Commander Zuo

“Foot-washing water is here.”
Xiao Die placed the basin before Yu Bao, then stepped aside.

“Why are you just standing there? Help me take off my shoes, wash my feet,” Yu Bao said, seeing Xiao Die linger nearby.

“Me? Wash your feet?” Xiao Die had never washed anyone’s feet before; she felt furious. If she hadn’t persuaded Yang Su Rong herself, Yu Bao would never have set foot in the Hong family.

“How am I supposed to wash them with my belly so big? I can’t bend over,” Yu Bao snapped.

“All right, all right.”
“Xiao Die, you go rest. I’ll help Yu Bao,” Hong Tianyun interjected quickly, seeing Yu Bao grow angry.

“My lord, you’re a county magistrate—how can you wash my feet?” Yu Bao turned to Hong Tianyun.

“She’s a servant. She’ll do it,” Yu Bao insisted, pointing her finger at Xiao Die.

Yu Bao glanced at Xiao Die, who still hadn’t moved, and urged, “Hurry up.”

Hong Tianyun sighed inwardly at the scene and turned away, unwilling to watch any longer.

Reluctantly, Xiao Die squatted down. As she reached to lift Yu Bao’s foot, before she could even remove the shoe, Yu Bao kicked her to the ground.

“Ouch!” Xiao Die cried out, landing on the floor, her anger smoldering as she looked at Yu Bao.

“What are you doing being so rough? You hurt me,” Yu Bao said, seeing Xiao Die fall.

Yu Bao was delighted—finally, she could put Xiao Die in her place.

Hong Tianyun heard the cry, turned, and saw Xiao Die sitting on the floor.

“All right, all right, Xiao Die meant no harm.”
“Don’t get upset, or it might disturb your pregnancy.”
“Xiao Die, go rest,” Hong Tianyun said.

“I understand,” Xiao Die replied, rising and turning to leave, unwilling to see Yu Bao’s harsh, petty face any longer.

“Wait, forget it, take it away!” Yu Bao called as Xiao Die was about to go.

Xiao Die turned back, picked up the wooden basin, and hurried away, not wanting to even look at Yu Bao.

---

Hong Tianyun watched Xiao Die depart, forcing a smile as he took Yu Bao’s hand. “All right, don’t be angry anymore.”

“You’re always so good to me,” Yu Bao said, smiling. Having just vented her anger on Xiao Die, her mood had never been better.

After this incident, half a month passed.

Outside the county seat, Li Xintian, Hong Tianyun, Tang Zhong, and the donor Hu Xin waited for the party escorting the sacred artifact.

Li Xintian didn’t know Hu Xin—he’d only seen him in his beast form.

This business with the artifact couldn’t be delayed.

Soon, the escort party appeared, but there was only one person.

“My lords, I am Zuo Qianhu. I have not failed in my duty. I have completed the sacred task and brought the artifact,” Zuo Qianhu said, clasping his hands.

“Zuo Qianhu!” Li Xintian’s eyes locked onto Zuo Qianhu, though he said nothing aloud.

“Lord Zuo, I dare not presume such a title,” Hong Tianyun replied, bowing.

“Lord Zuo, you must be weary from your journey. Perhaps you should—” Hong Tianyun began, but Zuo Qianhu cut him off.

“Let’s deliver the artifact to the temple first, then discuss anything else,” Zuo Qianhu raised his hand, stopping Hong Tianyun mid-sentence.

“Very well,” Hong Tianyun conceded, stepping aside and gesturing, “Please.”

Once Zuo Qianhu stepped forward, Hong Tianyun moved alongside him, walking shoulder to shoulder, as if to guide the way.

“The Great Yan Dynasty sent such a powerful expert to escort the artifact—its power must be extraordinary. With it, I’ll surely defeat that old man!” Hu Xin thought inwardly, not daring to make any rash moves.

Zuo Qianhu was a formidable martial artist, brimming with vitality; his abilities must be exceptional.

“Now that Zuo Qianhu has appeared, there’s surely Lanruo Temple, and the centipede spirit that wishes to become a dragon. Looks like this journey will be fraught with danger, but nothing can stop me,” Li Xintian mused to himself.

There was only one main road to Yunxiang Temple, so the way was straightforward.

“Sir, ever since I arrived in the county, your gaze has lingered on me. You also look very familiar,” Zuo Qianhu said, his vitality strong and his martial arts keen, making it impossible not to notice Li Xintian.

Li Xintian quickly shifted his gaze.

“This is Li Xintian, courtesy name Zhixian. He spent some time at the Jinhong Academy in the capital,” Hong Tianyun explained.

Zuo Qianhu nodded, paying little attention to a scholar with credentials.

Soon, they reached Yunxiang Temple.

Upon arrival, Zuo Qianhu removed the bundle from his back.

---

Zuo Qianhu untied the bundle, revealing a wooden box adorned with golden runic patterns and sealed strips.

He pulled the sword from his waist, tossed the box into the air, and with a swift upward stroke, sliced down, then sheathed his sword.

He caught the box; the seal was split, but the box itself was unharmed.

The whole action was seamless—the sword flashed, dazzling everyone’s eyes, and then it was already back in its sheath.

Li Xintian saw everything clearly. Zuo Qianhu had wielded the sword with exquisite control, the strike meant as a warning to others to behave.

“Lord Zuo, your swordsmanship is truly masterful,” Hu Xin praised.

Lacking a thousand years of cultivation, Hu Xin feared Zuo Qianhu—had he not avoided that stroke, he would already be injured.

Hu Xin began coveting the artifact Zuo Qianhu had brought.

“Indeed, Lord Zuo’s swordsmanship is unmatched,” Hong Tianyun echoed.

“Where shall I place the artifact?” Zuo Qianhu’s expression remained tranquil, as if he hadn’t heard the flattery.

The abbot of Yunxiang Temple, aged and white-browed, stood nearby, accompanied by the monk Pudu whom Li Xintian had met before.

“Amitabha. Benefactor, welcome to our temple,” Pudu greeted Li Xintian with a bow.

The abbot led Zuo Qianhu to place the artifact, saluting Li Xintian before departing.

Yunxiang Temple had many accomplished monks; none greeted the others, but all acknowledged Li Xintian.

“Greetings, Master Pudu,” Li Xintian replied, bowing in return, even to the abbot.

“Benefactor, let me show you around the temple,” Pudu invited.

“Please,” Li Xintian accepted.

“Perhaps after I see the artifact, I’ll tour the temple,” Li Xintian said, not declining Pudu’s offer.

“Amitabha,” Pudu agreed.

The abbot led Zuo Qianhu to the main hall of Yunxiang Temple.

Li Xintian, Hong Tianyun, Pudu, Hu Xin, Tang Zhong—all followed.

In the main hall, a five-meter-tall golden Buddha sat at the center, and before it, a high platform draped in red cloth marked the place for the artifact.