Chapter 7: The Dead Man Moved

Cao Hong's coffin was parked in an open space.

Above, a large canopy provided shelter, protecting it from wind and sun. Wreaths were placed all around, and gang members mourned on both sides.

Of course, whether they were sincere or not was another matter.

After all, the title of Second Gang Leader held by Cao Hong did not match his reality; he had relied entirely on his older brother, Cao Hu, to help him ascend to the position.

To put it bluntly.

If his brother weren't Cao Hu, the Gang Leader of the Giant Wave Gang, whose cultivation had already reached the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, the Bone Refining Realm.

Then Cao Hong would likely have been beaten to death by a mob long ago.

That he only died now could actually be considered late.

Some of the old-timers in the Giant Wave Gang were also ecstatic in their hearts, because with Cao Hong dead, the position of Second Gang Leader was now vacant.

If they could curry favor with the Gang Leader.

They would have a chance to take the position!

Consequently, this group of old-timers mourned even more vigorously, their eyes even turning red as if they were about to cry.

"Gang Leader, as the saying goes, the days for a funeral are divided into three, five, and seven; it has already been three days, which is the optimal time."

Wu Yong, Cao Hu's trusted aide and the "dog-headed strategist" of the Giant Wave Gang, spoke slowly and cautiously.

Originally, he did not want to speak up.

After all, no matter how much of a good-for-nothing Cao Hong was, he was still Cao Hu's younger brother, and Cao Hu usually held Cao Hong in high regard.

There was no need to disturb Cao Hu's mourning at this time.

But he had no choice, as he had accepted silver from those old-timers in the gang.

After all, that group of people had already been mourning for three days, and some who were acting very well had already had bloodshot eyes from crying for three days.

They were already somewhat unable to hold on.

"There is no rush for this matter; there are still four days left until the seventh day."

Cao Hu said with great indifference.

"I believe that my brother's spirit in heaven would not wish to depart so easily; at the very least, we must find the murderer."

"Otherwise, my heart will not be at peace."

Upon hearing Cao Hu's words, Wu Yong felt his scalp tingle; wait another four days? Is this good-for-nothing worth it?

The death of Cao Hong.

The County Government doesn't care, and the Demon Suppression Division cannot solve it; why wait? Better to bury him early and get it over with.

He looked at Cao Hong's coffin with a look of apprehension.

Three days had passed, and in such hot weather, the corpse should have rotted and stunk.

But why was there no smell now?

"Gang Leader, this matter is quite Weird; I think we should proceed as soon as possible. You must know, it is summer right now."

"If this continues, the remains of the Second Gang Leader will..."

Wu Yong gritted his teeth and continued.

He knew.

Cao Hong's death was definitely not man-made; it was highly likely the work of a Weird, and one must never get involved with Weird matters!

"I am already aware of this matter; say no more."

Cao Hu said coldly, looking at Wu Yong with an icy expression, which immediately scared Wu Yong into shutting his mouth.

How could he not know the Weirdness of this matter?

But the person who died was not some peasant; it was his own younger brother! When his father was dying, he had once instructed him to take good care of his younger brother.

And now, he could not fulfill that promise.

How could he let it go?

He swore that whether this matter was man-made or Weird, he would ferret it out and avenge his brother!

However, three days had already passed.

The County Government didn't care, and there was no news from the Demon Suppression Division; it seemed that none of these imperial court lackeys could be relied upon!

Cao Hu pondered secretly, deciding to mobilize the gang to find clues and identify the murderer!

Only in this way.

Could his brother truly be laid to rest.

"Come here," Cao Hu said faintly.

His trusted subordinate ran forward and spoke respectfully, "I wonder what important matter the Gang Leader has."

"Tell the brothers of the Wind Catching Hall to investigate everything inside and outside the city, whether it be human affairs or Weird events, I want it all!"

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, this subordinate will ensure they give their all!"

Having received Cao Hu's order, the trusted aide retreated respectfully.

The old-timers and veterans in the Giant Wave Gang witnessed this scene and were speechless; how much longer did they have to keep up the act?

Cao Hong was truly a good-for-nothing.

In life, he ruined the reputation of their Giant Wave Gang.

In death, he came to waste their time!

Just then, Cao Hu's trusted aide, who had already left, returned, causing Cao Hu to be taken aback.

He frowned, "What is it now?"

"Reporting to the Gang Leader, someone from the Demon Suppression Division has come to visit!"

The Demon Suppression Division? Could it be about the matter of that missing Demon Exorcist? Cao Hu pondered inwardly, deciding to meet them.

When it came down to it, they were merely a low-class gang.

They dared not oppose the imperial court.

Cao Hu then strode away from there, heading toward the guest reception hall. The elders of the Giant Wave Gang also breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts.

They could finally rest.

Involuntarily, they also felt very grateful to that Demon Exorcist they had never met, for drawing the Gang Leader away for them.

The guest reception hall of the Giant Wave Gang was very luxurious.

Four landscape paintings hung on either side, surrounded by exquisite porcelain, looking dazzling to the eyes.

It did not look like a low-class gang in the slightest.

Instead, it looked more like... a nouveau riche.

After observing, Li Heng gave this answer.

He sighed inwardly, as expected of a gang that monopolized water transport; they were actually this wealthy, even possessing authentic works from the School of Names.

Originally, Li Heng did not understand how to appreciate these paintings.

However, because he had tried drawing various Sun diagrams some time ago, he did have a certain ability to appreciate these paintings.

Hm? Li Heng cast his gaze toward a painting in the corner.

This was a Vast Earth Map.

However, it was very obvious that the painter who painted this work likely lacked skill, making it look very sloppy and full of Chaos.

It had the feeling of looking at cursive script.

However, Li Heng was not here to appreciate the technique of this painting; he always felt this painting gave him a strange feeling.

It was as if something was contained within it.

He pondered secretly in his heart, finally reaching a conclusion: could it be that mysterious and elusive artistic conception?

"Does Demon Exorcist Li like this painting? I can gift it to you."

Before seeing the person, one heard the voice first.

Li Heng turned his head to look at the doorway, only to see an incredibly burly man striding over, entering the guest reception hall.

It seemed this was the Giant Wave Gang Gang Leader, Cao Hu.

"I dare not accept the title of Demon Exorcist; I am but a lowly Demon Exorcist," Li Heng said indifferently, performing a cupped-hand salute.

Cao Hu responded with a cupped-hand salute, then waved his hand and said with a smile, "That might not be the case. The Demon Suppression Division is full of hidden talents; perhaps Demon Exorcist Li is that very dragon, who knows?"

Although he said it this way, he was secretly disappointed in his heart.

Was it actually just a Nurturing Essence Realm Peak?

The female Demon Exorcist who went missing back then was also at the Nurturing Essence Realm Peak; what use was there in sending another Nurturing Essence Realm cultivator?

To continue throwing their lives away? What was the Demon Suppression Division thinking?

Cao Hu did not expect that, in reality, the Demon Suppression Division did not value this at all, only setting the mission at the eighth rank.

Naturally, no powerful Demon Exorcist was willing to take it.

Li Heng chuckled inwardly, just about to speak.

At this moment, he saw a figure stumbling and crashing in from outside the doorway, as if drunk.

The figure's eyes lit up upon seeing Cao Hu there.

Then, they hurriedly shouted.

"It's bad! The Second Gang Leader has started moving!"