Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 88: Chapter 84: Night Raid (Request for First Subscription, Request for Monthly Ticket)

Xu Jin had returned to Xu’s Manor by the afternoon.

As he made his way through the manor, uncles and brothers from the village approached him upon seeing his Star Patrol Guard attire, bombarding him with questions. Those with sharper eyes recognized the outfit as that of the Star Patrol Commander, and they exclaimed in amazement, proclaiming that someone remarkable had indeed come from Xu’s Manor.

As a result, they expressed their desire to congratulate Xu Dajiang on the spot.

Xu Jin greeted each one of them, fulfilling his father Xu Dajiang’s wish.

Just as he passed through the gate, Xu Jin smelled the rich aroma of meat.

In the kitchen, a large pot with a goose stewed over the golden-red flames, simmering slowly, the scent pervading the air.

The sight was mouthwatering, and Xu Jin couldn’t care less about the heat—he reached straight into the pot and grabbed a piece to eat.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded from behind him, likely his father Xu Dajiang approaching.

Before Xu Jin could turn around, he heard Xu Dajiang’s voice, slightly tense, ”May I ask which officer...”

”Father, it’s me!”

Xu Jin spun around like a whirlwind and saw Xu Dajiang entering with a bundle of firewood. In an instant, his expression went from apprehension to irritation. He yanked out a piece of wood and swung it at Xu Jin, scolding, ”You little rascal, you come back and don’t even make a sound? You scared me; I thought it was someone from the government!”

Xu Jin had to duck and dodge.

In the end, it was Xu Jin who had to willingly endure a smack before his father was able to step down from his anger.

”You brat, when did you join the Star Patrol Guard and become a government officer? How come I didn’t know?” After the hit, Xu Dajiang wiped his hands and took extra care handling Xu Jin’s Star Patrol Guard uniform, as if afraid to damage it.

”Father, take a closer look,” Xu Jin said, puffing out his chest and pointing to his collar.

On both the chest and collar were embroidered the character ’Commander’ in varying sizes, denoting his status as the Star Patrol Commander.

In an instant, Xu Dajiang’s expression turned serious, ”Commander? The Star Patrol Commander?” The next moment, he shot up, his face filled with anxiety, ”You didn’t steal an official’s uniform to impress me, did you?”

Hearing this, Xu Jin couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

Not enough accomplishment was a problem, and too much was also an issue.

”Father, who would dare steal!” Xu Jin promptly displayed his commander’s badge, engraved with the name ’Xu Jin’ on the back.

At that moment, Xu Dajiang was overjoyed.

He paced back and forth, rubbing his hands together, his excitement beyond words, even becoming a bit incoherent.

”It truly is the Commander, the ancestors have blessed us, the ancestors have protected us, the ancestors have protected us, our family has produced an official!”

Xu Jin understood his father’s excitement; he was aware of the value that came with the role of Star Patrol Commander.

Dispatched to any county city, the post would be at least that of a County Magistrate.

Translating it to a modern context, it would be the equivalent of a county police chief combined with a head of armed forces, fire, traffic, and other such agencies.

”Father, where is Jiang’er? Has she not returned yet?” Xu Jin asked, pulling his father out of his ecstatic state.

”Not yet, but she should soon. She’s been working at Philanthropist Zhao’s last month, usually returning in the afternoon,” replied Xu Dajiang.

”Were there people last month who went to work and then returned?”

”Yes, from our manor, it started two months ago, and there are as many as eight people. They’re all waiting to return now,” explained Xu Dajiang.

Hearing this, Xu Jin felt somewhat relieved.

If this had been ongoing for several months, it was more reassuring.

Xu Dajiang was pleased, so Xu Jin opened a jar of wine and, with just peanuts to accompany their drink, father and son enjoyed their sips and waited for Jiang’er’s return.

But as time passed, an hour and a half went by. Xu Dajiang had gone to the village entrance several times to look around but saw no one.

”Could the rain have delayed them?”

Xu Dajiang became restless, ”I’ll go ask the other families.”

A quarter-hour later, Xu Dajiang returned, a touch of nervousness on his old face, ”Not a single one has come back. Maybe the rain delayed them on the road.”

Xu Jin frowned.

The day was nearly dark; in another half an hour, the county city would close its gates—it was unlikely they hadn’t returned yet.

The rain was persistent, but not heavy; it shouldn’t have affected the journey.

”Father, I’ll go meet them halfway. If I don’t find them on the way, I’ll go to Zhao’s Mansion in the county city to inquire and come back tomorrow,” Xu Jin said as he stood up.

”That’s good,” Xu Dajiang replied, his worry for Xu Jiang apparent.

”Father, get ready. I plan to have you and Jiang’er move into the city, and next year, I’ll have Jiang’er start her cultivation at Star Pointing. Now that I’m serving in the Star Patrol Guard, tasked with chasing thieves and bandits, it’s not very safe for you to stay here alone,” Xu Jin said.

Xu Dajiang didn’t seem inclined to move, but the mention of safety made him hesitant, ”It’s just the expenses of living in the county city...”

”Father, as the Star Patrol Commander, my monthly salary is fifty taels of silver.”

After speaking, Xu Jin took the umbrella and headed out the door.

Watching Xu Jin’s retreating figure, Xu Dajiang stood for a long time before revealing a complex smile, ”This son of mine, he really has made something of himself! A monthly salary of fifty taels; it would take me two hard years to save up that much...”

The rainy weather was gloomy; Xu Jin quickened his pace, heading straight for the county city. Along the way, he barely saw any travelers, let alone groups or the workers from Xu’s Manor, and certainly no sign of his sister.

Something felt off to Xu Jin.

He made it into the city before the gates closed, then inquired about the direction and made a beeline for Zhao Mansion.

The good-hearted owner of Zhao Mansion was named Zhao Bo, who had been in business for many years. His family owned numerous properties both inside and outside the county city, and as the wealthiest and most benevolent man in Jinshan County, he had an excellent reputation.

Xu Jin knocked on the door, and the doorman who answered, upon recognizing Xu Jin’s Star Patrol Guard Commander uniform, quickly paid his respects, ”This is Zhao Mansion. May I know what matter brings the esteemed officer here?”