Chapter 281 Settling the Matter in Court

Moreover, at the time, he had snatched away Zhuifeng and thrown him to those two dog-butchering men in a fit of rage, fueled by his extreme hatred for Chen Mu, which was why he had made a mountain out of a molehill.

Yet, with everything that had happened recently, how could he not hate him?

Within the Jiang Family, although Jiang Yuheng was not cultivated with the same full effort as the direct descendants, he had never slacked off for a single day.

Training through the coldest winters and hottest summers, while others slept, he practiced; while others slacked off, he continued to practice. Day after day for over a decade, he had finally managed to struggle his way into the Demon Suppression Division, and after working diligently in this Prefecture for several years, he had established some merits and built up a reputation.

He had thought he had finally made it, that he could gain a firm foothold in the Demon Suppression Division and climb up step by step.

But just at this moment, Chen Mu arrived, and he had even entered the Demon Suppression Division relying on a recommendation from the Jiang Family.

He, Jiang Yuheng, a genuine member of the Jiang Family, had been in the Family for over a decade and had never seen them open a door of convenience for any descendant; everyone had to climb up by their own desperate efforts. Yet Chen Mu, an outsider, had actually managed to obtain a recommendation letter from the Jiang Family and entered the division so brazenly!

On what grounds?

On what grounds did Shen Suning, that high-and-mighty daughter of the Chief Councilor, protect Chen Mu everywhere, speak up for him, and even go so far as to reveal her status to suppress him?

On what grounds was Qi Huan, that Banner Master of the Demon Search Division, who had no prior dealings with him, willing to give up his quota for the Marrow Cleansing Pool to Chen Mu?

On what grounds were all these noble people helping Chen Mu? He, Jiang Yuheng, had been working diligently for over a decade; why couldn't he encounter such good fortune?

Just because Chen Mu was lucky? Just because he happened to catch a few opportunities to show his face?

Real strength? Hmph! Who knew how much of his battle record was true or false, or whether he was just lucky enough to pick up some cheap advantages.

Jiang Yuheng knelt on the ground, the more he thought about it, the more unwilling he felt, and the more stifled he became.

But resentment aside, hatred aside, after calming down, he also knew that what he had done was truly unreasonable.

That dog had merely brushed against his trouser leg, and Ling Xiaoning had only said a few words to protect the dog. His kick, the subsequent injury to the person, and the seizure of the dog were indefensible anywhere.

He had gone back to look for it later, wanting to get the dog back, but those two men were already long gone. He had circled around the West Market several times and asked every roadside stall, but no one had seen those two.

He felt increasingly panicked. After much deliberation, he simply gritted his teeth and decided to go to Cheng Xiaoqing first to lodge a complaint.

At the very least, he couldn't let himself be too passive.

After all, he was a member of the Jiang Family, while Chen Mu was just a nobody. Even if he had some achievements and help from noble people, as long as he got ahead of Chen Mu, made things clear, and exposed the fact that the dog had Demonic Qi, Cheng Xiaoqing would have to show some consideration.

After all, the Demon Suppression Division had rules; keeping demonic creatures was no small crime.

But now, seeing that dog alive and well in Chen Mu's arms, Jiang Yuheng's fierce determination to protect himself suddenly weakened.

Accusation? What was there left to accuse?

The dog wasn't dead, and although the Demonic Qi was still there, it was perfectly normal for a dog that followed Chen Mu to slay demons to have some Demonic Qi on it; this reason wouldn't hold up.

If he truly insisted on it, and Chen Mu bit back, accusing him of stealing the dog and injuring someone, he would be even more passive.

It would be better to take the opportunity to step down and let this matter pass.

As Jiang Yuheng thought this, his posture while kneeling on the ground lowered a little further, and his voice was no longer as tough as before, instead revealing a sense of guilt.

Chen Mu listened quietly until he finished, with no expression on his face.

But Ling Xiaoning became anxious first.

"Banner Master Cheng, please don't listen to his nonsense."

Ling Xiaoning, disregarding any rules, leaned half his body out from behind Chen Mu. His face was covered in bruises, which were particularly conspicuous under the candlelight. His eyes were red-rimmed, his lips trembled, and his voice cracked.

"He did it on purpose! I was taking Zhuifeng for a walk, and he just brushed against his trouser leg. Without a word, he kicked Zhuifeng! How small is Zhuifeng? That kick sent Zhuifeng rolling on the ground several times, and he couldn't even get up."

"I went up to stop him, and he raised his hand and hit me. Look at my face, these injuries—they are all from him."

The more Ling Xiaoning spoke, the more agitated he became, and tears were about to fall.

"He even snatched Zhuifeng away, saying he would handle it himself. I chased him all the way but couldn't catch up, and I searched all night but couldn't find him. I had no other choice but to go to Chen Mu."

"What is this about Demonic Qi? Zhuifeng has been through life and death with Chen Mu, slaying demons. What's wrong with having a bit of Demonic Qi on him? Does that count as a crime? Which one of us in the Demon Suppression Division hasn't been stained with Demonic Qi? Does that make everyone a demonic creature? Banner Master Cheng, you must uphold justice for us!"

As he spoke, he suddenly plopped down onto his knees, and his tears finally couldn't be held back and streamed down.

Cheng Xiaoqing frowned deeply, said nothing, and only looked at Chen Mu.

Only then did Chen Mu raise his head, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling Jiang Yuheng, then over Cheng Xiaoqing, and finally landing on Zhuifeng in his arms.

The little black dog was curled up in his arms at this moment, its four little legs hanging limp, its eyes half-open and half-closed, occasionally letting out a very low whimper, clearly not yet recovered from the shock.

Chen Mu gently patted its back, then spoke in a flat voice, devoid of any emotion.

"Xiao Ning is right. Zhuifeng did indeed follow me all the way from Yunmeng. When in Yunmeng, he followed me into Sangye Village and broke into the City God Temple. Later, he arrived at the Prefecture and has been with me every day since. It is perfectly normal for him to have some Demonic Qi on him."

He raised his head and looked at Jiang Yuheng.

"Brother Jiang is correct that Zhuifeng has Demonic Qi on him, but to say that I am keeping a demonic creature because of this is perhaps making a mountain out of a molehill."

He spoke, paused, and his tone remained calm.

"Although Brother Jiang's actions tonight were a bit reckless, surely it was out of loyalty to the Demon Suppression Division. Seeing Demonic Qi on Zhuifeng, he became suspicious and acted in a moment of urgency. I assume there was no malicious intent."

Once these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the hall shifted.

A trace of surprise flashed in Cheng Xiaoqing's eyes, and his gaze lingered on Chen Mu for a moment. Ling Xiaoning became anxious and opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped by Chen Mu raising his hand.

Qi Huan sat to one side with his eyes lowered, but the corners of his mouth slightly curled into an imperceptible arc.

This kid certainly knew how to conduct himself.

Cheng Xiaoqing nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Jiang Yuheng.

"Jiang Yuheng, what do you have to say about this?"

Jiang Yuheng was stunned, then immediately realized that Chen Mu was offering him a way out.

He looked up at Chen Mu, whose face still had no expression—no mockery, no triumph, and he wasn't even looking at him.

Jiang Yuheng took a deep breath and finally spoke.

"Banner Master, the events of tonight were due to my recklessness. I should not have kicked the dog, I should not have snatched it, and even less should I have injured a colleague. I acted on impulse and did wrong. I am willing to accept punishment."

As he said this, he kowtowed again.

Cheng Xiaoqing looked at Chen Mu, who was holding Zhuifeng and standing quietly in the hall.

Jiang Yuheng's words were sincere enough; he admitted his fault straightforwardly without shirking responsibility or making excuses, but...

Chen Mu's gaze finally landed on his face; deep within those eyes, there was still a trace of unwillingness and resentment hidden.

This person was not truly admitting his fault; he only knew that the situation was against him and had no choice but to bow his head.

But Chen Mu didn't care. He didn't need Jiang Yuheng to truly admit his fault; he only needed him to know that this dog was not to be touched.

As for what he thought in his heart, that was his own business.