When Chen Sheng arrived leading the troops of the North City Martial Camp, several hundred elite soldiers had already gathered on the vast training grounds.

Due to limited boat capacity, only a little over three hundred soldiers were requisitioned for this expedition, all of them the finest fighters in Changshan County.

One contingent consisted of the North City Martial Camp, under Chen Sheng’s command. Another was formed around Wang Yue’s West City Martial Camp, supplemented by soldiers from South City and East City who were skilled on the water. The final contingent was the Grand Commander Chuyue Mountain’s own hand-picked elites.

These three forces constituted the main body of the anti-piracy campaign.

Chen Sheng ordered Yan Ming to have the men fall in, while he himself, along with a few personal guards, walked straight toward Chuyue Mountain, who stood below the Commanding Platform.

Li Huai Sheng, in disguise, was among them. Vice Commander Cheng followed silently behind. Ever since Gao Qiheng’s death, and especially after Chen Sheng had annihilated the Seven Stars Gang, Chen Sheng’s prestige had reached its zenith, allowing him to easily sideline the Vice Commander.

However, Vice Commander Cheng felt little resentment over this. He knew his place, after all. The only reason Chen Sheng hadn’t stripped him of his rank was because he had been sufficiently obedient.

If he had dared to cause trouble, knowing the other man’s character, he was certain Chen Sheng would not have shown any mercy.

"This subordinate greets the Grand Commander." Chen Sheng cupped his fist in a flawless salute.

"Hahaha, Chen, no need to be so formal."

Chuyue Mountain was all smiles as he personally stepped forward to greet him. His enthusiastic attitude was a stark contrast to the strictly business-like demeanor he had shown West City Commander Wang Yue moments before, causing Wang Yue’s face to darken with indignation.

The difference in treatment was just too blatant.

"This is a military camp. Protocol must be observed," Chen Sheng said calmly.

"Excellent. Chen, you truly live up to your military background—a man of clear principles. No wonder you were able to whip the North City Martial Camp into shape so quickly."

Chuyue Mountain continued to shower him with praise. He then leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "Chen, do you know why I specifically asked you to bring your entire North City force this time?"

"Oh? Is there some deeper meaning to it?" Chen Sheng asked, a perfectly timed hint of confusion on his face.

"Exactly."

Chuyue Mountain lowered his voice even further, adopting a confiding tone. "We both know this piracy suppression campaign is no easy assignment. And these water bandits are not to be underestimated."

"I had you bring your entire force because I’ve already secretly investigated the Black Snake Stronghold. This time, I’m going to hand you a major victory on a silver platter. Once you’ve earned this distinction, your path to promotion will be much smoother."

The "Black Snake Stronghold" he mentioned was the very group of water bandits that had just plundered the Changshan merchant caravan.

As for the Qinglin Water Bandits, that term didn’t refer to a single stronghold.

It was a collective name for all the water bandits active on the Qinglin River. This was a force far too large for Changshan County to handle, with its influence stretching across several counties.

The so-called piracy suppression campaign was, in reality, only targeting a few groups in the waters near Changshan County.

Upon hearing this, an expression of irrepressible delight bloomed on Chen Sheng’s face, his voice tinged with excitement.

"Grand Commander, you... you’ve planned all this for me? I... I am truly grateful beyond words."

Seeing this, Chuyue Mountain sneered inwardly, but his face took on a fittingly solemn and emotional expression.

"Sigh. There’s something you don’t know, Chen. Of all the water bandits near our Changshan County, the Black Snake Stronghold is the most rampant. The previous County Captain tragically died while trying to suppress the nearby water bandits, and those bastards were the ones behind it."

"Not a moment has passed that I haven’t wanted to avenge him, but alas... I was too weak and powerless to do anything about it."

Then, he changed his tune, his voice taking on a "sincere" tone.

"All this time, I may have appeared to be wavering between County Captain Wu and the great families, but I was secretly planning this operation the entire time. I’ve finally made some headway and was just waiting for County Captain Wu to give the order."

"Of course, I’m not entirely selfless in this. After we eliminate the Black Snake Stronghold, I hope you’ll put in a good word for me with Lord Wu. I’m hoping for a respectable transfer to another county. That’s all I ask, and I’ll be content."

This speech was a masterclass in manipulation. First, he explained away his change in attitude, then he made a show of sincere cooperation, and finally, he presented a reasonable request. Each part was perfectly linked. Anyone who didn’t know the truth would have been easily fooled by his performance.

Chen Sheng was also sneering inwardly, but his face remained a mask of solemnity. "Grand Commander, I am deeply impressed by your painstaking efforts. Leave this matter to me. I will not fail your trust."

"Good. With your word, Chen, I can rest easy."

Chuyue Mountain clapped Chen Sheng firmly on the shoulder, looking immensely pleased. "We can talk more on the way. As for the specifics of the Black Snake Stronghold, I’ll fill you in after we board the ships."

"I’ll follow the Grand Commander’s arrangements," Chen Sheng agreed with a nod.

Chuyue Mountain’s expression turned serious. He strode onto the Commanding Platform and faced the hundreds of soldiers standing at attention on the training grounds to begin his pre-battle speech.

Thanks to the tangible reward of the previously distributed Piracy Suppression Silver, the soldiers’ morale was high. As Chuyue Mountain’s rousing words washed over them, their will to fight began to burn.

Seeing the moment was right, Chuyue Mountain said no more. He whipped out his saber, pointed it toward the docks outside the city, and his voice boomed like a great bell.

"Form up! March out!"

...

Eradicating water bandits, especially in a large-scale operation, was an action almost impossible to conceal.

Changshan County possessed no dedicated warships and had to requisition civilian vessels. Such a commotion could not possibly be hidden from prying eyes and ears. Furthermore, news of the Government Office’s military expedition had been circulating for days. Any water bandits along the river who weren’t deaf and blind would have already tightened their security.

However, the true difficulty in such a campaign wasn’t whether the enemy was prepared, but rather in precisely locating their stronghold and identifying their hidden sentries and defensive layouts.

The ’intelligence’ Chuyue Mountain presented to Chen Sheng was his claim to have ascertained the Black Snake Water Stronghold’s exact location, its strength, and the positions of its lookouts and spies along the river.

More critically, he swore to Chen Sheng that several months ago, he had used special means to turn one of the leaders within the Black Snake Stronghold.

To ensure a foolproof plan, he had also dispatched several of his most trusted men to infiltrate the stronghold and cross-reference intelligence to verify the turncoat’s claims.

Now, the leader’s information was considered largely credible.

According to the reports from these inside sources, the Black Snake Stronghold had one Village Chief at the Marrow Transformation Realm, four leaders at the Bone Forging Realm, and a little over a hundred men under their command, most of whom were just a disorganized rabble.

Chuyue Mountain swore that if the Official Army could reach the waters near the Black Snake Stronghold by tonight, the turned leader and the infiltrated agents would coordinate to open the gates from the inside.

This was precisely why he had chosen to rally the troops and set out in the afternoon—to launch a surprise attack under the cover of darkness and achieve victory in a single blow.

If the plan went smoothly, this battle would make a name for them—and for the entire Changshan Official Army!

Finally, Chuyue Mountain "generously" declared that he would credit Chen Sheng with the primary merit for this battle—though of course, Chen Sheng would need to put in some effort, lest people start gossiping.

"Grand Commander, you’ve already planned the entire operation in such detail. How could I dare to covet the primary credit? I’ll be more than satisfied with a small share of the glory. As for the matter you entrusted to me, I will do my utmost to plead your case before Lord Wu."

After a moment’s thought, Chen Sheng tactfully declined the offer of primary credit in a sincere tone.

Chuyue Mountain started to protest, but seeing Chen Sheng’s firm resolve, he let it drop. An emotional look appeared on his face as he sighed.

"I knew I wasn’t mistaken about you. Chen, not only are you exceptionally capable, but you are also loyal and righteous—a rare combination. You aren’t greedy for glory, nor are you reckless. Truly a man of integrity."

As he spoke, looking at Chen Sheng’s earnest expression, a genuine flicker of regret passed through his mind.

’This young man truly is a rare talent. If I could genuinely win him over, he’d be an invaluable asset. However...’ The thought of the leverage Gao Yuanfeng held over him, and the combination of threats and promises he couldn’t refuse, quickly extinguished the flicker of guilt that had just appeared.

’If anyone is to blame, it’s him and Wu Kuang for being too conspicuous, for standing in too many people’s way. Even without me, Chuyue Mountain, the entrenched local powers would never have let them be.’

"However, I still have one concern."

Chen Sheng changed the subject. He didn’t play the part of a complete fool, but instead revealed an appropriate amount of shrewdness. "What if... the leader we turned wasn’t careful and has already been exposed? Or worse, what if this whole thing is a trap set by the Black Snake Stronghold from the very beginning?"

Chuyue Mountain was clearly prepared for this question. He laughed, clapped Chen Sheng on the shoulder, and his voice filled with unshakable confidence.

"Chen, you worry too much. Even without our inside man, the Black Snake Stronghold’s meager forces are no match for our elite troops in a direct confrontation. No matter how you look at it, the advantage is ours."

Chen Sheng’s gaze swept nonchalantly over the inconspicuous personal guard beside him—Li Huai Sheng. A smile that seemed to convey relief touched his lips as he echoed the sentiment.

"The Grand Commander is absolutely right. This time, the advantage is mine!"

—