Chapter 264 Mystery of the Bloodline

Cheng Xiaoqing's gaze landed on Chen Mu's face, a hint of gravity flashing in his eyes.

Chen Mu bowed and said.

"Yes. Before the Bat King died, it spoke in human language, saying, 'When Fentian rages, blood will float the pestles.' It looked resentful, not like it was lying. Furthermore, this creature could move freely within the crimson flame demon-binding net, and its fur was almost impervious to fire."

Cheng Xiaoqing listened quietly without interrupting. Only after Chen Mu finished did he slowly speak.

"Do you mean that the Bat King was working for Fentian?"

Chen Mu shook his head.

"This subordinate dares not make rash judgments, but the look in that creature's eyes before it died did not seem like mere unwillingness to die; it was more like it had nothing to fear, believing someone would avenge it."

Cheng Xiaoqing was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled faintly. The smile was extremely subtle and vanished in a flash; had Chen Mu not possessed keen eyesight, he would have barely noticed it.

"You are quite meticulous."

As he spoke, Cheng Xiaoqing stood up from behind the desk, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and stood with his back to Chen Mu, gazing at the patch of sky outside.

"There was a carrier pigeon message back from Thousand-Household Liao yesterday."

"Over in the Southern Wastelands, things are more complicated than expected. The Demon King Fentian has entrenched himself for decades and is not so easily exterminated. Thousand-Household Liao will return in a few days. At that time, the case of Kaoshan Village, along with the suspicious points regarding the Human-Faced Blood Bat, will be reported together."

Chen Mu lowered his head: "Yes."

Cheng Xiaoqing looked at him with deep eyes, then added after a moment.

"This is your first time leading a team to complete a mission independently. Although there were some twists and turns, the result was a Perfection. The Bat King was executed, and the bodies of the four missing women were recovered. This can be considered giving the people of Kaoshan Village an explanation. I will record a merit for you."

Chen Mu cupped his hands: "Thank you, Banner Master."

Cheng Xiaoqing nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall.

"You may all withdraw. Chen Mu, stay behind."

Everyone cupped their hands and withdrew one after another. Bai Junyi glanced at Chen Mu with a meaningful look, then turned and strode away.

The hall door was gently closed, leaving only Chen Mu and Cheng Xiaoqing in the room.

Cheng Xiaoqing did not speak, just quietly watched Chen Mu. Chen Mu also did not move, standing in place with his hands down, waiting for his superior to speak.

The sunlight moved inch by inch, dragging long shadows on the floor. After a long while, Cheng Xiaoqing finally spoke, his voice even lower than before.

"Where is the item?"

Chen Mu understood, took the jade bottle from his bosom, and presented it with both hands.

The jade bottle was translucent and lustrous, containing half a bottle of black blood that glimmered with a dull sheen under the light.

Cheng Xiaoqing took it, held it in his palm to examine it, then leaned in to sniff it. His brows furrowed, and he then tucked it into his sleeve.

Chen Mu then took out an oil-paper package from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

"This is the hair from the Bat King's wing membrane."

Cheng Xiaoqing nodded, opened it to take a look, then wrapped it back up and tucked it into his sleeve.

"Who else knows about this matter?"

Chen Mu said in a low voice.

"Following the Banner Master's instructions, there was no one else around when I retrieved this item."

Cheng Xiaoqing looked up at him, his gaze containing something more complex.

"Well done."

"This errand was handled cleanly and efficiently. From setting the ambush to lure the enemy to entering the mountains to search the nest, every step was spot on. You did not greedily seek merit by advancing recklessly, nor did you shrink back. Your decision to have Wan Chongshan stay in Kaoshan Village, although slightly presumptuous, was handled appropriately, so I will not hold it against you. That you were able to execute the Bat King, recover the bodies, and bring back what I wanted has already exceeded my expectations."

Chen Mu lowered his head.

"Thank you, Banner Master. This subordinate dares not claim the credit; it was entirely due to the concerted efforts of all the brothers."

Cheng Xiaoqing shook his head slightly.

"No need for false modesty. You have not been in the division long, yet you have already achieved such results. It is quite impressive even within the entire Demon Hunting Division."

"Regarding Wan Chongshan, you still need to pay more attention to him. His sister is gone, and that hurdle in his heart won't be overcome overnight. He is an old hand from Captain Ding, and you will inevitably have to work together in the future."

Chen Mu nodded without speaking, and Cheng Xiaoqing looked at him.

"Chen Mu, I am going to ask you a question, and you must answer truthfully."

Chen Mu raised his eyes.

"Please go ahead, Banner Master."

"You have been in the division for two months. Every case you have experienced has been more dangerous than the last, and every demon you have encountered has been more bizarre than the last. Yet, you have always managed to retreat unscathed and bring your brothers back alive. Where did this ability come from?"

Chen Mu was silent for a moment, then slowly said.

"This subordinate only does his best and dares not claim to have any special ability. If I really had to say, perhaps it is just that this subordinate is a bit lucky."

Cheng Xiaoqing looked at him, his gaze as deep as an ancient well.

"Luck?"

He shook his head slightly but did not pursue the matter further.

"Very well, if you do not wish to say, I will not force you. Just remember, in this Demon Suppression Division, some things can be hidden, and some things cannot. What you can hide are your trump cards; what you cannot hide is your Heart-Nature."

Chen Mu lowered his head.

"This subordinate will keep it in mind."

Cheng Xiaoqing waved his hand.

"Go. Rest well these few days and recover your energy. Before Thousand-Household Liao returns, there shouldn't be any heavy tasks assigned to your Team C."

Chen Mu cupped his hands to excuse himself and turned to walk toward the door.

Having just taken two steps, Cheng Xiaoqing's voice came from behind him.

"Chen Mu, remember what I said. This matter is known only to you and me."

Chen Mu nodded slightly, did not ask further, turned, and pushed the door open to leave.

...

When Ling Xiaoning came out of the Demon Archive Division, he felt like he was walking on air.

That fish gut dagger was tucked at his waist, short and sharp. The scabbard was made of heavy shark skin, which felt slightly rough to the touch, but once drawn, the blade gleamed with cold light and could sever a hair blown against it.

He walked with such arrogance the whole way that he wished he could straighten his back even more whenever he met anyone, just so people could see his newly acquired treasure.

When he returned to the Team C barracks, Lu Dachuan was hopping on one leg, exercising his muscles and bones in the courtyard.

His injuries had healed by seventy percent. Although he was still bandaged, he was not as immobile as he had been in the past few days. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Ling Xiaoning walking in with his head held high, looking just like a little fox that had just stolen a chicken.

"Oh ho."

Lu Dachuan chuckled and leaned against the wall.

"Whose rooster is this, walking without even looking at the path?"

Ling Xiaoning's steps faltered, and his face instantly turned red, but he quickly stiffened his neck again. In two or three steps, he hopped in front of Lu Dachuan and patted his waist.

"Brother Lu, look!"

Lu Dachuan looked down and let out an "Oh."

"This... isn't this the fish gut dagger from the second floor of the Demon Archive Division? You brat, you really exchanged it?"

Ling Xiaoning nodded triumphantly.

"Of course. A Grade C-Superior merit, personally decided by Flag-bearer Cheng. He said that although the Kaoshan Village mission was not completed in its entirety, the Bat King was executed and the bodies were recovered, so the contribution was undeniable. Chen Mu and I were each awarded a Grade C-Superior merit, and the rest of the brothers were awarded Grade C-Intermediate."

When he said the words "Chen Mu," he deliberately glanced at Chen Mu, who was sitting in the room regulating his Qi, and his voice went up an octave.

Lu Dachuan raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, our Xiao Ning has made something of himself, now on equal footing with Brother Chen?"

Ling Xiaoning was incredibly pleased with himself, his face glowing, but he spoke with feigned humility.

"Can't say that, can't say that. My meager ability is far worse than Chen Mu's. Isn't this just good luck? I just happened to be there."