Chapter 159 - 105: A Mole? Jiang Mu’s Desperate Counterattack

Chapter 159: Chapter 105: A Mole? Jiang Mu’s Desperate Counterattack

A chill went down Xu Gang’s spine. He didn’t dare ask any more questions and quickly nodded.

"Yes, I’ll get right on it!"

Only then did Wen He take a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. He clutched the Sound Stone, turned, and strode into the courtyard, not forgetting to bark at Ruyan, "You get in here too!"

Wang Ershang had been watching the whole time and sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere.

He sidled up and asked curiously, "What’s going on, Xu?"

Xu Gang glanced at him without a word and left with his men.

Wang Ershang used to be one of Wen He’s trusted men. But ever since he spoke up for Jiang Mu, Wen He had given him the cold shoulder. Eventually, he was ostracized by the others and became a fringe figure in the Third Hall.

Watching their retreating figures, Wang Ershang felt a faint sense of foreboding.

Especially after hearing the name "Jiang Mu."

He started to follow them. When he saw Xu Gang heading for the Eighth Hall Government Office, his expression changed.

After a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was watching, he turned, took a shortcut, and broke into a full sprint toward Jiang Mu’s small courtyard.

...

The Jiang Family Courtyard.

Wang Ershang, gasping for breath, pounded on the courtyard gate.

The gate opened quickly.

A slender, plain-looking young woman opened it.

"Is Master Jiang home? I have something incredibly urgent to discuss with him," Wang Ershang said hurriedly, not even pausing to catch his breath.

Bai Xiang glanced back into the courtyard.

Inside, Jiang Mu was bare-chested and drenched in sweat, practicing with Yuan Ahqing.

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Mu relaxed his stance and walked over, saber in hand.

"Wang Ershang? Is that you?"

Jiang Mu looked a little surprised. He wiped away his sweat with a towel. "What’s up?"

Wang Ershang glanced at Bai Xiang, a troubled look on his face. "Master Jiang, could we... speak privately?"

Jiang Mu laughed and pulled Bai Xiang’s slender waist into his arms, holding her close to his sweaty body.

"She’s one of us. Speak freely."

Bai Xiang was already used to his ways. Her cheeks flushed slightly and she shot him a look, but she didn’t pull away.

Wang Ershang froze for a second. Recalling Young Master Jiang’s reputation as a ladies’ man, he didn’t quite know what to make of the scene.

He composed himself and quickly recounted what he had seen and heard outside the Deputy Director’s courtyard.

He finished with a worried tone:

"Master Jiang, I don’t know the details, but judging from my Hall Master’s expression, he seems to have gotten his hands on something."

Wang Ershang had no desire to be a turncoat.

But he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing when it came to Jiang Mu, the man who had saved his life.

Jiang Mu narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

He patted Wang Ershang’s shoulder, his tone calm.

"I understand. Thank you for the warning. You should head back now before someone from your hall sees you and you get into trouble."

Wang Ershang nodded, said no more, and left.

Jiang Mu released Bai Xiang, walked back into the center of the courtyard, and picked up his saber, resuming his practice as if nothing had happened. His expression was unreadable.

After a little while, he asked Bai Xiang for a towel. As he wiped the sweat from his body, he called over Yuan Ahqing, who was practicing her horse stance.

"Little Ah Qing, I need you to do something for me."

Yuan Ahqing immediately stood up straight and nodded emphatically. "Your orders, Master."

Jiang Mu leaned close to her ear and quickly whispered a few instructions.

A moment later, Yuan Ahqing, now in inconspicuous clothing, slipped out of the courtyard.

...

...

Inside the Deputy Director’s study.

Wen He couldn’t hide his excitement. His face was beet red.

"Elder Tian, the evidence is conclusive! It’s ironclad!

That brat Jiang Mu is the mole in our Demon-slaying Bureau! I suggest we issue an order for his immediate arrest.

We have to stop him before he gets wind of this and tries to escape!"

As Tian Wenjing listened to the dialogue replaying from the Sound Stone on the desk, his brow furrowed deeply.

He never imagined things would take such a dramatic turn.

It was just... too coincidental.

Suspiciously so.

Tian Wenjing’s gaze fell on Ruyan, who was trembling in the corner.

’This woman was just publicly humiliated by Jiang Mu last night, and today she just so happens to find evidence this damning?’

’But from the earlier questioning, her panic didn’t seem feigned. It seemed like she really did just find it.’

’Which was even stranger.’

"Elder Tian!"

Seeing Tian Wenjing remain silent, Wen He stomped his foot in frustration.

"What are you hesitating for? I admit that brat Jiang Mu is exceptionally gifted, a rare talent. But he’s colluding with Demon Fiends!

How many of our brothers in the Demon-slaying Bureau died during the last fog demon invasion? He might have had a hand in spilling their blood!

Furthermore, I strongly suspect that Jiang Mu’s so-called demon-slaying merits are just a ploy! It’s highly likely his masters are deliberately feeding him kills to help him build his reputation and get promoted faster!"

At these words, a glint appeared in Tian Wenjing’s eyes.

He carefully recalled Jiang Mu’s case files. There were indeed a few that seemed odd, cases that had been resolved far too smoothly.

"Elder Tian, there’s no time to lose! I will personally lead the men to arrest Jiang Mu!"

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Wen He turned to leave.

’The heavens are finally on my side!’

’I’ve finally found Jiang Mu’s fatal weakness.’

’All the frustration of being suppressed by him, I’ll pay it all back today, with interest!’

’Just the thought of it is thrilling.’

"Wait!"

Tian Wenjing stopped him with a stern voice. "This matter is too important. Come with me to see Director Ran and let him decide. After all, he is the one in charge of the Hu State Demon-slaying Bureau."

Wen He opened his mouth to protest, but seeing that Tian Wenjing was already heading for the door, he could only suppress his impatience and hurry after him.

...

「Just before noon.」

There was another knock on the gate of the Jiang family courtyard.

Jiang Mu opened the gate. Standing outside was one of Ran Qingshan’s trusted aides, a frequent messenger.