Meanwhile.
Wang Family estate, underground secret chamber.
The heavy stone door was tightly shut, and the air was thick with blood stench and a faint demonic aura.
In the center of the chamber, a white-haired old man sat cross-legged. He was Wang Rudong, patriarch of the Wang Family, one of Qingxi County's Three Great Families, and the Police Chief.
At that moment, blood qi churned around him, wisps of black demonic aura coiling through it. Interwoven with the blood qi, it formed an eerie dark crimson hue, sinister beyond measure.
"Phew~~"
After a long while, Wang Rudong slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, and the roiling blood qi and faint demonic aura around him withdrew into his body.
He opened his eyes, a scarlet gleam flashing through them before swiftly vanishing.
"Still just short. This Fourth-Stage Condensing Qi Realm truly is difficult to breach! What a pity the Blood Pills have run out..."
Wang Rudong muttered to himself, his tone filled with regret at having one foot over the threshold yet failing to step through.
Just then, the shadows in the secret chamber suddenly twisted.
A Rat Demon, larger even than Hui Jiu and Hui Wu, silently emerged from the darkness.
"So it is Lord Hui Er honoring me with his presence. Might I ask what brings you to Wang?"
After recognizing the visitor, Wang Rudong rose and asked.
Hui Er was the second son of Yellow Wind King of Yellow Wind Mountain, as well as one of the Yellow Wind King's only two Third Rank offspring. He excelled at concealing his tracks and served as the messenger between Wang Rudong and Yellow Wind King.
The Blood Pills Wang Rudong needed after switching to the Demon Blood External Method were all delivered by Hui Er.
"My two younger brothers have been missing for days. Investigate it for me."
Hui Er's rough voice rang out. Though it was a request, perhaps because he was in a poor mood, his words carried an unquestionable tone of command.
Wang Rudong's brows shifted slightly. He said nothing more, merely agreed, then led Hui Er out of the secret chamber and into the study, where he summoned the steward, Wang Fu.
These past days, he had been in secluded cultivation to refine the Blood Pills and break through to the Fourth-Stage Condensing Qi Realm. Most outside affairs had been managed by the old steward Wang Fu.
"Master! Lord Hui Er!"
Uncle Fu, dressed in brocade robes, bowed respectfully in greeting.
"Fu, look into recent developments inside and outside the county, especially anything related to demonic traces," Wang Rudong ordered.
"Yes, Master."
Wang Fu bowed and left the study.
About a quarter of an hour later, Wang Fu returned to the study with several sheets of paper, preparing to hand them to Wang Rudong.
Wang Rudong merely waved a hand. "No need to give them to me. Just read them aloud."
At first, they were all trivial, chicken-feather-and-garlic-skin matters. But once the reports reached the past three days, the tone suddenly changed.
"Three nights ago, a First Rank Rat Demon attacked Huang Changgui, village chief of Huang Village. Huang Changgui died, while the Rat Demon was slain by County Office constable Mu Yang. Merit Points have been registered, and he was promoted to squad leader the following day."
"Two nights ago, County Office squad leader Mu Yang slew a Second Rank Fox Demon at Fragrant Pavilion. Merit Points have been registered."
"Yesterday at noon, Mu Yang, squad leader of the County Office's Fifth Squad, slew a Second Rank Rat Demon in Li Village. The dead included Li Shoucai, village chief of Li Village, and two tenant farmers under him. Merit Points were registered this morning."
As Uncle Fu spoke, Hui Er's face darkened bit by bit. At last, unable to restrain himself, he suddenly slammed his palm down on the desk before him.
Bang!!!
The desk shattered, wood splinters flying everywhere.
Wang Rudong was equally astonished.
He had only been in seclusion for a week. How had so many things suddenly happened?
"Who exactly is this Mu Yang?!"
Before Wang Rudong could speak, the enraged Hui Er flashed to Wang Fu's side, his pair of green eyes staring fixedly at him.
"H-he's a newly appointed constable. He only took office three months ago," Wang Fu hurriedly said, afraid of following the desk into ruin.
"A newly appointed constable?"
Hui Er and Wang Rudong were both taken aback.
No wonder they had never heard that name before.
But how could a newcomer possibly kill a Second Rank Monster?
"Fu, is this information accurate? Are you certain there is no possibility that he claimed someone else's Merit?" Wang Rudong asked.
Claiming another's Merit meant taking credit for someone else's accomplishments.
Because Merit Points could not be transferred, some people with a bit of family background would give their Merit to their descendants to pave the way for them.
"Reporting to Master, it is absolutely true!"
"This boy is the adopted son of an old county constable. He is now alone in the world, with no one to rely on."
"Furthermore, when Mu Yang returned from Li Village yesterday, he was dragging the corpses of Lord Hui Er's brothers behind him. The guards and merchants at the city gate all saw it. Oh, and the one on duty at the gate then was one of our Wang Family men," Wang Fu said.
"Go..."
If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you will not lose it next time.
Wang Rudong had just begun to speak when Hui Er roared, "Go bring that man here!"
Wang Fu cautiously glanced at Wang Rudong's expression. Seeing him nod with an unchanged face, Wang Fu finally withdrew.
Before long, a young man dressed as a city gate guard followed Uncle Fu into the room, trembling with fear.
It was Wang Erniu, the guard from yesterday.
The moment he entered the study, he saw Wang Rudong seated upright. Just as he was about to greet him, his vision suddenly blurred.
A massive body, dense fur, green eyes.
And a foul stench, somewhat similar to yesterday's, rushed straight at him.
"A-a Monster!!"
Wang Erniu was instantly frightened out of his wits. His legs gave way, and with a thud, he dropped to his knees.
"Wang Erniu, quiet down. This is a guest of our Wang Family, Lord Hui Er. He has some questions for you. You must answer truthfully," Wang Fu barked from the side.
Only then did Wang Erniu shakily rise to his feet.
Hui Er stepped forward and looked down at Wang Erniu, his voice icy. "Did the Rat Demon you saw yesterday look the same as me?"
Wang Erniu nodded tremulously. "Y-yes... exactly the same... green eyes... sharp fangs... and... and yellow fur..."
"Very good."
A cruel smile spread across Hui Er's mouth.
The next instant, he suddenly thrust out his claws.
Squelch!
The sharp claws pierced straight through Wang Erniu's chest and brutally tore out his heart.
Wang Fu had not expected Hui Er to strike without warning and jolted in fright.
Wang Rudong's expression remained calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"The fewer people who know about our cooperation, the better. I helped you solve a problem. No need to thank me."
Hui Er stuffed the still-beating heart into his mouth and spoke as he chewed.
After saying that, he ignored Wang Rudong's reaction. Leaving behind the words, "I'll deal with that boy tonight. Remember to keep the news under wraps," he swayed once, melted into the shadows, and vanished.
The study fell deathly silent.
"Fu, clean this up."
"Yes, Master!"
After Wang Fu withdrew, Wang Rudong slowly rose and looked out the window.
"A pack of beasts that know no manners!"
Blood mist mixed with demonic aura surged around Wang Rudong.
How could he fail to recognize Hui Er's warning?
It was merely that he still had use for Yellow Wind Old Monster. Once he broke through to the Fourth-Stage Condensing Qi Realm, he would personally wring that old thing's head off.
Elsewhere.
Completely unaware that Hui Er had set his sights on him, Mu Yang had just left Zhou Heng.
Afterward, he gathered his six subordinates. Those who should patrol patrolled, and those who should gather intelligence gathered intelligence.
Information about Monster sightings was extremely rare. After an entire day, aside from a few neighborhood disputes, almost nothing happened.
But that was normal.
If Monster appearances were commonplace, Mu Yang would not have encountered a Monster for the first time only after becoming a constable.
"Squad Leader, want to drink at Yihong Brothel tonight?" Old Fang asked.
Ordinary constables like them could not afford Fragrant Pavilion. They could only go to Yihong Brothel to satisfy their cravings.
"You all go ahead."
After what had happened with Hu Mei at Fragrant Pavilion, Mu Yang had no desire to visit such places for the time being.
After going off duty, Mu Yang left the County Office, casually bought a roast chicken that smelled delicious, and strolled toward the alley where his small courtyard stood.
Suddenly, a faint bloody smell mixed with stench drifted into his nostrils.
That scent—it was a Monster!
A trace of delight flashed through Mu Yang's eyes.
Truly, he had worn out iron shoes searching everywhere, only to find it without any effort at all.
Just yesterday, he had wondered whether a Monster might deliver itself to his door. He had not expected one to come today.
Mu Yang carried the roast chicken in his left hand, while his right rested on the hilt of the Feather-Command Broadblade. He strode forward.
Since it had come, it could stay!
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