Cultivating in Different Professions

Chapter 257: Chapter 167: Trap

Inside the Wuling Taiping Bureau.

A group of men barged inside.

They wore white Official Uniforms, with the word "Inspection" embroidered on the front and back.

Though the uniforms were exquisitely crafted, they seemed somehow out of place compared to those of the Taiping Bureau.

"You must be Su Mu. Come with us."

Wu Qiuyuan spoke slowly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Four or five Inspectors followed him, including Wang Guan, who was frantically trying to signal Su Mu with his eyes.

"Come with you? And where are we going?"

Su Mu replied calmly, "Unlike your Inspection Bureau, we at the Taiping Bureau aren’t so idle. I have much to do and no time to waste on small talk with you."

"That’s not for you to decide."

Wu Qiuyuan sneered. "The Inspection Bureau specializes in investigating illegalities. I currently suspect you of abusing your power for personal gain by forcibly seizing a Town-Guarding Profound Weapon from the local Government Office. You must return with me for an investigation.

If these allegations prove true, you will face severe punishment under Da Xuan Law."

"And your evidence?"

Su Mu asked coolly.

He sized up Wu Qiuyuan. ’This new Inspector, just recently arrived in Wuling City, is a great deal smarter than Dai Jin and his cohort.’

’Dai Jin and his ilk were nothing but hothouse flowers, coddled and praised at the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect. The moment they became Inspectors, they acted like they owned the world, charging headfirst into everything. They even tried to go head-to-head with the Taiping Bureau, completely oblivious to their own pathetic strength.’

’This Wu Qiuyuan, on the other hand, is clever. He knows how to operate within the rules, couching every statement in the duties of the Inspection Bureau and the Da Xuan Law.’

’Now this is a smart man.’

’The Inspection Bureau and the Taiping Bureau are, after all, both institutions of the Da Xuan Dynasty. As long as the Inspection Bureau follows procedure, then no matter how much stronger the Taiping Bureau is, we still have to play by the same rules.’

’A man like that is far more troublesome than Dai Jin and his cronies ever were.’

"The evidence exists, naturally."

Wu Qiuyuan spoke with complete confidence. "Wuling City’s Town-Guarding Profound Weapon, the Profound Weapon Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow, was once wielded by Xiang Wentian, the Sect Leader of the Fragrance Sect, as he wreaked havoc across the land. After Xiang Wentian fell in battle, the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow vanished without a trace.

It wasn’t until seventeen years ago that the Wuling City Lord, Luo Yuxuan, reported to the imperial court. He stated that Wuling City had annihilated a group of Fragrance Sect remnants and seized the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow from them.

By the grace of the court, the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow was bestowed upon the Wuling City Lord’s Mansion, to be used as its Town-Guarding Profound Weapon.

Therefore, the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow is the property of Wuling City.

The Taiping Bureau is stationed in Wuling City. By law, you may not interfere with the local Government Office without cause, nor may you illicitly accept property from it.

While the Taiping Bureau can commandeer the local Government Office’s resources during wartime, the Tier Five Demon Tide has been over for quite some time. Yet, the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow remains in your possession, unreturned. Thus, I have ample reason to suspect you of forcibly seizing the local Government Office’s Profound Weapon."

Su Mu looked at Wu Qiuyuan with a peculiar expression on his face.

’This is the first time I’ve heard the origin story of the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow.’

’This Wu Qiuyuan certainly did his homework.’

’According to Da Xuan Law, forcibly commandeering a local Government Office’s Town-Guarding Profound Weapon is indeed a violation.’

’Corruption is a funny thing. Left unexamined, it seems lighter than a feather, but once you put it on the scales, it can weigh more than a mountain.’

’Considering the value of the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow, if they pressed this charge against me, even a Taiping Captain wouldn’t escape punishment.’

’Most importantly, the Inspection Bureau could use this as a wedge to take a chunk out of the Taiping Bureau.’

’After all, for an organization like the Taiping Bureau, if you look closely enough, you’re bound to find all sorts of minor, unavoidable issues.’

’We’re stationed in the provinces to slay demons. It’s impossible not to get entangled with the local Government Offices. How could the lines ever be drawn that clearly?’

"Captain Su, the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow is in your hands to this day. Surely you don’t intend to deny it?"

Wu Qiuyuan said coldly, "I admit, Captain Su, your contributions to the city’s defense were meritorious. But merits are merits, and faults are faults. If everyone were to act like you—relying on their achievements to claim the court’s property as their own—then what would become of the rules? What would become of the law?

The very purpose of the Inspection Bureau is to root out all lawlessness and uphold the majesty of the court!"

"You may resist arrest, but everything you do will be presented as evidence against you in court.

If it comes to that, I will petition Lord Wu Yiqi, the Fourth-Grade Inspection Envoy of the Wuling Inspection Bureau, to intervene personally and bring you in."

Wu Qiuyuan said.

He had only brought four or five men; he had no intention of trying to forcibly arrest Su Mu from within the Taiping Bureau.

In his view, resorting to force was the worst possible strategy, especially within the Taiping Bureau’s own government office.

"Are you finished?"

Su Mu offered a faint smile. "So, you’ve come for the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow?"

"Wrong."

Wu Qiuyuan replied, "I have come to uphold the sanctity of the law. Captain Su, you cannot lay claim to that which is not yours."

"Well said."

Su Mu nodded. "If everyone abided by the rules, fulfilled their duties, and never overstepped their bounds like Lord Wu, the world would surely be a peaceful place."

Wu Qiuyuan’s brow furrowed. A flicker of suspicion crossed his eyes, and a bad feeling began to stir in his heart.

’This Su Mu is far too composed.’

’A young man with so little experience of the world should be flustered by now.’

’I have him dead to rights.’

’How can a young man be this calm?’

’Does he really think the Inspection Bureau can’t touch him?’

"Lord Wu, what if the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow... is mine?"

Su Mu said calmly.

"Are you, Captain Su, truly going to forcibly claim the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow as your own, right here in front of me?"

Wu Qiuyuan snorted.

’A Taiping Captain who could wield the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow... he could even pose a threat to Wu Yiqi.’

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