Chapter 14: Menace
The restaurant gradually emptied of customers as Zhou Chu entered with Lu Li. No new patrons came in, and the waitstaff, previously chatty and lively, now trembled as they took orders and quickly retreated. Everyone feared Zhou Chu, viewing him as a menace who could take their lives at any moment. This was largely due to Zhou Chu's past behavior.
Orphaned at a young age and raised by his doting mother, Zhou Chu grew up without discipline. His family was well-known and respected, so no one dared to bully him, which led to his reckless and unrestrained behavior. His martial prowess was unmatched in the region, and he often fought others without consequence. His temperament made even his closest friends wary, as he would lash out violently if they displeased him, sometimes fatally.
The common saying, "Serving the king is like serving a tiger," described the unpredictable wrath of a ruler and the danger of being close to powerful figures. This applied to Zhou Chu; people around him felt this constant threat. Years ago, Zhou Chu had companions who flattered him, but one of them used Zhou Chu's name to oppress others, leading to Zhou Chu killing him in a fit of rage. Since then, no one dared to approach him.
Now, Zhou Chu had no friends, as people avoided him like the plague. His criteria for friendship became more stringent. When Lu Li interacted with him normally and claimed to be from the reputable Lu family, Zhou Chu respected him. Though Lu Li's background was a fabrication based on Zhou Chu's words, it earned him Zhou Chu's approval.
Lu Li's praise made Zhou Chu happy, and his warning about the water earned Lu Li Zhou Chu's friendship. However, this friendship's depth depended on Lu Li's abilities. If Lu Li was just a talkative scholar, Zhou Chu would keep his distance after saving him. But Lu Li's combat prowess made Zhou Chu regard him as a brother, bringing them closer. Zhou Chu valued loyalty highly but would turn on those who deceived or displeased him.
The restaurant treated Zhou Chu as a revered guest, serving the best food and drink. After the meal, Zhou Chu, realizing he had no money, slammed the table and told the owner to add the cost to his tab and collect it from the Zhou residence. The terrified owner and waitstaff agreed, not daring to protest. This angered Zhou Chu, who despised being seen as a freeloader. He insisted they collect the exact amount from his home, even covering their travel costs.
Leaving the restaurant, Zhou Chu's frustration grew as people on the street avoided him. Usually, he tolerated this, but having Lu Li with him made him more self-conscious. The fear in the villagers' eyes angered Zhou Chu, but he wouldn't harm innocent people out of frustration. Sighing, he led Lu Li back to his home, the Zhou family mansion. The gatekeepers greeted him nervously.
"Stop trembling!" Zhou Chu snapped. "This is my friend, Lu Yingzhi of the Lu family. Prepare a room and attendants for him, or you'll answer to me!"
Suppressing his anger, Zhou Chu told Lu Li, "Yingzhi, rest here while I visit my mother. We'll talk over tea later. Forgive the inconvenience."
Lu Li reassured him, "You are the host; I am the guest. I will follow your lead."
Following the attendants to his room, Lu Li pondered the quest to eliminate the three menaces. From his discussions with Zhou Chu, he deduced the threats were a large white tiger in the southern mountains, a flood dragon in the Yixing River, and Zhou Chu himself. The tiger frequently attacked people, and the flood dragon demanded annual sacrifices of children to prevent floods. Zhou Chu, feared even more than these beasts, was seen as a constant menace.
"So, the correct strategy is to manipulate Zhou Chu into eliminating the tiger and dragon, then deal with him," Lu Li mused. This seemed the best way to complete the quest.