Vol. 4  Chapter 15: I'm Here to Kill You

 Chapter 15: I'm Here to Kill You

After resting in the guest room for a while, Lu Li was politely summoned by a servant. The servants eyed Lu Li with a mix of fear, respect, curiosity, and dread. Although he didn't look dangerous, his association with Zhou Chu made them wonder if Lu Li was also violent.

The servants cautiously led Lu Li to a small garden, then quickly retreated. It was clear to everyone that Zhou Chu was in a bad mood. He sat in a pavilion, drinking alone. Seeing Lu Li arrive, Zhou Chu stood up and waved him over.

"Yingzhi, come join me for a drink! I can't seem to swallow this anger," Zhou Chu called out.

"Still troubled by others' opinions?" Lu Li asked, observing Zhou Chu. Zhou Chu's personality was not uncommon in modern times, but in this era, his behavior and the combination of his family's status and his martial prowess made him particularly destructive. In this time, people lived cautiously, trying to survive in a dangerous world, while Zhou Chu's reckless behavior was seen as enviable by some and frightening by others.

"My temper is just like this, but I never hurt anyone who didn't deserve it. So why do people fear me and compare me to the fierce beast of South Mountain and the flood dragon under the Long Bridge? They call us the three scourges of Yangxian," Zhou Chu lamented. He had just visited his mother, who had pressured him about marriage.

The Zhou family was a prominent local clan, and Zhou Chu's father had been the former Prefect of Poyang with the title of Marquis within the Pass. At twenty, Zhou Chu was well past the usual age for marriage. However, due to his reputation, no respectable family would risk their daughter's future, and even those seeking the Zhou family's wealth were often turned away by both Zhou Chu and his family.

Already frustrated, Zhou Chu's mood worsened after his mother's nagging. He poured a cup for Lu Li and continued, "Yingzhi, tell me, how can I stop being hated and feared, and not be seen as a scourge?"

"Do you really want to change yourself, Ziyin? Do you think there's something wrong with the way you are now?" Lu Li asked curiously. "You have everything you need. The Zhou family is well-respected here. You don't have to worry about basic necessities, and your martial skills and household guards ensure your safety. So why do you want to change?"

"Why? Haven't you seen the way they look at me, like I'm a monster?" Zhou Chu said bitterly.

"So you crave recognition and respect, not fear and hatred?" Lu Li clarified. "You want to be seen as a hero, not a menace?"

Zhou Chu nodded, looking at Lu Li with earnest eyes. "Exactly. I want to be someone the people admire, not fear."

A trace of disappointment crossed Lu Li's mind, but he maintained his smile. Leaning back, he sipped the wine Zhou Chu had poured. "If that's the case, let me be honest. I'm here to kill you." [TL: Lmao]

A servant delivering wine stumbled, dropping the tray in shock. The servant collapsed, trying to scream but was silenced by Zhou Chu's glare and a slap on the table.

"Yingzhi, speak your mind," Zhou Chu said coldly, surprisingly restrained.

"Someone hired me to kill you, Ziyin. But I've changed my mind," Lu Li said, smiling. "If you change yourself, you'll no longer be a menace, and I will have fulfilled my mission."

"Do you know why people see you as a menace? Because you don't benefit them," Lu Li continued. "People are practical. If you're dangerous and offer no benefits, they see you as a threat, especially if you pose a risk to their lives. They fear you more if there are examples of your violence."

"To change their perception of you, you need to do two things. First, work on yourself. Stop scaring people, control your temper, and speak gently. Read more and cultivate your manners."

"Second, show them you're useful. Your current reputation is deeply ingrained, so you need to do something that benefits them and proves you're not a threat. The best way is to eliminate the other two scourges."

"You mean I should deal with the other two menaces?" Zhou Chu asked, scratching his head. Emboldened by the wine, he nodded. "You've deceived me, Yingzhi, but you've also saved me and given me a plan. We're even."

"Tomorrow, I'll prepare to hunt the great beast of South Mountain. Will you join me?" Zhou Chu asked, waving at a distant servant carrying a wine pot and brazier.

"Of course. I'd like to help the local people," Lu Li replied, accepting the heated wine.

The two discussed their plans, enjoying each other's company. The servants, each time they brought wine or charcoal, looked at Lu Li with newfound respect.

As night fell, they parted ways. Zhou Chu began preparing his announcement, and Lu Li returned to his room to rest.