Chapter 283 Challenge at the Training Ground

Huo Chao nodded, understanding Cheng Xiaoqing's intention.

Do not actively investigate, but do not lower your guard either; use it when it should be used, and defend when it should be defended.

Cheng Xiaoqing added.

"However, we must go and investigate that temple tonight."

Huo Chao was taken aback, "Banner Master, are you referring to the Life-Saving Temple?"

Cheng Xiaoqing nodded.

"Although Chen Mu broke the illusion and killed the Yao, the temple itself still holds many suspicions. Who is that statue worshipping? Why is it called the Life-Saving Temple? What is the deal with those specially made incense sticks? Why do the villagers hold that statue in such high esteem?"

He threw out several questions in a row, finally saying.

"Those Yao were able to set traps in the temple and use hallucinogenic incense, which shows that they were extremely familiar with the temple, perhaps even treating it as their lair long ago. Seeing that the temple is worshipped by villagers, with incense burning constantly and people coming and going, how could the Yao settle there without being detected?"

A trace of gravity flashed in Huo Chao's eyes.

"Is the Banner Master suspecting that the temple itself is problematic?"

Cheng Xiaoqing did not answer directly, only saying.

"Tomorrow morning, take a few people to the temple to have a look. Check it inside and out; see if there are any clues."

Huo Chao clasped his fists, "This subordinate understands."

Cheng Xiaoqing thought for a moment, then added.

"Bring Zhao Mo along; he is meticulous and skilled at observing terrain; he might be able to discover details others overlook. Additionally, visit the villages near the temple to inquire about the origins of the temple, who exactly that statue is worshipping, and when the incense started to flourish."

Huo Chao noted it down and added.

"Banner Master, what about Chen Mu..."

Cheng Xiaoqing waved his hand.

"He just went through a battle; let him rest. He handled tonight's matter cleanly and efficiently; there is nothing to criticize. As for the temple, if there is anything he needs to assist with after the investigation is done, it won't be too late to find him then."

Huo Chao nodded and asked no more.

Cheng Xiaoqing leaned back against the chair, his gaze falling on the candlelight, remaining silent for a long time.

The night outside the window grew thicker, and the sound of the watchman's clapper could be faintly heard from afar; it was already the fourth watch.

Seeing this, Huo Chao clasped his fists and took his leave. Cheng Xiaoqing nodded, watching him exit the main hall.

The door was gently closed, leaving him alone in the room.

Cheng Xiaoqing sat for a while longer before slowly rising, walking to the window with his hands behind his back, and pushing open the lattice. The night wind poured in, blowing his robes until they flapped loudly.

Beimang—these two words lingered in his heart.

He had heard Chen Mu recount the harsh words the five-tailed fox uttered before dying. Although it sounded like a dying curse, Cheng Xiaoqing knew that Beimang truly possessed the strength and the tradition to back it up.

Chen Mu had killed so many of their people; Beimang would never let this matter rest. However, what he was currently worried about was whether Beimang would count this debt against the Demon Suppression Division.

After all, Chen Mu was a member of the Demon Suppression Division. Since he killed Yao for the Demon Suppression Division, the Demon Suppression Division had the responsibility to protect his safety.

Cheng Xiaoqing gazed at the crescent moon, his brows furrowed tightly.

He stood for a long time longer before closing the window, turning back to his desk, trimming the nearly extinguished candle to brighten it, and sitting back down.

This matter was far from over.

For the next few days, Chen Mu enjoyed a rare moment of leisure.

The case of Kaoshan Village had settled, and although Zhuifeng had been frightened, it recovered extremely quickly, and within a few days, it was jumping around the courtyard again.

Ling Xiaoning held it every day without letting go, ostensibly to accompany Zhuifeng in healing, but in reality, he was using his fish gut dagger, having a great time playing in the courtyard. Zhuifeng was so tormented by him that it would hide whenever it saw him, but it couldn't escape, so it could only lie on the ground, covering its eyes with its two front paws and letting out whimpering sounds of protest.

Chen Mu trained with the brothers of Team C every day; practicing in the early morning, sparring in the afternoon, and returning to the barracks to rest in the evening. Life was regular and peaceful.

But this peace was destined to be broken.

That afternoon, the sun was shining, and Chen Mu and Ling Xiaoning were sparring on the training ground.

While it was called sparring, it was more like Ling Xiaoning being beaten one-sidedly. Although his fish gut dagger was sharp and his Wind Chasing Steps had some skill, in front of Chen Mu, none of it was enough.

Whenever he thought he had found an opening and thrust with all his might, Chen Mu would nonchalantly dodge to the side, casually swatting him, causing him to stagger backward.

"Again."

Ling Xiaoning gritted his teeth and lunged again.

Chen Mu was not in a hurry, just taking it move by move, occasionally offering a few pointers.

"Your steps are too big; pull them in."

"That's not how a dagger is used. Do you think it's a sword? If you grip it too tightly, your movements will be stiff."

"The timing for that was good, but unfortunately, it was too slow."

Ling Xiaoning was drenched in sweat from the pointers, but he didn't dare to talk back; he just gritted his teeth, correcting and practicing over and over again.

Many people had gathered by the side of the training ground; they were all Demon Suppression Division members with nothing to do, some from Team C, some from other teams, standing in twos and threes to watch the excitement.

"Little Ling is training quite hard."

"What's the use of training hard? When you meet a freak like Chen Mu, no matter how hard you train, it's all in vain."

"That's natural talent; we can't envy that."

As everyone was discussing, a figure suddenly walked out from behind the crowd, striding toward the center of the training ground.

Jiang Yuheng.

Jiang Yuheng had been well-behaved these past few days and hadn't come to cause trouble. Usually, when he saw Chen Mu, he would just nod faintly as a greeting, but at this moment, his face lacked its usual indifference, replaced by an indescribable sense of frustration and unwillingness.

He walked to the edge of the field and stood still, his gaze falling on Chen Mu. After watching for a moment, he suddenly spoke.

"Chen Mu."

The voice was not loud, but it was enough for everyone present to hear. The crowd immediately fell silent, their gazes falling collectively upon him.

Ling Xiaoning also stopped, clutching the fish gut dagger in his hand, looking at Jiang Yuheng vigilantly.

Chen Mu turned around to look at him, without speaking.

Jiang Yuheng took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said in a deep voice.

"I want to spar with you."

Ling Xiaoning frowned, opening his mouth to say something, but was stopped by Chen Mu raising his hand.

Chen Mu looked at Jiang Yuheng with a calm gaze. Jiang Yuheng was also looking at him, but deep in his eyes, there was a trace of deeply hidden probing.

He had thought about a lot over the past few days.

That night in the main hall, Chen Mu had offered him a way out, letting him leave unscathed, avoiding punishment and embarrassment. However, Jiang Yuheng did not accept this favor happily; instead, the more he thought about it, the more frustrated he felt.

He couldn't understand why Chen Mu was able to suppress him, why those nobles all helped Chen Mu, and why he, Jiang Yuheng, after more than a decade of hard training, had to lower his head before a newcomer in the end.

He was not reconciled to this.

But he also knew that being unreconciled was one thing, but if they were to really discuss it, Chen Mu did indeed have some ability. That night on the training ground, the two had briefly exchanged blows; although he had been at a disadvantage, he always felt it was because of his momentary carelessness. If they were to really fight with everything they had, he might not necessarily lose.

Today, he stood here just to test it out—to test just how deep Chen Mu really was.