"Listen up, all of you. From today on, nobody is to go around causing trouble with Head Constable Lu."
"If she wants to kill demons, let her. If the demonic creatures come looking for revenge, they can take it up with her."
"Also, get a few people to take this White Ape and his men's bodies to Black Mountain. Whatever happens after that has nothing to do with us."
After County Lieutenant Liu finished speaking, he strode out of Spring View Pavilion.
Chen Fan watched County Lieutenant Liu's retreating figure and couldn't help shaking his head.
"Since the demonic creatures have already been dealt with, we should head back too."
"Step up patrols over the next few days. If any demonic creatures are found entering the city, execute them on the spot!"
Jinyiwei Zongqi Officer Li Mo declared firmly.
But no one could tell how much of what he said was true and how much was false!
"Yes!"
Everyone answered in unison.
When Chen Fan left Spring View Pavilion, he didn't return directly to the Jinyiwei barracks. Instead, he went to the constables' office and found Lu Xuenning.
"Help me investigate who owns that Separate Courtyard in North City, near the County Magistrate's Residence. I suspect the owner is colluding with demonic creatures, and that courtyard might be one of their hideouts."
Chen Fan didn't mince words and stated his request directly.
"No problem."
"You saw what those people were like today. Whether or not they're colluding with demonic creatures, they've all grown numb. Hoping they'll join us in hunting down demons is pure wishful thinking."
"What do you plan to do next?"
Lu Xuenning asked.
"Kill demons!"
"If you find any trace of demonic creatures, make sure you tell me."
With that, Chen Fan turned and left.
"Good thing you're here. I'm not alone on this path after all!"
Watching Chen Fan walk away, Lu Xuenning couldn't help thinking to herself.
Cao Manor.
After leaving Spring View Pavilion, Jinyiwei Zongqi Officer Li Mo didn't go home or return to the Jinyiwei barracks for duty. Instead, he went to the home of his immediate superior, Cao De.
In Cao De's study.
"Your subordinate Li Mo pays his respects, sir."
Led there by Cao Manor's steward, Li Mo stopped at the study entrance, bowed, and spoke in a clear voice.
"So it's Li Mo. Come in!"
A deep voice came from inside the study.
Creak!
At the sound of the invitation, Li Mo pushed the door open and entered, while Cao De's steward bowed and withdrew.
Inside the study.
Cao De sat cross-legged on a cushion, surrounded by crimson mist. With every breath, the mist flowed into his body. When he finished his cultivation, a crimson gleam flashed in his eyes before they quickly returned to normal.
He rose and looked at Li Mo with a faint smile.
"What brings you here today?"
Li Mo then told Cao De what had happened at Spring View Pavilion.
Cao De nodded calmly.
"I heard the Ape Demon at Spring View Pavilion had only recently broken through. Even so, the fact that Head Constable Lu, newly transferred from Longyuan Prefecture, managed to kill him proves she must have at least reached the Spirit Concealment Realm Peak."
"She certainly lives up to her origins in Longyuan Prefecture. To reach the Spirit Concealment Realm Peak at such a young age—now that's enviable."
"Since she's capable of killing the White Ape, if Three Eyes comes seeking revenge, he can take it up with her."
"But I suspect that old dog County Lieutenant Liu Xuan might personally deliver her to Three Eyes to prove his loyalty."
"That has nothing to do with us. Still, having such a hothead come to Ping'an County isn't good for us."
"Our Jinyiwei conduct internal selection reviews every five years, with a major inspection every ten."
"The Ten Year Inspection is coming up soon. We must ensure there's no major demonic calamity in Ping'an County and that it passes this inspection smoothly."
"When the time comes, I'll be transferred to Longyuan Prefecture. I'll recommend you for the Jinyiwei Baihu post in Ping'an County. Old Huang is getting on in years, and he's too upright a man to last. Ping'an County will belong to you in the future."
"As long as you can keep Ping'an County stable the way I have, you and I may well meet again in Longyuan Prefecture when the next ten-year term comes around."
Cao De patted Li Mo on the shoulder and spoke in a calm tone.
His words sent a thrill through Li Mo. He immediately dropped to one knee, clasped his hands, and bowed.
"Thank you for your confidence, Baihu. I'm willing to brave fire and water for you, without hesitation!"
"Get up."
"I'm the one who promoted you. There's no need for formalities between us."
"By the way, I just heard you say that Chen Fan from Ninth Squad was at Spring View Pavilion too, and that he was with Head Constable Lu. I remember he was poisoned by demon poison and didn't have long to live. What happened?"
Cao De abruptly changed the subject and asked. As he spoke, a blood-red glimmer flashed in his eyes.
"That kid snatched life from the jaws of death. Before he was about to die, he trained hard in Body Tempering Fist and unexpectedly broke through to the Spirit Concealment Realm Second Pass. There's great terror between life and death, but also great opportunity!"
Li Mo couldn't help sighing.
"Did he say anything he shouldn't have?"
Cao De's tone turned cold at once.
"Are you saying he found out about what we've been doing?"
Li Mo immediately understood what Cao De meant.
"Whether or not he knows, we can't let him live."
"I once tried to take advantage of his injury and send Crimson Serpent Demon to assassinate him, while also questioning him about what he knew. I never expected Chen Fan to kill Crimson Lian outright."
"To kill Crimson Serpent Demon, who was at the Spirit Concealment Realm Second Pass Peak, while only newly reaching the Bone Vajra stage of the Spirit Concealment Realm Second Pass—that proves he's no ordinary opponent."
"Perhaps Crimson Serpent Demon was careless because she took my words to heart. That's why Chen Fan managed to kill her."
"But since he survived, he may have noticed something. He's staying with Head Constable Lu—perhaps he's hoping to get her help."
Cao De spoke in a chilling voice.
"Then it really does seem we can't let him live."
"Sir, would you like me to handle it myself?"
Li Mo made a throat-slitting gesture.
"Ah!"
"Never say anything that undermines unity, and never do anything that undermines unity."
"The demonic creatures use us, but aren't we using them too? If we can make someone else wield the knife, why get our own hands dirty?"
Cao De waved a hand as he spoke.
"Brilliant, sir. I know what to do."
Li Mo gave a cold smile, a vicious scheme already taking shape in his mind.
"Mm."
"It's getting late. Go home and get some rest. I won't keep you."
Cao De nodded in satisfaction and then dismissed him.
"Yes."
"Do get some rest yourself, sir!"
"Your subordinate takes his leave!"
Li Mo clasped his hands and bowed, then turned and left Cao Manor.
"I've been stuck in this godforsaken place, Ping'an County, for twenty years. A whole twenty years!"
"How many twenty-year stretches does a person get in life?"
"At last, my chance has come. I only need to score an Excellent rating in the Ten Year Inspection, and I can accumulate enough merit to become a Deputy Commander."
"This is the perfect opportunity. A Deputy Commander in charge of logistics in Longyuan Prefecture is about to retire. His successor will most likely come from among us Baihu in Longyuan Prefecture."
"And I've already been recommended by that Deputy Commander, which greatly improves my chances. Even if I don't become a Deputy Commander, being transferred to Longyuan Prefecture and serving as a Baihu there would still be better than being trapped in this little county town for the rest of my life."
"I hope everything goes smoothly and nothing unexpected happens."
"Chen Fan?"
"Heh."
Cao De muttered to himself, then walked back to the cushion and sat cross-legged on it with practiced ease, beginning his cultivation.
Before long, the study was filled with blood mist.
Before you continue