I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 219: Chapter 90: Love, Back Then

”Pah! Li Dadan, you think I’m afraid of you?! Ow, take it easy... Chief! Old Gou! Help me!”

”Cut the crap. Let’s go!”

Fang Rui smiled and waved them on.

Indeed, the Jade Plum Association was named after the ’Jade Plums’ Niu Bajin had mentioned.

The world has Exotic Beasts, and it also has Exotic Fruits. These fruits have Levels as well. The highest-Level Exotic Fruits can even help those in the Upper Three Grades achieve breakthroughs. Lower-Level ones can strengthen the body, like these ’Jade Plums’.

All this was just bits of knowledge Fang Rui had picked up from his recent readings of various books.

The Divine Capture Bureau headquarters in Huaiyin Prefecture had three Jade Plum Trees. Every year, at the end of winter just as spring was on the horizon, they would bear Jade Plums.

Eating them strengthened the body and improved one’s constitution. However, they were difficult to preserve and transport, so they became a special perk for the Divine Capture Bureau of Huaiyin Prefecture and the star attraction of the Jade Plum Association.

’I wonder what those Jade Plums taste like? If they’re any good, I should bring some back for Mother, Third Sister, Nannan, and Ling’Er to try.’

Fang Rui thought to himself as he settled into the carriage.

...

This year, the Divine Capture Bureau of Huaiyin Prefecture had gone all out for the Jade Plum Association, renting an entire garden and magically forcing it into a state of spring.

Yes, you read that right. It was an incredibly grand gesture. Here, at the end of winter, with the chill still in the air and long before the weather would naturally warm, they had artificially created a perfect spring tableau.

Led by a beautiful maid, Fang Rui and his three Chief Constables—Li Dadan, Xun Buhe, and Niu Bajin—made their way through the grounds.

They saw:

The garden was a picturesque scene of small bridges arching over flowing streams, with pavilions scattered here and there.

Flowers bloomed in every corner. Peach, apricot, cherry... all sorts of trees were in full blossom, their colorful flowers vying for attention. Bees and butterflies danced among them, buzzing with the energy of spring.

A stream gurgled softly, its surface completely covered by fallen petals that flowed with the current, resembling a river of flowers in the dim, yellow light of dusk.

The experience was especially striking. To walk in from the lingering chill of the outside world and suddenly find oneself in this garden was like stepping from the dead of winter straight into the warmth and blossoms of spring.

The sensation was truly and utterly novel.

You could say that on this point alone, the Divine Capture Bureau’s ’Jade Plum Association’ was leagues above the Chunfeng Building’s ’Snowy Meet’ in terms of sheer class.

Following the beautiful maid, they arrived at the central garden, the main venue for the Jade Plum Association.

Many people had already arrived.

Truth be told, it was Fang Rui’s first time attending the Jade Plum Association, so he lacked experience. His arrival at this hour was already considered a little late.

”Hm?!”

Fang Rui spotted an acquaintance at once.

It was Scholar Fu Yun of White Cloud Temple, Ge Changgeng, who had come with his Child attendant. He was seated in the position of honor just below the Director of the Divine Capture Bureau, Zhou Changfa—a seat above even the Fourth Grade Jade Seal Divine Hunters.

Across from Ge Changgeng sat the Divine Capture Bureau’s own Spirit Master—Sun Shouchai.

The man’s reputation was considerable; even Fang Rui had heard of him. Despite being a Spirit Master, he was known for his extraordinary love of money, taking on any business, big or small. For instance, the flower petals for the Chunfeng Building’s ’Snowy Meet’ had been his handiwork.

’To be seated at the same level as Sun Shouchai... It’s just as I suspected. Ge Changgeng is a Spirit Master, too,’ Fang Rui noted internally.

As he nodded toward Ge Changgeng, Ge Changgeng gave him a slight nod in return.

This prompted the Director of the Divine Capture Bureau, Zhou Changfa, to spare Fang Rui a second glance. ”Old friend, you know this subordinate of mine?”

Indeed, Ge Changgeng and he were old friends; the invitation had been extended through him.

”An interesting young friend. We met while fishing,” Ge Changgeng answered, stroking his beard.

”I see,” Zhou Changfa said with a nod.

Hearing their exchange, those in the lower seats—the four Jade Seal Divine Hunters and eight Golden Seal Renowned Hunters of the Huaiyin Prefecture Divine Capture Bureau—all turned their gazes to Fang Rui.

”That man... I remember, he’s the new Silver Seal, isn’t he? Fang Rui... Silver Seal Fang?” one of the Golden Seal Renowned Hunters remarked.

”That’s right, that’s Silver Seal Fang! My son told me that a couple of months ago, this man took down a Middle Grade Flower Thief in a single move,” another Golden Seal Renowned Hunter chimed in.

”He’s a real talent,” a Jade Seal Divine Hunter noted with a slight nod.

...

Thanks to his connection with Ge Changgeng, the other Jade Seal Divine Hunters and Golden Seal Renowned Hunters now held Fang Rui in higher regard. For the moment, there was nothing but praise for him.

”Chief, those big shots are talking about you!” Niu Bajin whispered, puffing out his chest with a look of vicarious pride.

”Mm.”

Fang Rui remained perfectly composed, treating the praise as nothing special.

His true power was at the Third Grade, the same Level as the Director of the Divine Capture Bureau, Zhou Changfa. Why would he be overly moved by their compliments?

’The last time, when I was promoted to Silver Seal Chief Constable, the Director of the Divine Capture Bureau, Zhou Changfa, was away on business, so I never met him in person. This is actually our first time meeting.’

Fang Rui mused, subtly glancing over at the man.

He saw:

Zhou Changfa had a ruddy complexion and a vigorous air about him. He looked to be in his forties, but Fang Rui had heard he was actually in his early sixties. It was clear he wouldn’t be in the Director’s seat for much longer and would likely retire in a year or two.

For this very reason, in the final years of his official career, his leadership of the Huaiyin Prefecture Divine Capture Bureau was focused on consolidation, seeking only stability above all else.

’Coincidentally, I like stability too.’

Fang Rui mused, taking a sip of wine.

His calm and unperturbed demeanor, however, only made the Jade Seal Divine Hunters and Golden Seal Renowned Hunters esteem him even more.

This, in turn, made the other Silver Seal Chief Constables burn with envy and jealousy.

Duan Yu, for instance.

Previously, after comparing the offers from his colleagues, Fang Rui had refused Duan Yu’s request to trade his share of something. As a result, the man held a small grudge against him.

Of course, it was only a minor grudge—nothing close to a deep-seated feud.

Fang Rui’s arrival was but a small interlude.

「Subsequently.」

Amidst the singing and dancing, the Jade Plum Association began. There were no lengthy pleasantries; they got straight to the main event.

”Chief, the Jade Plums are here!” Niu Bajin whispered excitedly.

GULP!

Behind him, that hopeless Li Dadan was even more pathetic, already gulping down his drool.

Only Xun Buhe, that wily old fox, was behaving a little better.

Fang Rui shot a sideways glance at his three Chief Constables, the corner of his eye twitching. He was utterly ashamed to be seen with them. At that moment, he was starting to regret bringing these three stooges along.

’Forget it. Out of sight, out of mind,’ he sighed to himself, forcing his attention away from them and toward the Jade Plums that were being served.

...