C9 His Old Friend Came Again but It Was Not the Time

This is only the beginning. Once I complete the remaining two main quests assigned by the Super Captor System, I'll gain access to the basic Breathing Exercises Spell, develop my inner strength, and master the Eight Trigrams Sword Technique. My power will multiply, and with inner strength on the path to Transcendence Saint Becoming, I'll grow increasingly formidable. In the future, I'll stand unmatched across the world. With the system's help, becoming a mythic legend is within the realm of possibility!

Jia Jiucheng was filled with a tumult of emotions. Setting everything else aside, with his current trajectory, in two months' time, the system would enable him to undertake missions and slay monsters to level up, significantly enhancing his strength—potentially by as much as eight hundred kilograms. He'd be able to slaughter Ge Teng as easily as one would a dog. What's a seventy-kilogram sword to him then? By that time, with a pair of massive hammers weighing 888 kilograms, he'd crush his foes effortlessly.

At present, Jia Jiucheng was fixated on vanquishing Ge Teng, yet he lacked any Free Attribute Points. Perhaps they would come into play in the future, but for now, they were nonexistent. The mission was one aspect, seeking justice for Jia Yong was another. However, until a few days ago, his limited strength prevented him from contemplating such matters. Now, with the system's empowering boost, Jia Jiucheng was hopeful and once again entertained these thoughts.

He turned to a nearby water tank, scooped up a basin of water to freshen up, and then visited the cycle of grains. Jia Jiucheng's stomach began to rumble, and upon reflection, he realized he had only consumed a few buns from dawn till dusk.

"It's time to nourish the temple of my body. Now that my father has been laid to rest, I must report to the County Yamen and receive my official uniform. It's time to formally present myself, and while there, I'll discreetly investigate who conspired against my father."

After pondering for a moment, Jia Jiucheng returned to his room, removed his mourning attire, and donned a set of plain black clothes. He tied a white cloth and three small cotton puffs atop his head, a traditional sign of filial respect.

I had just finished tidying up when a series of urgent knocks echoed from the front door, accompanied by a distinct, earthy voice shouting, "Ninth Brother, hurry up and come out. I've brought your clothes and supplies."

Recognizing the voice, I knew it was an old friend. An image of a sharp-faced, bright-eyed youth flashed through my mind—Fu Sanmao! He was once a fellow servant at the Prefecture Yamen and a childhood playmate.

We'd grown up together, our friendship spanning over a decade.

Fu Sanmao hailed from the Jia River Prefecture in Yongzhou, several counties away from my hometown in the Lanshan Prefecture of Yongzhou. His family had been farmers, but fortune smiled upon them a few generations back, and they settled in Dingyuan County, opening a small tavern that turned a profit.

Fu Sanmao's father used some of that money to secure a position in the Prefecture Yamen. Though the pay wasn't much, it was a respectable job that provided a steady income. More importantly, it meant that the local troublemakers wouldn't dare to hassle the Fu family's tavern.

Since turning twelve the previous year, Fu Sanmao had left school to follow his father around the Prefecture Yamen, where he met and befriended me. We quickly became close friends.

"One Anti-Spirit Handcuffs, four sets of Four Seasons Clothes, one Captor Arrow, ten arrows, ten Money Dartlike Weapons, a wooden fish talisman bag, and one Captor medicine kit. Everything's here. Could you check them?"

"Do I look like I don't trust you, kid?" I said, accepting the items. I felt a surge of satisfaction. "Having two jobs is great. They issued me double the supplies compared to a regular Captor, which is more than enough."

A flicker of warmth crossed my eyes. Since Jia Yong's passing, Fu Sanmao had been a tremendous help, especially during the wake, where he received guests with utmost diligence. Aside from elders like Mrs. Wu and Mr. Liu, Fu Sanmao had been the most devoted. His friendship was truly invaluable.

Fu Sanmao cradled a red tray shrouded in black cloth in his left hand and carried a three-tiered willow-patterned dining box in his right. Spotting Jia Jiucheng, a smile spread across his face. He lifted his left arm and gave it a playful shake, saying, "Ninth Brother, guess what I've brought you?"

Jia Jiucheng chuckled and gave Fu Sanmao a friendly tap on the chest. "How many times have I told you to call me Mr. Jia? 'Brother Jiu' makes me sound like a mob boss. Do it again, and I might just twist that mop of yours right off."

Fu Sanmao, whose real name was Fu Sheng, was slender and frail in appearance but sharp and agile in mind. As a child, his parents doted on him, affectionately calling him "San Mao," a nickname Jia Jiucheng had adopted. The two often bantered over names, a testament to the playful camaraderie between them.

"Alright, alright, Mr. Jia—no, Lord Jia—just let me inside to set these down, will you? I'm not like you, trained in martial arts from a young age. Carrying these nearly broke my arm," Fu Sanmao complained, his face contorted in mock frustration. Jia Jiucheng quickly relieved him of the tray and stepped aside to let him in, closing the door behind them and leading the way to his room.

The small room, barely ten square meters, was tidy, with neatly folded bedding on the brick bed to the north and a square table with two round stools to the west. A slightly chipped teapot and several cups sat on the table, usually reserved for plain boiled water.

Jia Jiucheng gestured for Fu Sanmao to take a seat and was about to pour him some water when Fu Sanmao placed the lunch box on the table. Lifting the lid, he revealed a succulent roasted chicken, its skin crisped to perfection.

The chicken was nestled in a pool of savory juices, surrounded by aromatic spices like green onions and garlic. Below, the box contained a plate of robust beef, a plate of spicy stir-fried chicken feet, two heaping bowls of white rice, and a stack of marinated tofu. The aroma and sight of the feast had Jia Jiucheng involuntarily swallowing his saliva, his stomach rumbling in eager anticipation.

Fu Sanmao snapped the two bamboo chopsticks from the bottom of the lunch box onto the table, offering one set to Jia Jiucheng. "I knew you hadn't eaten. Go on, dig in. My old man cooked this up just for you. You should feel pretty lucky."

The Fu family's roasted chicken was not only the most profitable dish at the Fu family tavern but also their signature dish. Prepared with a time-honored broth, the chicken was succulent and flavorful, rich yet not oily, and included herbs that stimulated the appetite and fortified the spleen, making it a kind of medicinal meal.

Jia Jiucheng was moved and, without any pretense, he first placed the juiciest chicken wing into Fu Sanmao's bowl before he began to eat. He nodded appreciatively and tucked into the delicious meal with steamed white rice, while Fu Sanmao eagerly joined in, smacking his lips with gusto.

"This must've cost quite a bit, right?" Jia Jiucheng inquired between bites.

"Ninth Brother, don't be such a stranger. We're more than friends; we're like brothers! What's a little expense between us? A local chicken costs 40 wen, a pound of beef is 30 wen, and a dou of rice is just 5 wen. All told, it's barely 70-80 wen."

In this era, without large-scale farming, all chickens were naturally raised in the countryside, making meat a bit pricier. A Captor's life in Great Soong was relatively comfortable. Jia Yong, he recalled, had bought the small four-room courtyard for only 35 taels of silver. With a Captor's salary of 5 taels a month, it was affordable in less than a year. Even the cost of riding in a sedan chair or on horseback wasn't steep, mainly requiring time and effort to maintain a horse. Life was indeed easier here than in his past life. "This place is so delightful, I've no desire to leave!"

As they ate, Fu Sanmao spoke up, "Ninth Brother, no, Mr. Jia, I went to the Prefecture Yamen last night and retrieved this wooden fish bag and your regular attire. Try them on later to see if they fit. If not, we'll ask Wang Captor to exchange them for another set."

"Additionally, Mr. Jia's recent success in killing two bandits has earned him a reward of thirty pieces of fine silver from County Magistrate Li. In a few days, when Mr. Jia reports to the County Yamen, he can go directly to Master Fang to collect it. Remember, the wooden fish bag must not be lost; it's a symbol of your identity."

Jia Jiucheng was thrilled at the prospect of more money. However, when the conversation turned to County Magistrate Li, he became pensive and asked Sanmao,

"Besides my father being honored posthumously as a hero, what other atrocities did the Gale Stronghold commit? What actions have been taken by County Magistrate Li and the other officials?"

The Gale Mountain Stronghold, notorious for its banditry, typically preyed on small villages under the county's control, never daring to assault the county itself. This brazen incursion, with the Third Boss entering the city, was without precedent.

"Alas, it's been the same for years. What can County Magistrate Li really do? Honestly, if it weren't for Mr. Jia bravely taking down two of the bandits, the Gale Mountain Stronghold would likely have remained untouched this year.

Both the Lee family and the Xi family suffered significant losses of their winter supplies, and some women were abducted. The Third Boss even managed to snatch a precious pearl while in the city."

"A pearl! Which pearl?"

"The prized jewel of Dingyuan, Minister Lee's daughter, Lee Duan!"

"Ah, I see, it's her."

I've also heard through the grapevine at the Yamen that Lee Duan's sole daughter was kidnapped during these events. Desperate, he pleaded for help to recruit skilled individuals to storm the stronghold and rescue her, but with the Gale Mountain Stronghold's fearsome reputation, no one was willing to take on the task.

Now, it seems Lee Duan has resigned himself to the situation and is prepared to pay a hefty ransom to the Gale Mountain Stronghold for his daughter's return.

I've caught a glimpse of the Lee family's young lady myself—fair-skinned with strikingly long and straight legs. In the past, suitors practically lined up at the Zhou family's doorstep to ask for her hand in marriage.

"Sanmao, let's be frank, are you envious of her figure?"

"Mr. Jia, why would you speak so lowly of me?"

"Just answer me, do you or do you not harbor such thoughts?"

"Yes, you have no idea. Recently, when the little lady from the Lee family went out for a stroll, I noticed her exquisite figure, particularly her curves—so round and full. Her skin, as smooth as jade, was draped in the finest silk, radiant and fragrant. Minister Lee has certainly taken excellent care of her."

Yet, she's quite unfortunate. After her ordeal in Nine-form Mountain, she's likely no longer the same. Marrying into a family in the future, she might find it hard to hold her head high.

Truth be told, Fu Sanmao was putting a positive spin on it. Given the equal social standing, the Zhou family's young lady's tarnished reputation could make finding a suitable husband quite challenging.

Jia Jiucheng wasn't concerned about the future of the little lady from the Lee family. His focus was on securing assistance from the Lee family to fulfill his mission, which included approaching the Gale Mountain Stronghold to gather intelligence and exact his revenge.

Watching Jia Jiucheng devour his rice, Fu Sanmao gave a sly smile. "Mr. Jia, I've also heard that Lee Duan has made a declaration: whoever rescues his daughter from the Gale Mountain Stronghold will have her hand in marriage, along with the deed to three tea houses in the city. Sadly, no one has yet been brave enough to accept this perilous job."

Understanding the reluctance to storm the stronghold, Jia Jiucheng knew it was akin to a death sentence. But the fact that no one dared to even relay Lee Duan's message or transport the ransom was unexpected to him.

Dingyuan County is home to many formidable figures, like the Land Immortal, Lee Shentong—the Dingyuan First Expert, a renowned Captor nationwide. He commands respect from both the law and the criminal world.

Then there's the venerable Zhou of the Divine Wind Escort Agency, a legend far and wide, known for his business acumen and connections in every corner—on water, in the mountains, and within the city.

And let's not forget Dingyuan's premier hunter, Xie Yimiao, a man of incredible strength, leading a league of over a hundred hunters, each one an expert marksman.

The Gale Mountain Stronghold had long tormented the local populace, yet they never dared to approach Xie Family Village. The mere sight of the "Hunter Alliance" was enough to make them steer clear, as if it were a resplendent golden signboard. In fact, a popular folk song in the neighboring villages proclaimed, "If you're to marry off your daughter, look no further than Xie Family Village."