Feigning Allegiance

"Ma Yuanwai's cook was truly skilled, especially that eight-treasure stuffed duck. Absolutely divine." Zhao Changshan picked his teeth with a fishbone, his face flushed from drink.

The meal had lasted from noon until dusk. They had to hurry back into the city, or the gates would close after dark.

"It's just that Ma Yuanwai is a bit thick-headed. He insisted that after his younger brother visited Dark Fragrance Pavilion once, it was abnormal for him to want to go again every few days. He said Dark Fragrance Pavilion must have some evil spirit seducing his brother."

"What's abnormal about that? If I had money, I'd want to live in Dark Fragrance Pavilion every day."

"I told him to visit Dark Fragrance Pavilion himself tomorrow. Once he experienced it, he'd understand his brother. Isn't that an especially good idea?"

"Say, since I introduced him to such a wonderful place, do you think he'll treat me to Dark Fragrance Pavilion a couple of times in the future?"

Thinking about getting to visit Dark Fragrance Pavilion a few more times, Zhao Changshan grew even happier.

Cui Lang gave him a thumbs-up. "Brother Zhao really has experience."

"But I don't think Ma Yuanwai's suspicions are necessarily wrong. Couldn't his younger brother afford to take a concubine? Why did he have to go to Dark Fragrance Pavilion?"

Zhao Changshan shot Cui Lang a glance. "You don't understand. Going there has more atmosphere, and you can have a new one every day."

Cui Lang: "???"

"Don't you think Peony seems a little... unlike a human?"

"You think so too?" Zhao Changshan said excitedly. "The moment I saw her, I thought she was so beautiful she didn't seem human. No wonder she could become Dark Fragrance Pavilion's courtesan queen. I wonder when I'll get the chance to taste her fragrance for myself."

Cui Lang felt somewhat helpless. It seemed that even if he told Zhao Changshan Peony was a demon, Zhao Changshan would not believe him. This was a lecher whose little head was controlling his big head.

A terminal case. Beyond saving!

He said nothing more about his suspicions and hurried back to the city with Zhao Changshan.

The two parted ways at the city gate. Cui Lang was heading home when he suddenly saw a constable running toward him. "Cui Lang, Constable Li wants you to come over."

Cui Lang followed the man and discovered they were not going to the constables' office, but to Constable Li's home.

Once they arrived, the constable left and told Cui Lang to enter the courtyard by himself.

Constable Li was practicing his saber techniques in the courtyard. Cui Lang recognized it at once—it was the Eight Desolations Slash. Constable Li knew he had secretly learned the Eight Desolations Slash!

"Cui Lang, does this saber technique look familiar to you? Did Zhao Changshan teach it to you?"

Cui Lang put on an incomparably nervous look. "Constable Li, I... I secretly learned it by watching Brother Zhao practice his saber."

"I know I shouldn't have done such a thing, but I truly wanted to improve my strength too badly. Please forgive me, Constable Li. From now on, I will follow Constable Li's lead in all things."

With a casual flick of his hand, Constable Li sent the long saber onto the weapon rack. A genial smile appeared on his face. "Cui Lang, there's no need to be so nervous."

"As a martial artist, wanting to learn when you see a powerful martial technique is only human nature. It shows that you have a heart that seeks the martial path. In that regard, you are far stronger than Zhao Changshan and the others."

"Besides, you killed the Toad Demon and rendered meritorious service. You were already permitted to learn the Eight Desolations Slash. Go tell Zhao Changshan that I have allowed him to pass the Eight Desolations Slash on to you. There is no need to secretly learn it."

"Your martial aptitude is quite good, but unfortunately, you missed the best period. If you had been properly nurtured as a child, you would have long since broken through to the Essence Gathering Realm. But if you work hard now, it is not as though you have no chance."

Cui Lang's face filled with excitement. "Constable Li, are you saying I can break through to the Essence Gathering Realm?"

It seemed Constable Li truly had not noticed that he had already broken through.

Constable Li clasped his hands behind his back. "Martial cultivation depends first on aptitude, second on cultivation methods and martial technique inheritances, and third on resources, such as rare natural treasures and miraculous pills."

"Aptitude is difficult to change, but you still have a chance to obtain the other things—as long as your performance satisfies me."

Cui Lang's breathing grew rapid. "Constable Li, you may assign any task to me. I will certainly carry it out with all my heart and never disappoint you!"

Constable Li said with a chuckle, "Just do your duties well and cultivate diligently."

"Oh, right. You and Zhao Changshan went to Dark Fragrance Pavilion today. Did you find anything?"

Cui Lang shook his head. "I found nothing amiss. Most likely, there was something wrong with the pills Master Zhao took, and coupled with his advanced age, he died suddenly."

"Brother Zhao and I discussed having Squire Zhao visit Dark Fragrance Pavilion a couple of times. Then he'll understand why his younger brother enjoys going there."

Constable Li suddenly asked, "I heard someone reported that Dark Fragrance Pavilion has demons and evil spirits?"

Cui Lang replied with righteous conviction, "How could Dark Fragrance Pavilion possibly have demons and evil spirits? With you here, Constable Li, what demon or evil spirit would dare enter the city? Wouldn't that be courting death?"

"Anyone saying such things must have ill intentions."

Constable Li gave Cui Lang a deep look, then burst into laughter. "Well said. There are absolutely no demons in the county seat. But the ones who deter demons are not me—it is the lords."

"Our duty is to find one demon and deal with one demon."

"Still, you must investigate carefully. If Dark Fragrance Pavilion has other problems, do not let them go."

"Go home. If you discover anything amiss, come find me at any time. If you encounter anything you do not understand in your martial cultivation, you may come find me as well."

Cui Lang cupped his fists. "Thank you, Constable Li. Then I shall take my leave."

After Cui Lang left, an amused smile surfaced on Constable Li's face.

Someone from Dark Fragrance Pavilion had sent him word today, saying that Cui Lang had investigated very seriously and might have discovered something. That was why he had summoned Cui Lang here to test him.

In truth, assigning this case to Cui Lang and Zhao Changshan had mainly been to test Cui Lang. That fool Zhao Changshan was not worth worrying about, and he had no family, making him difficult to control. Cui Lang, on the other hand, had a younger sister and was much easier to keep in hand.

Now, it seemed that though Cui Lang had investigated seriously, he had found nothing.

Moreover, Cui Lang appeared intelligent. He understood the principle that leaning against a great tree made for good shade. He also had a heart for martial pursuits and the ambition to climb upward, so he could be cultivated properly.

If the things they were doing were ever discovered by those above, Cui Lang could conveniently be thrown out as the scapegoat.

After returning home, Cui Lang told his younger sister that he had already eaten, then slipped into his room and pondered Constable Li's earlier words.

They sounded righteous and awe-inspiring: never show leniency to demons, find one and deal with one.

But if they were not discovered, did that mean there was no need to deal with them?

This time, Constable Li had been trying to recruit him. Cui Lang also felt he had performed fairly well, appearing to be nothing more than a young man who sought the martial path and wanted to advance.

It seems Constable Li definitely knows there is something wrong with Dark Fragrance Pavilion. I can use this chance to make him trust me more, so that I can learn more hidden secrets—and find out exactly who is colluding with demons.

Those who colluded with demons were even more hateful than the demons that harmed people.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Cui Lang circulated the Blazing Sun Technique. He had to seize every moment to raise his strength.

He was still far from the peak of the Essence Gathering Realm, his martial techniques were not powerful enough, and he had his younger sister as a vulnerable weakness. For now, he could only choose to endure.

But he firmly believed that as long as he killed more demons, he could use demon blood essence to accelerate his martial cultivation. His speed of advancement would surpass those people's imagination.

Once his strength stood unrivaled in Cloud Mountain County, he would surely purge every last one of those dog officials who colluded with demons!