To attract the Huang Family’s attention, Chen Sheng’s goal in this battle was to delay, not to seek a quick resolution.

To create a cover story, he had long since issued an order to hunt down the remnants of the Seven Stars Gang. Now, he was using this as a pretext to mobilize his troops.

To make a grand show of force, the entire North City Military Camp had practically deployed in full strength. Fully armed and armored, they marched menacingly toward West City, drawing a crowd of onlookers who murmured amongst themselves, staring in terror at the murderous-looking North City soldiers. They wondered which faction was about to suffer this time.

Meanwhile, the spies from the various major factions hidden near the North City Military Camp saw this and immediately sent word back to their respective groups.

The Huang Family received the news quickly as well. Upon learning that Chen Sheng was leading his troops in a grand march toward the Baisha Gang in West City under the pretext of hunting down remnants of the Seven Stars Gang, Huang Dongchun slammed his palm onto the sandalwood table. The powerful Palm Force sent cracks spiderwebbing across its surface.

"Chen Sheng is coming for our Huang Family!"

Chen Sheng’s blatant, arrogant actions infuriated him. An elder of the Huang Family standing to the side stroked his beard and said, "It seems Chen Sheng has discovered Li Huai Sheng’s connection to our Huang Family and is looking for revenge."

"He’s a young man, after all. He can’t keep his composure."

"The reports say he’s deployed almost his entire force. Doesn’t that mean the North City Military Camp is practically empty right now? If so, this could be a good opportunity to rescue Li Huai Sheng."

A sharp glint appeared in the eyes of the eldest Huang Family grand-uncle.

Li Huai Sheng was a Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Master, after all. Rescuing him would be a great boon for the Huang Family, and it would make him serve the family with even greater gratitude.

"Grand-Uncle is right. Since that brat Chen Sheng is being so reckless, we should teach him a lesson too."

Another Huang Family elder nodded in agreement.

"In that case..." The Huang Family grand-uncle tapped his cane. "Patriarch, you take some men to West City. You must protect the Baisha Gang at all costs. Huang Ke, you find a way to infiltrate the North City Military Camp and rescue Li Huai Sheng. As for me, I will remain here to hold down the fort and await your good news."

He then paused for a moment.

"Also, send word to the Gao Family and the Yang Family. Tell them to lend a hand, lest they sit by and watch our Huang Family’s strength be diminished."

"Grand-Uncle, if Chen Sheng pushes things too far this time, should we..."

A murderous glint flashed in Huang Dongchun’s eyes.

The Huang Family grand-uncle pondered for a few breaths.

"We avoid fighting if we can. He’s a court-appointed official, after all. Killing him on the spot would have major repercussions. Even if we must kill him, we can’t leave any evidence. If we can protect the Baisha Gang, what’s the harm in tolerating him for now?

The Qinglin Water Bandits are already making their move. As long as our plans are sound, he won’t live for more than a few days."

"I understand."

Huang Dongchun nodded, then walked out of the main hall with a dark expression.

.....

「West City, before the Baisha Gang’s headquarters.」

The atmosphere was already tense, like a drawn bow. The ten Wind-Breaking Crossbows that had yet to be returned to the main camp were set up once more, their bolts aimed directly at the Baisha Gang. A murderous aura filled the air, making it seem as if a great battle could erupt at any moment.

"Commander Chen, I’m not aware of how my Baisha Gang has offended you. Why have you brought your troops to our doorstep today? Has the Government Office completely disregarded the King’s Law?" the Baisha Gang Leader, Shen Yuan, questioned him, suppressing his anger.

He was all too familiar with Chen Sheng’s reputation—the destruction of the Seven Stars Gang was a recent memory, after all. Therefore, even with the enemy at his gates, he didn’t dare to truly meet them with blades. He could only try to stall for time and wait for the Huang Family’s reinforcements to arrive.

"Why am I at your doorstep? Don’t you know? The remnants of the Seven Stars Gang colluded with the Qinglin Water Bandits, intending to cause chaos, and were annihilated by the troops under my command. Yet you, the Baisha Gang, knowing this, still dared to shelter those remnants.

Could it be that you are also in league with the Qinglin Water Bandits?"

Chen Sheng looked down on Shen Yuan from atop his warhorse, his gaze growing cold.

"Absolutely not! I have never sheltered anyone from the Seven Stars Gang. Besides, speaking of which, West City doesn’t seem to be under your jurisdiction, Commander Chen. Even if there was an investigation, shouldn’t it be Commander Wang Yue who comes?" Shen Yuan retorted in a grave tone.

"That is not a question for you to ask. I will now give you two choices. Either hand over the Seven Stars Gang remnants and admit your guilt, or I will order an immediate assault. When that happens, your Baisha Gang will follow in the footsteps of the Seven Stars Gang."

"Aren’t you being a bit arrogant, Commander Chen?"

Shen Yuan actually wanted to call him ’presumptuous,’ but he was afraid of provoking this tyrannical man, so he continued to suppress his anger.

Chen Sheng abruptly raised a hand. Behind him, the Wind-Breaking Crossbows began to CLICK and CLACK as they were aimed directly at Shen Yuan.

"Do you think I’m bluffing?"

"Commander Chen, wait! Don’t act rashly!"

A loud shout rang out. Chen Sheng glanced over and saw Wang Yue, the commander of the West City Martial Camp, rushing over. An expression of shock and anger still lingered on his face.

"Commander Wang."

Seeing Wang Yue arrive, Shen Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had genuinely been afraid that Chen Sheng would give the order at the slightest disagreement.

"What’s this? Are you planning to shelter the Baisha Gang, Commander Wang?"

Chen Sheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Wang Yue frowned. He hadn’t even figured out what was going on, yet somehow he was already being dragged into it. He quickly turned his gaze to Shen Yuan, demanding an explanation.

Shen Yuan didn’t dare to delay and quickly recounted what had just happened.

After listening, Wang Yue’s expression turned grim.

"Commander Chen, could there be some kind of misunderstanding here?"

"I have received reliable information. There is no mistake. However, if you continue to delay here, Commander Wang, and allow those remnants to escape, then it might truly become a misunderstanding."

"Fine. Even if that’s the case, for you to come to West City and arrest people without so much as a word, don’t you owe me an explanation?"

Barging into his territory to arrest people without giving any notice was a true sign of disrespect.

"Back when I was annihilating the Seven Stars Gang, you brought your men over, Commander Wang. Do you want to give me an explanation for that as well?"

"I was acting on the County Magistrate’s orders."

"What a coincidence. I am also acting on the County Captain’s orders."

Hearing Chen Sheng’s words, Wang Yue was momentarily speechless, choked by the retort.

"But I showed you the County Magistrate’s official document at the time."

Back then, after Gao Yuanhe had retreated, he had used the document to explain himself in order to avoid offending Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng smiled. He beckoned, and Yan Ming, understanding instantly, presented him with a brush and paper. Taking them, Chen Sheng wrote two words on the paper with a flamboyant flourish: ’Official Order.’

He showed it directly to Wang Yue for inspection.

"County Captain Wu’s order is right here. If you have any questions, you are free to go to the Government Office and ask. As for now, if you dare to obstruct me again, you will be defying a superior’s command."

Staring at the freshly written words, Wang Yue was so angry he nearly coughed up blood. He had previously thought Chen Sheng was reasonably polite and acted with a steady hand. But seeing him again today, he truly hadn’t expected Chen Sheng to be so outrageously arrogant.

He was showing him absolutely no respect!

How could he dare go and question Wu Kuang? Chen Sheng was the man’s trusted confidant. Even if there was a problem with the order, Wu Kuang would undoubtedly cover for and protect Chen Sheng.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan, watching from the side, was also stunned speechless by Chen Sheng’s audacious display.

’This is too... arrogant!’

————