Chapter 140 - 100: Discussing the Dao with Luoxue

Chapter 140: Chapter 100: Discussing the Dao with Luoxue

「The next afternoon.」

Yan Fenghuo suddenly showed up with some news.

The secret letters found at the Han Mansion had been deciphered by the Bureau’s experts.

The results were shocking.

The seductive and beautiful Madam Han was actually in collusion with the rebel army in Yan City.

From Yan Fenghuo’s account, Jiang Mu learned the details.

Madam Han’s original name was Shui Yanhua. In her early years, she had been a disciple of the Celestial Blade Sect. She later left the Sect, changed her name, and married Han Chenghu. During that time, she also became connected with the Lord Prefect, who recognized her as his sworn younger sister.

They had thought she had grown tired of the conflicts of the martial world and had settled down to be a wife and mother. No one expected that she had secretly joined the Red Umbrella Sect.

The Red Umbrella Sect was a demonic sect officially designated as such by the Great Qing Court.

This sect operated in secrecy, its followers spread throughout all walks of life. They were masters of manipulation and had incited civil unrest in various places multiple times.

And Madam Han was a sleeper agent planted in Hu State by the Red Umbrella Sect.

There were even signs that the Red Umbrella Sect had provided covert support during the last major invasion of Hu State by the Mist Demons.

This faction was truly pervasive.

Hearing this, Jiang Mu’s heart grew heavy.

He had been most worried that Madam Han was connected to the Mist Demons. Now it seemed that even if she wasn’t a direct subordinate, they were colluding allies.

Fortunately, the search of her mansion had not turned up any incriminating evidence directly linking to him.

’It seems my "insider" status has nothing to do with Madam Han, professionally speaking. Our only real overlap was... sparring between the sheets.’

’As for the Lord Prefect, he’s probably not having a good time.’

’That’s what you get for thinking with your lower body.’

"Master Jiang, you’ve rendered great service yet again."

Yan Fenghuo grinned and said,

"The Red Umbrella Sect is a grave threat to the Court. By digging up this hidden connection, you’ve eliminated a major hidden danger for Hu State. The higher-ups will definitely reward you for this achievement."

Then, his tone shifted, and he lowered his voice.

"But Master Jiang, forgive me for prying, but you didn’t... have any special entanglements with that Madam Han before, did you?"

Jiang Mu faltered for a moment, then shook his head with an air of righteousness.

"Of course not! Master Yan, am I that kind of person?"

Yan Fenghuo gave him a meaningful look but didn’t expose his lie. He only said,

"Good that you didn’t. Cases like this involving demonic sects and treason don’t fall under the sole jurisdiction of our Demon-slaying Bureau. The Inner Guard will definitely get involved.

"Those bastards, just because they’re His Majesty’s Personal Guard, they act so arrogantly. They often arrest people without evidence, preferring to kill the innocent rather than let one slip by. They’re a real pain to deal with. If you get mixed up in this, you’re in for a world of trouble."

Jiang Mu had heard Xu Fu mention the Inner Guard.

They were basically the equivalent of the Jinyi Guard from his past life, wielding immense power.

However, the Demon-slaying Bureau’s status was exceptional, so there was no need to be too afraid. Even if they did uncover some romantic affair, as long as it didn’t involve matters of principle, the worst that could happen was a scolding for improper conduct.

"There’s one more thing."

Yan Fenghuo’s expression turned serious.

"I just received word that the Lord Chief has already drawn up the list of personnel going to Yan City to help exterminate the Demons. If nothing unexpected happens, we’re both on it. It’s just not clear yet which area we’ll be assigned to."

Jiang Mu’s eyes lit up.

’Are we finally getting a mission?’

Ever since the battle at Black Wind Valley, his Demon Slot had been like a bottomless pit that he could never fill. Hiding in the city was comfortable, sure, but where was he going to find enough Demon Fiends to slay?

He couldn’t just count on running into "pleasant surprises" like Madam Han every day.

’But...’

The thought of leaving the gentle and lovely Little Chef at home, as well as that cute and lively little healer, made Jiang Mu’s heart feel inexplicably empty.

’Forget it. A great man’s ambition should be like the Yangtze River flowing east to the sea; how can I linger in a land of comfort and pleasure?’

Jiang Mu silently encouraged himself.

’To get stronger, to survive in this shitty world, women will just have to get lost for a while!’

...

For the next few days, Jiang Mu focused on his cultivation at home.

This time, he devoted himself completely to cultivating the *True Explanation of Mystic Gang,* gifted to him by Ling Ye, fully activating the three cores of his main body and Demon Shadow to train day and night without rest.

His hard work paid off.

Three days later, he finally broke through the bottleneck in his cultivation of the *True Explanation of Mystic Gang*, reaching the minor completion stage.

Jiang Mu circulated the Cultivation Technique, and a thin, pale gold membrane of Gang Qi immediately appeared around his body, flowing ceaselessly.

He casually picked up a blue brick and smashed it against his own arm.

"BANG!"

The blue brick shattered on impact.

Yet the skin on his arm was only slightly red; not even a white mark was left behind.

"Not bad."

Jiang Mu nodded in satisfaction. "With my current strength, if I run into those Tier One or Tier Two lesser demons again, I could probably just stand here and let them chew on me until their teeth shatter."

It was that very afternoon.

Ran Qingshan finally sent someone to summon him.

Jiang Mu thought the orders to depart for Yan City had arrived, so he rushed to the Bureau headquarters in high spirits.

But as soon as he entered the records office, Ran Qingshan said, "Xiaojiang, the Garrison Envoy wants to see you."

Jiang Mu was stunned.

’The Garrison Envoy?’

’Why would a major figure like that—someone who stands above the clouds, as elusive as a divine dragon—suddenly want to see a minor Hall Master like me?’

But on second thought, considering he had been slaying Demons and quelling demon-related chaos recently, making quite a name for himself, it made sense that he would attract the attention of a big shot.

’After all, gold is bound to shine.’

Ran Qingshan didn’t give him much time to ponder, rising to his feet and saying, "Let’s go. I’ll take you there."

Jiang Mu had no choice but to follow.

On the way, he couldn’t help but probe curiously,

"Lord Chief, is the Garrison Envoy’s sudden summons because he has a special mission for me?"

"I don’t know."

Ran Qingshan shook his head. "You’ll find out when you get there. Relax, don’t be nervous. It’s probably just a routine questioning."

He wasn’t exactly nervous.