Chapter 271 Undercurrents of Power Struggle

Chen Mu listened, pondered for a moment, and seemed lost in thought.

"So, Thousand-Household Liao has been looking for a new successor all these years?"

Qi Huan glanced at him, a flash of appreciation in his eyes.

"You're quick, kid. That's right, Thousand-Household Liao has indeed been looking for a suitable candidate all these years. He knows it himself—while Qin Zheng is excellent, his personality is too arrogant; he may not be able to hold up the entire Demon Suppression Division. He wants to find someone who can carry on his Legacy, someone who can both take over his position and balance the various factions within the division."

As he spoke, he looked at Chen Mu meaningfully.

"You've shown your mettle within just two months of joining the division, and Cheng Xiaoqing speaks highly of you. Even if Thousand-Household Liao hasn't met you, he must have heard your name."

Chen Mu shook his head slightly.

"My experience is too shallow; I cannot bear such high expectations."

Qi Huan laughed heartily, raised his cup, and downed it in one gulp.

"Don't belittle yourself, kid. Thousand-Household Liao never looks at seniority when judging people, only capability. Back then, Qin Zheng was taken as his apprentice after just three months in the division, all because of his superb swordsmanship. If you have that kind of talent, you'll catch his eye sooner or later."

As he spoke, he poured Chen Mu another cup of wine and changed the subject.

"However, having said that, the Demon Hunting Division was steady while Thousand-Household Liao was here. Now that he's gone, some people can't sit still."

Chen Mu looked up at him.

"Is Chief Qi talking about Deputy Thousand-Household Wu Zhiqing?"

Although he didn't usually pay much attention to the movements of the higher-ups, he had learned a little from Lu Dachuan's casual chatter.

Qi Huan nodded and lowered his voice.

"Yes, exactly him. Before Thousand-Household Liao left, he entrusted the affairs of the Demon Hunting Division to Wu Zhiqing to manage temporarily, putting him in charge. In name, he's a Deputy Thousand-Household, but in reality, he is acting with the authority of a Thousand-Household."

"But this Wu Zhiqing..."

Qi Huan shook his head, a flash of disdain in his eyes.

"He has been in the Demon Suppression Division for twenty years, even longer than Thousand-Household Liao, but after twenty years, he's only managed to become a Deputy Thousand-Household. There aren't many people under him who truly respect him. When Thousand-Household Liao was here, he kept his tail tucked and behaved himself, but now that Thousand-Household Liao is gone, he's starting to stir up trouble."

Chen Mu frowned slightly.

"What kind of trouble?"

Qi Huan sneered.

"Finding ways to line his own pockets. Some brothers from the Demon Archive Division told me that Wu Zhiqing has been running to the Prefect's residence constantly these past few months, giving gifts to the Prefect and money to several advisors, busy as a bee greasing palms."

"Anyone with a brain can see what he's planning. With Thousand-Household Liao suffering such a crushing defeat in the Southern Wilderness, if something were to happen to him, he wants to seize the opportunity to move up and take his place."

Chen Mu was silent for a moment.

"Chief Qi just said that although Thousand-Household Liao suffered heavy losses, his life is not in danger, and he should be able to return safely."

Qi Huan nodded.

"That goes without saying. What kind of person is Thousand-Household Liao? Even if Fentian himself were to strike, he would have to pay a heavy price to kill him. Although many men were lost this time, he himself is unharmed and will be back in the Prefecture in a few days."

"But Wu Zhiqing can't wait."

He paused, a flicker of coldness in his eyes.

"I've heard rumors that this Deputy Thousand-Household is dying for Thousand-Household Liao to take a big fall—preferably one he can't recover from—so he can seize the chance to climb higher. With this crushing defeat in the Southern Wilderness, while he acts heartbroken on the surface, who knows how happy he is behind the scenes."

Chen Mu listened quietly without speaking.

Qi Huan sighed.

"This is the current state of the Demon Suppression Division. Monsters run rampant outside, while there are power struggles within. We are out there on the front lines risking our lives, yet some people are stabbing us in the back. Just thinking about it makes my heart cold."

As he spoke, he raised his cup.

"Forget it, let's not talk about these depressing matters. Drink!"

Chen Mu raised his cup, clinked it against his, and downed it in one gulp.

The two chatted for a long time, talking about past events in Yunmeng and their experiences in the Prefecture, from the habits of monsters to martial Dao Cultivation.

Qi Huan rambled on, recounting the twists and turns of the Demon Suppression Division over the years several times over, until the moon was high in the sky and he finally stopped.

When Chen Mu helped him out of the tavern, Qi Huan was already slightly tipsy, his steps unsteady, still muttering something.

"Chen Mu... you kid... win some glory for your big brother... don't let those people... look down on us..."

Chen Mu supported him as they walked forward, responding casually.

Just as the two passed the street corner, someone came running toward them, stumbling and rushing so fast that they almost collided with Chen Mu.

Chen Mu dodged to the side and reached out to steady the person, only to realize, upon closer inspection, that it was Ling Xiaoning.

At this moment, Ling Xiaoning had completely lost his triumphant look from earlier in the day. His hair was disheveled, his face was covered in bruises, his left eye socket was blackened, dried blood hung from the corner of his mouth, and his clothes were torn in several places; he looked as disheveled as if he had just rolled in the mud.

What concerned Chen Mu even more was that Ling Xiaoning's eyes were bloodshot, and his face was full of anxiety and panic. The moment he saw Chen Mu, he almost lunged at him, grabbing his arm with a voice that cracked.

"Chen Mu! Zhuifeng... Zhuifeng is lost!"

Chen Mu's gaze sharpened, and his intoxication immediately faded by thirty percent.

Zhuifeng—that jet-black puppy with golden glints in its eyes—had followed him all the way from Sangye Village to the Prefecture. Although it was just a half-grown puppy, it was extremely intelligent. How could it have been lost?

He pressed down on Ling Xiaoning's shoulders, his voice steady.

"Don't panic. Tell me slowly. What happened?"

Ling Xiaoning panted heavily and incoherently recounted what had happened.

In the evening, Ling Xiaoning was bored in the barracks, so he took Zhuifeng out for a walk. Zhuifeng had grown a bit faster these past few days, its fur becoming increasingly black and shiny, its eyes brimming with intelligence. Wherever Ling Xiaoning went, it followed; the man and dog were quite content.

They strolled along the bluestone road of the Demon Suppression Division, Zhuifeng running and stopping, sniffing here and there. Ling Xiaoning followed behind, muttering about how handy his new fish gut dagger was.

Just as they reached the boundary between the Demon Hunting Division and the Demon Archive Division, someone walked toward them—it was none other than Jiang Yuheng.

Ling Xiaoning's heart skipped a beat.

He knew that Jiang Yuheng had a grudge against Chen Mu and that this person was not to be trifled with, so he usually took a detour whenever he saw him. But now that they had collided head-on and there was no way to avoid him, he had to bite the bullet and keep walking, hoping that they would just pass each other by.

But just as the two passed each other, for some reason, Zhuifeng suddenly darted out from behind Ling Xiaoning, its little legs brushing against Jiang Yuheng's trouser leg as it ran past, as if it were chasing something.

Jiang Yuheng stopped in his tracks.

He looked down at the dust on his trouser leg, then at Zhuifeng, and finally, his gaze landed on Ling Xiaoning's face.

Ling Xiaoning's heart tightened, and he hurriedly bowed to apologize.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry. This little thing doesn't know any better; please excuse it for bumping into you, Brother Jiang..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Yuheng spoke up.

"Is this dog Chen Mu's?"

His voice was not loud, and his tone was flat, but Ling Xiaoning inexplicably felt a chill run down his back.

"It... it is Chen Mu's, but it's still young and doesn't know the rules. Please don't lower yourself to its level, Brother Jiang..."

Ling Xiaoning forced a smile, wanting to pick up Zhuifeng and leave quickly, but Zhuifeng wouldn't cooperate, kicking its four little legs and insisting on nudging toward Jiang Yuheng's feet.

Jiang Yuheng looked down at the little black dog that didn't know the meaning of fear, and a cold sneer suddenly tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Your master is arrogant, and you, a beast, dare to be arrogant too?"