Chapter 173 The True Colors Are Revealed

Xu Changze saw his coldness, but he did not mind. He paced back to the main seat, sat down, pondered for a moment, and sighed.

"Chief Chen is truly straightforward, so I will not beat around the bush either."

"You must have already seen that the Prefecture Special Envoy is arriving, specifically to inspect local administration and prisons, especially since... Yunmeng has not been very peaceful lately. The death of the City God and the passing of Guard Nie require some sort of explanation."

He raised his eyes, his gaze burning, and stared intently at Chen Mu.

"Chief Chen is a smart man. I don't need to explain too clearly how the City God and Guard Nie died."

"It's just that as the local magistrate of Yunmeng, I have a duty to protect this land. Some responsibilities cannot be shirked, but some... if handled properly, might not necessarily fail to turn into an Opportunity."

Chen Mu met his gaze directly.

"What is your brilliant insight, my Lord?"

Xu Changze smiled slightly, speaking from the heart.

"I wouldn't call it a brilliant insight, just a win-win strategy for Chief Chen and the situation in Yunmeng."

After speaking, he paused, observing Chen Mu's reaction. Seeing that the other party remained expressionless, he continued.

"I know that you, Chief Chen, are young, vigorous, and proud; you surely would not be willing to live under others. That night at Zuixian Tower, my words may have been offensive, but my sincere appreciation for your talent is known to Heaven and Earth."

"The current situation is as precarious as a pile of eggs. Lord Wen is ultimately a hidden danger. Relying on yourself alone might satisfy you for a moment, but if you want to truly stand firm in this world and go far, it is impossible without a Foundation to rely on."

His voice gradually took on a seductive tone.

"I will tell you the truth: the method of the Power Of Will, though derived from the divine Dao and seemingly unorthodox, is a shortcut that points directly to immortality. It absorbs not only the prayers of the ignorant masses but also a most fundamental power between Heaven and Earth."

"As long as you and I join forces to completely control Yunmeng, using it as a base to continuously absorb and refine, given time, not to mention the Heart-Awakening Realm, even higher levels of Realms might not be beyond our reach!"

After finishing, the fervor in his eyes grew even stronger.

"Chen Mu, I can promise you that the position of Deputy Envoy of the Demon Suppression Division is waiting for you, and all resources within Yunmeng are yours to use. Once I have completely refined the Power Of Will and stabilized my Realm, this land of Jingnan will belong to both of us."

"By then, whatever Wen Jingxing, whatever Prefecture rules, all can be broken. You and I will share immortality and wield power together. Wouldn't that be a hundred times, ten thousand times better than you risking your life alone and living day to day as you are now!"

These words were far more explicit and targeted than that night at Zuixian Tower. It was as if Xu Changze had completely set aside the airs of a county magistrate, positioning himself as a partner, and the conditions he offered were even more specific and enticing.

Chen Mu listened quietly, his fingers tracing the edge of the teacup.

Xu Changze's performance was strenuous, and his words were highly inflammatory. If he were still the Chen Mu who had just arrived and was full of anxiety about power, he might have truly been tempted.

But having gone through the tempering of the Heart Demon tribulation in the Yangu Pit and seeing his own path clearly, Xu Changze's words sounded like nothing more than an even clumsier transaction to him.

The method of the Power Of Will? That Evil Path that steals from the grievances of the people and is stained with countless resentments—how could it be mentioned in the same breath as the clear path of plunder and transcendence in his heart?

As for the Prefecture's previous dynasty, Jiang Xiong had already given another path. That path might be full of thorns, but at least the choice remained more firmly in his own hands.

Thinking of this, Chen Mu looked calmly at Xu Changze, keenly capturing a trace of deep-seated anxiety hidden in his eyes.

This anxiety did not stem entirely from a thirst for talent, but rather more like the urgency of being chased by time.

The Prefecture Special Envoy was arriving, like a sharp sword hanging over his head. Before this sword fell, Xu Changze needed to either completely control him or destroy him.

"I appreciate your kindness, my Lord, but I must decline."

"It is just that Chen Mu is wild by nature and accustomed to acting alone; I fear I would struggle to adapt to the rules under your command. Slaying demons and eliminating evil is my duty; I dare not seek rewards for my contributions. As for a future at the Prefecture, if there is an Opportunity, Chen Mu will go on his own; there is no need for you to trouble yourself with maneuvering on my behalf."

He refused, crisp and clean, leaving no room for negotiation.

After Chen Mu finished speaking, the smile on Xu Changze's face froze, and a flash of disbelief crossed his eyes.

He had not expected that after he had demonstrated part of his strength and thrown out such enticing conditions, Chen Mu would still be so resolute.

This was not weighing options; it was naked contempt.

"Good! A very good 'wild by nature and accustomed to acting alone'."

Xu Changze laughed in extreme anger, his voice already carrying irrepressible fury.

It seemed the soft approach would not work.

All the pretense, probing, and appeasement on Xu Changze's face faded away, leaving only the calculation and decisiveness belonging to an old official.

While his previous overtures certainly had some genuine intent, they were mostly to buy time, to figure out Chen Mu's bottom line, and to make secret preparations.

Now that the wooing had failed, there was only one path left to take.

He had to eliminate this biggest variable before the Special Envoy arrived.

Only by killing Chen Mu would he have enough time to cover up the truth of the City God Temple, to fabricate a reasonable explanation for the death of Nie Feng, to extricate himself from this series of events, and even to splash dirty water onto the dead Chen Mu.

Last time at Zuixian Tower, stabilizing Chen Mu temporarily was to buy time to gather manpower and perfect his plan.

Now that the helpers had arrived, the time had come.

Taking a deep breath, a stiff smile reappeared on Xu Changze's face.

"Chief Chen has high aspirations, and it is not my place to force you. However, Lord Wang has recently taken over the divine duties at the City God Temple, and there are still many inconveniences in the handover of various Yin and Yang affairs."

"Chief Chen has crossed hands with the City God and is quite knowledgeable about the affairs of the Yin underworld. Could I ask Chief Chen to step over to the City God Temple at midnight tonight? Lord Wang and I have some questions that require Chief Chen to clarify in person."

"This matter concerns the stability of Yin and Yang in Yunmeng. As a Squad Leader of the Demon Suppression Division, you should be present in both reason and sentiment. I trust you will not decline."

The City God Temple, at midnight.

That was a place under Xu Changze's control, with the addition of the Power Of Will he had stolen, and the potential variable of Old Wang the Lame. It was more convenient for setting up a killing trap, and it could also isolate him from prying eyes.

Chen Mu was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly, knowing he had no way out.

If he didn't go tonight, Xu Changze would surely have a follow-up move, and it might even implicate Liu Ziming or even Qi Huan.

If he went, it would be a dragon's pool or a tiger's den.

But he, Chen Mu, had never feared a dragon's pool or a tiger's den.

"Since it concerns the order of Yin and Yang, this subordinate will naturally go."

Chen Mu stood up and cupped his hands, his tone calm.

"Good, Chief Chen is truly straightforward."

Xu Changze slapped the table and stood up, a flash of ferocity appearing in his eyes.

"Then I will await your arrival at the City God Temple at midnight tonight."

After speaking, he did not wait for Chen Mu's response and turned directly to walk towards the screen in the back hall.

"Someone, see Chief Chen out."

Two bailiffs entered in response and stood by Chen Mu's side. Although their posture was respectful, his path was blocked.

Chen Mu remained expressionless, cupped his hands slightly towards the screen, and turned to walk out of the back office.

The dagger is revealed, but that is fine too.

Some debts must be settled.