Chapter 15 Let's go together

Xu Changze lifted his teacup again with satisfaction and moistened his throat.

"In that Sangye Village, five people from the Demon Suppression Division and hundreds of villagers have died in just three months. Tell me, is it so strange if two more die?"

Head Constable Wang, quite perceptive, fetched the teapot, refilled the water, and chimed in.

"Not strange at all, not strange in the slightest."

"The ones who went before were all veterans, and didn't they all perish there? No matter how much of a Genius Chen Mu is, he's just a newcomer. Inexperienced and eager for quick success, it's perfectly normal for him to die in a place like that."

In just an instant, Head Constable Wang had already thought of the excuse to handle any investigation by the Special Envoy.

Xu Changze nodded and steered the conversation to another matter.

"During this period, you need to put more effort into the city's security. The Special Envoy will arrive in half a month."

"Remember, I have always been a law-abiding person. I don't seek merit, only to avoid mistakes. Avoiding mistakes is merit in itself."

"As for those demons, as long as they don't cause trouble openly during this time and don't make any big scenes... if they have any demands, satisfy them as much as possible!"

Head Constable Wang was stunned. "Brother-in-law, you mean..."

Xu Changze glanced at him, feeling slightly unhappy about having such a slow-witted brother-in-law, but he had no choice but to teach him step by step.

"For the gambling dens in the west of the city, collect one month less in tribute. Let them behave themselves and not cause any deaths during those few days."

"As for the beggar dens in the north of the city, demolish them if necessary. Drive the people out of the city so the Special Envoy doesn't see anything unsightly. It just so happens that it will also let those demons have a snack!"

"And that Mass Grave behind the City God Temple has been acting up quite a bit lately. Burn some spirit money to bribe them, tell them to behave for a few days, and once the person leaves, we'll just send them some blood food."

Even Head Constable Wang was terrified upon hearing this. Heavens, his brother-in-law was clearly intending to indulge the demons!

But then he thought about it again and immediately understood.

Yunmeng City was located in a remote area with limited resources, and the Demon Suppression Division was already short-handed. If they really wanted to get serious, the demon infestation inside and outside the city could never be dealt with completely.

Since that was the case, it was better for both sides to take a step back.

The demons get some blood food, the government gets some peace and quiet—a win-win.

As for the blood food... Yunmeng City was never short of people.

The rotten beggars sleeping on the streets could all be rounded up, packed off, and sent there—killing two birds with one stone.

If that didn't work, they could frame someone; there were plenty of ways to make one or two people disappear in a reasonable manner.

"Understood." Head Constable Wang lowered his head, indicating he understood everything, his voice respectful.

"During this period, I will definitely manage the security well, ensuring that everything the Special Envoy sees is the peaceful and tranquil side of Yunmeng."

Xu Changze waved his hand lazily, and Head Constable Wang bowed and retreated, turning back to gently close the door.

Through the crack in the door, Xu Changze was closing his eyes to rest, a smile on his lips, as if the words just spoken were merely casual chitchat.

...

At the entrance of the county government office.

Chen Mu stepped over the high threshold and heard the sound of hurried footsteps behind him.

He didn't even wait, heading straight towards the south of the city.

"Chen Mu! Wait for me!"

Liu Ziming scrambled to catch up, grabbed Chen Mu's sleeve, panting heavily, his face miserable.

"Wh... why?"

"Sangye Village is the gates of the ghost realm, it's Hell! No one who goes there has ever been able to come back alive!"

"I at least tried to speak up for you just now. If you want to go die, why do you have to drag me along!"

"You are simply... simply..."

Liu Ziming's face turned red with frustration. Finally, he threw his head back, raised his voice, and cursed, "You are simply biting the hand that feeds you!"

Passersby on the street were attracted by this scolding and turned to look.

Chen Mu finally stopped, turned his head to look at Liu Ziming quietly, and spoke indifferently.

"Are you done?"

Liu Ziming opened his mouth but didn't make a sound. Without waiting for him to react, Chen Mu said patiently.

"If I hadn't specifically requested you, do you think you could still stay in the county office?"

Chen Mu's voice was calm, but every word was piercing.

"You have no connections, no background, a weak personality, and low strength."

"Head Constable Wang already holds a grudge against you. Today he can use an excuse to send you to Sangye Village to die, and tomorrow he can find another excuse to deal with you."

"Maybe you'll accidentally fall into a well, maybe you'll die suddenly of a sudden illness. How many days would you have left to live then?"

Liu Ziming's face turned pale, his voice trembling. "You... how do you know?"

Chen Mu shrugged, his fingers idly fiddling with the sword tassel, appearing to have no psychological burden.

"Because if I were him, I would do the same."

Chen Mu spoke bluntly, with nothing to hide. Eliminating future troubles was his philosophy of survival.

When cutting weeds, one must remove the roots!

He had followed this principle yesterday at Wu San's house!

If someone were an enemy, let alone the elderly and weak in their family, even the eggs in the enemy's chicken coop, he would shake them until the yolks broke!

Otherwise, once the enemy recovered, it would be he who suffered a miserable fate!

Liu Ziming's lips trembled. He wanted to argue that he hadn't offended Chief Liu to that extent, wanted to say that in this world, there should still be the rule of law.

But the words reached his lips, and he swallowed them back down.

It wasn't like there were no precedents.

His former good brother Li Si was beaten after being hung up by the Squad Leader just because he didn't have money for tribute, and he died of a sudden illness the next day.

And then there was Wang Wu, who had married a beautiful young wife. Because he pretended not to understand the Squad Leader's hints, he was sent to Shangye Ridge and torn to pieces by monsters alive, and his beautiful wife became the Squad Leader's mistress the next day.

There were too many such incidents, so many that everyone had become numb, only daring to survive day after day under tyranny.

"I know that sooner or later I'll be finished off, but if I go to Sangye Village, I'll die immediately!"

Liu Ziming was almost crying.

"You don't know how miserable the fate of those who went before was! Those who hanged themselves, those who were skinned, those who were hacked into mince..."

"I know!"

Chen Mu interrupted him. "But going means a slim chance of survival, while not going means certain death. You choose."

After saying this, he didn't linger, turned around, and continued to hurry towards Sangye Village.

Liu Ziming stood frozen in place, watching the figure walking further and further away. Gritting his teeth and stamping his foot, he quickly chased after him.

"I'll go with you! It's death either way, I'll risk it!"

Chen Mu gave a faint "Hmm," and the two of them headed towards the south of the city, one after the other.

It was almost noon, and the streets were very lively. Peddlers were shouting vigorously, and carriages and horses were rumbling past.

On the surface, it was peaceful, but behind this tranquility, how many unspeakable dealings were hidden?

The lives of ordinary people were worthless, like a stone thrown into a deep pool; it sank to the bottom without even splashing.

And those officials in the government office were still drinking tea, still chatting and laughing.

"Chen Mu... tell me, how did this world become like this?"

Chen Mu's footsteps paused, his body stiffened.

"It has always been this way."