Apology! Schemes! Gratitude!

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

Holding his wine cup, Zhou Heng sighed and slowly explained, "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 demons 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 its hand to wipe out 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 bowed deeply to Mu Yang.

Looking at Zhou Heng's guilt-ridden face, Mu Yang slowly said, "Lord Zhou, there is no need for this. Writing to the Demon Slayer Bureau was something I had wanted in the first place."

"Besides, in this matter, you and I both got what we needed and both gained something. How could it be called exploitation?"

Mu Yang was telling the truth.

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

If Zhou Heng had 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 dispel his calamity.

It was not some sinister plot, so how could it be called exploitation?

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 demons.

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

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 righteousness deeply. I admire you."

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 calm as ever and faced it peacefully.

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

"However, putting that aside, does Lord Zhou have solid evidence that the Three Great Families colluded with demons?"

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, had confirmed once more that the Wang Family had colluded with the Rat Demon.

But both men were already dead, and their words alone could not be considered evidence.

"Colluding with demons is a grave crime. On top of that, the Three Great Families act in secret. I only have some clues, not a shred of solid evidence." 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 have sent a written accusation straight to the Prefecture City.

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

Zhou Heng was startled, 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 demons. 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 mind.

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 and their roots are firmly entrenched. Without conclusive evidence, acting rashly will not only make it difficult to eradicate them completely, but may also startle the snake in the grass and even give others something to hold against you, causing 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 cup. "Lord Zhou, rest assured. I will not act rashly."

"Good, good!"

Zhou Heng smiled and raised his cup.

After leaving the Zhou Family residence, Mu Yang circulated his Blood Qi to clear the wine from his body as he headed toward his 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, his subordinate.

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 transport the demon 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 of war.

Although Old Fang and the others did not think there would be any blind fool in Qingxi County daring to steal Mu Yang's things, 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, casually scooped up a ladle of water, and prepared to wash his face with the well water.

Plop!!

At that moment, Li Chuang suddenly dropped to both knees and slammed his head against the ground three times.

Mu Yang, whose expression had remained calm all along, immediately showed surprise.

What is this supposed to be?

"Thank you, Head Constable, for avenging my entire family. And thank you for avenging the blood feud of 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 it himself—the Rat Demon went there to lure me out."

"Li Chuang is not someone who cannot tell right from wrong. Demons eat people; how could there be any reason to blame another person? Head Constable, you could have chosen not to go, but for Li Village, you risked yourself and went alone. You are a true hero in Li Chuang's heart. Li Chuang is immensely grateful!" 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 slaughtered, but he did not want this Head Constable, who was young, extraordinarily gifted, and had righteousness in his heart, to have his martial heart clouded by such matters.

A person like Mu Yang should be like a true dragon, soaring across heaven and earth, slaying ten thousand demons, and blessing the common people.

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

In his previous life, he had seen all manner of monsters and demons online. Ungrateful white-eyed wolves who bit back after being helped were everywhere.

He had never expected to encounter someone with such an upright heart in this life.

"There is no need to thank me. I cannot bear it. As for being some hero, that is even further from the truth. I have always acted only for myself." Mu Yang waved a hand.

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

After all, if it were truly only for himself, why risk slaying demons? With the Head Constable's talent, would it not be better to cultivate steadily and safely?

"Then, Head Constable, get some good rest. I will be leaving 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 out by hand when 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 moreover, the advanced version of the Tiger-Subduing Blade Technique he cultivated.

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

Violators would have three times the Merit Points deducted for the martial art's exchange price, or an equivalent amount in 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.

Thus, this punishment was still enough to make one's flesh ache.

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

Mu Yang pointed at the demon corpses in the courtyard.

"Thank you, Head Constable!!"

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

"Go on. 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 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 covered in filth, while the moonlight was white as snow.

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