Chapter 57 - 51: The Carp Tastes Delicious
Jiang Mu’s heart was now pounding wildly.
After searching high and low, he had finally stumbled upon a genuine Practitioner at the Earth Evil Star level!
And it was this kid, of all people.
He remembered Ran Qingshan mentioning that the only known orthodox Star Official of the Earth Evil rank in Hu State was this very young master of the Divine Sword Sect, He Shuangying.
He held the Earth Concealing Star Position.
Back then, Jiang Mu had deliberately chosen the pirated "Earth Concealing Star" official seal with the thought that if this young master ever accidentally kicked the bucket, he could be the first to vie for the genuine position.
It was just a thought, of course; he knew the chances were infinitesimal.
He never expected to run into the man himself today.
No wonder Jiang Mu had thought he had a dark miasma about him the moment the guy walked in. He just didn’t look like a good person.
"So it’s Young Master He of the Divine Sword Sect. Forgive my lack of respect."
Jiang Mu cupped his hands in a fake smile.
According to the information Zhang Daxie had given him, Cultivators with a pseudo-Star Position would feel a natural sense of inferiority when meeting an orthodox Star Official due to the suppression from the Star Position.
It was like a commoner meeting a nobleman, instinctively wanting to lower their head.
Strangely enough, however, Jiang Mu felt nothing of the sort.
’Oh, right... The one cultivating the pirated star is my ’shadow,’ what does that have to do with me, Jiang Mu? Like hell I’ll feel inferior.’
As the thought crossed his mind, he straightened his back even more.
He Shuangying returned the gesture calmly. "And you are, my lord...?"
"Hall Master of the Demon-slaying Bureau’s Eighth Hall. My surname is Jiang," Jiang Mu said flatly. "I’m here investigating a demon case."
"Master Jiang."
He Shuangying felt a flicker of surprise.
’He could tell Jiang Mu was only at the Third Realm of cultivation. How could someone of his level become a Hall Master?’
’The Hu State Demon-slaying Bureau really is pathetic.’
Jiang Mu didn’t give him time to think and went straight on the offensive:
"Young Master He, just now, while I was interrogating this fish demon, it revealed quite a few things in an effort to save its life.
"It said... it was originally a demon raised by your Divine Sword Sect.
"Young Master He, don’t you think you owe me an explanation? As a renowned and righteous sect, why would the Divine Sword Sect secretly harbor a demon and collude with it?"
Jiang Mu directly pinned the blame on him.
What could he do? He was just that kind of moral yet despicable good person.
To prove his Great Way, it was fine to play the villain once in a while.
After all, the Great Way is merciless.
When you’re a Practitioner in the martial world, everyone is coveting everyone else’s Star Position. There’s no room for morality.
He Shuangying was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. "Lord Jiang, you must be joking."
But inwardly, he was alarmed.
’This shouldn’t be happening...’
’They say a fish’s memory only lasts seven seconds. How could this fish demon possibly remember being raised by me?’
’Could it be because of that magical treasure?’
"I don’t understand!"
Jiang Mu suddenly raised his voice, his expression solemn and his tone righteous.
"Your Divine Sword Sect has a prestigious reputation in the martial world! You’re a model of the martial way in Hu State, yet you collude with demons?
"What are you trying to do? Prop up bandits to increase your own importance?
"Or do you simply look down on my Demon-slaying Bureau and treat the Court’s laws like a joke!"
He Shuangying’s expression remained arrogant and cold:
"If Lord Jiang is so certain that my Divine Sword Sect is harboring and colluding with demons, you are welcome to come and search our premises personally.
"The Divine Sword Sect has a clear conscience!"
"You think I wouldn’t dare?"
Jiang Mu took a step forward, his gaze as sharp as a knife.
"Since Young Master He is so confident, that’s perfect. I’ll go back and request a warrant from the Lord Chief to personally lead a team to search the Divine Sword Sect!"
"As you wish, my lord."
He Shuangying’s gaze was frank, not flinching in the slightest.
The more serious Jiang Mu acted, the more nervous He Shuangying became.
’If the Demon-slaying Bureau really does go crazy and investigates now, there’s no guarantee they won’t find something.’
And the more nonchalant He Shuangying appeared, the more nervous Jiang Mu became as well.
’After all, it was his first time fabricating a baseless charge. He wasn’t very skilled at it, and he felt a little guilty.’
The two of them stared each other down.
Each looked more righteous and upstanding than the other, but in reality, each was more nervous than the last.
"Hmph, just you wait!"
Jiang Mu waved for Zhang Xiaokui to collect the demon’s corpse, then turned and strode away.
Chu Lingzhu hurried after him. "I have something—"
"I’m busy right now. If you want to treat me to a meal, pick another day."
Jiang Mu didn’t even turn his head.
The young woman darted in front of him in a few steps, grabbed his sleeve, and said with puffed cheeks, "Who wants to treat you to a meal! I just want to ask... are you really powerful now?"
She tilted her little face up, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
"Powerful or not, didn’t you just see for yourself?"
Jiang Mu pulled his sleeve back. "Go and treat those girls in the brothel. Why are you following me? I’m very busy."
His mind was completely filled with thoughts of how to charge his cheat, how to secure an official position, and how to get stronger.
He didn’t have time to dawdle with women.
’So annoying.’
Jiang Mu quickened his pace, shaking her off.
Chu Lingzhu’s pretty face flushed with anger. She shouted at his retreating back, "If you’re really that powerful, I have a lead on a demon..."
WHOOSH!
Before she could finish, the man reappeared in front of her.
"Where’s the demon?"
...
Chu Lingzhu felt the air catch in her throat.
’This guy... how come he gets all fired up the moment he hears about slaying demons?’
’Are demons better looking than me?’
She pouted her rosy lips and said sullenly:
"It’s a good friend of mine, Han Yushu’s cousin. She’s been having nightmares recently, always dreaming that a monster is chasing her. She’s on the verge of a breakdown and suspects she might be possessed."
"Nightmares?"
Jiang Mu frowned slightly. "Are there any abnormalities with her body when she wakes up? Any injuries or loss of vital essence?"
"No."
"So it’s just nightmares?"
"Yes."
Jiang Mu asked patiently, "Before the nightmares started, did your friend experience anything traumatic?"
Chu Lingzhu thought for a moment and said:
"She did. During the last fog demon invasion of Hu State, my friend had the bad luck of running into a demon. It chased her for a long time, and she nearly died. She’s been having frequent nightmares ever since."
Hearing this, Jiang Mu was utterly speechless.
"You’ve got some serious issues."
Jiang Mu shook his head, turned, and walked away.
’Isn’t this a classic case of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?’
’She was chased by a demon; it would be weirder if she didn’t have nightmares. What’s the big deal?’
?
The young woman stood there, stunned.
She stood frozen for several seconds before it registered, then gnashed her teeth and cursed at Jiang Mu’s back:
"You’re the one with issues!"
...
「At the entrance of Yanchun Tower.」
He Shuangying watched Jiang Mu’s departing figure, his face grim.
’I have to get back and tell Father as soon as possible. We need to move or seal up that cellar where we keep the demons. Otherwise, if that mad dog really brings people to investigate, we’ll be in deep trouble.’
He looked down at the still-wet pool of fish blood on the ground, spat, and cursed inwardly:
’Damn that fish demon... If I had known this would happen, I would have chopped you up and fed you to the dogs back then!’
He was filled with regret.
He had been curious at the time, wanting to see what this demon was capable of.
Who knew that this little "interaction" would become so addictive.
Not only had he indulged in a moment of pleasure, but he had also carelessly allowed his magical treasure to be stolen, and on top of all that, he had attracted the attention of a troublemaker like Jiang Mu.
If time could be turned back, he would never have made such a mistake out of a moment’s curiosity.
But, he had to admit.
The taste of carp... was really quite good.