Turns Out I'm the Real Monster?!

"Water Director, there must be a misunderstanding. Master Du is a loyal and brave man. During the rebellion suppression in Yan City, he led from the front, slaying countless Demons. He is a true hero!

How could he do something as despicable as betraying his comrades? It’s absolutely impossible!"

"Director Yan!"

Just as the two were arguing, a voice filled with rage rang out.

Tian Wenjing strode over menacingly, followed by the equally battered Xu Fu and his men.

"Director Yan, where is that Du Yuanfei of your Yan City? Get him out here!

Tian Wenjing’s face was ashen as he stared at Yan Wu. "I want to ask him to his face why he colluded with Demons and harmed my comrades from Hu State!"

Yan Wu was completely stunned.

’Why are the people from Hu State saying this too?’

Xu Fu took a step forward, wincing in pain, and quickly recounted how they had been ambushed by a large group of Demons at Li Family Village.

His account corroborated what Ming Cuicui had said.

Yan Wu listened, his brow deeply furrowed. Still, he shook his head.

"This has to be a misunderstanding. Master Du is seriously injured and unconscious. How could he possibly conspire with Demons to set a trap?

Master Xu, Miss Ming, did you personally see Du Yuanfei plotting with Demons? Or do you have any concrete evidence?"

Ming Cuicui and Xu Fu were suddenly at a loss for words.

They hadn’t, in fact, personally seen Du Yuanfei colluding with Demons.

Everything was based on what Jiang Mu and his two subordinates had said.

But they had unconditional trust in Jiang Mu. If Jiang Mu said the man was a traitor, then he was definitely a traitor.

Especially since everything that had happened felt far too coincidental.

Seeing the two of them falter, Yan Wu sighed, his tone softening as he said placatingly,

"Everyone, I understand the pain of losing your comrades, and I understand your suspicions, but everything requires evidence.

Especially for a crime as serious as treason, we can’t pass judgment based on speculation alone.

How about this? I promise you, as soon as Du Yuanfei regains consciousness, I will inform you immediately and let you interrogate him personally. How does that sound?"

His gaze swept over Shui Miaozheng and Tian Wenjing, his tone sincere.

"You may not trust Du Yuanfei, but surely you can still trust me, Yan Wu?

I give you my guarantee as the Director of the Yan City Demon-slaying Bureau. This matter will be thoroughly investigated until the truth comes out. If Du Yuanfei really is a traitor, I’ll be the first to kill him with my own hands!

But before that, I ask you all to remain calm. Don’t let the instigating Demon Fiends laugh at us, and don’t chill the hearts of the brothers who truly bled and sacrificed for Yan City."

Yan Wu’s words were reasonable and well-argued.

He had also invoked his position and offered his guarantee, and his attitude was sincere enough.

Shui Miaozheng and Tian Wenjing exchanged a look. Although their doubts remained, they were, after all, on someone else’s territory. With no hard evidence at the moment, it was difficult to press the issue further.

If they tried to seize him by force, it would only escalate the conflict.

For now, it was best to wait for Du Yuanfei to wake up and confront him directly.

Tian Wenjing snorted coldly and said,

"Director Yan, it’s not that I don’t trust you. But it’s not just our teams from Hu State and Yunzhou. The reinforcement teams from the other states have also been attacked by Demons to varying degrees.

If you’re telling me there isn’t an inside man in Yan City coordinating this, I absolutely refuse to believe it!"

A look of bitterness and exhaustion crossed Yan Wu’s face as he sighed.

"Elder Tian, do you think I am unaware of what you’ve said? I’ve also been receiving successive reports of our colleagues from other states being ambushed.

Unfortunately, Yan City has only just been pacified, and everything needs to be rebuilt. Our manpower is stretched incredibly thin.

I’ve done my best to send men to provide support everywhere, but... *sigh*!

As for the matter of an inside man, I have already ordered a strict internal investigation within the Bureau. However, this matter has wide-reaching implications and must be conducted in secret to avoid alerting the enemy, and to prevent unnecessary panic that could destabilize morale."

He paused, then forced himself to sound more energetic.

"Everyone, it’s been a hard journey. I’ve already had accommodations prepared for you. Please, rest and focus on healing and recovery for now.

Also, Water Director, Elder Tian, and all the Hall Masters, after you have rested, I must ask you to join me for a meeting in the Demon-slaying Bureau’s main hall.

We’ve gathered some preliminary intelligence on the movements of the Red Umbrella Sect and the Demons around Yan City. The situation... is not optimistic. We urgently need to discuss our next steps with all of you."

Tian Wenjing glanced at the silent Shui Miaozheng, said nothing more, and nodded.

The reinforcement teams from every state had suffered casualties.

They had lost men and commanders before the operation had even officially begun. Everyone was in a terrible mood and really did need some time to recover.

Yan Wu offered a few more placating words and then hurried away.

Once Yan Wu was some distance away, Shui Miaozheng looked at Tian Wenjing and asked softly, "Elder Tian, in your opinion, is Du Yuanfei really the traitor?"

Tian Wenjing’s gaze was profound as he said lightly, "I only trust my own men."

Although he’d had his issues with Jiang Mu’s past conduct, on a matter like this, he trusted him just as Xu Fu did.

Shui Miaozheng thought of Tang Guixin’s tragic death, and a pang of anguish shot through her heart.

Tian Wenjing sighed and said meaningfully, "Director Yan doesn’t have it easy, either."

Shui Miaozheng’s heart stirred. Her gaze swept over some people nearby who were whispering amongst themselves, and she understood his unspoken meaning.

’Yan City had just suppressed a rebellion. The people were unsettled, and the authorities’ prestige was in tatters.

As the new Director, what Yan Wu needed most right now was stability and confidence.

He couldn’t afford to cause widespread panic.

If it were revealed now that a Hall Master-level official was a traitor who had caused the deaths of numerous allied reinforcements, it would be a devastating blow to the reputation of the Yan City Demon-slaying Bureau.

It would also severely shake the already fragile morale of the troops.

And as the newly appointed director, tasked with the heavy burden of rebuilding the Yan City Demon-slaying Bureau, Yan Wu would be the first to bear the brunt of the immense pressure.

He might even be held accountable and dismissed, his future ruined.

Therefore, even if Du Yuanfei was a genuine suspect, Yan Wu had to defend him to the best of his ability until there was irrefutable, hard evidence.’