"Then we should conserve our energy and get a good rest tonight," An Xiaoxue said with a smile.
Gu Zheng said nothing. He simply picked up a bowl of soup and slowly savored it.
From the shadow behind him, a figure suddenly shot out. It scurried to a corner, left the main hall, and darted toward the back courtyard.
"Alright, alright! I’m counting on the four of you, then!"
Zhao Fang’s face was filled with gratitude as he gave a deep bow.
...
After a bit more eating and drinking.
Gu Zheng and his group finally left the table. Zhao Fang led them to their individual guest rooms.
The three hundred Warriors were also housed in groups in a courtyard not far from the County Magistrate’s Office.
Night deepened, and midnight soon arrived.
As if by silent agreent, Zhang Ning, An Xiaoxue, and Tao Liu quietly left their rooms and gathered in Gu Zheng’s.
"Mr. Gu, what’s going on?" Tao Liu asked in a hushed voice. "Is there sothing wrong with this Zhao Fang?"
"There’s definitely a problem," Zhang Ning chid in, also keeping his voice low. "He’s way too nervous! He’s been sweating nonstop ever since we t, and his heart is pounding like a drum. You can’t just explain that away as so old ailnt."
"Is it possible he’s colluding with Demon Fiends?" An Xiaoxue’s eyes glinted. "This Zhao character is working with Demon Fiends, and he’s terrified we’ll find out, which is why he’s so on edge?"
She paused, then continued, "Speaking of which, the Demon Fiends in Lesheng County really are a bit strange. Those that rushed us on the way here were all hideous, but I didn’t recognize a single one. Is it possible these are new Demon Fiends, recently spawned from the Demon Realm?"
"That’s right," Tao Liu nodded. "I recognize most Demon Fiends, whether they’re from the Wise Demon Race or the lower-class Scattered Demons. But I couldn’t identify a single one of those we saw on our way here."
"Let’s not guess blindly."
Gu Zheng spoke calmly, "We’ll find out exactly what’s going on when we question Zhao Fang himself later."
"Huh?"
At this, Zhang Ning was taken aback. "Mr. Gu, should I go grab him and torture him for information?"
"No."
Gu Zheng stood up. "First," he said nonchalantly, "let’s see who he’s going to et."
Hmm??
...
...
「Outside the County Magistrate’s Office.」
Zhao Fang stood in a corner, his face pale, questioning the bushy-bearded Chief Wu. "Did you get it straight? Are their nas Chen Qi, Xie Xiaoyue, Ning Dahu, and Liu Debiao?"
"I got it straight."
Chief Wu said in a low voice, "I had four Warriors discreetly question them. All their stories match up. The leader is Hundred Households Chen Qi, and the other three are indeed Xie Xiaoyue, Ning Dahu, and Liu Debiao."
"Excellent."
Zhao Fang took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. "Proceed according to the plan. Tomorrow at noon, Demon Fiends will gather outside the East City Gate. When the ti cos, you and your n must cooperate perfectly."
"Understood!"
Chief Wu also gritted his teeth, his voice firm.
However, as he lowered his head, a flicker of resolve flashed in his eyes.
"Good. I’m heading out for a bit. You keep a close eye on them."
Zhao Fang reached out and patted Chief Wu on the shoulder. "Rember, we’ve co too far. There’s no turning back for either of us."
"Rest assured, Your Excellency. I understand!" Chief Wu nodded emphatically.
"Mm. Then go." Zhao Fang gave a slight wave.
Chief Wu cupped his fist, bowed, and backed away before leaving.
Zhao Fang remained standing there, watching Chief Wu retreat into the distance. Only after he had been gone for so ti did Zhao Fang finally take a deep breath, grit his teeth, and walk toward the street corner.
He was completely unaware that a figure, lted into the darkness, was following close behind.
...
Wu Chunlin returned to the County Magistrate’s Office and sat in the dark Public Office, his eyes wide. After waiting for a long mont, he let out a heavy sigh.
Then, he gently opened the door. After looking left and right to confirm he was alone, he darted out.
He dodged and ducked the entire way, holding his breath as he rapidly approached Gu Zheng’s room.
Once he reached the door, he took another deep breath and raised his hand to knock.
"Who’s outside?"
Wu Chunlin froze, his outstretched hand hovering in mid-air.
But a mont later, he gritted his teeth, shoved the door open, and stepped inside.
He quickly shut the door behind him.
When he turned around, he found four figures standing in the dimly lit room.
All four of them—"Chen Qi," "Xie Xiaoyue," "Ning Dahu," and "Liu Debiao"—were there!
And all four had turned to face him, their eyes, which seed to glow in the dark, staring unblinkingly at him.
"..."
THUMP!
After a mont of shock, Wu Chunlin dropped straight to his knees. Trembling, he cried out, "Spare... spare ! Your Excellencies, spare my life! I... I was forced into this!"
Zhang Ning, Tao Liu, and An Xiaoxue exchanged bewildered glances.
But they quickly composed themselves.
"Alright, talk. What’s really going on?" Zhang Ning asked with a slight cough. "What is your Magistrate Zhao up to?"
"They’re in league with the Demon Fiends!"
Wu Chunlin gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Those Demon Fiends outside the city... they’re responsible for all of them. I’m not sure where they co from, but I know they can control them."
"The gathering of Demon Fiends outside the East City Gate tomorrow at noon is their trap. It’s ant to lure you, Your Excellencies, into an encirclent and have you killed by the Demon Fiends."
"The last group of Demon Suppression Guards from the Demon Slayer Bureau were killed the sa way. Unaware of the plot, they were led into a trap by the Demon Fiends they controlled and were annihilated, not even their bones were left."
"Hah, so they really are in league with Demon Fiends?" An Xiaoxue chuckled softly. "Which Demon Fiends are they working with?"
"I’m not entirely sure."
Wu Chunlin shook his head. "I’m only responsible for operations inside the city. What happens outside is just part of the plan. For instance, tomorrow at noon, I’m supposed to lead my n to charge the periter of the Demon Fiend army, make a few token slashes, and then retreat. I’m to abandon the others, letting them get sward, which will lure you over and into the main encirclent."
"As for what happens after that, they have other people in charge."
"’They?’" Zhang Ning seized on the word. "Besides Zhao Fang, who else is involved?"
"Yu Chengjun!"
Wu Chunlin said quickly, "And Yu Chengjun! On the surface, Yu Chengjun is just a wealthy resident of the city, but he’s secretly the master of the Baihua Building, a Martial World sect, and an expert at the Grandmaster Realm. Well, he *was* a Grandmaster. He’s likely broken through that realm by now."
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