Cultivating in Different Professions

Chapter 126: Chapter 103: Congratulatory Gift

But if this person was truly connected to the Hu Family, and the Hu Family denied it, even saying he deserved to die, what would he think?

’I risked my life to do the Hu Family’s bidding, and now that things have gone south, they’re just going to leave me to die?’

At that point, he would surely have second thoughts. And that, perhaps, would be the breakthrough needed to pry open his mouth.

A simple move, yet utterly brilliant.

Yu Xiujiang knew Su Mu had a feud with the Hu Family, having recently injured their young master, Hu Guangshao. If it were him, he would also suspect this man had been sent by the Hu Family.

No matter what, this move would make the Hu Family as uncomfortable as if they’d swallowed a dead fly.

’Our new Captain really doesn’t take a loss, does he?’

As Yu Xiujiang silently praised him, a sliver of doubt also arose in his mind.

Why would the Qingcha Sect do this?

Could it really be, as they claimed, to celebrate the Captain’s appointment?

But given their usual way of doing things, why would they offend the Inner City’s Hu Family over such a trivial matter?

Even if they were unwilling to assassinate the Captain, they could have just refused the Hu Family. To hand the man over to the East City Bureau—wasn’t that offending the Hu Family to the point of no return?

Yu Xiujiang couldn’t puzzle it out for the life of him.

While he was pondering, Chen Song had already acknowledged the order and was personally leading men to the Inner City to deliver the message.

"Bind this man at the Government Office entrance for three days of public display. Post a notice saying that this man impersonated someone from the Inner City Hu Family in an attempt to assassinate me and frame them. Before his execution, he will be publicly displayed for three days as a warning to others."

Su Mu said calmly.

"Yes, sir!"

Zheng Wang and the other two shouted their affirmation, then lunged forward and wrestled the man on the ground to his feet.

This was the kind of work they excelled at.

The trussed-up man was stunned. ’Wait, you’re not even going to interrogate me? You’re just convicting me on the spot?’

"You corrupt official, you’ll die a dog’s death!"

The man was tied to a pillar at the entrance of the Government Office. As passersby pointed and whispered, he burned with shame and anger, and couldn’t stop himself from cursing loudly.

Su Mu never thought he’d see the day he was called a corrupt official.

’I’m an official now, too.’

He shook his head and turned to enter the Government Office.

***

"Minister Yu, what do you think?"

Su Mu asked slowly, standing in the main hall of the Government Office.

"My lord," Yu Xiujiang began, his voice tinged with admiration, "In my opinion, the Qingcha Sect harbors ill intentions."

"What makes you say that?"

Su Mu asked, looking at him.

"If this man was sent by the Hu Family, and the Qingcha Sect didn’t want to be your enemy, my lord, they could have simply refused and stayed out of it. The Hu Family may be powerful, but they can’t force the Qingcha Sect to do their bidding."

Yu Xiujiang paused for a moment before continuing his analysis, "But instead, they delivered him to the East City Bureau. They want to force an escalation of the conflict between you and the Hu Family. Once you and the Hu Family are fighting, perhaps you won’t have time to pay attention to their activities in East City..."

"Then do you think... the Qingcha Sect has any reason to continue existing?"

Su Mu said slowly.

"It is entirely up to you to decide, my lord."

Yu Xiujiang’s heart went cold. ’Could it be that this new Captain intends to use thunderous methods?’

But the Qingcha Sect was no small fry. Unless the Inner City dispatched a large force, the East City Bureau’s strength alone would likely be insufficient to eradicate them.

And under normal circumstances, the Inner City wouldn’t raise a massive fuss over a minor sect in the Outer City.

Yu Xiujiang was filled with shock and uncertainty.

Su Mu, however, didn’t elaborate. Instead, he summoned the original squad leaders of the East City Bureau and questioned them one by one about the situation in East City.

Whatever the seven squad leaders thought privately, they all showed Su Mu respect on the surface.

Regardless of Su Mu’s connections to the great families of the Inner City, a man who could seriously injure the Captain of the South City Bureau was not someone that they, as lowly squad leaders, could afford to offend.

After all the squad leaders had given their reports, Su Mu didn’t assign them any tasks, but simply waved his hand to dismiss them.

Soon, only Su Mu and the few men he had brought from South City remained in the hall.

"Zheng Wang, you’ll have to bear with me and serve as constables for a few days. When the opportunity arises, I’ll promote you to squad leaders."

Su Mu said slowly.

"Thank you, my lord," Zheng Wang and the other two quickly replied, "It’s no hardship, my lord. We’re more than content just to be constables again and serve under you."

"I need you to investigate the Qingcha Sect for me. You should know how to do it, so I don’t need to say more."

Su Mu mused, "It would be best if you can determine the location of the Qingcha Sect’s headquarters.

Be careful when you investigate..."

As Kong Sheng once said, if in the morning I learn the way to your home...

Yu Xiujiang thought Su Mu would slowly contend with the major powers of East City.

But he didn’t know that Su Mu had no patience for playing games of strategy with them.

When one was weak, it was natural to use every trick and scheme available.

But now, in terms of status, he was a City Bureau Captain.

In terms of strength, even Hu Guangshao, meticulously groomed by the Inner City’s Hu Family—one of the four great families—was no match for him.

With both power and status in his hands, he had no need to be timid or hesitant.

"Yes, sir."

Zheng Wang and the other two replied with serious expressions, then quickly departed the East City Government Office.

They had been veteran squad leaders in South City; they naturally had their own methods for gathering intelligence.

The East City Government Office had a main tower, the tallest building in East City. Standing on its roof, one could look out over the entire district.

In front of the main tower was a cluster of two-story buildings, which served as the offices for the East City Bureau.

Behind it was the rear courtyard, the residence of successive East City Bureau Captains.

It was now, of course, Su Mu’s residence as well.

Although he wasn’t short on silver now, he was destined not to stay long in East City, so there was no need to purchase property there.

This East City Government Office was much more spacious than the South City Bureau’s, and the conditions were far better. Living here would be perfectly fine.

Su Mu climbed to the top floor of the main tower. Clasping his hands behind his back, he gazed down at all of East City, a faint surge of emotion stirring in his heart.

’Starting as a refugee, I’ve finally made it to this point. Only I know the hardships I’ve faced along the way.’

’But this is by no means my final destination. I will climb higher, step by step, to see the view from the very top.’

Su Mu thought to himself. With a flick of his will, he summoned the system panel.

[Name: Su Mu]

[Status: Ghostwriter/Taiping Bureau White Clothes/East City Bureau Captain (Seventh Rank)]

[Points: 2080]

[Realm: Third Stage of Body Tempering (Extreme Skin Tempering Realm, Extreme Flesh Tempering)]

[Cultivation Technique: Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds Marrow Tempering Technique (Major Accomplishment)...]

[Martial Arts: Mountain-Opening Saber Technique (Initiate/+), Kan Water Realm (Minor Accomplishment), Xun Wind Realm (Minor Accomplishment), Archery (Initiate/+)]

Looking at the contents of the system panel, Su Mu fell into thought.

He hadn’t used any of his Points lately, wanting to save up four thousand as soon as possible to raise his Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds Marrow Tempering Technique to the Perfection Realm.

However, after many days of bitter training, his Mountain-Opening Saber Technique had actually reached the Initiate level.

This was a first for him since he started practicing the saber.

Previously, whether he was practicing the saber or Body Tempering, no matter how hard he tried, he saw almost no effect; even the number of Points needed for an upgrade wouldn’t decrease.

Back then, he knew his aptitude and talent were exceedingly ordinary.

But now, it seemed that perhaps because he had mastered two Realms, or perhaps because his Body Tempering had become accomplished, he was actually able to cultivate the Mountain-Opening Saber Technique to the Initiate level on his own, without spending any Points.

’It might be because the Mountain-Opening Saber Technique is relatively simple, but I myself am definitely changing too. It’s impossible that my Martial Arts comprehension would increase without it having any effect on practicing an ordinary saber technique like this.’

Su Mu thought to himself.

Once one’s Martial Arts comprehension is high enough, one can draw parallels, and learning ordinary martial arts will certainly become much easier.

’This way, I can save some Points.’

Su Mu thought with great satisfaction.

After his promotion to Captain of the East City Bureau, the upper limit of Points he could gain daily had reached four hundred.

The prerequisite was maxing out the performance for all three of his identities, which was naturally no easy task, especially since the Ghostwriter identity had no base Points.

But even so, the lower limit of Points from his three identities now reached as high as one hundred and eighty.

This meant that even if he slacked off every day, he could still get one hundred and eighty Points.

Compared to before, it was a qualitative leap.

With a little effort, getting two or three hundred Points a day was a breeze.

In another ten days to half a month, he would have saved up roughly four thousand Points. At that time, he would achieve Tendon Tempering Perfection.

At that point, he could enter the final stage of Body Tempering: the fourth stage, Bone Tempering.

Night had now fallen. Across the entire East City District, apart from a few places that were still brightly lit with song and dance, everything was peaceful.

The rest of the areas had already been plunged into darkness.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Su Mu caught sight of a figure. It leaped over walls and rooftops, stealthily approaching the East City Government Office.

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