Chapter Fifty-Six: Comparing the Census Registers

This book, too, is a record of testing procedures. Judging by the handwriting, it is strikingly similar to the last one, clearly penned by Zheng Wen as well.

"Eleventh day of testing. I dare not leave this out in the open, afraid my foster father might see it. I already have results."

"The bark of the Fire Phoenix Tree appears to have a particular allure for Tricksters. After one consumed it, the strength I had previously stripped away surprisingly showed some signs of recovery."

"However, after consuming it, my mind felt even more chaotic. I am already at the brink of losing control. I have decided to try it on myself—a desperate cure for a doomed man."

"The sensation after consumption was utter chaos. It felt as if something I had previously devoured had awakened. In any case, it was an extraordinary experience."

Zheng Wen was cautious, hiding the truly significant findings within the mechanism.

The first page ended, and Fang Mu continued flipping through, but the following pages contained only a few brief lines.

"My foster father asked me to deceive someone. Today's testing stops here. All of us mutated because of the bark from Meng County. Then… could it be that my foster father has a piece of his own bark?"

Nothing followed after that. The mention of deceiving someone—Fang Mu surmised that it was the mastermind sending Zheng Wen to trick them. Perhaps Zheng Wen intended to write more later, but never had the chance.

"Bark…" Fang Mu pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "We go to Meng County."

"Now?" Iron Calculator was taken aback.

"There’s no time to lose. We set out immediately." Fang Mu packed up their things, and together they left the underground cave.

Emerging from the well, the two did not linger but headed straight for Meng County.

…

The journey was uneventful; even the mastermind behind the scenes did not set any traps. The two reached Meng County without incident.

As both were Mystic Warriors, they traveled swiftly, arriving before dawn.

"Brother Bronze Calculator, where do we begin our search?" Iron Calculator looked at the dark, deserted street and asked.

Fang Mu gripped the handle of his butcher’s knife and countered, "Since it’s the population register, naturally we start with the people. In a county, besides that place, where else keeps such records?"

"The county office?"

"Exactly."

The county office was the administrative center, overseeing all matters of law and order; naturally, the population was included in its records.

But with Magistrate Zhang already executed and himself having been away for some time, Fang Mu wondered if a new magistrate had already taken office.

After a brief discussion, the two set off toward the county office.

When they arrived at the county office, Fang Mu noticed a lantern hanging by the entrance, its light still burning. He frowned slightly.

A lit lantern meant someone was inside.

It hadn’t been long since Magistrate Zhang’s death—had a new official been appointed so quickly?

After a moment's thought, Fang Mu and Iron Calculator found a concealed spot and climbed over the wall.

No sooner had they set foot on the ground than Fang Mu’s instincts sounded an alarm. He instantly activated his Golden Body Technique.

A golden shield flared around him, and a streak of dark red light flashed before his eyes—a dark red longsword halted at the very edge of his defense.

"Qing Ruowu." Fang Mu gazed at the figure in the shadows, her official robes denoting a high rank, and spoke calmly.

Qing Ruowu, dressed in the Inspectorate’s uniform, stepped out from the darkness.

Seeing Fang Mu, her brows furrowed slightly. "Fang Mu, what are you doing here..." She approached, putting away her talisman sword.

"I’m here on business this time." Fang Mu withdrew his Golden Body Technique, glancing at the quiet office. "You haven't left yet?"

"Fang Mu?" Iron Calculator felt a wave of emotion—after so many twists and turns, he finally knew the man’s name.

Qing Ruowu glanced around, signaling with her eyes, "Let’s talk inside."

Fang Mu nodded and followed her into a room.

"The new magistrate hasn’t arrived yet," Qing Ruowu said, closing the door. "A Patrol Chief from the Inspectorate came to inspect everything; he even visited the Fire Phoenix Forest and took away the bark for further study."

"I’m staying here for now. Once the new magistrate arrives, I’ll leave."

She did not elaborate on how to explain the magistrate’s death to the townsfolk.

Fang Mu found a seat and asked, "The Patrol Chief found nothing? The bark showed no sign of a problem?"

"This Patrol Chief is more inclined to combat, somewhat lacking in investigative skills," Qing Ruowu replied with a smile. "By the way, what brings you here? And this is…?"

As she spoke, Qing Ruowu poured water for Fang Mu and Iron Calculator.

"A friend," Fang Mu introduced. "Are all of Meng County’s records in your care? I’d like to see the population register."

Qing Ruowu hesitated, surprised. "Is something still unresolved? Now that I think about it, I’ve been uneasy lately. Everything seems to be going too smoothly."

"Let’s check first," Fang Mu replied evasively. "I need to see if there’s any problem."

After a moment’s thought, Qing Ruowu agreed and left to find the county’s population register.

Once she had gone, Iron Calculator glanced around, looking like he wanted to speak but couldn’t.

"If you have something to say, just say it. Why the hesitation?" Fang Mu frowned.

Iron Calculator considered for a moment, then sighed. "Bronze—no, Brother Fang, don’t you find it odd that the mastermind hasn’t shown up? Feels like a trap."

Their journey had been so calm, nothing unusual had happened. Could it be the mastermind was biding his time?

Given the mastermind’s cunning, there was no way they’d just let them be.

Fang Mu narrowed his eyes and smiled. "If the enemy advances, we defend; if the water rises, we build a dam. Isn’t that exactly what we’re doing now?"

"Oh?"

"Turning passivity into initiative." Fang Mu tapped the table. "We solve the mysteries first, then figure out how to deal with the problem."

Iron Calculator fell silent. That was all they could do. Nothing wrong with that.

Yet the omens in his divinations all pointed to great misfortune, leaving him uneasy.

Creak—

At that moment, the door opened, and Qing Ruowu entered, carrying a book.

"This is Meng County’s population register," she said, placing it on the table and sitting beside Fang Mu, clearly interested. "Take a look. See if there’s anything amiss."

Fang Mu opened the register and took out the one he’d gotten from Zheng Wen, carefully comparing the two.

Qing Ruowu poured him another cup of water, sitting close by as they examined the records together.

Fang Mu took up a pen, marking matching names and filling in the gaps.

"Chen Sandog, Wang Erya, Liu Sichuan… This is… it's him!"

Fang Mu raised his head, stunned.

Qing Ruowu wore the same expression, unable to hide her shock.

There was a name in the register that both of them knew!