Chapter 121: Chapter 98: Arrival from the Xu Family, Courting Death?
To the Xu Family, this should have been a simple matter. How could the officials in a place like Changshan County not show the Xu Family some respect?
However, the turn of events was a harsh slap in the face for the Xu Family.
Not only did Xu Shenzhi fail his mission, but he ended up trapped himself.
What shocked and enraged him even more was that the matter had alarmed a powerful figure in the Prefecture Government Office. That person paid a personal visit to the Xu Family, harshly reprimanding them for their audacity. They were accused of colluding with rebels in Changshan and attempting to defy the Government Office.
This accusation terrified the entire Xu Family.
When had they ever colluded with rebels?
It was clearly a trumped-up charge from the Changshan County Government Office, a blatant attempt to frame them. But faced with the might of the Prefecture Government Office, the Xu Family couldn’t argue their case. They could only swallow their pride and endure the reprimand.
Afterward, the Xu Family had to call in many favors and pay a hefty price to barely suppress the accusation of colluding with rebels and avert this unforeseen calamity.
Now that the storm had calmed somewhat, he had personally rushed to Changshan County. He was not only here to get his people out but also to see who on earth these Changshan County officials were to be so arrogant, showing the Xu Family no respect at all.
Xu Yuanhai’s heart filled with malice, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
’They are officials, after all. I can’t act against them openly.’
’But if the opportunity arises, I wouldn’t mind teaching them a lesson in secret. Let the person in charge at the Changshan County Government Office know that an Innate Powerhouse cannot be humiliated, and the Xu Family of the Prefecture City is no pushover.’
’As long as I’m careful and don’t leave any evidence, I reckon even the Government Office won’t be able to do anything to me.’
...
Military Preparation Camp, inside the commander’s tent.
Chen Sheng sat cross-legged, his aura harmonious and restrained. A faint golden glow flickered beneath his skin, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
Ever since Breaking Realm into the Innate Realm the night before last, he was pleased but had not grown the least bit arrogant or complacent. On the contrary, he became even more diligent, seizing every moment to stabilize his newly attained Innate Realm, familiarize himself with his surging power, and get used to his new perception of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi.
However, in his spare time from Cultivation, he also noticed that the Golden Jade Ointment, which had been remarkably effective for Foundation Establishment Martial Masters, had its effects greatly diminished—almost negligible—after he had undergone a complete tempering by Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and achieved an Innate body.
This thwarted his plan to rely on external items for rapid Cultivation improvement, and his progress inevitably slowed.
Now, he primarily relied on refining the pure Primordial Qi from Elemental Crystals to increase his Cultivation. But the slowly ticking numbers on his progress panel still left him feeling a bit helpless.
’Looks like the Golden Jade Ointment is pretty much useless to me now. I might as well give some to County Captain Wu and repay part of the favor for the medicine and protection he provided.’
Chen Sheng mused to himself.
’If I want to maintain my previous Cultivation speed, I absolutely must obtain Cultivation Resources specifically for the Innate Realm.’
’And for that, I’ll probably need a transfer to the Prefecture City, where resources are more concentrated.’
When he discussed it with Wu Kuang the day before, Wu Kuang had strongly agreed that he should go to the Prefecture City to advance his career.
Such a young Innate Martial Master was a promising talent worth cultivating, no matter where he was.
Wu Kuang had already promised to report his situation to both the Jingwu Bureau and the Prefecture Government Office as soon as possible. Given Chen Sheng’s age, Cultivation, and past achievements, the higher-ups would surely not remain indifferent and would definitely make arrangements.
Chen Sheng deeply agreed with this.
Unless he was content to live a life of wealth and honor in Changshan, he had to go to the Prefecture City if he wanted to reach a higher realm and obtain more resources. That was where the real resources were concentrated.
Just as his thoughts were wandering, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the tent, and Yan Ming’s voice called out:
"Commander, the County Captain sent an urgent message. He asks that you hurry to the County Government Office."
Chen Sheng’s brow twitched. He retracted his aura and said in a deep voice:
"Come in and report. What is so urgent?"
Yan Ming strode in, bowed, and reported:
"Reporting to the Commander, someone from the Xu Family of the Prefecture City has arrived. It’s the Patriarch, Xu Yuanhai, himself. According to the messenger... he has an Innate Cultivation. County Captain Wu requests your immediate presence to take charge of the situation."
"Xu Yuanhai?"
A flicker of understanding and a barely perceptible glint of light flashed in Chen Sheng’s eyes.
’What was bound to come has finally arrived.’
’After holding Xu Shenzhi and Han Ling’Er for so long, it would be strange if the Xu Family didn’t make a move.’
He had originally expected them to act sooner. If they had, he might have had to tread carefully.
Unfortunately for them, their information was outdated and their actions were slow. Now that he had stabilized his Innate Realm, their so-called advantage had completely vanished.
"Very well."
Chen Sheng slowly rose to his feet and adjusted his eighth-rank military official’s uniform, the corners of his mouth curving into a cold arc.
"Then I shall go and meet this Patriarch Xu and see what tricks an Innate of a Prefecture City Noble Family has up his sleeve."
He walked out with a steady gait. Although he didn’t release any powerful aura, his naturally profound and imposing presence put Yan Ming’s heart at ease.
...
The main hall of the County Government Office.
The atmosphere was so tense you could cut it with a knife.
Xu Yuanhai sat upright in the First Seat for guests, his expression as dark as water. His fingers unconsciously tapped on the pearwood armrest, making a dull TAP, TAP sound that revealed his extreme impatience and anger.
He had originally thought that with his personal arrival—as Patriarch of the Xu Family and an Innate Expert—the entire Changshan County Government Office would be trembling in fear, immediately and respectfully releasing his son and future daughter-in-law.
Instead, reality had given him a soft refusal.
County Magistrate Lin Shou’s attitude was deferential enough, his words filled with reverence, but as soon as the topic of releasing the prisoners came up, he would look troubled and start stammering.
And that County Captain of Changshan, Wu Kuang, was even more detestable.
He seemed polite, but his eyes were indifferent, even holding a faint trace of... disregard? He even passed the buck, claiming the matter had to be decided by Commander Chen of the Military Preparation Camp, and that they had no authority to handle it.
’What a complete and utter farce!’
’Since when could an eighth-rank military official override a seventh-rank County Magistrate and County Captain?’
This was clearly an excuse to fob him off, a deliberate slight against him, Xu Yuanhai.
If this weren’t a government office of the court, representing the face of the government, he would have lost his temper long ago and taught this minor County Captain that the might of an Innate must not be challenged.
Feeling the increasingly oppressive aura emanating from Xu Yuanhai, beads of cold sweat formed on Lin Shou’s forehead. He was complaining endlessly in his heart.
He repeatedly shot glances at Wu Kuang, hoping he would say a few words to ease the tension, or at least urge Chen Sheng to hurry up.
But Wu Kuang simply picked up his teacup with unperturbed composure and sipped it slowly, as if he were a mere bystander. This only made Lin Shou even more frantic.
Wu Kuang, however, had his own reasons for acting this way.
Before, facing an Innate Powerhouse, he naturally would have had to be cautious and perfectly courteous.
But times had changed. Chen Sheng had already broken through to the Innate Realm.
Unless Xu Yuanhai was crazy enough to attack a court-appointed official inside the County Government Office, he couldn’t do a thing to them.
’Since that’s the case, why should I be nice to him?’
"What?"
Xu Yuanhai could finally hold back no longer. He slammed his palm on the tea table beside him. The heavy, solid wood table groaned under the strain, several cracks appearing on its surface.
"Does this Grand Commander Chen truly have such airs? I have been sitting here waiting for nearly half an hour, and there’s still no sign of him! Does he really have no regard for me, for my Xu Family?!"
Xu Yuanhai’s voice was like a great bell, empowered by Innate True Qi. It shook the hall so much that dust fell from the rafters. Lin Shou’s face turned pale with fright. He quickly stood up and forced a smile to explain:
"Xu, please calm your anger. Commander Chen is likely busy with camp affairs and has been delayed. I will send someone again right..."
However, before Lin Shou could finish his explanation, a clear, cold voice—filled with undisguised arrogance and authority—rang out from outside the main hall, reaching the ears of everyone present:
"You’re right. I truly do not have any regard for you. And you, a commoner with no official post, dare to shout and scream in this place? Are you looking to die?!"
