Don't Go Making Wild Accusations at the Prefectural Office

The moment Cui Lang heard Zheng Fengyun's words, he understood Zheng Fengyun's intentions. He was testing him.

If he hadn't known that Zheng Fengyun and Constable Li were in league, he really might have fallen for it.

"Ah? Magistrate Zheng, how could that be possible?!" Cui Lang wore an expression of utter shock. "Under your governance in our Cloud Mountain County, who would dare collude with demons?"

"Just tell me who it is, and I'll go chop him down!"

Watching Cui Lang's exaggerated performance, Zheng Fengyun understood why Constable Li had said Cui Lang was clever. But he wanted to see whether Cui Lang was truly clever—whether he could keep a secret.

"Cui Lang, the Toad Demon posing as the River God that you killed last time had, upon my investigation, existed for quite some time. If someone hadn't helped cover for it, I should have discovered it long ago."

"I too wish to know who helped conceal it. If you can find that person, it will be a great merit indeed."

"Money, pills, cultivation methods, martial techniques—this official can give you any of them. I will not break my word."

Cui Lang's breathing grew hurried at those words, but he still said, "Magistrate Zheng, this subordinate wishes to know as well, but I truly have no idea. How about you give this subordinate a few days to investigate thoroughly?"

Zheng Fengyun nodded. "Fine. This official will give you a few days. Do not tell anyone about this matter. Investigate in secret. If you uncover any clue, you may report directly to this official. I will not let anyone else know of it either."

"Rest assured as well. Once such people are exposed, they may bite wildly and drag others down with them. This official will not believe them."

After waving Cui Lang away, Zheng Fengyun sat back down in his chair and nodded slightly. For now, Cui Lang appeared to have passed the test. But he still needed to see whether, after a few days, Cui Lang would think he could deceive him and come report Constable Li.

On the street, Zhao Changshan saw Cui Lang hurrying over and waved at him from afar.

"What did Magistrate Zheng want with you? Was he handing out the reward for killing the Toad Demon?"

Cui Lang shook his head, his face full of misery. "What reward? He called me in just to give me a scolding."

"He said I took leave last month, so I have to make up for it this month. But Constable Li was the one who approved that leave."

When Zhao Changshan heard this, he looked at Cui Lang sympathetically. "Ah, I forgot to tell you—Magistrate Zheng and Constable Li aren't on very good terms."

"Constable Li was appointed by the previous county commandant. Magistrate Zheng only keeps him on because he has no one else to use."

"Constable Li treats you well. He wasn't targeting you; he was using you to rap Constable Li across the knuckles."

"Now that I've told you such important information, shouldn't you treat me to a meal?"

Cui Lang put on an enlightened look. Those two really could act. They appeared to be at odds on the surface, but were actually colluding behind the scenes. Even an old constable like Zhao Changshan had no idea.

Perhaps Zheng Fengyun had deliberately arranged it this way. When the matter of colluding with demons came to light, he could have Constable Li carry all the blame.

All he needed to do was kill Constable Li. Dead men had no way to speak in their own defense.

Constable Li had likely recruited him for the same purpose.

"Brother Zhao, thank you for the reminder. Let's find a place at noon. I'll treat you to a meal."

Zhao Changshan immediately beamed. "I was only joking. How about Fresh Flavor Restaurant?"

Though Fresh Flavor Restaurant was only a small eatery, its proprietress was incredibly alluring. Just looking at her made the food go down better.

That evening, Cui Lang did not return home. Instead, he went straight to Constable Li's house.

"Cui Lang, why aren't you going home at this hour? What are you doing here?"

Cui Lang looked around, acting cautiously.

Constable Li frowned slightly. "Say what you came to say. There's no one here but me."

Only then did Cui Lang lower his voice. "Constable Li, something bad has happened. This morning, Magistrate Zheng called this subordinate to his office. He said he had received word that someone in the county was colluding with demons and asked whether this subordinate knew anything."

Constable Li stared at Cui Lang. "How did you answer?"

Cui Lang stood straight. "Naturally, this subordinate said I didn't know. But Magistrate Zheng also told this subordinate to investigate. Could it be that Magistrate Zheng has discovered our affair?"

Seeing the worry and fear in Cui Lang's eyes, Constable Li suddenly smiled. "Don't worry. There's no evidence. Zheng Fengyun can't do anything to us."

"Do you think those demons will step forward and testify against us?"

Cui Lang relaxed slightly. "But could Magistrate Zheng have arranged for others to investigate as well?"

Constable Li said arrogantly, "What are you afraid of? Only you and I know about this. What could anyone else possibly uncover?"

"If you discover that someone has found out anything, report it to me. I'll take care of them."

"What we are doing is a great undertaking that will change Cloud Mountain County, perhaps even the entire realm. Since it is a great undertaking, we cannot shrink back even if some people must be sacrificed."

Well, damn. So if someone finds out, you'll get rid of them?

Since a great undertaking requires sacrifice, why shouldn't the sacrifice be you?

"Constable Li is absolutely right. Then I'll just put on a show and give Magistrate Zheng a reply in a few days, saying I found nothing. Let him curse me out if he wants."

Constable Li was very pleased with Cui Lang's attitude. "That's the right way to think. If there's nothing else, hurry home. Don't let anyone see you constantly coming here."

Watching Cui Lang leave, Constable Li felt rather smug. Zheng Fengyun had thought his chosen man was no good, but wasn't this working out quite nicely?

Cui Lang was utterly loyal to him and obeyed his every word. There would be no need to test him again.

He also hoped the day would never come when he had to use Cui Lang as a scapegoat.

After leaving Constable Li's house, Cui Lang hurried home. As he passed an alley, he spotted a beggar who looked very familiar.

After taking a closer look, wasn't that Wang Hanzong's servant?

Cui Lang casually bought several flatbreads and handed them over. The Wang family's old servant hurriedly knelt and kowtowed. "Thank you, officer. You're a good man, officer."

"How did you end up begging? Did something happen to your family?" Cui Lang asked as though merely making casual conversation.

The old servant spoke of what had befallen the household, as well as Wang Hanzong being burned to death. He kept saying how pitiful his master was, and said that ever since his master had bought a painting, his temperament had changed drastically.

But Cui Lang did not find Wang Hanzong pitiful in the slightest. After all, Wang Hanzong had also caused many innocent people to die.

Still, this old servant was truly pitiful. He was now homeless, and at his age, no wealthy household would hire him. He could only fall into beggary.

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying your master was killed by some evil spirit?" Cui Lang deliberately snapped. "The county officials personally investigated this matter. There can't possibly be any problem. Cloud Mountain County absolutely has no evil spirits."

"And don't you go making wild accusations at the prefectural office either. If I find out, I'll drag you back and have you caned!"

Cui Lang strode away in a furious manner, and the Wang family's old servant's eyes lit up.

That was right—perhaps his master had encountered an evil spirit. The county had hastily closed the case because they clearly wanted to cover it up. He needed to go file a complaint at the prefectural office!

Eh? Who had dropped these bits of silver?

He quickly picked them up and tucked them into his robes.

At least he would not go hungry on the road to the prefectural office. Perhaps he could even catch a ride.