64: This muddy water is deeper than I imagined!

Late at night, in a quiet inn room, Li Dong, or rather, Mu Feng, sat cross-legged on the bed, his fingertips gently caressing the core experimental data chip.

“The Lin family, Deputy Commander Wang, Manager Zhang, and some Inspector Zhou (Reserve)...” He softly muttered the names on the list, each one pressing on his heart like a heavy stone.

“These bastards really treat the Demon Suppression Division as their own backyard.”

He had to find a way to get this information out; by himself, it would be difficult to expose such a massive conspiracy.

He and Zhang Wu had previously agreed upon several highly secretive contact methods, just in case. Now, it seemed, was the time to use them.

“I hope Brother Zhang can find reliable people.”

Mu Feng got up and paced a few steps in the room. He took out a specially made blank Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch and carefully copied a portion of the records from the chip concerning the Lin family’s direct funding of the experiment and some material transaction records, adding multiple layers of simple encryption.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Zhang Wu, but this matter was too sensitive, and an extra layer of protection was always a good thing.

Having done all this, he changed into a less conspicuous set of night clothes and quietly left the inn.

The Prefecture’s night still harbored undercurrents.

Mu Feng, like a ghost, weaved through the alleys, avoiding patrolling city guards and Demon Suppression Division sentries. Relying on the System’s Crisis Prediction Enhancement and his initial familiarity with the Prefecture’s terrain, he arrived without incident at a deserted general store’s backyard, the agreed meeting point with Zhang Wu.

Confirming no one was around, he followed the agreed-upon signal, leaving the Jade Slip behind a loose wall brick, then quickly departed.

“Now, it’s up to Brother Zhang.” Mu Feng returned to the inn, feeling a slight relief in his heart, but more so, a heavy burden.

A few days later, Mu Feng was “diligently” wiping a standard long saber in a corner of the General Affairs Hall, but his ears were actually catching various pieces of information from his surroundings.

“Mu Feng, Brother Mu Feng!” A slightly anxious voice came.

Mu Feng looked up; it was Qian Deduo. He hadn’t been as haggard these past few days, so it seemed the New Recruit Camp’s scrutiny of them had eased a bit.

“Brother Qian, what’s the rush?” Mu Feng put down the long saber, a simple, honest smile on his face.

Qian Deduo pulled him to a more secluded corner and lowered his voice: “Brother Mu Feng, didn’t you ask me to inquire about some… well, some upright and influential people in the Prefecture?”

Mu Feng’s heart stirred, but his face remained impassive: “Oh? Brother Qian has news?”

“Cough, it’s not really a big shot.” Qian Deduo scratched his head a little awkwardly, “I have a distant relative who works in the Prefecture’s supervisory System; his position isn’t high, but he’s generally fair. He mentioned an Inspector Zhou, who is said to be incorruptible and doesn’t really care for the influential families. However, I can’t guarantee if he can help.”

Mu Feng’s eyes lit up: “Inspector Zhou? Brother Qian, this information is too important! Can you… help me pass a message?”

He knew Zhang Wu was definitely working hard, but having multiple avenues was always better.

Qian Deduo hesitated for a moment: “I can pass a message, but… Brother Mu Feng, what exactly are you trying to do? I’m telling you, the Prefecture is a deep pond; don’t get yourself dragged in.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Qian, I just… I just want to seek justice for Brother Li Dong; I have to try, right?” Mu Feng sighed, his tone carrying a hint of unwillingness.

“Alas, you’re also a loyal one.” Qian Deduo patted his shoulder, “Alright, I’ll ask for you. But whether it works or not, don’t hold too much hope.”

Two more days passed, and Mu Feng was watching people spar on the outskirts of the training ground, in reality observing the movements of various factions.

A low-level Cultivator responsible for delivering miscellaneous items discreetly slipped him an ordinary communication Jade Talisman, whispering: “From Master Zhang.”

Mu Feng’s heart tightened; he calmly took it and tucked it into his embrace.

Back at the inn, he immediately activated the Jade Talisman.

Zhang Wu’s voice came through, laced with gravity: “Mu Feng, the things you gave me, I passed them through old connections to an Inspector surnamed Zhou in the Prefecture’s supervisory System. He saw them and was very shocked.”

Mu Feng’s spirits lifted: “What did he say?”

“He said that while the evidence is alarming, it’s not enough! The Lin family is deeply entrenched in the Prefecture; they can easily find excuses to deny those financial transactions. To deliver a fatal blow, there must be more direct, undeniable material evidence, or… human testimony.”

Mu Feng frowned. “Human testimony? The doctor is dead, and those experimental subjects are also…”

“Inspector Zhou also said,” Zhang Wu’s voice paused, as if weighing his words, “those Forbidden Experiments in the Earth Abyss are a taboo subject within the supervisory System. He subtly hinted that the project likely involves not just the Lin family, but several other major aristocratic families, and possibly… a high-ranking figure at the Commander level.”

“Commander level?” Mu Feng gasped, not feigning it, but genuinely feeling a bit of a headache. Damn it, this scandal was too big! Was that “Inspector Zhou (Reserve)” on the previous list one of them?

“He also specifically warned us to be extremely careful. The other party has immense power, and once we are detected, we might not even know how we died. He said this muddy water is much deeper than we imagine.” Zhang Wu’s tone was filled with worry.

“I understand.” Mu Feng’s voice was a bit hoarse, “Brother Zhang, you also be extra careful.”

“You too. I’ve also found some clues here in Mu Shi County; I found a few boxes with hidden markings that the Lin family used to transport ‘special Materials,’ and some burnt remnants of account books, which might match the clues from the Prefecture. I’ve already managed to send rubbings and descriptions of these items to Inspector Zhou through my channels as well.”

“Well done, Brother Zhang!” Mu Feng felt a little relieved; Zhang Wu was indeed reliable.

Cutting off communication, Mu Feng paced back and forth in the room.

“More direct evidence… material evidence…” His eyes flickered, “demon-attracting incense! That old ghost of a doctor valued the demon-attracting incense so much; there must be something fishy about its raw material supply and secret transportation!”

He recalled the vague records in the core experimental data chip about the “demon-attracting incense” formula and some material sources.

“System, analyze for me: if I want to trace the raw Materials of the demon-attracting incense, where is the most likely place to start?”

“Ding! Based on the remaining information from the core experimental data chip and the host’s current authority, preliminary analysis suggests that several key Materials for the ‘demon-attracting incense’ possess special spiritual plant characteristics. Their cultivation or collection sites are highly likely to be located in several hidden strongholds outside the Prefecture city. Information about these strongholds shows signs of alignment with some encrypted geographical coordinates in the chip.”

“Hidden strongholds outside the city?” Mu Feng’s eyes narrowed, “Good, I’ll start there!”

He now needed Merit Points (merit points) and a suitable identity to access these places.

“It seems I’ll have to go treasure hunting in the Mission Hall again.” He chuckled self-deprecatingly, “I hope this mission isn’t too boring.”

He opened the Mission Jade Slip and began carefully sifting through tasks related to outside-city patrols, specific area material escorts, or reconnaissance.

“Lin Xiaotian, and those big fish hiding behind the scenes, you all just wait for me!” Mu Feng clenched his fists, “I’m going to stir up this muddy water! If I don’t drag all you bastards out, I, Li Dong… no, I, Mu Feng, will never rest!”

He suddenly thought of Qian Deduo’s honest face, and those Demon Suppression Guards struggling at the bottom.

“In this world, someone has to do something, right?”

Although the road ahead was perilous, a more fervent flame ignited in his heart.

Damn it, so what if the water is deep? My diving skills are first-rate!