Faraway Wanderers Novel (English Translation)

Demon Girl

Chapter 34. Temptation

(Edited version)

The shopkeeper didn't greet Zhou Zishu when he stepped into the counting-house again.

Instead, upon hearing of his arrival, a plump and jovial-looking man strode out to welcome him.

With thin eyebrows and small eyes, topped with a pudgy nose, the man's face resembled a fluffy white bun fresh out of the steamer and was quite endearing. The shopkeeper trailed two steps behind him with his bust bowed in deference.

When he sighted Zhou Zishu, the man gave a start before asking in a hesitant voice, "Are you.. Young Master Zhou?"

Zhou Zishu grinned.

"Why, Ping'an, do you no longer recognize me?"

That man was the Serene Counting-House's General Manager, Song Ping'an. Rumour had it that he was the former Chamberlain to the Prince of Nanning's Estate who, upon his master's death, had resigned to start a business of his own with some savings, turning a modest company into a thriving enterprise within a few years.

His ventures could now be found everywhere in the land, leaving his whereabouts uncertain as he rushed about all year round.

Song Ping'an's clients knew him to be a tradesperson who was Sharp-witted and also humane. The latter was a rare enough quality in the profession that it lent him an excellent reputation which only contributed further to the flourishing of his businesses.

Visibly emotional at his guest's visit, Song Ping'an ordered the shopkeeper to close up early and dismissed all the other employees before inviting Zhou Zishu to a seat.

"Your humble servant, I, was in the Yangzhou area when I heard the news and immediately hurried over," he said. "Sir Zhou, I hope my subordinates have treated you well? My Master speaks of you all the time!"

Then, he lowered his voice to say, "Many thanks again to Sir Zhou for concealing my Master's escape from the capital back then. It is only by your grace that we've had the last few years of peace."

Zhou Zishu took a sip of tea and smiled.

"Please don't mention it, it was no effort at all. How has Lord Seventh been? Well l hope," he said, whilst he was in reality thinking: That master of yours being gone was the only way we could get any peace. If he had bugged off sooner, we'd all have had our quiet earlier.

Ping'an smiled back.

"He has been excellent. Excellent, indeed! Thank you for your concern. I sent the news along as soon as l got wind of your call. His reply arrived yesterday, saying that the Great Shaman and he were both coming over! They should be along presently; if not within ten days, then in half a month's time at most."

A twitch tugged at Zhou Zishu's impassive features upon those words. The central plains' Wulin is enough of a mess already, he thought, and that scourge of man still wanted to add his own grain of salt? The year's horoscope must be the worst for natural calamities and man-made
disasters to convene.

His reply was nonetheless polite.

"How could I trouble Lord Seventh and Great Shaman in person!"