His expression was tinged with exhaustion, but his eyes were bright and focused. He had clearly been busy.
"I wasn’t skilled with it before and was afraid of messing things up, so I never used it in front of others." Chu Bai smiled in greeting, then asked with some curiosity, "Senior Brother, what brings you to the Evil Suppression Department today?"
Han Xingmo was a River Patrol Warrior of the Water Department, but the two departments were, after all, separate government offices. If there was no official business, he would rarely appear at the Martial Arts Arena.
Han Xingmo walked up to Chu Bai, his expression gradually turning serious. "We’ve made a breakthrough in the Sanmu River case. I came today specifically to submit the official investigation report to Director Zhang, and I thought I’d stop by to see you."
The two walked over to a stone pavilion at the edge of the arena and sat down. Only then did Han Xingmo begin to recount the shocking truth that their two departments had uncovered together.
"The Luu Family... they were indeed the masterminds behind it all."
Han Xingmo’s voice was low. "The Luu Family has operated in Anping County for many years and controls six large fisheries."
"Initially, the ’Sanmu Fairy’ of the Sanmu River was nothing more than a Water Monkey, timid as a mouse. Although it had some power, it was terrified of being discovered and exterminated by the Court. It would hide in the deep pools and didn’t even dare to act as a Water Ghost."
"However, a few years ago, one of the Luu Family’s fishing crews discovered it. Instead of reporting it, the Luu Family got a wicked idea."
"They made a pact with that vile creature—the Luu Family would use their control over the fisheries to coerce downstream fishermen into providing it with living sacrifices. In return, the creature would herd schools of fish, guaranteeing the Luu Family’s fisheries an unnaturally large catch every day."
At this, Han Xingmo sighed heavily. "Over the past few years, the Luu Family has made a fortune. As for the fishermen..."
"And the fishermen? What did they think?" Chu Bai asked.
"That’s the trickiest part." Han Xingmo shook his head. "At first, some fishermen resisted."
"But the Luu Family barred them from the fisheries and forbade anyone who didn’t comply from fishing in the Sanmu River. The fishermen, who lived off the river, had no other recourse. They had to watch their families starve."
"On top of that, the Wild God did provide a few ’bountiful harvests.’ Gradually, their desperation turned to numbness, and that numbness turned into a twisted faith."
Han Xingmo looked at Chu Bai, his gaze probing. "I heard Director Zhang plans to sentence the involved parties soon. Junior Brother, according to the Evil Suppression Department’s rules, what do you think should be done with the fishermen who participated in the sacrifices?"
Chu Bai fell silent for a moment, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.
"According to the law, for the crime of keeping a Wild God and performing living sacrifices, the main culprits—the Luu Family and those few knowledgeable officials from Squad Two—will face certain death. They must be beheaded as a public example."
"As for the fishermen..." Chu Bai paused. "If we go strictly by the law, they did in fact perform living sacrifices, which is the crime of murder. Anyone who participated would face at least several years in prison, and any ringleaders would be executed."
Hearing this, Han Xingmo sighed heavily again. "The fishermen are guilty for performing the sacrifices, of course. But their very livelihood was controlled by the fisheries; not to obey meant starvation. Faced with an alliance between a Noble Race and a Demon, they had almost no choice but to make this twisted compromise."
"In the face of survival, the law can sometimes seem pale and powerless."
Chu Bai deeply agreed with this.
An evil act born of desperation would always evoke a sense of pity.
"Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I will find an opportunity to speak to Director Zhang about this."
"The primary culprits in this case are the Luu Family and their collusion with Squad Two. If we impose extreme punishment on those desperate fishermen, it might incite unrest. It would be better to have them perform labor as a substitute for punishment, like repairing the river channel. That could be a way out for them."
A trace of relief appeared in Han Xingmo’s eyes. "I’m relieved that you have such a benevolent heart, Junior Brother. Also..."
Han Xingmo lowered his voice, a chilling tone creeping into it. "Those guys inside the Water Department who were covering for them have been rooted out. This matter alarmed the Qingzhou Water Department. They sent an Inspector down directly, and secret interrogations already began three days ago."
"I reckon this time, the stagnant waters of the Sanmu River are finally going to be stirred clear."
Chu Bai nodded.
Officialdom, Noble Races, Evil Gods—the truth, peeled back layer by layer, was certainly cruel. But thankfully, dawn was finally breaking.
The two of them spoke for a long time at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena before Han Xingmo took his leave to see Zhang Cheng.
As Chu Bai watched him leave, his right hand habitually stroked the Patrol Banner Token at his waist.
Although the investigation was over, he knew that the subsequent downfall of the Luu Family and the purge of Squad Two would inevitably trigger a reshuffling of the power structure in Anping County.
And as the one who had started this storm, his only choice was to seize every moment to improve his Practical Combat Techniques. Only then could he stand firm and see far in the tempest to come.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the Martial Arts Arena.
Chu Bai practiced the Mystic Curse a few more times, stopping only when he felt a faint, aching strain in his meridians.
"Younger Brother Chu, you’ve given your big brother quite a search!"
A hearty and excited voice broke the silence of the Martial Arts Arena.
Chu Bai turned his head and saw Pang Song striding toward him.
Compared to his anxiety half a month ago, Pang Song was now beaming with joy, walking with a spring in his step. Clearly, a happy occasion had lifted his spirits.
Beside him was Hu Hao, who wore a solemn expression, yet his eyes were filled with gratitude.
Having worked with and observed him for some time, Chu Bai had come to understand Pang Song better.
Although the Captain of Squad Three could sometimes be impatient and rash in his eagerness to claim credit, he was not ambiguous when it came to major issues of right and wrong. He was a man who genuinely wanted to achieve something real.
In the treacherous and corrupt official circles of Anping County, where officials protected one another, a man like him—willing to work hard and stick to his principles—was a rare breath of fresh air.
"Captain Pang, from the look on your face today, it seems there’s been great progress on the department’s case," Chu Bai said with a smile as he walked over to greet them.

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