Chapter 130: Chapter 103: The Turtle in the Jar
"Squad Leader, wonderful news! Our chance has come!"
Inside the Unity Hall of Cyan Wolf Stronghold, Vice Squad Leader Li Qianlang burst in, his face flushed and his steps brisk, his voice filled with an irrepressible excitement.
The moment he received the secret report, he had rushed over, eager to claim credit from Squad Leader Yu Qiantong.
Hearing this, Yu Qiantong unhurriedly pushed away the two beautiful women attending to him. He turned to Li Qianlang, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Oh? So that big fish, Chen Sheng, has finally been lured out?"
"It’s absolutely true."
Li Qianlang nodded emphatically, his face plastered with a fawning smile, and hurriedly explained in detail, "For the past few days, your subordinate has strictly followed the plan, ordering my men to target the Yang Family’s merchant ships. We’ve been raiding them repeatedly, making the Yang Family so restless they’ve sent people to negotiate several times.
But we gave them no chance to negotiate, just sent them packing."
The more Li Qianlang spoke, the more smug he became, continuing his vivid description:
"Rumors are now flying all over Changshan County Town, and all the various powers are watching to see if Grand Commander Chen will stick his neck out for the Yang Family. And just as expected, the Yang Family finally lost their nerve.
"According to a reliable source, Patriarch Yang, Yang Yi, will personally come to ’negotiate’ tomorrow. And that Chen Sheng... he’ll be hidden among the entourage. Hmph, he must be planning to capture the leader to defeat the bandits, trying to catch us by surprise..."
Li Qianlang had been racking his brains these past few days to deal with Chen Sheng.
He knew full well that only by eliminating Chen Sheng, this thorn in their side, would the Upper Envoy before him accomplish his mission and leave Changshan.
And only when the Upper Envoy left could he, Li Qianlang, truly take the seat of Squad Leader of the Changshan Sub-Branch.
"It’s a pity, though."
Li Qianlang suddenly gave a sinister laugh. "That Chen Sheng would never dream that this is all part of our plan. When we meet, if he knows what’s good for him and cooperates, he might live.
If he doesn’t... hehe, then we’ll have to trouble you, Squad Leader, to personally send him on his way."
Although Li Qianlang had never seen Chen Sheng in action, the title of ’Changshan Evil God’ was no empty boast.
He reckoned he didn’t have the confidence to deal with such a ruthless character himself and certainly wasn’t going to risk his life. The safest and easiest way was to have the Squad Leader, an Innate Realm expert, crush him with overwhelming force.
"Well done."
Yu Qiantong nodded in satisfaction after hearing the report.
Ever since he arrived at Cyan Wolf Stronghold under the alliance’s orders to establish the Changshan Sub-Branch, he had tossed all the trivial matters to Li Qianlang, while he himself indulged in wine and women day and night.
’After all, dealing with a mere Foundation Establishment Martial Master from a small county isn’t worth too much of my effort.’
’Fortunately, this Li Qianlang is quite capable.’
"When I accomplish my mission and return to headquarters, I will certainly recommend you for the position of Squad Leader of the Changshan Sub-Branch," Yu Qiantong promised with a laugh.
Li Qianlang was overjoyed. He quickly bowed, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Thank you for your guidance, Squad Leader! I will never forget your kindness in recognizing my talent. In the future, whatever you may ask of me, I will go through fire and water and never shrink from death!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Yu Qiantong’s eyes narrowed slightly. He understood the deeper meaning in Li Qianlang’s words. The man intended to pledge his complete allegiance, to follow his lead even after he left Changshan.
’This is, of course, a good thing for me.’
’After all, even an Innate Powerhouse needs immense resources for cultivation. If I can control the Changshan Sub-Branch’s revenue stream, it would undoubtedly be a substantial extra source of income.’
"Yes, your subordinate does not speak a single false word," Li Qianlang immediately guaranteed with conviction.
"Very good."
Yu Qiantong’s smile widened. "Then serve me well. From now on, in Changshan’s territory, I will have your back."
"Thank you, Squad Leader."
Li Qianlang bowed deeply once more. Then, his tone shifted, and a suggestive smile that all men would understand appeared on his face.
"Squad Leader, regarding the matter you mentioned a few days ago, your subordinate has taken care of it. I have specially found for you... hmm, a woman with an exceptionally large and sturdy build, and... a rather unique body odor. I was wondering when you might have the interest... to ’instruct’ her a little?"
The moment Yu Qiantong heard this, his eyes lit up, and he said with great enthusiasm:
"Since you’ve found her, bring her here at once."
Compared to delicate and beautiful women, he much preferred conquering these sturdy women, full of wild power. They had a certain ineffable ’flavor’ to them.
"Your subordinate will have her sent to your room immediately."
Understanding, Li Qianlang bowed and immediately withdrew to make the arrangements.
...
「The next day, on the Qinglin River.」
Upon the glittering surface of the river, a merchant ship flying the Yang Family’s flag cut through the waves.
Inside a cabin, Chen Sheng sat cross-legged with his eyes lightly closed. His aura was deep and condensed as he engaged in his daily cultivation.
To make this ’act’ convincing enough and avoid arousing the suspicion of Cyan Wolf Stronghold, Chen Sheng had gone to great lengths.
Not only did he let the various factions in Changshan County speculate wildly, but he also manufactured sufficient ’public opinion’ within the Yang Family itself.
As for the news that he was hidden on the Yang Family’s merchant ship, he had instructed Yang Yi to ’carelessly’ leak it. This was to ensure his opponents would be ’duly’ prepared, saving him any extra trouble.
Meanwhile, the news that he had already broken through to the Innate Realm was still strictly confidential.
Across the whole of Changshan County, only a handful of people knew, and even Yang Yi had been kept in the dark.
It was for this very reason that when they discussed this operation, Yang Yi had been fraught with worry, repeatedly trying to persuade Chen Sheng to abandon this risky plan. Unfortunately, Chen Sheng’s mind was already made up.
"Sir, Clan Leader Yang requests an audience."
