Chapter 162 - 106: I Would Never Steal Your Goddess

Chapter 162: Chapter 106: I Would Never Steal Your Goddess

No one could have expected that a death trap set for Jiang Mu would end in such an absurd and dramatic fashion.

「Inside the Chief’s Seal Room.」

As was his habit, Ran Qingshan personally poured Jiang Mu a cup of hot tea.

The faint aroma of tea filled the room.

"What happened today was, shall we say, a misunderstanding. It wasn’t really aimed at you alone. Most everyone in the Bureau, from the top down, still trusts you."

Ran Qingshan offered a gentle smile, consoling him. "It’s just that Master Wen is a bit impatient. He was eager to earn merit and inevitably lost his sense of proportion. Don’t take it to heart."

’Trust me, my ass.’

’If I hadn’t been so clever and prepared a backup plan, I’d probably be in the dungeons eating stale bread by now.’

Jiang Mu cursed inwardly, but his face showed an expression of profound understanding, tinged with a hint of resignation.

"Lord Chief, you exaggerate. It’s quite normal for colleagues to have occasional misunderstandings and friction. Master Wen was also acting in the Bureau’s best interest. Though he may be a bit reckless and not the sharpest tool in the shed, his intentions were good.

Though I have been somewhat wronged, what is a little personal honor or disgrace compared to the great cause of slaying demons?

I trust that after this incident, Master Wen will also do some self-reflection. In the future, his actions should be more steady and thorough."

’This damn brat... he’s insulting him indirectly.’

Ran Qingshan’s mouth twitched. He gave a dry cough and didn’t respond.

Just then, Tian Wenjing pushed the door open and walked in.

His expression was normal. He walked over to an empty chair, sat down, picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup, and began to drink on his own.

"Director Tian."

Jiang Mu merely gave a slight bow with his hands clasped, not even shifting in his seat. His tone was faint, tinged with distance.

Tian Wenjing, however, paid no mind to his attitude and cut straight to the point.

"In two days, we head to Yan City to eliminate the demons. I will be leading the team. As for your Eighth Hall, will everyone be mobilized, or will you be the only one accompanying the team?"

Jiang Mu really wanted to roll his eyes.

’My Eighth Hall has three people in total. If we all go, who’s going to watch the Government Office?’

’Who will manage our jurisdiction?’

After a moment of thought, he turned to Ran Qingshan.

"Director, the Eighth Hall was just recently established and we’re short-staffed.

How about you transfer someone over to help guard the Government Office? I want to bring the Zhang Daxie brothers with me. If I don’t have any subordinates to command on the road, it’ll look like I have no standing. I’d rather not be looked down upon."

As he finished, he even shot a pointed glance at Tian Wenjing.

Ran Qingshan concealed a smile and nodded in agreement.

"Very well. Do you have a suitable candidate to stay behind at the Government Office? If not, I can find one for you."

Jiang Mu said:

"How about Wang Ershang from the Third Hall? His Cultivation Level has reached the Fourth Realm, his abilities are decent, he’s a steady worker, and quite responsible."

"Good. As you wish."

Ran Qingshan agreed readily.

He certainly wouldn’t refuse Jiang Mu over such a small matter.

Seeing that official business was concluded, Jiang Mu didn’t want to stay a moment longer, especially not to sit there staring awkwardly at the old man, Tian Wenjing. He stood and clasped his hands.

"If there are no other orders, this subordinate will take his leave."

"Wait!"

Ran Qingshan stopped him. "There is one more thing I need to inform you about."

He glanced at Tian Wenjing, who was looking down and sipping his tea, his expression a little unnatural. He chose his words carefully as he spoke.

"For this trip to Yan City to eliminate the demons, besides the assistance our Hu State will provide, the Demon-slaying Bureau from the neighboring Yunzhou City will also dispatch their elites.

At that time, you will most likely join forces and act together. And the one leading the team from Yunzhou City is their Director..."

Ran Qingshan trailed off, stopping abruptly.

He picked up his teacup and slowly blew on the floating leaves.

Jiang Mu waited for a moment, but when nothing followed, he asked in confusion, "What about the Director of Yunzhou City?"

"She’s a woman."

Ran Qingshan put down his cup and added.

"She’s a woman? So what? Is there a problem?"

Jiang Mu found it even stranger. Although there was a gender disparity in the Demon-slaying Bureau, a female Director wasn’t that rare.

"She’s very beautiful, and very gentle," Ran Qingshan said.

"Oh. And?"

Jiang Mu was growing more and more confused. ’What on earth is this old guy trying to say?’

"She’s a few years younger than me and has remained unmarried for some... special reasons. But she has a rather mature disposition. She looks a bit like a... a widow."

Ran Qingshan chose his words carefully.

"So what?!"

Jiang Mu was completely baffled now and almost slammed his hand on the table.

"Lord Chief, what are you trying to say? Can’t you just say it directly? She’s just a gentle, beautiful, mature female Director. What’s so special about that?"

But Ran Qingshan fell silent, merely looking at him with a strange expression, as if he wanted to say something but was holding back.

Tian Wenjing, who had been standing to the side, couldn’t watch any longer.

He spoke bluntly.

"The Director of Yunzhou City is named Shui Miaozheng. Her father was Shui Changfeng, the previous Lord General of the Demon-slaying Bureau in the Capital City. He died in the line of duty seventeen years ago.

Back when Shui Miaozheng was still in the Capital City, she was unparalleled in talent and beauty, with countless admirers. Many of them were princes, nobles, and prodigious talents. Among them... was the very Director Ran you see before you."

He glanced at the slightly embarrassed Ran Qingshan and continued.

"Later, after her father was murdered, she grew disheartened and vowed to never marry. She drifted from the Capital City and came to Yunzhou City, where she became the Director. But even now, she still has quite a few admirers."

"I see," Jiang Mu said, realization dawning on him.

He recalled something.

The fact that the Mist Demon was able to breach Hu State so easily back then was due in large part to the failure of the City Defense Array.

And the Array’s failure, it was said, was because this simp, Ran Qingshan, had secretly lent some of the key Array resources to that Water Director from Yunzhou City for an emergency.

Thinking of this, Jiang Mu looked at Ran Qingshan and asked tentatively,

"Lord Ran, is there perhaps a gift, or some words, that you need this subordinate to deliver to the Water Director on your behalf?"