Chapter 75:

The night had grown late.

Chen Yingxue was writing diligently in the yamen, and the only sound in the room was the scratching of her pen.

She didn’t know how long it had passed until she finally stopped writing and took a deep breath.

"Are you finished?"

Qiao Mu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them at this moment.

As her subordinate, he had no intention of helping Chief Constable Chen with the paperwork. He had been slacking off on the side until now.

"Finished writing," nodded Chief Constable Chen, glancing at the deep night outside the window.

"Once it’s daylight, we’ll deliver it to my boss."

"This case runs deep and involves people from Immortal Gate. It will take the yamen at least a few days to make a decision. By then…"

"That’s enough," Qiao Mu interrupted her.

"What?" Chief Constable Chen was slightly surprised.

"Let’s stop here with this matter, it’s time to give up." Qiao Mu said expressionlessly.

"I was thinking all night just now, and finally understood."

"This case is very complicated, if we continue investigating, there won’t be any good results. If you report it like this, it’s too reckless."

Chen Yingxue slightly widened her eyes.

"You? You’re saying I’m reckless?" Suddenly, she felt a bit suffocated and her chest rose and fell irregularly.

Just like when you’re playing a video game and a younger teammate calls you a kid, but you can still type faster than them and give them a hard time, making them feel frustrated.

"Don’t judge me. I’m not young anymore. When you’re older, you think more before acting," said Qiao Mu, finally realizing that he was already a 44-year-old middle-aged person. So, he said with an air of maturity,

"When I was young, I was just like you. I couldn’t see past my own desires. But now that I’m older, I understand the importance of going with the flow."

Chief Constable Chen looked at him with confusion and asked, "You? Going with the flow? I don’t understand."

How could this detective, who had just been imprisoned for speaking against the emperor and spreading false rumors, be connected to the idea of "going with the flow"?

"I was able to speak freely about politics before, but now that I’m stepping forward to capture members of the Immortal Gate, it’s a different matter altogether," explained Qiao Mu.

Chief Constable Chen was taken aback by these words and, after some thought, blurted out,

"You were able to speak before because of your influential background. Even if you were imprisoned for your words, they would find a way to get you out of jail."

"Now that you have encountered someone from the Immortal Gate whom you know you can’t provoke, are you backing down?"

When these words were spoken, it seemed like they hit a sore spot for Qiao Mu, causing his expression to instantly darken.

"Young man, this is called biding your time and having a broader perspective."

"Your vision is so short-sighted, only knowing how to act recklessly. No wonder you’re just a chief constable in a provincial city."

Chen Yingxue was slightly surprised.

"Didn’t you defy Immortal Ming Yue before?"

Without hesitation, Qiao Mu replied, "Defying Immortal Ming Yue is different from directly going to Xuantian Temple to arrest a suspect."

"By acting recklessly like this, do you think you can speak out for those who died a tragic death? You are only seeking your own demise!"

When Chen Yingxue heard these words, she could only remain silent.

After spending these few days together, she originally thought that the new sheriff was someone cold on the outside but passionate on the inside. He seemed wild on the surface, but he had a proud spirit and was not afraid of the Immortal Gate. He dared to challenge Immortal Ming Yue.

This was also why she intentionally took Qian Qian aside and discussed the case with Qiao Mu.

She had originally thought they were of the same kind, but in the end, they still bowed down to the Immortal Gate.

In fact, this is just human nature. It’s more accurate to say that it’s reasonable to bow down.

She had been a chief for many years, and finally she met someone who seemed to not fear those in power, even more outspoken and resolute than her. So naturally, she couldn’t help but have higher expectations…

She looked a bit sad and tired, with a hint of melancholy on her face.

"Since that’s the case, you should go back as well."

"You don’t have to worry about this case anymore, just go back and rest."

Qiao Mu frowned, with a face that showed frustration:

"Are you planning to continue investigating?"

"Naturally, I have to investigate." Chen Yingxue’s expression turned slightly cold, speaking seriously:

"Not everyone in this world is like you, decisive in small matters and protective in big matters."

"Even in the mighty Great Yan, even if this world becomes dark, there are still people with a conscience and a sense of righteousness… even if they may not achieve much."

Qiao Mu listened silently, his expression gradually turning cold like Chen Yingxue’s, until finally he had no expression on his face.

"Woman, if you don’t drink the toast, you must drink the penalty."

Just as the words fell.

He quickly moved, already rushing towards Chen Yingxue, his hand chopping at the back of her neck.

"You–" Chen Yingxue’s eyes filled with shock and anger.

She didn’t expect Qiao Pifu to dare to attack her in this official residence, and his martial arts skills were beyond her imagination…

Before she could fully comprehend it, Qiao Mu had already knocked her unconscious with a chop and her body went limp on the ground.

Qiao Mu lowered his head expressionlessly and glanced at her.

Stupid woman, after all the effort I went through, she still dares to compete with me for the chance to die?

Take a rest, okay?

Qiao Mu picked up the completed documents from the desk and also took the bag containing tiger fur and cat fur. He took out a few strands of tiger fur and carried them with him as he left.



Chief Constable Chen, being a true official, thought about reporting to his superiors when encountering problems.

In Qiao Mu’s opinion, this was still a bit naive.

He had previously met a high-ranking official surnamed Guo in Yan City… Later on, this person became his sworn enemy.

"Reporting layer by layer? It’s appropriate for ordinary cases."

"But for this kind of case, I’m afraid it will be suppressed halfway."

"Even if it really reaches Governor Lou’s desk, it might not necessarily be a good thing, after all, he shares the same surname."

Thinking this way, Qiao Mu had already walked out of the yamen gate.

"Is Captain Qiao busy until this late?" a night shift yamen clerk asked Qiao Mu with a smile.

In this yamen, everyone knew that the newly appointed Qiao Pifu had a remarkable background and was not an ordinary constable. That’s why he greeted him warmly.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Mu walked straight towards him when he saw him.

"Can you do me a small favor?"

"After dawn, in about half an hour, please deliver these things to the residence of Sir Shen Qinghe in the west of the city. Let him know that I, Qiao Pifu, have urgent matters."

"Remember, don’t go too early. Wait for dawn and then wait another half an hour."

After Qiao Mu finished speaking, he also handed a few pieces of silver to the night shift yamen clerk.

Shen Qinghe was a 7th rank assistant magistrate. According to the normal procedure, if Chief Constable Chen had reported layer by layer, the written case report would have been sent to Shen Qinghe.

Qiao Mu skipped the intermediate process and directly submitted it to the 7th rank official, Shen Qinghe, to avoid any potential trouble.

As for Shen Qinghe, Qiao Mu didn’t actually know much about him.

But before, when Qiao Mu criticized the government, he was able to be released without trouble… Does Qiao Mu have any background? If he does, maybe it’s just that Shen Qinghe, a 7th rank official, helped him behind the scenes to get out of prison?

Being able to get Qiao Mu, who slandered and criticized the emperor, out of prison, Qiao Mu thought that Shen Qinghe must be someone extraordinary… So this time, he did it like this.

This isn’t about trying to implicate Shen Qinghe, it’s just leaving some evidence, so that at least someone in the government knows the truth of the matter, and so that Qiao Mu isn’t vilified after his death.

After daybreak, Qiao Mu was prepared to go alone to the Xuantian Temple in the north of the city.

And half an hour after daybreak, when Shen Qinghe received the documents and the animal fur as evidence, Qiao Mu should have already died.

"This matter is settled."

After careful consideration, Qiao Mu returned to the residence he rented in the west of the city, closed his eyes to rest, and gathered his energy.

In the first half of the night, he searched the entire city for clues, and in the second half of the night, he discussed the details of the case. He needed to maintain good mental health in order to take action.

When he opened his eyes again, the sky was already getting light.

Qiao Mu changed into the attire of a constable, took his sword, and brought along the previously prepared animal fur, ready in every way.

Just before leaving, he also took a glance at the calendar.

"Today is the fifteenth."

"It is advisable to burn incense and show respect to the gods."

Qiao Mu went out, and the sky was only slightly brightening. There were not many people on the street.

From the west side of the city to the north side, the number of passersby gradually increased.

Xuantian Temple was located at the foot of a small hill in the north of the city. It was transformed from the former Qiao Family Courtyard, while the disciples’ residence was on the mountain behind.

"Is it the former Qiao Family Courtyard in Heyang?"

After spending many days in Heyang City, he finally arrived at the entrance of Xuantian Temple.

Just as he was about to approach, he heard a meow and felt a heaviness under his feet.

He looked down and saw that the mixed-color cat had appeared silently beside him, holding onto his pant leg.

As Qiao Mu took a step forward, the cat’s four paws remained on the ground, being dragged along by Qiao Mu’s stride. Searᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Just arrived and already bumped into the cat demon? What a lucky start!"

"But this Impermanent Demon Cat is indeed quite something. I didn’t even notice when it appeared."

Qiao Mu lowered his head and looked at the little cat by his feet.

This mystical cat didn’t look much different from an ordinary cat, except for always being a bit strange…

The more lifeless it became, the more excited and happy it seemed. Inhaling the invisible strong death energy, its fur seemed to glow with a mysterious luster.

But too much deathly aura made it feel weak in all its limbs.

Otherwise, as a monster, it wouldn’t have been led by Qiao Mu’s footsteps like an ordinary kitten.

Qiao Mu continued to walk forward, and with every step closer to Xuantian Temple, the cat became more weak and feeble.

Today is the fifteenth day, and there are slightly more worshippers coming to Xuantian Temple to burn incense as offerings. People come and go in a constant stream.

Qiao Mu was also in the crowd, but as soon as he reached the gate of the temple, he was stopped by a young Taoist disciple at the entrance.

"Are you a law enforcement officer? Did you come to the wrong place?" the young Taoist disciple said lightly.

"This is the residence of Xuantian Sect. Law enforcement officers cannot trespass, let alone enter with a sword."

"Alright," Qiao Mu said as he drew his sword, shocking the young Taoist disciple.

"What do you intend to do? Didn’t you hear clearly? This is Xuantian Temple, don’t act recklessly."



The noise at the entrance of the Taoist temple has attracted the attention of some people, and some Taoist practitioners in the distance are starting to walk towards this direction.

Heyang City is the largest city in this area, and the Xuantian Temple in the city is related to incense. Naturally, it is not a small matter.

Qiao Mu pointed to the many incense worshippers passing by and asked again:

"Can these pilgrims enter, but I can’t enter?"

He wanted to die with dignity, leaving behind a renowned legacy.