Mutated Tao

“Do we still need to thank each other? If it weren’t for you, I would have died a long time ago. Your troubles are my troubles as well. Don’t cry, and just wait for my updates,” said Li Huowang as he gave Bai Lingmiao’s hand a reassuring pat before gently letting go of it and leading her outside.

Li Huowang wasn’t good at expressing affection, but he didn’t want Bai Lingmiao to go through the same things that he had gone through. That feeling was too painful.

Bai Lingmiao quickly followed, her voice filled with concern as she asked, “Senior Li, do you know where my parents went?”

“I don’t know,” replied Li Huowang.

“So where do we even start looking?” asked Bai Lingmiao.

“Don’t worry, I have some status now; there is bound to be a solution.” Li Huowang took out his Surveillance Bureau badge and waved it in front of Bai Lingmiao.

Villagers disappearing overnight wasn’t a small matter. The county magistrate who oversaw Cowheart Village must know something; for now, he could start investigating from there.

After deciding on the course of action, Li Huowang checked the map, led out a horse, and then mounted it. He wasn’t an expert at riding horses, but that wasn’t a problem for him. He’d figure it out after a few tumbles. He was completely unfazed, unlike the others who would be hurt.

After a day and a night of tumbling, Li Huowang finally reached the largest nearby county town right as dawn broke.

Glancing at the moderately-sized county town ahead, the dusty Li Huowang walked in, leading the horse by its reins.

Meanwhile, County Magistrate Wang woke up and gently kicked the covers with his eyes still closed. The concubine on the other side of the bed quickly got up, knelt on the floor with her forehead touching the ground, and said, “Master, please change into a fresh pair of clothes.”

County Magistrate Wang slowly opened his eyes. With the gentle support of his concubine, he sat up. A peeled willow branch was already within his reach as he extended his hand. Gently dipping the willow branch into the fine salt held by the maid, he placed it in his mouth and started using it to brush his teeth. After he finished brushing his teeth, the maid promptly handed him the prepared sandalwood spittoon.

He took a sip of the warm water and puffed his cheeks before lowering his head and spat into the spittoon.

As County Magistrate Wang closed his eyes, the maid held a towel as she carefully and meticulously wiped his face. Then, she stepped back as another maid slowly approached him while holding the official attire.

After several maids helped dress him up, he finally strolled out from his bedroom, adorned in a navy-blue official uniform.

As soon as he stepped out, a wave of heat hit him. He looked up at the blazing sun, as a hint of displeasure crossed his face.

“Another scorching day. There’s hardly been any cooling days lately,” complained County Magistrate Wang as he walked forward, with two maids holding fans, hastening their steps to catch up to him.

He had walked only a few steps before reaching his usual large wooden desk. Here, his trusted assistant, Steward Hu, had been waiting for him for quite some time.

“Update me. Has anyone lodged any complaint or accusations recently?” asked County Magistrate Wang.

The mustached steward revealed a faint insincere smile. “Master, there’s only one today. The informant handed over ten pieces of silver.”

“Really?” County Magistrate Wang picked up the crystal-clear noodles and took a few bites while leisurely asking, “And who is the accused?”

“The accused is a horse dealer from Qing Qiu; he offered up one piece of gold,” replied Steward Hu.

“Mmm~! The noodles are quite good today! Too bad there’s not enough,” commented County Magistrate Wang.

Hearing this, Steward Hu immediately grasped the situation. “Understood, Master. I will handle it privately with them.”

Then, reaching into his pocket, he took out a piece of paper and began reading the written complaint.

While nodding and swaying as he listened to the written complaint, County Magistrate Wang suddenly noticed a man emerging from within the ground. Witnessing this bizarre scene, he was initially startled, and then his expression turned anxious. Finally, he abruptly stood up, causing the bowl of noodles in his hand to spill all over the table.

“Who… who are you? How dare you try to assassinate an Imperial Official! The Surveillance Bureau will not let this go unpunished!” shouted County Magistrate Wang.

Li Huowang looked at the trembling man before him, not bothering to engage in small talk. He directly took out the badge and displayed it to the man before him. “I have some questions for you.”

Seeing the badge in Li Huowang’s hand, County Magistrate Wang immediately emerged from behind his assistant, his face showing a fawning smile. “Ah~ A high-ranking official from the Surveillance Bureau! Sir, please, have a seat and enjoy some tea!”

“Enough with the formalities. Tell me, what happened to the people in Cowheart Village? It’s been a while since anyone has seen any of them. You wouldn’t happen to be clueless about it, would you?” asked Li Huowang.

The man was clearly taken aback when he heard this. He then whispered to Steward Hu, “What’s going on in Cowheart Village?”

“Master, have you forgotten? The entire village disappeared, and you instructed Constable Cao to look into it. He wanted to discuss something with you earlier, but you were occupied and didn’t have the time to listen,” replied Steward Hu.

“Stop standing there! Go and get Cao Xin immediately!” ordered County Magistrate Wang.

“Constable Cao has gone out for patrol! I don’t know where he is,” said Steward Hu.

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Wang gave Li Huowang an awkward smile. “Sir, shall I take you to find Constable Cao? He’s responsible for handling such matters.”

“Let’s go. I don’t have time to waste,” said Li Huowang as he walked out.

Seeing Li Huowang heading out, County Magistrate Wang and Steward Hu quickly followed after him.

Clang~

At that moment, a sharp noise echoed.

“County~ Magistrate~ is~ heading~ out~”

Then, under the deliberately prolonged announcement, County Magistrate Wang, donned an official hat and took his seat in a blue sedan chair. Halfway through, he turned around and smiled at Li Huowang before suggesting, “Sir, why don’t you take a seat?”

“Hurry up, and get on. I don't have time to waste,” said Li Huowang.

“He he he.” County Magistrate Wang sat in the sedan chair, smirking to himself. However, before he could get comfortable, Li Huowang’s words sent shivers down his spine.

“With the disappearance of so many people, haven’t you reported the situation to the Surveillance Bureau?” asked Li Huowang.

Hearing a hint of accusation in those words, County Magistrate Wang panicked. He quickly opened the curtain of his sedan chair and began to shift the blame. “Sir, we are still investigating the matter. Reporting without conclusive evidence could lead to mistakes. If I end up making a wrong report, it’s just me who bears the consequences. I wouldn’t want to waste your time on a wild goose chase. Ah, I sincerely apologize. It’s all because of my incompetent subordinates taking their time. It’s a shame that a person of your stature has to personally investigate. After sorting out this mess, I must invite you to the White Tower for a feast as an apology. I’ll punish myself with three cups!”

Hearing his fawning, Li Huowang impatiently gestured forward. “Hurry up.”

If not for Constable Cao’s potential findings, he wouldn’t have even bothered talking to such a talkative person.

The sedan chair swayed with a creaking sound as the bearers moved in unison.

The town was relatively small, so finding the patrolling constable was not all that difficult. Soon, Li Huowang spotted him in green clothes, standing at the entrance of a brothel, flirting with the women inside.

When the constable and his subordinates spotted the County Magistrate’s sedan, they promptly straightened their expressions, adjusted their hats, and continued their patrol along the streets with a purposeful stride.

“Ah, County Magistrate.” Constable Cao bowed with clasped hands, acknowledging the presence of the sedan. “County Magistrate, you’re out quite early, trying to understand the sentiments of the people. Please take care of yourself too, and don’t exhaust yourself for the sake of the common folk.”

“Ah, what’s a little hardship for the sake of the people?” started County Magistrate Wang, but upon seeing Li Huowang’s face darken, he quickly became serious and asked, “Constable Cao, have you found anything on the case of the missing villagers from Cowheart Village? Think carefully before you answer. This is a high-ranking lord from the Surveillance Bureau. He came personally to handle this matter!”

“Ah?” Constable Cao looked at Li Huowang in surprise. “But it was the Surveillance Bureau who took away the people of Cowheart Village.”

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