novelapdf Chapter 137 Aunt Shui: Little Jiang, from now on, you're mine.
Chapter 137 Aunt Shui: Little Jiang, from now on, you're mine.
After explaining the plan to resist the demon army, Tian Wenjing dismissed everyone except Jiang Mu.
"What exactly is going on at Meiruo Temple?"
As a seasoned veteran of officialdom, Tian Wenjing had already sensed something amiss from Xu Fu's report.
Jiang Mu was still pondering that bizarre dream in her mind. Upon hearing this, she composed herself and replied, half-jokingly and half-seriously:
"The demonic threat has indeed been resolved; those alluring ghost tree spirits were merely pawns manipulated by others."
"Behind them, there is a mastermind, codenamed 'Black Mountain.' It was this person who used the incense-burning spell to force those demons to slaughter people and extract their hearts for some kind of sacrificial ritual."
"Montenegro?"
Tian Wenjing frowned, picked up his teacup, and gently stirred the floating leaves with the lid. "What kind of demon is it? Or a demonic cultivator?"
"Not a demon."
Jiang Mu shook her head, her gaze deep and unfocused.
"It is a person. Moreover, this person possesses extremely pure human incense offerings and vows, and his cultivation is unfathomable, conservatively estimated to be around the eleventh realm." "Furthermore, I once infiltrated the altar he set up and discovered that the Dao foundation he built in his cave heaven Dao palace used the natal divine object, which is one of the sixty Jiazi Na Yin [Buddha's Lamp Fire].
"What did you say?!"
Tian Wenjing jumped up from the chair with a "whoosh".
He stared intently at Jiang Mu, his face filled with shock and disbelief: "Eleventh Realm? Buddha's Lamp Flame? Are you sure?"
Jiang Mu met his gaze and nodded calmly:
"This is the conclusion I reached after in-depth investigation. Whether you believe it or not is up to Mr. Tian to decide."
Tian Wenjing stood there, stunned, her chest heaving violently.
He knew all too well what this meant.
There are only a handful of great cultivators at the eleventh realm in the Great Qing Dynasty.
Having the power of authentic incense offerings is a symbol of one's status.
This means that the mastermind behind it all is not some evil spirit or heretic, but rather... the Guardian!
A long, deathly silence fell over the hall; the air seemed to freeze.
a long time.
Tian Wenjing slowly sat down again, the wrinkles on her face seeming to deepen, and her voice was a little hoarse:
"Do you... already have someone in mind who you suspect?"
Jiang Mu did not evade the question and stated directly:
"That's right. I suspect that Yuan Qianfan, the garrison commander of Yancheng, is 'Black Mountain'."
Tian Wenjing's body trembled.
Even though he had a premonition, the impact of hearing that name truly spoken by Jiang Mu still left him breathless. A town garrison commander is the guardian deity of the people in his region.
It is the cornerstone of the nation's destiny.
If even the garrison commander has degenerated into a demon who uses people's hearts to practice evil magic, then Yan City... will be even more terrifying.
Regardless of Tian Wenjing's mental capacity, Jiang Mu continued to press:
"Elder Tian, I want to confirm one last thing. Is the natal divine object of Yuan Qianfan, the garrison commander of Yancheng, truly the Buddha's Lamp Flame?" Tian Wenjing's expression shifted uncertainly, finally letting out a long sigh and saying bitterly:
"Among the garrison commanders of various prefectures and counties in Daqing, the lowest cultivation level is the tenth realm, and only four people can reach the eleventh realm or above."
Yuan Qianfan is one of them.
He was born in the year of Yi Si.
Yi represents wood, and Si represents fire. Wood and fire are mutually generative, so the Na Yin of their birth chart is indeed "Buddha's Lamp Fire".
Therefore… the divine artifact he used to forge his Dao foundation could only be this.
Jiang Mu sighed inwardly.
Although the chain of evidence is not yet complete, the line of reasoning is already incredibly clear. It's highly likely that it's him.
But Jiang Mu couldn't understand what he was after.
Yuan Qianfan was a town garrison commander, bestowed with an official title by the imperial court, and enjoyed the worship of the people. His status was highly respected, and his future was limitless.
What is his purpose in secretly engaging in these shady and evil practices?
Is it to break through and attain a higher star level?
After all, the star ranking system is very strict. The higher the realm, the more difficult it is to break through, which can really drive people crazy.
The turmoil caused by the birth of the Ziwei Emperor Star is still fresh in our minds.
Even a powerful ruler like Beitang Batian, who was at the thirteenth level, was forced to the point that his remnant soul possessed a woman's body.
It's understandable that Yuan Qianfan, who has been stuck at the eleventh realm for many years, might have gone astray due to greed.
Or is it... for healing?
Jiang Mu shared her guess.
"The chances of healing are slim."
Tian Wenjing said in a deep voice, "According to the top-secret records of the Demon Slayer Headquarters, before the Yan City rebellion, Yuan Qianfan did indeed fight with an invading great demon and was injured."
However, in his report to the court, he stated that his injuries were not serious, far less severe than those of General Shangguan, which had damaged his very foundation.
With his eleventh-realm cultivation and the resources provided by the imperial court, ordinary injuries wouldn't require such unorthodox methods.
Jiang Mu remained silent.
Since it's not for healing, it's most likely for a breakthrough.
Perhaps he encountered an insurmountable bottleneck on the orthodox path, which led him to take a different approach and attempt to find a new way using unorthodox methods.
They would not hesitate to sacrifice the hearts of living people and use demons as their claws...
This cultivation world is indeed full of lunatics.
"Tian Lao."
Jiang Mu raised his head, his tone grave, "The situation is critical right now. There are 30,000 demon troops pressing in from the outside, and the Red Umbrella Sect causing trouble from within."
Now even the garrison commander, who should have been the pillar of stability, has become an uncontrollable factor.
How do we defend Yancheng?
Tian Wenjing stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the hall, his steps appearing somewhat heavy and disordered.
After a long while, he stopped, turned around, and his gaze regained its usual calm and sharpness:
Even if "Black Mountain" really is Yuan Qianfan, there is absolutely no way he could collude with the demon army outside the city and work together from the inside.
If he truly had such intentions, Yancheng would have fallen long ago; why wait until today?
He was the garrison commander, bearing the emperor's mandate and deeply bound to the fate of the nation and the city. If he were to betray the country and defect to the enemy, or stand by and watch the city fall, he would be the first to suffer the consequences.
Damage to one's Dao foundation is the least of one's worries; it could mean the complete loss of one's cultivation, the collapse of one's star position, or even death and the dissipation of one's Dao.
Therefore, there is no need to worry too much about him colluding with demons.
At least in resisting foreign enemies and protecting Yancheng, his goal is the same as ours. That is beyond question.
Jiang Mu nodded slightly.
That's true; if the skin is gone, where will the hair attach?
If Yuan Qianfan wants to continue being his local tyrant and secretly practicing his evil magic, he must protect Yancheng and the people who provide him with offerings.
"Tian Lao,"
Jiang Mu suggested, "In that case, shouldn't we pay a visit to this garrison commander and find out what's really going on?"
Although Heishan already knew his identity, he doubted that the other party would make a move if Tian Wenjing and others were around.
Moreover, the mysterious person in the dream also said, "I won't kill him for now," and if it really is Yuan Qianfan, then this statement is credible.
After all, with the demon army attacking, everyone can see Jiang Mu's role.
Even if Yuan Qianfan were a fool, he would never kill the general of his own camp at this critical juncture.
Besides, the other party wasn't afraid of Jiang Mu revealing the truth.
Because we do not have any substantial evidence.
A single "modified" Buddhist lamp proves nothing.
A high-ranking 11th-level garrison commander, and a minor hall master of the 4th-level realm.
The disparity in their status is as vast as that between heaven and earth.
Even if Jiang Mu were to jump out and make accusations, how many people would believe her?
On the contrary, he himself is not clean either.
He took in a female ghost as a follower, raised a tree spirit as a henchman, and also harbored a zombie queen and secretly stole case files for his fox spirit sister... It's unbelievable.
If this gets exposed, who knows who will be the first to be killed as a demon or traitor.
"I'll go."
Tian Wenjing had clearly considered Jiang Mu's situation and took the initiative to take on the task.
"My younger brother is the garrison commander of Tanzhou Town, and he is an old acquaintance of Yuan Qianfan. With this relationship, when I, as the deputy commander, go to him to ask for advice on defense, he will give me some face."
Even if I were to ask more bluntly, he wouldn't dare to easily harm me. You should lay low for now.
Jiang Mu nodded gently: "Alright, Elder Tian, please be careful."
He hesitated for a moment, then asked the most practical question:
"Elder Tian, even if we concede that Yuan Qianfan doesn't intervene, we probably can't hold off those 30,000 demon troops with our small force, right? Will the imperial court send reinforcements?"
Upon hearing this question, Tian Wenjing's originally straight back hunched slightly.
He walked to the window, gazing at the pitch-black night outside, his voice tinged with a deep sense of powerlessness:
"Daqing is now riddled with holes, and there are urgent reports of crisis everywhere. Even if the imperial court mobilizes reinforcements, there won't be many, just a drop in the ocean. In the end, we still have to rely on ourselves."
He looked at Jiang Mu, then suddenly changed the subject.
"You think 30,000 demon troops is a lot? But do you know that when the Fog Demons besieged Huzhou City, the number of demons was close to 10,000, and the incident happened suddenly, with reinforcements arriving in time. The situation then was even more critical than the current situation in Yan City."
Besides the Mist Demon itself, there are as many as four seventh and eighth-tier demon leaders.
Ultimately, only Tiger Vanguard personally led a portion of his elite forces into the inner city. The other powerful demons remained outside, observing from the outside, and did not truly engage in a decisive battle. Do you know why?
Jiang Mu thought for a moment: "Was it because General Shangguan intervened?"
Tian Wenjing shook his head again: "No. The duties of the garrison commander are usually only for great demons of the ninth rank and above. Those below the ninth rank are the responsibility of our Demon Slaying Division."
Jiang Mu asked, puzzled, "Why? Since the garrison commander has the ability to kill them instantly, why doesn't he make a move? Is it interesting to watch his subordinates die?" "Because of the cost."
Tian Wenjing sighed.
"At the level of a garrison commander, every move involves not only the use of one's own star power, but also the depletion of one's accumulated incense offerings and prayers, and even the overdraft of the national fortune tied to the city."
For them, the power of incense offerings and vows is more important than life itself; it is the resource they need to break through to a higher realm.
Every little bit of effort that is accumulated is extremely difficult to come by.
If they squander their incense offerings carelessly just to kill some minor demons, causing them to deplete their incense offerings, then their hopes of breaking through to the next level may be completely dashed.
Therefore, the imperial court had an unwritten rule that unless all of our Demon Slayer Division members were completely wiped out and no longer able to deal with the demons, the garrison commander would not easily take action even if only one person was still alive.
After all…
He paused, then said meaningfully:
"The imperial court spends resources to train garrison commanders so that they can act as a stabilizing force to deal with threats that could truly shake the foundations of the country."
If they have to do even the smallest demons and monsters themselves, what's the point of supporting tens of thousands of people in our Demon Slaying Division?
Jiang Mu suddenly realized.
I see, good steel should be used where it's needed most.
This is what is meant by prioritizing the overall situation.
In the eyes of those in power, these demon slayers were nothing more than recyclable consumables, meat shields used to conserve the "mana" of the garrison commanders. No wonder the garrison commanders ignored the fifth and sixth-tier demons that appeared in the city before.
It's no wonder that during previous demon army sieges, we rarely heard of ninth or tenth-tier demons appearing. Either it was an eleventh-level great demon leading seventh or eighth-tier leaders to attack the city, or it relied on low-level demon swarm tactics.
This is an unspoken "rule" between the two sides.
"That……"
Jiang Mu tentatively asked, "If a city really can't be defended and falls, what will the garrison commander do?"
Tian Wenjing's expression turned solemn, and he slowly said:
"If it were a defeat in a normal battle, there might still be room for maneuver. But if a great demon were to breach the city... the garrison commander would have no choice but to fight to the death and perish with the city!"
Once the city is abandoned and the people are fled, it is tantamount to betraying the imperial decree and the incense offerings of the people. The Dao heart will be immediately damaged, the foundation will be shaken, and it will be difficult to make any further progress in cultivation. In fact, the country's fate may be reversed, and the person and the Dao will perish.
By enjoying the blessings and prayers of the city, they become inextricably linked to its fate.
Jiang Mu understood.
No wonder that when Huzhou City was in danger, Shangguan Luoxue, who was still recovering from serious injuries, disregarded everything and forced her way out of seclusion to fight the Mist Demon to the death, ultimately resulting in damage to her Dao foundation and her death.
Because she had no choice.
Tian Wenjing continued:
"When people rebel, it is because the hearts of the people have been lost."
The garrison commander, bearing the incense offerings of a region, is thus subject to the sway of the local people's will. If he were to rashly take action against the rebellious populace at this time, he would be making an enemy of the people, and the power of the incense offerings would surely backfire, shaking even the foundation of his cultivation.
The imperial court naturally understood this principle, so when faced with such a situation, it always dispatched troops directly to quell the rebellion.
Even if the city is lost, we can take it back; we will never let the garrison commander be tainted by this karma.
He paused, recalling the previous events.
"Take the Yancheng rebellion as an example. Although there were demons stirring things up, the main force was ultimately the people who were bewitched by the Red Umbrella Sect."
At that time, the strongest demon was only at the fifth rank.
Therefore, from beginning to end, Yuan Qianfan simply watched coldly as the imperial army quelled the rebellion, without intervening in the slightest.
If he were to intervene, the offerings and prayers he had received from the people would immediately backfire. The Heavenly Dao clearly calculates the cause and effect of this.
Jiang Mu nodded, understanding dawning on her:
"Understood. The garrison commander is a 'god among men,' whose fundamental duty is to 'oppose gods and demons,' and he is specifically responsible for dealing with demons."
Internal changes in human dynasties and the shifting of public sentiment are outside their jurisdiction unless they involve direct overthrow by high-ranking demons.
At this point, a flash of inspiration struck Jiang Mu, and a clearer framework emerged in his mind:
"So, when the imperial court appoints someone as a garrison commander and bestows upon them the status of a 'god among men,' it is not essentially granted by the imperial court, but rather... granted on behalf of the will of Heaven, right?"
The imperial court is more like the eunuch reading the imperial edict, while the emperor issuing the decree of investiture is actually the unseen law of heaven.” Tian Wenjing's eyes revealed a hint of appreciation as he stroked his beard and said:
"The analogy may be crude, but the principle is the same."
Since the founding of our Great Qing Dynasty, a total of sixteen garrison commanders have been appointed.
Not every city is qualified to establish such a position; only those important towns with flourishing incense offerings and auspicious land veins have the opportunity to produce one. And these sixteen town guardians, from the moment they are appointed, have already received the favor of the Heavenly Dao and possess the qualifications to become "gods on earth."
Daqing was merely going with the flow, binding the nation's fate to them, building shrines and temples for them, proclaiming miracles, and guiding the people to contribute incense and prayers. In this way, these guardians could use their status as earthly gods to accumulate prayers and help them achieve breakthroughs in their spiritual cultivation.
When you ascend to heaven in the future, with the protection of incense and the power of vows, the obstacles from heavenly tribulations will be much smaller. This is a truly great opportunity.
The imperial court can also use this kind of binding to have these unparalleled experts safeguard the nation's destiny and prolong its reign.
It's a mutually beneficial arrangement where both sides get what they need.
Jiang Mu's eyes sparkled, and a sudden realization dawned on her.
No wonder Si Rumeng said that once the imperial court granted the status of a god to humankind, it could not take it back.
What right does a eunuch responsible for delivering imperial edicts have to rescind the emperor's decree?
If Heaven accepts you, then you are a god.
If Heaven doesn't recognize your authority, no matter how many titles the imperial court bestows upon you, it won't matter.
But if that's the case, wouldn't Si Rumeng's crazy plan to replicate Heishan's "human god's license," deceive the heavens, and steal the orthodox incense offerings be like walking a tightrope?
Too dangerous!
This woman is truly a complete madwoman.
An ambitious, crazy woman.
Jiang Mu had previously underestimated it, thinking it was just a tree demon with some tricks up its sleeve, but now it seems she has to reassess it.
Would such an ambitious, resourceful, and daring monster truly submit to him willingly?
Perhaps when she and her sister did good deeds and helped villagers back then, they were actually accumulating merit to pave the way for their current "deification" plan. Even when forced to commit evil by Heishan, she deliberately instructed her seductive ghosts to only harm those with wicked intentions, avoiding innocent people. This was clearly an attempt to evade karma, fearing the sin of harming the innocent and causing Heaven to disapprove in the future.
They proceeded cautiously, with far-reaching plans.
This woman is too ambitious; she will never willingly submit to him.
"It seems I'll have to give her a good beating in the future to temper her temper."
Jiang Mu secretly made a plan in his heart.
If they realize they can't control this woman, they'll be raising a tiger that will eventually turn on them...
They should still be killed if they deserve to be killed.
Although it may seem like a waste of such good resources, safety comes first, and we can't risk our lives.
"Let's get back to the main topic."
Tian Wenjing continued to analyze the current situation.
"When Huzhou City was besieged, although there were many demons, only Tiger Vanguard was actually responsible for attacking the city."
The other demon leaders only watched from outside the city, not because they were afraid of General Shangguan, but because they were not of one mind.
Within the demon race, numerous factions exist, each fighting its own battles.
They had only temporarily come together because of shared interests; if they didn't see any real benefits, none of them would be willing to risk their resources. This is why the allied forces of demons scattered instantly after the Mist Demons' defeat.
Jiang Mu nodded slightly, deeply agreeing.
He understands this principle.
When he dealt with the snake demon incident, he understood that it was common for the demon race to be divided into factions and fight each other.
It's far from being a monolithic entity.
The Red Umbrella Cult is merely acting as a go-between, using shared interests to temporarily bind together a group of scheming individuals.
Just like in the movie "The Warlords".
Although Pang Qingyun had secured reinforcements, the Kui Battalion would absolutely not attack unless they fought desperately, displayed their fighting spirit, and showed the reinforcements the readily available merits and benefits. They would simply stand by and watch.
Jiang Mu followed the train of thought and said:
"Therefore, the situation in Yancheng is the same right now. The demon forces that are truly willing to risk their lives to attack the city are actually only a minority."
As long as we can withstand the pressure in the early stages and demonstrate sufficient resilience and lethality, we can make other observing demon forces feel that "the cost of gnawing on this bone is too high and not worth the effort."
They will naturally hesitate and stagnate, or even experience internal strife.
Tian Wenjing nodded:
"Every demon king and demon general has their own little schemes."
Why should I be the first to go and become cannon fodder? Why should my tribe risk their lives for you? Why should I gamble my life and fortune?
You're hearing from the intelligence reports that there are many seventh and eighth-tier demons, but in reality, considering the entire prefecture, there aren't many at all. In this area, there are no more than twenty demons of the seventh tier or higher at most.
Although the demon race does not have a strict limit on the number of star positions, it still needs opportunities, resources, and a long period of time to grow to a higher level, which is not much easier than for human cultivators.
Therefore, they cherish their lives more than anyone else.
The main force attacking the city will inevitably consist of the vast number of low-level second and third-tier demons, mixed with some mid-level fourth and fifth-tier leaders. As for the seventh and eighth-tier demons, it would be good if even one or two personally supervised the battle.
Jiang Mu silently complained to himself.
Not many, right?
I have a level 10 Zombie Queen on my left and a level 8 Tree Demon Granny on my right. So I'm the unluckiest one, running into them both, right? But he also knew that what Tian Wenjing said was true.
When the real battle begins, only one or two of the seventh or eighth-tier demons who came along will actually be able to personally participate.
Most of the others are in the rear holding the fort.
Like humans, the demon race prioritizes self-interest.
Thinking about it this way, the pressure of facing 30,000 demon soldiers does seem to have been reduced quite a bit.
"However, we cannot let our guard down."
Tian Wenjing's expression was serious.
"Currently, the defense zone assigned to our Demon Slaying Division in Huzhou City has a relatively heavy workload, as we are on the front lines of the demons' attack."
In comparison, the task of the Demon Slaying Division of Tanzhou City was relatively light. Their assigned area was strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and they faced fewer demonic forces.
"Why?" Jiang Mu asked, puzzled.
They all came to provide support, so why are they the ones who have it easier?
Could it be because the Water Master is beautiful that she receives special treatment from above?
We can't discriminate here; we must be fair and just.
A hint of helplessness appeared on Tian Wenjing's face as he whispered:
"The Water Master's identity is somewhat special... As you know, her father was once the Chief Commander of the Capital, and he died in the line of duty. Logically and morally, the higher-ups would take some care of her."
Moreover, on their way to provide assistance, they lost Tang Guixin, a capable hall master. The remaining hall master, Yang Tianci, was seriously injured by you... well, during a sparring match and has been bedridden ever since.
Nowadays, the Water Commander has almost no capable generals under his command, except for a few incompetent deputies.
Uh……
Jiang Mu was speechless for a moment.
It seems that the Water Chief has become a commander without troops, and I do deserve half the credit for that.
Thinking about it this way, it seems reasonable for them to receive some preferential treatment.
Just then, a guard's voice came from outside the door reporting:
"My lord, the Water Master requests an audience."
Tian Wenjing was taken aback, then looked at Jiang Mu with a half-smile and said sarcastically:
"She must be looking for you. She came to see me once before, and when she found out that I had arranged for you to go on a mission, she gave me a good scolding."
She scolded me, saying I didn't know how to care for my subordinates and only knew how to make me do dangerous, dirty, and tiring work. Her protective instincts were so strong, you'd think I was her own son.
Jiang Muqian chuckled twice.
This water manager really put himself into the role of an "elderly aunt," getting too immersed in the role.
A moment later, a fragrant breeze wafted over.
Shui Miaozheng walked in.
The woman wore a light blue dress and maintained her dignified demeanor.
The smooth fabric of the skirt clung to her body, accentuating the fullness of her thighs with every step she took.
As her skirt swept across the threshold, she paused slightly, her gaze falling on Jiang Mu, making the curve of her waist and hips even more noticeable.
Even the candle flame jumped.
It was as if the light itself was stuck to the undulating curves, impossible to shake off.
"Little Jiang!"
A glint of light appeared in the woman's eyes, and she quickly went inside. Seeing that he was unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, she turned to Tian Wenjing, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, her tone carrying a hint of reproach:
"Old Tian, I'm not trying to criticize you, but no matter how capable Xiao Jiang is, he's still a young man, just a cultivator at the fourth realm. The situation in Yancheng is so complicated, and we haven't even figured out the situation yet. How could you rashly let Xiao Jiang exorcise the demon on his own?"
"If something goes wrong, how will I... how will we, as elders and superiors, live with ourselves?"
Tian Wenjing, standing to the side, was quite embarrassed.
These are my subordinates, why are they acting like your people?
Do I need your permission to order around my own subordinates?
Jiang Mu quickly smoothed things over, laughing:
"Chief Water, you flatter me. Elder Tian also trusts my abilities. Moreover, I did not travel alone; Brother Xu Fu was also there to support me. Although there were some twists and turns, I managed to live up to your expectations."
Shui Miaozheng rolled her eyes at Jiang Mu, clearly annoyed.
"Xu Fu? Can we count on him? That guy has some skills, but he's also incredibly cunning. When a tough battle comes, he'll probably be hiding somewhere. Let him provide support? I think he's more suited to sightseeing."
Jiang Mu was secretly pleased.
He thought that if Xu Fu were here right now, his face would probably turn a deep purplish-red.
Tian Wenjing coughed a few times, picked up his teacup, and timely changed the subject: "Chief Shui's visit so late at night must be for important business?"
Shui Miaozheng nodded her head, her expression turning serious:
"It is indeed something important."
She turned around, her eyes brimming with affection as she looked at Jiang Mu: "Little Jiang, from now on, you're mine."
"puff"
Tian Wenjing spat out the mouthful of tea he had just taken a sip of.
Jiang Mu was also dumbfounded.
This……
Is it really that direct?
Shui Miaozheng realized the ambiguity of her words, her pretty face flushed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and turned to Tian Wenjing, saying:
"Old Tian, I'm planning to temporarily transfer Xiao Jiang. I hope you don't mind."
As you know, I'm severely short-staffed right now. Xiao Jiang is exceptionally capable, courageous, and resourceful; I need him to help me stabilize the situation.
Without even thinking, Tian Wenjing shook her head and refused: "Impossible!"
Are you kidding me!
Jiang Mu is our core fighting force in supporting Yancheng this time. How can we just lend him out like that?
However, Shui Miaozheng's status is special, so we still have to give her face.
He softened his tone, attempting to negotiate:
"Chief Water, if you truly need more manpower, I'll transfer Xu Fu to you. Xu Fu is also quite capable; after all, he's a veteran hall master with extensive experience, and he'll definitely be a great help to you!"
Shui Miaozheng shook her head without even thinking:
"I don't want him. Xu Fu is unreliable and useless in crucial moments. I only want Xiao Jiang."
Tian Wenjing: ..."
We can't talk today.
Jiang Mu, who was listening nearby, felt a strange sensation in her heart.
Why does this Water Master seem like a completely different person?
I've never been this impulsive before; I always speak softly.
He was of course unaware that Shui Miaozheng already had a general understanding of the dangers of the trip to Meiruo Temple.
Especially after learning that Xu Fu had not followed Jiang Mu into the dangerous area, her impression of Xu Fu plummeted.
Shui Miaozheng said nothing more, and directly took out a letter with a bright red seal from her sleeve and handed it to Tian Wenjing.
"Mr. Tian, I'm not asking for your opinion, I'm informing you."
"I have already contacted the headquarters via SMS and explained the pros and cons. The headquarters is understanding of my predicament and has agreed to temporarily transfer Jiang Mu to the Demon Slaying Division of Fazhou City to assist in defense until the crisis in Yan City is resolved."
"This is the commander-in-chief's transfer order. Please take a look."
She glanced at Jiang Mu and added:
"Don't worry, all of Xiao Jiang's gains and achievements over there will be credited to your Huzhou City Demon Slaying Division. In addition, as a token of gratitude for the secondment, a portion of the merits and resources gained by my Yunzhou City after the Battle of Yan City will also be allocated to you as appropriate."
"It's all in black and white, the Commander-in-Chief is my witness. We absolutely will not let you suffer any losses."
Tian Wenjing took the letter in a daze, completely dumbfounded.
Upon unfolding it, the familiar handwriting and the General Commander's seal were clearly visible.
He read it twice, his expression shifting from shock to bewilderment, then to frustration and helplessness, feeling a tightness in his chest.
Good guy!
This woman looks gentle and kind, but she's really ruthless!
Mingxiu plank road, dark Chencang.
Without a word, they simply stole his house.
"Master Water, you...you've gone too far!"
Tian Wenjing was so angry that his beard trembled. Holding the transfer order, he stammered for a long time without being able to utter a complete sentence.
He never imagined that his old bones would be outmaneuvered by a young girl.
Shui Miaozheng looked apologetic and said softly:
"Old Tian, please calm down. You have many fierce generals under your command, such as Yan Fenghuo and Xu Fu, who are both capable commanders."
You have many capable people under your command; losing Xiao Jiang won't affect the overall situation. But my Yunzhou City is currently facing a double whammy, with no one available and is in dire straits.
Please consider this a gesture of kindness towards a younger person, a small favor. Miaozheng will always remember this kindness.
After speaking, Shui Miaozheng stopped looking at Tian Wenjing's flushed face, turned to Jiang Mu, and her tone returned to its usual gentleness:
"Xiao Jiang, come with me. I've already arranged accommodation for you."
Jiang Mu glanced at Tian Wenjing, whose face was as black as the bottom of a pot and whose chest was heaving, and then at the transfer order stamped with the General Commander's seal in the other's hand. She found it inexplicably funny.
I really am a hot commodity, being bossed around by others in turn.
He stepped forward and bowed to Tian Wenjing, saying:
"Elder Tian, I... will go to the Water Guard's office to help out for a while. Don't worry, no matter where I am, slaying demons and monsters is my duty. If there is any emergency in Huzhou City, just give me a call, and I will rush back immediately."
Tian Wenjing opened his mouth, looked at his capable subordinate, then at the transfer order, and finally just sighed heavily, waved his hand weakly, and slumped back into his chair.
Jiang Mu then turned around and followed Shui Miaozheng out of the hall.
Only after the footsteps faded into the distance did Tian Wenjing slam her teacup down on the table, splashing tea everywhere.
"Only petty men and women are difficult to deal with!"
Jiang Mu followed Shui Miaozheng out of the courtyard gate.
Dark as ink.
Thick, dark clouds completely obscured the moonlight, plunging the surroundings into darkness, with only a few scattered torches providing a faint glow in the distance. However, Jiang Mu possessed the supernatural power of the Earthly Star, granting him eyesight far exceeding that of ordinary people.
Not only could he see the road clearly, but he could also see the outline of the person leading the way in front of him with perfect clarity.
Shui Miaozheng walked silently.
The night breeze blew, and the light blue dress clung tightly to the large millstone.
It twists and turns.
It's like a living mountain bouncing around in the cloth.
This unintentional stirring of charm, in the pitch-black night, is more alluring than the hidden moonlight.
"Are you secretly resenting me for transferring you here without consulting you beforehand?"
Shui Miaozheng, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned around to face Jiang Mu.
Her eyes shone brightly in the darkness.
Like two stars immersed in a deep pool, they stared straight into Jiang Mu's eyes.
Jiang Mu was taken aback, then quickly shook her head: "No, it's just a bit of a surprise. I didn't expect Chief Shui to do this for me..."
"In front of outsiders, you call me Lord Chief. But in private, what should you call me?"
Shui Miaozheng interrupted him, her tone tinged with reproach.
Jiang Mu grunted and said, "Aunt Shui."
Upon hearing this address, Shui Miaozheng's face blossomed into a gentle smile.
She stepped forward, extended her slender fingers, and carefully straightened Jiang Mu's slightly disheveled clothes.
As she drew closer,
The night breeze carried the warm, fragrant aroma of steamed flesh into the man's nostrils.
Yet, it subtly and persistently stirs the heart.
As Shui Miaozheng tidied up, she said softly:
"Now that I've acknowledged you as my nephew, I'll naturally protect you."
Yancheng is currently a meat grinder, extremely dangerous. You know Old Tian, he's tough and his leadership style is known for its daring and aggressive nature.
His men, like Yan Fenghuo, were even more fearless and ruthless.
You are young and ambitious, and very capable. You are bound to be influenced by this atmosphere and fight recklessly, disregarding your own life.
But you are still young, and you have a long road ahead of you. Always leave yourself room for maneuver and know how to protect yourself.
She raised her head, her gaze gentle as water:
"The reason your aunt went to such lengths to transfer you here is because my area is relatively safer."
Don't worry, Auntie will try her best to accumulate as many achievements as possible for you; they will definitely not be less than what you earn over there through hard work."
Hearing these heartfelt words, Jiang Mu felt both helpless and moved.
It is certainly a blessing to have an elder who cares for you so much.
The problem is, I'm a cheater!
I need to slay demons and monsters to power up the cheat program. If you treat me like a baby in a greenhouse, do I even need to develop? Can you develop for me?
However, seeing the concern in Shui Miaozheng's eyes, he couldn't refuse her kindness and could only nod in agreement.
They arrived at the courtyard where Shui Miaozheng's troops were stationed.
The happiest people to see Jiang Mu arrive were Zhu Chang and Ming Cuicui, Tang Guixin's former subordinates.
They had fought side by side at Bailu Peak and witnessed firsthand Jiang Mu's ability to turn the tide.
With such a strong ally joining them, they immediately felt much more at ease.
Shui Miaozheng gathered everyone together and briefly announced the commander-in-chief's transfer order and Jiang Mu's temporary appointment.
She turned to Jiang Mu and said gently:
"Xiao Jiang, you were the head of the hall in Huzhou City. Now that you're here, I can't let you be treated unfairly. You can take over Tang Jie's original position as head of the hall for now. Chang Zi and Cuicui are old acquaintances, so it will be easy for you to work together."
Jiang Mu had no objection to this and cupped his hands, saying, "I will leave it to the head of the department to arrange."
Ming Cuicui cheered with joy.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Shui Miaozheng glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late, everyone should go home and get some rest." She turned to Jiang Mu and said:
"Xiao Jiang, come with me. I've already had someone prepare a room just for you."
Jiang Mu followed Shui Miaozheng to a side room in the backyard.
Pushing open the door, the room was impeccably tidy, with a pot of orchids emitting a faint fragrance on the window, creating an elegant and cozy atmosphere. "I live right next door."
Shui Miaozheng pointed to the room next door, "If you need anything, you can come to me anytime. You should rest well and recharge your energy." "Thank you for your trouble, Aunt Shui," Jiang Mu said.
Shui Miaozheng smiled, gave a few more detailed instructions on daily life, and then prepared to leave.
As she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, as if remembering something, and turned back to ask:
"Look at my memory, I was so busy talking. Xiao Jiang, you haven't had dinner yet on your way here, have you? Are you hungry? If you are, Auntie will make you some noodles, it'll be quick."
Only after she said that did Jiang Mu realize that her stomach was empty and a feeling of hunger came over her.
From the fierce battle at Meiruo Temple to his return to report, and then to his reassignment, he truly did not eat or drink a drop of water.
Without any hesitation, he smiled and said, "Aunt Shui was right, I am indeed hungry. Then I'll trouble you, Aunt Shui."
"Why be so polite with your own aunt? It's no trouble at all."
Shui Miaozheng smiled sweetly, then turned and walked towards the kitchen in the corner of the courtyard.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Shui Miaozheng walked in carrying a tray with a steaming bowl on it.
She placed the bowl on the table, somewhat embarrassed, and said:
"The conditions here are basic, and there aren't many good ingredients, so I just boiled some vegetables and poached two eggs. Make do with this and warm yourself up." Jiang Mu leaned closer to take a look. In the clear broth, the emerald green vegetable leaves unfurled, and two round poached eggs lay nestled among them, looking very appetizing. He hadn't had high expectations for Shui Miaozheng's cooking skills to begin with.
The cooking skills are average.
After all, not everyone is Aunt Bai Xiang.
He picked up his chopsticks and casually praised, "Aunt Shui's cooking is better than any delicacy."
Shui Miaozheng chuckled at his words, her eyes sparkling, and scolded, "You silly child, you've learned to be glib and flattering. Eat it while it's hot." Jiang Mu said no more and lowered his head to eat heartily.
Shui Miaozheng sat on a stool to the side, quietly watching him eat, her eyes always filled with tenderness.
The candlelight flickered.
The shadows of the two people were projected onto the wall and overlapped for a long time.
Outside the door, the dark clouds dispersed, and a bright moon quietly peeked out, its gentle light bathing the courtyard.
The water clock drips slowly, the lamp's shadow flickers in disarray, and the chirping of insects outside the window is slow and gentle.
The room was filled with the aroma of cooking, the woman smiled, and Shao Jian buried his head in a small plate.
An indescribable warmth and tranquility flowed through Shishi's room.
The bowl of noodles was quickly emptied.
Jiang Mu put down her chopsticks and let out a satisfied burp.
After eating and drinking to one's heart's content, the discomfort from prolonged physical exertion becomes increasingly apparent.
After a whole day of exploring caves and slaying demons, his body was already soaked in sweat. Now, after being dry for so long, it felt sticky and gave off an unpleasant sweaty smell.
He asked somewhat embarrassedly:
"Aunt Shui, do you have any formulas for bathing? I want to take a shower."
Shui Miaozheng was taken aback, then rubbed her forehead, somewhat annoyed.
She was so focused on making the bed for him that she forgot to prepare a bathtub in the room.
This courtyard is secluded and far from the city.
It's probably going to be difficult to find a suitable one in the short term...
"Let's spray it in my room?" Shui Miaozheng blurted out.
After saying that, she suddenly regretted it. After all, it was her own bathtub, and to let a man... it was somewhat shameful.
But considering that the other party is just a junior, there seems to be no need to be too pretentious.
"To your room?"
Jiang Mu was stunned for a moment.
"What? You're disgusted by what your aunt used?" Shui Miaozheng deliberately put on a stern face.
"No, no, why would I mind?" Jiang Mu quickly waved her hand. "I was just worried it might be inconvenient..."
"Is there anything inconvenient...?"
Shui Miaozheng didn't allow the other party to refuse, so she stood up and said, "Alright, sit down for a while, Auntie will go boil some hot water for you. I'll call you when the water is ready." After saying that, she carried the tray out.
Jiang Mu felt a strange sensation.
Go to the boudoir of a beautiful, single woman and take a shower?
Something feels off about this beggar.
Jiang Mu shook her head, trying to clear her mind of those jumbled thoughts.
It's just a shower, not a romantic bath for two, why think so much?
Jiang Mu is a virtuous and upright man with a clear conscience!