Chapter 279 - 136: Aunt Shui: "Xiaojiang, from now on, you belong to me

Chapter 279: Chapter 136: Aunt Shui: "Xiaojiang, from now on, you belong to me

"You speak too highly of me, Water Director. Elder Tian just has faith in my abilities. And I wasn’t alone on this trip; Xu Fu was providing backup. Despite a few setbacks, we ultimately fulfilled our duty."

Shui Miaozheng, however, shot Jiang Mu an exasperated look.

"Xu Fu? You think he can be relied on? That guy has some skill, sure, but he’s a real weasel. The moment a real fight breaks out, there’s no telling where he’ll run off to hide. Him, providing support? More like he was there to admire the scenery."

Jiang Mu chuckled to himself.

’If Xu Fu were here to hear that, his face would probably turn purple.’

Tian Wenjing coughed a few times, then picked up his teacup and seized the opportunity to change the subject. "Water Director, you must have an important reason for visiting so late at night?"

Shui Miaozheng nodded, her expression growing serious.

"Indeed, there is an urgent matter."

She turned, her gaze shimmering as she looked at Jiang Mu. "Xiaojiang, from this moment on, you belong to me."

PFFT—

Tian Wenjing sprayed out the mouthful of tea he had just taken.

Jiang Mu was dumbstruck as well.

’Is she...’

’Being that direct?’

Shui Miaozheng realized her words had a double meaning. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, but she quickly regained her composure and turned to Tian Wenjing.

"Elder Tian, I intend to have Xiaojiang temporarily transferred to my command. I hope you don’t mind.

As you know, my situation here is dire. We’re severely short-handed right now. Xiaojiang is exceptionally capable, both brave and cunning. I need him to help me stabilize things."

Without a second thought, Tian Wenjing shook his head and refused. "Impossible!"

’What a joke!’

’Jiang Mu is the core of our forces supporting Yan City! How can we just lend him out on a whim?’

Still, Shui Miaozheng’s status was special. He had to be tactful.

He softened his tone and tried to negotiate.

"Water Director, if you’re truly short on people, how about this? I’ll transfer Xu Fu to you. Xu Fu is also a capable man. He is, after all, a veteran Hall Master with a wealth of experience. He’ll surely be a great help to you!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Shui Miaozheng shook her head.

"No, thank you. Xu Fu is unreliable; he can’t be counted on when it matters. I only want Xiaojiang."

Tian Wenjing: "..."

’This conversation is going nowhere.’

Listening from the side, Jiang Mu felt a little strange.

’This Water Director... it’s like she’s a completely different person.’

’She was never this aggressive before. She used to be so soft-spoken.’

He, of course, had no idea that Shui Miaozheng had already learned about the extreme dangers of the Meiruo Temple mission.

Her opinion of Xu Fu had plummeted, especially after learning that he hadn’t followed Jiang Mu into the heart of the danger.

Saying no more, Shui Miaozheng simply pulled a letter, stamped with a bright red seal, from her sleeve and presented it to Tian Wenjing.

"Elder Tian, I’m not asking for your opinion. I’m informing you."

"I have already sent an urgent message to the General Office, explaining the stakes. They sympathize with my predicament and have already agreed to temporarily transfer Jiang Mu to the command of my Yunzhou City Demon-slaying Bureau. He will assist with our defenses until the Yan City crisis is resolved."

"These are the transfer orders from the General Office. Take a look."

She glanced at Jiang Mu and added:

"Rest assured, all of Xiaojiang’s achievements and merits while with us will be credited to your Hu State Demon-slaying Bureau.

Furthermore, as a gesture of thanks for this transfer, after the battle for Yan City is over, a portion of the merits and resources allocated to my Yunzhou City will be transferred to you.

It’s all in writing, with the General Office as witness. I guarantee you won’t be getting the short end of the stick."

Stunned, Tian Wenjing took the letter. He was utterly dumbfounded.

He unfolded it to see the familiar handwriting and the great seal of the General Office staring back at him.

He read it over twice, his expression shifting from shock to disbelief, and finally to one of stifled frustration and helplessness. His chest felt tight.

’Well, I’ll be damned!’

’This woman looks so gentle, but she plays dirty!’

’A classic misdirection.’

’She just quietly went and stole my best man right out from under my nose.’

"Water Director, you... you’ve... this is outrageous!"

Tian Wenjing was so furious his beard trembled. He held the transfer order, sputtering for a long moment, unable to form a complete sentence.

He never imagined that an old hand like him could be so thoroughly outplayed by a young woman.

Shui Miaozheng, however, wore an apologetic expression and said in a gentle voice:

"Elder Tian, please, calm yourself. You have a wealth of mighty generals under your command. Both Yan Fenghuo and Xu Fu are great commanders, perfectly capable of holding a front on their own.

You have a constant stream of talent under you; losing one Xiaojiang won’t affect the grand scheme of things. But my Yunzhou City... well, when it rains, it pours. I have no one to rely on and am stretched to my limit.

Please, just consider it helping out a junior in need. It’s a favor I, Miaozheng, will never forget."

With that, Shui Miaozheng stopped looking at Tian Wenjing’s flushed face. She turned to Jiang Mu, her tone reverting to its usual gentle cadence.

"Xiaojiang, come with me. Your quarters have already been arranged."

Jiang Mu glanced at Tian Wenjing, whose face was as black as a skillet and whose chest was heaving with rage. Then he glanced at the transfer order stamped with the General Office’s seal in the man’s hand. He found the whole situation inexplicably amusing.

’So I really am a hot commodity, getting passed around from one boss to the next.’

He stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute to Tian Wenjing, and said:

"Elder Tian, I... I’ll go and help the Water Director for a time. Please rest assured, no matter where I am, slaying demons is my duty.

If an emergency arises here in Hu State, just say the word, and I will return at once."

Tian Wenjing opened his mouth, looked at his capable subordinate, then back at the transfer order. In the end, he just let out a heavy sigh, gave a weak wave of his hand, and slumped back into his chair.

Jiang Mu then turned and followed Shui Miaozheng out of the main hall.

Not until the sound of their footsteps had faded into the distance did Tian Wenjing slam his teacup onto the table. Tea splashed everywhere.