In the silent night, a cold wind blew, and everyone present involuntarily shivered.
Of course, it wasn't from the cold.
Zhao Dayong's brick slipped from his hand and landed on his foot. It hurt, but he didn't cry out, because his entire body felt numb.
After patting his ears repeatedly, he realized he hadn't misheard. Liang Chen had actually apologized to Xu Mu, and even called him Master Xu from the Demon Eradication Division.
Zhao Dayong's eyes blazed with admiration.
From the moment Liang Chen slapped Li Ancheng, he had guessed that things might take a turn. But he never expected such a dramatic reversal. Xu Mu, who had only become a Night Watchman a few years ago, had now transformed into an ability user of the Demon Eradication Division. The difference in status was too vast!
Wu Peihuan was also stunned. She slowly released her clasped hands and looked up at the sky with a hint of confusion.
Had a deity descended?
"Did I hear that right? He said Little Xu Ge is... an ability user from the Demon Eradication Division?"
Wu Peihuan asked.
"Yes."
Zhao Dayong nodded frantically. He understood the young girl's feelings; he had only just recovered his senses!
Wu Peihuan then turned to look at Xu Mu, her eyes shining with a peculiar light.
She had cultivated in the monastery of the Yin Yang Merchant House in Bu Luo City. Ability users were not uncommon, but whenever the topic of "outsiders" came up, the first words spoken were always "Demon Eradication Division."
The Demon Eradication Division symbolized power and immense authority, a place not easily joined by ordinary people. All the ability users in the Yin Yang Merchant House revered the crimson robes of the Demon Eradication Division.
And Xu Mu, the Night Watchman she had liked since childhood, had suddenly become an outsider of the Demon Eradication Division. How could she not be overjoyed!
Wu Peihuan's cherry-like lips parted wide, then she covered them with her hand.
Xu Mu was unaware that at this moment, his image in Wu Peihuan's heart had grown even taller.
...
Compared to everyone else's shock, Xu Mu was also somewhat surprised.
"How did he know I was an ability user?"
Xu Mu was puzzled. He had only recently been able to absorb dark energy and control shadows, and had been an ability user for less than an hour. Yet Liang Chen recognized him immediately?
In his confusion, Xu Mu instinctively followed the other's gaze and slowly lowered his head.
The end of his line of sight was his waist.
There, besides a hunting knife, a waist token was also clipped.
A waist token of the Demon Eradication Division.
Xu Mu suddenly understood. This waist token had been given to him by Yin Shuier to tease him. He hadn't paid it much attention and had casually tucked it under his clothes.
But perhaps during the slap, his movements had been too forceful, tearing his already tattered clothes, revealing this waist token.
"It seems the reputation of the Demon Eradication Division is still useful!"
Xu Mu chuckled, unsure if it was mocking or something else.
In today's world, the laws of Da Xia and appeasement were actually less practical than a piece of broken wood.
If he hadn't been an ability user today, or rather, if he hadn't had this Demon Eradication Division waist token, what would his fate have been?
Liang Chen straightened from his bow and immediately glared at Li Ancheng, saying:
"Apologize to Master Xu quickly!"
Li Ancheng's mind had completely gone blank. He couldn't accept what was happening before him at all.
Hadn't Liang Chen been brought by him to back him up? Now he was being told to apologize to Xu Mu?
"I... I, Brother Chen, are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"Xu Mu is just a hunter with slightly more strength, who luckily became a Night Watchman. He's not some ability user!"
"There must be a mistake, it's definitely a mistake..."
As Li Ancheng spoke, he was close to tears. He had just humiliated Xu Mu, and now Liang Chen was telling him to apologize to Xu Mu in public. It was worse than killing him!
Moreover, Liang Chen's attitude was so firm, his eyes seemed ready to devour people. Li Ancheng's attempts at sophistry grew weaker and weaker.
In fact, he knew very well that Liang Chen wouldn't be mistaken. When it came to the Demon Eradication Division, Liang Chen would never err, after all, he was from the Merchant House.
Furthermore, Xu Mu's demeanor was too calm. Liang Chen telling him to apologize, and he just stood there so calmly, with such confidence.
And upon closer thought, Xu Mu had actually dared to keep Liang Chen waiting and come over to slap him. This in itself was illogical. If he weren't an ability user himself, or didn't have a trump card, how could he have acted like this!
"Ah!"
"Brother Xu has the Demon Eradication Division's ability user waist token on his waist!"
At this moment, Wu Peihuan finally exclaimed. She had also seen the waist token, and a blush immediately spread across her face.
Liang Chen heard the girl's exclamation and secretly held back a breath.
His quarry was showing favor to someone else. How could he tolerate this?
Hmm... Liang Chen glanced at Xu Mu, who was standing quietly at the side, and subconsciously rubbed his wrist. His facial muscles twitched again.
Alright, he could still tolerate it. He couldn't afford to offend the Demon Eradication Division, and it was clearly not the time for jealousy.
"No, impossible, you can't be an ability user," Li Ancheng's face turned deathly pale, blood trickling from his lips, but he didn't bother to wipe it. "You must be lying to us!"
"Still spouting nonsense, do you want to die!"
Liang Chen flashed in front of Li Ancheng and grabbed him by the collar:
"Come here!"
"Slap!"
With a heave of his arm, Liang Chen easily flung Li Ancheng in front of Xu Mu and then shouted fiercely:
"Apologize!"
"Brother Chen, you can't do this!"
Li Ancheng finally broke down, snot and tears flowing simultaneously. He wailed loudly, completely not expecting things to turn out this way.
Xu Mu had suddenly become an ability user of the Demon Eradication Division. He had humiliated him so much before. What punishment awaited him? And now Liang Chen was making him apologize in public, with Wu Peihuan watching, and fellow villagers all around...
If he let this go, people would gossip about it for a lifetime.
He would never be able to hold his head up again!
"Xu Mu, for my sake, let him go."
Li Fengtian also reacted and, lowering his pride, walked to Li Ancheng's side to plead for his grandson.
His son had just died, and his grandson had lost all face, being beaten into a pig's head.
In an instant, Li Fengtian seemed to have grown dozens of white hairs, looking more than ten years older. Xu Mu felt a pang of sympathy and sighed:
"I didn't intend to make things difficult for him. He was the one who kept bothering me."
"Village chief, lead the people to evacuate. I need to prepare to clear the pollution."
Xu Mu glanced pityingly at Li Ancheng. This fellow had it coming to him today. Hopefully, he would learn his lesson in the future.
He then shook his head slightly. In this lifetime, he probably wouldn't see him again.
"The mountains and rivers may change, but human nature is hard to alter. Li Ancheng will only become more of a scoundrel. However, as long as he becomes stronger himself, he will not fear any danger."
"This pollution is a bit troublesome. I might need your assistance."
Xu Mu thought of Charles's description and turned to Liang Chen.
Liang Chen was stunned, then overjoyed. He immediately nodded:
"Of course. As long as Master Xu is no longer angry, I'll do anything!"
Xu Mu glanced at him sideways, feeling a bit helpless. This was probably reality – strength commanded respect.
However, this fellow had humiliated him earlier. Wouldn't it be a waste if he didn't teach him a lesson?
Xu Mu pondered for a moment and smiled slightly:
"Anything?"
"Then bark like a dog for me to hear."
Liang Chen's smile froze. Bark like a dog?
A gentleman would rather die than be humiliated!
Liang Chen thought this, but dared not show any displeasure.
Because he knew that even if Xu Mu truly killed him, his family would not avenge him.
"Master Xu, there are too many people here. Can we... find another place?"
Liang Chen pleaded in a low voice, his face pale.
He had suffered enough humiliation today, but as long as he lived and Xu Mu was appeased, there would be a chance for retribution in the future!
Therefore, barking like a dog was worth it!
...
Xu Mu shook his head slightly. He was just playing a prank and didn't expect the other party to take it so seriously. He was too spineless.
"Forget it, let's focus on the important matters. The ancient tree area is very dangerous. You need to come with me."
Xu Mu patted the other's shoulder, put away the large red lantern, and then asked:
"You're from the big city. Can you clear pollution sources?"
Upon hearing these three words, Liang Chen's expression stiffened, and a bad premonition rose in his heart.
"Pollu... pollution source!?"
...