Just as the tense atmosphere reached a stalemate, a faintly mocking voice rang out coolly:

"I have long heard that Commander Chen of North City is young and impetuous, with a wild and untamed nature. I had assumed it was just baseless rumor, but seeing you today, I know the talk was true. It has certainly been an eye-opener."

Shen Yuan was overjoyed. He whipped his head around and, sure enough, saw the Huang Family Patriarch, Huang Dongchun, approaching slowly, flanked by a host of his clansmen.

"Patriarch!"

He quickly bowed, but as he was about to report on the situation, Huang Dongchun stopped him with a raised hand.

He had already been briefed on the situation while on his way; no further explanation was necessary.

"I, too, have heard that the Huang Family has an expert in the art of poison among its Tributors."

Chen Sheng met Huang Dongchun’s gaze calmly, his tone neither subservient nor arrogant. "Coincidentally, just a couple of days ago, I was the target of an assassination attempt by a Poison Dao master inside the Government Office. I wonder, could this be related to that Tributor from your esteemed family?"

This was not the first time they had met.

They had crossed paths once before at a banquet held by the prominent local clans to welcome Wu Kuang when he first took office.

Back then, however, Chen Sheng had been nothing more than an inconspicuous attendant trailing behind Wu Kuang. Now, he had become a threat to the Huang Family’s very standing.

Upon hearing this, Huang Dongchun plastered a false smile on his face and said coolly:

"Commander Chen jests. I know nothing of this matter; this is the first I have heard of it. As for that Tributor you mentioned, he left the Huang Family three months ago to roam the world."

Chen Sheng feigned realization and nodded slightly.

"I see. Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. The assassin has already been apprehended. I set a trap and captured him alive. He will be publicly executed on a chosen date."

At the mention of an ambush, the corner of Huang Dongchun’s eye twitched almost imperceptibly. He drew a sharp breath, forcibly suppressing the rage churning within him, then turned and asked:

"I hear Commander Chen is here to apprehend the remnants of the Seven Stars Gang?"

"That is correct. Does Patriarch Huang have some guidance to offer?"

"I wouldn’t dare offer guidance."

Huang Dongchun said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "Since we are all citizens of Changshan County, both the Huang Family and the Baisha Gang will naturally cooperate fully with the Government Office. Gang Leader Shen, open the gates and invite Commander Chen’s men inside to search."

In the end, he chose to endure it.

On one hand, the Qinglin Water Bandits’ plot was already in motion; in his view, Chen Sheng’s arrogance was that of a grasshopper in late autumn—he wouldn’t be jumping for many more days. On the other hand, his clan’s experts were currently sneaking into the North City Military Camp to rescue Li Huai Sheng, and he needed this confrontation to buy them as much time as possible.

What he didn’t know, however, was that stalling for time was also one of Chen Sheng’s objectives.

Otherwise, given Chen Sheng’s usual style, why would he be here wasting his breath?

He would have ordered a direct assault long ago, just as he did when he wiped out the Seven Stars Gang.

Shen Yuan’s expression faltered. But seeing Huang Dongchun’s placid expression, he dared not disobey. Gritting his teeth, he waved his hand.

"Stand aside!"

He understood in his heart that after this incident, the Baisha Gang’s prestige in the city’s west side would be in tatters. But the Baisha Gang ultimately depended on the Huang Family to survive. Since the Patriarch had given the order, he could only obey.

"Vice Commander Yan."

"At your command." Yan Ming stepped forward, his expression grave.

"Take some men inside. Search carefully, and make sure you root out every last remnant of the Seven Stars Gang!" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Chen Sheng narrowed his eyes, his voice low as he gave the order.

"Understood!" Yan Ming caught the unspoken meaning, immediately gathered a squad of elite soldiers, and surged into the Baisha Gang’s headquarters.

It didn’t matter whether there were actually any Seven Stars Gang remnants within the Baisha Gang; what mattered was that they *had* to "find" some.

While the sounds of a boisterous search erupted from within the headquarters, the atmosphere outside fell into an eerie silence. The men of the Huang Family and the North City Military Camp stood in a standoff, no longer trading verbal provocations, their glares clashing violently in the air between them.

About a quarter of an hour later, Yan Ming emerged, dragging several bound men with him to report:

"Sir, we have captured all the remnants!"

Chen Sheng’s sharp gaze fell upon Shen Yuan, his hand already on the hilt of his saber, as he barked:

"Shen Yuan, the fugitives have been captured on your premises. What do you have to say for yourself?!"

Shen Yuan’s face turned ashen as he looked at the "remnants," who were clearly members of his own gang.

He had arranged for the actual Seven Stars Gang remnants taking refuge with them to escape through a secret passage as soon as Chen Sheng arrived. The men Chen Sheng had arrested were just ordinary members of the Baisha Gang.

’This is nothing but a blatant frame-up!’

Huang Dongchun glanced at Shen Yuan’s indignant expression and immediately understood the situation. He said coldly:

"Just because Commander Chen says they are remnants, that makes it so? To me, they look more like ordinary members of the Baisha Gang!"

"Oh?"

Chen Sheng’s gaze sharpened, pinning Huang Dongchun. "Is Patriarch Huang trying to teach me how to handle my cases?"

"Commander Chen, please calm your anger."

Seeing that the two sides were once again at daggers drawn, Wang Yue hurried forward to mediate: "Since this matter is disputed, why not investigate further before determining the Baisha Gang’s guilt? It wouldn’t be too late."

Although he had just been publicly humiliated by Chen Sheng, he had no choice but to step in and mediate again for the sake of the overall situation.

At these words, Chen Sheng feigned contemplation. His expression softened slightly, and after a moment’s hesitation, his gaze returned to Shen Yuan.

"Whether these men are truly remnants of the Seven Stars Gang still requires verification. However, it is a fact that the Baisha Gang obstructed official business today, and I cannot let that go unpunished. I am imposing a fine of six hundred taels, to be delivered to the North City Military Camp by tomorrow. If there is the slightest delay, then by this time tomorrow, the Baisha Gang will no longer exist in the western district."

Shen Yuan’s brow locked tight. He instinctively glanced at Huang Dongchun, but seeing the Patriarch’s dark expression and silence, he could only take a deep breath, grit his teeth, and clasp his hands.

"Yes... I will obey."

Chen Sheng gave a slight nod. ’The timing for Li Huai Sheng should be about right,’ he estimated. Without further delay, he nimbly swung himself onto his horse and calmly ordered:

"Return to the camp!"

The soldiers of the North City Military Camp immediately fell into formation and followed, withdrawing from the Baisha Gang’s territory.

Watching the column of soldiers recede into the distance, Shen Yuan could finally no longer contain himself and let out a low growl:

"He’s gone too far!"

"A wild sky presages rain, and a wild man presages his own doom. We shall see just how long his arrogance lasts."

Huang Dongchun snorted, turned with a flick of his sleeves, and left with the men of the Huang Family.

Wang Yue, who had been standing to the side, secretly pursed his lips in disdain. ’They don’t dare to fight back in person but fume with indignation afterward. So this is the Huang Family’s way... nothing much to it, it seems.’

"Looking at his features and expression, he really does bear a strong resemblance to Chen Xingzhou. To think that man could raise a son like this."

From within the crowd, Gao Yuanfeng, who had been watching coldly all along, spoke in a low voice, his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s.

"Hmph!"

Gao Yuanhe let out a cold snort, his killing intent radiating. "Let him have his moment for a few more days. When the time is right, we’ll send him and his father to their reunion in the underworld!"

Chen Sheng’s arrogant display today had once again triggered Gao Yuanhe’s memories of the incident at the Seven Stars Gang.

...

In a private room on the second floor of a nearby tavern, Yang Xueyao, who had witnessed everything, turned to Madam Yang beside her. Her face was pale, her expression a mixture of fear and pleading.

"Auntie, that man is so arrogant and discourteous! How can he be a suitable match? Could you please, please ask Uncle to call off this marriage?"

Madam Yang glanced at her, an indiscernible light flashing in her beautiful eyes. Her voice was cool and detached.

"A young man who isn’t audacious is wasting his youth. Xueyao, listen to your aunt; I have experience in these matters. A man who dares to act, who isn’t afraid to show his edge—that is a true dragon among men. A truly great man!"

Yang Xueyao’s expression turned bitter. She knew it was now impossible to get her aunt and uncle to change their minds, so she could only mumble resentfully under her breath:

"The way you say that, Auntie... it almost sounds as if you’re not too satisfied with Uncle."

Madam Yang did not reply to her niece’s jibe. She only gazed silently out the window in the direction the North City Military Camp had gone, sighing to herself.

It was a feeling known only to oneself, like drinking water.

Only she knew her own bitterness...

---