Apology! Scheming! Gratitude!

"Lord Zhou, if you have something to say, please speak plainly." Mu Yang spoke slowly.

Holding his wine cup, Zhou Heng sighed and explained slowly, "When I recommended you to the Demon Slayer Bureau before, it was not entirely for your own good."

"The Three Great Families of Qingxi County have colluded with monsters and brought disaster upon the countryside. I stand alone and lack the strength to oppose them. That is why I wanted to use your talent to draw the Demon Slayer Bureau's attention, hoping to borrow their hand to rid us of the scourge of these Three Great Families."

"I used you. I hope Head Constable Mu can forgive me."

After saying that, Zhou Heng drained the wine in his cup in one gulp, then gave Mu Yang a deep bow.

Seeing the guilt written across Zhou Heng's face, Mu Yang slowly said, "Lord Zhou, there is no need for this. Writing to the Demon Slayer Bureau was something I had hoped for in the first place."

"Besides, in this matter, each of us got what we needed and gained something. How could it be called taking advantage?"

Mu Yang was telling the truth.

The old constable had once told him that there was no hatred without reason in this world, nor was there love without reason.

If Zhou Heng helped him, he must have wanted something in return.

Mu Yang had understood that long ago.

But he did not resist it.

Take a man's money, and rid him of his troubles.

It was not some underhanded plot. There was no question of being used.

Besides, with Zhou Heng's recommendation, he could connect with the Demon Slayer Bureau sooner, making it easier for him to obtain martial arts and grow stronger by slaying monsters.

No matter how he calculated it, he was the one profiting from this deal.

Zhou Heng had not expected Mu Yang to be so clear-minded. He froze for a moment, then gratitude appeared on his face. "Head Constable Mu understands the greater cause. I admire you deeply."

Xue She beside them had not expected that after hearing Zhou Heng's confession, Mu Yang would neither become angry nor turn cold. Instead, he remained as composed as ever and faced it calmly.

That temperament alone was not something an ordinary young man of twenty could possess.

"Still, setting that aside, Lord Zhou, do you have conclusive evidence that the Three Great Families have colluded with monsters?"

The first time Mu Yang learned that the Wang Family had colluded with the Rat Demon was from Huang Changgui, the village chief of Huang Village.

Later, Li Shoucai, the village chief of Li Village, confirmed once again that the Wang Family had colluded with the Rat Demon.

But both men were already dead, and their words alone naturally could not count as evidence.

"Colluding with monsters is a grave crime. On top of that, the Three Great Families act in secret. I only have a few leads and no solid evidence at all." Zhou Heng let out a long sigh.

If he had evidence, why would he need to rack his brains for a way to connect with the Demon Slayer Bureau? He could simply submit a written accusation to the Prefecture City.

"Then if there is evidence, can we directly strike against them in the city?" Mu Yang asked again.

Zhou Heng was taken aback, but quickly replied, "If the evidence is conclusive, then naturally we can."

The Great Jing Dynasty had always shown zero tolerance toward people and forces that colluded with monsters. Otherwise, it would not have specially established a department like the Demon Slayer Bureau.

"Then that is good."

A plan formed in Mu Yang's heart.

Zhou Heng did not know what Mu Yang was thinking, but out of goodwill, he still advised, "The Three Great Families have operated in Qingxi County for many years. Their influence runs deep, their roots firmly entrenched. If you act rashly without conclusive evidence, not only will it be difficult to uproot them completely, but you may also startle the snake in the grass, give others something to hold against you, and cause unnecessary trouble."

"After all, they are great families. More or less, they all have some connections in the Prefecture City."

Mu Yang nodded and raised his wine cup. "Lord Zhou, rest assured. I will not act recklessly."

"That is good, that is good!"

Zhou Heng smiled and raised his cup.

After leaving the Zhou Family residence, Mu Yang circulated his Blood Qi to clear the alcohol from his body as he headed toward his own small courtyard.

"Head Constable!"

The moment he entered the courtyard, Mu Yang heard someone call out to him.

"Li Chuang?"

That was right. The person waiting in the courtyard was none other than Li Chuang, one of his subordinates.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you will not lose it next time.

After following Old Fang and the others to carry the monster corpses to Mu Yang's home, Li Chuang had volunteered to stay behind and watch the courtyard, saying he wanted to prevent petty thieves from stealing Mu Yang's spoils.

Although Old Fang and the others did not think there would be any blind fool of a thief in Qingxi County bold enough to steal Mu Yang's belongings, Li Chuang insisted on staying, so they did not try to persuade him further.

"Why have you not gone to rest?"

Mu Yang walked to the well and casually scooped up a ladle of water, preparing to wash his face with the well water.

Thud!!

At that moment, Li Chuang suddenly dropped to both knees and kowtowed three times with loud bangs.

The ever-calm Mu Yang immediately showed a look of surprise.

What was this supposed to be?

"Thank you, Head Constable, for avenging my entire family, and thank you for avenging my Li Village!" Li Chuang's voice rang out loud and clear.

Mu Yang remained silent.

After a moment, he said, "You do not blame me? Constable Chen said that the Rat Demon went there to lure me out."

"Li Chuang is not someone who cannot tell right from wrong. Monsters eat people—how could there be any reason to blame a person? Head Constable, you could have chosen not to go, but for the sake of Li Village, you risked yourself and went alone. You are a true hero in Li Chuang's heart. Li Chuang is grateful beyond measure!" Li Chuang spoke sincerely, every word from the depths of his heart.

He did not know whether Mu Yang would feel guilty over Li Village being massacred, but he did not want a head constable who was young, extraordinarily talented, and possessed a chivalrous heart to have his martial heart clouded by these matters.

Someone like Mu Yang should be like a true dragon, soaring between heaven and earth, slaying ten thousand monsters and blessing the common people.

Mu Yang did not know what sort of image he held in Li Chuang's heart, but seeing him so rational and understanding, warmth could not help rising in his own heart.

In his previous life, he had seen too many monsters and ghosts online—ungrateful white-eyed wolves who bit back after being helped were everywhere.

He had never expected to meet someone with such upright intentions in this life.

"There is no need to thank me. I cannot bear it. As for being a hero, that is even further from the truth. Everything I do has always been for myself." Mu Yang waved his hand.

Li Chuang did not understand, only assuming that Mu Yang was being modest.

After all, if Mu Yang truly acted only for himself, why risk his life slaying monsters? With the head constable's talent, would it not be better to cultivate steadily and safely?

"Then, Head Constable, please rest well. I will leave first!" Li Chuang said.

"Wait."

Mu Yang suddenly spoke. Then, under Li Chuang's puzzled gaze, he entered the room. Before long, a brand-new thread-bound booklet appeared in his hand.

Several large characters were written on it—

Dragon-Subduing Blade Technique

This was the martial art Mu Yang had copied by hand while testing the Equipment Slot earlier. Since duplicate equipment could not be used, he had kept it unused all this time.

"Head Constable, this..."

Li Chuang recognized at a glance that this was a Mid-Grade Martial Arts technique, and the advanced martial art of the Tiger-Subduing Blade Technique he practiced.

The yamen had a rule: martial arts exchanged from the yamen could not be taught privately.

Those who violated it would have three times the Merit Points used for the exchange deducted, or an equivalent amount of monthly salary.

The punishment did not seem severe.

But in truth, those with money did not need to learn the yamen's martial arts, while those who needed to learn them did not have that much money.

So this punishment was still painfully costly.

"It is fine. I have plenty of Merit Points."

Mu Yang pointed at the monster corpses in the courtyard.

"Thank you, Head Constable!!"

Li Chuang said nothing further. He tucked the booklet close to his body and nodded heavily.

"Go. It is late. Rest early."

This time, Mu Yang did not keep Li Chuang any longer.

After Li Chuang left, Mu Yang leaned against the side of the well as he had the previous night, accompanied by the gentle breeze. He raised his head and gazed at the bright moon hanging in the sky.

The courtyard was filthy everywhere, yet the moonlight was white as snow.

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