Cultivating in Different Professions

Chapter 258: Chapter 167: Trap

Therefore, Wu Qiuyuan had to take the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow from Su Mu. That way, Wu Yiqi would be the number one expert in Wuling City, making it much more convenient for the Inspection Bureau to conduct its affairs.

Wu Qiuyuan chose Su Mu as his point of attack. This was his primary objective, not avenging Dai Jin, Feng Zhengqian, and the others.

"What I mean is,"

Su Mu shook his head. "The Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow has always been my personal property. It wasn’t seized or taken by force."

He reached into his robes.

"What do you think you’re doing?!"

Wu Qiuyuan tensed up instantly, drawing his saber with a sharp CLANG.

The Inspectors behind him, with the exception of Wang Guan, all drew their blades as well, their faces taut with tension.

A man is known by his reputation.

And Su Mu had earned his reputation through battle. Everyone in Wuling City knew of his strength.

With several gleaming steel blades pointed at Su Mu, Wu Qiuyuan and his men were stretched to their breaking point.

"Don’t be so tense, Lord Wu," Su Mu said. "I’m not so deranged that I’d attack an Inspector."

Su Mu smiled contemptuously. "This is the proof of purchase for the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow, which I bought from the Wuling City Lord’s Mansion.

"Once you’ve seen it, you’ll understand. The Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow is my personal property—legally, lawfully, and legitimately."

"Hm?"

Wu Qiuyuan froze for a moment, then subconsciously took the document from Su Mu with his free hand.

As he looked down, Wu Qiuyuan’s face instantly darkened to the color of a soot-stained pot.

’It’s actually real!’

’Luo Yuxuan actually sold the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow to Su Mu?’

’How could he bear to part with it?’

Wu Qiuyuan scrutinized the document several times but could find no issues or loopholes.

Imperial property, by rights, could not be privately transferred or sold.

But the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow was a spoil of war seized by Wuling City, and the imperial court had bestowed it upon City Lord Luo Yuxuan as a reward.

It was designated as one of the Town Guard Profound Soldiers, but the imperial decree at the time stated that if Luo Yuxuan were to ever cease being the Wuling City Lord, he could take the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow with him.

He had no idea that after the Tier Five Demon Tide, Luo Yuxuan had actually submitted his resignation from the post of Wuling City Lord.

Although his resignation was later rejected by his superiors, he had used that window of opportunity to pull some strings and sell the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow directly to Su Mu...

Legally speaking, the transaction was completely flawless.

’The problem is, Luo Yuxuan was willing to go to such lengths for Su Mu!’

’Have relations between the Wuling City Government Office and the Taiping Bureau really become that close?’

Wu Qiuyuan’s brow furrowed. ’This is going to be trouble.’

The three powers in the city formed a delicate balance. If the other two were to unite, wouldn’t the third be caught between a rock and a hard place?

’And right now, that third power is our Inspection Bureau.’

"Have you had a clear look, Lord Wu?"

Su Mu offered a faint smile. "Next time you want to sling mud at me, I suggest you do your research first. Don’t waste our time and energy."

"You—"

Wu Qiuyuan’s face flushed crimson, and his chest heaved.

He knew he had been utterly defeated in this first exchange.

’It’s impossible to make a move on the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow now.’

But if they couldn’t take the bow from him, a Taiping Captain wielding the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow was powerful enough to harm a True Essence Realm Martial Artist. That would be a huge problem.

For the first time, Wu Qiuyuan felt how thorny this situation was.

He had thought a mere Taiping Commandant—no, a Taiping Captain now—was nothing to be concerned about, someone he could handle with ease.

But now, Su Mu had become a major obstacle in his path.

"Very well. The matter of the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow was my oversight."

Wu Qiuyuan took a deep breath and spoke in a calm voice.

Su Mu glanced at him, slightly surprised. ’He calmed down so quickly. This Wu Qiuyuan is no simple character.’

A quiet dog is the most vicious. Wu Qiuyuan’s reaction set off alarm bells in Su Mu’s mind.

He wasn’t afraid of his opponent exploding in a rage or even attacking him directly. What he feared were these cunning old snakes.

You never knew when they would lash out and bite.

Being constantly on guard against someone like that was a major headache.

This man was already making Su Mu feel a sense of danger.

"My apologies, Captain Su. I am not targeting you personally. The Inspection Bureau simply has its duties to perform."

Wu Qiuyuan continued, "The Inspection Bureau is obligated to investigate any and all illegal activities. I trust you can understand that, Captain Su?"

"I understand."

Su Mu nodded, his eyelids drooping to hide the glint in his eyes.

"I recall that before you joined the Taiping Bureau, you served as a Sima and a constable in the Outer City. During that time, you took drastic measures on several occasions, confiscating assets and wiping out entire clans. I will be looking into those incidents. I’m just giving you a heads-up, Captain Su. I hope you don’t think the Inspection Bureau is targeting you intentionally."

Wu Qiuyuan’s mind raced as he searched for a way to break the stalemate. ’If I don’t remove this obstacle, Su Mu, it will be very difficult for the Inspection Bureau to gain a foothold in Wuling City.’

"You’ve only been with the Taiping Bureau for two years, Captain Su, yet you’re already a Taiping Captain at such a young age. The Inspection Bureau must ensure there was nothing improper about your promotion. After all, the position of Taiping Captain is one of great power and authority. We can’t allow someone with ulterior motives to hold it."

"Investigate as you please."

Su Mu said coolly.

’When I was a Sima in the Outer City, I did take some silver. If they really dug into it, it would be a problem—not a huge one, but not insignificant either.’

’But Wu Qiuyuan would have to find the evidence first.’

Just then, someone burst in hurriedly.

"Captain... Su! Something terrible has happened!"

Cong Yuanlong said, gasping for breath.

They had once both been Taiping Commandants under the same Captain. Cong Yuanlong even had more seniority than Su Mu, yet now Su Mu was a Taiping Captain. He still felt a bit awkward facing him.

’It was like his junior brother had suddenly become his martial uncle. Who could get used to that?’

Cong Yuanlong suppressed his complicated feelings and said, "The Governor and Captain Lin... they’re in trouble!"

"Oh? They’re all in trouble?"

A look of delight crossed Wu Qiuyuan’s face, and he couldn’t stop himself from blurting out.

’He hadn’t even done anything yet, and the Taiping Bureau was already having problems?’

’Doesn’t that mean Wuling City will soon belong to the Inspection Bureau?’

"The exotic treasure in Daxing Mountain was a trap! The Governor, Captain Lin, and the others are all trapped by demons!"

Cong Yuanlong shot Wu Qiuyuan a sidelong glance. ’Who the hell do you think you are? Why should I answer you?’

He ignored Wu Qiuyuan, turning to Su Mu and speaking rapidly.

In Wuling City, aside from Wan Qing and the other veterans, Su Mu was the only Taiping Captain in his prime. Naturally, news like this had to be reported to him first.

"A trap?"

Su Mu’s expression flickered.

"Captain Zhang gave his life to bring the message back. He collapsed and died right after delivering it."

Cong Yuanlong said with a grave expression, "It’s a trap set by demons to lure Martial Artists in. It wasn’t just the Governor and his men; every Martial Artist who went into the mountains fell for it."

Upon hearing this, Wu Qiuyuan couldn’t conceal the delight on his face. Forgetting all about causing trouble for Su Mu, he hastily departed with his men.

He had to report this news to Wu Yiqi immediately.

Su Mu was in no mood to bother with Wu Qiuyuan. He turned to Cong Yuanlong and said, "What else did Captain Zhang say? Tell me everything, don’t leave out a single word!"

......

「Wuling City, Inspection Bureau.」

Wu Yiqi listened to Wu Qiuyuan’s report, then slowly rose to his feet.

"My lord, this is a godsend! If Zhao Poni and those Taiping Captains all die in Daxing Mountain, Wuling City will be ours for the taking! Our Wuling Inspection Bureau will be the first to establish control. When that happens, your promotion will be just around the corner, my lord."

Wu Qiuyuan said excitedly.

Wu Yiqi said nothing. Instead, he grabbed the long saber from his desk and strode toward the door.

"My lord, where are you going?"

Wu Qiuyuan said, stunned.

"Leaving the city. To save them."

Wu Yiqi’s reply was terse.

"What?"

Wu Qiuyuan thought he must have misheard.

"I don’t like the Taiping Bureau’s arrogance and tyranny, but they don’t deserve to die in a trap set by demons."

It was rare for Wu Yiqi to say so much. "The Inspection Bureau can contend with the Taiping Bureau, but the demons are our common enemy."

Before his voice had faded, his figure was already receding into the distance.

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