Chapter 73:
Chapter 73:
In a courtyard to the west of the city.
A middle-aged man in his fifties, with slightly gray temples, stood there with a pleased expression on his face.
Jiang Long is the leader of the Red Water Gang, a newly-established faction in Heyang City.
He was originally a sixth-ranked martial artist from another place, with considerable strength. However, due to certain circumstances, he had to escape to Heyang Prefecture and wanted to establish a new foundation in Heyang City, becoming a powerful figure.
However, Heyang City is deep, and there is even a residence for the Immortal Gate.
As the sixth highest ranked martial artist, he didn’t dare to be too arrogant. So, he slowly recruited followers and currently only had a small gang.
"You guys stay here and don’t move. Don’t go near the inner courtyard, and don’t let anyone approach!"
Jiang Long ordered a few gang members to guard the door, then he walked alone into the inner courtyard with his hands folded, making sure to close the door behind him.
He turned his head and saw that a woman dressed in a Taoist robe named Ming Yue had already appeared in the inner courtyard.
"Elder." Jiang Long immediately lowered his head."Have you thought it through?" Ming Yue asked softly.
"It is my honor to work for the Immortal Gate," Jiang Long suppressed his inner joy.
He was already afraid of the Immortal Gate Xuantian Sect in the Heyang Prefecture, so he didn’t dare to act recklessly. Even though he was a sixth ranked martial artist, he only acted low-profile and mingled with some ordinary martial artist followers, fearing a catastrophic disaster.
Instead of a catastrophic disaster, he earned the favor of the immortals.
Xuantian Sect is one of the Nine Immortal Gates, with many cultivators, and it dominates Nan Province.
Even though it is an Immortal Gate, there is still a need for some people to assist, doing the dirty and tiring work that cultivators don’t want to do.
Everyone dreams of the path to immortality, to live forever, and martial artists who are stronger than ordinary people are no exception.
Therefore, martial artists join the Immortal Gate to assist cultivators, and it is actually a common thing.
Red Water Gang leader, Jiang Long, also waited for such an opportunity.
"I am a martial artist ranked sixth. I have decent strength. I believe Immortal Ming Yue must have noticed me, so shortly after I arrived in the capital city, they recruited me…"
Thinking this in his heart, Jiang Long remained calm, waiting for Immortal Ming Yue’s instructions.
"Leader, it seems that you are a sixth-ranked martial artist? Very good. Your strength is indeed impressive. However, rank only represents the internal strength level of a martial artist. I want to see your combat abilities… but only to a certain extent," said Female Cultivator Ming Yue calmly.
"We can’t make too much noise. If you truly want to become a spy for the Immortal Gate, you must be cautious in your actions and not let outsiders know, including your subordinates."
"I understand," smiled Jiang Long.
He is over fifty years old and has reached the 6th rank, but he practices internal martial arts, so his energy and blood decline are not too severe, he feels that his strength is still strong.
Of course, if he were a few years older, it would be hard to say.
Right after that, he saw Female Cultivator Ming Yue gently shake her beast pouch, and a huge Blue-eyed Flying Tiger suddenly leaped out.
………………………….
After a moment.
"Didn’t we agree to stop at this point…?"
Jiang Long fell into a pool of blood, his eyes widened, his life was in danger. At the critical moment of his life, he wanted to shout, but his voice seemed unable to escape.
Immortal Ming Yue was standing beside him, holding a soundless spell charm in her hand, letting the massive flying tiger gnaw at his body.
"Little Tiger, be patient for a moment, don’t kill him immediately. It would be better to keep him alive for a while." Moonlight said gently.
"That monster can smell death and only targets those who are dying. If someone is already completely dead, it would be difficult to attract that monster."
Based on Moonlight’s speculation, the impermanent monster is still in its youth, so in order to attract and capture it, using bait is essential.
During this time, some of the cases were actually committed by Female Cultivator Ming Yue, all to lure the impermanent monster and capture it.
This martial artist, who was ranked sixth and came from another place, had abundant energy and was far stronger than ordinary people. Naturally, he had a greater chance of attracting the monster.
However, as more cases were committed, things started to change a little.
For example, this Blue-eyed Flying Tiger belonging to the Saintess.
"Little Tiger, calm down a bit, don’t bite him to death… he still has some use." Female Cultivator Ming Yue took a step forward, trying to stop him.
In the next moment, the Blue-eyed Flying Tiger suddenly turned its head, with a piece of flesh from the man still in its mouth, its fangs covered in blood, and it looked at her fiercely.
This creature that doesn’t understand human language is starting to protect its food… Cultivator Ming Yue felt a slight tremble in her heart and quickly stopped in her tracks.
She also didn’t want to face this fierce tiger.
The flesh and blood of the monster is a great supplement for martial artists, and the flesh and blood of martial artists is also a great supplement for the monster.
So it’s a bit difficult to convince this Blue-eyed Flying Tiger to give up the flesh in its mouth.
"Things are getting out of control a bit. After biting and killing people, this Blue-eyed Flying Tiger has become more aggressive. Even I am having trouble restraining it," Cultivator Ming Yue frowned.
Actually, Immortal Ming Yue didn’t want to commit a crime at this time either.
Because the officials have already found the hair of the impermanent monster and are searching the entire city, it’s only a matter of time before they find the monster’s trail.
She has the patience to wait for it.
But the Blue-eyed Flying Tiger doesn’t have that patience.
If she doesn’t take it out for hunting again, Min Yue herself will be scared.
"Fortunately, as long as the constables who have seen the case files know how scary the impermanent monster is, and I have repeatedly told them not to go near the crime scene. If they notice anything unusual, they will inform me first, instead of taking action themselves…"
The constables of Heyang City are not officials, they are only minor officials.
They usually deal with cases involving troublemakers, thugs, and ordinary murders, rather than skilled river pirates or even strange monsters.
So asking these constables to investigate the "Case of Impermanent Monster" is actually beyond their scope of duty.
The constables are only responsible for tracking and tracing, not directly confronting the monsters. Once they find a trace, they are obliged to inform the Immortal Gate disciple Ming Yue according to the rules, so she can take action.
While she was thinking.
An arrow shot up into the sky, this was the predetermined way for ordinary constables to communicate, indicating that the trace of the impermanent monster had been found.
Then she heard the faint noise and the sounds of swords clashing outside the door.
Her face changed slightly, and she opened her animal bag, urging forward:
"Little Tiger, we have to go."
The Blue-eyed Flying Tiger remained motionless, continuing to nibble on the body of the Red Water Gang leader, completely unfazed.
Things have become a bit complicated… Ming Yue thought to herself.
……………………………………
At the entrance of the courtyard.
The gang leader at the entrance, upon seeing Qiao Mu and the others approaching, immediately became alert and asked:
"Who are you?"
"We are official investigators. There is a smell of blood inside… Please move aside." Qiao Mu took the lead, shouting.
"I don’t know what you’re saying, this is a private residence!"
Maybe out of guilt, or maybe following the leader’s previous command, someone pulled out a knife and started attacking first.
"Do you dare to obstruct our investigation?"
Qiao Mu immediately drew his sword.
His best weapon is a long spear, but as a government official, it is more appropriate to carry a sword or a blade. Additionally, using a long spear would attract too much attention in the capital, so he switched to a long sword.
Even so, his skill far exceeds these gang members.
Under the moonlight, the gleaming sword in his hand strikes down one gang member with each swing.
The swordsmanship Qiao Mu is currently using is the "Shadow Transformation Sword Technique" taught by Yan City’s former city lord, Guo Yan.
In the past, Guo Yan used this sword technique and was able to overpower Qiao Mu, who was proficient in the Military Spear Skill, leaving a lasting impression on him.
This sword technique is complicated and constantly changing, making the long sword ripple like water.
"You don’t even have the qualification to let me use the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method."
Qiao Mu took the lead and fought at the forefront of the crowd, breaking through on his own.
Sheriff Qian and the other constables followed behind, fighting alongside the gang members.
These gang members were not very strong. Qiao Mu singled out the limited few who were ranked eighth or ninth in martial arts.
They often didn’t have time to use their martial arts before Qiao Mu unleashed his internal strength and directly overwhelmed them.
Before long, Qiao Mu had arrived at the gate of the courtyard and kicked it open with a fierce force!
A loud bang.
The scene in the courtyard appeared before Qiao Mu.
"Captain Qiao?"
Immortal Ming Yue was riding a paper crane and landing, pocketing the mini paper crane, looking down at him with a cold eye.
"You’re a bit late, and I’m a bit late too."
She turned her head and looked at the body lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard.
This middle-aged martial artist’s body was truly horrifying, with its belly cut open by sharp claws, clearly showing signs of being eaten by some fierce beast.
"Immortal Ming Yue, you came unexpectedly quickly."
Qiao Mu held his sword and walked in step by step, frowning.
Just now, the amazing eyesight of the martial artist allowed him to vaguely see the fleeting silhouette of a big cat.
But upon closer inspection, there was only Immortal Ming Yue in the yard who had just arrived.
The female cultivator Ming Yue turned her back to him and didn’t even look at him.
"A dangerous monster caused trouble and even this strong martial artist, ranked sixth, fell victim to its poison…"
Ming Yue looked at him with cold eyes:
"I already gave you a special device to track it. I told you not to chase after the monster if you encounter one, but to inform me immediately. And what happened?"
She pointed to the body next to her and said coldly:
"You took matters into your own hands, got into a fight with those people, disturbed the dangerous monster, and let it escape."
This female cultivator Ming Yue didn’t give Qiao Mu a chance to speak. As soon as he entered the door, she scolded him like a machine gun.
"You constables should think carefully and not act on your own next time."
"What a waste… I ran all the way here for nothing."
The female cultivator named Ming Yue didn’t care much about the body beneath her feet. After scolding, she took out the paper crane and quickly flew away.
Qiao Mu held his sword and watched as Ming Yue, the female cultivator, left without any expression on his face.
At this moment.
The battle outside the door had also come to an end.
"Captain Qiao, Immortal Ming Yue came and left so quickly? She really doesn’t care about the dead person at all."
Qian Qian also walked up, with a knife wound on his waist and abdomen. The wound wasn’t deep, but blood was seeping out.
A young constable stood behind Qian Qian, pale-faced, with his sword trembling slightly in his hand.
This was his first time fighting and killing someone, and he was a bit frightened. He had almost been hit by a gang member just now.
"Thank you, Sheriff Qian…" He looked at the wound on Sheriff Qian’s waist and abdomen and quickly expressed his gratitude.
He got very scared just now, but at a critical moment, Sheriff Qian stepped forward and took a knife for him.
"No need to thank me. You are my deputy, so I have to take care of you. Besides, I practice Golden Bell Shield, so this small injury is nothing."
Sheriff Qian said with a righteous look on his face and subtly made a hand gesture, rubbing a few fingers together.
The young deputy instantly understood and immediately handed him some coins.
"Sheriff Qian got hurt for my sake, you must take this money and take good care of yourself… otherwise I will worry." the young deputy said.
This boy is not too dumb… Qian Qian smiled faintly, suddenly noticing that Qiao Mu was looking at him.
Qiao Mu didn’t have any special thoughts, after all, actions speak louder than words. The fact that Qian Qian was willing to take a knife for his subordinate made him slightly impressed.
What he was thinking, was something else.
"Sheriff Qian, did you happen to see the shadow of a big cat just now?" Qiao Mu asked Qian Qian behind him.
Qian Qian blinked his eyes.
"No… no, I don’t have it."
"Then it’s okay." Qiao Mu walked into the courtyard, leaned down beside the body, and carefully examined it.
He had just been appointed as the new head of the police. He was skilled in fighting and killing, but he didn’t know anything about solving cases.
Although he didn’t know, he still learned a little something by imitating others.
Qiao Mu’s gaze fell on the ground in the courtyard, and his fingers picked up a few long, white animal hairs.
"The true form of the impermanent monster is just a kitten, its fur is not like this long, white hair."
Qiao Mu pondered.
……………….
Half an hour later.
Qiao Mu and Sheriff Qian were in the yamen again, and they saw Chief Constable Chen.
Qian Qian had a bandage around his waist, the bleeding had stopped, and he was in decent spirits, not seriously injured.
Chief Constable Chen glanced down at Qian Qian’s wound and suddenly asked:
"Why is there no smell of medicine? Did you only use a bandage to stop the bleeding, without applying any external ointment?"
Qian Qian smiled and proudly patted his chest:
"I practice the Golden Bell Shield. Although my energy has decreased now, I used to be at least 8th rank. This little injury is nothing, I don’t need any medicine."
In reality, he just didn’t want to go to the clinic for treatment to save some money.
This wound wasn’t deep, even without a doctor’s treatment, based on his experience, it could heal on its own, it just required a bit more time.
After turning around, I went back home and found some herbs to use. It should be almost done, no problem.
"Chief constable, I’ve actually found a crucial piece of evidence," Qiao Mu said, taking out a few long white hairs from a small cloth bag.
Let professionals handle professional matters.
Qiao Mu doesn’t know how to solve a case, but as long as someone else does, it’s fine.
Let others take care of solving the case, he’ll be responsible for apprehending the real culprit.
"This time, I should be able to go to Xuantian Temple in the northern part of the city to burn incense," thought Qiao Mu.