Chapter 101: Departure
Chapter 101: Departure
"The southern and northern areas are where the side branches of the Yu Clan reside, and most of the servants are based here. You're familiar with the Yu Clan Martial Academy, which is located in the northern section... Oh, and your younger sister is currently staying with Yu Ru. You're aware of that, right?" As Xiao He spoke, she glanced at Chen Mu.
Chen Mu smiled and replied, "Yes, they get along really well."
Initially, Chen Yue lived directly in the Martial Academy, but as her relationship with Yu Ru deepened, she moved into Yu Ru's residence and shared a room with her. Chen Mu had been informed about this arrangement.
Yu Ru was a direct disciple of the Yu Clan, and Chen Yue's relationship with her was like that of sisters. Chen Mu was pleased about this, for even if he were to suddenly leave Yu City one day, Chen Yue could still remain with the Yu Clan due to her close bond with Yu Ru.
Unbeknownst to them, Chen Yue had gradually developed a degree of independence.
"Yu Ru is a bit gentle by nature," Xiao He said softly.
Chen Mu didn't seem to have any particular feelings for Yu Ru, but after her recent visit to the outer city, she appeared to have developed some affection for him. Initially, Xu Hongyu had intended to arrange a marriage between Chen Mu and Yu Ru, but the situation had now changed slightly.
Chen Mu was a deep and reserved person, rarely revealing his thoughts, so Xiao He couldn't discern his intentions. However, she didn't try to guess, knowing that Chen Mu always acted with propriety and never overstepped his boundaries. In this world, strength was revered, and if Chen Mu possessed exceptional talent and ability, not only would Yu Ru be an option, but even Xu Hongyu, or both sisters together, the Yu Clan would not object in the slightest.
If Chen Mu truly set his sights on Xu Hongyu...
Xiao He couldn't help but sneak a glance at Chen Mu. In any case, she knew that she would forever follow her mistress in this lifetime.
A moment later, Xiao He led Chen Mu to a courtyard located south of the Yu Clan's estate and found an elderly housekeeper with white temples, dressed in a butler's attire.
"It's Xiao He... I heard that Miss Xu has returned?" The elderly housekeeper smiled warmly at Xiao He.
"Yes, Miss Xu went to the City Guard Office and will be back soon. By the way, Elder Yu, this is Chen Mu, who accompanied Miss Xu back. She asked if there's an available courtyard," Xiao He said in a soft voice.
"An available courtyard? There should be some. I'll go and inquire," the elderly housekeeper said with a smile, turning to leave with his hands behind his back.
Xiao He turned to Chen Mu and whispered, "This is Elder Yu, whom the former clan head brought back when he was young. He was given the surname Yu and used to manage external affairs when he was younger. Now, in his late sixties, he no longer handles external matters and is responsible for the Yu Clan's miscellaneous affairs and servants."
Chen Mu nodded slightly.
The Bone Forging Realm was not the same as the Five Viscera Realm. In his late sixties, his vitality had significantly declined, and the strength he could exert now was probably only two or three-tenths of what it used to be. It was unlikely that he could even defeat a young expert at the peak of the Sinew Transformation Realm.
However, having once reached the Bone Forging Realm, his status was still somewhat different, even in his old age. According to Xiao He's description, he was essentially the Yu Clan's 'head housekeeper,' managing all affairs except for the clan's internal matters.
A moment later, Elder Yu returned with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face. "There's a two-courtyard residence available in the north, quite suitable and close to the Martial Academy. Your younger sister can also live there. I've already arranged for someone to set it up. You can go there now."
"Thank you, Elder Yu," Chen Mu said, bowing to the elder.
Elder Yu's face was amiable as he said, "Xiao He, you can take him there. It's the third courtyard in the north, you should know where it is. If there's anything else, just come and find me."
As he spoke, he took another glance at Chen Mu, nodding slightly.
Aside from other things, his composed and well-mannered demeanor was already commendable at his age. In terms of talent and aptitude, since Xu Hongyu had taken a liking to him and even brought him to the Yu Clan's headquarters, he must be quite exceptional. Moreover, he had heard a little about him before.
If Chen Mu could enter the Sinew Transformation Realm within the next year or two, then reaching its peak and attaining perfection in the future would not be an issue. Combined with his naturally gifted cross-training body, he could even hold his own against Bone Forging Realm experts.
He was indeed a talent worth recruiting.
If there was even a sliver of a chance that he could comprehend an intent or enter the Bone Forging Realm, he would become a significant force for the Yu Clan. However, both of these were extremely difficult.
"Thank you, Elder Yu. Next time, I'll bring you some wine," Xiao He said with a sweet smile.
Elder Yu waved his hand and said, "I'm old, old. Can't drink good wine anymore... I might make mistakes if I do."
"You're long-lived and not old at all," Xiao He said with a giggle, then led Chen Mu out, leaving Elder Yu shaking his head with a smile.
...
Soon, Xiao He brought Chen Mu to a courtyard that had been cleaned up.
The courtyard was located north of the Yu Clan Martial Academy and consisted of two smaller courtyards. Compared to Chen Mu's previous three-courtyard residence in Willow Grove, this one was slightly smaller, but being in the inner city and within the Yu Clan's headquarters meant that not many people could afford to live in a two-courtyard residence. Only those with some status within the clan could do so.
"You've worked hard."
Chen Mu walked into the courtyard and took a quick look around before flashing a smile at Xiao He.
Xiao He giggled and said, "What's there to be tired about for a mere maid like me? If you can break through to the Sinew Transformation Realm sooner, you'll be able to help Miss more. For the next period, Miss and I will probably stay in the Inner City."
"Alright."
Chen Mu smiled faintly.
In truth, he had already achieved major success in Sinew Transformation, but a period of quiet cultivation suited him just fine.
Xiao He soon waved her hand and left the courtyard, leaving Chen Mu alone. He entered the bedroom, which had been cleaned and the bedding neatly laid out, but there were no other servants or maids in the entire courtyard.
"The courtyard is a bit small for two entrances, but I only have three little maidservants by my side, and not many servants. Bringing them here is just right. Hmm... The room on the east side is for Yue."
Chen Mu pondered briefly.
Currently, the most valuable item he had, the Thunderbolt Map, was always carried on his person. However, his silver and gold leaves were still at home and needed to be brought over the next day. Other than that, there wasn't much else.
Looking outside, he noticed the sky gradually darkening, so he decided against studying the Thunderbolt Map by lamplight and instead went to rest early. The next morning, he left the Inner City and made his way back to Wutongli.
The City Guard Office acted swiftly.
Early in the morning, someone went to the City Guard Office and read out the order that Chen Mu was no longer the Patrol Commander of Wutongli, leaving everyone in the Wutongli City Guard Office in shock. The previous day's conflict had seemingly been resolved by Xu Hongyu, but no one expected Chen Mu to still lose his position as Patrol Commander and be dismissed from his post.
Many patrolmen sighed endlessly. Although Chen Mu had made several bold moves during his few months in Wutongli, they, as low-ranking patrolmen, had always received generous rewards. Moreover, after Chen Mu's arrival, their salaries were distributed in full without any deductions.
"In this world, it's difficult to be a good official."
There was a 1619 version of this book with no errors!
An elderly patrolman couldn't help but sigh.
It was rare for Wutongli to have a good Patrol Commander, but he didn't even last a year.
As for Shang Qinglai and the other patrol leaders, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief that the matter hadn't implicated them.
Being dragged into the struggle between the He and Yu families was never a good thing. This time, the key was that He Mingxuan's death had come too suddenly, and Chen Mu had likely become a sacrificial lamb, paying the price for He Mingxuan's demise._
With this departure, his future was uncertain.
The news spread quickly.
Within half a day, the news of Chen Mu's departure had spread throughout Wutongli.
It was around the time Chen Mu returned home and had Wang Ni, Ku Er, Le Er, and others pack up the house, loading everything onto the carriage frame, preparing to leave, that a large crowd gradually gathered outside the courtyard.
Most of them were victims of the year-end snow disaster who had been saved by Chen Mu.
"Patrol Commander!"
"Patrol Commander..."
Chen Mu stepped out of the courtyard and looked at the gathered crowd. He saw men and women, young and old, all kneeling and bowing to him, some even shedding tears. After so many years in Wutongli, it was rare to find a good Patrol Commander like him.
"Please, everyone, get up. I am no longer the Patrol Commander of Wutongli. The new Patrol Commander should arrive in a couple of days."
Chen Mu spoke with a hint of emotion in his voice as he witnessed the scene before him.
But for a moment, no one stood up.
Chen Mu shook his head slightly, sighing softly in his heart. In truth, he wasn't some saint; this time, he had directly given up his position as Patrol Commander to create a more stable environment for himself.
Everything he had done while serving as the Patrol Commander in Wutongli was merely his duty.
However, in today's world, few were willing to fulfill their duties.
The City Guard Office had become a place for officials to make money, squeezing the people dry, colluding with local gangs and powerful forces. Such situations were commonplace.
In contrast, he was like a rare honest official in the eyes of the common people.
After a long sigh, Chen Mu waved his hand, signaling for the carriage to move forward.
Several elderly servants looked at the kneeling crowd, men and women, young and old, and couldn't help but sigh. However, they silently obeyed Chen Mu's orders, slowly pushing the carriage out of the alley.
Wang Ni followed beside Chen Mu, looking at the kneeling figures behind them, her eyes glimmering with light. Ku Er and Le Er, still a bit bewildered, trailed along.
Finally, Chen Mu and the carriage slowly reached the end of the alley.
The crowd of kneeling commoners, their patched-up clothes, stood up and followed behind, their numbers growing as they went, eventually reaching several thousand.
After years of neglect in Wutongli, the people bid farewell to their Patrol Commander.
This chapter serves as a transitional plot point, and while it may seem a bit drawn out, it is a crucial setup for the story, so I've added more content to speed up the pace.
Four chapters, totaling 12,000 words. Please support by voting with your monthly tickets!
(End of Chapter)
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