Chapter 172 The Special Envoy is Approaching

Upon hearing Chen Mu's words, the puppy finally let go. After landing, it shook its fur and ran towards the end of the village.

It was not moving fast, weaving flexibly between the rocks and shrubs. After running a few steps, it looked back at Chen Mu to confirm he was following before continuing forward.

Chen Mu followed unhurriedly behind. After walking about half a mile, the puppy stopped at a wind-sheltered earthen slope.

The area was overgrown with waist-high weeds and was hidden away; it would be extremely difficult to find unless one was searching for it intentionally.

After the puppy burrowed into the weeds for a moment, it let out a low, mournful whimper.

Chen Mu parted the weeds and walked inside.

Below the slope was a shallow hollow, seemingly washed out by rainwater. In the hollow, a hunched figure sat leaning against the rock wall, head slightly lowered, motionless.

It was Blind Li.

The coarse cloth clothes on his body were still relatively neat, though stained with quite a bit of mud and grass clippings. The expression on his face, however, was very calm, even carrying a hint of relief.

Chen Mu stepped forward and reached out to check his breath.

He was already cold.

There were some bloodstains at the corners of his mouth, but no obvious external injuries. Compared to the other villagers, his manner of death was relatively peaceful. His arms were crossed over his chest, as if protecting something important, but he had ultimately passed away from his severe injuries.

The puppy approached and gently jumped into Blind Li's arms, nuzzling him, then looked up at Chen Mu, whimpering incessantly.

Watching the scene before him, Chen Mu suddenly understood.

Blind Li had, for the sake of this puppy—his old companion—forced himself to find this hidden place after being severely injured, only then passing away with peace of mind.

Chen Mu squatted down and reached out to stroke the puppy's head.

The little guy did not resist this time, nuzzling his palm with its head. The golden light in its eyes was dim, filled with sorrow.

"You are fine; he passed away very peacefully."

Chen Mu said softly. After a long while, he slowly stood up, carried the body out of the cave, and walked all the way to the Mass Grave outside the village.

Blind Li's wife and that loyal old dog were buried there. Beside them, Chen Mu drew his soul-slaying blade and began to dig.

Infusing the soul-slaying blade with Hunyuan Calamity Astral Qi, it sliced through rock like mud, and digging was even easier. In just a moment, a deep pit was dug.

The puppy squatted by the edge of the pit, watching quietly without barking or making a fuss, its eyes seemingly shimmering with tears.

He placed Blind Li into the pit, filled it with soil, buried the hunched figure, and built a small grave mound.

Finally, he set up a flat stone in front of the grave and, using his finger as a blade, carved a few words onto it.

"Grave of Mister Li of Sangye Village."

There was no dedicator, nor was there a date.

After carving, Chen Mu withdrew his hand, stood in silence before the grave for a moment, and looked at the little black dog.

"I am returning to Yunmeng. Are you coming with me, or staying here?"

The puppy looked at the grave, then at Chen Mu, hesitated for a moment, and finally walked to Chen Mu's feet and barked twice.

The sound was not loud, but carried a hint of sorrow and indignation.

Chen Mu looked at it, understood its meaning, and ultimately sighed.

"Very well. Meeting is fate. Since you insist on following, then follow."

He bent down and picked up the puppy. The puppy was very light and quiet in his arms, but those golden eyes remained fixed on the new grave until the Mass Grave completely disappeared from view.

Returning to the village entrance, he untied the horse's reins, mounted the horse, and placed the puppy in front of him.

The steed seemed somewhat uneasy about this little dog demon, snorting, but quickly calmed down under Chen Mu's soothing.

"Hyah!"

The horse's hooves clattered as they set off on the return journey.

Behind them, Sangye Village gradually receded, disappearing into the twilight.

That village of over three hundred people, those once vibrant lives, and the Souls that had been saved only to be slaughtered, all became yet another unsolved case on this land.

...

When returning to Yunmeng from Sangye Village, it was already dark.

Chen Mu rode into the city, with the jet-black puppy curled up in his arms.

It seemed tired, eyes closed, occasionally twitching its nose, its ears always pricked up alertly.

The streets were much noisier than usual; many yamen runners and militia were busy sweeping the streets, hanging lanterns, and some were even climbing onto roofs to replace broken tiles.

The air was filled with a deliberately created festive atmosphere.

"Faster! The Special Envoy will arrive in a few days. If the superior sees even the slightest untidiness, watch your skins!"

A minor official in black robes brandished a rattan whip, berating the slower laborers. Chen Mu reined in his horse, moving slowly with a calm gaze.

Special Envoy.

When he first entered Yunmeng, he had vaguely learned that a Special Envoy would come to inspect. Coupled with what Jiang Xiong had previously said about a Special Envoy coming to evaluate him, it seemed true, and the pace was faster than he had anticipated.

Just as he arrived outside his small courtyard, before he could even push the door open, two yamen runners in black robes flashed out from left and right, blocking his path with cupped hands.

"Chief Chen, Lord Xu requests your presence. Please accompany us to the county office immediately."

Although their tone was respectful, their posture allowed for absolutely no refusal.

Chen Mu's footsteps paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the hands the two men held on their sword hilts, then scanning the figures pacing back and forth at the street corner.

He pushed the door open to enter the courtyard, tied the reins to a wooden post in the yard, and gently placed the puppy in his arms into a dry nest of straw.

The puppy hummed, nuzzled his fingers, and curled up into a ball.

"Lead the way."

The group headed straight for the yamen. The entrance to the yamen was also decorated with lanterns. Liu Ziming was directing a few yamen runners to wipe the door plaque, his forehead sweating, his brow full of exhaustion.

Looking up and seeing Chen Mu, his eyes lit up, but then he saw the few yamen runners to his left and right, his expression instantly turning worried as he hurried to meet him.

"Chen Mu, you've finally returned. About Fenglang Ridge..."

Liu Ziming lowered his voice, glancing around.

"It has been cleared. Where is Lord Xu?"

Chen Mu answered briefly, then asked.

"Lord Xu has been in the rear yamen all day, discussing the arrangements for welcoming the Special Envoy with several local gentry."

Liu Ziming leaned in closer, his voice even lower.

"Not long after you left, Lord Xu sent people to ask about your whereabouts twice, and his expression was not good. You didn't encounter anything on the way back, did you?"

"It is nothing."

Chen Mu shook his head, though he understood clearly in his heart that Xu Changze knew his every move. He said no more and headed toward the rear yamen.

Once Chen Mu arrived, a servant immediately went to report. After a while, the local gentry took their leave, greeting Chen Mu quite politely. Chen Mu nodded slightly, acknowledging them, and then followed the servant straight into the study.

Xu Changze was not sitting behind the desk as usual, but stood by the window with his hands behind his back. He was still wearing the same crimson official robe, but today he was not wearing his black gauze cap, though his hair was groomed meticulously.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around slowly, a hint of what could be called a gentle smile on his face.

"Chief Chen has returned? Sit."

Xu Changze pointed to the chair below him and actually picked up the teapot himself to pour a cup of tea, pushing it over.

"Your trip to Fenglang Ridge must have been arduous. This official has heard that the several demon nests causing trouble in the Ridge have been single-handedly leveled by Chief Chen. You truly are a young hero. For Yunmeng to have such a capable talent as Chief Chen is truly the fortune of the people."

Listening to the praise that Xu Changze had repeated several times, Chen Mu frowned slightly, did not touch the tea, and simply cupped his hands.

"It is my duty; I dare not claim credit. Lord, you summoned me; I wonder what your instructions are?"