Chapter 172: Requesting a Mission

"Please, have some tea, Lord Governor. There’s no need to rush."

"How can I not be anxious? The people of Jingzhou City are furious. I’ve covered for your Evil Extermination Bureau several times already, but how much longer can we drag this out?"

Lu Bai and He Liangzhi had just arrived when they heard Mo Tang speaking with the Governor of Jingzhou, Liang Yifan, inside.

The two of them reached the doorway. Thinking it improper to barge in, they stood outside and watched.

The atmosphere in the main hall was tense.

At the head of the hall sat Liang Yifan, the Governor of Jingzhou.

His temples were gray, his features resolute. He had the stern, imposing air of a high-ranking frontier official. His deep-set eyes glinted sharply from time to time, and his face was clouded with displeasure as he argued with Mo Tang, who was seated in a lower position.

Mo Tang said softly, "This is indeed my fault, not the Evil Extermination Bureau’s. My injuries have not yet healed, so I truly cannot enter the water."

"Lord Mo, I know you were injured by the Corpse Refining Sect; there are extenuating circumstances. I have not come here today to force you into the Jingshui River to exterminate the evil."

Liang Yifan said, "However, you must also consider my position, and the Court’s.

"As long as the Water Ghosts remain, the people of Jingzhou City will continue to voice their grievances. So many of them depend on the Jingshui River to make a living. Now that their livelihoods have been cut off, they have all gathered in the city. There’s no way to house them all, and the County Government Office lacks the funds to support this many people."

Mo Tang didn’t argue. "You are right, my lord."

Liang Yifan continued, "Furthermore, a great many merchant vessels travel up and down the Jingshui River each day. They have all been halted now. This affects not only trade and commerce, but thousands upon thousands of families.

"Many of these families live hand-to-mouth. If this drags on, it will easily give rise to other disturbances.

"If this blows up and word reaches the Capital City, it won’t just be you, Lord Mo. I’m afraid even I won’t be able to hold on to my position as Governor of Jingzhou."

Mo Tang lowered her head slightly. Still refusing to argue with Liang Yifan, she simply said, "The Lord Governor’s concern for the people is a blessing for Jingzhou City."

"We’ve been talking for ages. Give me a solution!"

Liang Yifan sensed Mo Tang was just placating him. He frowned, his tone hardening.

"Just wait a little longer."

Mo Tang said, "In a few more days, once my injuries have recovered some, I will go to the Jingshui River and deal with this."

"Lord Mo, I’m not trying to force you into the water to hunt ghosts."

Liang Yifan lowered his voice slightly. "But this situation has gotten so out of hand. You have to at least make a show of it, to give the people of the city some kind of answer."

Mo Tang asked, "What do you have in mind, my lord?"

Liang Yifan said, "Since your injury makes it inconvenient for you, just send several more Evil Exterminator Guards into the water. Make a big spectacle of it. Let the people of the city see, so they can’t say the Evil Extermination Bureau is doing nothing."

"That is not acceptable."

Mo Tang shook her head. "There could be more than ten Water Ghosts in the Jingshui River, and possibly a Fierce Ghost among them. Forget about the Innate Realm Evil Exterminator Guards—even if I were fully healed, I could die going in there.

"Sending these Evil Exterminator Guards into the water now would be a death sentence. Besides, the Bureau has already lost one guard."

With the lives of her Evil Exterminator Guards on the line, Mo Tang refused to be evasive.

Liang Yifan’s expression grew cold. He said slowly, "The Evil Extermination Bureau allows Ghost Souls and wicked spirits to plague the Jingshui River, disregarding the livelihoods of Jing State’s people and ignoring the public’s outcry. Lord Mo, you act so fearlessly. Is it because you have a powerful backer in the Court?

"If I were to submit a memorial impeaching you, what would Duke Jing think of the matter?"

Mo Tang fell silent.

’If something this minor were to cause a stir in the Capital City, I wouldn’t be able to keep my position as Morning Bell Ringer, no matter the outcome.’

’I don’t really care about the official title.’

’But... my performance in this matter will likely disappoint Master.’

"My lady, why not let me try?"

Just then, a voice came from outside the door.

Lu Bai walked in.

Mo Tang frowned. "Xiaolu, you..."

Lu Bai said, "My lady, I’m a decent swimmer. I can go to the Jingshui River and investigate. Success or failure, it will at least serve as an answer for the Lord Governor and the people of the city."

"Yes, that’s the right idea."

Liang Yifan nodded.

Mo Tang shot Lu Bai a reproachful glance.

Now that Lu Bai had said it publicly, she had no way to refuse him.

"Who’s that? Loves being the center of attention, doesn’t he?"

"He’s new. Name’s Lu Bai."

"What a lunatic. If he wants to get himself killed, fine, but he’s going to drag the rest of us down with him."

Seeing Lu Bai volunteer, several of the Evil Exterminator Guards were displeased and began whispering among themselves.

’If Lu Bai goes in, he can’t possibly go alone.’

’Someone from our group will definitely have to go with him.’

’This mission is a death trap.’

’The Evil Extermination Bureau’s duty is to slay evil spirits, but nobody wants to throw their life away for nothing.’

"What nonsense are you all spouting!"

He Liangzhi shot a glare at the men beside him.

Mo Tang considered this, then said, "I’ll take a few others and go in the water with you."

"Brother Lu, my lady, count me in."

He Liangzhi stepped forward without a moment’s hesitation.

He hadn’t known Lu Bai for long, but he owed him his life.

At a critical moment like this, he couldn’t possibly let Lu Bai face the danger alone.

"My lady, your injuries haven’t healed. It’s enough for you to provide support from the shore."

Lu Bai said, "Brother He, I’m fine in the water by myself. If there’s another person, I won’t be able to look out for them. If we both go in and something happens, I can’t protect you."

He Liangzhi was left speechless.

’He knew Lu Bai meant well, but did he have to be so blunt?’

’It made him sound completely useless.’

When the other Evil Exterminator Guards heard this, they exchanged glances. Only then did they realize they had misunderstood Lu Bai, and a sense of shame crept into their hearts.

’They had been with the Evil Extermination Bureau for years, yet their courage couldn’t match that of a rookie.’

"How can you possibly go alone!"

Mo Tang shook her head.

"Even on land, missions required a minimum of two Evil Exterminator Guards traveling together, so they could watch each other’s backs and respond to any sudden developments."

Lu Bai said solemnly, "I ask for your permission, my lady!"

Mo Tang stared at Lu Bai for a long moment before finally nodding slowly. She stood up and said, "Let’s go. We’ll head to the Jingshui River together and wait for you on the bank."

Then, Mo Tang turned to Liang Yifan and said coolly, "Lord Governor, you wanted an answer, didn’t you? Then summon all those people who’ve recently flocked to the city and bring them to the Jingshui River with us."

’The more people gathered by the Jingshui River, the less likely that True Master Martial Dao from the Mo Country will dare to show himself in plain sight.’

’At least it will eliminate one threat for Lu Bai.’

’As for the Water Ghosts in the river... Lu Bai will have to rely on himself for those.’

’He even managed to survive the Red and White Collision Evil, a perilous setup with no chance of survival.’

’Perhaps he can survive these Water Ghosts as well.’

’It was the only possibility Mo Tang could imagine.’

’After all, Lu Bai possessed the Yin-Yang Eye and understood strange and peculiar Magic Techniques, like the Array of Ascension for Chickens and Dogs.’

Liang Yifan said, "Excellent. I will also go out of the city to have a look and see this young fellow’s skills for myself."

"Brother Lu, your righteousness puts me to shame. I am Zheng Yong."

An Evil Exterminator Guard stepped forward, cupping his fist to Lu Bai in a salute.

’In his eyes, Lu Bai volunteering for this mission was the same as offering up his own life to provide an answer to the Prefecture Government Office and the people of Jingzhou City!’

’He even insisted on going in alone, just to avoid dragging the rest of them down with him.’

"Brother Lu, it’s a shame we won’t have the chance to drink together."

"Brother Lu, I was being petty just now and misjudged you. I was wrong."

One by one, the Evil Exterminator Guards came forward.

Lu Bai offered a few simple replies.

’He hadn’t thought that far ahead.’

’He was just thinking that a tool like the Ancient Mirror couldn’t be revealed in front of others. Going into the water alone was simply the most convenient way to operate.’