The night was deep when a rapid knocking sound suddenly echoed through the old residence, startling all the sleeping children.
Zhao Gao went to open the door, and then the smell of blood rushed into the house. Jin Zhong had a not-so-shallow knife wound on his chest, blood seeping through his clothes. He was carried into the house by two jailers.
Everyone, except for Chen Jiuyang, was in a panic, not knowing what to do.
Chen Jiuyang grabbed Zhao Gao, his expression stern, and commanded, "Immediately go to the Hui Chun Fang two streets away and find a doctor."
Zhao Gao immediately ran off.
Chen Jiuyang then instructed the younger siblings in the house, "Go boil water and prepare a set of clean clothes."
"Fetch the ginseng slice from the old master's room."
Everyone, including Mu Xi, sprang into action.
While this was happening, Chen Jiuyang, along with the jailers, carried the old master into the kitchen and placed the ginseng slice in his mouth to sustain him.
It was March, and the nights were cold. Lighting a fire in the kitchen would provide much-needed warmth and better light.
When Zhao Gao returned with the doctor, and the old master had been treated, his life was no longer in danger, and the entire family breathed a sigh of relief. However, Chen Jiuyang asked Zhao Gao to comfort the other children and then questioned the two jailers, "What happened? Why is the old master injured?"
Jin Zhong was no longer young, and with this injury, he would need at least a few months to recover.
The jailer's position was passed down through generations, unless one lost it themselves.
"The bandits imprisoned in the jail are martial practitioners. During a blood exchange, an accomplice came to rescue them. Fortunately, your old master is older, so the bandit only slashed him once and did not aim for a fatal blow."
"Yun Ge'er, your old master's injury is not a major concern, but someone needs to take over his duties at the jail. If you don't want the job, someone is willing to pay two hundred taels of silver for it."
"Wait... I can take over?" Chen Jiuyang's brow furrowed.
The two jailers exchanged glances, their lips moving as if to curse, having let slip a secret. Finally, they confessed, "After your old master left tonight, he registered you for the position."
A cold glint flashed in Chen Jiuyang's eyes. The old master was still alive, and these two were trying to seize his assets?
This society was truly cruel and ruthless.
If he hadn't caught the implication, these two jailers would have gotten away with it.
He spoke, "The old master is also advanced in years, and this injury is a good opportunity for him to recuperate. How can a grandson not show filial piety?"
"I will take on the jailer's duties."
The two jailers exchanged a troubled glance and said,
"Then you must come with us to take up your post now."
Chen Jiuyang frowned, pondered for a moment, gave Zhao Gao a few instructions, and then followed the two jailers into the darkness towards Qingcheng Jail.
Taking up a post late at night, especially when there had been an escape.
The jail was surrounded by constables in blue uniforms. Among them was a constable in black, exuding an intense aura of dominance.
Chen Jiuyang, dressed in white, was the only one among the sea of blue-clad constables.
The black-clad constable's gaze fell upon Chen Jiuyang, and he coldly asked, "Who is this?"
"Reporting to Captain Huo, this is Chen Jiuyang, the grandson of the injured jailer Jin Zhong, here to work in his place."
"A jailer at such a young age? Take him in to change clothes, into blue." the black-clad constable ordered.
Jailers wore grey, while those in blue were constables.
Neither of these were desirable jobs, yet people were willing to pay two hundred taels to buy them.
Chen Jiuyang remained silent, casting a deep look at the two jailers who had brought him here.
The position of jailer was hereditary, a true "iron rice bowl."
However, there were several types of blue-clad constables. One type was the yamen runner, considered temporary workers with no salary, who had to bring their own food and do all sorts of tasks, facing many dangers. At best, they could use the authority of the government to extort money or scavenge.
Another type was these constables carrying swords, who were blood-exchange martial artists, far stronger than ordinary people, living by their blades.
A third type was those who rose through the ranks from blue-clad yamen runners to positions within the yamen, becoming clerks, thus having official status and receiving the state's provisions.
And now, with just a word from the black-clad constable, Chen Jiuyang had gone from being a hereditary grey-clad jailer to a blue-clad yamen runner, and his grandfather's jailer position was lost.
With that single sentence, Chen Jiuyang's previously carefree life was shattered.
After changing into the blue uniform, someone immediately threw a saber at Chen Jiuyang, "Newcomer, we're going on patrol tonight. Take this for self-defense."
Seeing Chen Jiuyang's slender, youthful appearance, his hand bones smaller than the saber's blade, making it difficult even to swing it, some of the seasoned constables let out mocking laughter but said nothing.
"Newcomer, don't be afraid. Captain Huo is leading the patrol tonight, so it's very safe. My name is Qu Ba. If you call me Brother Qu, I'll look out for you from now on." A young man in his twenties said to Chen Jiuyang with a smile.
Chen Jiuyang took a deep breath, accepting the sudden turn of events. He picked up the saber, which weighed at least three to five pounds, and cupped his fists in a salute to Qu Ba, "Then I'll trouble you to look after me, Brother Qu."
By becoming a blue-clad yamen runner, Chen Jiuyang had effectively cut off his path to studying and participating in the imperial examinations to achieve success.
Before the two could set off, a robust and strong blue-clad constable strode up to Chen Jiuyang and tossed a book at him, "Captain Huo heard you are literate. This is a martial art for you. Practice it well."
With that, he turned and left.
Chen Jiuyang picked up the book and saw the large characters on the cover: "Severing Head Saber"!
"Oh, newcomer, you've actually been promoted by Captain Huo. You're quite lucky." Qu Ba's expression was envious, with a hint of reverence and apprehension in his eyes.
Chen Jiuyang exhaled heavily, recalling the image of the black-clad constable. For a moment, he couldn't tell if this was revenge, a promotion, or compensation.
New to the martial world and unaware of the currents, he decided to take things one step at a time, focusing on gaining the ability to protect himself.
That night, Chen Jiuyang patrolled the streets with Qu Ba, carrying his saber, while the night watchmen announced the time.
The vast Qingcheng was shrouded in darkness, with only the small riverboat houses hanging red lanterns. The rest of the city was dark, and they could barely see the road ahead by the faint moonlight.
"Actually, patrolling isn't such a tough job. If we run into drunkards, we give them a beating and skim some oil. If we encounter women seeking pleasure, that's when the real fun begins... hehe..." Qu Ba's words were seasoned with the cynicism of an old hand.
Chen Jiuyang found the patrol somewhat monotonous and asked, "Brother Qu, what is Captain Huo's strength?"
"Captain Huo's strength is top-notch. Qingcheng is as solid as a fortress because of him. Ordinary bandits, horse thieves, and water ghosts dare not cause trouble when they hear Captain Huo's name."
"As for your question about strength, a martial artist needs to undergo nine blood exchanges to travel the world. Captain Huo should be at that level..."
"Chen Jiuyang, if you want to embark on the path of a martial artist, save up money to buy medicinal baths to build your foundation. I, your Brother Qu, became half-crippled because I failed my second blood exchange after succeeding in the first."
Chen Jiuyang nodded.
That night, Qu Ba's words seemed to hold true. With Captain Huo present, the entire night passed peacefully without any incidents. As the rooster crowed and dawn broke, Chen Jiuyang finished his shift. He was to report to the yamen again at sunset to start his next shift.
This arduous task came with no wages.
Now, the family's income source was cut off, with a large family to feed, and the old master's jailer position was lost.