Chapter 131 The Governor Arrives

When Chen Mu and Qi Huan returned to the Qinglin Town inn, the sky was just between dark and dawn.

In the battle at the villa, Chen Mu had slain three foxes in a row. Although he hadn't obtained the official seal, he had severed one of Xu Changze's arms and gained several hundred years of Lifespan along with the "Heaven-Confusing Shapeshifting Technique." The harvest could certainly be called bountiful.

At this moment, Chen Mu was sitting cross-legged on the hard wooden bed, regulating his breathing as his Protective Aura circulated ceaselessly around his body.

On the other side of the bed, Qi Huan was struggling to sit cross-legged. His face was pale as paper, and though he had applied golden sore medicine to his chest, his internal organs were injured and could not heal in a single day. Furthermore, after days of continuous travel and no proper rest, even breathing now caused him sharp pain.

"Cough..."

Qi Huan coughed up a mouthful of bloody spittle, wiped it away with his sleeve, and his gaze turned somewhat gloomy.

"That Beimang Sect mentioned by the Red Fox before it died—I suspect they are definitely no good."

"The cat demon from Sangye Village you mentioned earlier, and now the fox demons of Qinglin Town—they are all involved. The waters of Yunmeng... are deeper than we imagined."

Chen Mu slowly opened his eyes, a golden light flashing and vanishing within them.

"No matter how deep the water is, we must wade through it."

He rose and walked to the window, peering through the gap at the brightening dawn light.

"Xu Changze set up this trap intending to use the hands of the fox demons to eliminate us, or to force us to reveal our flaws. Now that the three foxes are dead, he certainly won't let it rest."

Qi Huan gritted his teeth and said, "That old dog definitely still has a contingency plan. What shall we do next..."

Before he could finish, a sound of rhythmic footsteps suddenly echoed outside the inn, intermingled with the clanking of armor.

"Are Squad Leader Chen and Banner Officer Qi present? Lord Xu requests your presence."

A respectful yet unquestionable voice of a yamen runner came from outside the door.

Chen Mu paused slightly, looking at the matching gravity on Qi Huan's face.

At a time like this, for Xu Changze to suddenly send someone to invite them was definitely not a good thing.

"Understood."

Chen Mu responded and straightened his slightly disheveled official uniform. Qi Huan also forced himself to stand, straightening his back to avoid showing too much weakness.

The two pushed open the door and stepped out, only to see two yamen runners dressed in the uniforms of the Prefecture officials standing with hands on their swords. Their sharp gazes swept over the two, and their attire was completely different from that of the local Qinglin Town runners.

People from the Prefecture. It seems a big shot has come to Qinglin Town.

"Squad Leader Chen, Banner Officer Qi, Lord Xu is waiting at the villa. He says there are important matters to discuss, so please accompany us."

Chen Mu's expression was calm as he nodded. The group crossed the street and soon arrived at the villa.

Although this place had been left a bloody mess by Chen Mu's slaughter last night, it had already been simply cleaned up. New lanterns hung under the veranda, and even the damaged doors and windows had been temporarily repaired, displaying a touch of official grandeur.

Inside the main hall, several grand chairs were arranged on both sides, and two people sat in the main seats in the center.

On the left was Xu Changze, dressed in a bright red official robe and wearing a black gauze cap. His expression was solemn, and he sat upright with dignity, showing no signs of disarray.

On the right main seat sat a middle-aged man Chen Mu had never seen before.

He was about forty years old, dressed in a purple official robe of ramie silk brocade with a jade belt around his waist. He was currently holding a teacup, leisurely skimming the foam, his fingers fair and delicate—a person who had clearly lived a life of luxury and ease.

Chen Mu immediately sensed that this person was extraordinary.

The aura around the purple-robed official was restrained and profound. Although he did not deliberately emit any pressure, he naturally possessed an elegant air of one who had long held a high position. What concerned Chen Mu even more was the two guards standing behind him.

The guard on the left was tall with a cold expression, his temples bulging high—clearly, his external martial arts had reached an extremely high Realm.

The guard on the right was slightly leaner, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's. His hands hung naturally at his sides, with faint traces of Protective Aura circulating at his fingertips.

The aura around both men was concentrated but not released, hidden but not revealed, making it difficult for Chen Mu to accurately judge the depth of their cultivation for the moment.

"Subordinates Chen Mu and Qi Huan pay respects to Lord Xu."

Chen Mu and Qi Huan performed the salute according to protocol. Seeing this, Xu Changze's face revealed a hint of a smile, and he raised his hand in a gesture of support.

"You two need not stand on ceremony. Come, come, I will introduce you."

"This is Lord Wen Jingxing, the Vice Commissioner of the Surveillance Commission from the Prefecture. He is here under imperial orders to inspect the criminal justice and public security of various Prefectures and counties, and to monitor officials for misconduct. He happened to be passing through Qinglin Town and, hearing of the frequent demon infestations here, came specifically to show his concern."

Both Chen Mu and Qi Huan tensed up.

A Vice Commissioner of the Jingzhou Surveillance Commission was a rank-five official with real power, in charge of the criminal cases and impeachments of the entire Prefecture. His power was immense; no wonder Xu Changze was so respectful.

Both understood in their hearts and bowed again, "Subordinates pay respects to Lord Wen."

Only then did Wen Jingxing put down his teacup. He lifted his eyelids, his gaze landing gently on the two as he smiled, his voice mellow and peaceful.

"No need for formalities. Magistrate Xu was just telling me that while demon infestations in Qinglin Town are frequent, fortunately, Squad Leader Chen took on the responsibility in a time of crisis and acted with courage."

"On my journey here, I also heard that a young hero in Yunmeng slew a Ghost King and saved the city from peril. I imagine that must be you, Squad Leader Chen. Truly, heroes come from the youth."

After saying this, he turned to Qi Huan. "Banner Officer Qi is also exceptionally valiant. It is truly fortunate for the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division to have such a capable talent like you."

These words were flawless; they praised Chen Mu, reassured Qi Huan, and further made it clear that he knew the background of both men.

"Lord Wen flatters us. It is our duty, and we dare not claim credit."

Chen Mu lowered his eyes, his tone calm, neither humble nor arrogant.

Xu Changze took over the conversation from the side, his voice filled with a touch of self-reproach and sighing.

"Lord Wen, you may not know this, but Squad Leader Chen is indeed a capable talent. It's just... sigh, young people are sometimes inevitably hot-headed, and their actions can be slightly lacking in thoroughness."

"Last night, another incident occurred in Qinglin Town. The Yiqing Courtyard tragedy remains unsolved, and Officer Hu and his party have mysteriously disappeared. I was anxious and was discussing countermeasures with several local gentry at the villa, not having slept all night."

"Unexpectedly, perhaps out of concern for the case, Squad Leader Chen and Banner Officer Qi... actually came to my villa late at night intending to discuss it, but had some misunderstandings with the guards and even disturbed several friends from outside the secular world whom I had invited..."

Xu Changze shook his head. "I only just found out, having rushed back from investigating the scene outside the town. I was just about to find them to ask what happened when Lord Wen happened to arrive."

"Lord Wen, it is all because I have not managed my subordinates strictly and have governed my territory poorly, leading to the rampant demon infestations. My subordinates were reckless; I ask for your punishment."

This speech was absolutely flawless. It perfectly cleared him of the suspicion of the fierce battle at the villa, covered up a life-and-death struggle, and finally took responsibility for the chaos in Qinglin Town upon himself. His posture was extremely low, but in reality, he had planted the seed of Chen Mu and Qi Huan's recklessness.

Qi Huan felt his anger churning within his chest as he heard this, but he could not refute it on the spot. He couldn't exactly say they had gone to steal the official seal, could he? Or that Xu Changze was raising fox demons to harm people?

Without evidence, it would only give others ammunition against them.

Wen Jingxing listened, his smile unchanged. He gave a light "Oh," his gaze shifting between them, and said slowly.

"So that is how it is. Magistrate Xu, you are diligent in your official duties; it has been hard on you. Squad Leader Chen is concerned about the case, and his intentions are understandable, but his methods... were indeed somewhat inappropriate."

"However, it is a good thing for young people to have drive. As long as their hearts are set on the Righteous Path and they can correct their mistakes, they are talents worth molding."

These words seemed to punish both sides equally, but in reality, they leaned towards Xu Changze's version of events, while also leaving a way out and a glimmer of expectation for Chen Mu.

"Lord Wen's teachings are correct."

Chen Mu's tone was flat, as if he did not understand the hidden barbs, and he was completely unconcerned about Xu Changze's accusations.

A strange look flashed in Wen Jingxing's eyes; he seemed somewhat surprised by Chen Mu's composure, but he did not want to dwell on the matter further, turning instead to ask.

"Regarding the demon infestation in Qinglin Town, since you have taken charge, Squad Leader Chen, have you made any discoveries?"

"Magistrate Xu says the scene is strange and suspects fox demons are at work. What is your take?"