Chapter 305 - 174: Exiting Seclusion! Transformation
"Thank you for your efforts."
"Thank you, Captain, for the generous reward!"
Shocked and overjoyed, the two of them quickly bowed again.
Back at the G Camp Headquarters, Li Huai Sheng, Xu Shenzhi, Zhao Changqiu, and other trusted subordinates who had heard the news quickly gathered.
Excitement was written on everyone’s faces, and their first words were all to congratulate him on emerging from seclusion.
After the pleasantries, Chen Sheng’s gaze turned to Xu Shenzhi, and he spoke in a calm tone:
"Shen Zhi, what’s the latest on the Xu Family’s situation?"
Xu Shenzhi hurriedly took a step forward, his face a mixture of gratitude and lingering fear:
"Reporting to you, Captain, the troubles at home have been settled. It’s all thanks to your foresight in requesting Governor Sun’s help that we were able to turn the tide. The entire Xu Family will never forget this kindness!"
Although Xu Shenzhi did not detail his family’s specific losses, the hint of gloom between his brows that he couldn’t completely hide said it all.
Chen Sheng nodded slightly. Since Xu Shenzhi had already guessed that he had helped in secret, there was no need to say more.
His gaze then turned cold, his voice devoid of warmth:
"I have already found out who was stirring up trouble behind the scenes. Rest assured, anyone who touches my people will pay a price in blood."
Hearing this, Xu Shenzhi’s body trembled slightly. He immediately knelt on one knee and said in a low, respectful voice:
"I... thank you, Captain!"
Chen Sheng raised a hand in a gesture of lifting him, signaling for him to rise.
The Xu Family was now branded as his; to move against the Xu Family was to move against him.
As for Golden Spring Temple and the scoundrels they goaded into action, Chen Sheng would make them understand what it means to have their entire clan annihilated and their family destroyed.
About half a day later, a Jingwu Guard came in a hurry:
"Captain Chen, Envoy Nie has ordered you to proceed to the Prefecture Government Office for a meeting immediately."
"Understood."
Chen Sheng had just stood up when his brow twitched. He sensed an aura suddenly approaching.
WHOOSH—
A crimson figure appeared, leaving a trail of afterimages as it flashed into the Government Office Hall.
It was none other than Sun Yuzhi.
She was dressed in a Junior Fifth Grade Bear Official Robe, and her entire bearing exuded authority.
Her gaze swept over Chen Sheng. Seeing that his aura was even more profound and steady than before, an almost imperceptible flicker of satisfaction passed through Sun Yuzhi’s eyes as she spoke:
"Let’s go. Come with me to the Prefecture Government Office."
"Alright."
...
High in the sky, the cold wind howled.
Sun Yuzhi and Chen Sheng were flying side by side, their speed extremely fast.
"How was your progress during this seclusion?" Sun Yuzhi’s cool voice cut through the wind.
"I gained a great deal," Chen Sheng answered truthfully.
Sun Yuzhi nodded slightly, then turned to the matter at hand, her expression serious:
"This meeting at the Prefecture Government Office is centered on the battle at Wushan Mountain in two days. You were in seclusion, so we didn’t disturb you. Envoy Nie said you had things under control and would naturally emerge before the great battle. It seems he was right.
I was planning to come get you today."
Hearing this, Chen Sheng turned his head to look at her beautiful profile, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly:
"In that case, I really should have waited in the cultivation chamber for the Vice Envoy’s personal visit."
"Wait for me in the cultivation chamber?"
Sun Yuzhi glanced at him, the tips of her ears flushing almost imperceptibly, but her tone was deliberately cold and hard:
"What do you think you’re doing?"
"Doing..." Chen Sheng deliberately drew out the word.
"We’re here."
Sun Yuzhi suddenly cut him off. Her body paused slightly before she began to descend.
Chen Sheng dropped his playful expression and looked down.
The silhouette of the Ning’an Prefecture Government Office came into view. The complex, which represented the highest administrative power in the prefecture, was magnificent, solemn, and imposing.
But what made Chen Sheng’s heart tighten was the several powerful auras emanating faintly from deep within the Prefecture Government Office. They were profound and obscure, a clear sign that powerful experts were stationed there.
Normally, Chen Sheng would have to be announced and wait before being allowed to enter the Prefecture Government Office.
But with Sun Yuzhi, a Junior Fifth Grade Vice Governor, at his side, all formalities were simplified.
The two flew directly down into the core area of the Prefecture Government Office. When the expert guards saw it was Sun Yuzhi, none dared to block their path, instead bowing as they watched them pass.
Outside the main hall of the Prefecture Government Office, the two landed gracefully.
A nearby guard was immediately on alert and rushed inside to announce them. Sun Yuzhi, having resumed her usual cold authority, didn’t wait for the guard’s reply and strode into the great hall first.
Chen Sheng followed closely behind.
As soon as he entered the great hall, Chen Sheng’s eyes swept across the room.
In the seat of honor at the head of the hall sat a middle-aged man dressed in the official robes of a Standard Fifth Grade official, adorned with a silver pheasant rank badge.
He had a square face, a wide mouth, and a neatly trimmed half-inch black beard. His eyes held a sharp, contained light, giving him an air of authority even when not angry.
This was none other than the Lord of Ning’an Prefecture, Xie Jingze.
To Chen Sheng’s slight surprise, this Lord Xie, who appeared to be a civil official, gave him a faint sense of danger. His aura was as deep as an abyss; he was clearly no ordinary person.
’He’s likely an accomplished cultivator.’
Below and to the left sat the Governor of the Jingwu Bureau, Nie Xuanfeng, still in his black and gold embroidered official robe, his expression calm and steady.
On the right sat a general with a weathered face, his body as burly as an iron pagoda. His sharp, tiger-like eyes commanded respect with every glance. This was none other than Li Qianzhou, the Standard Fifth Grade General Ning’an in command of the prefecture’s Military Preparation Army.
These three were the titans who truly held the military and political power of Ning’an Prefecture in their hands.
It was no exaggeration to say that if any one of them stomped their foot, the entire Ning’an Prefecture would tremble.
Below Li Qianzhou sat another young man, also dressed in the official robes of the Jingwu Bureau. He had a calm demeanor and a sharp gaze.
Chen Sheng recognized this person.
He was another genius from the Jingwu Bureau. Before Chen Sheng’s rise to prominence, this man was considered the most outstanding individual of the younger generation within the Government Office. He was currently ranked seventh among the Ning’an Ten Heroes, a testament to his considerable strength.
In comparison, however, the man who was once the Government Office’s brightest prodigy now seemed somewhat dim.
After giving a slight nod of acknowledgment to the three men in the high seats, Sun Yuzhi walked directly to the empty seat below Nie Xuanfeng and sat down with a composed air.
Then, several gazes—some scrutinizing, some appreciative, some complex—fell upon Chen Sheng.
Seeing this, Chen Sheng immediately took a step forward, came to a stop in the center of the hall, and clasped his hands in a bow. His voice was clear and resonant: