Before the Seven Stars Gang headquarters, the air seemed to freeze.

The soldiers of the North City Military Camp, clad in grim Profound Armor, stood in neat formations, facing off against the men of the West City Military Camp opposite them.

Even more conspicuous were the Gao Clan disciples crowded on either side, their furious gazes practically spitting fire. On both sides, swords were half-drawn and crossbows were strung, a murderous aura filling the air like the dead calm before a storm.

Though the North City forces were slightly outnumbered, their morale was far more ferocious.

Nearly a third of them were veterans Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang had brought from the Mountain Camp. Having survived bloody rebellions, they were tempered to the bone with a wild and untamable valor.

Now, seeing their victory in breaking down the gates nearly complete, only to be blocked, their eyes held nothing but an eagerness for battle. All they needed was the order, and they would charge their opponents without hesitation.

This ferocity infected the other North City soldiers, each one straightening their back and tightening their grip on their weapon.

Gao Yuanhe, Third Master of the Gao Family, stared intently at the scene, his heart bleeding.

They were one step too late.

’That useless Ma Changhai! He couldn’t even hold out for a few moments!’

The Seven Stars Gang was a force the Gao Family had spent countless efforts and immense resources to cultivate. It was a crucial part of their family’s strategy in the city. Now that its headquarters had been breached, years of work had gone down the drain. Rebuilding it would be far from easy.

He suppressed his fury and turned to the calm-faced, middle-aged general in light armor beside him. The words were practically squeezed from between his teeth:

"Commander Wang, the North City Military Camp is rebelling! Why haven’t you given the order to attack?"

West City Commander Wang Yue’s gaze swept over the ten Wind-Breaking Crossbows glinting coldly at the front of the opposing formation, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

’Attack?’ he thought. ’Easier said than done.’

Although he had been promoted by County Magistrate Lin Shou in the past, he was now the West City Commander, nominally under the jurisdiction of County Captain Wu.

’And who is Chen Sheng? He’s a trusted subordinate promoted single-handedly by Wu Kuang!’

’If a skirmish between the camps really broke out, Wu Kuang would never let him off the hook, regardless of the outcome.’ 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

County Magistrate Lin’s orders were to "provide support and act according to the situation," not to engage in a real fight. How to judge that "situation," and the fine line he had to walk, was enough to make him rack his brains.

"Commander Wang!" Gao Yuanhe’s tone grew more impatient when he saw Wang Yue’s silence.

"Gao," Wang Yue’s voice turned cold. "A clash between official soldiers is no small matter. Is this a responsibility that I should bear? Or one the Gao Family will bear?"

"You...!"

Gao Yuanhe choked with anger. Just as he was about to retort, a clear, cold voice came from within the Seven Stars Gang’s main gate—

"Who is causing such a ruckus here!"

Everyone followed the sound and saw a young general in black light armor, a long saber at his waist, striding out slowly.

He had a ramrod-straight posture and a gaze like lightning. A dozen or so personal guards followed close behind him, emanating a chilling, murderous aura.

"Gao Yuanhe!"

"Chen Sheng!"

Their gazes met in midair, and they recognized each other instantly.

Killing intent exploded in Gao Yuanhe’s eyes, and his hand was already on the hilt of his saber. ’This brat first killed my nephew, Gao Qiheng, and now he’s destroyed the Seven Stars Gang, a vital asset to my Gao Family. This feud is irreconcilable!’

Chen Sheng’s gaze was just as icy. He had learned from Ma Changhai that the death of his body’s original owner’s father was very likely connected to the Gao Family. And this Third Master of the Gao Family before him was definitely involved.

The knuckles of the hand he held his saber with turned slightly white.

"Commander Chen, I am Wang Yue, Commander of the West City Military Camp." Wang Yue chose this moment to step forward, cupping his fist to break the stalemate.

Chen Sheng’s expression softened slightly as he returned the salute with a cupped fist.

"So it’s Commander Wang. I’ve heard much about you."

"I came on the orders of County Magistrate Lin to stop the North City Military Camp from acting rashly against the Seven Stars Gang. I wonder, Commander Chen, what this action of yours...?" Before Wang Yue could finish, Chen Sheng cut him off.

"The Seven Stars Gang incited a public disturbance and colluded with the Qinglin Water Bandits. The evidence is irrefutable. I am acting on orders to exterminate bandits. How can this be called ’acting rashly’? When Commander Wang reports back to the County Magistrate, I trust you will report the facts."

Chen Sheng’s voice was not loud, but it reached every person’s ears clearly.

"Bullshit!"

Gao Yuanhe could no longer hold back and roared, "When did the Seven Stars Gang ever collude with water bandits? You’re clearly framing them to settle a personal score!"

Chen Sheng shot him a sideways glance, his eyes sharp as a blade. "What gives you the right to question military affairs? Get the hell out of here, now. If you dare obstruct this operation again, don’t blame me for spilling your blood right here!"

"You...!"

Gao Yuanhe was incandescent with rage. With a SHING, he drew his saber half an inch from its sheath! Behind him, the Gao Family disciples surged forward, weapons in hand, their indignation boiling over. Their Gao Family had run rampant in Changshan County for years; when had they ever suffered such humiliation?

WHIR—

At that exact moment, the sound of turning mechanisms came from behind Chen Sheng. Ten Wind-Breaking Crossbows instantly swiveled, their cold crossbow arrows precisely locking onto the area where the Gao Family members stood.

A bone-chilling killing intent, almost palpable, descended upon them.

Wang Yue’s heart skipped a beat. He could see it clearly—the moment Gao Yuanhe’s saber was fully drawn, Chen Sheng would give the order to fire without the slightest hesitation.

Though the young man was young, his decisiveness in killing was far beyond that of an ordinary person.

He hurriedly stepped between the two sides and asked Chen Sheng in a low voice:

"Commander Chen, you keep saying you’re ’acting on orders.’ May I ask on whose orders you are acting?"

"No comment," Chen Sheng’s reply was short and firm.

The atmosphere instantly tensed to its breaking point. Everyone’s hearts were in their throats.

Just then, a Gao Family disciple ran over, panting, and whispered in Gao Yuanhe’s ear, "Third Master, the Patriarch has given a strict order: you are to exercise forbearance for now and return to the estate immediately. You must not cause any more trouble."

Gao Yuanhe’s expression changed drastically.

’For the Patriarch to send a message at this moment, the situation in the city must have changed.’

He took a deep breath, forcing down the rage that filled his chest. He stared at Chen Sheng and said, word by word, "Young man, this isn’t a military barracks. This is Changshan. Don’t be so arrogant, lest in the future... you live to regret it."

Hearing this, the corner of Chen Sheng’s mouth curled into a mocking arc.

"You call yourself a ’Master’? You don’t even dare to draw your saber. I thought I’d run into some sheltered maiden from a noble house. As for being arrogant..." He paused, his voice suddenly rising. "What a coincidence. The ’Sheng’ in my name, Chen Sheng, is the very same ’sheng’ from ’young and arrogant’!"

"Good! Good! Good! Chen Sheng, I’ll remember you!"

Gao Yuanhe repeated "good" three times, so angry he began to laugh. He said no more, turned with an ashen face, and strode away. Though unwilling, the rest of the Gao Family could only cluster around him and depart resentfully.

Seeing this, Wang Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The conflict, at least, hadn’t erupted on the spot. He cupped his fist toward Chen Sheng once more without another word, then led the West City forces in an orderly retreat.

"Commander?"

Yan Ming moved closer, asking for instructions in a low voice.

Chen Sheng watched the retreating figures of the Gao Family, his gaze profound. "Continue confiscating the Seven Stars Gang’s assets. Tally all the stolen silver and criminal evidence. Not a single trace is to be missed."

"Yes, sir!" Yan Ming replied grimly and accepted the order.

Vice Commander Cheng, who had witnessed the entire confrontation from the side, no longer dared to show the slightest disrespect toward this young commander. He quickly began directing his subordinates, throwing himself into the task of searching and seizing with renewed vigor.

Chen Sheng’s expression was grave. He understood that Gao Yuanhe’s retreat must have been because the County Captain had intervened. Now that the Seven Stars Gang was destroyed, the Gao Family would certainly not let the matter rest. The danger would only increase from here.

’Fortunately, I also gained something from this.’

’Once I refine the Earth Core Spirit Milk, my strength should skyrocket again.’

’As expected, danger and opportunity really do go hand in hand.’