63: Chapter 63 Trouble at the Herb Garden

"Three days ago, didn't Magistrate Tang Mu say that as long as I could obtain the Herb Garden, Magistrate Tang Mu would be willing to step in for my Li family?" Patriarch Li Wu said bluntly.

Magistrate Tang Mu looked at Patriarch Li Wu, recalling what he had said that day. He had indeed said that.

But in fact, he was just speaking casually, because he didn't believe Patriarch Li Wu could do it, nor did he believe Patriarch Li Wu would dare to do so.

Now looking at the situation, Patriarch Li Wu not only took it seriously but seemed to have actually accomplished it.

However, since he had said it, he did not intend to go back on his word.

Although he was not very willing to harbor a grudge against the Pei family, that did not mean he feared the Pei family.

As a dignified county magistrate, his Realm was also at the Mid stage of Five Viscera Realm.

Whether in terms of strength or status, he was not inferior to Pei Qingyun, and even a notch higher.

If Patriarch Li Wu could do it, what harm was there in him fulfilling his promise?

Furthermore, the Wang family's Herb Garden was exactly what he needed.

As a beneficiary, Magistrate Tang Mu had no reason to turn it away.

"I did say those words. Could it be that Patriarch Li Wu has already obtained the Wang family's Herb Garden?"

Seeing that Magistrate Tang Mu did not deny it, Patriarch Li Wu was overjoyed, and the heavy stone pressing on his chest suddenly vanished.

The two had previously only had a verbal agreement, without anything signed or sealed. If Magistrate Tang Mu were to go back on his word at the last minute, it would be his Li family that suffered.

Therefore, Patriarch Li Wu flattered, "Magistrate Tang Mu is truly as wise as a god. If I hadn't already obtained the Wang family's Herb Garden, how would I dare to disturb Magistrate Tang Mu's rest?"

Regarding Patriarch Li Wu's flattery, Magistrate Tang Mu's face remained expressionless.

He had heard such words far too often; his ears were nearly calloused from hearing them.

He only recognized substantial things; otherwise, everything was just empty talk.

Magistrate Tang Mu looked at Patriarch Li Wu and said bluntly, "Since the Herb Garden is already in your hands, hand over the land deeds so I can verify their authenticity."

If an ordinary person spoke to Patriarch Li Wu like this, Patriarch Li Wu would naturally be very angry. But Magistrate Tang Mu being so direct actually made him overjoyed.

As long as Magistrate Tang Mu accepted the Herb Garden's land deeds, it would undoubtedly mean he was standing on the opposite side of the Pei family.

In this way, it would be impossible for Magistrate Tang Mu to go back on his word even if he wanted to.

Once the Pei family learned of this, they would have no choice but to swallow their bitterness silently.

He did not believe that the Pei family would dare to take action against his Li family while defying the county government.

Under Magistrate Tang Mu's gaze, Patriarch Li Wu took out a square package wrapped in white cloth from his bosom.

Then, he slowly unwrapped it.

Upon opening it, it revealed several land deeds stamped with official seals.

Magistrate Tang Mu did not hesitate and immediately picked up one of them to examine it carefully.

Just like that, Magistrate Tang Mu examined every land deed within a very short time before putting them back in their original place.

"These are indeed the land deeds for the Wang family's Herb Garden, and I agree to your conditions. However, there are some things I must make clear to you first. It is true that I have agreed to your conditions, but this is limited to the Wang family matter; I, Magistrate Tang Mu, can step in for you."

"Magistrate Tang Mu, please rest assured, I understand what to do." Patriarch Li Wu bowed slightly and then walked out of the study.

Only after leaving the Tang residence did the expression on Patriarch Li Wu's face relax, and he cursed, "This old fox is truly cunning, playing word games with me. My Li family bears the risk, while all the benefits go to you—how can there be such a good deal in this world? Just wait, you, Magistrate Tang Mu, will not be able to wash your hands of this."

The next day, early morning. Wang Gang received the news that the Herb Garden had fallen.

Upon hearing this terrible news, Wang Gang became agitated and was so angry that he nearly fainted.

Yesterday during the day, he was still full of confidence. Once the Pei family's reinforcements arrived, he would be able to surround and annihilate these rebellious Elders at the Hour of the Rat tonight.

Yet in just one night, he had lost one of the Wang family's most important assets: the Herb Garden.

Intense anger made Wang Gang nearly lose his sanity; he wished he could lead all his clansmen and immediately storm the Herb Garden. Fortunately, at the critical moment, he remembered Wang Yongnian's instructions from a few days ago.

As the Patriarch, he could not lose his sanity.

After a long while, Wang Gang finally calmed down. He looked at the Elder beside him and asked, "What exactly happened last night? Why did the Herb Garden fall?"

Seeing that Wang Gang had calmed down, the Elder beside him, Wang Tianqi, then spoke: "This matter is still under investigation. Based on the clues collected, the Herb Garden suffered a surprise attack last night. The guard team didn't even have time to react before they were taken down by the perpetrators in a very short time. Additionally, besides the bodies of the guard team members, Elder Zhu Chao'an and the Guardian Beast are both missing."

"That's impossible. I know the situation of the guard team very well. Even if those traitors poured out in full force, it would be absolutely impossible for them to achieve this," Wang Gang questioned.

"They naturally could not do it, but has the Patriarch considered that if an external force were involved, it might not be impossible to achieve this?" Wang Tianqi voiced his inner speculation.

"Elder Tianqi's meaning is that the Li family was involved in this? Do you have any evidence?" Wang Gang looked at Wang Tianqi, wanting to get an answer from him.

"At the scene, no direct clues pointing to the Li family have been found for the time being, but this possibility cannot be ruled out," Wang Tianqi said.

"If the Li family put in the effort, it is indeed possible to achieve this. However, as far as I know, Patriarch Li Wu is always cautious in his actions. He might have the intention to interfere in the Wang family's affairs, but he would never dare to help that group of traitors so blatantly. Of course, the Li family side must be investigated thoroughly, but other possibilities cannot be ruled out either." Wang Gang thought for a moment and then expressed his own thoughts.

"But if it wasn't interference from the Li family, how on earth did they do it?" Wang Tianqi was filled with doubt.

Suddenly, Wang Tianqi's expression changed, as if he had thought of something.

Wang Gang's words implied something. If it wasn't interference from the Li family, then there was only one possibility: collusion from the inside.

"There are still traitors within the Wang family." Wang Tianqi was also startled by this sudden thought emerging from the bottom of his heart, but he dared not say it out loud, only stealing a glance at Wang Gang from the corner of his eye.

Previously, he had been suspecting that the Li family had intervened. As time passed, his thoughts on this direction deepened.

At this moment, Wang Tianqi realized that there were many suspicious points in the investigation.

If it wasn't collusion from the inside, why would Zhu Chao'an and the Guardian Beast go missing? One must know that Zhu Chao'an was at Divine Power Perfection, and the Guardian Beast was also at Divine Power Perfection.

Both Divine Power Perfection experts seemed to have disappeared without even participating in the battle. Furthermore, after the Herb Garden was attacked, no distress signal was sent from within the garden.

This could absolutely not be explained away by simply saying the enemy was powerful and they were ambushed.

Only collusion from the inside could achieve this effect.

Could it be that Elder Zhu Chao'an had defected? Or perhaps another Elder had betrayed Elder Zhu Chao'an?

Beside him, Wang Gang saw that Wang Tianqi remained silent and thought the other party was having difficulties, so he immediately said, "Elder Tianqi, are there any difficulties with the investigation? If there are any difficulties, you can say them directly."

"No, I just thought of other possibilities." Coming back to his senses, Wang Tianqi immediately replied.