Tired of Living

Han Zheng didn't know that Chen Zhao wanted to join his group for this reason.

If he had known, he would have definitely said that Li Jingzhong was misleading his disciples this time.

Not everyone could learn how to cheat.

Li Sancheng wrapped the red cloth around his arm and said regretfully, "I thought I'd get to wear the constable's uniform and patrol the streets, but it turns out this is all there is."

Han Zheng shook his head. "That uniform is worse than not wearing one. How many people in Black Stone County don't curse the constables in the yamen? Wearing that uniform is like asking for trouble."

Li Sancheng thought about it and felt it made sense.

There were many yamen runners, but the constables had the worst reputation, so bad that everyone wanted to beat them.

Although his father was also a yamen runner, the jailer spent most of his time in prison and didn't interact with ordinary people, so he wasn't cursed.

"What should we do now?"

Li Sancheng and the others looked at Han Zheng.

The four of them almost unanimously followed Han Zheng's lead.

"According to Constable Zhang, we need to patrol all the streets, alleys, and corners of Black Stone County.

We've been in Black Stone County for over ten years. I'm not saying we know everyone, but at least we recognize most people.

If we find anyone suspicious, we'll immediately signal Constable Zhang."

Han Zheng's expression was slightly serious. "You all saw the strength of the Incense Cult members last time.

Even ordinary members had Houtian late-stage strength. They are very dangerous, so don't try to be a hero."

Although the martial arts school didn't have many disciples, their strength was generally good, much more useful than those incompetent constables in the yamen before.

With the yamen's notice and these martial arts school disciples patrolling the streets, the entire Black Stone County felt like it was on edge. During the day, there were many fewer pedestrians on the streets.

However, after searching for several days, there was still no sign of activity, which made Zhang Tianyang a little anxious.

He also knew that his current actions were no longer about fishing in troubled waters but about alerting the enemy.

But there was no other way. If he didn't alert the enemy, he truly didn't have time to slowly search for the Incense Cult's mole.

Ten days later, on a slightly desolate long street.

Li Sancheng no longer had the excited look he had when he first started patrolling. He appeared somewhat dejected and bored.

They had been wandering the streets every day, and they had searched the day and night of Black Stone County several times, but still, there was no progress.

He shook his head and looked around, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Zhang's Biscuits is open for business! I'm going to buy some biscuits. Do you guys want any?"

Zhao Jinming and Wang Bao said in unison, "Yes!"

Han Zheng yawned. "Get me one."

Chen Zhao hesitated, then said a little shyly, "Get me one too."

Li Sancheng excitedly ran off to buy biscuits.

With the soaring grain prices in Black Stone County, not only did various restaurants close down, but even the small food vendors became fewer.

After all, anyone who had grain now would hoard it and not be willing to sell it.

Li Sancheng happily bought the biscuits and turned around abruptly, almost bumping into someone.

But the person quickly dodged, and Li Sancheng stumbled a couple of times, nearly falling.

Li Sancheng instinctively wanted to apologize to the person, but he suddenly felt something was wrong.

That person's reaction speed was so fast, and their footwork clearly indicated they had some martial arts training.

And that person was wearing a large bamboo hat, so only a chin could be vaguely seen.

The sun wasn't strong, and it wasn't raining, so why wear a bamboo hat?

And why did he feel that person's build was somewhat familiar?

"Sorry, brother, I almost bumped into you."

Li Sancheng blocked the person's path and said with a smile, "Brother, why do you look a bit familiar? Does your family live on Qingyang Lane?"

The person paused. "Yes, I live on Qingyang Lane. I'm in a hurry to get home. We can talk later."

A sly look appeared on Li Sancheng's chubby face. "You've revealed yourself, haven't you? There's no Qingyang Lane in Black Stone County. I made it up to trick you!"

The person wearing the bamboo hat suddenly looked up, revealing a face that looked like an honest old farmer but carried a murderous intent.

"You're looking for death!"

Li Sancheng immediately recognized who the person in front of him was.

No wonder he felt this person looked familiar.

This person was the Incense Cult member who had forced the merchant caravan to burn incense outside Black Stone County and was then forced to retreat by Han Zheng!

Before Li Sancheng could react, the person had already taken a step forward, unleashing a punch with a fierce whistling sound, their Blood Essence surging, and aimed at Li Sancheng's head!

He adopted the Vajra Fist's defensive stance, but the power gap between them was too great. Li Sancheng was sent flying backward.

"Help!"

Li Sancheng screamed loudly, pulling out the signal flare Zhang Tianyang had given him and igniting it.

It looked like a large firecracker, but sounded even louder, exploding in the air with a streak of red light.

"Damn it!"

The Incense Cult member, unable to kill Li Sancheng to silence him, turned and fled.

Han Zheng and the others arrived the moment Li Sancheng cried for help, but all they could see was the fleeing figure of the Incense Cult member.

Li Sancheng patted his chest, still shaken, and pointed in the direction the cult member had fled, shouting, "I found someone from the Incense Cult!

That guy is the same cult member who fought you outside Black Stone County last time, and he tried to kill me to silence me!"

He didn't know if it was good luck or bad.

After days of everyone patrolling together without finding any trace of the Incense Cult, he ran into one just while buying a flatbread.

"Chase him! Once you spot him again, send another signal to guide Master Zhang!"

Han Zheng's gaze sharpened, and he immediately led his men in pursuit.

In the struggle between the imperial court and the Incense Cult, he had already taken pills from the Demon Extermination Division and thus considered himself on their side.

If the Incense Cult were to truly breach Black Stone County in the future, they would surely settle scores with him for having worked for the Demon Extermination Division.

Han Zheng was not the type to waver or try to play both sides.

Once he chose a side, the other was destined to be his mortal enemy. If they didn't kill them, he would die!

Moreover, with the road to Jingzhou Prefecture blocked, Black Stone County was practically an isolated city. They had to save themselves and couldn't rely entirely on the imperial court to manage Black Stone County.

Under Han Zheng's leadership, they pursued the cult member.

But the cult member was quite fast. Even though Han Zheng had reached the Innate Realm, he wasn't much faster than the cult member.

They finally spotted the cult member, only for him to escape into a tavern called Autumn Moon Pavilion.

Just as Han Zheng was about to follow, Li Sancheng stopped him and whispered, "This tavern is an establishment of the Shen family, the second largest tavern in the county after Moon Drinking Tower."

"The Shen family's establishments are no excuse to harbor the demon cultists of the Incense Cult!

Although we are temporary constables, we are still considered people of the court.

Send another signal to Constable Zhang. He said he would take responsibility for anything that happens."

Han Zheng directly led his men into Autumn Moon Pavilion. An old innkeeper and some waiters immediately blocked their path.

"Why have you come to Autumn Moon Pavilion with such aggression?"

Han Zheng pointed to the red scarf on his arm: "Do you recognize this?"

The old innkeeper scoffed, "I recognize it. Aren't you just constables from the county office? And temporary ones without official uniforms at that.

Autumn Moon Pavilion is a Shen family establishment. Never mind you temporary constables, even the previous constables wouldn't dare to cause trouble here at Autumn Moon Pavilion!"

Han Zheng said coldly, "We are not here to cause trouble, but to investigate a demon cultist from the Incense Cult. I personally saw him enter Autumn Moon Pavilion just now."

"There are no demon cultists from the Incense Cult here. Get out, get out! Daring to cause trouble here is simply courting death!"

The old innkeeper of Autumn Moon Pavilion arrogantly waved them away.

A cold glint flashed in Han Zheng's eyes as he grabbed the innkeeper by the neck and lifted him.

"Colluding with demon cultists from the Incense Cult, who is courting death?"

The old innkeeper's face instantly turned red. He tried to beg for mercy but couldn't utter a sound.

At that moment, an angry shout came from upstairs.

"How dare you! How dare you cause trouble in my Shen family's tavern? Have you eaten the heart of a leopard?"

Two people descended from upstairs: one was Shen Conghai, the legitimate son of the Shen family, and the other was Pang Feiyan, the daughter of Pang Heihu of the Black Tiger Gang.

Han Zheng threw the old innkeeper aside and cupped his fists. "Apologies, Young Master Shen. We are acting under the orders of the Chief Constable of Black Stone County, Zhang Tianyang, to investigate a demon cultist from the Incense Cult.

I personally saw a demon cultist from the Incense Cult flee into the tavern just now."

Shen Conghai sneered, "I was dining with Miss Feiyan upstairs the entire time and didn't sense anyone entering the tavern. I think you are deliberately causing trouble!

You're making a mountain out of a molehill. Don't tell me you're acting on Zhang Tianyang's orders; even if you were acting on the County Magistrate's orders, my Shen family's tavern is not a place for you to act recklessly!"

Han Zheng's gaze immediately sharpened.

Shen Conghai was lying!

If Shen Conghai were in the Houtian Realm, Han Zheng would have believed him.

But he was now in the Innate Realm, his senses ten times stronger than those of a Houtian martial artist.

The Incense Cult member was only in the Houtian Realm. How could Shen Conghai not have noticed him entering the tavern?

Even if he was playing cards with Pang Feiyan upstairs, he couldn't have missed such a commotion.

Pang Feiyan, standing beside Shen Conghai, also lifted her chin, her eyes filled with arrogance.

"I remember you. You're Li Jingzhong's disciple, aren't you? Even Li Jingzhong wouldn't dare to be so disrespectful to Brother Hai. I think you're simply tired of living! Get out!"

Han Zheng smiled, revealing two rows of white teeth that looked somewhat grim and peculiar.

"Scram? Colluding with the demoniacs of the Incense Cult, I think it's you lot who are tired of living!"

Han Zheng said sternly to Li Sancheng and the others, "Go guard outside the restaurant. Watch all directions, don't let anyone escape."

Then, Han Zheng took a step forward, his Blood Essence surging and roaring around him. His footfall on the ground was like a giant elephant's, and the entire restaurant seemed to shake.

"Since you're unwilling to hand them over, fine, I'll take them myself!"