Promotion: Acting Head of the Demon Hunting Office

"What?"

Chu Jiang froze. Li Feng had been the leading figure of the Demon Hunting Office, a Xiantian expert.

No one in Baishi County should have been capable of killing him.

The other three were even more shocked, though inwardly, they were secretly delighted.

No matter why Li Feng had died, the Demon Hunting Office could not remain leaderless for long. They would certainly choose a new spokesperson to take charge of the overall situation.

Assistant Magistrate Liu continued, "Before the court's official appointment arrives, the Demon Hunting Office needs someone to oversee the bigger picture."

After saying that, he looked at Chu Jiang. "Captain Chu, you are quite familiar with matters concerning demons and monsters. You will serve as Acting Head and take over all affairs of the Demon Hunting Office."

Chu Jiang's eyes lit up. There was actually such a good thing? It was like pie falling from the sky.

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

Whatever. Even if there was some scheme behind this, he was not afraid.

If his strength was great enough, then no matter how countless their schemes, he could shatter them all with a single hand.

Liu Ding and Li Dagang stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief.

Familiar with demons and monsters, my ass. Didn't that mean he had secretly colluded with demons and monsters, bringing them into ordinary people's homes to feast? A man like that could become the head of the Demon Hunting Office?

Though Lord Li Feng had not exactly been an honest official, he had never traded with demons and monsters. How could Chu Jiang, someone who constantly ran around with demons and monsters, possibly...

It was simply ridiculous.

Seeing the changes in their expressions, Assistant Magistrate Liu said blandly, "This is the result of discussions between Clerk Hu, the county magistrate, and myself. You need only obey!"

The three fell silent. Since the senior officials of Baishi County had already spoken, they could only resign themselves to it with reluctance. "We understand. From now on, we are willing to follow Captain Chu's... ah, no, Head Chu's orders."

"Alright. Head Chu, stay behind. You three may withdraw first." Assistant Magistrate Liu waved a hand.

After the three left.

Assistant Magistrate Liu said, "Li Feng's death has enraged those above. They have instructed us to ascertain Head Li's cause of death within one month without fail. Once you take office, this will be your primary responsibility."

"If you handle this matter well, making your position as Acting Head of the Demon Hunting Office official will be no problem at all. The county magistrate and I will guarantee you before the prefectural governor."

"These are the clues we currently possess. Take a look first."

Chu Jiang raised a brow.

Fuck.

He knew it. Why would these two old men be so kind as to make him the head of the Demon Hunting Office? They were looking for a scapegoat.

As the local chief officials, they would certainly bear responsibility for Li Feng's death. If their luck was bad, they might even lose their official hats.

Trading a month-long acting position for the safety of their official caps—no matter how one looked at it, they were making a profit. Their abacus beads were clacking loud and clear.

Chu Jiang showed a troubled expression and said to Assistant Magistrate Liu, "Lord Li Feng's death is no trivial matter. This subordinate's strength is meager; I fear I may not be equal to the task!"

"Assistant Magistrate, your strength is formidable. Wouldn't handling this case be as easy as turning your hand?"

The corner of Assistant Magistrate Liu's mouth twitched slightly. Your strength is meager? You could probably count as half a Xiantian expert already, yet you are still pretending to be a little lamb before me.

He understood inwardly that Chu Jiang wanted to squeeze some benefits out of him. Otherwise, he would never have agreed so readily.

Thus, Assistant Magistrate Liu said helplessly, "Speak. What do you want—money, beauties... As long as it is not excessive, I can satisfy you."

Assistant Magistrate Liu sighed inwardly. It seemed he would have to bleed heavily today.

"Money, beauties...?"

Chu Jiang took a deep breath, then shook his head. "Assistant Magistrate, I only hope to obtain a few Martial Arts Manuals, preferably ones of a higher grade. That way, I can better serve the court and handle affairs for the county."

Assistant Magistrate Liu was stunned. Did the sun rise in the west today? Didn't this brat usually love those two things most? Why was he asking for Martial Arts Manuals today?

And did he think martial arts were cabbages sold by the roadside? He even wanted high-grade ones.

"I do not seek martial arts entirely for myself. I seek them for the peace of the tens of thousands of people in Baishi County. The stronger I become, the greater our assurance in resisting demons and monsters, isn't it?"

Chu Jiang was not lying about that.

As the ancients said: when poor, cultivate oneself alone; when prosperous, aid all under heaven.

He had had no choice before. Now, he only wanted to be a good man.

"Fine, wait here!"

Assistant Magistrate Liu sighed. Why did this fellow make it sound so genuine? If he wanted benefits, then just ask for benefits. Why drag it so far afield?

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn.

Assistant Magistrate Liu returned from outside, holding two yellowed books. One was thinner, while the other was much thicker.

Assistant Magistrate Liu introduced them to Chu Jiang. "This thinner one is the Great Vajra Palm. This palm technique is fierce and overbearing, with tremendous power. I acquired it by chance. Though it has only one move, its power surpasses that of most Houtian martial arts."

Then, he picked up the thick book and said, "This one is the Clear Wind Art, a superior Houtian martial art. Once cultivated to perfection, its speed can rival that of a Xiantian expert."

Chu Jiang accepted the two Martial Arts Manuals and pondered in secret.

This Great Vajra Palm seemed somewhat similar to the Great Strength Fist he had learned before. Both were martial arts centered on strength.

However, judging by its name, the Great Vajra Palm was clearly more powerful. Perhaps its complete version might even be Xiantian martial arts.

As for the Clear Wind Art, Chu Jiang was extremely satisfied. It happened to make up for his shortcomings in movement techniques, allowing his strength to rise another step.

"Oh, right. There is a private matter I need to trouble Head Chu with." Assistant Magistrate Liu suddenly said.

"Please speak, Assistant Magistrate Liu. If it is within my abilities, I can help."

Chu Jiang did not make his promise absolute. If it was beyond his ability, then there was no point in saying anything.

Assistant Magistrate Liu hesitated for a while before saying, "It concerns Liu Guangwu's younger sister... I know you certainly did not do this, but Zhang Liancai abducted his younger sister behind your back. In the end, that is against the law."

"Furthermore, Zhang Liancai was once your subordinate, and you are familiar with him. Therefore, I would like to ask Head Chu to investigate and bring his younger sister back."

Assistant Magistrate Liu naturally knew that Liu Guangwu's sister had most likely disappeared at Chu Jiang's instigation. Even if Chu Jiang had not been the mastermind, given his understanding of Zhang Liancai, he certainly knew where Zhang Liancai had hidden her.

Whether she returned or not was merely a matter of Chu Jiang's word.

But words could not be spoken too plainly.

In official circles, once one made things too complete, too absolute, there would be no path left to retreat.

One had to leave oneself ample room to maneuver.

Hearing Assistant Magistrate Liu's words, Chu Jiang frowned. He was also wondering where exactly Zhang Liancai had hidden her.

He had said only he himself knew.

Wait...

Chu Jiang sank into thought, searching through the fragments of memory in his mind.

The main problem was that the original owner's memories were too chaotic. There was everything in them. In particular, one mass of memories remained in a muddled state; every time he probed it, he found only emptiness.

The eighth day of the third month, went to Drunk Flower Pavilion to listen to the flower queen play a tune...

The tenth day of the third month, flirted with Widow Wang of East Street in public...

The thirteenth day of the third month, gambled at the casino and lost one hundred taels... On the fourteenth, gambled again and won three hundred taels... On the fifteenth, lost two hundred taels...

The twentieth day of the third month, a pig demon came looking for you and asked you to take it to eat...

The first day of the fourth month, Zhang Liancai prepared an underground cage for you...

Hm?

Underground.

It seemed he had mentioned it once. She was probably there.

This guy was damn impressive.

"Assistant Magistrate Liu, I will return and investigate this matter, so I will not stay any longer," Chu Jiang said.

"Then I wish Head Chu victory at the first stroke. One month from now, the county's officials and I will celebrate your accomplishments!"

Assistant Magistrate Liu said with a smile.

After Chu Jiang left, his expression instantly returned to calm, as though he were contemplating something.