Chapter 124: Chapter 100: The Humiliation of the Broken Engagement
"Ling’Er, don’t worry. Since my father has come personally this time, we’ll surely be safe."
On the way to the Government Office, Xu Shenzhi did his best to comfort the gloomy Han Ling’Er, his tone even carrying a trace of irrepressible excitement:
"Who knows, we might even force that Chen Sheng to return the Innate Spiritual Qi and make him apologize for what he put us through!"
For the half-month they were imprisoned, each day had felt like a year. They constantly worried that Chen Sheng would go back on his word and suddenly harm them.
But unexpectedly, Chen Sheng seemed to have forgotten them completely, neither asking about them nor paying them any mind. Now that his father had finally arrived, Xu Shenzhi felt the gloom lift, his confidence soaring.
In his view, no matter how strong Chen Sheng was, he was ultimately just a Foundation Establishment Martial Master.
Before a true Innate Powerhouse, he was nothing. Xu Shenzhi was even a little eager to see the look on Chen Sheng’s face when he saw him later.
’Perhaps it will be quite interesting.’
Han Ling’Er forced a smile, but her heart was filled with a mix of complicated feelings and uncertainty.
If she had to rely on the Xu father and son to get out of this, the favor she would owe them would be far too great.
’What would I do if the Xu Family uses this opportunity to bring up the marriage contract again?’
Admittedly, Han Ling’Er was grateful that Xu Shenzhi had traded his Innate Spiritual Qi for her safety. Deep down, however, she was still unwilling to marry and end her own path of cultivation.
For a moment, her thoughts were a tangled mess.
Leading the way up front, Yan Ming heard Xu Shenzhi’s arrogant words, and the corners of his mouth curled into a cold, mocking sneer.
’Make Commander Chen apologize?’
’What a pipe dream!’
A malicious part of him couldn’t wait to see the magnificent expression on the Young Master Xu’s face when he saw his own father having to bow his head before Commander Chen.
「...」
Inside the main hall of the Government Office.
After Xu Yuanhai and Wang Zilan had presented their "modest gifts," the atmosphere in the hall eased considerably.
This was especially true for Xu Yuanhai. After secretly speculating that Chen Sheng might have an extraordinary background, he had put on a smiling face, as if their previous conflict had never happened. He even temporarily pushed the matter of the Huang Family’s annihilation to the back of his mind.
After all, what was done was done. There was no point in dwelling on it.
He deduced that for Wang Zilan to treat someone with such courtesy, Chen Sheng must have an extraordinary background. What’s more, he looked to be only in his early twenties yet already possessed such Innate Cultivation. If nothing unexpected happened, his future achievements would surely be remarkable.
Making an enemy of someone like that was far worse than trying to befriend them.
He had even prepared himself to persuade his wife to let go of her grievances when he returned. After all, she had married into the Xu Family, making her one of them. If she dared to make enemies for the Xu Family on her own...
...he would not tolerate it.
Miss Wang, Wang Zilan, who stood to the side, was also polite in her words, but she consistently maintained a perfectly measured distance.
Chen Sheng, however, didn’t care.
Five Elemental Crystals and a thirty-year-old Spirit Medicine that could advance one’s Cultivation, in exchange for the freedom of Xu Shenzhi and Han Ling’Er—it was by no means a bad deal.
As for the empty pleasantries and feigned civility, he had no interest in them either.
He certainly didn’t think that with one impressive display of power, everyone would suddenly rush to befriend him and shower him with gifts.
That wasn’t realistic.
"Sir, the prisoners Xu Shenzhi and Han Ling’Er have been brought." Yan Ming bowed as he entered and reported.
"Bring them in," Chen Sheng ordered coolly.
"Yes."
Yan Ming accepted the order and gestured outside.
Soon, Xu Shenzhi and Han Ling’Er were led into the main hall.
The former immediately spotted his father, Xu Yuanhai, seated to the side. His slightly stooped back instantly straightened, and a look of impending vindication even flashed across his face.
However, before he could speak, Xu Yuanhai’s expression darkened, and he shouted in a stern voice:
"Insolence! Hurry up and bow to Commander Chen and apologize!"
’Bow and apologize?’
Xu Shenzhi froze, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
’My father, an Innate Expert, is here in person. Why would he still want me to bow and apologize to a mere Foundation Establishment Martial Master?’
But looking at his father’s unquestionable fury, then glancing at Chen Sheng seated high above, looking down at him with a half-smile, Xu Shenzhi finally sensed that something was wrong.
He subconsciously probed Chen Sheng’s aura...
He sucked in a sharp breath, his pupils contracting violently.
That vast, majestic aura, contained yet ready to burst forth... it was clearly the Innate Realm!
No one knew the reason behind this better than him. Chen Sheng must have used that wisp of Innate Spiritual Qi he had offered up to condense a Spirit Seed and step into the Innate Realm.
’But... it’s only been half a month!’
’Innate in half a month?!’
’Could it be that Chen Sheng’s prior accumulation was already complete, and all he was missing was a strand of Innate Spiritual Qi?’
Thoughts raced through Xu Shenzhi’s mind, and he froze on the spot. The immense shock had left his mind a complete blank.
"You worthless thing, what are you still standing there for!"
Seeing his son in such a state, Xu Yuanhai’s anger burned even hotter.
He had gone through great trouble, sacrificing a precious Snow Lake Flower just to get Chen Sheng to relent. If all that effort went to waste because of his son’s foolishness, it would be a true injustice.
His father’s shout was like a clap of thunder, jolting Xu Shenzhi back to his senses.
He suppressed the humiliation and the tumultuous emotions churning inside him. Bowing deeply, he said in a hoarse voice:
"I... thank Commander Chen for his leniency."
As for Han Ling’Er, in contrast to Xu Shenzhi, the moment she stepped into the main hall her gaze fell upon Wang Zilan, and her eyes lit up with joyful surprise.
’Zhilan is here!’
’With her here, I have someone to rely on.’
She immediately copied Xu Shenzhi, bowing respectfully to Chen Sheng.
"I thank Commander Chen for his leniency."
"After an investigation by the Government Office, it has been determined that the two of you have no deep connection to the Huang Family traitors. There is no need for you to be detained any longer."
Chen Sheng’s tone was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority. "However, you must take what happened that day as a constant warning. If you break the law again, you will not be shown leniency."
