Capítulo 9: Chapter 8 Murder

Liu Song shook his head and said, "Who knows what really happened. Maybe it was a sneak attack or something else... Regardless, from now on, we'll likely have to deal with the Red Gold Gang."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mu couldn't help but ponder for a moment.

To be honest, he was not interested in gang rivalry, but if the Red Gold Gang were to take over the Black Snake Gang, then the area where he lived would fall under the new gang's control, which was indeed something he couldn't just ignore.

The Black Snake Gang had always been reasonable with him, a mere servant. They never looked for trouble on his doorstep nor demanded protection money from him. But if it were to change to the Red Gold Gang, it was uncertain what their attitude would be. However, now that he possessed some strength of his own, coupled with his status as a servant of the law, he was not overly afraid, merely unwilling to get involved in trouble.

"The ways of the world change; that's just how it is," Chen Mu said, shaking his head.

If he were not a city guard and had no personal strength, such a change in gang leadership would directly impact his livelihood.

"Brother Liu, do you know any details about the Red Gold Gang?"

Li Tie lowered his voice, cautiously looked around, and then asked quietly.

Liu Song shook his head. "I don't know much either, just that the Red Gold Gang doesn't have many members, but the gang is filled with skilled fighters. It is said that they have two or three Deputy Gang Leaders alone who have reached 'Major Achievement' in their martial arts. It's not suitable to inquire any further."

Li Tie also knew when to stop. Getting too well informed could spell trouble. It was enough to know just a little. At least, from what he could tell, the Red Gold Gang's open strength was no less impressive than that of their City Defense Division.

Of course,

above the City Defense Division was the Chief Officer, while the Red Gold Gang was merely one gang in Ninth District. Even if its strength surpassed the City Defense Division, at most it would just maintain a non-interference policy with the City Defense Division, each giving the other face.

After some more casual conversation and finishing their fennel beans, the men left the tavern, patrolled another round, and finally returned to the City Defense Division to submit their tokens for shift change.

At this time,

the City Defense Division was also seeing several servants returning to change shifts.

But just as Chen Mu and Liu Song had exchanged greetings and were about to leave, they saw a man wearing a blue uniform approach. This uniform was conspicuously more refined than the 'grey' ones of the ordinary servants—it was made of higher quality fabric, and the embroidered patterns were distinct.

This was the attire worn by a Head Constable of the City Defense Division, and in the Ninth District's City Defense Division, there were currently only five Head Constables.

The man arriving was named Qin Bei.

He was the direct supervisor of Chen Mu's watch, in charge of the men in his team.

"Lord Qin,"

As Qin Bei made his way over, all the servants present respectfully saluted him.

Qin Bei had a stern gaze as he walked with a step that was measured and stable. Afterward, he turned to face the gathering of servants and said, "I have something to say, and for those not here, pass on the message to each other."

As soon as he spoke, everyone fell silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Firstly, concerning the dispute between the Red Gold Gang and the Black Snake Gang, everyone is to remain uninvolved and not to interfere, regardless of whether or not it results in casualties—it's none of your concern. Secondly, if any abnormal activities by the Red Gold Gang are noticed, you may report to me or the Prefecture Chief."

Qin Bei's tone was grave as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, the numerous servants present showed different reactions; some looked surprised, while others remained indifferent, as if they had expected this news. For example, Chen Mu and Liu Song had already known some details in advance and were not surprised. However, with Qin Bei announcing this, it signified that the Red Gold Gang was indeed starting to take over the Black Snake Gang's position.

The first point, about not interfering, was as good as giving tacit approval to the gang takeover. The second point was a stance towards the new gang taking control, not genuinely expecting them to perform surveillance but rather to convey a message through them, indicating to the Red Gold Gang that although the City Defense Division would turn a blind eye, they shouldn't act too recklessly, or else the City Defense Division would still intervene.

"Yes,"

Everyone, including Liu Song, responded in unison.

Seeing all the servants respond respectfully, Qin Bei nodded and then relaxed his stern expression. He turned to look at Ren Yan, who had just returned, and called out with a smile: "Ren Yan? Come here; I have something to talk to you about."

Feeling flattered, Ren Yan quickly approached and followed Qin Bei into the duty room, but as his gaze swept over the other servants outside, he couldn't completely hide a trace of smugness.

Although they were all servants, it was clear that Head Constable Qin Bei's attitude toward him was quite different from his attitude towards the others.

The envy was palpable amongst the other servants when they saw this, but all they could do was watch with longing as none had the connections Ren Yan had—someone from his family knew a person of status from the Inner City, granting him the opportunity to study martial arts in the Inner City's academies. Even with average talent and understanding, after a few years of learning, he would undoubtedly become a formidable fighter, and his status would enormously differ. Perhaps he would be the new Head Constable one day, so it was only natural for Qin Bei to treat him differently.

Some of the young servants who had previously been close to Ren Yan harbored hopes that once he had mastered his martial arts and soared in rank, he would look after them and give them a chance to change their own fates.

...

Having left the City Defense Division,

Chen Mu was still contemplating the matter of the Red Gold Gang.

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Seeing Qin Bei's attitude, it seemed likely that the Head Constables above had already had dealings with the Red Gold Gang. Anyway, regardless of what changes might come, for now, as a mere low-ranking servant, he thought it best to each go their own way without getting involved or making connections.

At this time, the sky was gradually darkening, and Chen Mu quickened his pace towards home.

But when he reached an alley he frequently used, Chen Mu suddenly wrinkled his nose, detecting a faint smell of blood.

Considering the day's strife between the Red Gold Gang and the Black Snake Gang, he guessed it could be the aftermath of a brawl between them. He didn't delve into it too much, instead hastening his step, wanting to quickly pass through.

However, just as Chen Mu was about to cross the alley, a glint of cold light flashed in the corner of his eye.

Almost instinctively,

Chen Mu drew his Servant's Knife in an instant, executing a Furious Wind Slanted Slash toward the right, sweeping across.

His skills, which he had enhanced through experience, were not unfounded or superficial; they were the result of genuine rigorous training. Even the techniques that had appeared out of thin air included many experiences of fighting against others, making his Vision Power and hearing far sharper than before, and especially sensitive to weapons like swords and knives.

"Ah!"

The attacker from the right wielded a bloody cleaver, seemingly skilled in blade techniques as well, but he hadn't expected Chen Mu to be so fierce and decisive, nor had he anticipated the proficiency and depth of Chen Mu's Blade Technique.

It was just a glimmer of cold light, a brief clash of blades, and the opponent had received a slash across his chest and abdomen.

Now Chen Mu could see the face of his adversary – a stout man in a coarse long shirt. He actually recognized the man, who seemed to be an Incense Master of the Black Snake Gang. But the man's condition was dire, with multiple wounds on his shoulder and arm, and even his left eye was bleeding, apparently blinded.

"Mis... misunderstanding..."

The Black Snake Gang's Incense Master struggled to bear the pain, speaking with difficulty.

In his sole remaining eye, a trace of terror was evident; he never expected a minor 'grey-clothed servant' to demonstrate such blade skills. He felt that even at his peak, uninjured, he might still not be able to best Chen Mu.

Originally, he had been pursued and heavily wounded by the Red Gold Gang, blinded and on the brink of death. Now, driven by desperation, he had intended to drag someone down with him in his final moments, not caring who it was. It had seemed even better that it was a servant – perhaps he could frame the Red Gold Gang and drag the City Defense Division into the mess, creating trouble for the Red Gold Gang. But instead, he had struck iron.

"Misunderstanding?"

Chen Mu's gaze was icy cold.

If not for his highly accomplished blade technique and quick reflexes, he might have been decapitated, or even severed in two, had he made the slightest mistake. His attacker was clearly intent on taking his life.

This was the closest to death he had come since arriving in this world. Had it not been for the awakening of his system, he would already be a corpse. Regardless of his usual calm and collected demeanor, he now felt a chill and squinted as he eyed the man intently.

"Cough... I thought you were... from the Red Gold Gang..."

The Black Snake Gang's Incense Master coughed up blood as he attempted to explain with some difficulty, but in the middle of his words, suddenly and viciously, he swung his cleaver in another attack towards Chen Mu.

Already severely injured, and having just suffered another blow from Chen Mu's counterattack, he nearly had no chance of survival. In moments, even if not found by the Red Gold Gang, he would die from blood loss. Upon seeing how young Chen Mu was and yet how his blade technique could compare with his own years of hard training, he was filled with jealousy and malice. Seizing the element of surprise, he aimed to strike Chen Mu down as well.

"Hmph."

However, Chen Mu snorted coldly, already on guard, easily sidestepping the treacherous attack. He immediately counterattacked with a slanted slash from his knife, employing the second position of the Furious Wind Technique, 'Reverse Strike.'

The Incense Master of the Black Snake Gang, grievously injured and at the end of his strength, could not dodge after exerting his last bit of energy. A bloody line instantly appeared across his neck.

"Heh..."

The Black Snake Gang's Incense Master stared resentfully at Chen Mu, a hint of spite lingering in his eyes, but then he collapsed, twitched his legs in convulsions, and soon lay still.

Looking at the body lying before him, Chen Mu's hand clutching the Servant's Knife trembled slightly.

Although he had encountered hundreds of corpses over several years in this world, some exceedingly brutal, and had grown accustomed to the sight, this was the first person he had personally killed, and previously they had no grievances.

But Chen Mu quickly got over it.

That's just the way of this world; people kill to rob even when there is no enmity, or seek to destroy you on a mere whim. Without strength, his corpse would now be lying there instead. If they sought to kill him but they died by his knife, there was no need for rationale or justification.

After swiftly calming his emotions, Chen Mu became even more composed than usual. After all, dealing with corpses was routine for him; no longer discomposed, he bent down and quickly began looting the body.

Sure enough.

Chen Mu found five Silver ingots and two Gold leaves in the man's bosom, with the Silver amounting to approximately fifty taels and the Gold leaves likely worth twenty to thirty taels. Altogether, it totaled around seventy or eighty taels—a fortune he had never handled before.

"As expected of an 'Incense Master's' body, it's my first time encountering such a windfall in these years."

After all, the man was an Incense Master of the Black Snake Gang, a position with some standing. After years of accumulation, it seemed all his money was hidden on his person as he planned to flee. However, he ended up being pursued by the Red Gold Gang, and now his belongings had fallen into Chen Mu's hands.

Having finished searching the body, Chen Mu looked around to ensure no one was watching and quickly disappeared into the alleyways.

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