Borrowing the Official Blades to Explore My Treasure

The atmosphere in the small courtyard was terrifyingly tense.

Lu Chen had his hand on his sword hilt, staring at Constable Zhao Gang in front of him.

Zhao Gang was also looking at him.

Neither of them moved, and the courtyard was so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard.

"Constable Zhao, speak your mind."

Lu Chen broke the silence, his voice betraying no emotion. "If this is about those old fishermen, I have nothing to say. If it's official business, please present the County Magistrate's order."

Zhao Gang stared at Lu Chen for a long time before suddenly letting out a sigh of relief, his shoulders slumping from their rigid posture.

"Hall Master Lu, you misunderstand."

Zhao Gang gave a wry smile and cupped his hands. "My visit tonight is indeed official business, but I'm not here to arrest anyone. I'm here to ask for help."

"Ask for help?"

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow, but his hand didn't leave his sword hilt. "A dignified County Yamen constable, with dozens of armed officers under your command, needs to ask for help from someone like me in a gang?"

"Hall Master Lu, you may not know the situation."

Zhao Gang sighed, his expression grim. "Things have been uneasy on the Nu River lately. It's not just your Black Water Gang's cargo ships that have had trouble; several villages along the river have suffered consecutive murders."

"The deaths... were extremely gruesome."

As he spoke, fear flickered in Zhao Gang's eyes. "The County Magistrate hasn't slept well for three days over this matter. If the case isn't solved soon, the upcoming performance review will put everyone in a difficult position."

Lu Chen's heart stirred.

Villages along the river? Murders?

"Where are the bodies?" Lu Chen asked.

"At the Yi Zhuang," Zhao Gang said in a low voice. "If it's convenient for you, Hall Master Lu, please accompany me, and you'll see. If you can help the County Yamen resolve this major problem, the County Magistrate will surely reward you handsomely."

Lu Chen thought for a moment.

"Lead the way."

Half an hour later, at the Yi Zhuang west of the city.

It was eerie here, with only two white lanterns at the entrance casting a dim light.

The old man guarding the Yi Zhuang recognized Zhao Gang and quickly opened the gate, then shrank back to the side, not daring to make a sound.

Zhao Gang led Lu Chen into the morgue and pointed to a plank in the middle.

"This one."

He stepped forward and lifted the white cloth.

A stench of decay mixed with a fishy odor assaulted their senses.

Wang Xiaoliu, standing behind Lu Chen, peeked and his face instantly turned pale. He covered his mouth and gagged.

"Ugh... What... what is this thing?"

A mummified corpse lay on the plank.

The body's blood had been completely drained, its skin clinging to the bones, appearing a faded bluish-purple.

Its eye sockets were sunken, its mouth agape, and its face was frozen in the terror of its final moments.

Most chillingly, there were two black holes on the corpse's neck.

Lu Chen narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to examine it.

This manner of death was identical to the unfortunate souls he had seen downstream at Red Fish Dock.

"This person was discovered last night in Xihe Village," Zhao Gang explained. "He was collecting nets by the river when his companion heard screams and ran over, only to find him like this. In less than the time it takes for half a cup of tea to brew, all his blood had been drained."

"And..."

Zhao Gang paused, then pulled a torn piece of cloth from his bosom. "This was found in the corpse's hand."

It was a piece of scaled skin, about the size of a fingernail, dark and sticky with mucus.

Lu Chen took it and glanced at it, his mind made up.

A Water Ghost.

And not an ordinary Water Ghost.

While ordinary Water Ghosts were fierce, they mostly drowned people and ate their flesh. This method of instantly draining blood was more like some dark magic, or perhaps a demon that had achieved sentience.

"Hall Master Lu, you are a man of understanding."

Zhao Gang looked at Lu Chen. "This... this was not done by a human. The coroner at the County Yamen examined it and said it was the work of evil spirits."

"We officers are good at catching petty thieves, but dealing with something like this... we are truly powerless."

"I heard Hall Master Lu has formidable martial arts skills, and even Li Qingyi of the Red Fish Gang fell to you. Furthermore..." Zhao Gang gave Lu Chen a deep look. "Hall Master Lu has been investigating matters concerning the Nu River recently, and I imagine you understand these things better than we do."

Lu Chen played with the scale, remaining silent.

He was contemplating.

This was a hot potato.

But it was also an opportunity.

He had been looking for an excuse to go down into the water on a large scale to explore the "Dragon Palace" ruins. Doing so under the banner of the government would not only be legitimate but also allow him to mobilize more resources.

Moreover, this corpse confirmed his previous suspicions.

There was indeed a major upheaval beneath the Nu River.

The fragments of the Profound Nether Hand and the so-called "Netherworld Stone" were likely related to this mutated Water Ghost.

"Constable Zhao, I can help with this."

Lu Chen looked up and threw the scales back to Zhao Gang. "However, I have conditions."

Zhao Gang was overjoyed. "Hall Master Lu, please speak! As long as the County Yamen can do it, I will not refuse!"

"First, this operation will be under my full command. Everyone from the County Yamen, including yourself, must obey me."

Lu Chen held up one finger.

"No problem!" Zhao Gang agreed readily. He didn't want to take the blame anyway, and he was more than happy for someone else to take the lead.

"Second, after this is done, I want the three 'Armor-Piercing Crossbows' from the County Yamen's armory."

Lu Chen held up his second finger.

Zhao Gang's expression changed. "Hall Master Lu, that... Armor-Piercing Crossbows are regulated military equipment by the imperial court. Unauthorized distribution is punishable by death..."

"That's your problem."

Lu Chen said coldly, "I'm not taking them away, just 'borrowing' them for a while. Besides, what we're dealing with this time is no small matter. Without powerful tools, I can't be sure of success."

Zhao Gang gritted his teeth, his expression shifting between indecision.

The Armor-Piercing Crossbows were immensely powerful, capable of piercing the protective qi of even Meridian Connecting Realm experts. If they fell into the hands of the Black Water Gang, the consequences would be unimaginable.

But looking at the terrifying desiccated corpse, thinking of the County Magistrate's furious face, and the potential loss of his official hat...

"Fine! I agree!"

Zhao Gang stomped his foot. "But I can only give you three crossbows, each with ten bolts. They must be returned after use!"

"Deal."

Lu Chen smiled.

"Third, and most importantly."

Lu Chen looked at Zhao Gang, his eyes sharp. "Regarding those old fishermen, I hope Constable Zhao will... forget about it in the future."

Zhao Gang was taken aback, then gave Lu Chen a deep look.

"Hall Master Lu, rest assured."

Zhao Gang cupped his fists. "I have a poor memory, Constable Zhao. Some things, once I leave this room, I won't remember anything."

The two exchanged a look, and the deal was struck.

"Since it's settled, let's not delay."

Lu Chen turned and walked out, decisive and swift.

"Notify your men to prepare a large ship. Also, summon all the best Water Ghost teams in the city."

"Tonight, we'll go meet these beasts."

Watching Lu Chen leave, Zhao Gang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

This young man put more pressure on him than the County Magistrate.

"Boss, are we really going to listen to him?"

A young constable approached, asking in a low voice, "This Lu Iron Skin is a ruthless character. What if..."

"Shut up!"

Zhao Gang glared at him. "If you don't listen to him, are you going to go into the water to catch that monster? How many lives do you have to spare?"

"This Lu Chen wants to use the government's influence, and we want to borrow his blade."

"We each get what we need."

Zhao Gang looked at the dark night outside the morgue and muttered.

"I just don't know if this blade will be so sharp that it cuts our own hands..."

Returning to the Black Water Gang's headquarters.

Lu Chen immediately summoned his men.

Besides the twenty elite warriors from the Battle Hall led by Wang Xiaoliu, he also handpicked over a dozen experts with excellent swimming skills.

"Hall Master, are we really going into the water?"

Wang Xiaoliu was organizing his equipment, sounding a little worried. "Those old men said that place is extremely eerie..."

"Fortune favors the bold."

Lu Chen wiped the Water Splitting Dagger in his hand, not even looking up. "If you're afraid of dying, stay on shore."

"How could I do that!"

Wang Xiaoliu puffed out his chest. "Where the boss goes, I go! Even if it's into a pot of oil, I'll add fuel to the fire for the boss!"

Lu Chen chuckled.

Wang Xiaoliu was slippery, but he was loyal and sharp when it came to getting things done.

"For this operation, the officials will provide cover on the surface," Lu Chen instructed in a low voice. "But the real treasures must be taken by us."

"Once we're underwater, keep your eyes peeled."

"If you see those black stones, or any strange jars and bottles, bring them back to me."

"Yes!"

Greed flashed in Wang Xiaoliu's eyes. Following Lu Chen was dangerous, but the rewards were truly substantial.

"Let's go!"

Lu Chen sheathed the Water Splitting Dagger into a specially made belt at his waist and slung the weighted Hundred Refinements Steel Saber over his shoulder.

He looked out the window.

The night was deep, and the roar of the Nu River could be faintly heard. Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

And beneath the unfathomably deep river, the legendary "Dragon Palace" awaited them.

Lu Chen touched the beast-skin map in his怀.

When you need something, it appears. Since the officials had delivered the excuse right to his doorstep, he, Lu Chen, was determined to claim the treasures in the Dragon Palace. No matter what demons or monsters lurked below. In front of his perfected Iron Cloth Shirt, they would all have to yield!