, but unexpectedly, Chen Mu still lost his position and was stripped of his office.

Many constables sighed again and again. Although Chen Mu had made several major moves in the few months he had been in Wutong Grove District, these lower-level constables had benefited a lot each time, and ever since Chen Mu arrived, their salary silver had been paid in full without any deductions.

“In this world, it’s hard to be a good official,” said an old constable, unable to help but sigh.

It was rare for Wutong Grove District to get a good Prefecture Chief, but he had not even completed a year in his position.

As for Shang Qinglai and other senior constables, they all secretly felt relieved that the incident had not implicated them.

Getting involved in the struggles between the He and Yu families was ultimately not a good thing. The key issue this time was the sudden death of He Mingxuan. Chen Mu was mostly likely made a sacrificial lamb for the death of He Mingxuan.

This departure probably left his future uncertain.

The news spread quickly.

It took just a short while for the news of Chen Mu’s departure to spread throughout Wutong Grove District.

Right around the time Chen Mu returned home and had Wang Ni, Ku’er, Le’er, and the others pack up the household, loading everything onto the carts in preparation to leave, a large crowd gradually gathered outside the courtyard.

Many of them were survivors of the year-end snow disaster that Chen Mu had rescued.

“Prefecture Chief!”

“Prefecture Chief…”

As Chen Mu stepped outside to look at the gathered crowd, he saw people of all ages kneeling down to greet him, some even shedding tears. Heaven help them, it had been so many years since Wutong Grove District had a good Prefecture Chief.

“Everyone, please rise. I am no longer the Prefecture Chief of Wutong Grove District; the new Prefecture Chief should arrive in a couple of days,” said Chen Mu as he looked at the scene before him, feeling somewhat reflective.

But for a moment, no one stood up.

Chen Mu shook his head slightly, sighing softly to himself. He was no saint; like the time he had given up the position of Prefecture Chief for a more stable environment for himself.

Up to now, everything he had done as Prefecture Chief of Wutong Grove District was nothing more than his duty.

Only.

In today’s world, few people are willing to do their duty.

The City Defense Division was just a place to make money, to exploit the people’s fat and marrow, in cahoots with local gangs and powerful forces. Such situations were not uncommon.

By contrast, he appeared to these common people as a clean official rarely seen over many years.

After a long sigh.

Chen Mu gestured with his hand, signaling the carts to move on.

Several old servants watched the people kneeling all over the ground, men and women, young and old, feeling somewhat reflective themselves but silently respected Chen Mu’s command, escorting the slowly moving carts out of the alley.

Wang Ni followed beside Chen Mu, looking at the kneeling figures behind her, her eyes sparkling with light, while Ku’er and Le’er, still somewhat confused, followed along slowly walking out.

Finally.

Chen Mu and the carts slowly arrived at the end of the alley.

Behind, the kneeling crowd of the poorly clad common people silently stood up and followed along. More and more people joined along the way, soon numbering in the thousands.

Years in the Ninth District, with no one to care.

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A term in Wutong Grove District, escorted by the people!

Finally, after crossing the boundaries of Wutong Grove District and gradually seeing fewer and fewer people, only Chen Mu, Wang Ni, a few maids, and the servants pushing the carts remained. They reached the city gate of the Inner City and entered, disappearing into the Inner City.