Chapter 119: Dong Hong Township
Chapter 119: Dong Hong Township
In the quiet wilderness, a group of over a hundred people hurried along.
Leading the group were Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu, while Xiao He walked on the right rear, observing the terrain ahead on the right and occasionally stealing glances at Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu.
Behind them were other Qingyi Wei and Hei Yi Wei from the Demon Slayer Bureau, mixed with some of the Yu Clan's forces, followed by the Yu Clan's elite sword masters, who were actually trained bodyguards. At the very back were a group of law enforcers summoned from the County Office, who, despite their lack of ability to fight demons, were needed for message delivery and other tasks.
"Brother Ding, that Chen... he's walking too close to Miss Xu, isn't he?"
Among the second squad of the Yu Clan's forces and the Demon Slayer Bureau personnel, a Hei Yi Wei in the rear glanced at the figures of Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu ahead and whispered to a Qingyi Wei beside him.
Ding He frowned and scolded in a low voice, "Don't speak nonsense!"
As he spoke, he also gave Chen Mu's back a deep look and said slowly, "Chen is a trusted aide personally promoted by Miss Xu, and he has a cross-training body. He's not like you and me."
Wu Pu, the Hei Yi Wei, whispered, "What's so different? We're both outsiders, not from the Yu Clan. Chen Mu only recently entered the Sinew Transformation level, while you, Brother Ding, have already perfected it. Even with his cross-training body, how can he compare to you? If Miss Xu holds him in such high regard, we might have to take orders from him."
There was a hint of jealousy in Wu Pu's tone.
If Chen Mu were a direct descendant of the Yu Clan, walking so close to Xu Hongyu would be understandable. Even if he were a Bai Yi Wei, it wouldn't be an issue. But Chen Mu was only a Qingyi Wei, yet he was walking at the front of the group alongside Xu Hongyu, and the two of them occasionally chatted as they walked, appearing more like close associates than a superior and subordinate.
Upon hearing Wu Pu's words, Ding He didn't respond, but he also gave Chen Mu a deep look. He knew that Chen Mu's cross-training body and entry into the Sinew Transformation realm were not to be taken lightly. Chen Mu had more potential than him, so it was normal for Xu Hongyu to value him highly. However, seeing the closeness between Chen Mu and Xu Hongyu, he couldn't help but have some thoughts in his mind.
Could it be that Xu Hongyu's feelings for Chen Mu were more than just appreciation?
He knew that Xu Hongyu was still unmarried and held a high status as a direct descendant of the Yu Clan. If Chen Mu could marry into the family, it would be a huge leap for him.
Even if Chen Mu managed to win Xu Hongyu's trust and affection with sweet words, the Yu Clan might still not accept him. After all, Xu Hongyu's status was far above that of the Yu Clan's collateral branches, and even among the direct descendants, her position was extremely high. It was destined that she would not be matched with an ordinary person.
"Miss Xu has her own judgment, it's not for us to meddle. Don't speak out of turn again."
After a few flashes of light in Ding He's eyes, he spoke to Wu Pu in a stern voice.
Wu Pu, seeing Ding He's hesitation, could only sigh in resignation. As a Hei Yi Wei, he was indeed one level lower than Chen Mu. He just couldn't understand why Ding He couldn't achieve the same trust and favor from Xu Hongyu. If Ding He could also gain her trust, his own status might improve due to their close relationship since childhood.
...
Chen Mu walked alongside Xu Hongyu, discussing the stationing arrangements for Dong Hong Township.
He also noticed the gazes from behind, some observing, some with jealousy and dissatisfaction. However, as he was only a Qingyi Wei walking at the front with Xu Hongyu, it was normal to attract some attention and criticism. He didn't mind and continued the discussion.
Xu Hongyu had her own insights into the art of intrigue and hidden struggles, but when it came to military strategy, she had her own opinions. With her rich experience in demon hunting and having participated in more than one demon disturbance, many of her ideas impressed Chen Mu. Although it was a discussion, it was more like him listening to Xu Hongyu's arrangements, occasionally offering a few suggestions.
Chen Mu had risen from the bottom, but he maintained a sense of pride. However, he never overstepped his bounds when it came to unfamiliar matters, he knew better than to meddle. Just like during his term at the Wu Tong Li Enforcement Office, he focused on his duties, cooperated with the Chief, and helped the disaster-stricken villagers, without trying to change the entire Wu Tong Li's environment.
Firstly, his status wasn't high enough to make such sweeping changes, and the entire Wu Tong Li was interconnected. Secondly, without sufficient understanding and knowledge, interfering might only create chaos. After all, pacifying a crisis was one thing, but governance was another matter.
Take the response to the demon disturbance, for example.
The strategy wasn't to station troops in Dong Hong Township and the surrounding villages, as even with thousands of soldiers, it would be challenging to cover such a vast area. This world's maps were much larger than those from Chen Mu's previous life, and Dong Hong Township alone covered an area of over a hundred square li. However, within this nearly hundred square li, not all places were inhabited.
Xu Hongyu continued to employ the Yu Clan's traditional method. She identified crucial locations outside the inhabited villages and marked them with lines or points. Then, she divided several hundred people into groups of three or two and sent them to these areas for patrols and investigations.
If they encountered a small number of weak demons, they could handle them independently. However, if they encountered a large number or high-level demons, they would immediately retreat, report the situation, and request reinforcements.
The equipment carried by these people was also well-thought-out. They had special incense to conceal their scent and make it easier to hide, making it less likely for demons to notice them. They also had 'signal horns' that could transmit sound over ten li, allowing them to relay messages over long distances, similar to fireworks.
Chen Mu was less familiar with these details, and as he learned about them from Xu Hongyu, he couldn't help but marvel at how humans could always devise various strategies to cope with different environments.
Perhaps in ancient times, when Martial Dao had not yet reached the heavens, it was these wisdom and strategies that allowed humans to survive in the cracks, gradually occupying the land and ruling the world. The once-fearsome demons that dominated the mountains and rivers gradually declined, and now they could only hide in deep mountains and poisonous swamps.
Soon, the group arrived at the village pavilion of Dong Hong Township.
This was also a large settlement, and even just looking at the area and the clusters of houses, it seemed even larger than the County Governor's Office. The only difference was the absence of towering walls, which couldn't defend against demon invasions.
The township had a Village Chief, as well as local administration and enforcement officers, and there were quite a few of them. They had all been waiting for the Demon Slayer Bureau's arrival, and when Chen Mu and his group reached the township, the Village Chief and others had already eagerly come out to greet them.
"Finally, the esteemed officials have arrived. Please come inside, I've prepared a banquet to welcome you and wash away the dust from your journey," the Village Chief said with a smile, bowing to Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu.
Xu Hongyu's expression remained cold as she replied, "There's no need for a banquet. Keep things simple. From now on, Dong Hong Township will follow my commands. Quickly gather all the local administration and officials for a headcount."
Having served as the Chief Enforcement Officer of the Southern District, Xu Hongyu was well-versed in managing a region.
"Yes, of course," the Village Chief immediately responded, instructing his subordinates to make the necessary arrangements.
He couldn't help but sneak a glance at Xu Hongyu and then at Chen Mu, feeling a bit nervous. The official from the Demon Slayer Bureau was indeed very young.
As the Village Chief, he was well aware of the significance of the White Guard and Green Robe Guard identities, which implied corresponding strength. However, when it came to managing a region and dealing with demon disturbances, experience and strategic deployment of personnel were also crucial. A single order could potentially reduce significant losses.
However, the Village Chief soon relaxed a bit. After Xu Hongyu entered the village hall, she immediately began asking him about the various locations in Dong Hong, whether there were any discrepancies with the map, and other arrangements and matters.
As long as the official from the Demon Slayer Bureau wasn't young and arrogant, stubborn, and unwilling to listen to advice, there wouldn't be any issues. After all, their strength was not in question, and strategies could be discussed.
In the council chamber, Xu Hongyu, Chen Mu, the Village Chief, and Xiao He, Xu Hongyu's personal attendant, gathered around the map to discuss and plan their strategy in harmony.
However, outside, there was some chaos. Some of the Green Robe Guards from the Demon Slayer Bureau and members of the Yu Clan's extended family looked at the council chamber with subtle discontent. It was understandable for Xiao He to be inside, as Chen Mu was also a Green Robe Guard, his presence in the council chamber was expected. But now, he seemed to have taken the central commanding position, which was quite apparent.
Not only Wu Pu and Ding He, but even some members of the Yu Clan's extended family occasionally frowned. After all, they shared the same surname, and they had to wait outside to receive orders.
After a while, the Village Chief exited the chamber and instructed the township's personnel.
Inside the council chamber, only Chen Mu and Xu Hongyu remained.
"It's a bit of a waste of manpower for both of us to stay here. With you in charge, there won't be any issues. I'll take a few people to patrol the Wilderness Mountain area. What do you think?" Xu Hongyu asked, looking at Chen Mu.
Chen Mu studied the map and replied, "No, it's better for you to stay here. I'm just a Green Robe Guard, and it's not convenient for me to command the troops. Moreover, I'm not very familiar with demon disturbances. Besides, it's more appropriate for you to be in charge here, reacting to the situation in the township, while I handle the Wilderness Mountain area. And if there's any problem in other areas, I can quickly get there too."
Although it would be easy to silence the discontent outside by showing a bit of strength, Chen Mu felt that Xu Hongyu was the most suitable person to be in command after observing her entire deployment process.
Furthermore, the township was the safest place to be, while the Wilderness Mountain area was relatively more dangerous. It was usually uninhabited, and the mountain range was located on the border between Anyu and Huaiyu counties.
(End)
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