Defeated in One Move

"That's Head Constable Lin's signature technique-the perfect mastery Grasping Hand! Lu Feng's finished now. He won't last a single move!" someone in the crowd shouted.

But in the very next second, everyone's laughter cut off.

Lu Feng's figure swayed, and he unleashed the same Grasping Hand from an inconceivable angle, precisely blocking Lin Shan's attack.

"Perfect... perfect mastery of the Grasping Hand?!"

Lin Shan's pupils contracted sharply, his face full of disbelief.

After decades of arduous training, his own Grasping Hand had barely reached the major mastery realm. How could Lu Feng, a mere head constable, have cultivated it to perfection?

Bang!

Their palms collided with a muffled thud.

Lin Shan felt a tremendous force rebound into him, numbing his arm. Like a kite with its string cut, he was sent flying several meters, crashing heavily to the ground as a mouthful of blood gushed from his mouth.

Lu Feng coughed twice, his face growing even paler-forcing his Qi into circulation just now had worsened his injuries. It would probably take at least half a month for him to recover completely.

"One move... he lost in a single move?!"

The entire crowd fell deathly silent, then erupted in earth-shaking cries of astonishment.

"Heavens! Isn't Head Constable Lu a bit too strong? He was gravely injured and still took Lin Shan down in one move?"

"Is he even human? With strength like that, he's probably already far beyond Early Ming Jin!"

Standing off to the side, Zhao An's expression turned ugly in the extreme. He muttered a curse: "Trash!"

He had never imagined that Lu Feng could be so formidable! Even gravely injured, he could crush Lin Shan in a single move. His strength was far more than Zhao An had imagined.

"Not bad." Zhao An suppressed the shock in his heart and looked at Lu Feng, his tone softening somewhat. "You won."

"But your injuries are too severe for a long journey. How about this? Once you've recovered, come find me at the Northern Demon-Slaying Bureau. I'll take you to the formal assessment then."

He didn't dare let that trash Lin Shan make another fool of himself and ruin his plans.

"Many thanks, Lord Demon-Slaying Envoy!" Lu Feng cupped his fists in thanks, letting out a long sigh of relief in his heart-he had finally achieved his goal!

"I'll take these first-tier demonic beasts back to the Demon-Slaying Bureau for you. They'll serve as proof for your assessment." As Zhao An spoke, he took out a storage bag and collected all the first-tier demonic beast corpses on the ground.

Looking at the wondrous storage bag, Lu Feng felt an even stronger longing for the Demon-Slaying Bureau.

Zhao An couldn't be bothered with the others any longer. Taking Lin Shan with him, he turned and strode away. Before leaving, he gave Lin Yuan a look, signaling him to handle the aftermath.

"Farewell, Lord Demon-Slaying Envoy!" everyone called out in unison.

Once Zhao An and his party had gone far away, the woman suddenly hurried over to Lu Feng and asked, her face full of concern, "Lord Lu, are you all right?"

"I'm fine." Lu Feng waved a hand and said gratefully, "Thank you for what you did just now."

"You're too kind, my lord." The woman hastily shook her head, her gaze sincere. "I only told the truth. Compared to your grace in saving my life, such a small thing is nothing."

As she spoke, she looked toward the other two men-at some point, the pair had already slipped away in the confusion.

"All right," An Shi said, stepping forward. "Lu Feng, your injuries haven't healed yet. Go home and focus on recovering first. We can discuss the rest once you're well."

Chen Hu and the others nodded in agreement and carefully helped Lu Feng home.

Ergou volunteered to stay and look after him.

But Chen Hu stopped him at once. "What does a grown man like you know about looking after someone? I'll have my sister come!"

At those words, everyone's eyes turned to Chen Hu in unison, and a hint of subtle romantic tension seemed to fill the air.

Their stares made Chen Hu a little uncomfortable. He coughed lightly. "What is it? What are you all looking at?"

Everyone exchanged knowing smiles, but no one said it aloud.

Back home, Lu Feng hesitated no longer. He immediately sat down cross-legged and circulated his Qi to heal.

Half a month later, Lu Feng pushed open his door, looking refreshed and rosy-cheeked. His injuries had completely healed.

"Brother Lu, are your injuries healed?"

In the courtyard, Chen Lan was squatting on the ground, preparing vegetables. Hearing the sound, she immediately stood up, a delighted smile on her face and her eyes full of concern.

"Yes. It's thanks to you looking after me all this time," Lu Feng replied with a smile, warmth spreading through his heart.

For the past half month, Chen Lan had washed his clothes, cooked his meals, and brought him tea and water every day, come rain or shine. Lu Feng had tried to refuse several times, but he couldn't overcome her insistence and had no choice but to accept it.

"I'm going to the yamen to see how things are," Lu Feng said, turning to leave.

"I'll wait for you to come back for dinner!" Chen Lan's voice came from behind him, carrying a hint of tenderness.

Walking down the street, Lu Feng felt greatly comforted.

Lin'an City was completely different from before. Most of the shops had reopened, people came and went through the bustling streets, and the townsfolk's faces had regained their former vitality, with none of their earlier fear to be seen.

"Head Constable Lu!"

"Greetings, Head Constable Lu!"

Quite a few townsfolk recognized Lu Feng and greeted him warmly. He responded to each of them, warmth flowing through his heart.

When he reached the yamen, however, only Ergou and Chen Hu were in the courtyard. The other constables had all gone out on patrol.

"Boss! You're finally better!" Seeing Lu Feng enter the yamen, Ergou hurried over, his face full of delight.

"Mm." Lu Feng nodded, sweeping his gaze over the courtyard. "I see life in the city has returned to normal. No demonic beasts have broken in lately, have they?"

"No!" Chen Hu stepped forward, speaking cheerfully. "Ever since you slew that second-tier old ape, I heard the remaining demonic beasts on North Mountain fled beyond Lin'an City's borders that very night. They haven't dared come back!"

Lu Feng nodded slightly and asked, "Where's Registrar An? Why haven't I seen him?"

"While you were recovering, Registrar An received orders from above to inspect other counties for demonic beasts. He hasn't returned yet," Chen Hu answered truthfully.

"Lu Feng, you're here? Have you completely recovered from your injuries?"

Just then, County Magistrate's Deputy Lin Yuan came out of the rear hall with a smile. His expression was amiable, but a barely perceptible trace of malice lurked in his eyes.

"Greetings, Deputy Magistrate!" Lu Feng, Chen Hu, and Ergou cupped their fists and bowed in unison.

"My injuries are no longer serious, my lord. Thank you for your concern." Lu Feng's tone was flat, with no unnecessary pleasantries.

"Good, good!" Lin Yuan laughed heartily, his tone warm. "You deserve great credit for restoring peace to Lin'an City! Tonight, I'm holding a celebratory banquet for you at my residence. You must honor me with your presence!"

"Thank you for your kind offer, my lord." Lu Feng cupped his fists slightly, his tone distant. "But I have important matters to attend to, so I won't be able to join you for the banquet."

With that, he turned and left. Chen Hu and Ergou exchanged a glance, hurriedly took their leave of Lin Yuan, and quickly followed him.

Only after they had gone a long way from the yamen could Ergou no longer hold back. "Boss, that old bastard Lin Yuan is up to no good! His celebratory banquet has to be a trap. Why didn't you refuse him outright?"

"That's right, Lu Feng! You can tell nothing good will come of it. There's no need for us to pay him any mind!" Chen Hu chimed in, his face full of worry.