Chapter Forty: Purpose of Visit

As for Guan Yuan’s purpose in coming, Cui Xiu had already anticipated it to some extent.

Cui Xiu understood well enough that if Guan Yuan suddenly showed up at the pharmacy, it could hardly be for any reason other than to see him. So when Guan Yuan spoke as he did, Cui Xiu was not overly surprised, though he was curious about what business Guan Yuan might have with him. This, however, was beyond his ability to guess.

In the past two months, he and Guan Yuan had interacted a few times, but their relationship was far from close. They could not be called friends; at most, there was a certain acquaintance between them. Thus, Guan Yuan’s sudden visit, stating he had come specifically for him, inevitably struck Cui Xiu as abrupt.

“Please, Captain, have a seat!”

Yet, regardless of Guan Yuan’s intentions, Cui Xiu saw no harm in fostering a good relationship with him.

“What important matter brings you here, Captain?”

Guan Yuan was a straightforward man; this did not mean he was reckless, but rather that in most matters, he preferred directness. So, once they were seated and Cui Xiu had put forth his question, Guan Yuan immediately revealed his reason for coming: “I recall, Brother Cui, you once asked me about the Department of Yang, and seemed to take some interest in it. I wonder, what are your thoughts on the Department of Yang?”

By raising the topic of the Department of Yang, it was clear that Guan Yuan’s visit had something to do with it, and for a moment, Cui Xiu was puzzled. He had indeed inquired about the department before, but at the time, Guan Yuan had been reluctant to say much, shrouding the matter in mystery.

Given that the Department of Yang was involved with all manner of supernatural affairs, Cui Xiu could understand his reticence. Though curiosity remained, he had not pressed the issue. Now, with Guan Yuan at his door and the subject broached outright, it all seemed rather sudden, almost disconcerting.

“What do you mean by this, Captain?”

Cui Xiu had some understanding of Guan Yuan’s character and, knowing him to be forthright, did not bother with subtlety but asked directly.

Guan Yuan took no offense at Cui Xiu’s manner; instead, he sighed and said, “To be honest, Brother Cui, there have been some changes lately in the Department of Yang. Orders have come down from above: the procedures have been amended, and I am to recruit a few new members. Last time, I noticed you were interested in the department, and unlike most, you’ve witnessed the workings of supernatural forces firsthand. As soon as I received the order, you were the first person I thought of.”

“Would you be interested in such a position?”

Hm?

Upon hearing this, Cui Xiu was taken aback. It was not that he was slow to comprehend, but the news had come so abruptly.

Especially considering that Guan Yuan had previously been so tight-lipped about the department, rarely mentioning it at all, the difference now was stark. Naturally, it was hard to process at once.

“The Department of Yang is recruiting newcomers?”

For a moment, Cui Xiu was at a loss for words. He had hoped to learn more about the department through Guan Yuan, but the latter had revealed little. From his reactions and from what little he had gathered about the nature of the department, Cui Xiu had assumed he would have little chance of any involvement for the foreseeable future.

Now, suddenly, Guan Yuan was offering him a way in; it felt almost unreal, as if his own thoughts had been divined and a path specially arranged for him.

Could it be that, having once encountered the supernatural, his luck had turned for the better?

The thought flashed through Cui Xiu’s mind, but it quickly passed as Guan Yuan’s words drew his attention.

“You heard right, Brother Cui. This is indeed true, and there are no particular restrictions for new recruits.” Seeing Cui Xiu’s reaction, Guan Yuan shook his head with a wry smile, seeming to understand his thoughts.

The Department of Yang existed to deal with the extraordinary. Originally, even without overly harsh requirements, the most basic necessity was simply the ability to protect oneself in the face of the supernatural—something that barred most people from joining.

After all, even some practitioners with special abilities could not guarantee their safety every time they faced a supernatural threat.

Now, however, new recruits were being sought without any restrictions. It hardly seemed proper.

Hearing this, Cui Xiu calmed himself and began to ponder.

He suddenly realized that the reasons behind the department’s new policy were of little consequence to him. What mattered was that the change worked to his advantage.

Regardless of Guan Yuan’s motivation for approaching him, for Cui Xiu, the chance to enter the Department of Yang, to glimpse the other side of the world—or perhaps to learn greater arts and gather source energy through the department’s resources—could only be beneficial.

Of course, before anything else, he needed to know what responsibilities would fall upon him after joining.

Having thought it through, Cui Xiu formed a plan. Yet he did not ask directly, for at that moment the shop attendant returned with a tray of tea.

Once the tea was served and the attendant had left, Cui Xiu spoke: “To be candid, Captain, I have indeed entertained the notion, but until now I thought myself unqualified and was too embarrassed to bring it up. Now that the opportunity presents itself, I consider it a great fortune. However…”

He paused briefly before continuing, “I hope the Captain will not mind me asking: after the incident in Liu Family Village, I gained some experience. Do members of the Department of Yang often face such matters?”

“You know, Captain, that while I possess some martial skill, I am by no means your equal. In fact, during the affair at Liu Family Village, I found myself unable to help and even became a burden. If becoming a member of the department means regularly undertaking such tasks…”

Here, Cui Xiu shook his head.

The implication was clear: he was willing to join, but uncertain whether he was capable of bearing such responsibilities.

He had thought that Guan Yuan might be displeased by this, or perhaps simply shake his head and drop the matter, but to his surprise, Guan Yuan replied, “So that’s what concerns you, Brother Cui.”

“You needn’t worry so much. The Department of Yang is indeed somewhat special, but under ordinary circumstances, there’s little real danger.”

“For example, in Anyuan County, that wild deity at Liu Family Village was a rare occurrence. Unless one is very unlucky, it’s unlikely such things happen even once a year.”

“My concern with the new policy isn’t that joining the department means constant peril, but that most of our duties require a certain degree of ability. Recruiting ordinary folk is unnecessary—if something happens, they can’t help and might even be a burden. When there’s nothing to do, it’s just a needless expense.”

He shook his head and added, “You met my two colleagues during the Liu Family Village business. They weren’t from Anyuan County, and though their rank is below mine, they don’t report to me—they’re roving agents, really. They were here only because I specifically requested their help.”

“In truth, I am the Department of Yang’s sole representative in all of Anyuan County.”

“Even so, it’s more than sufficient for handling everyday affairs.”

This last point caught Cui Xiu by surprise. He had always found the department mysterious, and as his previous meeting with Guan Yuan had taken place at his home, he had thought no more of it.

Who would have guessed that the entire county was guarded by Guan Yuan alone? No wonder Master Wu was so vexed when Guan Yuan declined to intervene—evidently, this was the reason.