Joy of Life - V1C6
Prologue: Nice Guys Finish Last
1- A Child of the Tanmai
2- The Truman Show
3- The Legacy Book
4- Studies and Ghost Stories
5- The Noctural Visitor
6- Master Wu Zhu
7- Master Fei Jie
8- One Year Later...
9- Grandmasters and Divine Temple
10- Overpowering Bàdào Zhenqi
11- The Sea Salt Merchant
12- Farewell for now, Master Fei Jie
13- Mail Order and Newspapers
14- It Hurts Like Hell!
15- Housekeeper Zhou
16- Ay-ya-ya-yaaa
17- The Three Goals
18- The Attempted Poisoning
19- The Assassin
20- Clean Up After Yourself!
Chapter 6
Master Wu Zhu
With an unconscious assassin sprawled on his floor, Fan Xian had little time for inquiries. “Someone attempted to kill me,” he stated bluntly. “I knocked him out, and he’s now lying on my floor.”
The blind boy slightly tilted his head, his heart racing, yet his expression remained calm. He bowed his head respectfully. “Young Master Fan, what on earth are you referring to?”
“There’s no time for pretense. You know who I am.” Fan Xian chuckled, aware that the boy would always feign ignorance. He took the blind boy’s hand, attempting to lead him back to the villa.
“You’re still speaking nonsense, Young Master.”
The blind boy frowned, realizing it was unlikely for such a young child to know his identity. When he had brought Fan Xian to Danzhou, he had been merely an infant. How could the Old Mistress at Count Sinan’s villa have revealed his identity to him?
It was the dead of night. In the distance, dogs howled sorrowfully. Someone had mistakenly entered a neighboring house through the wrong door.
Wu Zhu’s expression remained unreadable as he listened to Fan Xian speak beside him. Eventually, he closed the shop door and made his way to the Count’s villa. Fan Xian let out a sigh of relief and hurried after him, struggling to keep pace.
Upon reaching the Count’s villa, they squeezed through a small opening and entered the bedroom. Wu Zhu “sensed” the unconscious assassin on the floor. Fan Xian glanced at the man, unsure if he was alive or not.
“Wu Zhu,” he asked nervously, “why did you always act like you didn’t recognize me when I visited your shop?”
Wu Zhu tilted his head once more. He took what felt like an eternity before replying, “Young Master, you truly astound me.”
He was indeed surprised. Although he was aware that the boy standing before him was her Ladyship’s child and was bound to be extraordinary, he never anticipated a seven-year-old could be so insightful, especially able to hold his own against Master Fei.
“Let’s handle him first,” Fan Xian said, struggling to turn the assassin over. He pulled away the cloth covering the man’s face, unveiling his identity.
The assassin had gaunt features and appeared older. His chin bore a streaked beard, mixed with strands of white, and a faint greenish tint suggested he was unwell.
Feeling uneasy, Fan Xian jumped behind Wu Zhu and clutched his sleeve. “This guy doesn’t look friendly,” he whispered.
“This is Master Fei, head of the Third Bureau of the Overwatch Council,” Wu Zhu replied, squatting down to examine the assassin’s jawline. “He is one of three known poison experts—adept in using, identifying, and creating antidotes for poison. For someone as formidable as him to be taken down by a child like you, wielding only a piece of porcelain as a weapon? I can’t tell if you’re incredibly lucky or if he simply met with misfortune.”
“He was unlucky,” Fan Xian murmured to himself. While he was astonished to confront such a powerful figure, he realized it was far worse for someone like him to cross paths with an extraordinary young boy possessing a soul from another world.
“Don’t touch him,” he cautioned Wu Zhu. “What if there’s poison on him?”
Wu Zhu didn’t falter or elaborate, but his resolve implied that he was confident that no poison could affect him.
Fan Xian furrowed his brow in concern. “Uncle, what should we do with him?”
He didn’t always display a mature demeanor, but in this world, this blind young man was the first person he had ever known and the only one he fully trusted. Recognizing his own strength as a warrior, he opted to act adorably and submissively, thinking that calling him "uncle" would be the best choice.
His gaze scanned the surroundings and finally landed on the knife. Gritting his teeth, he said, “The most practical action would be to stab this Master Fei to death.”
Sensing his movement, Wu Zhu stood up. “You are so different from her Ladyship,” he said, shaking his head. “So young and yet so ruthless. I don’t know who taught you to be like that.”
“I learned it myself.” Fan Xian didn’t dare offend this warrior, not when he was the only person he trusted. “Uncle, I know you’ve spent all this time protecting me in the shop. And I know you’re worried my mother’s enemies might find me because you’re in Danzhou, so you didn’t stay in the Count’s villa. So, it’s good that I’m a little ruthless.”
Wu Zhu shook his head again, remaining silent.
Fan Xian realized that his mother's loyal servant was becoming cautious. He chuckled and asked, “Uncle, what’s our next move?”
It was clear he was implying that Wu Zhu was skilled at killing.
However, Wu Zhu’s answer took him by surprise. “Young Master, you’ve got the wrong person,” he replied coldly.
“Wrong person?” Fan Xian exclaimed, momentarily speechless, as he lowered his gaze to the assassin’s bloodied visage.
“But we can’t just stand here doing nothing.”
“Master Fei is in charge of the Third Bureau of the Overwatch Council,” Wu Zhu stated matter-of-factly. “But, to be precise, he’s a subordinate of a subordinate of your father. He hasn’t come to Danzhou to kill you. If he had intended to do so, you wouldn’t be standing here; you’d already be dead.”
Fan Xian recalled the assassin, now sprawled on the ground, claiming that his father had sent him, but he dismissed the notion. Who would believe such a dubious character?
Fei Jie had been in the Overwatch Council for years. He was now in his fifties, and though he had a reputation as an expert in poisons, the truth of it was that he was already semi-retired. If he hadn’t been asked by a powerful person to teach him in Danzhou and dared to turn it down, he’d never have left the capital.
But he didn’t expect to be assaulted, left bleeding, and close to death the first time he laid eyes on his student.
Looking at this young boy's cherubic face and big blinking eyes, he felt a twinge of fear mixed with shame. He knew exactly who this cute little kid was, and it filled him with a sudden fury that he couldn’t express.
He turned to face a young boy, filled with anger and ready to unleash it on him. Blood obscured his vision, and all he could see was a taller young man whom he assumed was a servant. "You! Untie me this instant! I am Master Fei, and the Count has paid a great deal of money for my services!"
The servant appeared to be even more arrogant than he was. He didn’t pay any attention to him at all. “I don’t recall it ever being stated in your boss’s and my agreement that you would come to teach,” he said coolly.
“Master Wu?” Fei Jie’s muddied eyes widened. Though they were discolored greyish from poison use, he could now see who the servant was. “Oh, it’s you!”
Fan Xian stared at the now-awake assassin. This was puzzling indeed.
Fan Xian was perplexed by Fei Jie. Why would a father send a man like him? Why would he hire a teacher? If all he needed was someone to teach him to read, then why did he send for this old weirdo?
Fan Xian could see that Fei Jie recognized Wu Zhu. He didn’t feel it was right to interrupt their conversation. Waiting for the men to explain everything, Fan Xian loosened the bed sheet with which he had bound Fei Jie, then sat on the bed and played dumb, his face distracted.
The two imposing men looked at him and knew he was no ordinary child.
Daylight was beginning to break. Crowing roosters and servants boiling water could be heard faintly in the distance.
“At some point, I’d like you to explain how you know who I am,” said Wu Zhu to Fan Xian coldly as he led Fei Jie out of the door.
Fan Xian felt his heart race. He was uncertain of how to justify the situation. When he journeyed hundreds of miles to Danzhou with Wu Zhu seven years ago, he was just two months old. He strained to come up with a plausible explanation, but ultimately found himself attributing the frightening intrusion to that peculiar old man.
The blind boy slightly tilted his head, his heart racing, yet his expression remained calm. He bowed his head respectfully. “Young Master Fan, what on earth are you referring to?”
“There’s no time for pretense. You know who I am.” Fan Xian chuckled, aware that the boy would always feign ignorance. He took the blind boy’s hand, attempting to lead him back to the villa.
“You’re still speaking nonsense, Young Master.”
The blind boy frowned, realizing it was unlikely for such a young child to know his identity. When he had brought Fan Xian to Danzhou, he had been merely an infant. How could the Old Mistress at Count Sinan’s villa have revealed his identity to him?
It was the dead of night. In the distance, dogs howled sorrowfully. Someone had mistakenly entered a neighboring house through the wrong door.
Wu Zhu’s expression remained unreadable as he listened to Fan Xian speak beside him. Eventually, he closed the shop door and made his way to the Count’s villa. Fan Xian let out a sigh of relief and hurried after him, struggling to keep pace.
Upon reaching the Count’s villa, they squeezed through a small opening and entered the bedroom. Wu Zhu “sensed” the unconscious assassin on the floor. Fan Xian glanced at the man, unsure if he was alive or not.
“Wu Zhu,” he asked nervously, “why did you always act like you didn’t recognize me when I visited your shop?”
Wu Zhu tilted his head once more. He took what felt like an eternity before replying, “Young Master, you truly astound me.”
He was indeed surprised. Although he was aware that the boy standing before him was her Ladyship’s child and was bound to be extraordinary, he never anticipated a seven-year-old could be so insightful, especially able to hold his own against Master Fei.
“Let’s handle him first,” Fan Xian said, struggling to turn the assassin over. He pulled away the cloth covering the man’s face, unveiling his identity.
The assassin had gaunt features and appeared older. His chin bore a streaked beard, mixed with strands of white, and a faint greenish tint suggested he was unwell.
Feeling uneasy, Fan Xian jumped behind Wu Zhu and clutched his sleeve. “This guy doesn’t look friendly,” he whispered.
“This is Master Fei, head of the Third Bureau of the Overwatch Council,” Wu Zhu replied, squatting down to examine the assassin’s jawline. “He is one of three known poison experts—adept in using, identifying, and creating antidotes for poison. For someone as formidable as him to be taken down by a child like you, wielding only a piece of porcelain as a weapon? I can’t tell if you’re incredibly lucky or if he simply met with misfortune.”
“He was unlucky,” Fan Xian murmured to himself. While he was astonished to confront such a powerful figure, he realized it was far worse for someone like him to cross paths with an extraordinary young boy possessing a soul from another world.
“Don’t touch him,” he cautioned Wu Zhu. “What if there’s poison on him?”
Wu Zhu didn’t falter or elaborate, but his resolve implied that he was confident that no poison could affect him.
Fan Xian furrowed his brow in concern. “Uncle, what should we do with him?”
He didn’t always display a mature demeanor, but in this world, this blind young man was the first person he had ever known and the only one he fully trusted. Recognizing his own strength as a warrior, he opted to act adorably and submissively, thinking that calling him "uncle" would be the best choice.
His gaze scanned the surroundings and finally landed on the knife. Gritting his teeth, he said, “The most practical action would be to stab this Master Fei to death.”
Sensing his movement, Wu Zhu stood up. “You are so different from her Ladyship,” he said, shaking his head. “So young and yet so ruthless. I don’t know who taught you to be like that.”
“I learned it myself.” Fan Xian didn’t dare offend this warrior, not when he was the only person he trusted. “Uncle, I know you’ve spent all this time protecting me in the shop. And I know you’re worried my mother’s enemies might find me because you’re in Danzhou, so you didn’t stay in the Count’s villa. So, it’s good that I’m a little ruthless.”
Wu Zhu shook his head again, remaining silent.
Fan Xian realized that his mother's loyal servant was becoming cautious. He chuckled and asked, “Uncle, what’s our next move?”
It was clear he was implying that Wu Zhu was skilled at killing.
However, Wu Zhu’s answer took him by surprise. “Young Master, you’ve got the wrong person,” he replied coldly.
“Wrong person?” Fan Xian exclaimed, momentarily speechless, as he lowered his gaze to the assassin’s bloodied visage.
“But we can’t just stand here doing nothing.”
“Master Fei is in charge of the Third Bureau of the Overwatch Council,” Wu Zhu stated matter-of-factly. “But, to be precise, he’s a subordinate of a subordinate of your father. He hasn’t come to Danzhou to kill you. If he had intended to do so, you wouldn’t be standing here; you’d already be dead.”
Fan Xian recalled the assassin, now sprawled on the ground, claiming that his father had sent him, but he dismissed the notion. Who would believe such a dubious character?
Fei Jie had been in the Overwatch Council for years. He was now in his fifties, and though he had a reputation as an expert in poisons, the truth of it was that he was already semi-retired. If he hadn’t been asked by a powerful person to teach him in Danzhou and dared to turn it down, he’d never have left the capital.
But he didn’t expect to be assaulted, left bleeding, and close to death the first time he laid eyes on his student.
Looking at this young boy's cherubic face and big blinking eyes, he felt a twinge of fear mixed with shame. He knew exactly who this cute little kid was, and it filled him with a sudden fury that he couldn’t express.
He turned to face a young boy, filled with anger and ready to unleash it on him. Blood obscured his vision, and all he could see was a taller young man whom he assumed was a servant. "You! Untie me this instant! I am Master Fei, and the Count has paid a great deal of money for my services!"
The servant appeared to be even more arrogant than he was. He didn’t pay any attention to him at all. “I don’t recall it ever being stated in your boss’s and my agreement that you would come to teach,” he said coolly.
“Master Wu?” Fei Jie’s muddied eyes widened. Though they were discolored greyish from poison use, he could now see who the servant was. “Oh, it’s you!”
Fan Xian stared at the now-awake assassin. This was puzzling indeed.
Fan Xian was perplexed by Fei Jie. Why would a father send a man like him? Why would he hire a teacher? If all he needed was someone to teach him to read, then why did he send for this old weirdo?
Fan Xian could see that Fei Jie recognized Wu Zhu. He didn’t feel it was right to interrupt their conversation. Waiting for the men to explain everything, Fan Xian loosened the bed sheet with which he had bound Fei Jie, then sat on the bed and played dumb, his face distracted.
The two imposing men looked at him and knew he was no ordinary child.
Daylight was beginning to break. Crowing roosters and servants boiling water could be heard faintly in the distance.
“At some point, I’d like you to explain how you know who I am,” said Wu Zhu to Fan Xian coldly as he led Fei Jie out of the door.
Fan Xian felt his heart race. He was uncertain of how to justify the situation. When he journeyed hundreds of miles to Danzhou with Wu Zhu seven years ago, he was just two months old. He strained to come up with a plausible explanation, but ultimately found himself attributing the frightening intrusion to that peculiar old man.
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