Chapter 61: Deadline
Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Deadline
"Manufacturing demons?"
Su Mu looked surprised.
He wasn’t too concerned about this No-Heaven Sect.
There were at least eight, if not ten, different sects in the Outer City. Just like gangs, a new crop seemed to sprout up every few years, appearing one after another.
They rarely amounted to much, and the Wuling City authorities would never allow them to.
The moment they showed any signs of becoming a real threat, the Outer City’s City Bureau would crush them. If the Outer City couldn’t handle it, the Inner City’s Guard Bureau, the Wuling City garrison, or even the private armies of the Four Great Families would intervene.
It was true that the Four Great Families schemed and fought amongst themselves, but on this matter, their interests were aligned.
They would absolutely not permit a fifth major power to rise in Wuling City.
As for the Taiping Bureau, the Four Great Families didn’t even consider it a local power.
In fact, the Taiping Bureau was indeed somewhat aloof. They generally didn’t interfere in local affairs. Even when it came to slaying demons and punishing evil, they didn’t handle every case—they simply didn’t have the manpower.
They would typically only step in when demons appeared or when local officials were exceptionally corrupt.
All in all, Su Mu was long accustomed to the disputes between various gangs and sects. However, hearing Wei Yongfu say the No-Heaven Sect was manufacturing demons genuinely shocked him.
’Demons can be man-made?’
He was skeptical, and voiced his doubts.
"That, I don’t know."
Wei Yongfu shook his head. "Demons aren’t something people like us usually come across. If we did, our lives would likely be forfeit."
"I’m afraid only the Taiping Bureau could explain how demons are born."
Su Mu felt insulted. He was an intern at the Taiping Bureau, and he couldn’t explain it. ’Is this a direct attack on my professional competence?’
"Then how do you know the No-Heaven Sect is manufacturing demons?"
Su Mu asked.
"A guess."
Wei Yongfu said, "Do you remember a few months ago when a wealthy family in South City, the Zhaos, was massacred?"
"I do."
Su Mu nodded. His promotion to squad leader was actually related to the Zhao Family massacre.
It was precisely because he caught the perpetrators of the Zhao Family massacre that he was promoted to squad leader.
"That Landlord Zhao was a Hall Master in the No-Heaven Sect. The Zhao Family tragedy happened because an accident occurred while they were trying to transform a person into a demon."
Wei Yongfu continued, "Do you know why the No-Heaven Sect killed the people from Five Miles Temple Village?"
Su Mu shook his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. He didn’t understand the connection between these events.
"Before, the No-Heaven Sect could use the Zhao Family’s business caravans to pass through the city gates. After the family was wiped out, that route was cut off."
Wei Yongfu said, "The No-Heaven Sect killed the people from Five Miles Temple Village to steal their occupations."
Understanding dawned on Su Mu. The people who died in Five Miles Temple Village—whether they were Foot-Emptying Workers, Night Watchmen, or merchants selling spring water—all had one thing in common: they needed to pass in and out of the city gates daily.
"I suspect the No-Heaven Sect is smuggling contraband. That’s why they need these occupations as cover. Think about it—these people go in and out of the gates every day, so the guards definitely wouldn’t inspect them too closely."
Wei Yongfu said, "And nine times out of ten, the contraband they’re smuggling is related to manufacturing demons."
Wei Yongfu appeared rough on the outside, but in reality, he was remarkably sharp.
If he were truly a careless person, he never would have made a name for himself in the Ghostwriter trade.
Through his investigation these past few days, he had painstakingly unraveled the threads to find this clue.
"If your guess is correct, and the No-Heaven Sect really has a way to turn people into demons, it’s likely some kind of poison."
"Then why would they go to such lengths to smuggle this poison into the city?"
Su Mu mused.
"Isn’t it obvious?"
Wei Yongfu said, "These sects are the kind of people who thrive on chaos. The more chaotic Wuling City becomes, the more opportunities they have."
"Think about it. If a large number of demons suddenly appeared in Wuling City, wouldn’t the entire city descend into chaos?"
"When it gets to the point where even the Taiping Bureau is overwhelmed, and the No-Heaven Sect steps up, claiming they can deal with the demons, what will the Government Office do? What will the Four Great Families of the Inner City do?"
"To save Wuling City, they would have to recognize the No-Heaven Sect’s status..."
Su Mu murmured thoughtfully.
"What a vicious scheme."
Su Mu couldn’t help but exclaim. Although there was no concrete evidence yet, the possibility they had conjectured was not only there, but highly probable.
"Heh heh, using the lives of an entire city’s population to force the Four Great Families to concede... this No-Heaven Sect is truly ruthless. Now the bigwigs will have a real headache."
Wei Yongfu chuckled. "This is out of our league. If you ask me, just report this and call your mission complete. Dealing with the No-Heaven Sect is a job for those big shots. The two of us can’t handle it."
Su Mu nodded. "You’ve worked hard these past few days. Wait here. I’m going to the South City Bureau, and I’ll settle your payment when I get back."
With that, Su Mu grabbed his saber and hurried away.
...
"Manufacturing demons? Su Mu, did I hear you wrong, or have you lost your mind?"
Zhao Ji said with a frown, "Demons aren’t something that can be created by men."
"If the No-Heaven Sect had that kind of power, wouldn’t they have taken over the world by now?"
"Chief Zhao, whether it’s true or not, we’ll find out once we raid the No-Heaven Sect. While I was investigating the Five Miles Temple Village murders—"
Su Mu said.
"Cut the nonsense. Where’s the evidence?"
Zhao Ji cut him off brusquely. "You say the No-Heaven Sect is behind the Five Miles Temple Village murders. Who specifically did it? Where’s your proof?"
"And you claim the No-Heaven Sect is manufacturing demons? Fine. Show me the evidence."
"As long as you can produce evidence, I’ll immediately request permission from Sima and mobilize every man in the South City Bureau to help you wipe out the No-Heaven Sect!"
Su Mu fell silent.
All of this had been investigated by Wei Yongfu, and a large part of it was just speculation between the two of them. There was indeed no concrete evidence.
He couldn’t exactly drag Wei Yongfu out as a witness at this moment.
"Chief Zhao, if we just raid the No-Heaven Sect, we’re sure to find evidence."
Su Mu was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Sergeant Su, that’s not how constables do their work."
Zhao Ji sneered. "For us constables, evidence is the most important thing. If everyone acted like you, arresting people without proof, wouldn’t the world be in chaos?"
"If you move against the No-Heaven Sect without evidence, what do you think the other sects and gangs will think?"
"What if it incites a public uprising? Can you bear those consequences?"
"If you can’t solve the Five Miles Temple Village case, just say so. I can plead with Sima on your behalf, and he won’t punish you too harshly. But deliberately fabricating such an alarmist story to try and get by... that makes it very hard for me to help you."
Zhao Ji stared at Su Mu and said coldly.
Su Mu understood now. When your superior thinks you’re just making excuses, nothing else you say will matter.
He had indeed overestimated Zhao Ji’s integrity, and he’d overestimated the trust between them. Zhao Ji might not have believed him even with evidence, let alone without it.
"Sergeant Su, I’ve already given you enough time. If you still can’t solve the Five Miles Temple Village case, it only proves you’re not capable enough to be a squad leader."
Zhao Ji continued, "That’s the rule here at the South City Bureau: the capable rise, and the incapable fall. Since you don’t have the ability to do this job, I can only apologize."
"But don’t you worry. Even if you can’t be a squad leader, you’re still qualified to be a regular constable."
"Chief Zhao, is this your decision, or Sima’s?"
Su Mu frowned. ’So I’ll have to change my clothes before you’ll listen to me, is that it?’
"It’s not one person’s decision. It’s the rules, understand?"
Zhao Ji said, "Sima was going to punish you today. It took a lot of persuasion on my part to get him to agree to give you another five days."
"Sergeant Su, if you still haven’t solved the Five Miles Temple Village case in five days, don’t blame me for not being able to help you."
...