Chapter 206: Chapter 134: Bearing of the Ten Heroes, Another Engagement (Part 2)

"Sir, there is something you don’t know."

Xu Shenzhi lowered his voice. "Rumors of a marriage alliance between the Wang Family and Luoyun Manor have been circulating for a while now. Not long ago, while you were in seclusion, sir, I happened to hear a bit of gossip.

That Wang Zilan... I’m afraid she’s about to be formally engaged to Lu Maozhi of Luoyun Manor. If we wait until then, it will be a done deal, and I fear it will be..."

"Lu Maozhi? The one ranked last among the Ning’an Ten Heroes?" Chen Sheng’s gaze sharpened.

"Yes, that’s him."

Xu Shenzhi’s expression was grave.

The title of Ning’an Ten Heroes was a golden seal of approval in Ning’an Prefecture, carrying immense influence.

He was worried that once the Wang and Lu families were joined by marriage, with the connection to Luoyun Manor and Lu Maozhi, forcing Wang Zilan to bow her head and admit her wrongs would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

"I understand."

To Xu Shenzhi’s surprise, Chen Sheng merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment and asked no further questions, seeming not to care much about the matter.

Xu Shenzhi opened his mouth, wanting to say a few more words of persuasion. But seeing that Chen Sheng had already spurred his horse forward, his back exuding an unchallengeable indifference, he ultimately swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

He had made his point. Saying more would be pointless and might even displease the Captain.

He could only sigh to himself and quickly urge his horse to follow.

...

The entire Xu Family, from top to bottom, went all out for Chen Sheng’s arrival, treating it as a matter of utmost importance.

This was not only because the Xu Family’s eldest legitimate son, Xu Shenzhi, served under Chen Sheng, but also because of the formidable reputation Chen Sheng had built for himself in Ning’an Prefecture.

It was no exaggeration to say that the consensus in the Ning’an Martial World was that Chen Sheng already possessed the potential and strength to contend for a spot among the Ning’an Ten Heroes.

What did the Ning’an Ten Heroes represent?

They were the ten most outstanding geniuses under the age of thirty in the entire three-thousand-mile Jianghu of Ning’an Prefecture—existences who had the potential to break through the Innate realm and reach the Mystic Realm in the future.

If Chen Sheng truly set foot into Profound Mastery in the future, he would become a pivotal figure in the Government Office’s hierarchy. The position of Vice Governor, at the very least, would be guaranteed.

For the Xu Family, he was a powerful patron and a solid backer.

Therefore, the Xu Family spared no expense to entertain Chen Sheng.

Mist Mountain Spirit Tea, Danxia Spirit Wine, rare Demon Beast Flesh... everything they provided was of the highest quality.

The Xu Family’s Patriarch, Xu Yuanhai, and even the clan’s old ancestor, Xu Kaishan, who had been in seclusion for years, personally came out to accompany him.

They even carefully selected several of the Xu Family’s beautiful, age-appropriate legitimate daughters, had them dress in their finest attire, and arranged for them to serve him at the banquet.

The Xu Family didn’t dare to dream of a marriage alliance with a figure like Chen Sheng, but if one of their daughters could win his favor and be taken as a concubine, it would be of immense benefit and honor to the family.

However, to the Xu Family’s slight disappointment, while Chen Sheng readily accepted the fine wine and delicacies and chatted amiably, he maintained a perfect distance from the beauties sent to his side. His expression remained indifferent, and he never gave them a second glance.

This wasn’t Chen Sheng pretending to be aloof.

It was simply that the young women the Xu Family had arranged, though youthful and pretty, had not yet fully blossomed, and their beauty was not enough to stir his heart.

More importantly, his primary goal at this stage was to improve his cultivation. These young women had shallow cultivation themselves and would be of no benefit to his practice, so he naturally wouldn’t get involved with them.

Xu Yuanhai noticed this and couldn’t help but feel uneasy. He privately sought out his son, Xu Shenzhi, to ask if the women the Xu Family had prepared were not to Captain Chen’s liking.

But Xu Shenzhi shook his head and covered for Chen Sheng, saying:

"Father, don’t overthink it. Captain Chen’s ambitions are lofty. His mind is focused on the Martial Dao and his official duties. He has never cared much for carnal matters like these."

Of course, this was a lie Xu Shenzhi had fabricated.

Through Madam Yang of Changshan Mountain and Vice Envoy Sun Yuzhi, he had a vague sense that Chen Sheng seemed to prefer mature, graceful women.

But as the Young Master of the Xu Family, deep down he didn’t want his family to maintain the relationship by offering up beauties—especially not graceful, mature women, because they would, in all likelihood, be his elders.

Besides, Xu Shenzhi believed that his own dedicated service by Chen Sheng’s side was sufficient; there was no need to resort to such unorthodox methods.

Although Xu Yuanhai was a bit disappointed by this answer, he was helpless to do anything about it. He could only try to find other ways to get closer to Chen Sheng.

He even brought out the Jade Marrow Spirit Fruit, a treasure the Xu Family had kept for many years and that he himself was reluctant to consume, specifically to treat Chen Sheng.

Although this item was of limited help to Chen Sheng’s cultivation, as he was already in the Earth Fiend realm, its sweet taste and rich Spiritual Qi could quench thirst and cleanse the spirit. It was a small token of their esteem, and only by offering it could the Xu Family demonstrate their sincerity and respect.

"Clan Leader Xu, you are far too kind."

Chen Sheng tasted the Spirit Fruit and laughed heartily. "Shen Zhi works diligently and capably by my side, much to my satisfaction. I must thank you, Clan Leader Xu, for raising such an able assistant for me."

These words were not entirely just pleasantries.

Xu Shenzhi was indeed quite capable, tactful, and knew his place. He was easy to work with. Aside from his obsession with getting revenge on Wang Zilan, there was nothing else about him that Chen Sheng disliked.

And his personal visit to the Xu Family this time, aside from setting a trap to lure the snake out of its hole, had another purpose: to publicly support and back the Xu Family.

After the battle at the Iron Sword Sect, Xu Shenzhi was stripped of his status as an Inner Sect Disciple, and by extension, the Xu Family had also been subjected to overt and covert pressure from the Iron Sword Sect.

Chen Sheng had long anticipated this. This trip was precisely to show the outside world, especially those restless powers: behind the Xu Family stood he, Chen Sheng, and the Jingwu Bureau.

"For Shen Zhi to have earned Captain Chen’s favor and the opportunity to serve is a blessing he has cultivated over many lifetimes. It is my Xu Family’s great fortune. I must thank you now, Captain Chen, for your benevolent patronage."