Chapter 64 The official heart is as strong as iron

Xu Changze's manor was located in the east of the city. Although not as luxurious as the Zhao Manor, it featured high walls and deep courtyards, exuding a stern and imposing air. Two stone lions stood before the gate, appearing exceptionally majestic and cold.

It was already the middle of the night. The manor gates were tightly shut, with only two lanterns hanging under the eaves swaying slightly in the night breeze.

"Bang, bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang!"

Liu Ziming knocked forcefully on the vermilion-lacquered gate, the sound carrying far in the silent night.

After a long while, slow footsteps and dissatisfied grumbling finally came from inside the gate.

"Who is it? It's the middle of the night, what's all the knocking for? Don't you know this is the residence of the County Magistrate?"

"If you disturb the Master's peaceful dreams, can you afford the consequences?"

The side door opened a crack, and a sleepy-eyed middle-aged man in a servant's uniform poked half his face out. Seeing the two blood-stained, disheveled men outside, he was startled and instinctively tried to close the door.

"Wait, an urgent report from the Demon Suppression Division! We have vital matters to discuss with the County Magistrate!"

Chen Mu stepped forward, wedging his foot into the door crack. His voice was hoarse but carried an undeniable urgency.

The servant sized them up, his face full of impatience. Seeing they were two blood-soaked, bedraggled runners from the Demon Suppression Division through the crack, his expression soured even further.

"The Master has already retired for the night. If there's business, speak of it in court tomorrow!"

"It cannot wait until tomorrow!" Liu Ziming also stepped forward, speaking hurriedly.

The servant frowned. Hearing the voice, he raised his lantern to their faces. After recognizing Chen Mu and Liu Ziming, his intent to cause trouble became even more apparent.

"Impudent! What could be more important than the Master's sleep? Besides..."

The servant's voice cut off abruptly as he tilted his head, clearly waiting for the two to show some 'sincerity'.

Liu Ziming had been on duty at the Demon Suppression Division for many years; how could he not understand the hint? Gnashing his teeth, he immediately pulled two taels of silver from his robes and stuffed them over.

"Please, this matter is indeed extremely urgent."

The servant frowned as he weighed the silver, seemingly dissatisfied. He dawdled for a good while before reluctantly going inside to report.

Chen Mu's gaze was icy, his teeth clenched as he struggled to suppress his rage.

Liu Ziming patted his shoulder, shaking his head with a sigh.

"It's easy to see the King of Hell, but hard to deal with the little ghosts. Besides, even the local City God has been bribed. It's not surprising, not surprising at all."

The two waited outside for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn before the servant finally returned leisurely. He opened the door, though his face held no respect.

"The Master is awake. He told you to wait in the side hall."

The side hall was dimly lit. Xu Changze sat in the main seat draped in an outer robe, his expression calm, showing neither joy nor anger.

Head Constable Wang also stood to one side with a somber expression.

"What matter is so urgent that it must disturb this official's sleep in the dead of night?"

Chen Mu cupped his fists and gave a concise report of everything they had seen at the Zhao Manor tonight: the Ghostly Creature's malice, the devouring of ghosts, and Qi Huan's capture.

After finishing, he added a supplement.

"My Lord, this Ghostly Creature is close to the Heart-Awakening Realm and even has the power to interfere with the Underworld. It is definitely not something we can face."

"I implore you to immediately issue an emergency dispatch to report to the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division and request that experts be sent to eradicate it."

"If we delay, I fear a great calamity will befall Yunmeng."

Xu Changze listened quietly, occasionally tapping the armrest of his chair with his finger. His face remained calm, showing no signs of shock or anxiety.

Only after Chen Mu finished did he slowly speak.

"I have heard rumors about the Zhao Manor's affairs. This so-called Ghost Marriage and Ghostly Creature might just be hearsay or the tricks of some Jianghu charlatans; one cannot be sure."

"What you two have said sounds terrifying, but there is no concrete evidence."

"Furthermore, I heard that you two already caused a scene at the Zhao Manor during the day. As for Qi Huan's matter, I suspect there might be more to it than meets the eye."

Chen Mu's heart sank. Xu Changze was clearly determined to downplay the situation. He immediately said, "My Lord, this is all witnessed and experienced by us personally. How could it be false?"

Xu Changze waved his hand, interrupting him.

"Even if there truly is a Ghostly Creature, is our Yunmeng City's Demon Suppression Division merely for show?"

"The Special Envoy from the Prefecture will arrive in a few days. If we rashly report now that a Ghostly Creature requiring a Heart-Awakening Realm expert has appeared in the city, wouldn't that make everyone in Yunmeng City look incompetent and the public order appear chaotic?"

"If that happens, where will I, and where will the reputation of Yunmeng City, stand?"

Even the usually timid Liu Ziming could not help but raise his voice upon hearing such words.

"Reputation? Human lives are at stake! That Ghostly Creature might kill even more people in the future. Is all that less important than reputation?"

"How dare you! Liu Ziming, you dare speak to the County Magistrate like that?" Head Constable Wang barked from the side.

Xu Changze glanced at Liu Ziming indifferently, his eyes slightly cold, but his tone remained steady and composed.

"It is not that I treat human life as grass, but everything must follow the rules. Reporting to the Prefecture is no small matter; it requires detailed verification, the drafting of documents, and submission through the proper channels."

"How can I hurriedly report in the middle of the night based solely on your one-sided account?"

He picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and said calmly.

"You two go back for now. Write down what you saw tonight in a detailed case file and submit it tomorrow. I will naturally send people to verify it thoroughly."

Chen Mu's brow furrowed. He took a step forward, his gaze piercing as it locked onto Xu Changze.

"My Lord, that Ghostly Creature is currently digesting the souls it devoured, recovering and even increasing its power. Every moment we delay is another moment of danger!"

"I hope you will take extraordinary measures in this extraordinary time. I implore you to prioritize the safety of the people and the life of your subordinate."

Xu Changze's face darkened completely. He slammed his palm onto the table with a dull thud.

"Chen Mu, I have been lenient with you because of your recent minor achievements. Do not let your talent make you arrogant or overstep your bounds!"

"I have my own considerations on how to act. It is not your place to tell me what to do."

He then stood up and flicked his sleeves.

"I have made my decision. We will proceed according to the rules. If you two dare to pester me further, it will be considered obstructing official business and showing contempt for a superior."

"Guards, see them out!"

Two burly servants immediately entered and expressionlessly gestured for Chen Mu and Liu Ziming to leave, their posture forceful.

Liu Ziming was both anxious and furious, wanting to argue more, but Chen Mu pulled him back.

Chen Mu glanced at the grim-faced Xu Changze, then at the smugly sneering Head Constable Wang. He said nothing more and turned to walk out of the County Magistrate's manor.

The main gate slammed shut behind them.

Liu Ziming was trembling with rage.

"He... what does he mean by this! Chief Qi is still in the hands of that Ghostly Creature, and he wants to follow some damn rules and report level by level?"

Chen Mu stood before the manor, staring at the closed vermilion gate, his gaze growing colder by the second.

Something was wrong.

Xu Changze's reaction was too abnormal.

As the magistrate of a county, hearing news about a Heart-Awakening Realm Ghostly Creature, the failure of a city gods order, and the capture of a Prefecture Banner Officer, he should never have been this calm. His words even seemed like deliberate stalling.

Recalling the Ghostly Creature's words, "Money can make even ghosts turn the millstone," and the failed city gods order...

A terrifying suspicion gradually became clear in Chen Mu's heart.

I'm afraid it wasn't just the City God who was bribed...