Chapter 112 Brothers Betray

Qi Huan was taken aback, his face filled with doubt.

"Qinglin Town? But wasn't that just his decoy?"

Chen Mu nodded. He didn't completely dismiss Qi Huan's guess, but he proposed another possibility.

"It could be a decoy, or it could be a mix of truth and lies. This is the trail he left on the surface, and it's our only clue right now."

"He suffered a setback at the Peony Pavilion tonight and fled in a hurry; he might not have had time to change all his plans. Moreover, he might not expect us to escape so quickly, much less expect us to counterattack immediately."

He looked up toward the east, where the vast night sky was already showing a faint hint of grayish-white.

"Dawn is coming. If he really is going to Qinglin Town, he should have finished his preparations by now, or be on his way. If we head over now, we might still be able to intercept him."

Qi Huan looked at his aching chest and gave a bitter smile.

"Now? But my injury..."

"Can you hold on?"

Chen Mu asked directly.

Qi Huan gritted his teeth, a look of ferocity flashing in his eyes.

"I won't die. Let's go!"

The two no longer hesitated. After determining the direction, they sped toward the gates of Yunmeng.

Chen Mu activated the Divine Void Step, his figure moving like the wind. Although Qi Huan's heavy injuries hadn't healed, he forced himself to take a deep breath and followed through gritted teeth.

The night road was rugged, but for Martial Artists of their cultivation level, it was nothing.

They traveled swiftly without finding any trace of Xu Changze. After about an hour, the outline of a small town vaguely appeared before them.

They had reached Qinglin Town.

Unlike the prosperity of Yunmeng, Qinglin Town was much smaller. The sky was gradually brightening, but everything was still deathly silent.

The two slowed their pace, suppressed their auras, and approached the town entrance silently.

However, when they were still a hundred paces from the entrance, both stopped simultaneously, expressions of surprise on their faces.

A dozen or so figures stood indistinctly at the town entrance, completely blocking the road leading inside.

Most were dressed as bailiffs, holding torches and carrying long sabers at their waists. They were clearly men of the law, and the one leading them was actually Liu Ziming.

Liu Ziming was wearing a brand-new Squad Leader uniform, with a waist token symbolizing his status hanging at his side. His hand was on his hilt, and he stood tall.

However, his injured leg was still slightly bent, making the posture look somewhat forced.

"Listen up, everyone!"

Liu Ziming's voice was intentionally raised, carrying an unfamiliar sense of authority.

"Lord Xu has ordered that Qinglin Town be placed under martial law today. People are allowed to leave, but not to enter."

"No one is allowed inside without Lord Xu's written order."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the bailiffs, his voice deepening further.

"Stay sharp! A fox demon has been haunting the town lately, and several brothers have already died. Who knows if that Prodigy will try to sneak in amidst the chaos!"

"I'm telling you, whoever lets a suspicious person into the town will have to present their head to Lord Xu!"

The bailiffs looked at each other; some muttered in low voices, but no one openly defied him.

After all, Liu Ziming was a Squad Leader personally appointed by Xu Changze, and he was citing Lord Xu's orders. Who dared to disobey?

Chen Mu and Qi Huan exchanged a glance, both frowning in unison.

Liu Ziming's display clearly showed he had been given an important role by Xu Changze to carry out this blockade mission.

But just a while ago at Yanbin Restaurant, he had clearly expressed resistance and unease toward Xu Changze's recruitment. Why was he working so hard in the blink of an eye?

The two were filled with suspicion, but Chen Mu was the first to make a decision.

"Come on, let's go take a look."

The two no longer hid their tracks and walked straight toward the town entrance. The sound of their footsteps immediately alerted the guards. Someone raised a torch to shine it on them and shouted harshly.

"Who goes there? Halt!"

They stopped a few paces away, their gazes calmly sweeping over the group.

"Chief Liu, I hope you've been well."

Liu Ziming turned at the sound. Seeing Chen Mu and Qi Huan, he was first stunned, then a flash of complex emotion crossed his eyes.

But he quickly steadied his mind, took a deep breath, and cupped his fists toward Chen Mu and Qi Huan, his tone carrying a business-like aloofness.

"So it's Chief Chen and Officer Qi. May I ask what business brings you two here so early in the morning?"

Qi Huan clutched his chest and grinned, though there was no warmth in the smile.

"Chief Liu, what act are you putting on? Surrounding the town with so many brothers as if it were an iron bucket—are you even going to stop us?"

The muscles on Liu Ziming's face twitched slightly, but he still straightened his back.

"Forgive me, Officer Qi. It is not my intention to obstruct you, but Lord Xu has issued strict orders."

"A fox demon has been causing trouble in the town recently, claiming several lives. To prevent the evil from spreading or sneaking in, I was ordered to set up this checkpoint and strictly inspect all who come and go."

"No one without Lord Xu's written order is allowed entry. If you two wish to enter the town, please wait a moment while I request instructions from my superior."

Qi Huan sneered and took a step forward.

"Request instructions? Liu Ziming, has your brain been crushed by a door? Who do you think we are? Chen Mu is a Squad Leader of the Demon Suppression Division, and I am a Banner Officer sent by the Prefecture. We are here to investigate a case, and you dare stop us?"

"And stop using Xu Changze to pressure us. We have business with him. Step aside immediately!"

His words were blunt, and a commotion broke out among the bailiffs behind Liu Ziming.

Liu Ziming, however, still shook his head, his tone firm.

"Officer Qi, rules are rules. Without a written order, I cannot let you pass."

His current demeanor was a world apart from the anxious, money-refusing Liu Ziming back in Yanbin Restaurant.

Chen Mu's suspicions grew heavier, but he remained expressionless, merely studying the other man quietly.

"Chief Liu, is Lord Xu in the town?"

Chen Mu finally spoke.

Liu Ziming nodded.

"Yes, Lord Xu is currently overseeing things in the town."

Chen Mu gave a faint smile and took a step forward.

"In that case, we have important matters to report to Lord Xu regarding the Ghostly Creature at the Zhao Residence and the anomalies at the City God Temple last night. This matter is urgent and cannot be delayed. Please, Chief Liu, make it easy for us."

A look of difficulty appeared on Liu Ziming's face. His lips moved as if he were hesitating. Finally, his voice dropped lower, but he remained insistent.

"I'm afraid I cannot comply."

The hearts of the two men sank.

Had Liu Ziming really been completely bought off by Xu Changze?

Qi Huan could no longer contain himself. He stepped forward and barked in a low voice.

"Liu Ziming, stop your damn acting! Do you really not know what happened at the Peony Pavilion last night?"

"That old dog Xu Changze set a trap for us, and now you've become his lapdog? Get out of the way, or else..."

Before he could finish, Liu Ziming looked up at them. His face suddenly changed drastically, and he lunged backward, drawing the saber at his waist with a 'shring' and pointing it directly at Chen Mu and Qi Huan.

"Bold monsters! How dare you impersonate Chief Chen and Officer Qi in an attempt to sneak into the town! Men, seize them!"

As soon as these words were spoken, not only were Chen Mu and Qi Huan stunned, but even the bailiffs looked at each other, and for a moment, no one dared to move.

"Chief... Chief Liu, this..."

The bailiffs nearby looked at Chen Mu, then at Qi Huan, their faces filled with hesitation.

The news of Chen Mu slaying the Ghost King had already spread like wildfire in Yunmeng. Although Qi Huan was a Banner Officer from outside, he was still a superior from the Prefecture. Who would dare to move against them?

Liu Ziming's gaze darkened as he swept it over the crowd.

"What? Are my words no longer effective?"

"That fox demon is best at taking human form to infiltrate Yunmeng with ill intent."

"These two are acting suspiciously, they are covered in blood, and they are trespassing in a Forbidden Ground. They are very likely the fox demon's illusions. Seize them!"