Chapter 347 - 191: You Knelt Before I Even Made a Move?
"Why must you, Alliance Leader, act personally to deal with a mere junior in the Innate Realm? I am more than enough. What’s more, the Alliance faces threats both internal and external. We need you here to oversee things."
Gu Shuangjia stroked his long beard, his tone nonchalant.
Zhou Kuohai’s brow furrowed slightly.
"This boy defies common sense; he is no ordinary junior. It’s not a problem for you to take action, Elder Gu, but you must be extremely careful to avoid any mishaps."
Zhou Kuohai had long since stopped underestimating Chen Sheng.
After all, a young man from a Humble Family in a backwater county had managed to strike fear into Ning’an in just one short year.
That fact alone convinced him that Chen Sheng was no ordinary person, which was why he had wanted to deal with him personally.
In fact, the more he looked into Chen Sheng’s background, the more he felt an inexplicable, unnerving quality about the boy—a feeling he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
Of course, he took the threat seriously.
But in Zhou Kuohai’s eyes, Chen Sheng was ultimately just a junior in the Innate Realm.
Even with a Mental Realm, he was far from being a match for an expert in the Mystic Realm.
The gulf between the Innate and Mystic Realms was not easily bridged.
What’s more, Elder Gu was no mere novice in the Mystic Realm. His Cultivation had already reached the peak of the Primordial Sea Realm, and he was but half a step away from the Thunder Sound Realm.
In fact, if it weren’t for his advanced age and declining Blood Qi, breaking through to the Thunder Sound Realm wouldn’t have been difficult for him at all.
"I understand."
Elder Gu gave a slight nod.
"Also, if you get the chance, don’t kill him immediately. It’s best to capture him alive and bring him back to the Alliance. We can use him to threaten the Government Office. The Alliance will lend you a hand, doing our best to draw the Government Office’s attention..."
Zhou Kuohai earnestly explained the plan.
"Alliance Leader, you need only await my good news."
Elder Gu smiled nonchalantly.
While he didn’t underestimate Chen Sheng, he didn’t regard him as a major threat either.
After all, no matter how talented or famous his opponent was, in the end, he only had his Innate Cultivation.
And he was a true expert of the Mystic Realm!
...
Meanwhile.
Inside the grand assembly hall of the City Lord’s Mansion in Yunze City.
The atmosphere was a world away from the oppressive one at the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance headquarters, yet it was filled with a subtle tension all its own.
Four Standard Sixth Grade Captains of Jing’an, and under them, more than ten Junior Sixth Grade Deputy Captains of Jing’an and Seventh-Grade Peacekeeper Envoys, had almost all gathered.
They were all gathered together, and their hushed conversations were tinged with an unconcealable agitation and discontent.
The order had come down from above.
Today, a Standard Sixth Grade Captain of Jing’an would arrive to assume office. He would also take on the role of Yunze City’s Lord, command the city’s seven battalions of the Jingwu Guard, and be given full authority over the extermination of the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance.
The news had instantly thrown them all into an uproar.
’We’re all Standard Sixth Grade, so why should we take orders from him?’
If it were a Junior Fifth Grade Vice Governor, no one would have a word to say. After all, a higher rank carries absolute authority.
Besides, his Cultivation would be higher than theirs.
’But someone of the same rank... Wasn’t every man here proud?’
Unless it was the renowned Chen Sheng—the man who made a great name for himself in the Battle of Wushan Mountain and was hailed as "the greatest talent in Ning’an in a century"—perhaps then they might have found it in themselves to be convinced.
But everyone knew that while Chen Sheng’s star was on the rise, he was also a thorn in the side of several major powers.
’Why would the higher-ups send him to a perilous place like Yunze City?’
And if it was anyone from the Jingwu Bureau besides Chen Sheng, they would not be convinced.
"Old Wan, when he gets here, don’t you dare back down."
"’Someone of the same rank thinks he can just waltz in and lord it over us? That’s ridiculous!’"
"’That’s right, Old Wan! You’re the most senior, and your Cultivation is the highest. You lead the charge, and we brothers will have your back. We have to make this ’parachuted-in’ lord understand just how deep the waters run in Yunze City!’"
"’Exactly! It’d be best if he knows what’s good for him and backs down!’"
As they chimed in one after another, their gazes fell upon Wan Chong Peak, who sat in the seat of honor to the left.
He was the most senior and powerful of the Captains of Jing’an.
Within the Jingwu Bureau, his status was second only to the three Governors.
Furthermore, he had a close relationship with one of the Governors.
He checked all the right boxes.
He had seniority, power, and backing.
Even if today’s confrontation turned nasty, he wouldn’t face severe punishment. And when the time came, they would all chime in to really make a scene.
If they made enough of a commotion and showed the higher-ups that this new Captain of Jing’an couldn’t command respect, then maybe their superiors would have him transferred away.
"Rest assured, everyone. When the time comes, just watch my lead. But let’s get one thing straight—if I make the first move and none of you follow, don’t you dare blame me for being ruthless later."
Wan Chong Peak said, his eyes scanning the room.
"’Anyone who doesn’t is a coward!’"
"’Damn right!’"
The other Captains and Deputy Captains of Jing’an chimed in with their agreement.
Just as the tension in the hall reached its peak, a crisp, unified shout filled with reverence rang out from beyond the doors:
"Your subordinate greets the Captain!"
"We welcome the City Lord!"
’He’s here!’
The hall instantly fell silent.
All eyes snapped towards the main doors.
The clamor of discussion ceased, leaving only the sound of heavy breathing.
The sound of footsteps grew closer—unhurried, yet steady and powerful.
A figure, backlit by the light from outside, stepped into the assembly hall.
The man who entered wore the black official robes of a Standard Sixth Grade Captain of the Jingwu Bureau. A simple, ancient-looking longsword hung at his waist, and his posture was as upright as a pine tree.
As the man stepped into the brightly lit interior of the hall, his face was clearly revealed.
He had sharp brows, starlike eyes, and a straight nose. He was remarkably young, yet carried an air of deep composure that defied his age.
The moment that face came into their view.