Chapter 34 - 28: Benefits
After devouring its own kind, the giant snake Demon Shadow’s body began to tremble violently.
The next moment, it exploded into a cloud of black mist with a POOF.
The black mist rapidly collapsed and condensed.
It finally formed a jet-black bead, only about the size of a fingernail.
It looked like a Demon Pill.
Jiang Mu was filled with confusion. ’What in the world is this thing?’
But with so many prying eyes around, it wasn’t the time to study it. Jiang Mu discreetly absorbed the Demonic Qi and handed the Demon Pill back to Ling Ye.
The last time he had given Huang Silang’s Demon Pill to Zhang Daxie to be refined and exchanged, he had specifically asked about this.
He learned that the Demon Pill hadn’t been damaged at all.
This meant that even after its Demonic Qi was absorbed, the Demon Pill’s quality remained unaffected.
Jiang Mu’s gaze swept over the Demon Pills from the low-tier Snake Demons in the hands of Wang Ershang and the others. He hesitated, but in the end, he was too embarrassed to ask if he could "touch" them.
’My Demon Slot is almost overflowing anyway. No need to be too greedy.’
Ling Ye put away the Demon Pill, pointed at the giant python’s corpse on the ground, and said casually:
"I’ll leave this snake corpse for you. The body of a Demon of the Fifth Realm or higher has sinews, bones, and scales that can all be used for Artifact Refining. It’s quite useful, so count it as part of your achievements this time."
"It’s a pity that the mother Snake Demon, the one that has cultivated for several hundred years, wasn’t in this nest. If I had known..."
She shook her head.
"Forget it. We’ll search for it slowly later. As for your achievements, I will naturally file a formal report to your Bureau."
"Thank you, my Lord."
Wang Ershang quickly cupped his fists in a salute.
But when his gaze swept over his colleagues still groaning on the ground, his head began to ache.
Ling Ye waved her hand, and with a flash of her figure, she disappeared into the rain.
As soon as that great buddha had left, Jiang Mu immediately ordered Zhang Daxie and Zhang Xiaokui to gather the spoils of war.
As Wang Ershang was leaving, he said with a complicated tone:
"Master Jiang, although they were in the wrong this time and broke the rules, we are all comrades in the end. Your actions were a bit too severe. This matter... I will report it truthfully to Master Wen."
"I don’t care."
Jiang Mu didn’t even deign to look at him.
Wang Ershang snorted coldly and left with his colleagues.
After the outsiders had left, Zhang Daxie came closer, a worried look on his face.
"My Lord, Master Wen He is not a magnanimous person, and he cares deeply about his reputation. After what happened today, his men suffered a huge loss and were disgraced. I’m afraid..."
"Afraid of what?"
Jiang Mu said nonchalantly as he wiped the blood from his blade,
"I don’t go looking for trouble, but if someone tries to ride on my neck and take a shit, there’s no way I’m going to be a coward who just tucks his head in."
"Frankly, I don’t care about a few demon corpses. But I won’t let my men be bullied."
"As long as you’re with me, I have to protect you. That’s my rule."
Hearing this, the Zhang Brothers’ bodies trembled.
Zhang Xiaokui, in particular, felt his eyes turning red.
THUD!
Zhang Xiaokui knelt heavily on the ground.
"My Lord! Before, I, Zhang Xiaokui, was blind to your qualities! I thought you were just some good-for-nothing playboy coasting by, and I looked down on you from the bottom of my heart. But today, I am truly convinced!"
"Not only are you incredibly capable, but you treat us brothers like actual people. From this day forward, I, Zhang Xiaokui, swear to follow you to the death! I’ll climb a mountain of knives and plunge into a sea of fire for you. If I even hesitate, I’m no better than an animal!"
How fortunate was it to meet a superior who was willing to offend his peers, even coming to blows, all for the sake of his subordinates?
Zhang Daxie was also filled with emotion.
’This little brother of mine is usually so wild and defiant,’ he thought. ’I never thought I’d see the day he’d be this impressed by someone.’
"Alright, stop acting like a woman."
Jiang Mu laughed and kicked Zhang Xiaokui’s calf. "Don’t be so dramatic. Get up and start cleaning up the demon corpses."
...
That afternoon, another "mountain of corpses" was piled up in the courtyard of the Demon-slaying Bureau.
Although Patrol Envoy Ling Ye had already sent word ahead, and Wang Ershang and his men had also returned first to make their report...
...when they saw the mountain of Snake Demon corpses with their own eyes, everyone present still gasped in shock.
The last time they had seen such a sight was when these two brothers had pushed in a cart full of weasel corpses.
Back then, everyone thought it was just luck.
But this time...
It couldn’t possibly be luck again, could it?
Ran Qingshan was completely dumbfounded.
’What kind of monster is this Jiang Mu?’
’He usually stays home quietly, but the moment he steps out, he causes a huge sensation.’
"My Lord."
Jiang Mu saluted with cupped fists and began his report.
"The Eighth Hall was ordered to assist Patrol Envoy Lord Ling Ye in exterminating the Snake Demon nest at Heitu Village. We killed a total of fifty-three Snake Demons, among them twenty-three Tier Two, and... Tier One..."
"Lord Jiang, what is the meaning of this?!"
Before Jiang Mu could finish, an angry shout cut him off.
It was the Third Hall’s Master, Wen He, who stormed into the courtyard with a group of his men, looking furious.
"Why did you injure so many of my subordinates for no reason? Were you out there to slay demons or to kill your own colleagues?!"
Jiang Mu turned around, his expression calm as he said:
"Master Wen, it was your subordinates who first tried to steal the spoils and achievements of my Eighth Hall. Wang Ershang and all the colleagues present can testify to this."
"Could it be they didn’t report the truth to you?"
"Nonsense!"
A cold glint flashed in Wen He’s eyes.
"Even if there was some misunderstanding, it could have been resolved with words. Why resort to violence between colleagues, and with such a heavy hand? Do you think I, Wen He, am so easily bullied!?"
As he spoke, he took a step forward.
BOOM!
A powerful Gang Qi erupted from him, pressing down like a mountain.
Jiang Mu’s robes fluttered, but his figure stood as straight and unmoving as a pine tree.
"What, are the people of your Third Hall allowed to bully my Eighth Hall, but we aren’t allowed to seek justice? When my men were being beaten, why didn’t I see Master Wen speaking of camaraderie then?"
Wen He was so angry that he laughed.
"When did my men ever lay a hand on them? Stop your slanderous accusations!"
Jiang Mu turned to look at Zhang Xiaokui beside him.
"Xiao Kui, don’t be afraid. In front of the Lord Chief and all our colleagues, tell Master Wen loudly how they beat you, how they bullied you."
Zhang Xiaokui froze for a moment.
He was a straightforward person, and his first instinct was to say that they had just pushed him.
Just as he was about to open his mouth, Zhang Daxie, who was beside him, let out a low cough.
Although Zhang Xiaokui had a straightforward personality, he and his brother shared a deep understanding. He was instantly inspired.
He swayed twice as if he couldn’t stand steadily, clutched his chest with one hand, and said weakly with a pained expression:
"Hall... Hall Master..."
"Not only did they steal our demon corpses, but a dozen of them ganged up on me, punching and kicking... COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."
"My old injuries hadn’t even healed, and then they struck my Dantian..."
"Hall Master... I might never be able to break through to the Third Realm... My martial path is ruined!"
"It hurts... It hurts so much..."
With that, Zhang Xiaokui collapsed onto the ground.
The entire courtyard fell deathly silent.
The corners of everyone’s mouths were twitching uncontrollably.
Wen He’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
He stared coldly at Jiang Mu as a vortex of energy gathered in his palm, letting out a low hum.
"Enough!"
Ran Qingshan, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.
With a grim face, his gaze swept towards Wen He.
"The Bureau has clear regulations prohibiting the malicious theft of a colleague’s merits. Whether it was a misunderstanding or intentional, the Third Hall was indeed in the wrong first."
Wen He’s expression was ugly. He was about to argue, but Ran Qingshan raised a hand to cut him off and turned to Jiang Mu.
"And you, Lord Jiang. As a Hall Master, you should act with the bigger picture in mind. If you have a grievance, you can report it to the Bureau for a ruling. To take matters into your own hands and assault someone—what has this place become?"
Ran Qingshan started by blaming both sides equally.
He walked over to Jiang Mu, his gaze sweeping over the pile of demon corpses on the ground, and delivered his verdict:
"Both parties are at fault in this matter. How about this, Master Jiang: you will give ten of the Snake Demons you hunted this time to the brothers of the Third Hall."
"We’re all in this together, and we have to see each other every day. Don’t let relations get too strained."
’Is he taking sides?’
Jiang Mu’s brow furrowed. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Ran Qingshan whisper:
"Do me a favor. Come to my room later, I’ll give you a little something extra."
’A little something extra?’
’My Lord, did you buy some sexy lingerie too?’