Chapter 59: Dark History

Ma Hongxuan thought for a moment and understood that the Boss was going to Fengcheng because of matters involving the imperial court. The Boss often left, but this was the first time he had named people to bring along. When Ma Hongxuan thought that he was one of them, boundless joy rose in him.

His face was full of smiles. He bowed to the Boss again, but he did not leave right away. Instead, as if making idle conversation, he began talking about an amusing matter.

“Before the Jade Dragon Platform was built in the north of the city, there were already many wild birds there picking up grass seeds and bugs to eat.”

In the past, there had only been one water source in this stretch of desert, eighty li away, and it did not have water all year round. During the hottest part of summer, there was only a shallow layer. Therefore, ever since Zhaoge gained a spiritual vein and became an oasis in this desert, many animals had begun migrating toward Zhaoge. The city walls could block wild beasts and insects, but they could not block flying birds.

And the barrier did not prohibit unranked flying birds from entering, so many wild birds landed in the broad empty areas inside Zhaoge. These wild birds had originally been afraid of people, spreading their wings and flying away whenever they saw someone approach. But after the Jade Dragon Platform appeared, they seemed to sense the abundant spiritual qi there that was different from everywhere else. They began landing on the Jade Dragon Platform in great flocks, and no matter how people drove them away, they would not leave. Bird droppings piled up everywhere.

So these wild birds became targets for the Xuanyuan Guard’s new recruit training. Using them for mounted archery practice doubled the effect, and the wild birds they shot down became extra dishes for the Xuanyuan Guard that night. Guo Qianshan had even sent over several dishes and soups made from wild birds. Chi Yixuan had tasted each one. The flavor was delicious, but unfortunately, compared to yao beast meat, it was still a bit lacking.

Originally, the matter should have ended there. But no one knew whether it was because they had been nourished by the Jade Dragon Platform’s spiritual qi, but among that flock of wild birds, one actually became a yellow-grade yao creature. Once they had a leader, that flock of unknown wild birds became even fiercer. They specifically chose Guo Qianshan’s head to poop on. Every time Guo Qianshan went out, he had to bring an umbrella, or else his head would be covered in bird droppings.

They seemed to believe that as long as they dealt with Guo Qianshan, the head of the Xuanyuan Guard, they would be able to drive away the other humans and occupy the Jade Dragon Platform.

As a result, every day, Guo Qianshan was either washing his hair, washing his clothes, or washing his umbrella.

When Ma Hongxuan spoke of this, the smile in his eyes deepened. Chi Yixuan also listened with delight. The life-bound artifact had told him about this matter before. At the time, he had even watched a livestream of Guo Qianshan driving off birds, and it had amused him so much that he ate an extra tub of snacks.

“After Brother Guo washed so many times, he even said that he has now studied and developed some insights into washing clothes and umbrellas. If one day we can’t get something clean, we can go to him for advice.”

Chi Yixuan had thought Ma Hongxuan had come only to tell him an amusing story, and he was just getting absorbed in it when he heard Ma Hongxuan suddenly change the subject and bring up Lu Wuxing.

“Brother Guo himself stopped minding it, and even trained his archery through it, but when Wuxing heard about this matter, he felt very indignant on his behalf. Every day, he carried a broom and followed Brother Guo out. Whichever bird dared fly over, Lu Wuxing would sweep at it with the broom. As soon as he got off duty at the Punishment Hall, he immediately went over to find Brother Guo and escort him out of the Jade Dragon Platform area. With him keeping watch, Brother Guo finally had a few days of peace.”

“There isn’t much to do at the Punishment Hall, so in his spare time, Wuxing also worked with Tianyou to make some poison, intending to poison that leader bird to death. Who knew that at this time, Brother Guo would actually hold peace talks with that bird leader? No one knows how they negotiated, but that flock of birds no longer made trouble on Brother Guo’s head, nor did they disturb the Xuanyuan Guard’s training on the Jade Dragon Platform anymore. In return, Brother Guo enclosed a piece of land at the Jade Dragon Platform’s horse grounds for them to roost in... Boss, at the next assembly, you may be able to hear Brother Guo report that our Zhaoge has gained another breeding farm.”

When Chi Yixuan thought about it, it really was true. Whatever Guo Qianshan fought, he ended up raising. In the past, he had taken the lead in fighting mystic armor beetles, then set up a mystic armor beetle breeding farm. Later, he led the hunt for blue-striped turtles and then established a blue-striped turtle breeding farm in Zhaoge. Now he had even created a wild bird breeding farm.

Interest rose in him. “Didn’t Lu Wuxing and Wan Tianyou make poison? What happened after that?”

Ma Hongxuan said, “When Wuxing and Tianyou saw this, they naturally gave up on poisoning it. Wuxing even went outside and dug up a few trees to plant, giving the birds places to build nests. After learning that the bird leader and Brother Guo were getting along better and better, he even brought back some food from the dining hall to feed it.”

Ma Hongxuan’s eyes brimmed with a smile. “Actually, Wuxing is still childlike at heart. When he loves something, he wants it to live; when he hates something, he wants it dead. Toward the people he has recognized as his own, he is sincerely good to them with his whole heart. None of the sisters and brothers dislike him. When sisters like Rubi and Huilan have their monthly courses, he will remember to cook a bowl of...”

“Stop!” Chi Yixuan hurriedly interrupted him, the tips of his ears red. “No need to say more.”

Ma Hongxuan immediately fell silent and said uneasily, “Boss... how do you plan to arrange Wuxing?”

Ma Hongxuan knew perfectly well that he should not ask, but his self-control was not yet sufficient, and he still could not help asking.

Although Zhaoge’s internal powers and responsibilities were still unclear now, and for some matters, whoever had free time could go help out, the fact that he had skipped over Lu Wuxing today to judge that case already counted as overstepping. But since the Boss had praised him, he must have another arrangement for Wuxing.

Even though Ma Hongxuan believed he had judged correctly, when he thought that Lu Wuxing might be removed from that position, then thought of himself thickening his face and pleading with the Boss, he felt very ashamed. Because this bit of loyalty was not for public reasons, but private ones. He felt that in this matter, he could not completely set aside personal feelings, and he had let down the Boss’s cultivation of him.

If the Boss therefore believed that his character was flawed and did not bring him on this trip to Fengcheng, then he... he...

After hesitating for a moment, Ma Hongxuan still did not regret it.

After listening to Ma Hongxuan, Chi Yixuan paused for a moment, but did not answer his question. Instead, he said, “We leave for Fengcheng tomorrow. Go back and pack your luggage first. Don’t forget to inform Mo Linglan.”

Ma Hongxuan’s heart sank slightly. He bowed and withdrew.

After he left, Chi Yixuan collapsed onto the rocking chair and slowly rocked back and forth. Then he heard the life-bound artifact say, [You do not seem troubled by this.]

Chi Yixuan said indifferently, “What’s there to be troubled about? It’s not my first time being a boss. It’s just that an employee made a bit of a mistake. So what? Even machines make mistakes!”

Ma Hongxuan’s prediction was correct. Everything that happened inside Zhaoge could not escape Chi Yixuan’s eyes. Even if he was too busy to inspect the territory, the life-bound artifact would remind him. He naturally knew perfectly well about today’s farce in the Punishment Hall.

“Ma Hongxuan was right. Lu Wuxing isn’t a bad person. Among family and friends, he could even be considered an extremely good person. If his character were truly improper, he couldn’t have gotten along so well with everyone. He would have been excluded long ago.” But that did not mean good people had no flaws. Lu Wuxing was a person with clear likes and dislikes. That was both a strength and a weakness.

Chi Yixuan said slowly, “What happened at the Punishment Hall today was actually a good thing. It exposed Lu Wuxing’s flaw early.”

This was not Lu Wuxing’s first day managing the Punishment Hall, but before today, no one had said a single bad thing about him. When the life-bound artifact gave its routine weekly report, it had not mentioned any abnormalities in the Punishment Hall either. This showed that Lu Wuxing had still been able to judge cases fairly before. Previously, Chi Yixuan had always thought that placing Lu Wuxing in the Punishment Hall was very suitable.

But combined with what happened today, the problem became clear.

“If the Wei Huo brothers had framed someone else today, perhaps the result would have been different. But as it happened, the person they framed was Xiao Haonü, whom Lu Wuxing dislikes.”

“Previously, he could judge cases fairly because the cases he heard were all conflicts among Zhaoge’s residents. Those were people he regarded as his own, so naturally, he could treat them fairly. Meanwhile, the Wei Huo brothers were people he thought might become his own, while Xiao Haonü was someone he had decided would hate Zhaoge. Lu Wuxing probably wished he could press Xiao Haonü to death. Looking at it this way, if in the future his family or friends did something bad outside Zhaoge, Lu Wuxing would probably help conceal it and let them escape.”

Chi Yixuan reached his conclusion. “Lu Wuxing is extremely easily controlled by his emotions, likes, and dislikes. He is no longer suited to staying in the Punishment Hall.”

[Then will you punish him for dereliction of duty?]

Chi Yixuan burst out laughing. “Dereliction of duty? That would only count if he truly failed to fulfill his duties or committed a serious error! In today’s case, he hadn’t even had time to be derelict before Ma Hongxuan pulled him back. If I punish him before he has time to make a mistake, what would that make me? That also wouldn’t conform to the rules Zhaoge has set. I can’t very well demand that others follow the rules while not following them myself!”

The life-bound artifact’s tone, however, was matter-of-fact. [You are the king. You are the law. Rules are meant to bind others. You should naturally be unfettered and do whatever you wish.]

Chi Yixuan: ...

He endured it for a moment, but still could not hold back. “Please stop talking. It feels so awkward.”

The life-bound artifact: ...

The life-bound artifact fell silent for a long time. Perhaps it had shut itself down emotionally.

Chi Yixuan ignored it and continued on his own. “A low-level boss passes the blame to subordinates. A high-level boss reflects on himself. If we’re talking about mistakes, then I, who arranged for Lu Wuxing to be in that position, have to take responsibility first for using the wrong person.”

The life-bound artifact finally spoke again. No one knew what it had imagined, but it had actually changed to a different adjective. [Then what brilliant insight does the high-level you have?]

Chi Yixuan: ...

Save me! The life-bound artifact’s sentence-making actually had a kind of first-generation artificial intelligence beauty.

But after a little thought, he felt this was still better than opening and closing its mouth with wise and great, so he did not stop it. Instead, he continued reflecting. “Besides using the wrong person, there’s also responsibility for setting up the position unreasonably. Even procurement and withdrawals have to go through finance. Aside from judging cases, hearing cases, and arresting people, the Punishment Hall also needs someone to verify cases.”

Today’s matter reminded him that every person had selfish motives. Even without selfish motives, people would inevitably be influenced by their emotions, likes, and preferences. Forever maintaining fairness and rationality was something even saints could not do.

And after replacing Lu Wuxing, finding another person to hear cases might not necessarily guarantee complete fairness and justice either. Even if it did, there was still the possibility that the person’s mind would not be clear and they would make a wrong judgment.

So he not only had to replace the person, he also had to dilute the Punishment Hall master’s authority. He had to find a few more people familiar with the law to review every case in the Punishment Hall twice over, ensuring that unjust, false, or mistaken cases did not occur.

If the Punishment Hall had already had such a position before, then even if Lu Wuxing judged wrongly out of selfishness, it would not matter, because he did not have the authority to carry out punishment. The review would send the case back for retrial.

“Ah, if I do this, I can solve at least several more jobs.” Chi Yixuan was somewhat excited. After all, for every person whose employment he solved, he could receive one point.

“Of course, positions won’t be chosen casually, and I don’t have that much time to pick people. I should just move over the examination system from home. These will all be civil servant positions in Zhaoge. This way, many people will definitely want to apply. After the Punishment Hall selection exam is finished, the selection for other civil servant positions can also be arranged. Then an examination industry chain will naturally form. Not bad, not bad. Another batch of employment can be solved.”

“With that, we can let more people in without worrying that too many unemployed people will cause chaos.”

Chi Yixuan had not expected that because of Lu Wuxing’s matter, he could also extend it into solving employment. What was this called? Killing two birds with one stone?

“But I can’t crudely remove Lu Wuxing just like this. I have to think of a gentler method.”

Lu Wuxing was one of the first ten laborers to walk into the little house. He had a life-and-death friendship with Guo Qianshan and the others. Back then, when Chi Yixuan and Song Dianlai fought, he and the others had rushed out of the barrier without hesitation to come help him. Chi Yixuan had never forgotten that.

When Zhaoge had nothing at the very beginning, everything had depended on those ten practitioners working from early morning to late at night. Otherwise, Chi Yixuan could not have had things so easy.

Although it had not even been four months since Zhaoge was established, in a certain sense, Lu Wuxing really was an old follower who had accompanied him in founding his achievements. Even if Chi Yixuan felt Lu Wuxing was no longer suited to remain in the Punishment Hall, and even though he had already made plans to expand the Punishment Hall afterward, he could not immediately pull him out over an error that had not fully formed. Otherwise, it would inevitably chill people’s hearts.

“What should I do?” Chi Yixuan paced in place for a few steps, and for a moment, he really could not think of anything. “Forget it. Delaying a matter gives it room to resolve. In any case, there’s no hurry yet.”

He lay back down on the rocking chair and lazily rocked for a while, then stared at the room thoughtfully. “This place still isn’t big enough. Once I rise to Golden Core, I’ll use some points to upgrade this house. I’ll make the bedroom larger and higher, or maybe add a private back courtyard. When the time comes, I’ll set up a swing. Swaying back and forth on that would be fun.”

The life-bound artifact suddenly said, [There is something I want to say to you, but I am worried you will not like hearing it.]

Chi Yixuan said, “Am I the kind of person who is self-righteous, stubborn, and insists on having my own way? Speak!”

[Very well.] The life-bound artifact said quickly, [You are somewhat hot and restless. You are speaking especially much, and the redness on your ears still has not faded. Is it because Ma Hongxuan mentioned girls’ monthly courses? Actually, this sort of matter is not private. Every mortal woman has them. You yourself also came into this world from that place...]

“Stop talking!” Chi Yixuan shouted.

The life-bound artifact immediately fell silent.

Chi Yixuan was actually remembering his own dark history.

When he was about six or seven, his curiosity had been unprecedentedly strong. He had rummaged through every part of the house. Even the drawers his parents had locked, he would find a way to get the key and open them to look inside, purely because he was curious what his parents were hiding from him.

One day, he found many sanitary pads in a drawer. He was very curious and tore one open to examine it carefully. Of course, his mother discovered this matter very quickly. Even to this day, he still remembered his mother’s strange smile as she said, “What are you so curious about now? You’ll use them in the future too.”

Then his mother gave him a lesson. She said that when people grew up, every month, they would have a period. The period would leak out uncontrollably, so one had to use sanitary pads to wrap the area below, just like babies wearing diapers.

When Chi Yixuan had been even younger, he had been mocked by his kindergarten classmates because he wet the bed. Therefore, when he heard that after growing up he would still have to wear diapers, he fell into disbelief, shock, and terror. He asked, “What if I don’t want to wear them?”

His mother said, “Then there’s no helping it. You can just get up the next day and wash the sheets.”

Seeing that he did not believe her, his mother even took out a health textbook and said to him, “Look. For girls, it’s called menstruation. For boys, it’s just called a different name: nocturnal emission.” And by pure coincidence, the health textbook had an illustration of a boy covering his lower body with a blanket, his face full of shyness.

Chi Yixuan did not want to believe it.

Until young as he was, he saw that the uncle next door had blood on the back of his pants. He had no choice but to accept reality.

When he was a bit older, he realized that his family’s finances were not good. At that time, because most of the family’s money had gone into doing business, life was tight. He was very worried that after he grew up, he would fall into the situation of having no money to buy sanitary pads and then suffer endless ridicule. So he consciously began saving money. Only after he had saved enough money to buy himself five years’ worth of sanitary pads did his mother tell him the truth.

Chi Yixuan, who had just finished his middle school entrance exams at the time, had a blank expression. “Then the uncle next door...”

His mother gave an oh and said, “His hemorrhoids were too serious.”

Chi Yixuan had not forgotten a single word of that conversation, because at the same time he learned the truth, he inevitably remembered that not long before, he had thought himself friendly when chatting with a female classmate about sanitary pads. He had even enthusiastically expressed that if she leaked, he could lend her his jacket. The girl’s expression had been shocked and helpless, blank and suspicious...

[What happened after that?]

Chi Yixuan wiped his face. “After that, I pretended I didn’t know that female classmate.” And from then on, he never dared date girls again. “Later, my mother helped me exchange that money for sanitary pads and donated them to girls in mountainous areas.”

The life-bound artifact’s voice was exceptionally gentle. [That is very good. That is not dark history.]

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