Chapter 152 Drunken Immortal's Trap

The local Gentry and Elders quickly returned the salute, murmuring their agreement, while Chen Mu watched it all coldly, his mind racing.

Xu Changze had played this hand beautifully.

By putting forward Old Wang the Lame as a Puppet, he could temporarily stabilize the operations of the City God Temple and prevent the order of Yin and Yang from collapsing, all while keeping actual control of the temple firmly in his own hands.

After all, what waves could a lame Village Guardian make other than being obedient?

Furthermore, the reasoning was high-sounding and the procedure appeared compliant; even if the Prefecture investigated, they wouldn't find much fault in the short term.

As for whether Old Wang the Lame lived or died, whether he would become a true City God or be discarded later, it likely wasn't even within Xu Changze's consideration.

Cunning indeed.

While Chen Mu was reflecting, the ceremony concluded. Xu Changze saw off the Gentry and Elders with great courtesy, and the bailiffs and local braves returned to their posts, leaving only a few trusted aides to clean the main hall.

Xu Changze stood alone at the entrance, watching the crowd depart. The smile on his face gradually faded as he turned to scan the hall, finally resting his gaze on Chen Mu in the corner.

Chen Mu had been standing there quietly, neither participating in the ceremony nor leaving early.

Xu Changze stared at him for a moment before suddenly walking over. Seeing this, several trusted aides immediately followed, hands on their sword hilts, their eyes wary.

"Chief Chen."

Chen Mu's expression remained unchanged as he lowered his head and cupped his fists.

"Lord Xu."

Xu Changze sized Chen Mu up, seemingly trying to read something from his face. But Chen Mu's aura was as restrained as usual, showing no abnormalities except for a slight paleness from last night's fierce battle.

"Chief Chen, you've worked hard. The City God Temple was attacked last night; I assume the Demon Suppression Division has received word? I have been busy handling these urgent matters and haven't had time to coordinate with you yet."

"I also just learned of it and came specifically to check."

Xu Changze's tone was quite cordial, and Chen Mu's reply was watertight.

"The Demon Suppression Division is diligent in its duties; I am very gratified."

"But Yunmeng City has been troubled lately, and everyone in the Demon Suppression Division has been running ragged. Especially you, Chief Chen, who has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats. You have worked the hardest; I see it and keep it in mind."

He paused, his smile deepening.

"How about this: tonight at three quarters past the Hour of the Rooster, I will host a banquet at Zuixian Tower specifically to reward all colleagues of the Demon Suppression Division. Firstly, to thank everyone for their recent hard work, and secondly, to brief you all on Lord Wang's temporary assumption of divine duties. We will need much assistance from the Demon Suppression Division for matters concerning the realms of Yin and Yang in the future."

"Chief Chen, and Officer Qi, both of you must be there."

Hosting the entire Demon Suppression Division?

Chen Mu was slightly stunned; this move was too unusual.

Xu Changze had always seen Chen Mu as a thorn in his side, wishing for nothing more than his death. Yet today, he wanted to host a banquet in his honor?

Chen Mu looked up to meet Xu Changze's eyes. Xu Changze's smile remained, but it held a chilling coldness. Chen Mu's thoughts raced, yet his face remained calm as he bowed slightly, his voice steady.

"Lord Xu is considerate of his subordinates; we are immensely grateful. However..."

Xu Changze seemed to have anticipated what he would say and waved him off.

"Ah, Chief Chen, no need to decline. I know the Demon Suppression Division is busy, but one must always eat and sleep. It's settled then; tonight at Zuixian Tower, I shall await the presence of everyone from the Demon Suppression Division."

"Chief Chen, you must attend, so that I may apologize to you in person. After all, there may have been some misunderstandings between us regarding the matter of Qinglin Town. This is the perfect opportunity to resolve our grievances over a cup of wine."

Chen Mu looked up, his brow furrowing slightly before lowering his gaze.

"Since it is your kind intention, My Lord, I shall naturally comply."

"Good, how straightforward! Then I won't delay Chief Chen's official business any longer. Tonight at Zuixian Tower, we shall see each other there without fail."

Xu Changze gave Chen Mu another meaningful look before turning away, surrounded by his confidants, and heading toward the rear hall—clearly to arrange for the newly appointed acting City God.

Chen Mu stood where he was, watching Xu Changze's departing back, his gaze gradually deepening.

What was Xu Changze's plan for the banquet at Zuixian Tower?

Had he sensed something and wanted to test him? Or had he set a new trap, waiting for him to jump in?

He thought of the heavily injured Qi Huan, the ambiguous attitude of Jiang Xiong, and Old Wang the Lame, who had just been pushed onto the divine throne.

The waters of Yunmeng, far from clearing after the City God's death, had become even murkier.

But now, what he wanted to know even more was what Jiang Xiong's plans were.

...

Chen Mu came to a halt at an inconspicuous corner in the west of the city. After scanning the surroundings to ensure no one was following, he turned and pushed open the side gate to the backyard of Yuelai Inn.

The room Qi Huan rented was at the very back; the windows were tightly shut, and the curtains were drawn close.

Chen Mu tapped lightly on the door—three long and two short.

After a moment, the door opened a crack, revealing Qi Huan's pale face. Seeing it was Chen Mu, he breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door further.

"Quick, come in."

The smell of medicine hadn't dissipated in the room. Several empty medicine bottles sat on the table—the Medicinal Pills previously gifted by Jiang Xiong.

Qi Huan sized Chen Mu up, a look of concern on his face.

"Chen Mu, how are you?"

Chen Mu sat down by the table and shook his head.

"I'm fine, just a bit overextended. I'll be okay after a few days of meditation. How is your injury?"

Qi Huan gave a bitter laugh and sat down opposite him. He pulled away his robe, revealing his chest, where a dark-green claw mark was clearly visible—left by Nie Feng's final strike before his death.

"The external injuries are fine; the Medicinal Pills are very effective. But that bastard Nie Feng's Protective Aura was extremely toxic, invading my Meridians and organs like a maggot in the bone. I spent the night trying to force it out with my cultivation, but I've only managed to clear about thirty or forty percent."

His breathing was slightly hurried as he spoke; clearly, his injury was not as stable as it appeared on the surface.

Chen Mu's brow furrowed slightly. He reached out to place his hand on Qi Huan's wrist pulse, carefully probing with his Hunyuan Astral Qi. He immediately sensed several strands of toxic, cold energy lingering around Qi Huan's heart vessels and Dantian.

This Cold Protective Aura was extremely stubborn and conflicted with Qi Huan's own Five Elements Protective Aura. If forcibly removed, the slightest mistake could cause the two energies to clash, worsening the injury.

"It is indeed troublesome."

Chen Mu withdrew his hand. After a moment of deliberation, he took out the azure porcelain bottle Jiang Xiong had given him that morning and poured out a lustrous Medicinal Pill.

As soon as the pill appeared, the room was filled with fragrance, even suppressing the lingering smell of medicine in the air.

"This is the sacred healing medicine Jiang Xiong gave me. It will be of great benefit to your injury, and you might even find a blessing in disguise."

Qi Huan took the pill. It felt warm to the touch, and just a sniff made his spirits lift. He couldn't help but sigh.

"He... is truly generous."

Chen Mu didn't say much, only:

"Take it. I'll help you dissolve the medicinal power."

Qi Huan didn't stand on ceremony. He immediately sat cross-legged and placed the pill in his mouth.

The pill dissolved instantly, turning into a warm current that surged into his stomach and then spread to his limbs. However, the Cold Protective Aura seemed provoked and suddenly lashed back, clashing with the medicinal power. Qi Huan let out a muffled groan, and the color instantly drained from his face.

Chen Mu was prepared. He pressed a palm against Qi Huan's back, slowly channeling his Hunyuan Astral Qi into him.

His Hunyuan Astral Qi was balanced and peaceful, yet all-encompassing, possessing great power for penetration and transformation. At this moment, Chen Mu carefully controlled the intensity of the aura, not directly attacking the cold energy but rather enveloping and guiding it.

This process was extremely taxing on his mind and cultivation.

Chen Mu himself was already injured, and as he exerted his full effort now, his forehead became beaded with cold sweat.

Time passed bit by bit. The room was silent, save for the sound of their intertwined breathing.

Three full hours passed.

Finally, Qi Huan's body jolted, and he spat out a large mouthful of congested blood that carried a bone-chilling coldness.

With the congested blood expelled, the dark-green tint on Qi Huan's face vanished, replaced by a healthy flush. A Five-colored Cloud Qi spontaneously circulated around his body, appearing even more solid and agile than before he was injured.

When he opened his eyes, they shone with a brilliant golden light. He moved his limbs in disbelief and then inspected his internal state, his face lighting up with a mix of surprise and joy.

"Chen Mu, my injuries are seventy to eighty percent healed—no, more! My Protective Aura also seems more refined. This medicinal power is actually so miraculous!"