Demon, don't come any closer!

Chapter 22 Seizing the Official Seal

People from other places.

Naturally, this is questionable.

Especially this group of outsiders; their sneaky behavior and suspicious movements made them even more suspicious.

Should we arrest them or not?

The moment this question arose in Dou Changsheng's mind, he had already made up his mind to seize it.

The old steward's death must be investigated. This incident has made everyone in Lang County feel insecure. They misunderstood me, so they are afraid of me and are rushing to send me gifts, essentially paying money to buy peace.

But Dou Changsheng knew his own situation; he hadn't done it himself. With a murderer in Lang County who could kill the old steward, Dou Changsheng couldn't eat or sleep well. After all, if someone could kill the old steward, they could also kill Dou Changsheng.

After a moment's hesitation, Dou Changsheng slowly spoke, "The old steward was no weakling. To kill him, this gang of thieves must be very strong. Can your three shifts of constables handle them?"

Without any hesitation, Officer Wang decisively shook his head and said, "Of course not."

"Even if we win a battle with open warfare, the losses will be far too great."

"Therefore, please have Master Dou write a letter, then open the storeroom and bring out a sixth-grade forbidden magic talisman. This battle will surely be won."

No matter how small or remote Lang County is, it is still a county with 13,000 households. Naturally, the Great Chu would not abandon it. The taxes and faith it provides each year are not insignificant, so it is naturally bestowed with various magical artifacts, talismans, and elixirs.

The demon rats of Chenjiazhuang are just a nuisance, not insurmountable. Now, in order to please Dou Changsheng, Constable Wang doesn't care about anything else. As long as he brings out a sixth-grade forbidden talisman, when the battle begins, even if the enemy is weak, as long as the body is destroyed and all evidence is eliminated, he can win.

Who dares to say this group isn't the murderer?

If the enemy is not strong, why would they need to use a sixth-grade forbidden spell talisman?

Such a sixth-rank talisman is extremely precious. Every time it is used, it must be stamped with the county magistrate's seal. Even the county magistrate Zhang and the county lieutenant Lin do not have the authority to use it.

The higher authorities are very strict in their review of this matter, and there will definitely be an investigation afterward, especially if it involves actions that could affect one's political achievements.

Therefore, this thing should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Now that Constable Wang has surrendered to Dou Changsheng, he naturally doesn't care about Cui Shuyu anymore. Shangguan has a bad impression of Cui Shuyu and doesn't think highly of him, but that has nothing to do with them.

Last time in Chenjiazhuang, Constable Wang didn't even mention it, because he knew Cui Shuyu would definitely not agree.

Dou Changsheng had no idea what Constable Wang was thinking. He agreed with Constable Wang's suggestion. Being able to kill the old steward meant he was very strong, so he should go all out. Dou Changsheng even thought that a sixth-grade forbidden talisman was not very safe.

Dou Changsheng naturally didn't know how to write a letter by hand, but others did. After they wrote it, Dou Changsheng only needed to copy it. This was the advantage of being in a position of power. Now, all that was left was to stamp it.

Dou Changsheng shook the paper, thought for a moment, and said, "There's still some uncertainty. I'll personally go to County Commandant Lin and ask him to mobilize troops to act with you. No, I should say you'll cooperate with County Commandant Lin."

"Go to the county government office and ask the magistrate to affix his seal."

Dou Changsheng and Constable Wang walked out through the back door, as the front door was completely blocked. Dou Changsheng wasn't too worried about dealing with these people; his good nephew was quite capable and could handle everything perfectly.

After leaving the mansion, Constable Wang headed straight for the county government office, but he was stopped in front of the back hall of the county government office.

"The inner hall is for women, and it is not convenient for outsiders to enter."

Officer Wang frowned and quickly said, "Go and inform the magistrate that I have important news to report."

The servant nodded and went into the back hall. He came out shortly after and said to Constable Wang, "The master is unwell and has no energy to see outsiders. Everything outside has been handed over to Master Dou. If you have any business, just go and find Master Dou."

After the servant finished speaking, Wang, the head constable, was about to turn and leave when he stepped forward, grabbed the servant's wrist, and said in a deep voice, "This matter was ordered by Master Dou."

"If you, sir, do not wish to see me, then please hand over your official seal."

After finishing speaking, Constable Wang shoved the servant, who stumbled and nearly fell to the ground. The servant glared angrily at Constable Wang, about to say something, when Constable Wang snapped at him, "Hurry up and go!"

The servant turned around unwillingly and staggered towards the back hall. He was clearly very unwilling. After all, as the servant of the county magistrate, he was usually treated like an ancestor by outsiders. After all, even a seventh-rank official is treated like a prince. Now that he was being treated like this, the servant was naturally unwilling and planned to make things difficult for Constable Wang after seeing the magistrate.

Officer Wang's expression was gloomy and he looked very unhappy. This was not directed at Cui Shuyu, but at Dou Changsheng.

Coming to the county government office to collect the official seal was something Dou Changsheng should have done; he should have gone to ask County Lieutenant Lin for help. But Dou Changsheng didn't do that. At first, Constable Wang didn't think much of it, but after he arrived at the county government office and was refused by the servants once, he immediately realized that Dou Changsheng was trying to get him to pay a price for his loyalty.

Although he intended to join Dou Changsheng, Constable Wang only planned to offer advice from behind the scenes. He absolutely could not confront Cui Shuyu head-on. Even if Cui Shuyu lost face, he was still the head of a county and an official appointed by the imperial court.

He was not comparable to a lowly county magistrate or county lieutenant; a true marquis of a hundred li had a limitless future.

But Dou Changsheng didn't give him a chance and forced him to make a choice directly. So, although Wang, the head constable, was very reluctant, he still used the word "hand over" instead of taking out a handwritten letter and asking Cui Shuyu to stamp it.

After careful consideration, Constable Wang realized that Dou Changsheng hadn't uttered a single word or hinted at wanting Cui Shuyu to hand over the seal, yet he had specifically sent him. Given the relationship between Dou Changsheng and Cui Shuyu, his purpose was self-evident. He was truly a cautious person, leaving no room for doubt.

Officer Wang was very unhappy, but he had no choice but to back down, after all, there were demons behind Dou Changsheng.

With the strength of Lang County, if they really spared no effort, taking down the Ferocious Tiger would not be a problem. Even a mid-level rank expert would die. But Dou Changsheng, a high-ranking official of Lang County, colluded with the Ferocious Tiger, making the Ferocious Tiger invincible.

To use talismans, Dou Changsheng needs to write a document. Even if County Magistrate Lin is mobilizing troops, he still has to follow procedures. Dou Changsheng can control the opponent's armor, weapons, and command flags, and directly control the opponent.

So asking County Lieutenant Lin to send troops wasn't too difficult, because without Dou Changsheng's cooperation, what would County Lieutenant Lin's troops eat and drink? Would they fight with scrap metal?

If Constable Wang doesn't hand over a pledge of loyalty today, given Dou Changsheng's ruthlessness, he might not even see the sun rise tomorrow. No, he might be devouring people in the street by this afternoon.

And it's not just Wang the Constable who got eaten; it's a real possibility. For ruthless people who collude with demons, killing someone is perfectly normal, isn't it?

Dou Changsheng dared to kill even the old steward, so why would he care about a mere constable?

Wang, the head constable, stood quietly, his mind racing with countless thoughts. He didn't know how much time had passed when the servant came out again, looking rather smug, and said directly, "You may leave."

"Grandpa doesn't want to see you."

After the servants embellished the story, they successfully angered the master. They had offended him and still wanted to see him? They were dreaming. As people close to the master, it was difficult for them to help others accomplish things, but it was extremely easy for them to do something bad.

Head Constable Wang raised his head slightly and saw the smugness in the servant's expression. A nameless fire suddenly rose from his chest. Dou Changsheng didn't take him seriously because the other party had demons that could really kill him.

A mere servant dares to take advantage of him and give him attitude.

Officer Wang's anger flared, but he hadn't lost his temper. He was quickly weighing the pros and cons, and finally gritted his teeth, made up his mind, took a step forward, and slapped the target.

With a snap.

A clear handprint appeared on the servant's cheek. Constable Wang had slapped him hard, knocking the servant to the ground and causing him to let out a painful howl.

This triggered a chain reaction. Immediately, a group of people quickly gathered, watching Officer Wang warily. Officer Wang strode forward, pushing aside those who tried to obstruct him, and said in a deep voice, "Master Dou has business to discuss with the Grand Master. If you dare to obstruct him and cause such a serious delay, can you bear the responsibility?"

"Get out of here, all of you."

When Constable Wang barged in, they naturally dared to stop him, but upon hearing Constable Wang call out "Master Dou," they immediately calmed down, each one as if rooted to the spot, unable to move an inch.

There was no way around it; the reasoning was the same. Officer Wang was afraid, and so were they.

Demons kill people easily and efficiently, and it's even easier to quell the situation afterward. A simple "demons causing trouble" can perfectly resolve everything, making it seem like death was pointless.

Constable Wang charged straight in without any further obstruction. He was very satisfied with this scene. Dou Changsheng became famous in one battle, and anyone with knowledge was terrified of him.

Everyone was afraid, so it wasn't just him who was cowardly, which made Officer Wang feel much better.

Having caused such a commotion, Cui Shuyu naturally heard it too. His plump figure, wearing a robe, walked out of the room, his eyes, as small as grains of rice, fixed on Constable Wang.

In the past, when Constable Wang saw him, he would automatically bow and lower his body, a posture that showed obedience, like a dog. But now, Constable Wang had abandoned his usual humility, standing tall and imposing.

Head Constable Wang was tall and burly, as strong as a brown bear. Standing in front of Cui Shuyu, who was as big as a ball of flesh, he exuded great pressure. He bowed slightly and looked down at Cui Shuyu, saying, "Sir."

"You are already ill, so you should hand over your official seal."

Slightly uneasy, yet extremely comfortable, he felt as if his bones had lightened considerably, an unbearable feeling of pleasure. This was the lord of a county! Normally, when he saw him, Constable Wang would be humble and subservient, like a dog, never displaying such arrogance.

Cui Shuyu's fat face trembled, and her chest heaved violently. She was so angry that her breathing became rapid, and she angrily shouted, "What are you?"

"How dare they demand the official seal?"

"Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Officer Wang raised his head and said with a sneer, "Of course I wouldn't dare, but I'm here on behalf of Master Dou."

"The county is very busy with official business. It's too much trouble for them to come to the old man for his seal every time, and it will also affect the old man's recuperation."

"Since the old master is ill, he should take good care of himself. This is all thanks to Master Dou's good intentions."

Cui Shuyu angrily retorted, "Insolence!"

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Constable Wang, who said, "Sir, you're delirious from your illness."

"Master Dou has worked tirelessly for you, searched for the thieves to avenge you, and done everything he could for your own good, yet you still dare to doubt him."

Officer Wang shook his head and sighed, "If it were a normal person, they would definitely be extremely grateful to Master Dou."

"But you suspect that Master Dou has ulterior motives. Isn't that just being delirious from illness?"

"Master Dou's deep affection was misunderstood by the old master. Master Dou was magnanimous and didn't care, but we can't pretend it didn't exist."

"If we choose to turn a blind eye, wouldn't that be letting the heroes bleed and weep?"

"Grandpa, you should be more dignified."

The rest of the words were left unsaid, but the meaning of Wang the constable's threat was clear: if things went wrong, it would all be your own fault.

Cui Shuyu, like a deflated balloon, laughed in anger. The puppet he had pushed forward, along with his own dog, were now colluding together and turning against their master.

At this moment, Cui Shuyu also realized that the county government had made a mistake by taking that step back; they had underestimated the impact.

Even your own dog dares to bare its teeth at you; you really shouldn't back down.

Should we break off all relations?

Having said all that, Constable Wang had no way out and was no longer willing to switch sides. He was determined to go all the way with Dou Changsheng. His firm refusal of Constable Wang meant that he was ready to fight Dou Changsheng.

Cui Shuyu was confident of winning because he was an official, and the power and righteousness derived from his official position were something that Dou Changsheng did not have. But what about the Jin Yuwei?

The appearance of the words "Golden Jade Guard" completely calmed Cui Shuyu down.

Losing power in Lang County might only damage one's reputation, not lead to death, but the Jin Yuwei would be deadly.

He'd already taken a step back; taking another step back wouldn't matter. His reputation was already ruined anyway, and no matter how arrogant that dog, Constable Wang, was, he wouldn't dare take his life.

Cui Shuyu decided to endure it. As long as he could get through this ordeal, killing these people would be a piece of cake.

With such a family background and unlimited future prospects, why risk your life?

Cui Shuyu gritted his teeth and said, "The official seal is here, get out of here."

Instead of snatching it away, Chief Constable Wang solemnly accepted it with both hands. The official seal represented power, and it could not be treated with any negligence.

After putting away his official seal, Constable Wang looked down at Cui Shuyu with disdain in his eyes. Such a coward, such a wimp. If he hadn't been born good, how could he have become the head of a county?

He directly instructed the servants beside him, "Master is ill and cannot get out of bed. You must take good care of him."

"If Grandpa moves around too much, it could worsen his condition."

"Master Dou won't let you get away with this!"