’My strength is growing steadily, and the team is on the right track. Days like these are quite comfortable.’
Chu Bai rose and walked to the window.
Outside the window, on the Martial Arts Arena, Feng Qin was loudly berating several newly recruited guards, drilling them in coordinated killing formations.
The [General Star Enters Life] Fate Chart was subtly influencing the team.
Chu Bai could feel it. Although he had fewer opportunities to act personally as of late, his position as captain meant a portion of the Demon Qi from the demons his team members slew was feeding back into his Fate Chart. It was a faint but continuous accumulation, amplifying his combat prowess.
After more than half a year of his efforts, the murky waters of Anping County had finally been cleared.
But Chu Bai knew in his heart that this peace was only temporary.
His performance in Anping County had been too conspicuous. From slaying the Wild God to annihilating the Luu Family with ruthless efficiency, he had already upset certain vested interests higher up the chain.
’In another two or three years, I might reach Qi Cultivation Perfection.’
’When that time comes, my goal will be to forge a Dao Foundation. I won’t have time to think about all this conflict.’
’This is just a temporary post, after all. I’m not afraid of making a few enemies.’
Hu Hao had just reached the office door when he stopped short. He turned back, a hint of hesitation on his face as his right hand subconsciously pressed the document pouch at his waist.
"Something else?" Chu Bai looked up, setting down the briefing in his hands.
Hu Hao hurried back to the desk and reported in a low voice, "Captain, I was stopped on my way back from an errand for the department. It was someone from the Wuu Family."
Chu Bai raised an eyebrow but said nothing, gesturing for Hu Hao to continue.
"The Wuu Family’s Steward was extremely deferential. He said he wished to present a formal invitation to you on his master’s behalf. And that’s not all..."
Hu Hao took an exquisite, long sandalwood box from his sleeve and placed it gently on the table. "The Steward said that the Wuu Family has long admired your great name, Captain. Knowing that you’re currently consolidating your recent breakthrough, they’ve sent a ’Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact’ as a small token for your first meeting. They hope you might spare some time to meet with the Wuu Family Patriarch."
"A Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact?"
Chu Bai let out a soft chuckle, his long fingers gliding along the edge of the wooden box.
At the county level of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact was undoubtedly a generous gift.
It was already a struggle for an ordinary Loose Cultivator at the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation to own even one decent Dharma Artifact.
For the Wuu Family to offer a Middle-Grade artifact right off the bat, this was more than a simple gesture of goodwill.
Back when Team Two was still around, the Luu Family had likely given them a great deal of "benefits" every year.
Hu Hao’s expression turned solemn as he added, "I didn’t touch a thing, nor did I accept any silver. When the Steward saw I wouldn’t take the gift money, he just shoved this box into my hands and ran off. I felt the matter was suspicious, so I rushed back to report."
"Captain, they also said that if you would do them the honor of a meeting, the Wuu Family Patriarch would personally guide you to their Snake Garden to choose an Upper-Grade ’Cyan Jade Serpent’ as your mount," Hu Hao added in a low voice from the side.
Chu Bai looked at the Streamlight Shuttle and fell into contemplation.
Recently, quite a few of the city’s Noble Races had tried to invite him to banquets, and some had even offered to send beautiful maids to his residence, all of whom he had turned down.
But he was well aware that as captain of the Demon-slaying Team, a holier-than-thou attitude couldn’t solve every problem.
The stability of Anping County relied on the cooperation of these Local Bullies.
However, he didn’t know the motive behind their gift, so he naturally didn’t dare to accept it rashly.
Chu Bai leaned back in his chair, his gaze growing distant.
Over the past six busy months, he had come to know the various powers of Anping County, big and small, like the back of his hand.
Initially, he was only a Junior Ninth Grade [Patrol Banner Inspector], with his authority confined mostly to the internal affairs of the Evil Suppression Department.
Back then, the city’s Noble Races were polite to him but mostly kept their distance, content to observe and send minor gifts like antiques, calligraphy, Spirit Rice, or tonics.
But now, he was a Regular Ninth Grade [Demon Slaying Officer].
Here in Anping County, in any matter involving demons, evil, the bizarre, or the unnatural, he held the authority to act first and report later, and to enter any residence for a full investigation.
The weight of this authority was on a completely different level from his previous post as Patrol Banner Inspector.
"The Wuu Family... the ones in the Spirit Pet trade?" Chu Bai asked coolly.
"The very same," Hu Hao confirmed with a nod. "The Wuu Family is deeply entrenched in Anping County. They raise and tame Snake Demons and Fox Spirits, selling them as Spirit Pets to wealthy households and Cultivators. They even have a significant stream of revenue coming from the Prefecture City."
"It’s just... the Wuu Family and our Evil Suppression Department have always minded their own business. We’ve never had any dealings before."
Chu Bai’s fingers tapped a steady, crisp rhythm on the desktop.
After the fall of the Luu Family, most of Anping County’s Noble Races had chosen to keep a low profile.
For the Wuu Family to suddenly come forward with a Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact was more than just a gesture of goodwill. It felt more like they were buying protection, or even paying hush money.
Rumor had it the Wuu Family owned a massive Snake Garden on the outskirts of the city, where they specialized in raising and taming Spiritual Serpents that possessed Demon Beast bloodlines.
Once tamed, these snakes were docile and obedient. They could guard the homes of wealthy merchants or serve as auxiliary assets for Low-Tier Cultivators. The business was large and extremely lucrative.
Taming members of the Demon Race was a business akin to walking on a tightrope.
Demonic nature is unpredictable; even after so-called "taming," there’s always a risk of one losing control and harming someone.
But according to the Great Zhou Laws, as long as no lives were lost or the master’s family could suppress the incident, the Evil Suppression Department typically wouldn’t go out of its way to pick a fight with a Noble Race like them.
"Has the Wuu Family reported any incidents of Demon Pets losing control recently?" Chu Bai asked suddenly.
Hu Hao was prepared. He quickly searched his memory and replied, "Nothing officially. However, there was a rumor from West City last month about a wealthy merchant being attacked by his own ’Brocade-Scaled Serpent.’ He nearly lost his life."
"But the merchant later changed his story, claiming he’d had a mishap during his own training. The matter was then dropped."
Chu Bai’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing within them.
’The Brocade-Scaled Serpent... that’s the Wuu Family’s signature Spirit Pet.’
The Wuu Family asking for a meeting at this specific juncture likely wasn’t just about building goodwill.
"Put this thing in the evidence vault for now. Don’t log it, and don’t send a reply."
Chu Bai stopped his tapping, and his voice grew cold. "Hu Hao, I want you to investigate the Wuu Family’s financial records for the past three months. Also, I need you to find out if there’s been any large-scale movement of craftsmen in or out of their ’Snake Caves’—the places where they rear those demon serpents."
"Captain, are you saying... there’s a problem with the Wuu Family?" Hu Hao felt a chill.
"They wouldn’t be this attentive without a reason. It means they’re either scheming or hiding something. Either way, it warrants a look."
Chu Bai stood up and gazed at the deepening night outside the window. "Have this Dharma Artifact sealed away. Don’t let greed get the better of you."
"Yes, sir! I’ll see to it at once!" Hu Hao cupped his fist in salute and departed in a hurry.
The office fell silent once more. Chu Bai spent a moment on Breath Regulation before entering a state of cultivation again.

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