Turns Out I'm the Real Monster?!

’That young man... the one I accidentally drenched when I was in a daze?’

’How could he be here?’

The woman was dumbfounded.

At the thought of that scene, Shui Miaozheng felt a rush of heat to her head.

Her once jade-white cheeks flushed a brilliant crimson, the blush spreading all the way down her slender neck.

She instinctively raised a sleeve to half-hide her burning cheeks.

As if afraid he would recognize her.

She shifted restlessly in her seat.

As she moved, her ample bottom, wrapped in a moon-white skirt, pressed a gentle curve into the chair, the fabric stretching taut.

Then, as she settled back down, the fabric slowly loosened...

...creating a soft ripple.

It exuded an ineffable voluptuousness and mature allure.

Fortunately, everyone’s attention was currently fixed on Jiang Mu, so no one noticed her subtle embarrassment.

Ignoring the varied looks from the crowd, Jiang Mu walked straight up to Yan Wu. He cupped his fist in salute, his voice clear and bright:

"You must be Director Yan."

"I am Jiang Mu, Hall Master of the Eighth Hall of the Hu State Demon-slaying Bureau."

His words immediately sent a low wave of commotion through the hall.

"So he’s Jiang Mu?"

"He looks dignified enough, but his aura... it’s really just the Fourth Realm. After the way Xu Fu was hyping him up, I was expecting some kind of three-headed, six-armed monster."

"A Fourth Realm killing a Fifth Realm at Great Perfection? Heh, I’d say his thick skin is at Great Perfection."

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, their gazes filled with doubt and derision.

It was only then that Shui Miaozheng had a sudden realization.

’That’s right. I was so preoccupied with my embarrassment and shame, and my mind was such a mess, that I completely missed the tattered Demon-slaying Bureau uniform he was wearing.’

’So, he’s the Master Jiang that Tang Guixin mentioned in her letter.’

At this thought, Shui Miaozheng’s heart filled with an even more complex mix of emotions.

"So it’s Master Jiang."

Although Yan Wu had been put off by Xu Fu’s earlier boasting, he knew better than to be rude to someone offering a smile. He forced one of his own and spoke courteously:

"I’ve long heard that a young hero has emerged in Hu State. Seeing you today, you truly have an extraordinary bearing."

But the moment Du Yuanfei saw Jiang Mu, a trace of panic flashed deep in his pupils.

After all, he had witnessed firsthand just how terrifying the man could be.

A deep-seated fear had already taken root in his heart.

But his reaction was swift. He immediately plastered on an expression of tearful relief.

"Master Jiang! You... you’re safe! This is wonderful! I knew a good man like you would be blessed by heaven..."

Jiang Mu ignored his performance.

He lowered his head, his pitch-black eyes staring at Du Yuanfei. "Du Yuanfei, did you really not collude with Demons?"

Du Yuanfei froze, then put on an expression of pure innocence and aggrievement.

"Master Jiang, how can you say such a thing? I, Du Yuanfei, swear on my life! If I colluded with Demon Fiends, may I be struck by lightning and suffer a terrible death! I—"

"That’s enough."

Jiang Mu cut him off, his gaze turning to Yan Wu.

"Director Yan, if I can find evidence to prove that Du Yuanfei did indeed collude with Demons, how will you handle it?"

Yan Wu pondered for a moment, then said:

"According to the laws of the Demon-slaying Bureau, if he is confirmed to be a traitor, it must be reported to the General Office and handled according to the law."

"Will they cut off his head?" Jiang Mu asked directly.

Yan Wu frowned slightly but still answered truthfully:

"As long as the evidence is conclusive, traitors are usually executed on the spot to serve as a warning to others. The one thing the Demon-slaying Bureau cannot tolerate is scum who abandon their comrades and side with Demons."

"Good, I understand."

Jiang Mu nodded. "In other words, it’s not a one hundred percent guarantee he’ll lose his head."

He reached into his robes and pulled out a blood-stained scrap of cloth.

It was a piece from Tang Guixin’s clothing.

He looked at the scrap of cloth, a flash of pain in his eyes. Then he looked at Du Yuanfei, his voice calm:

"I’ve already been to Red Forest Valley. That demon encampment... I slaughtered them all."

"There was a Tier Five Great Perfection Pig Demon there, along with over a hundred lesser demons. I didn’t leave a single one alive. Of course, that Great Golden Roc King fellow was too fast, so I didn’t see him."

At his words, the hall once again fell deathly silent.

Du Yuanfei’s pupils contracted.

Yan Wu’s eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

Everyone else in the hall, with the exception of those in the know like Tian Wenjing and Xu Fu, was first stunned, then began shaking their heads, utterly speechless.

’This kid, is he addicted to bragging?’

’Single-handedly wiping out an encampment with a Fifth Realm Great Perfection at its head and over a hundred Demons?’

’Does he take us for three-year-olds?’

As if oblivious to the skeptical gazes around him, Jiang Mu just watched Du Yuanfei’s face begin to pale. His voice remained calm:

"The Pig Demon I killed told me with its dying breath that you were their man."

"Of course, now that I’ve said it, I doubt many people here will believe it. After all, your performance just now was truly brilliant."

"But I don’t care."

"There are some things I never put off. Once I’ve confirmed something, I handle it my own way."

"For example, right now—"

Jiang Mu clenched the scrap of cloth in his hand, his voice dropping a few degrees lower.

"I want Aunt Tang to be able to rest in peace."

Du Yuanfei opened his mouth, wanting to argue further.

But when he raised his head and met Jiang Mu’s eyes, all the words caught in his throat.

Those eyes were as calm as still water, with no anger, no hatred.

Only a kind of... indifference.

As if looking at a dead man.

Du Yuanfei felt his scalp tingle as a chill shot straight up his spine.

’This guy actually wants to kill me??’

’How dare he!?’

Du Yuanfei found it absurd, but the fear of death consumed him. He instinctively tried to back away, to flee to Yan Wu for protection.

"Hel—"

SWISH!

Without any warning, a blade flashed. It was too fast for anyone to react.

Everyone saw a cold glint of light flash before their eyes, and in the next instant—

A head flew high into the air.

Du Yuanfei’s face was still frozen in terror and disbelief, his lips slightly parted as if trying to shout something.

From the stump of his neck, blood gushed out like a fountain, spraying all over the floor.

THUD!

The headless body swayed and fell heavily to the ground.

The hall fell into a dead silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was stunned.

It was as if time had frozen in that moment.

No one had ever imagined that this young man would actually dare—in full view of everyone, in the great hall of the Demon-slaying Bureau, right in front of a Director—

...to draw his blade and kill a man!

Shui Miaozheng’s lips parted, her full, rosy mouth agape in shock.

And Yan Wu was utterly stupefied.

He stared blankly at the head by his feet, blood staining his boots red.

Several breaths passed before he finally snapped out of it.

"Bastard!!"

Yan Wu’s entire aura exploded as he thrust a palm strike toward Jiang Mu.

"Stop!"

Tian Wenjing’s figure flashed. His gaunt hand shot out, steadily blocking Yan Wu’s strike.

A fierce wind erupted from the impact, sending both of their robes fluttering wildly.