Chapter 165: Chapter 118: Lotus Seeds Obtained
Chen Sheng’s words landed like shards of ice, plunging the grand hall into a deathly silence.
In an instant, the gazes of every core member of the Han Family snapped to Chen Sheng, their expressions a mixture of shock and fury.
They were shocked that this Captain Chen knew so much about the Hundred-Year Earth Heart Lotus. They were enraged by his blatant implication: obediently hand over the treasure that protected their clan, and the family might be spared.
Or, they could wait for the Jingwu Bureau to use the crime of colluding with the Demon Dao to uproot the Han Family, after which he would take the lotus for himself!
Hearing this, Li Xuanche’s expression instantly darkened.
He had never imagined that Chen Sheng was also after this Spirit Medicine, or that his methods would be so direct and domineering. His own plans were now in ruins, and he couldn’t help the swell of resentful anger he felt at having his prize snatched from under his nose.
Han Ling’Er, meanwhile, instinctively glanced toward Xu Shenzhi, a flicker of despair in her eyes. ’It’s just as I feared,’ she thought. Her guess had been correct. Chen Sheng’s target really was the Earth Core Lotus!
"Captain Chen, you... could there be some misunderstanding? Perhaps your information is mistaken?"
Patriarch Han, Han Jingyi, forced a smile that looked more painful than a grimace as he tried to salvage the situation. "How about this? At a later date—at a later date, I will personally visit G Camp to give you a detailed account of the Han Family’s past indiscretions. I will be sure to give you a satisfactory explanation."
His words were a thinly veiled offer: he was willing to present a generous gift in exchange for Chen Sheng’s leniency.
’After all,’ he thought, ’if the Government Office decided to seriously investigate the so-called evidence Chen Sheng mentioned, what family of any influence could claim to be completely clean?’
He conceded that point.
But the Hundred-Year Earth Heart Lotus was the Han Family’s lifeblood. It was their most important treasure. It was no exaggeration to say that as long as they possessed it, the Han Family had a never-ending stream of wealth.
Therefore, he would never hand it over so easily.
Chen Sheng gave Han Jingyi a nonchalant glance, his fingertips tapping a steady rhythm on the tea table beside him. The TAP... TAP... TAP... was exceptionally clear in the hall, where you could have heard a pin drop. It was also exceptionally unnerving.
"It seems Clan Leader Han has still failed to grasp my meaning."
His voice remained level, yet it carried an unquestionable, icy chill.
The words were barely out of his mouth when he shot an imperceptible glance at Zhao Changqiu and Lu Cheng beside him.
SCHING! SCHING! SCHIIING—!
In an instant, dozens of Jing’an Guards both inside and outside the grand hall moved as one, their long sabers instantly sliding half an inch from their scabbards.
The grating screech of metal on metal became a single, continuous sound. A murderous aura, so thick it felt tangible, washed over the hall like a tidal wave. The cold glint of the blades locked onto every member of the Han Family present.
It seemed that with a single order from Chen Sheng, they would strike without a moment’s hesitation.
"Captain Chen! You... what is the meaning of this?!"
Han Jingyi’s face drained of all color, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
The other members of the Han Family were ashen-faced; many felt their legs go weak, barely able to remain standing.
"What is the meaning?"
Xu Shenzhi stepped forward with a sneer, his voice dripping with the glee of imminent revenge. "Patriarch Han, why play dumb? For years, the Han Family has defied the laws of the court and committed countless bloody crimes. Your sins are too numerous to list.
Today, the Jingwu Bureau enacts heaven’s justice, and we will collect the blood debt owed to those you have wrongfully killed!"
’In fact, he hoped the Han Family would remain defiant to the very end. That way, he could personally witness the utter destruction of the family that had brought him such endless humiliation.’
"Captain Chen, the Han Family is a vassal of the Iron Sword Sect! Aren’t you afraid that acting this way will provoke the wrath of our Upper Sect?!"
"Insolence! Who gave you the right to speak here?!"
Han Jingyi whipped his head around and cut him off with a sharp rebuke.
’He knew better than anyone. From Chen Sheng’s attitude toward Li Xuanche, it was obvious the man was a tyrant who couldn’t be reasoned with or intimidated. Using the Iron Sword Sect’s name as leverage now would be useless. Worse, it might escalate the conflict and bring about their utter destruction.’
He quickly turned back to Chen Sheng, bowing deeply in apology.
"Please, Captain Chen, calm your anger. One of my clan was ignorant and offended you. I beg your forgiveness."
Then, Han Jingyi took a deep breath. He seemed to age ten years in an instant, and his voice was hoarse as he spoke:
"The Han Family... the Han Family has truly never had any dealings with Demon Cultivators. However... our clan does possess a Hundred-Year Earth Heart Lotus. We heard of the Captain’s promotion but had not yet prepared a congratulatory gift."
"How about... how about this? I will immediately offer you ten Earth Core Lotus Seeds as a token of our congratulations. What do you say... could you possibly be lenient with us?"
’This was his only choice. It was like cutting off an arm to survive. By sacrificing some of the seeds, perhaps he could save the Spirit Medicine itself.’
At these words, Chen Sheng slowly shook his head, a facade of righteousness appearing on his face.
"Clan Leader Han, you are mistaken. As an official, I pride myself on being open and aboveboard. In investigating cases, I seek only to do my duty. How could I neglect my public responsibilities for private reasons or bend the law for personal feelings? This Hundred-Year Earth Heart Lotus is implicated in a major Demon Dao case. Do you think you can clear your name with the empty claim that ’it’s not stolen goods’?"
Then his tone shifted, taking on an air of unquestionable authority.
"Whether or not it is stolen loot must be determined by taking it back to the Jingwu Bureau, where my colleagues who are expert in these matters can examine it carefully. If the investigation ultimately confirms it has no connection to the Demon Dao, I will, of course, return it to you unharmed."
Chen Sheng’s true target was indeed the seeds, but the Hundred-Year Earth Heart Lotus itself was also incredibly valuable.
Even if he had no use for it himself, he could always present it to Envoy Nie.
That was how one deepened such connections, after all.
As for returning it?
Once something went into the Jingwu Bureau, when had it ever been spat back out?
Besides, the weak were meat for the strong; that was the iron law of this world. According to the case files, the Han Family had never much cared for principles when they were the ones using their power to bully the innocent.
