Ascending to Godhood: I Can Foresee All Futures

After returning to the Changshan County Government Office, Chen Sheng immediately sought out Wu Kuang to inform him of his impending departure.

Aside from that, he just needed to bid Madam Yang farewell, and then it would be time for him to leave.

Upon hearing that Chen Sheng was about to leave, Wu Kuang thought for a moment before saying with a smile:

"How about we make one last score before you go? The influential families of Changshan are loaded."

It wasn’t just Chen Sheng who was leaving; Wu Kuang himself was also about to be transferred to a post in the Prefecture City. Before he left, Wu Kuang was naturally preparing to make a score. That way, his tenure in Changshan wouldn’t have been for naught.

Chen Sheng couldn’t help but chuckle at his words.

’This County Captain Wu is as ’pragmatic’ as ever. His personality hasn’t changed one bit.’

After a moment of consideration, Chen Sheng didn’t refuse.

Although with his current standing, the wealth of Changshan’s influential families was beneath his notice, he couldn’t very well refuse Wu Kuang’s suggestion. He would just consider it helping Wu Kuang build up his own fortune.

Seeing Chen Sheng agree, Wu Kuang flashed a knowing smile. He then informed Lin Shou of the news. Afterward, the two of them quickly spread the word of Chen Sheng’s return and sent out invitations far and wide.

In no time, every prominent family and gang in Changshan County had received a gilt-edged invitation.

No one dared to treat it lightly.

After all, although Changshan was quite far from Ning’an Prefecture City, it wasn’t completely cut off; they had their own channels for news.

They had all heard of Chen Sheng’s recent activities in Ning’an Prefecture.

Annihilating the Qu Shui Song Clan.

Crashing a wedding at Luoyun Manor.

Ascending to the ranks of the Ning’an Ten Heroes.

Placing fifth among the Ten Heroes.

Piece by piece, the news had already spread throughout Changshan.

It was no exaggeration to say that a figure like him—never mind in Changshan County, but even in the whole of Ning’an Prefecture—was the kind of person who could make the earth shake with a stomp of their foot.

What if they were disrespectful and incurred his displeasure?

After all, Captain Chen might not remember who attended.

But if someone didn’t attend and was remembered for it, it could very well lead to the annihilation of their entire family.

The banquet was held at a restaurant in Changshan County.

It was the very same restaurant where Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang had been invited when they first took up their posts.

Back then, Chen Sheng was merely one of Wu Kuang’s subordinates. While not exactly a nobody, he was certainly no big shot and didn’t receive any special attention.

But now, Chen Sheng sat deservingly in the seat of honor.

County Captain Wu Kuang and County Magistrate Lin Shou sat flanking him.

Around them, dozens of Changshan’s influential figures sat bolt upright, none daring to speak loudly.

"Captain Chen, do you still remember this old one?"

Amid the pleasantries, a portly old man stood up and bowed cautiously.

"When you were promoted to the Prefecture City, I presented you with an Elemental Crystal as a small token of my esteem..."

Chen Sheng glanced up at him and nodded slightly.

"Clan Leader Liu, I naturally remember your generous gift."

The old man’s face lit up with a broad smile, as if he had received the highest honor.

Seeing this, another man hurriedly stood up.

"Lord Captain, this humble one gave two hundred taels of silver..."

Chen Sheng swept his gaze over him and slowly shook his head.

"I have no memory of that."

Then, his tone shifted.

"But don’t worry. I’m not the type to hold a grudge."

The man’s face turned pale. He sat down sheepishly, not daring to say another word.

He inwardly wondered if his gift today had been too modest. But it was obviously too late to send someone home to prepare a more lavish one. For a moment, he was filled with regret.

The words "remember" and "don’t remember" carried vastly different weights in the hearts of the crowd.

Those whom Chen Sheng remembered could act with more confidence in Changshan County in the future. As for those he had forgotten, they would have to live in quiet fear, terrified of offending this malevolent star.

At the back of the crowd, Yang Hu, Gang Leader of the Seven Stars Gang, sat quietly, his heart a turmoil of mixed emotions.

Looking at the young man in the black robe seated in the place of honor, with his calm and imposing air that commanded respect without anger, and then recalling the feeble scholar from all those years ago, and everything that had happened since, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

’If I had been a steadfast follower back then, would things be different now?’

Yang Hu raised his cup and drained it in one go.

The wine entered his gut, transforming into a silent sigh.

Halfway through the banquet, Yang Hu finally couldn’t resist going forward to offer a toast.

"C-Captain Chen, this humble one raises a cup to you."

Chen Sheng glanced at him, raised his own cup in acknowledgement, and said coolly:

"A thoughtful gesture, Master Yang."

And nothing more.

To him, Yang Hu was already a person of the past. He didn’t care about the choices Yang Hu had made; after all, everyone had their own ideas. But it was too late now to try and curry favor.

Seeing this, the last spark of hope in Yang Hu’s heart was completely extinguished.

He understood that their former bond of master and subordinate had vanished like smoke.

The Chen Sheng of today was worlds apart from him, as different as clouds and mud.

The banquet continued late into the night.

After accepting the "tokens of esteem" from the various families and offering a few words of encouragement, Chen Sheng took his leave from Wu Kuang and Lin Shou.

He stepped out of the restaurant into the cool night air under a sky full of stars.

A carriage bearing the Yang Family’s insignia was parked nearby. Chen Sheng smiled knowingly at the sight. He had been prepared to make a trip to the Yang Family’s residence, but it seemed she hadn’t been able to rest easy.

"I’ve prepared some sobering soup."

Seeing Chen Sheng appear, Madam Yang pulled back the carriage curtain. A faint smile graced her lips. The past few days of "nourishment" had left her with an excellent complexion.

Although she was reluctant to see him go, she knew what was important. They had already made an agreement, which had eased many of her worries, but she still wanted to see him off.

"There’s no need. You, my lady, are the best sobering tonic I could ask for."

Chen Sheng laughed heartily, then strode forward and swept the voluptuous Madam Yang into his arms. He leaped into the carriage, which then headed toward the city gates.