Chapter 205: Chapter 205: Right into the Trap
Prefect Mansion of Nanshao Prefecture.
The atmosphere in the main hall was oppressive to the extreme, with three servants kneeling on the ground trembling violently.
In front of them was a square table case.
Atop the table case was a shocking view made of stacked human heads!
Prefect Ruan Zhaoming stared at the head on the very top, his complexion an iron blue.
It was the head of the chief steward from the Guarding Heavenly Master’s residence.
Just three days before, he had been sharing drinks and merry conversation with the man within his own residence.
Now, they were forever parted by the boundary between life and death.
Although the chief steward’s life and death were of no great significance, Ruan Zhaoming had always been using him.
He had never truly taken him seriously.
However, this Prefectural Governor, who wielded great authority over an entire prefecture, felt as if his face had been slapped into swelling.
Each head was a resounding slap to the face.
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There were at least thirty heads forming the view, equivalent to thirty slaps.
Even Ruan Zhaoming, who was normally inscrutable, could not help but twitch at the corner of his eyes.
This view had been sent over by people from the Guarding Heavenly Master’s residence.
And he was already fully aware of the events that had taken place in front of the Heavenly Master’s residence this morning.
He had never anticipated that the newly appointed Heavenly Master would be so decisive, so ruthless.
Utterly lawless!
These cultivators truly regarded human life as if it were mere grass and viewed ordinary people as nothing but ants.
Ruan Zhaoming did not even consider.
Whether there was anything wrong with his past indulgence in their reckless and capricious behavior, which had tarnished the reputation of the Heavenly Master’s residence.
He only knew that he had been humiliated by the newly arrived cultivator from Cloud Sun Sect!
These heads were also the most direct warning.
Ruan Zhaoming realized that his petty schemes couldn’t be concealed from the other party.
That was what truly embarrassed him!
“Get out of my sight!”
The several servants immediately felt as though they had been granted amnesty, vanishing at the fastest speed from before Ruan Zhaoming.
This governor’s mood was unpredictable, and a moment’s hesitation could easily result in them being strung up and beaten.
“Wang Chen!”
In the empty main hall, Ruan Zhaoming’s roar resounded.
“Heh heh~”
The next moment, a sinister chuckle entered his ears.
Ruan Zhaoming’s complexion changed as he said with a solemn face, “Sorcerer Elder.”
An aging figure clothed in a hemp robe, with white hair and bare, reddened feet, appeared beside Ruan Zhaoming.
Clenching a wooden cane, he cast an ominous glance at the human head view on the ground, sniffed, and asked, “Have you encountered trouble?”
Ruan Zhaoming’s eyelid twitched as he replied, “Yes.”
This elder in the hemp robe was a wizard from the mountain tribes, skilled in the arts of Sorcerer Gu, and possessed the ability to confront cultivators.
Ruan Zhaoming had gone to great lengths to invite the other party to reside within his mansion for protection.
Indeed, with this wizard’s assistance, he had managed to maintain his position and keep in check the obstinate tribespeople and wild men of the Nanshao Prefecture mountains.
Of course, Ruan Zhaoming had paid a hefty price for this arrangement.
Confucianism has always shunned Sorcerer Gu, and if the Deer Faction were to find out he secretly worshipped a wizard, being ruined and discredited would be the least of his worries!
The Sorcerer Elder was also greedy.
Unless absolutely necessary, Ruan Zhaoming really did not wish to call upon this benefactor.
But now, the other party had come on his own, drawn by the scent of blood!
Ruan Zhaoming had no choice but to relate the entire chain of events to him.
After listening, the Sorcerer Elder asked, “Do you want me to take action?”
Ruan Zhaoming thought for a moment before replying, “There’s no need to trouble you for the time being, Sorcerer Elder.”
Wang Chen had only just taken up his position, and trouble had arisen within a few days. Therefore, the higher-ups of Cloud Sun Sect would inevitably not let the matter rest.
The old monster in Qian Capital would also be unlikely to remain unresponsive.
The implications were too great!
Even if he wanted to make a move against Wang Chen, he would have to wait for the most opportune moment.
“Hmm.”
The Sorcerer Elder did not seem concerned and glanced at the view again, “These heads are good, just right for nourishing gu.”
Ruan Zhaoming said respectfully, “As you wish.”
“Very good.”
The Sorcerer Elder was quite satisfied with Ruan Zhaoming’s attitude. “Next month I’ll be conducting a ritual to worship the Sorcerer God. Bring me another ten pairs of young boys and girls. I have great use for them.”
Ruan Zhaoming bowed his head. “Understood.”
With a wave of his robe sleeve, the Sorcerer Elder enveloped the view on the ground. “Remember to find those with tender skin and bright minds!”
After speaking, he stepped back twice and disappeared like a ghost.
All the heads disappeared with him.
Ruan Zhaoming’s expression changed, and he sat desolate in the main hall for a long time.
He clapped his hands.
A man in a gray robe came in and saluted deeply. “What are your orders, sir?”
Ruan Zhaoming said coldly, “Transfer all the case files involving Evil Wraiths from the past ten years to the Exorcism Hall.”
Now was not the right time, and he was not one hundred percent certain, so he could only temporarily suppress his anger.
But that didn’t mean there couldn’t be any action.
This Prefectural Governor wanted to give the newly appointed Heavenly Master something to do, at least to divert his attention away from himself.
The man in the gray robe acknowledged, “Understood!”
Ruan Zhaoming rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat fatigued, and waved his hand dismissively, “Go.”
He was very curious to see what Wang Chen’s reaction would be upon receiving so many files.
The Prefectural Governor felt a hint of anticipation!
…
The next morning, three unexpected visitors arrived at the Guarding Heavenly Master’s residence.
After receiving the report from Wan, Wang Chen met them in the front hall.
“Head of the Hundred Households, Zuo Yongjun from the Nan Shao Exorcism Hall, pays his respects to the Heavenly Master!”
One of the robust men knelt on one knee and paid great respects to Wang Chen.
The two people standing behind him also followed suit with their salutations.
“Head Zuo, you don’t need to be overly courteous.”
Wang Chen extended a hand as if lifting them up. “Servants, bring chairs, serve tea!”
The robust man bowed with his fists. “Thank you, Heavenly Master!”
Wang Chen observed the man carefully.
This Head Zuo was no ordinary man.
Born into a poor family, he joined the military at fifteen and repeatedly earned military honors, even receiving commendations from the late emperor.
His original name was not Zuo Yongjun; it was changed by the late emperor who praised him as “bravest among all the armed forces.”
After the passing of the late emperor, Zuo Yongjun faced ostracism from his peers in the military and indignantly joined the Imperial Guard Bureau.
He initially held the rank of Thousand Household, but after offending the powers that be in the Qian Capital, he was demoted and transferred to the Nan Shao Exorcism Hall.
The Exorcism Hall, under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Guard Bureau, is ostensibly an agency dedicated to dealing with Evil Wraiths.
All this information was communicated to Wang Chen by Wan.
Zuo Yongjun’s demeanor was solemn, his temples flat like those of an ordinary man, his eyes gleaming with divine light, evidently having reached the Innate Realm.
Moreover, this Head Zuo carried a faint trace of Blood Fiend Energy about him.
This sort of aura could only be refined through numerous battles.
Wang Chen felt Zuo Yongjun was stronger than Yu Feihong.
He also noticed the one-armed man standing next to Head Zuo.
The man’s presence was formidable, clearly also having a military background.
Zuo Yongjun took the initiative to introduce him, “This is General Flag Wu Song, currently serving as my deputy.”
Wang Chen nodded, “A brave warrior indeed.”
Coming back to the main topic, when he understood the purpose of Zuo Yongjun’s visit,
he couldn’t help but laugh.
The Prefect Mansion actually transferred all the case files involving Evil Wraiths from the past ten years to the Exorcism Hall?
It was inevitable for the Exorcism Hall to seek out Wang Chen, the new Heavenly Master.
Undoubtedly, this was the result of the thirty heads he sent to Ruan Zhaoming yesterday.
The opponent’s retalitation was an overt plot.
But the Prefectural Governor certainly didn’t anticipate that his move was exactly what Wang Chen wanted.
Indeed, it was like finding something without even searching, effortless!
———
Here’s the second update.