Chapter 142: A Storm of Controversy
Chapter 142: A Storm of Controversy
Upon leaving the Inspectorate, Chen Mu's white Demon Slayer Bureau robe was replaced by a black brocade robe, adorned with a heron pattern, the official uniform of the Inspectorate Director, signifying his rank and status as a sixth-rank official.
Furthermore, the Inspectorate held more authority than the Demon Slayer Bureau, which often had to defer to higher-ranking officials. During the Great Xuan Dynasty's heyday, an Inspectorate Director could even oversee and control a regional governor. Although the current court laws were neglected, the Inspectorate Division established in Yu Prefecture still held immense authority, with Inspector General Yan Jingqing personally stationed there.
"Although I'll have to deal with more trivial matters from now on, the benefit is that I won't have to avoid various powers like before."
Chen Mu shook his head slightly in his heart.
As the Inspectorate Director, he was now virtually under the direct command of Yan Jingqing. Even if he followed the rules of the martial world, he need not fear the disciples of the four major sects. After all, it was customary for the younger generation to compete, and the elders were not to interfere. In any case, matters at his level could be handled by him, and for issues beyond his level, there was still Yan Jingqing above, and above him, the entire Seven Mysteries Sect.
As for the He family...
A trace of indifference flashed through Chen Mu's eyes.
From this day forward, the He family would be like a bereaved dog. With his status as an Inspectorate Director, he had no fear of the He family, let alone now. The only precaution needed was if the He family desperately tried to force his hand, but under the current circumstances, the Blood Concealment Tower would likely not accept him as a hidden client... Of course, the Blood Concealment Tower claimed to be invincible, so they wouldn't outright refuse, but they might increase the price for the hidden contract to an unattainable level.
As for the He family's own strength, aside from the great-grandfather who had entered the Organ Realms, and He Wuyou of the 'Wu' generation, the rest were just broken and worthless, not worth mentioning.
However...
Some thoughts flashed through Chen Mu's mind regarding the Corpse Poison Jade, the Sky Corpse Sect, and the unusual demon disturbances during the severe drought. If the He family was secretly colluding with the Sky Corpse Sect, then he would need to be more vigilant.
Currently, there was no solid evidence of the He family's collusion with the Sky Corpse Sect. The Yu family had been investigating this matter with all their might. Once clear evidence was found and submitted to the Inspector General, it would bring immense disaster to the He family. The wrath of Yan Jingqing and the Seven Mysteries Sect would be a burden too heavy for the He family to bear.
But in this matter, the He family had never found any clues, and even someone like He Guangxun seemed completely unaware of or uninvolved in the matter.
Soon after, Chen Mu returned to the Yu family compound.
This time, when he arrived, the compound was no longer as peaceful as when he had left. Instead, many people had gathered to wait for his return, led by a member of the Yu family, Yu Zhen, who had once been Chen Mu's neighbor.
Yu Zhen stood at the street corner, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw Chen Mu dressed in the official uniform of the Inspectorate Director. But he quickly composed himself, bowing deeply to Chen Mu.
"My daughter, Yu Yao, was abducted by a villain on her full moon. Fortunately, a kind person rescued her, but we didn't know who it was at the time and couldn't express our gratitude. Little did we know that it was Director Chen who saved her. On behalf of my daughter, Yu Yao, I offer my sincere thanks to Director Chen."
Yu Zhen's voice trembled slightly.
Inspectorate Director! When Chen Mu and Yu Zhen were neighbors, Yu Zhen had never looked down on Chen Mu and believed he was worth befriending. But he had never imagined that Chen Mu was even more deeply hidden than he had thought.
A figure of such caliber in the Intention Realm had now been promoted to Inspectorate Director. In the entire Yu family, he was a towering figure. Even the one with the highest position in the clan, who concurrently served as the Salt Administration Bureau Director, was only on par with Chen Mu in terms of rank. In terms of actual status and authority, Chen Mu completely overshadowed him.
It could be said that Chen Mu's rise to the Inspectorate Director position was almost like ascending to the heavens. In the entire Yu Prefecture, he held genuine high rank and authority, and with the Inspector General personally stationed above the Inspectorate, it held even deeper significance.
Even without any martial arts, Chen Mu's position as an Inspectorate Director alone allowed him to inspect an entire prefecture and even interact with City Lord Schuai Huai Kong. Of course, without any martial arts in these chaotic times, it was generally difficult to hold a high position, as it was too easy to die. Even a tiny silver needle could take one's life from a hundred steps away, and no amount of power could ensure longevity.
"Brother Yu Zhen, please don't be so polite," Chen Mu said, reaching out to support Yu Zhen, but not actually doing so, as his current status, coupled with the fact that he had saved Yu Yao, warranted Yu Zhen's bow. It would be inappropriate not to accept this bow.
At this moment, Yu Zhen dared not raise his head to look directly at Chen Mu. His tone was extremely respectful, and his voice trembled as he said, "As a commoner without an official position, I am not worthy of your respect, Director. It was my fortune to have been your neighbor."
In the past, when he didn't know Chen Mu's identity, being older, he had called Chen Mu 'Brother Chen', and Chen Mu had addressed him as 'Brother Yu Zhen'. But now, hearing this familiar address, he trembled slightly, unable to bear it.
After all, in the current Yu family, even the second and third generations of the direct line, who held power, had to treat Chen Mu with the etiquette of subordinates meeting their superiors. As a mere distant relative of the Yu family, even if Chen Mu lowered his standards, he was still unworthy of being addressed with respect by Chen Mu. The status gap was simply too vast.
Observing Yu Zhen's demeanor, Chen Mu couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Throughout history and in every world, power and influence were indeed captivating. However, with his martial arts cultivation, he had already detached himself from such desires and would not be enticed by authority.
"How is little Yao'er doing?" Chen Mu asked, changing the subject.
When he had rescued Yu Yao, the Yu family's patrol team arrived and, after examining her and finding no issues, they took her away without further interference.
Later, he heard that Yu Yao had been sent back to Yu Zhen's home and was unharmed, so he put his mind at ease and didn't inquire further.
"After being rescued by you, she had no injuries and wasn't too startled. With a couple of days of rest, she's completely recovered and has been very lively lately, unlike her quiet demeanor at the full moon. She's almost like a little boy now." Yu Zhen said with a face full of smiles.
He had always been more caring towards Yu Yao, his only daughter. Now that she had been saved by Chen Mu and had a connection with him, it made a difference. He would cherish her even more in the future, knowing that as she grew up, there might be a chance to strengthen their relationship.
The only thing that Yu Zhen secretly regretted was that if Yu Yao had recognized Chen Mu as her godfather back then, not only would his little daughter's status be extraordinary, but his family's position within the Yu family would have risen significantly.
It was no longer appropriate to bring it up now.
"Take a look." Yu Zhen brought Yu Yao over from the hands of the old maid behind him. She was still a baby girl, but she had grown significantly, blinking her eyes curiously at Chen Mu and babbling while moving her tiny hands.
Chen Mu also smiled and patted her little hand, saying, "Yes, she's becoming more and more adorable."
After playing with the baby for a moment, Chen Mu withdrew his hand, and Yu Zhen, understanding his intention, took Yu Yao back and handed her to the old maid.
(End of Chapter)
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