Chapter 288 - 139: Do Not Look, Oh, Do Not Look

Chapter 288: Chapter 139: Do Not Look, Oh, Do Not Look

Miffed about losing his first kiss, Jiang Mu returned to the station.

He entered the courtyard to find that Shui Miaozheng had already taken some of her people to clear out the remaining demon nests nearby.

Only Ming Cuicui, Zhu Chang, and a few of Tang Guixin’s other old subordinates had stayed behind in the courtyard, waiting for him.

"Master Jiang, you’re back."

Seeing Jiang Mu arrive, Ming Cuicui greeted him with a cheerful voice and a smile.

"The Lord Chief instructed me to take you to meet her as soon as you arrived. Oh, right, she already sent someone to your old place in the city to get your luggage. It should be here later."

Jiang Mu nodded. "I appreciate it."

As he was about to ask for directions, his eyes drifted to a corner of the courtyard, where he spotted a familiar figure.

The man stood by a pillar on the veranda, leaning on an ebony cane, his face grim.

He was surrounded by several subordinates, who kept him protectively in their midst.

It was none other than Yang Tianci, whose leg Jiang Mu had broken back on White Deer Peak.

Though his leg was wrapped in thick bandages, that arrogant air of a young master from a great house hadn’t diminished one bit.

Jiang Mu froze for a second, then a mischievous smile played on his lips. He made no move to avoid him, walking straight over.

Seeing this, the faces of the loyal men protecting Yang Tianci changed instantly. As if they had just seen the devil himself, they all subconsciously took a step back in unison, their hands resting on the hilts of their blades.

Yet no one dared to draw their blade. The atmosphere grew as taut as a bowstring.

As for Yang Tianci, he tried his best to maintain an air of arrogance and indifference, his chin held high. But the wild twitching of his eyelid betrayed his true nature—all bark and no bite.

"Well, well, if it isn’t Eldest Young Master Yang."

Jiang Mu sized up his injured leg with a grin. "Long time no see, you’re looking great. That’s quite a unique look you’ve got."

Yang Tianci’s face turned livid, and he squeezed out a cold voice from between his teeth:

"Jiang Mu, don’t get cocky. I’ve already sent a letter to my father. He himself will be arriving in Yan City soon. We’ll see if you’re still so tough then!"

’Can’t win a fight, so you call for daddy. A classic move for a rich brat.’

Jiang Mu just said, "Oh."

Then, he suddenly flicked his foot out.

CLACK!

The cane in Yang Tianci’s hand went flying, sailing through the air in an arc before landing with a clatter several paces away.

"You—!"

Yang Tianci cried out in alarm, his body swaying.

Ever concerned with his pride, even with a broken leg, he managed to steady himself on his good leg in a perfect "Golden Rooster on One Leg" stance, desperately clinging to his last shred of dignity.

"I’ll be waiting, then."

Jiang Mu tossed the words out nonchalantly, not even sparing him another glance, then turned and signaled for Ming Cuicui and the others to leave with him.

Only after the backs of Jiang Mu and his group had vanished from sight did Yang Tianci finally let out a long sigh of relief, spitting out hatefully through clenched teeth:

"The moment that upstart gets a little power, he becomes insufferable."

"Just you wait!"

...

As they walked out of the courtyard, Jiang Mu sighed softly.

"I really just want to punch him to death. It’s a special kind of talent, being born with such a punchable face."

Hearing this, the hearts of Ming Cuicui and Zhu Chang, who were walking behind him, skipped a beat.

If it had been anyone else, it might have just been empty words.

But with Jiang Mu’s temperament, when he said he wanted someone dead, he was absolutely and seriously considering how to make it happen.

Ming Cuicui hurriedly took a half step forward and advised in a low voice:

"Master Jiang, please calm down. Yang Tianci is despicable, it’s true, but his father is, after all, the Deputy Commander of the Inner Guard—a man of high rank and immense power. It’s not worth trading your life for a rotten person like him. It’s just not worth it."

Zhu Chang, who was beside her, also nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Yes, Master Jiang, Cuicui is right. That brat is just a wastrel riding his father’s coattails. It’s beneath you to stoop to his level. We should be focusing on dealing with the demons; that’s what truly matters."

Jiang Mu just smiled and didn’t say anything else, but he made a mental note to be on his guard.

’Yang Tianci himself is nothing to be afraid of. But his father, the Deputy Director—if he’s really the type to be overprotective and flout the rules, coming all the way to Yan City to stand up for his son would be a real hassle.’

’But he, Jiang Mu, was no pushover.’

’If his opponent really dared to throw away all face and come after him unfairly, he certainly wasn’t going to just stick his neck out and wait for the axe to fall.’

’He had to fight back when necessary.’

’As for how to do it?’

’Simple.’

’He, Jiang Mu, was no longer a nobody in the Demon-slaying Bureau. His value was clear.’

’That old man Tian Wenjing might be a bit of a stick-in-the-mud, but he definitely looked out for his own. He would never sit back and let an outsider bully one of his subordinates.’

’Then there was Aunt Shui. Whether it was for Tang Guixin’s sake or some other reason, now that he’d called her "Aunt" and acknowledged their connection, she couldn’t possibly just stand by and watch.’

’Not to mention, he had Ran Qingshan and Patrol Envoy Ling Ye backing him.’

’They were all his potential, powerful backers.’

’Tallying it all up, Jiang Mu felt his backing was terrifyingly solid. His sense of security instantly shot through the roof.’

’Come to think of it, were there really that many people he couldn’t afford to provoke?’

’Of course, all of this was predicated on him having enough personal value to be worth these big shots’ investment and protection.’

The group hurried on their way and soon arrived at a small village called Jin Gouzi Village.

The village wasn’t large. Built against a mountain, it seemed quite tranquil.

At the entrance to the village, they saw Shui Miaozheng and several of her subordinates gathered around a crude map, discussing something in hushed tones.

"Lord Chief."

Jiang Mu stepped forward and offered a formal, cupped-fist salute.

’Out in public, it was best to use formal titles. It was basic professional etiquette and prevented unnecessary gossip.’

Shui Miaozheng nodded with a smile, her glistening eyes resting on Jiang Mu for a brief moment before she turned to give an order to her subordinates.