Chapter 88 Promotion to Headmaster

Along the way, the streets and alleys were plastered with commendations, the ink glaringly dark, the language extravagant.

Xu Changze walked at the front, his official robes a vibrant red, his gait composed. He led the procession toward the County Magistrate's office, occasionally turning to nod at the citizens who stopped to watch, displaying an air of being close to the people.

Chen Mu's pace was steady and unhurried. His gaze pierced through the surrounding false obsequiousness, and he suddenly paused, looking at Xu Changze, whose smile remained unchanged at his side.

"Lord Xu, the notice says that Zhao Qinghe has already been executed?"

He paused immediately after, as if recalling the chaotic details of last night.

"When the Ghostly Creature was causing trouble last night, Zhao Qinghe seemed to have vanished. After the Ghostly Creature was slain, we were in a rush to leave and did not pay attention to his whereabouts."

"Did he… truly die?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Qi Huan, who was nearby suppressing his pain and anger, immediately pricked up his ears.

The muscles on Xu Changze's face twitched slightly, and he paused, then turned around, his face already composed with a look of prepared sorrow and righteous indignation.

"Indeed. You may not know, but that Zhao Qinghe had the heart of a wolf and the ambition of a dog. For the sake of his own selfish gain, he actually traded with such Evil Path creatures, harming the local community. He is truly a disgrace to our Yunmeng!"

"Last night, you all performed a great service by slaying the Ghostly Creature, cutting off this villain's support. After I received the report, I immediately sent men to arrest him, but I did not expect Zhao Qinghe to dare to resist arrest, and he was killed on the spot by the yamen runners."

"This can be considered retribution for his evil deeds; the laws of heaven are clear, vast, and let nothing slip through."

He spoke with righteous sternness, as if everything were under his control and the dust had settled.

After Xu Changze finished speaking, as if afraid he wouldn't believe him, he let out a long sigh and reached out to pat Chen Mu on the shoulder.

"Young Hero Chen, do not doubt. Zhao Qinghe's corpse is currently being kept in the mortuary of the County Magistrate's office. If Young Hero Chen does not believe me, you may verify it yourself later."

After hearing this, Chen Mu understood everything clearly in his heart.

Resist arrest? Killed on the spot? This was clearly silencing a witness.

As a key figure who had direct contact with the Ghostly Creature and possibly knew about certain transactions between Xu Changze and the Ghostly Creature, Zhao Qinghe's very existence was a threat.

Xu Changze was clearly taking advantage of the moment when the Ghostly Creature had been slain and no one would look into it deeply, cutting the Gordian knot to completely sever this clue that might lead back to himself.

He had even prepared the excuse of resisting arrest and had the corpse ready. The job was done cleanly and efficiently, without a single flaw.

Truly a masterful tactic.

"Lord Xu, your way of doing things is truly swift and decisive. I am impressed."

Chen Mu said slowly, his tone flat, making it impossible to tell if he was praising or criticizing.

Xu Changze seemed not to hear the underlying meaning. He stroked his beard and said with a sigh.

"It is my duty; I dare not be slack. It is just a pity that I could not extract more useful information from his mouth."

Chen Mu sneered repeatedly, but showed nothing of it, simply following Xu Changze's lead and continuing to ask.

"Oh? I wonder, why would a wealthy man like Zhao Qinghe raise a Ghostly Creature? What could he possibly gain from it?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Changze's face revealed a complex expression, a mixture of disdain, pity, and insight.

"Young Hero Chen, you are still young and perhaps do not know what most people in this world fear the most. It is not losing all their wealth, but their time running out and being buried in the earth."

"According to my speculation, this Zhao Qinghe was likely obsessed with the elusive Dao of immortality. He took an Evil Path, which is why he colluded with that Ghostly Creature in secret to extend his life using evil methods."

"Sigh, people… once they have an obsession, they become blinded by greed and their desires become insatiable. In the end, they harm others and themselves, and meeting such an end is their own fault."

His words were half-true and half-false, attributing Zhao Qinghe's motives entirely to the pursuit of immortality. It was reasonable and logical, sufficient to explain why a wealthy man would take such a risk.

At the same time, it cleverly avoided any other possible connection between Zhao Qinghe and himself, Xu Changze.

"Immortality?"

Chen Mu raised an eyebrow slightly.

This word touched the most sensitive part of his heart. He himself relied on the Heaven-Defying method of infusing Lifespan to advance his martial arts, so he was exceptionally sensitive to words like immortality and life extension.

During his brief glance at the Zhao residence last night, although Zhao Qinghe looked panicked, thinking back on it, his complexion was rosy, and his gait did not show the decrepitude of old age, even though he was said to be over seventy.

At the time, it just felt a bit off, but he hadn't thought deeply about it. Now that Xu Changze mentioned it, Chen Mu's heart couldn't help but stir.

If Zhao Qinghe had truly mastered some kind of evil method for life extension, even if it were only superficial, the value and secrets potentially hidden behind it would be anything but ordinary.

Chen Mu remained calm on the surface, just looking enlightened, and nodded faintly, following Xu Changze's lead.

"So that's how it is. Taking an Evil Path to seek immortality is ultimately like a flower in a mirror or the moon in the water—it only harms others and oneself."

Xu Changze immediately clapped in praise, as if he had found a kindred spirit in the vast expanse.

"That is exactly the point. Young Hero Chen, you are young but have extraordinary insight. The righteous path of martial arts is the true broad road; crooked paths ultimately lead to self-destruction."

While speaking, the group had arrived in front of the County Magistrate's office gate. The vermilion-painted gates were wide open, with yamen runners standing on both sides. Compared to the scene at the city gate, there was a bit more of the solemnity that should be there.

Xu Changze walked in first, followed closely by Chen Mu and the other two, heading straight to the main hall.

Chairs had already been set up in the hall, and hot tea had been served.

"The three of you have worked hard all night. Please, sit down and drink some hot tea to warm your bodies and calm your nerves."

Xu Changze greeted them warmly and sat down in the main seat at the head of the table.

Qi Huan was not polite at all; he sat down heavily and picked up the teacup, draining it in one gulp.

The warm tea slightly eased the stuffiness and thirst in his chest, but his expression remained ugly as he coldly scanned the people in the hall.

Chen Mu and Liu Ziming sat down one after another, holding their teacups and taking two sips.

Xu Changze seemed completely unaware of Qi Huan's cold face. He cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping over the few Demon Suppression Division runners below the hall, then looked at Chen Mu with a solemn expression on his face.

"Everyone, the former Demon Suppression Division Squad Leader Wang Youde was blinded by greed. He actually colluded with evil monsters, causing Banner Officer Qi Huan to be seriously injured, and even attempted to murder his colleague Liu Ziming. His actions are intolerable to heaven!"

"Fortunately, Banner Officer Qi Huan was fearless in the face of danger and fought back, killing the traitor Wang Youde on the spot! I have verified his identity and confirmed it without error."

"And Chen Mu is courageous and righteous beyond compare, with boldness that surpasses others. He infiltrated the lair of the evil creatures alone, fought a bloody battle all night, resolved the crisis of our Yunmeng Dao Xuan, and saved the entire city's people from fire and water. This is a monumental achievement!"

Speaking up to this point, Xu Changze paused, his gaze sweeping over the people in the hall, and his voice suddenly rose.

"Rewards for merit, punishment for faults—this is the law of the imperial court, and it is also the foundation of my governance. Chen Mu, hear my order!"

Xu Changze's voice was loud and resonant, carrying an unquestionable tone.

"Although you have been in the Demon Suppression Division for a short time, your ability is outstanding and your meritorious service is brilliant. After my careful consideration, I am now promoting you to the new Squad Leader of the Yunmeng Demon Suppression Division, in charge of all duties and personnel previously under Wang Youde!"

As he said this, he waved his hand slightly toward the dozen or so runners standing below the hall who were previously under Squad Leader Wang and were now looking apprehensive.

"Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and come forward to meet your new Squad Leader, Chief Chen!"

The dozen or so runners heard this and looked at each other, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

They had heard a lot about what happened last night and knew deeply that the young man in front of them was ruthless. Now that he was being so strongly supported by the County Magistrate, how could they dare to defy him in the slightest?

Immediately, those who were quick to react stepped out first, bowed with cupped hands, and shouted loudly.

"Subordinates pay respects to Chief Chen!"