Chapter 51: Seeking Visits

At noon, Wei Wuwei finally woke up, stretching comfortably.

"Oh, ah… This feels good! I'm alive again!"

He flexed his right hand. Although it wasn't fully agile, he could freely open and close it. It seemed the finger injury didn't cause major problems beyond affecting the flow of internal energy; at least he could still hold chopsticks and eat.

After washing up in his room and going downstairs for a meal, Wei Wuwei headed to the jail at Ning'an County Yamen once everything was settled.

The Ning'an County Jail was located dozens of steps to the right of the Yamen's main litigation hall. All of Ning'an County's constables were gathered there, and Sheriff Zhu Yanxu was personally overseeing the situation. The two highly skilled Wei family guards, after their wounds were briefly attended to, were also stationed there.

When Wei Wuwei, led by a bailiff, arrived at the jail, Zhu Yanxu, who had been informed, emerged from inside with a wry smile.

"Patriarch Wei, you've really put our Ning'an County bailiffs through the wringer. I haven't slept a wink all night!"

Zhu Yanxu was the most skilled martial artist in the entire Ning'an County official system, and indeed, in Ning'an County itself. He was considered a second-tier master in the martial arts world.

However, he practiced a military-style combat boxing, and when truly bloodthirsty, he would not have the same reservations as typical martial artists. Disregarding pain and trading injuries for lives was common for him. It would take multiple ordinary second-tier masters to subdue him, whereas Ning'an County's constables were far less skilled; the best among them were only third-tier, and some were merely strong men who had practiced a few moves.

Wei Wuwei quickly clasped his hands and offered an apology.

"My apologies, Sheriff Zhu, and to all the officers. I, Wei, was truly at my wit's end. Attacked en route, I had no choice but to seek help nearby. If I weren't so utterly helpless and would only be a burden, I truly would have wished to join you in keeping watch!"

Zhu Yanxu waved his hand.

"Alright, alright, I understand. It's our duty. I was just grumbling; please forgive my indiscretion, Patriarch Wei!"

"Not at all, not at all. I've already ordered a variety of dishes from Miaowailou, and their staff will deliver the food shortly. It's a small token of appreciation for you, Sheriff, and all the officers!"

"Excellent, Patriarch Wei, that's very thoughtful of you."

After exchanging pleasantries, Wei Wuwei accompanied Sheriff Zhu into the jail to inspect the prisoners.

Their major and vocal acupoints had been sealed, they were administered a paralyzing powder, their feet were chained, their hands bound behind their backs, and their mouths were tightly gagged. Seeing their ashen faces, it was clear they wouldn't be causing any more trouble.

Wei Wuwei estimated that when the time came, it wouldn't just be the Deyi Prefecture officials and the Wei family involved; the Dingyuan Fan family and many other martial arts figures would most likely also get involved.

In fact, Wei Wuwei had hesitated greatly last night. He had originally intended to silence them all, fearing that their talk of "immortal opportunities" would bring a lot of trouble to the Wei family. However, the thought of that mysterious, high-ranking government expert made him reconsider, and he obediently handed the culprits over to the authorities.

The warm, moist blue jade on his chest kept Wei Wuwei thinking about last night's events and the black-clad man's words. Even though he had scoffed at them at the time, he now felt a strange curiosity.

As Wei Wuwei walked out of the jail, accompanied by Sheriff Zhu, he unintentionally looked up and caught sight of a corner of the eaves of the county school's pavilion in the distance.

"Are there no classes at your county school today?"

Wei Wuwei asked casually, as he couldn't hear the usual clear sounds of reading from the school.

"Oh, the school is closed for holiday today, so naturally there are no classes!"

Sheriff Zhu replied offhandedly.

"I see!"

No sooner had he spoken than something clicked in Wei Wuwei's mind: the incident the Ning'an County Magistrate had told him about yesterday afternoon. It inexplicably piqued his interest.

"Uh, Sheriff, do you happen to know someone named Ji Yuan in your county?"

Sheriff Zhu looked at him with a hint of surprise.

"Of course I know Mr. Ji. Do you have a prior acquaintance with him, Patriarch Wei?"

Hearing the respectful title Zhu Yanxu used, Wei Wuwei immediately changed his own address and pressed on.

"No, no, I don't know Mr. Ji personally, but I heard about the red fox kowtowing for help, which I found quite astonishing. Yesterday, I was rushing to my destination, but now that circumstances have settled, I'd like to meet this remarkable person!"

"You want to meet Mr. Ji?"

Sheriff Zhu smiled.

"You can, but I must warn you, Patriarch Wei. Many people want to visit Mr. Ji, but the only one who actually dares to go is Magistrate Yin of this county!"

"Oh? Is it possible that Mr. Ji has a bad temper?"

Wei Wuwei had at least glimpsed him from afar; Ji Yuan didn't seem like that kind of person, especially since he even saved a fox.

"Hahaha, certainly not. Mr. Ji is always humble and polite to everyone; no one has ever seen him lose his temper..."

Zhu Yanxu didn't keep him in suspense any longer.

"The reason no one dares to visit is simply that Mr. Ji's residence is extremely strange and highly taboo. It's a notorious haunted house in this county, where many incidents have occurred over the years!"

"And he still dares to live there?"

The question practically burst out of Wei Wuwei.

"Heh, strange as it may seem, no strange incidents have occurred there since Mr. Ji moved in, and Magistrate Yin's family has been perfectly fine. Still, despite that, I doubt anyone will 'risk' visiting anytime soon. After all, if you truly wish to meet Mr. Ji for a chat, you can often find him in the marketplace."

Wei Wuwei nodded in understanding, but the idea in his mind grew even stronger.

"I still hope Sheriff Zhu can tell me where Mr. Ji resides!"

"You still wish to go, Patriarch Wei?"

"Yes!"

Wei Wuwei felt the blue jade on his chest. Even if something were to happen, at least he had this jade!

***

Half an hour later, led by a bailiff, Wei Wuwei was walking along a bluestone path in Tianniu Lane.

After passing through half of Tianniu Lane, a faint, ethereal fragrance emerged. It wasn't the scent of cosmetics or perfumes; it was natural and unique, growing stronger as they ventured deeper into the lane. Unable to identify it, Wei Wuwei asked the bailiff beside him.

"Officer, what is that scent?"

The bailiff answered without much thought.

"That's the scent of jujube blossoms from Ju'an Study, the only one like it in Ning'an County!"

"Jujube blossoms? Can jujube blossoms be that fragrant?"

Wei Wuwei considered himself well-traveled, having seen many famous flowers, strange trees, beautiful scenery, and unusual sights. He had never heard of jujube blossoms being so fragrant; he doubted one could even detect their scent up close.

"Heh, otherwise, why would Mr. Ji be considered extraordinary? This fragrance wasn't present in Tianniu Lane in previous years!"

These words heightened Wei Wuwei's curiosity, and he quickened his pace.

Gradually, the path became more secluded. After passing a certain alley intersection, the area seemed to open up considerably, with much more greenery within the city. However, the bailiff stopped going forward. He first put down the items he had been carrying for Wei Wuwei, then pointed to a small courtyard dozens of paces ahead.

"There, the courtyard with the jujube tree is Ju'an Study. I won't go any further!"

"Alright, alright, thank you, officer!"

As Wei Wuwei spoke, a small stack of copper coins appeared in his palm, which he slipped to the guiding bailiff. The latter took the coins, his eyes narrowing in a smile.

"You're welcome, you're welcome."

After the bailiff left, Wei Wuwei straightened his clothes, looked at the distant courtyard with the large jujube tree, picked up the gifts from the ground, and walked towards Ju'an Study.