Chapter 158 - 105: Mole? Jiang Mu’s Desperate Counterattack

Chapter 158: Chapter 105: Mole? Jiang Mu’s Desperate Counterattack

What else could he do but tuck his tail between his legs?

"Elder Tian, please get some rest. I still have matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you any further."

Wen He bowed with clasped hands again, his voice dry, and turned to leave.

His departing figure radiated dejection and melancholy.

Tian Wenjing watched him disappear through the doorway, shook his head, and muttered to himself:

"I just hope that Jiang kid... doesn’t end up like this."

...

Wen He stormed out of the courtyard gate, his face dark. He was in the foulest of moods.

Just outside the gate, he saw a young woman with delicate features arguing with the guards.

"What’s going on?"

Wen He, already in a foul mood, frowned at the sight and barked the question.

The guard hastily bowed.

"Master Wen, this woman says she wants to file a report and is specifically asking to see Director Tian. I told her to go to her designated branch hall, but she refuses to leave."

"File a report?"

Wen He sized the woman up. "What kind of report?"

This woman was none other than Zhang Daxie’s childhood sweetheart, Ruyan.

She was clutching a Sound Stone, her face a mixture of nerves, apprehension, and excitement.

She had found this Sound Stone.

Despite Young Master Zhao’s comforting presence last night, the image of Jiang Mu’s menacing face and his murderous warning had kept her up all night.

She had tossed and turned, wondering if she should return the gifts.

She woke up the next day with a splitting headache.

She had to drag herself out of the house to find a physician for some medicine to calm her nerves.

But on her way back, she had unexpectedly found this thing.

At first, she didn’t know what it was. But when she touched it out of curiosity, the sound of a conversation came from within.

Listening closely, she realized it was the voice of Master Jiang—the man who had struck him!

And its contents were beyond explosive.

In that moment, Ruyan was thrilled.

She wasn’t a fool. She immediately realized what this meant for Jiang Mu.

It was leverage!

His Achilles’ heel!

Her first thought was to use it to threaten Jiang Mu and get that arrogant man under her thumb.

’With this in my possession, I can get anything I want!’

’Return the gifts?’

’Hmph. Not only will I refuse to return them, I’ll make that bastard pay me back double!’

But once she calmed down, she recalled what Young Master Zhao had said in the carriage the previous night.

Young Master Zhao had been cursing up a storm, vowing to find his uncle—the newly appointed Prefect—to dig up evidence of corruption and malfeasance on Jiang Mu and his men. He wanted to throw them all in prison to satisfy his hatred.

But by the end of his tirade, Young Master Zhao’s face fell. He had admitted that even if he found evidence, he wouldn’t dare make a move.

Those guys from the Demon-slaying Bureau kill without blinking.

If they found out they were being blackmailed, they would surely kill to silence their accuser.

The thought made Ruyan break out in a cold sweat.

’That’s right. If I just go and threaten Jiang Mu, he’ll be like a cornered beast. He might actually kill me to shut me up.’

’Forget about getting any benefits—I might not even escape with my life.’

’So what should I do?’

After mulling it over, Ruyan decided to hand the evidence over to another high-ranking official within the Demon-slaying Bureau.

She no longer cared about getting anything out of Jiang Mu.

Just getting that detestable man locked up in jail would be enough for her.

And naturally, she wouldn’t have to return the gifts either.

Besides, if Jiang Mu fell from power, his subordinates—the brothers Zhang Daxie and Zhang Xiaokui—would likely be dragged down with him.

And so, this led to the scene of her appearing outside the Deputy Director’s courtyard, seeking an audience.

"I... I have an urgent matter. I must speak to Lord Tian."

Ruyan felt the aura of authority coming from Wen He, and she stammered, "Please, sir, could you take me inside?"

"What is this matter, exactly?"

"I... I..."

When the woman just hemmed and hawed without getting to the point, Wen He lost his patience and waved a dismissive hand.

"We have branch halls for filing reports. Go to the one in your district. Stop making a scene here."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.

"Sir!"

In a panic, Ruyan grabbed Wen He’s sleeve.

"It’s a matter of grave importance! I... I have proof! Proof that there’s a mole inside your Demon-slaying Bureau, colluding with demons!"

"What did you say?"

Wen He’s eyes narrowed. He whipped around, his gaze fixed on Ruyan.

"I..."

Terrified, Ruyan took a step back, her face draining of color.

Wen He’s gaze snapped to her tightly clenched right hand. "What’s that in your hand? Show me!"

Ruyan hesitated.

But a second later, a hand like an iron vise clamped down on her wrist.

"Ah!"

Ruyan cried out in pain, her hand flying open.

The Sound Stone fell into Wen He’s grasp.

"A Sound Stone?"

Wen He studied the object in his hand, one eyebrow raised. "Where did you get this?"

Rubbing her reddened wrist, Ruyan answered honestly, her voice trembling on the verge of tears, "I... I found it on the road."

Seeing that she didn’t appear to be lying, Wen He stepped aside and activated the Sound Stone.

As the clear sounds of the conversation within reached his ears, Wen He first froze. Then, his expression began to shift at a visible rate.

From shock to disbelief...

...and finally, to uncontainable joy and excitement!

"Well, well, Jiang Mu!"

Clutching the Sound Stone, he spun around and charged back into the courtyard!

He had only taken a few steps before he stopped abruptly and yelled to a nearby confidant, "Xu Gang, get over here!"

A man named Xu Gang jogged over.

Wen He lowered his voice, speaking rapidly:

"Take some of our men and get over to the Eighth Hall Government Office immediately. Stake it out. Keep your eyes on the brothers, Zhang Daxie and Zhang Xiaokui. As soon as you get my order, move in and arrest them!"

Xu Gang was stunned by the sudden command. "Hall Master, what... what have Zhang Daxie and his brother done?"

"Just do as you’re told! No more questions!"

Wen He’s expression darkened, a cold light glinting in his eyes. "Remember, watch them like a hawk! Wait for my signal!"