Da Xuan Martial Saint

Chapter 95: Chapter 91 Intelligence

Xu Hongyu held a high position within the direct descendants of the Yu family’s four generations. Having stepped into the Tendon Changing Realm and able to stand on her own as a powerful figure, Yu Yun knew that she and Yu Ru could cause a ruckus without issues, but they couldn’t interfere with Xu Hongyu’s matters. Otherwise, at the very least, they would face a scolding, and at worst, they might have to face the punishment of reflecting upon their actions in solitude.

Therefore, after recognizing Chen Mu, Yu Yun didn’t linger but left directly.

After all, this was South City, and stirring trouble to catch Xu Hongyu’s attention would lead to no good.

Mainly because Xu Hongyu herself was quite partial to Yu Ru. On the one hand, Yu Ru’s father and Xu Hongyu’s mother were siblings; thus, Yu Ru and Xu Hongyu were almost like sisters, while Yu Yun’s relation to them was more distant.

On the other hand, Xu Hongyu’s father disappeared in her early years, and Yu Ru’s mother succumbed to an incurable disease, passing away quite early. As a result, Xu Hongyu had taken great care of Yu Ru since childhood… Of course, much of Yu Yun’s displeasure towards Yu Ru stemmed from this. When Yo Ru would cause trouble in her childhood, the adults would always side with Yu Ru.

Of course.

The elders of the Yu family didn’t mind these things; it was normal for the younger generation to have good and bad relationships. The bickering between Yu Yun and Yu Ru could even promote a competitive atmosphere in the Martial Arts Institute.

Chen Mu didn’t know much about the internal affairs of the Yu family. The only people he was familiar with were just a few, including Xu Hongyu, Little Lotus, and Yu Ru. He was meeting Yu Yun for the first time and had only a rough idea of her after hearing some statements from Chen Yue.

So he cared even less.

Of course.

If he were an elder of the Yu family, he would probably give a girl like Yu Yun a stern lesson, for although Yu Ru’s temperament was a bit too meek, Yu Yun seemed a bit too arrogant for her young age.

However, Chen Mu was impressed by Chen Yue’s prior reaction. Facing Yu Yun and her several henchmen, Chen Yue’s presence didn’t falter at all. If Yu Ru’s temperament meant her martial arts pursuits were only for strengthening her physique, then Chen Yue, if she continued to train to a certain level, indeed had the potential to be a formidable individual.

Having observed both the changes in Chen Yue and the situation of Yu Ru in their brief interaction, Chen Mu quickly changed the topic. After a light conversation, he made Yu Ru laugh, allowing her to cast aside the sorrow she felt moments before.

He led the two young girls around, enjoying their time together.

Both Yu Ru and Chen Yue wore exquisite dresses. Although they still looked very youthful, their blossoming adolescent beauty was evident, particularly when they smiled and played, which drew many admiring glances along the way.

Some of those glances were not well-intentioned, but when those watching noticed Chen Mu leading Yu Ru and Chen Yue, most quickly looked away. Those few who did not, discreetly following for a while, also soon vanished without a trace.

Although Chen Mu was not wearing official attire, making him unrecognizable to ordinary citizens, gang members, who made their living by recognizing people, were rarely unaware of the prominent Head Constable from Wutong Grove District.

A Prefecture Chief,

without a doubt, was not someone to be trifled with.

Chen Mu also noticed the covert gazes but didn’t pay them any mind. He was no longer the ignorant man he used to be. In earlier days, when he wished to take Chen Yue out for fun, he would have to cover her delicate face in dirt and disguise her ugliness. Now, he could walk proudly and openly in the streets and alleys, still feeling composed and self-assured.

After circling the main street for a while, the group made their way to the back of the main street. Walking forward, they soon came upon a line of tall, imposing bluestone walls, beyond which stood a four-story building. The atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

“This should be the City Guard General of South City District, right?”

Chen Yue looked up at the sprawling, expansive area ahead of them.

“Mmm-hmm.”

Chen Mu nodded slightly and said, “Speaking of which, Xu Hong… I mean, Chief Constable Xu might have returned. Little Ru, do you want to go in and see?”

Yu Ru glanced in the direction of the City Guard General and said, “I haven’t seen Hongyu for a long time now. I heard that Hongyu went out to hunt demons and should be returning during these days.”

“Let’s go.”

Chen Mu led Chen Yue and Yu Ru towards the City Guard General’s office.

He hadn’t seen Xu Hongyu for quite some time and had only heard from Little Lotus that she would probably return within a day or two. If she had returned, it would be a good opportunity to update Xu Hongyu on recent events and make a simple work report.

Sbefore long,

they entered the City Defense Division and made their way up to the fourth floor.

“Is that Little Ru, what brings you here?”

Little Lotus was browsing a document in the Hall Office on the fourth floor. Seeing Chen Mu, Chen Yue, and Yu Ru, she showed no sign of surprise, and instead, she smiled at Yu Ru.

If it were any ordinary maid or servant girl, they would have to address Yu Ru respectfully as “Miss,” but Little Lotus was an exception. Not only was she Xu Hongyu’s personal attendant from childhood, but she was also within the Tendon Changing Realm herself. In Xu Hongyu’s absence, Little Lotus could manage the affairs of the City Guard General, and if Xu Hongyu were promoted, Little Lotus even had the qualifications to succeed as the Chief Constable.

In fact, Little Lotus and Yu Ru had a very good relationship as well.

“Sister Lotus.”

Yu Ru greeted Little Lotus politely, and then said, “I came to see Hongyu.”

Little Lotus patted Yu Ru’s head and said, “Miss has encountered some issues and can’t return to the city for the next few days. Whenever she returns, she will certainly visit Little Ru in the Inner City.”

As she said this,

she looked at Chen Mu and gave him a meaningful glance.

Understood the cue, Chen Mu patted Chen Yue’s shoulder, then followed Little Lotus into a side chamber of the Hall Office.

“What’s happened?”

Chen Mu asked as he entered the side hall, directing the question at Little Lotus.

Little Lotus shook her head and said, “It’s nothing serious. You know that the Yu family has always managed the ‘Salt Affairs Bureau,’ responsible for salt distribution throughout Yu City. Yesterday, a shipment of salt was hijacked just outside the city. Miss was on her way back, but after this incident, she diverted to pursue the investigation. According to some leads, it’s likely that the ‘Black Cloud Bandits’ are involved.”

“The Black Cloud Bandits…”

Chen Mu fell into contemplation.

He had heard of the name before. The Black Cloud Bandits were reputed to be a vicious gang holed up in the mountains north of Yu City, known for their frequent raids and robberies. Yu City had dispatched troops several times to suppress them, but to no avail.

Several of the gang’s leaders were listed on the City Defense Division’s wanted lists, with hefty bounties on their heads. The bounty for the Family Head alone was as much as five thousand taels of Patterned Silver, and the second-in-command had a bounty of three thousand taels!

“Actually, the Black Cloud bandits have always had some unclear connections with the He Family.”

Xiao He added another sentence.

This statement made Chen Mu nod slightly, after all, if they were just a group of ordinary bandits, it wouldn’t be possible for them to have entrenched themselves outside Yu City for many years without being resolved, even when troops from Yu City were sent to suppress them, they couldn’t be taken down.

If behind them, they had ties with the forces within the Inner City, or were outright used by the He Family to do certain unsavory deeds as an external force, then it would be understandable, after all, who would dare to kill Old Master Huang’s horse?

Chen Mu thought for a moment and asked, “So, does the Yu Family plan to mobilize troops to eradicate the Black Cloud bandits?”

“No.”

Xiao He shook her head, “For the sake of a group of bandits, it’s not worth making a big fuss. Besides, even if troops were really mobilized, the Black Cloud bandits are slippery, and with the He Family tipping them off, it would be difficult to catch them red-handed. Catching a few stragglers is just wasteful.”

At this point, Xiao He looked at Chen Mu and whispered, “I have some intelligence here. The He Family has a shipment of prohibited goods that will be transported in the next few days, and they are likely to avoid your Wutong Grove District and go through ‘Hui Ditch’ instead. The possible route is… You take your men and see if you can seize this shipment. I can’t send troops to assist you on this side. The He Family’s informants are everywhere, and you must also take strict precautions on your side, be careful that the City Defense Division has He Family’s eyes as well.”

“Hmm, I got it.”

Chen Mu nodded calmly.

This should be the clash between the Yu Family and the He Family, with the He Family using the Black Cloud bandits to intercept a shipment from the Yu Family, and the Yu Family’s immediate counterattack was to target a shipment from the He Family as retaliation.

Xiao He stared at Chen Mu, then suddenly leaned in a bit closer, whispering, “Be careful, if it’s not feasible, then give up first.”

Chen Mu, smelling the faint fragrance coming from her, turned to look at her and asked, “Is this an order from above, or is it… something you wanted to tell me yourself?”

Xiao He’s cheeks blushed, she stepped back, and with a light laugh said, “I’m just a minor maid, without my mistress’s permission, I wouldn’t dare flirt with Lord Chen…”

Chen Mu watched Xiao He leave the side hall, his eyes scanning the still-clean side room, where he faintly recalled Xu Hongyu wearing her tight white flying fish robe, graceful and poised, standing by the window overlooking South City District.

Hmm.

She just looked a bit too aloof.

…

After leaving the side room, Xiao He spoke with Yu Ru about some things, then led the group out of the Chief Constable’s office.

Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Mu escorted Chen Yue and Yu Ru back to the Inner City, and at parting, Chen Yue looked reluctantly at Chen Mu, a bit wanting to throw herself into a hug as in the past, but felt a bit embarrassed and ended up just waving her hand.

Yu Ru seemed a bit too shy to look at Chen Mu, and, with her head lowered, bade him farewell before running into the Inner City with Chen Yue.

Chen Mu watched Chen Yue and Yu Ru leave with a gentle gaze.

As their figures disappeared from sight, he slowly turned around, his expression once again becoming indifferent, and quickly he returned to the City Defense Division, issuing an order.

Not long after.

The seven Head Constables of the City Defense Division gathered together.

“In the next few nights, there will be action. No need to mobilize the lower constables, nor to ask too many questions, just follow my instructions.”

Chen Mu looked at Shang Qinglai and the others, speaking in an even tone.

“Yes.”

Shang Qinglai and the others responded in unison.

They then exchanged glances, not knowing what the action entailed, but since all seven of them were to follow, it must be something important.

Chen Mu’s authority within the City Defense Division was growing day by day, his orders were carried out without question. When an order was given, Shang Qinglai and the others didn’t even dare to ask for details, they simply complied.

“Alright, go back and change into civilian clothes now, meet at the Three-Way Intersection at midnight.”

Chen Mu gave the instruction, then waved his hand.

Shang Qinglai and the others retreated in response.

Walking out of the Hall Office, someone whispered, “Dressed in civilian clothes for an outing, I wonder what it’s about…”

Shang Qinglai whispered back, “Don’t ask, if the Chief doesn’t say, there’s a reason for it.”

The group nodded to each other, left the City Defense Division, and went their separate ways.

However.

One of the Head Constables, upon getting some distance from the City Defense Division, had a glint of light flash in his eyes, quickly turned into an alley ahead, shifted direction, and headed for a desolate area.

A moment later, Zhang Tong arrived at the end of a secluded alley, at a dilapidated tile-roofed house, knocked on the door, and then said in a deep voice to someone inside, “The City Defense Division is making a move tonight.”

“Got it.”

A low voice responded from inside.

Zhang Tong nodded, then looked around nervously before quickly turning to leave.

He didn’t really want to tip anyone off, revealing internal movements of the City Defense Division, but… they gave him so much that just by quietly doing this for a year or two, he could get more Silver Coins than he could earn in ten years otherwise.

However.

Just as Zhang Tong quietly slipped back to the entrance of the alley and stepped out, he suddenly froze in place.

There at the alley entrance, Chen Mu was standing quietly, just watching him.

COMMENT

1 comment

Vote

3 left

SEND GIFT

1