Each Harboring Ghostly Intentions

Seeing the token fall to the ground, the middle-aged man at the head immediately recognized the Demon Slayer token.

He quickly stepped forward to pick up the token, looking at Fang Mu with surprise and asking, "Are you a Demon Slayer Envoy?"

Fang Mu didn't reply, his eyes coldly fixed on the middle-aged man at the head.

"What are you standing around for? Put down your swords and blades! If you injure this lord, I'll hold you accountable!"

The middle-aged man at the head's eyes flickered a few times, and he quickly shouted at his subordinates.

"I am Jiang Hai, the town guard of Qingliu Town. I hope you will forgive any offense caused before."

The middle-aged man, who called himself Jiang Hai, respectfully stepped forward to bow to Fang Mu and returned the token to him.

"Hmph! You town guard have quite the authority, daring to allow your subordinates to do evil. What crime should you be punished for?"

Qi Zhu, her face full of anger, stepped forward and questioned Jiang Hai.

"Miss, please calm your anger. It is true that I was prejudiced before and did not question clearly."

"If my younger brother, Jiang Tao, has offended any of you, I apologize to you all here."

"When we get back, I will definitely teach him a good lesson and punish him."

Jiang Hai appeared extremely sincere, repeatedly apologizing.

"Brother! What's so great about being a Demon Slayer Envoy? I've become one too, why should we fear them?"

"Shut up! If you say one more word! I'll drag you back and beat you!"

As soon as Jiang Tao's dissatisfied voice fell, Jiang Hai turned his head and reprimanded him with a dark expression.

Seeing his older brother's grim face, Jiang Tao immediately dared not speak.

"Everyone, please ignore him. He's just spoiled by my indulgence. I will discipline him later."

Jiang Hai's expression changed as quickly as a chameleon's. He turned back with a smile, his expression now sunny, and apologized to Fang Mu and the other three.

"If my subordinates' guess is correct, you are the envoys sent from the county town to recruit Demon Slayer Envoys in our town?"

"Hmph! It seems you have some sense. Now take us to the town guard's mansion."

As soon as Jiang Hai finished speaking, Sun Hou, who had been silent and watching the show, snorted and spoke.

"Yes, yes, yes, please follow me!"

Watching Jiang Hai lead the way, Fang Mu suddenly revealed a meaningful smile.

He pulled Fang Jing, stopped Qi Zhu from continuing to cause trouble, and followed everyone to the town guard's mansion.

The bald man, Jiang Tao, dared not stop Fang Mu and the other three as they left.

But his eyes flickered, and no one knew what bad idea he was hatching.

Before long, Fang Mu and the other three arrived at the town guard's mansion and were treated as distinguished guests.

After eating and drinking their fill, Jiang Hai took Fang Mu and the other three to a large training ground.

More than thirty people were gathered in the training ground, all of whom had been selected to become Demon Slayer Envoys.

Among them were Jiang Tao, who had a past conflict with Fang Mu, and seven thugs, also in the lineup.

"My lords! These are the Demon Slayer Envoys recommended by our town. I hope you will take good care of them this time."

Jiang Hai respectfully explained to Fang Mu, then took out four small bags and quietly handed them to the four of them.

Sun Hou took the small bags without politeness, weighed them, and put them away with satisfaction.

Qi Zhu frowned and was about to scold him when Fang Mu stopped her.

Fang Mu put away the small bags, sensing that there were at least twenty silver coins inside. Jiang Hai was truly generous.

He glanced at Jiang Tao, who had ill intentions towards him, with a cold smile.

Fang Mu found it very interesting that Jiang Hai would allow Jiang Tao to become a Demon Slayer Envoy.

Perhaps others didn't know, but Jiang Hai certainly knew that being a Demon Slayer Envoy was a deadly profession.

He was pushing Jiang Tao into a fire pit. If it weren't for their previous conflict, Fang Mu might have mistakenly thought that Jiang Hai didn't care about his brother Jiang Tao.

But after their previous conflict, Fang Mu could see that Jiang Hai was extremely indulgent and cared about his brother Jiang Tao.

So the question arose: what was Jiang Tao's purpose in becoming a Demon Slayer Envoy?

"My lords! I have prepared a private room for you. How about resting in town tonight and setting off tomorrow morning?"

"Brother! I've already sent people to clean up a courtyard with beautiful scenery. Let the lords stay there as my apology."

As soon as Jiang Hai finished speaking, Jiang Tao quickly stepped out of the line and respectfully bowed to Fang Mu and the others.

"Alright! Let's go see your courtyard!"

"Brother!"

"Fang Mu!"

As Fang Mu's words fell without hesitation, Fang Jing and Qi Zhu quickly tugged at him, trying to persuade him.

They both felt that Fang Mu had agreed too hastily, and they both disliked Jiang Tao, thinking he was being insincere.

Jiang Hai frowned and glanced at Jiang Tao. After a moment of hesitation, he ultimately remained silent.

"I want to see that courtyard too. Let's go, no need to waste time here."

Sun Hou suddenly showed a hint of a smile and gestured for Jiang Tao to lead the way.

Fang Mu stopped Fang Jing and Qi Zhu, who were about to advise him, and followed Jiang Tao with the two of them.

Fang Mu knew exactly what Jiang Tao was planning, and he couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Calamity from heaven may be escaped, but calamity of one's own making cannot.

After leaving the City Guard's residence, they took a winding path to a secluded courtyard. There were no people around.

The courtyard was a bit old and looked ancient. Many flowers and plants were planted within, filling the small yard with a rich floral fragrance.

There was a Sophora tree in the courtyard. It was extremely lush, and its leaves had red veins.

"My lord has a discerning eye. This Blood Sophora is quite valuable."

Jiang Tao said with a smile, approaching the Sophora tree and flattering Fang Mu.

"Indeed! A blood-sucking Sophora would naturally be valuable. It seems all the young women who hanged themselves on this tree struggled and cried."

Fang Mu's gaze drifted to the Blood Sophora, his words carrying a hidden meaning that made Jiang Tao's expression change, his smile freezing on his face.

"My lord is joking! Let's head inside. I've already had people prepare some pastries for you to try."

Jiang Tao chuckled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.

Fang Mu gave Jiang Tao a meaningful look, which made him feel guilty and lower his head, unable to meet his gaze.

Sneering inwardly, Fang Mu beckoned Fang Jing, who was admiring the flowers, and headed towards the inner room of the courtyard.

The interior decoration was somewhat simple, with a few landscape paintings hanging on the walls. The walls and floor were made of wood, and the chairs and benches were all solid wood.

At this moment, the ruffians who had followed Jiang Tao arrived with platters of freshly steamed pastries.

"My lord! These pastries taste great. They're famous local delicacies, why don't you try some?"

Fang Mu smiled and accepted the pastries that Jiang Tao offered.

But before Fang Mu could eat them, Qi Zhu snatched one away.

"Are they that delicious? Then I must taste them first to see if they're poisoned!"

As she spoke, Qi Zhu looked at Fang Mu, clearly implying she was warning him.

However, Fang Mu made no reaction, which angered Qi Zhu, who then defiantly popped the pastry into her mouth and chewed.

"Miss is joking! How could these pastries be poisoned? If you're all worried, I can taste them first."

Jiang Tao laughed heartily and casually picked a pastry from each plate.

Then, in front of Fang Mu and his companions, he ate the pastries to prove his innocence.

Fang Jing, who had intended to advise Fang Mu, was taken aback and swallowed the words she was about to speak.

After eating the pastry, Qi Zhu also felt suspicious, as she didn't sense any abnormality or poison in her body.

This meant the pastries were indeed fine, and she had likely been too anxious and had wrongly accused Jiang Tao.