Chapter 187 Sword Pointing at the Prefecture

The crowd dispersed, leaving only three people in the second hall.

Chen Mu raised his eyes to look at Qi Huan, and Liu Ziming also cupped his hands together, appearing somewhat uneasy.

"Qi... Special Envoy."

The dignity belonging to the Special Envoy on Qi Huan's face instantly melted away. He grinned, revealing a familiar smile, and waved his hand wearily.

"That's enough, Ziming. There are no outsiders here, so drop the formalities. I'm exhausted from the journey."

Liu Ziming finally breathed a sigh of relief, laughed, and asked curiously.

"Chief Qi, what is going on here... How did you suddenly become a Special Envoy?"

Qi Huan rested one hand on the table and rubbed his temples.

"I went back to report, of course. Xu Changze colluded with demons and evil spirits, stole the wishes of the people, and practiced evil arts—the evidence is conclusive. I submitted the report, and coupled with the situation regarding Wen Jingxing, there has to be an explanation for Nie Feng's death."

"I detailed the sequence of events, especially Xu Changze's crimes and the process of him being executed by Chen Mu in a desperate act, and the higher-ups will make their own judgment."

After saying this, he looked at Chen Mu, his expression becoming more serious.

"Wen Jingxing did indeed want to make an issue of this, but he isn't clean either. He may not have been entirely ignorant of Xu Changze's dealings in Yunmeng, and he might even be implicated."

"I seized upon this point, and coupled with the solid merit you earned by executing Xu Changze and the Five-Tailed Demon Fox at the City God Temple and quelling the chaos, the higher-ups weighed the situation and ultimately didn't let him cover the sky with one hand."

"This mission of mine counts as making up for my previous faults, and it is also... an opportunity given by the higher-ups."

Chen Mu listened quietly and suddenly asked.

"So the position of Special Envoy is both an opportunity for you and a way to define the Yunmeng incident?"

"Correct." Qi Huan nodded.

"The Yunmeng County Magistrate colluded with demons and evil spirits and was executed by his subordinates—if that gets out, the imperial court will lose face. But if the magistrate died in battle against demons and the Demon Suppression Division fought hard to quell the chaos, that is a different matter entirely."

"I came this time ostensibly to conduct a thorough investigation, but in reality, it is to solidify this matter, form a definitive conclusion, and report it to the imperial court. Those who deserve rewards will be rewarded, and those who deserve compensation will be compensated, putting this disturbance to rest."

Liu Ziming suddenly realized.

"So that's it. Then, Chief Qi, you were so stern with Zhou Huaian just now..."

Qi Huan heard this and suddenly sneered.

"Zhou Huaian? The Anlu County Magistrate is too clever for his own good. Before I even arrived, I heard he had managed Yunmeng in perfect order and was heavily courting Chen Mu. I know exactly what he is thinking; he just wants to use the merit from the Yunmeng incident to show off in front of the Special Envoy, or perhaps even get a share of the credit."

"If I were too polite to him, he would only push for more. By keeping him at arm's length, I let him know who is in charge, which makes it easier for us to get things done."

After a pause, he looked at Chen Mu again, his eyes becoming somewhat complex.

"Chen Mu, besides my official duties, I have another task this time—I came specifically for you."

Chen Mu's gaze tightened slightly.

Qi Huan took an official document from his bosom, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Chen Mu.

"Lord Liao, a Thousand-Man Commander of the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division, personally issued this transfer order and assessment document. In view of your outstanding meritorious service in slaying demons and eliminating evil in Yunmeng, and having quelled great disasters in Yunmeng several times, the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division has granted you an exceptional qualification for assessment. If you pass, you can be directly transferred to serve in the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division."

Liu Ziming gasped, his eyes filled with envy as he looked at the document.

The Prefecture Demon Suppression Division—that is the place countless local Demon Suppression Division officers dream of. Its resources, Cultivation Techniques, knowledge, and future prospects are far beyond what a border town like Yunmeng can compare to.

Chen Mu had already learned the ins and outs from Jiang Xiong, so he did not reach for it immediately, but just looked at Qi Huan.

"What does the assessment require?"

Qi Huan laughed, his smile exceptionally hearty.

"If it were a month ago, I might have followed the rules and set up a few hurdles to test your martial arts, Heart-Nature, and adaptability, but now..."

"In my opinion, this assessment is no longer necessary."

He looked into Chen Mu's eyes, enunciating every word.

"From the Cat Demon in Sangye Village, to the Ghostly Creature at the Zhao Mansion, the fox demon in Qinglin Town, and the successive bloody battles at the City God Temple—Chen Mu, I, Qi Huan, have seen your strength, Heart-Nature, and decisiveness with my own eyes and experienced them firsthand."

"There is no need to overthink this assessment document; I can give you the highest rating. Therefore, Chen Mu, in my capacity as a Special Envoy of the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division, I formally invite you to join. When the time comes, the authority, resources, and opponents you will encounter will be far beyond what a small place like Yunmeng can compare to. That is the stage where you can truly show your worth."

After Qi Huan finished speaking, without waiting for Chen Mu's response, he looked at Liu Ziming.

"Ziming, the same goes for you. Your performance in Yunmeng has been steady and capable, you are skilled at coordination, and at critical moments, you can distinguish right from wrong and step forward. The Prefecture Demon Suppression Division also needs talent like you. If you are willing, you may come along; your position and treatment will certainly not be lower than in Yunmeng."

Liu Ziming was caught off guard; he opened his mouth, stunned for a moment.

He had just been secretly envying Chen Mu for having such an opportunity, but when it actually came to him, there was no joy on his face, but rather a trace of melancholy.

He subconsciously looked at Chen Mu, then looked outside the second hall, and finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"Chief Qi, could you allow me a few days to consider this?"

Qi Huan was not surprised by his reaction and nodded understandingly.

"Naturally. This is a major matter, so it should be considered carefully. You both have time to think; just give me an answer before I leave Yunmeng."

He then stood up, walked step by step toward Chen Mu, patted his shoulder, and spoke in a meaningful tone.

"Chen Mu, the matter in Yunmeng is concluded. Xu Changze has been executed. Although a new feud has been formed with the Beimang Fox Clan, they may not dare to launch a large-scale invasion in the short term. Zhou Huaian, although utilitarian, can be considered a capable official. As long as he does not cross the bottom line, Yunmeng can be temporarily handed over to him to manage, while waiting for the imperial court to issue an edict to select a virtuous successor. This place is no longer your battlefield."

"In the Prefecture, demons and evil spirits are more rampant, and the waters are murkier, but only there can you find opponents that will let your sharp sword drink its fill of blood."

Qi Huan's gaze gradually became sharp.

"The matter of Wen Jingxing is not over, and the threat of the Beimang is like a sword hanging over one's head. Furthermore, within the Prefecture, various forces are pressing in... If you want to become stronger faster and master your own destiny, that is a stop you cannot avoid."

Chen Mu was silent; every word of Qi Huan's struck a chord in his heart.

The stage of Yunmeng was indeed too small, and the efficiency of plundering Lifespan was approaching a Bottleneck. The Prefecture meant greater danger, but it also meant richer rewards.

In the end, Chen Mu nodded and reached out to take the document.

Qi Huan finally smiled.

"Good. I still have official business to attend to, so I will go to the official residence to settle in. If you have anything to discuss, you can come find me at any time."

After Qi Huan left, only Chen Mu and Liu Ziming remained in the second hall.

Liu Ziming looked at the document in Chen Mu's hand, then looked outside the door, sighed, and whispered.

"Chen Mu, do you really intend to leave?"

Chen Mu put the document away, his voice calm.

"There are more demons and evil spirits there."

Liu Ziming understood the implication, shook his head, and smiled bitterly.

"Yes, for you, that is the place you should go, but I..."

The look of melancholy on his face deepened.

"I was born in Yunmeng and grew up in Yunmeng. My elderly mother, wife, and children are all here. Xu Changze has just died, Zhou Huaian is eyeing the position like a tiger, and Lord Wang is old. If I leave, these brothers in the Demon Suppression Division, and this Yunmeng City..."

He did not continue, but the meaning was already clear.

He could not let go of the responsibilities on his shoulders, and even less could he let go of this land and the people he was familiar with.

Chen Mu glanced at him, smiled slightly, and did not try to persuade him.

He still remembered when they first met; although Liu Ziming had the righteousness to speak out, he also had a timid heart. Now, he was one of the top figures in Yunmeng City.

Although he wanted to move forward together, after all, everyone has their own aspirations, and their paths were different. He respected Liu Ziming's choice.

Liu Ziming looked up, his eyes becoming increasingly firm.

"Chen Mu, regardless of whether you go or not, you will always be my, Liu Ziming's, brother. In Yunmeng, if you have need, I will follow you through mountains of blades and seas of fire. If you have any trouble after going to the Prefecture, just send a message."

Chen Mu nodded, reached out to pat Liu Ziming's shoulder, and the two said no more, walking out of the second hall side by side.