Chapter 71: Response
Chapter 71: Response
Inner City.
At the very heart of the city, a solemn and ancient complex stood, its tall green stone walls marking the center of Yuhu City and the location of the City Lord's residence and various government offices.
Within one of the smaller buildings, a middle-aged man dressed simply stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window at the courtyard below.
Even without official attire, his mere presence exuded an aura of authority, a dignity that few could match.
He was Yan Guang, the Outer City Magistrate.
Beyond the four City Guard headquarters in the north, south, east, and west, all the government offices in the outer city fell under his jurisdiction. Not only was he Xu Hongyu's direct superior, but he was also one of the most powerful figures in all of Yuhu City.
Only a handful of people, like the Military Commander and the City Lord, outranked him.
"I heard there was some disturbance in the southern district yesterday?"
Someone entered the room, but Yan Guang didn't turn around. Instead, he casually asked while still facing the window.
The newcomer smiled and replied, "It was just a minor incident, but even you've heard about it."
Yan Guang turned his head slightly and said indifferently, "The Zheng family isn't much to speak of. They're just a distant branch of the He family. But that young man promoted by Xu Hongyu is quite capable."
"Indeed. This young man, Chen Mu, was an unexpected find for Xu Hongyu. He started as a lowly figure, but he's very perceptive and self-taught a unique sword technique that has granted him a powerful aura. In a short time, he's achieved the ultimate in skin tempering, and now he's even reached the level of muscle cultivation."
Xue Xiang nodded.
Yan Guang pondered, "His perception and talent are indeed remarkable. Even though he started late, if he can reach the Sinew Marrow Realm, he'll be a talent worth recruiting."
Xue Xiang thought for a moment and said, "Chen Mu was handpicked and nurtured by Xu Hongyu from the bottom. It won't be easy to bring him under the Xue family's banner. It's not worth starting a conflict. I think it's better to let the Yu family have him and continue their rivalry with the He family."
Upon hearing this, Yan Guang fell into deep thought.
Although Chen Mu was handpicked and nurtured by Xu Hongyu, it wouldn't be difficult for Yan Guang to intervene and recruit Chen Mu. He could directly promote Chen Mu to work in the inner city, instantly pulling him out of the muddled dispute between the Yu and He families.
Yan Guang could even bestow Sinew Marrow Pills or find a suitable spouse for Chen Mu among the Xue family's children.
There were plenty of ways to recruit Chen Mu.
The main concern was weighing the pros and cons.
Based on the current information, Chen Mu's perception and talent were indeed impressive, but he started late, and he was still at the Muscle Cultivation level. Whether he could surpass the Sinew Marrow Realm was uncertain.
If they went to great lengths to recruit Chen Mu, but he couldn't reach the Sinew Marrow Realm, it would become a laughingstock.
After all, there were countless warriors who had achieved skin tempering and muscle cultivation, but without reaching the Sinew Marrow Realm, they were insignificant.
"Forget it," Yan Guang thought and shook his head slightly.
Indeed, as Xue Xiang said, it wasn't worth starting a conflict. Even if Chen Mu could eventually enter the Sinew Marrow Realm, he would only be a talent worth recruiting, not an indispensable one.
The Yu family was already in a difficult situation, and there was no need to specifically target them. Chen Mu was just a potential talent, and letting him go to the He family might cause them some trouble, which would be a useful outcome.
...
Southern District.
City Guard Headquarters.
Chen Mu, dressed in a dark green patrol uniform, arrived at the base of the main tower.
The sun was already high in the sky, and its scorching heat made it difficult to keep one's eyes open.
Although he had sent someone early in the morning to report the previous night's events to the headquarters, as the patrol commander, he still needed to personally visit and provide a detailed account.
(End of Chapter 71)
Chen Mu, now in his position, could enter the Grand Bureau or the Main Tower without needing to announce himself or be guided by anyone.
As he climbed the stairs, a cold voice suddenly echoed on the third floor, "Chen Patrol Commander, you sure are bold. Without informing the Grand Bureau beforehand, you mobilize your men to deal with the Zheng family. Are all the patrol officers in Wutong Lane now your private soldiers, at your beck and call?"
A figure approached, their face cold and their tone unfriendly. It was none other than He Mingxuan, the Deputy Chief Magistrate.
While the Zheng family wasn't much to the He family, they had been their loyal pooches in the Outer City for decades, sending over ten thousand taels of silver to the He family every year.
But overnight, the Zheng family had been completely annihilated.
This news had shocked He Mingxuan when he first heard it early in the morning. He had originally planned to have the Zheng family cause some trouble for Chen Mu, so he could create difficulties for Chen Mu from the Grand Bureau's side, and then find an opportunity to kick Chen Mu out of the Wutong Lane City Guard. That way, he could install his own people in the position.
However, before the Zheng family could do anything, on Chen Mu's fifth day in office, he had suddenly struck with thunderous force, uprooting the entire Zheng family.
What a brilliant move!
He Mingxuan was furious.
But then, he saw something that made his anger surge even more.
The scene that unfolded next made He Mingxuan's fury reach its peak.
Chen Mu stood there, his expression indifferent, and said, "Who are you?"
He Mingxuan was momentarily stunned by Chen Mu's response, and then a surge of anger rose within him. "You bastard!"
Although this was their first meeting, how could Chen Mu not recognize his identity?
Chen Mu calmly replied, "If you have no business here, please do not block my way."
Of course, he knew who stood before him, but since He Mingxuan didn't introduce himself, Chen Mu didn't bother to acknowledge him. Besides, everyone knew about the conflict between Xu Hongyu and He Mingxuan, so he didn't need to give him any face.
"You..."
He Mingxuan was so furious that smoke seemed to be coming out of his seven orifices. He, the Deputy Chief Magistrate and a direct descendant of the He family, had tolerated Xu Hongyu's behavior, but now even a small Patrol Commander dared to be so disrespectful to him.
Just as He Mingxuan's anger was about to explode, a crisp voice suddenly rang out.
"This is Deputy Chief Magistrate He."
Xiao He's figure appeared on the stairs.
"Oh, it's Deputy Chief Magistrate He," Chen Mu said, cupping his hands in greeting towards He Mingxuan.
He Mingxuan's face froze, feeling his anger with nowhere to vent. He spoke in a cold voice, "You still haven't explained the reason for last night's firefight with the Zheng family."
Xiao He took over the conversation, "The Zheng family was smuggling forbidden goods. Their property should be confiscated, and they should be exiled. Chen Commander has already reported this to the Chief Magistrate, and last night's operation was approved by the Chief Magistrate. If you have any questions, you can ask the Chief Magistrate."
"Very well..."
He Mingxuan's face darkened, his eyes cold as he glanced at Xiao He, then at Chen Mu, before turning and leaving with a flick of his sleeves.
Xiao He watched He Mingxuan turn and leave, a slight, adorable curve forming at the corner of her eyes. She then looked at Chen Mu and said, "Alright, let's go upstairs. Miss Xu is waiting for you."
Chen Mu and Xiao He shared a tacit understanding as they looked at each other, both regaining their calm expressions. They then headed upstairs together and soon disappeared on the fourth floor.
After a long while, some silent patrol officers cautiously glanced over, only to quickly avert their gaze.
Chapter end
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