The next day, early morning sunlight streamed through the latticed window. It fell upon the desk piled high with case files, lending a touch of warmth to the otherwise cold, quiet room.
Chu Bai sat at the desk, cupping a long-cold cup of tea in his hands. His gaze, however, wasn’t on the files before him. Instead, he stared thoughtfully at the old locust tree swaying in the wind outside the window.
Three soft knocks from outside the door broke his train of thought.
"Come in."
The door was pushed open, and Hu Hao peeked his head in before scurrying inside. Seeing that no one else was around, he let out a sigh of relief, closed the door behind him, and hurried over to bow to Chu Bai.
"Lord Chu, you were looking for me?"
"Sit." Chu Bai pointed to the chair opposite him, his expression gentle. "There’s no need to be so formal in private. Calling me Brother Chu is easier on the ears."
Hu Hao gave a simple, honest smile and did as he was told, though he only dared to sit on the edge of the chair. "Rules are rules. Besides, this is to keep people from gossiping about you, my lord."
After a few brief pleasantries, Chu Bai got straight to the point.
"You’ve been in Team Three for over three months now. How’s it been?"
At the mention of this, a complex expression appeared on Hu Hao’s face—partly vindicated, partly helpless.
"Thanks to you, my lord, my situation in Team Three has changed drastically since the Wang Sanshui case."
Hu Hao gave a wry smile. "Before, those wily veterans saw that I was new and from a Humble Family, so they were always giving me a hard time."
"Now? Now they’re like mice who’ve seen a cat. Every last one of them is incredibly polite. Even when they assign tasks, they always pick the lucrative, low-risk ones for me."
"They’re afraid."
Chu Bai said calmly, "You’re my former classmate. In their eyes, that makes you my informant planted in Team Three. They’re afraid you’ll find some dirt on them and they’ll end up just like Wang Sanshui."
"Exactly," Hu Hao said with a nod. "I’m a bit isolated, and no one really dares to get too close to me, but it has certainly saved me a lot of trouble."
"A while back, our team surrounded and took down a wild boar demon that had gained sentience. I was just responsible for firing a few shots from the perimeter, but when it came time to reward merit, I still got a decent share of the credit. Life’s been pretty comfortable."
Chu Bai nodded slightly. This was all within his expectations.
"And what about your captain, Pang Song?"
Chu Bai’s gaze sharpened as he asked the question that truly concerned him. "What kind of person is he usually? What’s his standing in the team?"
Hearing this, Hu Hao’s expression turned serious. He thought for a moment before lowering his voice.
"Captain Pang... how should I put it? He is a bit somber and not easy to get along with. He doesn’t talk much on a daily basis and doesn’t really mingle with the men under him. He’s not smooth like Wang Sanshui was, so he used to be somewhat sidelined within the team."
"However..."
Hu Hao’s tone shifted. "After observing him for the past few months, I think he’s actually someone who wants to get things done."
"He never hesitates on Demon Slaying missions. He’s often the first one to charge in. Moreover, he holds Director Zhang Cheng in high regard and often speaks in support of the Director’s measures to reorganize the two departments."
"After Wang Sanshui died, Captain Pang rode that momentum to really clean up the atmosphere in the team."
"Team Three still has its share of old slackers, but now, none of them dare to act up in front of him. You could say he’s rapidly regaining control of the team."
As Chu Bai listened, he nodded to himself.
’It all adds up.’
’Pang Song coming to me last night to ’borrow a blade’ indeed had a dual motive.’
’Externally, he wanted to use my hand to strike at Team Two, securing more resources and influence for Team Three. Internally, it was also a way for him to establish his authority.’
’If he could brilliantly solve this difficult case that even Team Two couldn’t crack, his standing with Zhang Cheng would naturally rise, and his deterrent effect on his subordinates would be even stronger.’
’This man may be cunning, but he’s not without his merits as a capable Official.’
Chu Bai came to a conclusion. As long as Pang Song’s general direction was correct, there was no harm in lending him this "blade."
After giving Hu Hao a few more instructions, telling him to keep an eye out for any news regarding the Sanmu River, Chu Bai dismissed him.
The quiet room fell silent once more.
Chu Bai stood up and began to pace back and forth in the narrow room.
Although he had confirmed Pang Song’s motives through Hu Hao, his own doubts had not completely disappeared.
’Pang Song wants to use me as a blade. That much is certain.’
’But is this move against Team Two, against the Noble Faction, his own opportunistic gamble, or was it ordered by Director Zhang Cheng?’
This was a critical question.
’If Zhang Cheng gave the order, then it’s part of a grand chess game played by the higher-ups of the Evil Suppression Department. If Zhang Cheng wants to completely control the Evil Suppression Department, he has to deal with the tough nut that is Team Two.’
’In that case, if I charge forward as the vanguard, not only will I have nothing to worry about from behind, I’ll actually be alleviating the Director’s burdens. A hefty reward would surely follow.’
’But if Pang Song is acting on his own, trying to use my background and personality to poke this hornet’s nest...’
’Once it causes a disaster, provoking a frenzied counterattack from the Noble Faction and even leading to internal turmoil within the Evil Suppression Department...’
’...then to quell the widespread anger, Zhang Cheng might not protect me. He might even throw me out as a scapegoat to settle the matter.’
’Bureaucracy is a treacherous game. I have to be on my guard.’
Chu Bai stopped pacing and looked out the window.
He was protected by his status as an Immortal Official and had the Daoist School as a backer. He was also always cautious in his actions; it was unlikely a matter like this would be enough to cast him into the dust.
But if it left a stain on his record, that would be unacceptable for someone like him, who aimed for greater heights.
’This matter is of great importance, and my experience is still shallow, after all.’
Chu Bai mulled it over for a moment, then made a decision. ’I might as well go and ask my teacher for his advice. The old man may have lived in seclusion for many years, but his eye for judging people is as sharp as ever.’

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