"Senior Brother Han, after you."
"Junior Brother, after you."
The two beams of Escape Light parted the waves and shot swiftly toward the surface.
The waters of the Sanmu River still churned in Ghost Sorrow Bay, but the deathly Qi and Resentment that had festered here for years seemed to have dissipated significantly with the Water Monkey’s death and the change in ownership of the Incense Fire Will Power.
When Chu Bai broke the surface and once again breathed in the fresh, grassy air of the shore, a sense of comfort washed over him.
The two executed their Body Techniques, transforming into streaks of light and speeding toward Anping County.
Anping County, Evil Suppression Department Government Office.
Chu Bai entered the department without pause, his official uniform still damp with mist from the Sanmu River.
He didn’t linger for a moment, walking straight through the corridors to the sign-in room in the Back Hall.
At that moment, Zhang Cheng was seated at his desk, reviewing documents.
Hearing Chu Bai’s return, Zhang Cheng looked up. A smile touched his imposing, square-jawed face, and he was about to ask about the inspection. But then he saw Chu Bai’s grim expression as he placed a stack of blood-colored ledgers, shielded by Spiritual Power, and several Tokens heavily on the desk.
"Director, something terrible has happened... beneath the Sanmu River."
Chu Bai’s voice was steady, but every word struck Zhang Cheng’s ears like a clap of thunder.
As Chu Bai laid out the whole story—the live sacrifices of children from Anyu Village, the mountain of bones at the bottom of the river, and Team Two’s extortion and cover-up—the temperature in the once-mild hall instantly plunged to freezing.
BANG!
Zhang Cheng slammed his hand on the desk. The heavy table, made of Black Iron Wood, actually cracked under the force of the blow.
"Bastards! This is a complete disregard for the law! Utterly depraved!"
Zhang Cheng shot to his feet, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes flashing with killing intent.
He had thought the Sanmu River incident was, at worst, some trouble with illicit worship of a Wild God. He never imagined that such a man-eating den of demons could be hidden right under the Great Zhou Laws!
"Men! Send word to the records office! I want every inspection record and closed case file from Team Two regarding the Sanmu River banks for the past three years pulled out immediately!" Zhang Cheng roared.
Several Clerks were scared out of their wits. Not daring to delay for even a moment, they scrambled off toward the records office.
Zhang Cheng, breathing heavily, sat back down. His fingers continuously rubbed the blood-stained Team Two Token on the desk, his gaze terrifyingly deep.
"Chu Bai, you’ve done well this time. If you hadn’t noticed something was amiss, the very backbone of our Evil Suppression Department would have been rotted through by these parasites!"
He fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a chilling tone, "We have parasites in the department. They won’t escape conviction for extortion. Those in Team Two who were involved will be stripped of their uniforms and thrown in prison for harsh interrogation. But the most critical question now... is whether they ’knew’ or not."
Chu Bai, standing before the desk, nodded slightly. He understood Zhang Cheng’s meaning.
According to Great Zhou Law, if Team Two was merely guilty of accepting bribes out of greed and failing to handle the case properly, the worst they would face is dismissal and exile.
But if they knowingly took money to cover up the live sacrifices...
"If they knew, then their crime is the same as collaborating with evil," Chu Bai stated flatly. "According to Great Zhou Law, the punishment is the execution of nine generations of their clan, with the leaders’ heads displayed on the city gate for three months."
A glint flickered in Zhang Cheng’s eyes. He snorted coldly. "Those greedy fools probably thought they could pull the wool over everyone’s eyes. But orchestrating live sacrifices is definitely not something a group of simple fishermen could organize. There must be a larger network of interests behind this."
He raised his head, his gaze turning toward the South City of Anping County.
"The fish catches from the Sanmu River have always flowed to a few major fish markets in the city. And the largest fish market in Anping County is in the hands of the Luu Family."
Zhang Cheng’s tone was icy. "When the fish harvest is bountiful, the Luu Family profits the most. As the Wild God grows in power, the Luu Family provides the deepest protection. If you told me no one was harboring them, that no one was profiting from the transport, I would never believe it."
’The Luu Family...’ Chu Bai repeated the name silently in his mind.
They were a famous Noble Race in Anping County, with many family members holding positions in the Prefecture Yamen. Their power was deeply entrenched.
"What comes next is no small matter. Blood must be shed to suppress the overwhelming public outrage."
Zhang Cheng looked at Chu Bai, a hint of admiration and protectiveness in his eyes. "Chu Bai, you’ve performed a great service this time, but you are not to participate in the subsequent investigation and arrests."
"The Luu Family’s roots run deep, and the purification of Team Two’s remnants is not yet complete. I will personally lead Team Three and the County Yamen to handle the investigation. You’ve just entered the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation. This is the time to solidify your foundation. Go back to the Back Hall and rest."
Chu Bai understood completely and cupped his hands. "This subordinate obeys. Director, this subordinate will take his leave."
He was well aware of Zhang Cheng’s intentions.
The subsequent searches and political maneuvering would inevitably be filled with treachery and direct bloodshed. Zhang Cheng was protecting him, not wanting him to get bogged down in this quagmire so early on.
Besides, the credit he was due was now securely in his pocket.
After Chu Bai took his leave and departed, the entire Evil Suppression Department Government Office sprang into action.
Shrill whistles pierced the sky as fully armed Evil Suppression Guards on swift horses charged out of the main gate, sealing the city gates and heading straight for the Luu Family’s estate.
Meanwhile, Chu Bai walked unhurriedly back to his room, the cool evening breeze on his face.
[Realm: Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer (1/100)]
He glanced at his status panel, feeling the thin yet exceptionally pure Five Elements Spiritual Power within his body.
The battle at Sanmu River had killed a Water Monkey, but it had also exposed a cancerous tumor within Anping County’s officialdom.
Chu Bai looked up at the sky. In the distance, the clouds had, at some point, become as thick and dark as ink, with the faint rumble of thunder rolling through them.
He knew that by tomorrow morning, the skies of Anping County would turn red.

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