Chapter 97: Chapter 93 Sleepless Night

South City District.

A vast, elegant, and secluded courtyard.

This was He Mingxuan's residence in the South City District, a complex of four nested courtyards, even featuring a private back garden.

Inside one of the rooms.

Several bright lanterns illuminated the entire room as if it were daylight. In the center stood a round table, laden with various dishes. Two figures sat beside it, one of whom was none other than Deputy Head Officer He Mingxuan.

The other, a middle-aged man with a stout and imposing build, square face, and large ears, looked like a government official. However, his name evoked fear in many—Zhuang Ge.

Black-Clothed Bandit's second in command!

The Black-Clothed Bandits were notorious beyond the city boundaries, causing countless merchants to tremble at the mere mention of their name. Although the group was small, around a hundred men, it included three notorious leaders, each having stepped into the Tendon Changing Realm.

Zhuang Ge, the second in command, had a bounty of three thousand Patterned Silvers on the City Defense Division's wanted list, far surpassing the rewards for lesser thieves.

"Elder Brother Zhuang has outdone himself this time. I toast to you,"

He Mingxuan said with a faint smile, lifting his cup.

With a smirk, Zhuang Ge lifted his cup and said, "It's just family business, killed a few men and looted some goods, nothing deserving such high praise from Young Master He."

The Black-Clothed Bandits weren't initially fostered by the He Family. In fact, Zhuang Ge had started them himself after he committed crimes in Yu City and was put on the wanted list, forcing him to flee the city and turn into a bandit.

Sometime later, by chance, he obtained a Tendon Changing Pill and successfully stepped into the Tendon Changing Realm, making the Black-Clothed Bandits grow significantly stronger. He Family noticed this and didn't send forces to annihilate them but chose to incorporate them. Now, the current Family Head was a figure cultivated by the He Family.

Zhuang Ge was well aware that in comparison to the He Family, his own influence was insignificant. Though officially under the He Family's control which seemed like a loss of power, managing a hundred or so bandits wasn't much power anyway.

With the He Family's intervention, Zhuang Ge could even return to Yu City occasionally, stroll through the pleasure district, snatch a few women for fun, a far better life than hiding in the mountains all day.

Therefore, he naturally complied with every command from the He Family.

"To have caused the Yu Family to suffer a loss, that is an achievement in itself. Besides, you chose the perfect time and place this time. The Yu Family knows it was you but can't do anything about it, having to swallow their losses silently,"

He Mingxuan said calmly, "There's no need for formalities with me. You rarely come to the city, Zhuang Brother. Enjoy yourself these few days. My backyard is full of servant girls; I'll have a few come over later, pick anyone you like."

Zhuang Ge drained his cup, "Good, very good."

Seeing this, He Mingxuan casually called out, "Someone, bring over a few girls to keep Elder Brother Zhuang company."

"Yes."

Someone immediately responded from outside.

He Mingxuan leisurely lifted his cup, clinking it against Zhuang Ge's once more.

Zhuang Ge, although a figure shunned by proper society, had undeniable strength, making him very convenient to use. Moreover, he wasn't greedy for wealth, just somewhat lascivious - which, in He Mingxuan's view, was actually a good thing. After all, it's just women.

If it kept Zhuang Ge, a master of Tendon Changing Major Achievement, willing to work for the He Family, even killing a few girls each time was not a big deal.

A while later.

Someone knocked.

He Mingxuan called out, 'Come in', but instead of the expected servant girls, a black-clothed attendant hurried in, whispering something urgently in his ear.

Upon hearing this, He Mingxuan's expression immediately darkened.

"Good, very good..."

Anger flashed in his eyes.

The Yu Family had just suffered a setback, and their retaliation came swiftly. A shipment belonging to the He Family had been intercepted directly by the City Defense Division. Yet, what truly angered him wasn't that, since the value of those goods couldn't compare to the Yu Family's recent losses.

The real issue was that this incident had happened not only within South City District but also in Wutong Grove District, where the Prefecture Chief was owned by He Family. The entire area was supposedly under the He Family's control.

And still.

The goods had been stolen right under their noses!

Even more infuriatingly, he, the Deputy Head Officer, hadn't heard a whisper of it beforehand!

"What's troubling Young Master He so,"

Zhuang Ge turned to look at He Mingxuan.

He Mingxuan waved his hand, signaling the attendant to leave, then spoke with a cold tone, "The City Defense Division from Wutong Grove District crossed boundaries to intercept a shipment I had arranged."

Zhuang Ge raised an eyebrow, "I don't understand the affairs of the city well, but aren't you the Deputy Head Officer of this South City District? How could your subordinates pull one over on you?"

"Ha."

He Mingxuan snorted coldly.

That was obviously a leak, letting Chen Mu know, who then intercepted the goods in the middle of the night. The entire process was likely only disclosed to Chen Mu himself, with no movements noted at the Chief Officer's, and even his placed men and spies in Wutong Grove didn't deliver any messages.

He could almost imagine that even if he approached the City Defense Division tomorrow to confront Lotus or question Chen Mu, the latter would likely counter with 'The Metropolitan Commander had previously approved the cross-jurisdiction operation.'

In this affair, he, the Deputy Head Officer, was virtually suspended in mid-air.

Of course.

The crux was that Chen Mu actually had the capability to ease through a squad of elite Blade Momentum practitioners of the He Family!

This suggested that Chen Mu's prior deed of killing Sha Xiangtian of the Flowing Sand Gang with a single slash wasn't just a scheming ambush, but indeed as reports suggested, a manifestation of exceptional talent, having developed an Iron Body in just over two years.

"No wonder Xu Hongyu holds him in such high regard. If he truly steps into the Tendon Changing Realm, it certainly will become a thorny issue."

He Mingxuan briefly pondered, and finally a killing intent emerged in his eyes.

This man must not be left alive!

Regardless of whether Chen Mu could overcome the hurdle of the Tendon Changing Realm, it was necessary to deal with him sooner rather than later. Otherwise, if he really made it past, he would be even harder to deal with than the usual practitioners of the Tendon Changing Realm.

He had previously been concerned about completely falling out with Xu Hongyu, but with the He Family and Yu Family going back and forth, it was only a matter of time before real flames of war were kindled. Chen Mu, this character, might as well be the first sacrifice!

With that thought in mind,

He Mingxuan turned his head to Zhuang Ge and said, "Brother Zhuang, there is a matter I need to entrust to you."

Zhuang Ge said, "Just command, young master Xuan." Discover exclusive content at m,v l'-NovelFire.net

He Mingxuan slowly said, "I need you to kill someone, the Prefecture Chief of the City Defense Division in Wutong Grove District, Chen Mu - this man is said to have mastered two levels of Blade Momentum, and possesses a Copper-Steel Body from extreme Body Refinement."

Zhuang Ge pondered and said, "Two levels of Blade Momentum, a Horizontally Trained Body... If it's an assassination, I can kill him with one spear thrust; if it's a direct confrontation, provided no one interferes, I should be able to handle it within twenty moves."

"Then that will do."

He Mingxuan said indifferently, "This man has no backing forces, nor does he have any followers with him. As long as you don't strike inside the City Defense Division, no one will be able to come to his aid."

Zhuang Ge said solemnly, "Then there's no problem, young master Xuan. When would you like me to make my move?"

He Mingxuan's eyes were cold as he looked out the window, "Tonight!"

"They have just taken the merchandise I arranged; they must still be gloating over their success and won't be on their guard. Tonight is the most suitable time. As long as he is not in the City Defense Division, you can make your move. Since they dared to tamper with the He Family's goods, let there be more deaths tonight." S~eaʀᴄh the NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

...

At the City Defense Division in Wutong Grove District,

the officer in charge of the night patrol was leaning against the wall, yawning.

Suddenly, he heard some noise from afar, immediately alert, he hurriedly looked towards the direction of the sound, only to see a slowly approaching carriage in the darkness, accompanied by a scent of blood.

The officer's complexion changed, and just as he was about to call others, he saw that the carriage had already arrived at the gate. The person in the front was covered in blood, looking very frightening, and on closer inspection, it turned out to be the Prefecture Chief Chen Mu!

"Prefecture Chief?!"

The gatekeeping officer was startled, finally reacting.

"Open the gate."

Chen Mu waved his hand, signaling the gatekeeping officer to open the gate, then directed Shang Qinglai and others to push the carriage into the City Defense Division.

"No need to patrol tonight, call back all the night patrol staff and guard the City Defense Division."

Chen Mu issued an order.

With the carriage back in the City Defense Division, it was basically settled. Even the He Family wouldn't dare lead a team to raid the City Defense Division for the goods. Although Yu City's security was chaotic, it hadn't reached the point where the City Defense Division was practically non-functional.

After all, the City Defense Division itself belonged to the forces under the City Lord, and the Metropolitan Commander of the Outer City District belonged to the Xue Family, not the He Family. If things were done excessively, causing the Metropolitan Commander to become furious, the He Family would have to pay a price.

After arranging various matters,

Chen Mu then headed home, he needed to change his clothes first.

Since his place was just a street away from the City Defense Division, he basically emerged from the back door of the City Defense Division, crossed the street, and arrived at his home. Too lazy to knock, he directly jumped into the yard and walked to the backyard.

In the backyard,

inside the hall, the stove was still lit. Wang Ni and the two little girls, Ku'er and Le'er, were leaning by the small table next to the stove, all with their heads down, looking as if they had waited until late into the night and had just fallen asleep.

Chen Mu shook his head slightly, not wanting to wake the three little girls. He went directly to the water tank in the backyard, took off his clothes, and poured cold water over his head, quickly washing himself.

However, the noise of washing still woke Wang Ni, who was the lightest sleeper. She rubbed her eyes and walked out of the room. Though it was dark all around, she still hesitantly called out seeing the silhouette by the water tank from a distance,

"Brother Mu?"

"Go sleep in the bed with Ku'er and Le'er. I still have to go out tonight,"

Chen Mu said to Wang Ni.

Though the carriage's entrance into the City Defense Division essentially ended the matter, he still needed to stay at the Hall Office tonight.

"Okay."

Wang Ni, rubbing her sleepy eyes, didn't go to call Ku'er and Le'er. Instead, she first ran into the house to fetch clean new clothes and a towel for Chen Mu, helped him clean up, and then helped him change into his clothes.

Chen Mu gently touched Wang Ni's head with his hand, then walked to the front yard and left the house again.

It was deep into the night.

Apart from the distant lights of the City Defense Division, everywhere else was pitch black, and not a single soul was seen. At this time, even the gang forces that roamed at night had ceased their activities.

Chen Mu walked through the streets, all around him was silent, the only sound was the echo of his footsteps on the bluestone pavement.

Step, step, step,

Chen Mu moved forward, heading towards the City Defense Division, step by step through the streets.

Just as he reached the end of the alley, and was turning out of the alley… a flash of cold light suddenly appeared. It was the head of a silver spear, suddenly piercing the air, and under the dim moonlight, it seemed like a streak of light tearing through the night.

The entire quiet alley seemed to boil in an instant, from the previous silence, suddenly turning into an overwhelming killing intent!