Chapter 228: Simply Unheard Of!

Zhen Prefecture, headquarters of the Town Martial Bureau.

A spirited black horse clip-clopped over the tall threshold of the Town Martial Bureau's gate.

On the horse's back, Chen Mu wore a brand-new third-rank Patrol Inspector's official uniform, an official seal hanging from his waist, chin slightly raised, his gaze sweeping lazily over the personnel moving about inside the gate, an undisguised arrogance on his face.

"Who is that?"

"So young! That uniform… he's a Patrol Inspector!"

"Hiss… a Patrol Inspector that young?"

"……"

The passing guards, enforcers, and clerks were stunned at first, but after clearly seeing the uniform and Chen Mu's exceedingly young face, they all showed astonishment, then quickly stopped their work, bowed, and called out in unison.

"Greetings, my lord!"

Chen Mu gave a lazy "Mm," taking it as a response.

Then, reining in the horse, he casually tossed the reins to a somewhat flustered guard beside him and said in a commanding tone, "Take the horse to the stable, feed it the finest fodder, and tend to it well."

The guard hurriedly accepted with respect, "Yes, my lord!"

Chen Mu swung down from the horse, his gaze sweeping casually, and happened to see two young guards under a distant corridor seemingly laughing and roughhousing. His brow furrowed, he pointed at them, his voice carrying a rebuke: "You two! What do you think this place is? A vegetable market? What kind of behavior is that! If I catch you at it again, I won't let you off lightly!"

The two young guards were startled into a shiver, hurriedly straightened up, lowered their blushing faces, and dared not make a sound.

Only then did Chen Mu seem satisfied. He gave a light snort, brushed off nonexistent dust, and under the gazes of the crowd—some reverent, some curious, some slightly resentful—strode with measured steps, swaggering grandly toward the main hall.

After only a few steps, he casually pointed at a passing guard whose aura had already reached the Innate Realm and ordered in an unquestioning tone, "You—go gather every official in charge who can actually run things here in the Bureau and bring them all to the main hall for me."

"Yes, my lord!"

The Innate Realm guard dared not delay and hurriedly cupped his fist in acknowledgment.

Chen Mu's arrogant, imperious manner was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

Within just a few minutes, nearly everyone in the Zhen Prefecture Town Martial Bureau, from top to bottom, had learned the great name of this newly appointed Patrol Inspector, Chen Mu!

"My heavens, this is that Chen Mu, ranked thirtieth on the Hidden Dragon List? With such fame and reportedly absurdly powerful strength, how can his character be… so terrible?"

"So high and mighty his nostrils are practically pointing at the sky! The moment he arrived, he started pointing fingers, rebuking this one, ordering that one around."

"Sigh, he's only seventeen, and he holds a high position. A bit of pride is normal—try to understand."

"Understand? I don't care for that sort of act. No matter how capable, one should still know how to respect people, right?"

"Ain't that the truth. From now on, this bureau is probably not going to know a moment's peace…"

"……"

All manner of hushed discussions rose in every corner of the bureau.

And every one of those words was caught by Chen Mu's already-activated "Wind-Listening" skill.

The corner of Chen Mu's mouth curved into an almost imperceptible arc, and he laughed inwardly—this was exactly the effect he wanted.

Make a big splash, you say?

Easy!

……

Arriving at the spacious yet somewhat empty main hall, Chen Mu unceremoniously sat down in the great armchair belonging to the seat of honor, even leaning back quite lazily, closing his eyes to rest.

Before long, a somewhat hurried set of footsteps sounded.

A middle-aged man of medium build and sharp, capable features strode hastily into the hall.

It was Yu Shoujiang, the current acting head of the Zhen Prefecture Town Martial Bureau.

Earth Altar Realm, Five Qi Returning to the Origin cultivation!

However.

Facing Chen Mu, an Innate Realm Patrol Inspector, Yu Shoujiang showed not the slightest displeasure. He stepped forward quickly, bowed respectfully to Chen Mu, and said, "This subordinate, Yu Shoujiang, greets Inspector Chen! I did not know the Inspector was arriving and failed to welcome you from afar—I hope you will forgive the offense!"

Only then did Chen Mu slowly open his eyes, sized Yu Shoujiang up, tapped the armrest idly with one finger, and said in a tone neither light nor heavy, "Lord Yu, no need for such ceremony. On my way here, I observed that the atmosphere in this Zhen Prefecture Town Martial Bureau seems somewhat lax. Just now, entering the gate, I even saw two guards frolicking—what sort of behavior is that?"

"You must remember, you represent the imperial court! You represent Your Majesty!"

"If the guards carry themselves so sloppily, those who don't know better will think every Town Martial Bureau office in the entire Jiangnan Circuit is like this!"

Yu Shoujiang's heart tightened, and he hurriedly bowed, "Yes, yes, the Inspector sees clearly! It is my failure to govern strictly. I will certainly tighten up discipline afterward and ensure such an atmosphere does not spread!"

"Mm, good that you know to correct it."

Chen Mu replied lazily, as if he did not particularly care.

Then, shifting the topic, he directly ordered, "Lord Yu, go into the city and reserve a restaurant for me. I am hosting a banquet tonight."

Yu Shoujiang was slightly taken aback—a banquet?

This Inspector had only just arrived and already wanted to throw a grand feast?

Keeping his face composed, Yu Shoujiang bowed and asked respectfully, "Might I ask if the Inspector has any requirements for the restaurant?"

"Requirements?"

Chen Mu waved a hand grandly, looking as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "Need you even ask? Naturally the most luxurious, the largest, with the finest dishes in the city! Put on a proper show for me—don't let my face be disgraced, and let people see the grandeur of a Town Martial Bureau Patrol Inspector!"

"Yes, I understand."

Yu Shoujiang's inner astonishment deepened, but he still accepted respectfully.

However, Chen Mu's next words froze him completely in place.

"Also."

Chen Mu sat up straight, a seemingly genial yet unmistakably imperious smile on his face, "Send people to deliver a letter to every major faction of any note, both inside and outside the city. Tell them this official has just taken office and is hosting a banquet at the restaurant tonight—have each of them prepare a 'congratulatory gift' and send it over."

After a brief pause, his tone carried a barefaced hint—indeed, a threat: "As for those who do send gifts, I may not remember every one of them. But those who don't send gifts… I will remember them clearly and exactly!"

Yu Shoujiang was utterly dumbfounded, mouth slightly agape, eyes wide as saucers, standing foolishly rooted to the spot, his mind a complete blank.

This… this newly arrived Inspector was actually so… so brazenly demanding favors?!

It was simply unheard of!

Is he not afraid of the Censor's impeachment?

Not afraid of ruining his official reputation?

Not afraid of rousing public outrage?

Chen Mu looked at Yu Shoujiang's stunned, vacant expression and laughed inwardly, but on the surface he furrowed his brow, his tone turning cold. "What, Lord Yu — my lord, you didn't hear me clearly?"

Yu Shoujiang gave a sudden start, snapping back to himself. Looking at Chen Mu's seemingly languid yet secretly sharp gaze, a cold sweat instantly broke out across his back. He hurriedly bowed, his voice carrying a faint, barely noticeable tremor.

"I... I heard clearly! This subordinate... this subordinate will go carry it out at once!"