At the start of the game, you have one equipment slot; the effects of unequipping the equipment rema

The lake in Cao Xiu's courtyard is very deep and murky.

This was Yuan Yuan's first reaction after entering the water.

Although martial artists have strong night vision, visibility in deep water at night is almost negligible.

After entering the water, she lost sight of Mu Yang before she could swim very far.

As for Cao Xiu?

She didn't even see a shadow of her.

Even Yuan Yuan, who entered the water first, couldn't find any trace of Mu Yang and the other person, let alone Shen Chongyuan, who entered the water later.

Left with no other option, the two had to stop, float in the water, and try to sense the changes in the surrounding water flow to make a determination.

Unfortunately, neither of them were good at swimming, and they gained nothing.

Just as the two were hesitating about whether to choose a direction randomly, Mu Yang's figure suddenly approached from afar.

"Didn't catch up...?"

Yuan Yuan sighed inwardly.

Indeed, Cao Xiu was known as the Black Dragon of the Waves. He was not only formidable in naval battles, but also extremely fast underwater. Given the darkness at the bottom of the water, it was normal that he couldn't catch up.

It's already quite good that Mu Yang was able to return safely.

After the three reunited, Shen Chongyuan raised his hand and pointed to the water, indicating that they should go up first.

A moment later, the three emerged from the water.

The uniforms of the Demon Slayer Division are extremely waterproof. Even after being soaked in water for a long time, they do not become damp and sticky to the body, nor do they become translucent.

In addition, all three were martial artists at the Meridian Opening Realm, and with a mere surge of true energy, they were able to remove the water stains from their bodies.

"Mu..."

Yuan Yuan looked at Mu Yang, and was about to say something to comfort him that it was normal not to catch up, when she saw Mu Yang reach into his sleeve pocket.

The next moment, a corpse with a collapsed chest and a gaping chest came into view.

It was none other than Cao Xiu!

Yuan Yuan paused in her act of opening her mouth, swallowing back the words of comfort she was about to say.

Shen Chongyuan, who was standing to the side, also widened his eyes slightly. Ignoring everything else, he quickly walked over and examined it carefully.

After confirming that it really was Cao Xiu, Shen Chongyuan felt his head buzzing.

Wait, what's going on?

Cao Xiu died just like that?

Did he die in the naval battles that he excelled at?

Shen Chongyuan was astonished, his eyes filled with amazement as he looked at Mu Yang.

If the two weren't unfamiliar with each other, and if the environment weren't so awkward, he would have asked Mu Yang how he did it.

Yuan Yuan didn't press for details. Just like before in the alley, she slowly walked forward, confirmed that the body was indeed Cao Xiu, and then said:

"According to the rules, the loot from targets killed during the mission will be distributed according to the level of contribution. Since you killed Cao Xiu alone, all the spoils are yours."

Mu Yang nodded.

He knew this, of course.

This is why, when Cao Xiu jumped into the lake, he didn't throw out wind blades to stop him, but instead directly entered the water to pursue him.

I didn't mean anything by it; I just didn't want to share the spoils.

Qin Yuan and the others were also amazed as they watched Mu Yang bring back Cao Xiu's body with such ease.

But perhaps because Mu Yang had done so many shocking things, they weren't so surprised to see Cao Xiu die at Mu Yang's hands.

After all, he is Mu Yang!

Only Cao Ding was stunned and lost in thought after seeing Cao Xiu's corpse.

"elder brother......"

His eyes reddened, and hot tears streamed down his face.

Just a moment ago, after calming down, he understood Cao Xiu's intentions.

The kick was an attempt to give him a chance to live.

But to his surprise, even with Cao Xiu's strength, he couldn't survive after entering the water!

Is this the retribution for colluding with demons...?

Cao Ding slowly raised his head and looked at the corpse on the ground, which was covered in water stains.

His eyes held no anger or resentment, only deep sorrow.

He slowly began to recount the outrageous things his brother had done over the past six months.

Six months ago, Cao Xiu accidentally captured an injured fish demon named Catfish Demon, who had the ability to transform special women into ghosts.

It can also transform ghosts into Yin beads to aid in cultivation.

Then, his brother, as if possessed by a demon, began to torture and kill innocent girls.

"I advised him countless times, but he always said he knew what he was doing. Later, he even started to let that accomplice harm the brothers in the gang. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I secretly compiled a taboo incantation and spread it out."

He lowered his head, his gaze falling on the moss growing in the crevices of the lake.

No one interrupted him.

Looking at Cao Ding, who was heartbroken and despondent, Qin Yuan sighed with regret.

As an old man from Qinghe County, he had heard the legendary stories of the chief of the Cao Gang and knew that the Cao brothers were ruthless people who were both brave and resourceful.

Cao Xiu, in particular, possessed extraordinary martial arts talent and leadership qualities. Unexpectedly, he lost his mind in the end and met such a tragic end.

Yuan Yuan held the silver needle between her fingers and sighed softly.

Shen Chong, on the other hand, had a cold face and no expression.

Having been a constable for so many years, what stories hadn't he heard?

As for Mu Yang, he looked calmly at Cao Ding, waiting for him to continue.

"My brother is a murderer, arsonist, cruel man who harms the innocent, colludes with demons, and betrays his gang members. If you list them all, almost all of them are evil deeds..."

Cao Ding seemed to be talking to himself, his voice growing softer and softer.

Suddenly, he raised his head, his reddened eyes looking at Mu Yang.

"My brother has done many wrong things; he's an absolute villain. But he's my brother, the one who snatched half a cornbread from a stray dog's mouth and raised me bit by bit!"

As he spoke, he swiftly drew a short knife from his waist and charged straight at Mu Yang.

He didn't use his inner energy or any martial arts techniques; he was just like an ordinary person with no cultivation.

Yuan Yuan wanted to say something, but Shen Chongyuan raised his hand to stop her.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Mu Yang raised his hand and threw a punch without the slightest hesitation.

The force of the punch compressed the air, and in a single blow, it pierced through Cao Ding's chest.

"Clang~~"

The dagger slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.

Cao Ding spread his arms and lay back, falling right next to Cao Xiu.

His eyes began to glaze over, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, as if he were smiling.

"Ading!"

On his deathbed, Cao Ding seemed to hear a boy's clear voice: "Look, we have food! We have a new home now!!"

..................

A night breeze swept across the lake, bringing a touch of coolness.

With the deaths of the Cao brothers, the Grand Canal Gang was essentially destroyed.

Next came the task of integrating the surrendered middle-level members of the canal gang and maintaining the stability of the lower-level members.

Of course, none of this has anything to do with Mu Yang.

After collecting the bodies of the Cao brothers, Mu Yang and the others rushed back to the Demon Slayer Division to hand over their mission.

Although both are raiding missions, the Cao Gang, with Cao Xiu in charge, is naturally more difficult than the Pingwei Escort Agency mission last night.

Correspondingly, the rewards will be greater.

Team leader Yuan Yuan has five Xuan-level superior merits.

Mu Yang, who killed Cao Xiu, earned a low-level merit at the prefectural level.

In addition, he also obtained a "Black Water Meridian Opening Method" and a martial art called "Overlapping Wave Palm" from Cao Xiu's sleeve.

It was a great harvest.

Including the martial arts he exchanged this morning, he now possesses two meridian-opening techniques, one dantian-building technique, and two fifth-tier martial arts skills.

Unfortunately, my equipment inventory is full and there's no free slot for now.