Everything I Do Is for the People

Cui Lang raised his head and looked blankly at Constable Li. "This subordinate does not know. I ask Constable Li to enlighten me."

Constable Li was very pleased with Cui Lang's attitude. "In recent years, demons and monsters have become increasingly numerous throughout the realm. Cases of demons harming people are commonplace, and the people can barely eke out a living."

"Cloud Mountain County is doing relatively well. Elsewhere in the prefecture, there have been more than a few tragedies where demons slaughtered entire villages—hundreds, even thousands of people, all brutally killed overnight!"

"Over the years, countless demons have been slain across the realm. How many of our brothers have died for it? Yet the number of demons has not decreased at all. We simply cannot kill them all."

"So relying on us to risk our lives slaying demons and vanquishing monsters cannot truly bring peace to the realm. We cannot even bring peace to Cloud Mountain County."

"There is only one way: first stabilize those demons that are not quite so evil. That will give us time to strengthen ourselves, so we can wipe out those more vicious demons in one fell swoop."

Cui Lang was stunned. Was Constable Li admitting to colluding with demons right in front of him?

Seeing Constable Li staring at him, Cui Lang immediately said, "Constable Li is far-sighted and deeply strategic. For the people, you have truly bent yourself to the task and exhausted every effort."

It would be even better if he could die afterward.

Constable Li was very satisfied with Cui Lang's attitude. Wearing an expression of compassion for all under heaven, he said, "I know this will bring me infamy, but it is the best method."

"In truth, there are still demons in our county. But after I intimidated them, they no longer dared harm people and only ate some livestock. By remaining here, they can also keep demons from other regions from entering Cloud Mountain County."

"Before this, hundreds of Cloud Mountain County's people died at the hands of demons every year. Now, there are almost none. The population growth of Cloud Mountain County surpasses all of Azure Cloud Prefecture. Tell me, is this not what is best for the people?"

Cui Lang nodded rapidly. "Constable Li is absolutely right. If demons do not harm people, the common folk will not fear them at all."

If he had not known that the Toad Demon had impersonated the River God and demanded young boys and girls as sacrifices, he might nearly have believed Constable Li's nonsense.

Even now, quite a few people still died in Cloud Mountain County every year. It was simply covered up—some were recorded as dying of illness, some as dying in accidents caused by people, but in truth, all had been harmed by demons.

If they truly did not harm people, why would anyone call them demons?

"With these demons no longer causing trouble, we have more time to cultivate martial arts and strengthen ourselves. If we encounter any that refuse to follow the rules in the future, I will stake this life of mine to slay them."

"Cui Lang, are you willing to join me in continuing to intimidate demons and protect the people of Cloud Mountain County?"

Cui Lang looked at Constable Li with resolute eyes. "This subordinate is willing."

Such grand and righteous words, but was it not still collusion with demons?

He refused to believe Constable Li had not received benefits from those demons!

Constable Li patted Cui Lang's shoulder approvingly. "Good. I knew I had not misjudged you."

"If you discover any traces of demons or evil entities in the future, report to me at once. I will tell you how to handle them."

"Of all the constables in our county, I think the highest of you. My current position will be yours sooner or later."

"Go. In a few days, I will have another matter for you to handle. When the time comes, you will receive benefits beyond anything you can imagine."

After Cui Lang left, Constable Li summoned two subordinates and gave them some instructions before heading toward Zheng Fengyun's office.

"Magistrate Zheng, this subordinate has just spoken with Cui Lang. He can work for us."

Zheng Fengyun frowned slightly. "He has only been here for such a short time. Why did you choose him?"

Constable Li explained, "This subordinate tested him. Though he is not lustful, he is greedy for money and ambitious. Especially since he has a younger sister at home, he will be easy to control."

"Furthermore, Cui Lang and Zhao Changshan have slain two demons in succession. Although we suppressed the news, many people in the yamen still know about it. There is no guarantee they have not told their families. If he suddenly dies now, not only will the people become suspicious, it will also affect your evaluation."

Zheng Fengyun considered it for a moment. "Then arrange for someone to keep watching him. If he truly harbors treacherous intentions, even if it affects my evaluation, make him disappear completely!"

Constable Li bowed slightly. "Rest assured, Magistrate Zheng. Someone is already watching him. Later, I would like to ask you to reward him with a Blood Pill. Once he takes it, he will be even less likely to betray us."

"If someone discovers any clues in the future, we can also kill him and use him to account for the matter."

Zheng Fengyun grunted. "Your considerations are fairly thorough. Then do as you propose. There is no need to bring him to see me. Just handle it properly."

"Two demons died this time, but the Blood Pills collected cannot be any fewer. This official has reached a critical juncture."

As Cui Lang walked out of the constables' quarters, he sensed someone following him on the road.

Without betraying anything, he continued onward, wandering about as though casually strolling. When he passed a butcher shop, he deliberately bought two jin of meat, then carried it as he leisurely made his way home.

He had already become Constable Li's confidant. Skipping work every now and then was no big deal, right?

The more complacent and carried away he appeared, the more Constable Li would think he lacked depth and was easy to control.

"Brother, why are you back so early? And you bought so much meat?" Cui Ling asked as she took the meat.

Cui Lang casually took two silver ingots from his robes and tossed them to his sister. "Take them. Constable Li rewarded me with them today."

Cui Ling was startled. "Brother, what did you do for Constable Li to reward you with so much?"

Twenty taels of silver! She had never seen so much money. If the two of them were frugal, it would last them an entire year.

Cui Lang sat down on a stone stool in the courtyard and said loudly, "I simply did my work well and satisfied Constable Li. Your brother has already become Constable Li's confidant. Spend this silver however you should. Go to the tailor's shop and have two new outfits made. Our family will never lack money again."

"All right, go stew the meat. I'll practice martial arts for a while too."

Constable Li had most likely sent someone to watch him. It seemed he did not trust him completely yet.

Constable Li was also dangling bait before him, saying that he would take over as constable in the future. Did he really take him for some foolish country boy?

He did want to know what exactly Constable Li meant by saying he would have something for him to do in a few days.

And what were those unimaginable benefits Constable Li had mentioned?

Suppressing these doubts, Cui Lang drew the saber at his waist and slowly practiced the Eight Desolations Slash in the courtyard.

True essence could be increased using demons' blood and essence, but martial techniques could not. For those, he could only rely on hard practice.

For the next several days, Cui Lang patrolled the streets with Zhao Changshan during the day, occasionally handling minor disputes. Nothing major happened, and no further traces of demons were found. At night, he returned home and diligently practiced his saber techniques.

Whenever they passed Dark Fragrance Pavilion, Zhao Changshan wore a look of lingering enjoyment. He even cursed Ma Yuanwai twice, simply because Ma Yuanwai had not invited him to Dark Fragrance Pavilion for drinks.

That day, after finishing his patrol and seeing that it was about time, he was preparing to return home when someone suddenly came looking for him, saying that Constable Li wanted him to come over.

Cui Lang asked the man to pass a message to his sister, then immediately hurried toward Constable Li's home.

"Constable Li, what do you need this subordinate to do?"

Constable Li looked at Cui Lang. "Sit. In a while, you will accompany me out of the city to inspect the area and intimidate demons!"