Chapter 423: Is There a Traitor?

"No one paying attention... is all the better."

Chen Mu silently murmured, sparing himself potential endless troubles ahead.

Inside Hero Hall, voices still roared with noise; details of yesterday's battle outside the city were endlessly embellished and exaggerated, mixed with lamentations over lost treasures, curses against the Mo Sect's cruelty, and awe at the might of the Giant Spirit Sect.

Chen Mu sat in the corner, like a silent reef, letting the surging waves of noise wash over him.

The information he needed had been obtained.

Chen Mu did not linger; he set down his teacup and rose, slipping soundlessly into the stream of people leaving Hero Hall, just as he had arrived.

The warm sunlight dyed the streets orange-red, forming a strange contrast with the lingering tension still undispelled within the city.

Chen Mu walked at a steady, unhurried pace toward the small courtyard he had rented.

Just as he turned into a relatively quiet alley two streets away from his courtyard, his eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

Someone was following him.

The follower had concealed his aura perfectly, moved with light steps, blending into the evening crowd returning home or on errands, like a drop of water sinking into the sea.

Chen Mu's gaze grew slightly cold, but he made no immediate move.

Maintaining his original pace, he casually turned a corner, then suddenly vanished like a ghost, slipping into a dim, cluttered dead-end alley.

Back pressed against the cold wall, his breath merged with the shadows, he waited in silence.

Not three or five breaths later, hurried footsteps echoed at the alley entrance.

A figure appeared at the entrance, seemingly lost, anxiously glancing left and right.

Chen Mu's gaze settled on the newcomer.

A young man, around twenty, tall and straight, with sharp features, dressed in a plain blue short tunic.

Zhang Fang?

Chen Mu recognized him.

He was the Wu Long Prefecture Zhenwu Office's Bronze Rank Guard who had recognized him and offered assistance during the memorial at Xie Antu's home a few days ago.

How did he find me here?

As Zhang Fang hesitated whether to press forward, Chen Mu stepped slowly out of the shadows, gazing at him calmly.

"Zhang Fang. What do you want with me?"

Zhang Fang jolted, whirled around, saw the face of "Qin Shuang," and his expression instantly shifted to relief mixed with tension; he hurried forward several steps and stopped five feet before Chen Mu, bowing deeply with clasped fists.

"Your Excellency Chen! Your humble subordinate... intruded without permission, please forgive me!"

His voice was hushed, thick with obvious tension and reverence.

"It's fine."

Chen Mu looked at him, his gaze calm and unruffled. "What urgent matter required you to follow me here?"

Zhang Fang drew a deep breath, as if making a final decision; he raised his head, his eyes now firm and solemn, and lowered his voice even further, speaking nearly in a whisper: "My lord, I... I suspect Deputy Director Yu may be colluding with members of the Mo Sect!"

A Zhenwu Office insider colluding with the Mo Sect?

Chen Mu's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained unreadable. "Yu Chengbang? Are you certain?"

The chief of Wu Long Prefecture's Zhenwu Office was Tang Bin, a Peak of Primordial Realm cultivator.

His deputy was Yu Chengbang, a Late-Stage Primordial Realm cultivator, a notable figure in the region.

If he truly was colluding with the Mo Sect, the implications were grave—especially now, during the great war between cultivation sects, mere days after the Mo Sect's attack on Wu Long Prefecture.

"I'm seventy percent certain!"

Zhang Fang gritted his teeth, voice resolute—clearly not speaking out of thin air. "Yesterday, Deputy Director Yu led our team of over ten men to patrol the outskirts of the city, to guard against hidden Mo Sect remnants."

"When we reached the vicinity of 'Falling Goose Slope' in the western suburbs, Yu suddenly claimed he had 'urgent duties' and ordered us to return to Huicheng while he departed alone."

"Though we were puzzled, we dared not disobey a superior's order. Later, when the great battle erupted on the outer road, we heard the commotion from within the city and worried for Yu's safety. But last night..."

Zhang Fang paused, a flicker of caution and dread crossing his eyes. "Last night, around midnight, I'd drunk too much and couldn't sleep, so I wandered the city. Without realizing it, I ended up near the alley where Deputy Director Yu's residence stands."

"Right outside Yu's mansion, I personally saw several figures in dark gray cloaks, their faces hidden, slip quickly through an inconspicuous side gate under cover of night!"

"If this were a normal visit, why sneak like thieves? And why at the dead of night?"

"I grew suspicious but dared not risk sneaking in to investigate. So I hid in a concealed corner nearby and waited until nearly dawn, when I saw those same figures slip out the side gate again and vanish swiftly into the alley's depths."

Zhang Fang finished speaking in one breath, his face slightly pale—clearly, the night's surveillance and inner turmoil had weighed heavily on him.

"My lord, every word I've said is true!"

"Deputy Director Yu left abnormally yesterday, and last night, unknown figures with secretive movements infiltrated his residence... I simply cannot help but suspect!"

"Coupled with yesterday's large-scale Mo Sect attack outside the city, I suspect Deputy Director Yu may be secretly in contact with the Mo Sect!"

Chen Mu listened in silence.

Zhang Fang's suspicions were not without merit.

Yu Chengbang had left his unit at a critical moment yesterday, and last night, mysterious figures with secretive movements had infiltrated his residence—combined with the recent Mo Sect attack, this warranted serious caution.

But these alone were insufficient to convict a deputy commander of the Zhenwu Office.

To catch a thief, you must catch him with the stolen goods; especially with a crime as grave as colluding with the Mo Sect, you need irrefutable evidence.

"You've done well, Zhang Fang."

Chen Mu spoke slowly, his tone calm. "This matter is of great importance. I now know your suspicions. But remember—before you obtain concrete proof, you must not mention this to a single other soul, not even to Lord Tang Bin. Do you understand?"

"Yes! I understand! I swear to obey your command!"

Zhang Fang bowed deeply, relief flooding his chest.

Chen Mu had not rebuked him for meddling or doubting his superior; instead, he had affirmed his vigilance—this gave Zhang Fang great reassurance.

"Return to your post. Stay alert, but make no unusual moves—don't alert the snake. I will handle this myself," Chen Mu ordered.

"Yes! Your humble subordinate takes his leave!"

Zhang Fang bowed again, then turned sharply and hurried away, his figure vanishing quickly at the alley's mouth.

Chen Mu stood in place for a moment, his eyes deep and distant.

A traitor suspected of colluding with the Mo Sect has emerged within the Zhenwu Bureau; this is no longer a simple public security issue, but a major threat to the entire Wulong Prefecture's defense.

As an Inspector, overseeing the internal affairs of the Zhenwu Bureau is my duty; since I've stumbled upon this, I must uncover the truth completely!

"Yu Chengbang… Tang Bin…"

Chen Mu whispered those two names.

Zhang Fang is reliable enough, but his rank is too low to access the core; his observations alone are far from sufficient.

To investigate, I must reach the upper echelons of the Zhenwu Bureau—even the chief official, Tang Bin.

I must also test whether this Chief Official Tang Bin, like Yu Chengbang, is entangled in this as well!