Chapter 10 Soliciting bribes? What makes you think you can do that?

The Demon Suppression Division was located on the west side of the County Magistrate's office, with black tiles and white walls. Two ferocious stone lions stood at the entrance, staring straight at those who approached.

The atmosphere in the main hall of the division was stifling. Tea had been refilled several times, yet no one had come to receive him. Only the young colleague stationed outside the hall chatted with him intermittently.

Chen Mu sipped the cold tea, his expression calm and unruffled.

After a long while, a gaunt figure with a pale face and dressed in black robes strolled out, his sinister gaze sweeping over Chen Mu.

"You are Chen Mu?"

His voice was hoarse, like an old crow filing iron, carrying a heavy sense of Death Qi.

"Yes."

"My surname is Wang, and I am the Squad Leader here. From now on, you will be under my command."

Head Constable Wang flicked his robe and sat down leisurely in the main seat, his fingers tapping on the table with a rhythmic da da that was incredibly annoying.

"The rules of the Demon Suppression Division are simple: follow orders and do not disobey."

"I decide which area you are in charge of. You must ensure your jurisdiction is peaceful and the people live in contentment. Do well, and there will be rewards; if something happens, the punishment will be doubled."

The tapping on the table gradually stopped. Head Constable Wang stood up and pointed at the map hanging behind him, his tone becoming more deliberate.

"But then again, demons are divided into different ranks."

"Some places are peaceful, with at most a few lonely ghosts; they aren't hard to manage, and life is relatively comfortable."

"Others, however, are more troublesome."

Head Constable Wang's finger tapped lightly on several locations on the south side of the map. Chen Mu followed his gaze to see them clearly marked: Qingfeng Stronghold, Sangye Village, and the Mass Grave.

"These places are plagued by evil spirits. Few who go there return in one piece; most don't even have their bones left to gnaw on."

After saying this, he turned to look at Chen Mu, smiling meaningfully.

"There are no specific regulations from above on how to assign these duties, but I have always been selfless. Everything I do is for the well-being of the people, after all."

Chen Mu understood, but he had no reaction, remaining as expressionless as always.

Head Constable Wang frowned at this.

"Fine. Since you've joined the Demon Suppression Division, we are all brothers and family. Don't say I didn't give you a heads-up."

"Tomorrow is the County Magistrate's mother's birthday. We have all chipped in ten taels of silver to show our respects."

"Since you are new, this is the perfect opportunity to make a good impression."

He paused, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His tone was gentle, yet laced with threats.

"Of course, no one is forcing you to give this money; it is entirely voluntary!"

"I have no money."

Chen Mu said coldly.

Head Constable Wang's face darkened. His sinister gaze, like a viper flicking its tongue, instantly coiled around the other man. A pressure unique to a Martial Artist instantly permeated the room, and he was about to erupt—

"Boss, please calm down!"

A slightly shrill voice suddenly cut in. The young colleague who had just been chatting with Chen Mu stepped forward, wearing an ingratiating smile.

"Boss, this man is new and hasn't received his monthly salary yet. I'm afraid he really can't come up with ten taels of silver; he's not intentionally defying you."

The man speaking was Liu Ziming. Because he was thin and had a sharp, monkey-like face, he had earned the nickname "Thin Monkey."

Head Constable Wang's gaze shifted from Chen Mu and fixed onto Liu Ziming. He sneered, as if he had found a better outlet for his anger.

"You rotten monkey, only you know how to be the good guy? Does it make you feel special to have a glib tongue?"

After saying this, he slammed the table again, making the teacups rattle, and scolded: "Fine. Chen Mu hasn't been paid, so we can record this debt for now. But you, from this moment on, get your ass to manage Sangye Village outside the south city gate!"

"Sangye Village!"

Thin Monkey Liu Ziming's face turned pale as paper. He shrieked, then knelt with a thump, crawled forward on his knees, and grabbed Head Constable Wang's leg, crying out, "Boss! Please have mercy! That place is extremely evil, occupied by demons. None of the brothers who went there before have returned! I have an eighty-year-old mother above and a three-year-old child below; I can't die, Boss!"

Liu Ziming was hysterical, but Head Constable Wang looked ruthless.

"Do you think you have a choice? If you want to play the good guy and show off, then see it through to the end. I'm just helping you fulfill your wish!"

With that, he stopped listening to Liu Ziming's wailing, pulled his leg from his grasp, turned around, and walked away.

Liu Ziming's cries became even more miserable as he continued to kowtow in the direction the man had left, one after another.

Chen Mu looked at the kneeling, pleading Liu Ziming, his gaze flickering slightly.

Although this Thin Monkey was cowardly, he wasn't bad at heart, and he had even tried to speak up for him just moments ago.

But in this chaotic world of demons, pure kindness was useless; it only made one weak and easily bullied.

Only strength was the sole standard for winning respect!

Sangye Village was evil and plagued by demons; it was an excellent place to cultivate by plundering Lifespan and increasing his strength.

Chen Mu thought for a moment, then spoke loudly to Head Constable Wang's retreating back: "I will go to Sangye Village in his stead!"

Head Constable Wang's footsteps faltered. He turned his head slowly, re-examined Chen Mu from head to toe, then sneered and turned back to walk toward the kowtowing Liu Ziming.

Liu Ziming raised his head quickly, looking at Head Constable Wang with hopeful eyes.

However, in the very next moment.

Head Constable Wang clenched his right fist and punched Liu Ziming directly in the abdomen.

"Ugh."

The fist sank into flesh, and a muffled sound echoed.

"Ah!"

Liu Ziming let out a miserable scream and flew sideways, hitting the wall and bouncing back. He clutched his abdomen, wailing endlessly, curled up in pain.

Head Constable Wang retracted his foot, strolled a few steps toward Liu Ziming, kicked him in the shoulder, and sneered repeatedly.

"I see you really don't understand the rules here."

Head Constable Wang looked at the groaning Liu Ziming on the ground, but his words were clearly directed at Chen Mu. "In this little territory of mine, apart from the County Magistrate, I am the law."

After speaking, he stepped on Liu Ziming's chest, applying pressure little by little. "I decide who goes where. You are all lambs; you have no right to choose!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure flashed, appearing in front of Chen Mu, and he threw a punch at his face.

This punch was fast and fierce, carrying the sound of wind. If it landed, even if he didn't die, he would be crippled. Chen Mu raised his eyes, but he did not dodge.

"Bang!"

Head Constable Wang's fist stopped three inches from Chen Mu's face, as if blocked by something, unable to advance even a fraction further.

At the same time, a powerful counter-shock force spread along his palm, instantly numbing his arm.

Head Constable Wang retracted his fist, stepped back twice, and stared at Chen Mu in shock and uncertainty.

"Protective Aura... This is the effect only achievable when the 'Taibao Horizontal Training' reaches Perfection. How could you, a newcomer..."

He shook his head in disbelief, then his eyes lit up as if he had realized something. He pointed at Chen Mu, his voice laced with malicious pleasure.

"Chen Mu, you are dead!"