Could it be that I am the cruel villain?
Chapter 71: People Will Eventually Become The Very Thing They Despise

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: People Will Eventually Become The Very Thing They Despise

Jiang Feng detested the official circles.

Strictly speaking, it was the various "unspoken rules" and so-called "proper conduct" of the officialdom that he despised.

He was not averse to power, but in his eyes, compared to power, moral integrity held a much higher place in his heart. He could not accept becoming a beast of interest solely in pursuit of power.

"This..."

Pretending to reflect for a few seconds, in reality, as soon as County Magistrate Sun entered the room, the young man had already thought of an excuse.

"Although I am not very versed in the rules of the government, when it comes to a cultivator committing violence, it should not be our county yamen’s turn to handle it."

"This matter should be turned over to the State City for judgment, after all, facing such a powerful cultivator, even if Lord County Magistrate is upright and incorruptible, he is powerless against such a criminal."

"Involving a powerhouse at the Foundation Establishment Realm, the situation is no longer within the Lord’s control, it is already a great achievement to have protected the safety of the other residents of the town."

Finally, County Magistrate Sun’s hypocritical face showed a genuine smile.

Why did he care so much about this particular murder case? Apart from cutting off an important source of his revenue, it also caused the official hat on his head to wobble precariously. It had taken him nearly twenty years to climb to his current position.

Having finally climbed from the bottom to the position of County Magistrate, Jiang Feng’s actions were akin to severing his official career. It is known that if a murder occurs anywhere, the County Magistrate must set an example by investigating the case thoroughly. If there are too many murders, someone else will take his place directly.

But there is a loophole in this rule, or rather, an exception.

That is, when the perpetrator is beyond the area of control.

This is also an unspoken rule; County Magistrate Sun has something to say on the matter.

"You guys from the State City only assigned me individuals in the Body Refining and Qi Refinement periods, and now someone from the Foundation Establishment Realm came straight to my county to commit murder and arson. I don’t have anyone capable of fighting back, what am I supposed to do? Am I expected to stab someone to death with a writing brush?"

So, Jiang Feng deliberately mentioned the Foundation Establishment Realm, clearly signaling to the County Magistrate to be smart when reporting back to the State City.

Nodding while smiling.

Looking at the situation, the two individuals who had just been on tenterhooks suddenly changed their tune, chatting away enthusiastically.

Dealing with a smart person is very comfortable; sometimes there’s no need to spell everything out clearly. Since you are the one who killed the person and I don’t have the ability to kill you, no problem, I won’t hold you responsible.

But you have to figure out a way to help me muddle through this.

Moreover, Jiang Feng was very satisfied with his words just now; he first made it clear that he had no evidence regarding the Xue family hiring a killer, then he found a perfect excuse for this string of murders.

As long as there’s an excuse to shift the blame, he can keep his official hat secure.

"Excellent indeed."

He stood up.

County Magistrate Sun had now calmed down considerably, initially, he was afraid, it was the fear of losing his official career, but as soon as he realized that this incident would not affect his future, reason quickly regained the upper hand.

Years of experience as an official and a wealth of life experience allowed him to make a very accurate judgment.

"Since this matter has nothing to do with Young Master Jiang, then I shall not impose any further."

"Speaking of which, I should also thank Young Master Jiang for providing so many clues, but I still need to say one more thing."

He paused for a moment before continuing: "Officials from the State City are ruthless in their investigations, sparing no means, and they are all Great Sect disciples."

He offered this friendly reminder, implying that Jiang Feng should clean matters up, lest anyone from the State City sniff out something amiss, which somewhat surprised the young man.

But he soon understood, the likely reason was that Magistrate Sun, seeing Xue Ming dead and had lost a pillar of the Xue family to rely on, naturally needed another support, someone who could provide sufficient assistance to help him advance further.

His current self was worth reaching out to, and even more so in the future after inheriting the Yan Family.

"Yes, I have long heard of the people from the State City being formidable, but Lord County Magistrate need not worry too much, no matter what happens, it has nothing to do with you."

That put his mind at ease.

The anxiousness in his heart finally settled into his belly.

What he feared most was that after he reported to the State City regarding an expert at the Foundation Establishment level causing trouble, they would send someone to handle the situation.

Then, if Jiang Feng were to be caught by accident, unable to defeat them, he would vent his anger on me instead.

But now it seems, this young man knows how to behave.

"Since that’s the case, I shall not delay any longer. I must continue to search for evidence to submit to the state for dealing with this matter, I will take my leave first."

He bowed with cupped hands, nodded with a smile; this demeanor was utterly different from how the two met before, his posture even slightly submissive.

The direction of the wind changes in an instant; to stand firm amidst it, one must become a reed in the wind, bending with every blast to always remain undefeated.

Xue Ming is dead; there is no value left to extract from a deceased. And now, Jiang Feng in his eyes is the next Xue Ming. In the world of adults, there are no eternal enemies.

Only mutual interests.

"It’s been tough on you, Lord County Magistrate. I will need to rely on you more in the future."

"Lord County Magistrate, you should also take care to rest. Oh! How about two more drinks? I have some fine Green Snail Spring, I’ll bring a couple of packs for you next time!"

"Take care on your way out!"

Well, Jiang Feng may say he despises such creatures that lack integrity for the sake of benefits.

But he didn’t say he couldn’t adapt to the environment.

And he certainly didn’t say he wasn’t one himself.

However, behind the door, there was obviously a contemptuous gaze that had been watching the two for a long time.

"Tsks tsks, would you look at that, young yet more cunning than anyone – one moment with swords drawn, and the next almost groveling, hmph~ men really are all the same."

A silhouette directly emerged from behind the screen not far from the two.

Although the tone sounded somewhat disdainful, the look in her eyes revealed a mix of respect and admiration. In fact, when Jiang Feng flicked that porcelain chip, she had already prepared herself. Although Ethereal Violet Pavilion does not interfere in the mundane world, once someone makes a move on their territory...

Even a Great Sect wouldn’t let it slide, would they?

Yet she hadn’t expected the situation to dramatically conclude in such a manner.

"You’re here!?"

He was taken aback.

Closing his eyes and keenly feeling everything around him, only then did he startlingly realize that Lu Luo had completely hidden her presence, making both him and the County Magistrate oblivious to the fact that there was an additional person in the room.

He used to think that although Lu Luo was stronger than himself, she wasn’t much stronger, perhaps at the Foundation Establishment Realm, but now it seems she’s at least a whole realm higher than him.

The Core Formation Realm?

"What are you looking at? If it weren’t for Sister Su Yi saying she didn’t want a homicide in Ethereal Violet Pavilion, I wouldn’t have bothered with you."

She sat down on a chair with a flop, lifting her long legs carelessly, unconcerned that her pose could be seen by others, and straightforwardly took a sip from Jiang Feng’s teacup.

But Mr. Jiang is still quite clever.

"Cough, I thank Miss Lu Luo for lending a hand."

"Ten taels."

"Ha?"

A certain world-weary woman merely pointed at the chipped teacup on the table, with an expression as if her demand were the most justified thing in the world.

"Ten taels!"

"..."