Ascending to Godhood: I Can Foresee All Futures

Chapter 259: Chapter 154: Return to Changshan Again (Part 2)

The Prefecture Government Office had already heard about the matter and was preparing to transfer him to a post in the Prefecture City. However, Wu Kuang was hesitant about it. After all, going to the Prefecture City meant that while he wouldn’t be starting from scratch, he would certainly not have the power he currently possessed.

Staying in Changshan County, he was the local emperor.

He had trusted subordinates below and a patron above; even County Magistrate Lin had to bow and scrape before him.

But everything had its pros and cons. The resources in the county were too scarce to support his continued cultivation. Unless he was willing to be trapped at the Chaoyuan realm for the rest of his life, he had to climb higher.

He had originally planned to ask for Chen Sheng’s opinion, but he never expected Chen Sheng to show up in person.

After hearing Wu Kuang’s situation, Chen Sheng offered his encouragement:

"County Captain, you’re not even forty. This is the prime of your life, the time to strive for more. I think you should accept the transfer to the Prefecture City. Once you’re there, I’ll have your back. I definitely won’t let you be taken advantage of."

"Haha! If anyone else had said that, I might have hesitated. But since you’re the one saying it, I believe you. I’ll send word to my superiors tomorrow," Wu Kuang laughed heartily.

It wasn’t that he blindly trusted Chen Sheng. He had, in fact, heard a few things about him.

Although Changshan County was remote and isolated, it wasn’t without its channels for news. He and many others in Changshan had heard about the major events that had recently transpired in Ning’an, especially those involving Chen Sheng.

His promotion to a sixth-rank official position, taking command of a battalion in the Jingwu Bureau.

Defeating a True Inheritor from the Iron Sword Sect and crashing a wedding at Luoyun Manor.

And most importantly of all.

He was now ranked among the Ning’an Ten Heroes!

Any one of these accomplishments was a major feat. Taken together, they were simply incredible. Wu Kuang couldn’t even begin to fathom the terrifying extent of Chen Sheng’s current power. That’s why, when he first heard the news, he’d been left in a daze for a long while.

’This great figure, who is shaking the very foundations of the vast Ning’an Prefecture...’

’Is this really the same shrewd young man I promoted all those years ago?’

So, of course he believed Chen Sheng’s words now.

With Chen Sheng looking out for him, combined with his own talent for navigating the social currents, he might not thrive spectacularly, but he would definitely fare better than most. This made Wu Kuang all the more grateful for his decision to promote Chen Sheng in the past.

He hadn’t initially expected any repayment from Chen Sheng. He had simply thought the young man had potential and valued loyalty, and that a day might come when he would need to ask a favor of him.

He’d considered it an investment in his descendants’ future.

He just never expected to be the one reaping the rewards so soon, long before his descendants had a chance to benefit.

Chen Sheng let out a hearty laugh and began to converse enthusiastically with him.

Chen Sheng was still grateful to his former superior. After all, it was Wu Kuang’s repeated promotions and his recommendation to Nie Xuanfeng that had paved the way for his success today.

He might put on airs in front of others.

But he wouldn’t do so with Wu Kuang.

He wasn’t the type to call the man "My Lord" when he was down on his luck, only to call him by his first name once he’d reached the top.

Chen Sheng’s friendly and enthusiastic demeanor made Wu Kuang breathe a sigh of relief.

He could have understood and accepted it if Chen Sheng had put on airs. After all, in terms of cultivation, background, and official rank, Chen Sheng had far surpassed him.

It was a rare thing for someone in his position to remember old favors, so Wu Kuang didn’t dare expect too much.

But unexpectedly, Chen Sheng’s attitude was exceptionally warm. His words even carried a trace of gratitude, as if to ease Wu Kuang’s tension. This couldn’t help but make Wu Kuang sigh with emotion.

’This young man is incredible.’

’Loyal, decisive, prodigiously talented... and now he even has the backing of the Nie Family.’

’He truly couldn’t imagine what heights Chen Sheng might reach in the future.’

’Perhaps one day, he might even govern all of Ning’an, becoming a Thousand-Mile Marquis.’

Chen Sheng was unaware of Wu Kuang’s thoughts. If he had known, he would have laughed and told the man that governing Ning’an and becoming a Thousand-Mile Marquis would never be enough to satisfy him.

His ambitions were far grander than Wu Kuang could ever imagine.

As the two chatted, Lin Shou heard the news and also hurried over to pay his respects. His deferential attitude was partly due to the overwhelming intimidation he had once felt from Chen Sheng,

and partly because he knew Chen Sheng was now a major figure within Ning’an Prefecture.

In fact, when it came to power and influence, Chen Sheng was in no way inferior to Lin Shou’s own former patron. Naturally, he didn’t dare show the slightest disrespect.

Chen Sheng offered no threats or warnings upon Lin Shou’s arrival. Times had changed. Now, his mere presence was the greatest possible deterrent to the man.

It was no exaggeration to say that with his current authority, Chen Sheng could strip Lin Shou of his official post with a single sentence. He didn’t even have to regard Hao Tong, Lin Shou’s former patron, as a threat.

And so, Chen Sheng appeared quite approachable.

Yet, the more approachable he seemed, the more unfathomable he felt to Lin Shou, who spoke with a trembling voice.

Before, Chen Sheng had used his strength to threaten him, forcing him to submit. Now, Chen Sheng didn’t even need to make a threat to make Lin Shou bow his head obediently. Besides, it wasn’t as if there was any great enmity between them.

If anything, it was Chen Sheng who had stolen his wife.

Strictly speaking, that meant there was even a sort of connection between them.

Thus, Lin Shou couldn’t scramble to curry favor fast enough.

His previous patron had already abandoned him, and Lin Shou was now desperate to find a new one. If Chen Sheng were willing, he would do anything he was asked.

Unfortunately, he could also tell that Chen Sheng wasn’t interested.

After some more small talk, Wu Kuang gradually moved to the main topic, asking Chen Sheng the purpose of his visit.

It wasn’t a holiday, and Chen Sheng was an incredibly busy man. For him to make a special trip back home, there must be an important reason.

Chen Sheng didn’t hide anything and stated the purpose of his trip.

First, he was here to pay respects to his parents’ graves.

That was a line to fool Sun Yuzhi, but he still had to go through with it.

Second, he told Wu Kuang and Lin Shou that he was on a mission. He had found traces of the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance and needed them to cooperate by secretly gathering intelligence.

He also instructed them to keep his presence here a secret.

"This subordinate will obey! I will cooperate with all my strength."

Lin Shou saluted hastily.

Seeing how serious the matter was, Wu Kuang also stood to salute, but Chen Sheng stopped him with a raised hand. He wasn’t accustomed to Wu Kuang bowing to him, nor did he feel it was necessary.

Wu Kuang smiled and didn’t insist.

Lin Shou, who witnessed this from the side, was filled with envy.

He had never heard of a former superior and current subordinate maintaining such a harmonious relationship after their roles were reversed. Ungratefulness was far more common.

At the very least, you’d expect a complete power shift.

’Chen Sheng... he really is a man of honor.’

After some pleasantries, Lin Shou and Wu Kuang offered to host a banquet in his honor. Even if it couldn’t be a grand affair, they felt they had to show their sincerity, but Chen Sheng politely declined.

Now that he had seen Wu Kuang, he next had to go and comfort Madam Yang.

Although their relationship had started as a mere transaction, and that’s how Chen Sheng had always viewed it, Madam Yang had genuinely fallen for him and remained devoted. He couldn’t bring himself to treat her too poorly.

Besides, now that his cultivation was far superior to hers, he could even help her advance.

Of course, the main reason was that he also missed the woman’s particular charms. Their "discussions" back then had been very satisfying for Chen Sheng. To put it simply...

It could be summarized with four descriptors.

Plump, fair, tall, and supple.

"My Lord, would you require this subordinate’s assistance in... livening things up?"

Lin Shou proposed enthusiastically when he heard Chen Sheng was going to see his former wife.

After all, he could tell that Captain Chen was quite fond of her. He saw it as a chance to get closer to the man, hoping to become his Imperial Musician.

If that happened, he’d have really struck gold.

But Chen Sheng waved away Lin Shou’s offer.

The last time he’d made Lin Shou guard the door and play music, it was because the sight of the man’s suppressed fury and forced endurance of the humiliation had appealed to his own wicked sense of humor.

But with the man now volunteering to play, the feeling just wasn’t the same.

Being forced and volunteering are two very different things.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Lin Shou’s eyes, but he still said:

"Then this subordinate wishes you a... mighty display of prowess, My Lord. Also, I will be at home. If you have any need of me, just send word, and I will come at once."

"Good. In that case, I thank you, County Magistrate Lin."

Chen Sheng smiled and gave Lin Shou’s shoulder a patronizing pat.

A smile immediately appeared on Lin Shou’s face, and he hurried to offer more flattery.

Now that their positions were completely reversed, a single word from Chen Sheng was enough to make Lin Shou feel overwhelmed by the honor.

Wu Kuang, watching this, was also filled with deep emotion.

He understood that it was only because Chen Sheng remembered their old friendship. Otherwise, he would have to treat Chen Sheng with the same deference Lin Shou did.

Of course, Wu Kuang also understood.

Chen Sheng might be sentimental, but he couldn’t afford not to observe the proper boundaries.

When respect was due, respect had to be paid.

Otherwise, he would be the one failing to understand his place.

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