Chapter 163 - 106: I Won’t Steal Your Goddess

Chapter 163: Chapter 106: I Won’t Steal Your Goddess

But Ran Qingshan shook his head, his gaze refocusing on Jiang Mu’s face.

"I am reminding you."

"Huh?"

Jiang Mu was completely baffled. "Remind me of what?"

Ran Qingshan fell silent again, just staring at him with a dark, intense look that made Jiang Mu’s skin crawl.

The two of them just stared at each other in silence.

Slowly, it finally dawned on Jiang Mu.

His expression slowly darkened until he finally exploded. "Lord Ran, what kind of person do you take me for? I’m not that kind of man!"

He wanted to curse the heavens.

’So after all that beating around the bush, his superior was actually afraid that I, his subordinate with a "long and sordid history," would steal away the goddess he’s had a secret crush on for years?’

’Do you think I, Eldest Young Master Jiang, am some kind of walking hormone dispenser?’

’That I fall in love with every woman I see?’

Ran Qingshan said darkly,

"Eldest Young Master Jiang, while you may have turned over a new leaf, your past reputation... is plain for all to see. And judging from the specifics, you do have a particular fondness for mature, charming women of her type."

"..."

Jiang Mu was choked speechless, completely unable to refute it.

After all, the dark history his original self had left behind was far too glaring.

He had no choice but to raise three fingers and swear an oath to the heavens.

"I, Jiang Mu, swear to the heavens that on this trip to Yan City, I will not have a single improper thought about Water Director Shui Miaozheng!

"I won’t even give her a second glance!

"If I break this vow, may I... may I never make another inch of progress in my cultivation!"

To earn his superior’s trust, he had resorted to a dire oath.

"Alright, you may go."

Ran Qingshan waved his hand, seemingly feeling that he had made a mountain out of a molehill, but the worry in his heart hadn’t completely dissipated.

His feelings had been incredibly complicated ever since he learned that Shui Miaozheng would be leading the team from Yunzhou City.

On one hand, he was worried for her safety; Yan City was not a peaceful place, after all.

On the other hand, he couldn’t help but worry about his own subordinate, a man with astonishing charm and a "bad record"...

After all, the pure and stunning goddess from all those years ago had been tempered by time and hardship. Now, her gentle, mature, and intelligent femininity had only grown richer and more captivating.

Coupled with her gentle nature and her tendency to look after her juniors, plus that natural "widow" aura she possessed... it was a fatal combination for a hot-blooded young man.

"This subordinate takes his leave."

With a dark expression, Jiang Mu cupped his fist and left the room.

Being so distrusted and looked down upon by his own superior left a sour taste in his mouth. It was as if he’d been labeled a ravenous lecher.

’Shui... Miao... what a name.’

’To hell with it!’

Just as one of his feet crossed the threshold, Tian Wenjing’s placid voice came from behind him.

"The one who delivered that Sound Stone to Wen He was the woman you taught a lesson to on the street yesterday."

Jiang Mu’s steps faltered, and he looked back at Tian Wenjing.

Tian Wenjing briefly recounted what had happened.

After listening, Jiang Mu’s eyes narrowed, a cold, murderous glint flashing in their depths.

’Found it?’

He never believed in such coincidences.

That woman, Ruyan, was either lying, or... she was being used as a pawn.

"Understood."

Jiang Mu replied curtly and strode away.

Watching Jiang Mu disappear out the door, Ran Qingshan shook his head and chuckled. "That kid is still fuming."

Tian Wenjing said faintly,

"It’s good for a young man to have a bit of a temper. This just proves that he genuinely feels wronged and falsely accused.

"Later, add a merit to his record. Also, increase the resource allocation for the Eighth Hall."

Hearing this, Ran Qingshan’s expression turned a bit strange.

’Since when was Elder Tian—a man known for being strict, old-fashioned, and a penny-pincher—so proactive and generous with rewards?’

It seemed Jiang Mu’s performance today had truly made him see the young man in a new light.

He asked tentatively,

"Elder Tian, about this trip to Yan City... should we perhaps replace Master Wen? I’m worried they’ll clash again on the road..."

"With me around, they won’t be able to cause any real trouble."

Tian Wenjing waved his hand dismissively. "We’ll just arrange for them to be separated. Besides, the roster for this mission was decided by the General Office. If we make unauthorized changes, we’ll only displease our superiors.

"The General Office probably arranged for Wen He to go because they want to give him more experience and more opportunities.

"After all, Wen He’s fundamentals are quite solid."

Ran Qingshan nodded helplessly. "It seems that’s the only way."

He picked up the pile of Sound Stones from the table, randomly selected a few to listen to, and remarked with a sigh,

"These heretics and demons are getting more and more cunning with their methods. Sound Stones have a unique property: they can only record a person’s true voiceprint. Any intentionally disguised or imitated voice will be identified and filtered out by the natural array patterns within the stone.

"I really don’t know what kind of evil art they used to create such a convincing forgery. It’s a good thing they released so many at once. If there had been only one or two, it would have been difficult to tell the real from the fake, making things much trickier."

Tian Wenjing said,

"Deceiving a Sound Stone with a disguised voice is difficult, but not impossible. Certain advanced Divine Abilities can accomplish it.

"What I don’t understand is why the Red Umbrella Sect would release so much false evidence at once.

"Aren’t they blatantly telling us that none of these Sound Stones can be trusted? Isn’t that just overdoing it and tipping their hand?"

Ran Qingshan looked thoughtful.

"Elder Tian, are you suggesting... that someone is deliberately muddying the waters?"

Tian Wenjing was noncommittal, only saying faintly, "When I handle a case, I only ever look at the evidence. I never indulge in wild speculation."

Ran Qingshan gave an awkward smile, then sighed.

"To be honest with you, Elder Tian, deep down... I haven’t completely ruled out my suspicions about that kid either.

"But my reason tells me that anyone in the entire Demon-slaying Bureau could be the mole, and he is the least likely one.

"I can only hope my intuition is wrong."