Chapter 139 The Killing Intent Temporarily Subdued

Not only that, but almost simultaneously, he also felt that beyond the two weak breaths within the courtyard, there seemed to be a wisp of extremely faint and obscure spiritual charm, subtly resonating with the gloomy Qi in the surrounding environment.

How many experts with unknown cultivation levels were hiding in this courtyard?

Were they Chen Mu's accomplices? Or were they just passersby who happened to be staying there?

If they were passersby, had they been lying in ambush there for a long time? Or had they just gathered?

A series of questions flooded Nie Feng's mind; the assassination that had originally been a sure thing now had many added variables due to the bizarre change in Chen Mu's Qi and the appearance of mysterious figures.

Nie Feng's gaze was uncertain.

He was bloodthirsty and arrogant, but he was no brainless brute.

Lord Wen's order was to be clean and efficient, leaving no evidence behind.

If he were to rashly charge in now, facing Chen Mu, whose state had bizarrely improved, and several mysterious figures, he was confident he could still win, but it would inevitably be difficult to completely control the commotion of the battle.

Once entangled for too long, or if one of the opponents managed to escape, it would be easy to leave clues within Yunmeng, implicating Lord Wen and Magistrate Xu.

This ran counter to the requirement of being clean and efficient.

More importantly, he could not fathom the details of Chen Mu's sudden change; that Qi, heavy and solid as iron, made him instinctively feel a trace of danger.

"Hmph..." Nie Feng snorted coldly, killing intent churning in his eyes, but he forcibly suppressed it.

The timing was not right; he could not be reckless.

Killing Chen Mu was the mission, but ensuring the mission was completed perfectly, without placing himself in unnecessary danger, was his principle.

He needed to re-evaluate, and he also needed to report this unexpected variable to Lord Wen.

In the end, Nie Feng retreated, and within a few leaps, he was far away from the small courtyard.

...

Qinglin Town, secluded courtyard.

The room was brightly lit by candles, and Wen Jingxing sat upright in the main seat, toying with a jade thumb ring, his face unreadable.

Xu Changze sat in the lower seat, his back straight, eyes fixed on his nose, not daring to let out a loud breath, his forehead already damp with sweat.

Nie Feng's figure appeared in the hall like a ghost, and he bowed in salute.

"Lord."

Wen Jingxing looked up, his gaze calm.

"How did it go?"

"This subordinate followed Chen Mu and Qi Huan back to Yunmeng. Qi Huan is hiding in Yuelai Inn; his injuries are heavy, and his Qi is weak, so he is not worth worrying about. Chen Mu, however, returned alone to his residence, a simple courtyard located in the west of the city."

Nie Feng's voice was steady, without any emotional fluctuations.

Upon hearing this, a flash of resentment and anticipation crossed Xu Changze's eyes.

"Was everything there handled cleanly?"

Nie Feng bowed, "Reporting to Lord, this subordinate was unable to make a move."

"Oh? Why?" Wen Jingxing looked up, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

Nie Feng maintained his bowing posture.

"Just as this subordinate was about to act, I detected two anomalies."

"First, Chen Mu's Qi underwent a massive change in a short time; his Protective Aura suddenly became several times heavier and more solid, which is quite strange."

"Observing his Qi appearance, although his Realm has not broken through, the solidity of his foundation and physique is likely no longer comparable to an ordinary Dao Entry Realm."

Wen Jingxing's fingers, which were toying with the thumb ring, paused slightly.

Xu Changze's expression changed, and he blurted out.

"How is this possible? When he left during the day, he clearly..."

Nie Feng ignored him and continued.

"Second, besides Chen Mu, there were several other Qi signatures in the courtyard. These Qi signatures were light and elusive, blending with the surrounding environment and shadows of the trees. It is difficult to judge the depth of their cultivation for the moment, but they are definitely not ordinary people. This subordinate fears they are accomplices hidden by Chen Mu, or there are other entanglements."

The study was silent for a moment.

Wen Jingxing slowly furrowed his brows, thinking to himself.

The bizarre change in Chen Mu's Qi was indeed beyond his expectations. Nie Feng's description reminded him of some ancient or obscure forbidden Legacy.

Could it be that besides his talent, this youth had some unknown master or fortuitous encounter behind him?

Meanwhile, Xu Changze, who was sitting to the side, was already in a state of turmoil.

The stronger Chen Mu became, the harder he was to control, and the greater the threat he posed; he was anxious to use Nie Feng as a blade to eliminate this hidden danger, and now, hearing that the operation was blocked, he could not help but be anxious.

"Guard Nie, even if he has improved and has helpers, with your ability, can you not take them down? Long nights bring many dreams."

Nie Feng finally looked up and cast a cold glance at Xu Changze, pricking him so that the rest of his words were choked in his throat.

"Magistrate Xu, Lord Wen wants clean and efficient work, leaving no evidence. The situation in the courtyard is unclear, and Chen Mu's state is bizarre; if we force an assassination, once we get entangled or someone escapes, it will be difficult to erase the traces within Yunmeng."

"This subordinate can kill, but I cannot necessarily guarantee it will be clean."

These words were spoken without any politeness, pointing directly at Xu Changze for only caring about venting his own anger and disregarding the bigger picture.

Xu Changze's face flushed red and pale, but he dared not retort; having lost the upper hand, he could only look at Wen Jingxing.

Wen Jingxing pondered for a moment and waved his hand.

"Nie Feng is considering everything comprehensively. It was this official who underestimated Chen Mu; it seems he is even more troublesome than expected."

After speaking, he stood up and paced to the door.

"This youth has extraordinary talent and unpredictable Heart-Nature. Now that he has revealed such anomalies, forcing an assassination has too many variables."

"The key to the matter in Yunmeng still lies in the City God's offerings and the harvest from Qinglin Town. Magistrate Xu, have you counted them properly?"

Xu Changze hurriedly collected his thoughts and bowed to report.

"Reporting to Lord, they have been preliminarily counted. The amount... can roughly cover the previous shortfall; by tomorrow night at the latest, it can be packaged and sent to the place designated by Lord."

"Roughly?" Wen Jingxing's voice was slightly cold, and cold sweat instantly seeped out on Xu Changze.

"This subordinate will definitely strive with all my might to ensure the full amount; I would never dare to delay Lord's itinerary and important affairs."

Wen Jingxing nodded slightly, and his expression became a little better.

"Since that is the case, it is not convenient for me to stay here any longer. The Censorate has many official duties, and I must immediately proceed to the next location for inspection. Nie Feng."

"This subordinate is here."

"You shall temporarily remain by Magistrate Xu's side, listen to his instructions, and ensure that the matter of the offerings is foolproof. As for Chen Mu..."

"Temporarily spare his life and find another opportunity to eliminate him."

Nie Feng was expressionless and bowed to accept the order.

"Yes, this subordinate obeys."

Xu Changze's heart was filled with mixed feelings; he was both glad that Wen Jingxing did not blame him for his incompetence and deeply uneasy about leaving Chen Mu, this hidden danger, behind.

At this moment, he dared not raise any objections and could only lower his head and reply.

"This subordinate understands and will definitely handle the follow-up properly with Guard Nie."

Wen Jingxing said no more, turned around, and instructed his attendants to prepare the carriage, making a gesture of leaving Yunmeng.

He always acted decisively; since he judged that it was not suitable to forcefully make a move on Chen Mu at this moment, he stopped entangling himself and decisively shifted his focus.

The night grew deeper, and the secluded courtyard returned to silence. Xu Changze remained in the hall, staring at the flickering lamp flame, his expression uncertain.

...

Dozens of miles away from Yunmeng, Sangye Village, after experiencing a bloody demonic disaster, was slowly recovering its former tranquility.

Since the cat demon disaster was resolved by Chen Mu and Liu Ziming, the village, under the leadership of the new village chief, Blind Li, was slowly recovering its Life Qi.

The surviving villagers helped each other, clearing ruins and repairing houses; although they were still poor, they were finally free from the fear that had kept them on edge in the past.

The night was deep, and most villagers had already rested. Under the old locust tree at the entrance of the village, there seemed to be other movements.

A burst of extremely weak, painful whimpering sounds, intermittent.

The sound was as thin as a gossamer thread, exceptionally clear in the silent night.

That was the mournful cry of a puppy.