NOVEL NEXT Chapter 206: Chapter 32 Are you hiding something from me?
Hearing this, Village Chief Zhou Baoyin's face turned pale.
However, considering Shen Qing's identity, he couldn't afford to lose his temper and quickly gestured with his hands, signaling his people below to follow the instructions.
Shen Qing didn't pay any attention to these thoughts and, surrounded by Zhou Baoyin's entourage, stepped into his grand courtyard.
If killing the Wolf Demon had only aroused some suspicion,
then Zhou Baoyin's eagerness to send him off had almost convinced him that Zhou Baoyin must be hiding something from him.
So far, Liu Sangui had not shown up, and not a single trace of him had been found, which gave Shen Qing an even worse premonition.
It was very likely that Liu Sangui had met with foul play.
Although he was thinking this way, Shen Qing did not show any emotion on his face and remained calm.
Changqiao Town was located at the foot of the mountain and beside the river, with only a canal access, which wasn't very convenient for outside contact.
In a sense, it was like gathering a dozen or so Hongshan Villages together.
Shabby and old.
Thatched cottages crowded together, oppressively small and cramped.
But entering Zhou Baoyin's home was a different scene altogether.
As soon as he entered, the elegant yet luxurious ambiance characteristic of a high-ranking household hit him.
The bluestone path was immaculately clean, and flower beds on both sides were colorful and lush.
Every time a gentle breeze passed by, the refreshing fragrance became more intense, making one feel relaxed and happy.
Above the main hall, the eaves soared upward; at first glance, the wall was adorned with famous paintings, the ink strokes vividly depicting the grandeur of mountains and rivers, as well as the delicate minutiae of flowers, birds, fish, and insects.
Everything around created a strong contrast with the overall appearance of Changqiao Town.
Shen Qing put away his thoughts and walked side by side with Zhou Baoyin into the main hall.
The moment he entered the house, servants brought in steaming hot dishes and placed them on the table.
The heat rose, and the aroma wafted through the air, mouthwatering.
Zhou Baoyin, who was following, stepped forward quickly, his face beaming as he said, "Mr. Shen, your presence in my humble abode is an honor! The feast that the kitchen prepared, although not rare delicacies, is indeed the best my household has to offer. I hope you won't find it wanting."
At these words, Shen Qing laughed and said, "Village Chief, you're too modest. I haven't yet tasted the local dishes here, and today is a good opportunity for me to do so."
"This way please, Shen Chasi!"
Village Chief Zhou Baoyin invited Shen Qing to take a seat in the guest seat of honor, while he himself sat in the master seat.
By that time, it was past noon.
Calculating carefully, it should be about the end of Wei Hour, early Shen Hour.
Clearly this time was already past the traditional mealtime.
Shen Qing wasn't hungry, but as a martial master, he naturally had a high calorie expenditure.
After nearly an hour had passed, his stomach had emptied quite a bit, and he could manage to eat something.
The midday sun was fierce, and the intense sunlight poured in, making the walls shine.
Zhou Baoyin personally filled a cup with fine wine for Shen Qing and raised his glass, saying, "Mr. Shen, this cup is to honor you, to thank you for ridding Changqiao Town of that vile Wolf Demon, preserving peace for us all. Please!"
Shen Qing also raised his cup and said loudly, "Village Chief, you flatter me. It is our duty to exorcise demons and guard the way."
After their glasses lightly clinked, emitting a crisp sound, both men drank down the wine in one gulp.
Shen Qing ate heartily, engaging in light conversation with Zhou Baoyin.
He was originally a hunter, so he understood quite a bit about the affairs of the mountains and forests, and with his ability in "Academic Pursuit," he was full of witty remarks at the dinner table, which left Zhou Baoyin in continuous admiration.
After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew warmer.
Zhou Baoyin couldn't help but relax his guard.
At this moment, Shen Qing broached the main subject and suddenly asked, "Village Chief, has only this one Wolf Demon appeared in your town?"
Zhou Baoyin, slightly drunk, said, "In these deep mountains and forests of ours, how can we be so sure? For now, we have only seen that one Wolf Demon."
Shen Qing asked, "So you're saying, now that I've killed that Wolf Demon, the demons in your area are all gone?"
"Naturally they're gone."
"I don't think that's right. Wolves are generally pack animals. If this Wolf Demon was strong within the pack, there would certainly be a group of wolves following it. But if it's weak in the pack, that means there's a stronger Wolf Demon out there. If it's the former, I suppose with your capabilities, Village Chief, it should be solvable. But if it's the latter, that would be troublesome."
Shen Qing spoke with profound meaning, "Could it be that the demons in this area haven't been completely eradicated?"
"What does Mr. Shen wish to do?" Zhou Baoyin thought that Shen Qing was trying to take advantage of the situation, and spoke with a probing tone.
At this moment, all he wanted was to send Shen Qing away as quickly as possible, free of cost, and avoid any further trouble.
Shen Qing picked up his cup, and with a smile that was not quite a smile, watched Zhou Baoyin's eyes and said, "As an officer of the Guardian Martial Department, slaying demons is my duty, is it not? I must clarify these matters, am I right?"
A chill rose in Zhou Baoyin's heart.
This officer was more troublesome than he had anticipated.
"Haha, I understand," Zhou Baoyin said with a forced laugh. "How much does Mr. Shen want?"
Shen Qing shook his head.
Zhou Baoyin's heart sank as he felt Shen Qing was being too greedy.
Dare you, a mere officer, bite off more than you can chew?
Under Zhou Baoyin's watchful eye, Shen Qing lifted his cup and drank it all in one gulp, saying, "Money is secondary, I just feel that, Village Chief, you might be hiding something from me?"
Zhou Baoyin tensed up and feigned calmness, "Mr. Shen must be joking; I'm not hiding anything from you."
"Liu Sangui was killed by you all, wasn't he?"
Zhou Baoyin's eyes flashed with panic, his wrist trembled, and he said in a strained voice, "What are you talking about, Mr. Shen? I don't understand."
"You didn't, then what about the demon?"
Zhou Baoyin said, "What exactly do you mean, Mr. Shen?"
"I mean it in the literal sense," Shen Qing said, glancing at Zhou Baoyin. "You don't want to talk?"
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Shen Qing drew his dagger.
The cold light flashed as the Guardian Martial Department's dagger, with a whistling sound, accurately bisected the air before Zhou Baoyin's throat.
The previously warm atmosphere in the main hall turned cold in an instant.
"Mr. Shen, do you realize what you are doing? Killing officials is a capital offense."
For some reason, facing Shen Qing's aggression, Zhou Baoyin's previously irritated demeanor dissipated, and he became calm and collected.
Shen Qing's gaze was as cold as ice as he said, "That's something I should be asking you, Village Chief. Are you hiding many things from me?"
Zhou Baoyin's tone suddenly turned sinister, "Mr. Shen, I kindly advised you to quit while you were ahead and to not stir up this mess. Since you failed to recognize the favor, you can't blame us now."
"Hmm?"
Boom!
Just when Shen Qing was puzzled, a muffled noise came from the doorway, as if a heavy sack had been thrown down onto the ground.
"Lord Zhou, how did my youngest son die in such an unclear manner? And now his skin is even stripped off and thrown in the yard. You'd better give me an explanation, or else, don't blame me for breaking our original agreement."
A powerful male voice came from the doorway.
Shen Qing turned his head to look, and there stood a muscular Werewolf holding the head of a servant, step by step, walking in.
Zhou Baoyin lifted his cup and drank it all in one gulp, saying, "Mr. Shen, I told you to take the hint and back off. It seems you didn't quite grasp my meaning." Enjoy more content from empire
Splat!
Shen Qing's wrist flicked, and his strength reached the blade.
The cold light flashed, grazing across Zhou Baoyin's neck.
Disbelief filled Zhou Baoyin's eyes, his pupils contracted, manifesting utter shock.
He clutched at his neck, from which blood oozed steadily through his fingers.
His chest heaved like a broken bellows, gasping nonstop, making wheezing sounds.
"Village Chief, it seems you also didn't quite grasp my meaning."
Shen Qing, holding his dagger, stood up and slowly turned towards the Werewolf who had come in.
On the tip of the dagger in his hand, bright red blood dropped one by one to the ground, making a rhythmic 'drip, drip' sound.