Cultivating in Different Professions

"He’s stronger than the rumors claim. Why do you say that?"

Su Mu asked, somewhat surprised.

"It’s just a guess. My wife’s cousin was showing off the Qingcha Sect’s power and accidentally let it slip. He said that once their Sect Leader masters his current Cultivation Technique, all of Wuling City will be theirs to rule," Zheng Wang said.

A thoughtful expression appeared on Su Mu’s face.

’The whole of Wuling City will be theirs to rule? That’s not something ordinary power can achieve. Even the Blood Transformation Realm wouldn’t be enough. It would require the Rebirth Realm at the very least.’

’But on paper, Sect Leader Shi Ziran of the Qingcha Sect should only be at the Body Tempering Realm.’

’If he really wants to dominate Wuling City, Shi Ziran’s true strength is probably far greater than what he shows publicly.’

’Then again, this could just be the ravings of a religious fanatic.’

’What zealot doesn’t think their own Sect Leader is omnipotent?’

’The Qingcha Sect is a remnant of the Fragrance Sect, and the Fragrance Sect was built on rebellion. Don’t tell me the Qingcha Sect is planning an uprising in Wuling City?’

’I’ve only been Sima for a few days and I’m already running into something this big? Does it have to be this exciting?’

With Su Mu’s current strength, he wouldn’t really be concerned if it were just a sectarian power entrenched in the East City District.

However, the involvement of the Fragrance Sect changed things. The Fragrance Sect was a major religion renowned throughout the land. In its heyday, it had swept through several large prefectures and boasted countless masters among its ranks.

Even though they had been broken up by the Da Xuan Dynasty, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. In truth, they weren’t on a level the four great families of Wuling City could compare to.

One was making waves in a small pond; the other was churning up seas and oceans. How could they be the same?

For Su Mu, the best option was actually to ignore it.

As long as the Qingcha Sect behaved and didn’t cause trouble during his term, he wouldn’t care if they decided to rebel after he became the Taiping Captain.

However, if these people really were planning an uprising, it was unlikely they would care whether he was still in office or not.

Especially with Sect Leader Shi Ziran’s strength being unknown. If they started a rebellion on his watch, that was a blame he couldn’t afford to take.

In any world, an uprising was an event with extremely severe consequences.

’Is there any way to make the Qingcha Sect and the Ronghua Association fight each other like dogs?’

Su Mu wondered.

"Zheng Wang, continue to keep an eye on the Qingcha Sect. Report to me at once if they make any unusual moves," Su Mu ordered.

"Yes, sir."

Zheng Wang bowed. Just as he turned to leave, a voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"If Little Su Sima wants to know anything about the Qingcha Sect, feel free to ask me. There’s no need to trouble this brother here."

Along with the voice, a figure walked in from outside. Coming in with him was Minister Yu Xiujiang.

Although Yu Xiujiang had tried his best to block the man, he was just a weak scholar. How could he possibly stop a Martial Artist who had reached the Body Tempering Realm?

"Whatever Little Su Sima wishes to ask, I will tell you everything I know without reservation."

The newcomer stopped a few steps in front of Su Mu, clasped his hands in a salute, and spoke.

"Zhou Yin?"

Su Mu looked at the man, his expression calm.

He had met this person once before.

Zhou Yin, the Vice Sect Leader of the Qingcha Sect.

He was the one who had previously escorted the person sent by the Hu Family—to collude with the Qingcha Sect—to the East City Bureau.

It was because of this that the Hu Family sent Lichuan to assassinate Su Mu, giving Su Mu an opportunity and leading to the current situation.

"Sir, he insisted on coming in. I couldn’t stop him."

Yu Xiujiang said apologetically to Su Mu with a wry smile.

"It’s fine."

Su Mu waved his hand and said, "There are few people who could stop Vice Sect Master Zhou if he wants to come and go from the East City Bureau as he pleases."

This Zhou Yin’s qi and blood were vigorous, his spirit high; he was clearly a Martial Dao expert.

Su Mu estimated that even the East City Chief of Police, Chen Song, might not be a match for him.

Besides himself, there was likely no one in the East City Bureau who could stop Zhou Yin.

"Vice Sect Master Zhou, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?"

Su Mu said coolly.

"I saw Brother Zheng here returning to report on his work, and I was afraid Little Su Sima might have some misunderstandings about our Qingcha Sect, so I came especially to offer an explanation," Zhou Yin said with a smile.

The moment he spoke, Zheng Wang felt his whole body go stiff.

’So they knew all along that I was investigating the Qingcha Sect. They’ve even figured out my identity completely.’

Su Mu looked at Zhou Yin, his expression not changing in the slightest.

It was only logical that the Qingcha Sect would discover the identities of Zheng Wang and the others.

If they hadn’t been able to, Su Mu would have actually looked down on them a bit.

It didn’t matter even if they had been discovered. In the East City District, even if Su Mu sent people to openly monitor the Qingcha Sect, there was nothing the sect could say about it.

Unless they were preparing to rebel immediately, they had to at least maintain a semblance of respect for the East City Bureau.

"What do you want to explain? Go on," Su Mu said nonchalantly.

Zhou Yin looked at Su Mu, inwardly amazed.

’Leaving everything else aside, this Little Su Sima’s shrewdness isn’t like that of an eighteen or nineteen-year-old. He’s exactly like an old fox who has struggled and clawed his way through the court and the Jianghu for years.’

’What a monster.’

’His talent in the Martial Dao is one thing, but even his social skills and conduct far surpass his peers. And the motherfucker can even write good poetry!’

’Compared to him, I feel like an idiot!’

Collecting his complicated feelings, Zhou Yin began to speak. "Our Qingcha Sect does have some connection to the Fragrance Sect. We have never denied this.

"Our Sect Leader did indeed join the Fragrance Sect back in the day, but he never participated in their rebellion and has long since made a clean break with them."