Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Harvest, The Madam’s Solicitation...

Inside the Military Preparation Camp’s Government Office, a candle flame flickered.

Chen Sheng sat cross-legged, the muscles of his bare upper body clearly defined, glowing with a faint golden light in the candlelight.

That glow was not a reflection of the candlelight, but originated from the Golden Jade Ointment smeared on his skin, which was now slowly seeping into his body with each breath.

The Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil had previously indicated that the Golden Jade Ointment was a perfect match for Buddhist Sect Body Refining Techniques, but Chen Sheng had never expected the effects to be this astounding.

He had originally thought he would be content if it could match the effects of the Earth Core Spirit Milk, but only after truly cultivating with it did he realize he had still underestimated the miraculous power of this Buddhist Sect Secret Treasure.

He didn’t know if it was the exceptional efficacy of the Golden Jade Ointment itself or the power of his Fishing Toad Force, which had already reached Minor Achievement. Regardless, his cultivation speed was several times faster than when he had used the Earth Core Spirit Milk.

In just half a day of practice, his Cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds.

[Basic Saber Technique: Perfection (698/2000)]

[Golden Bell Body Refining Technique: Perfection (153/2000)]

[Fishing Toad Force Secret Technique: Great Success (130/1000)]

[Demon-Suppressing Triple Extremes Saber: Great Success (249/1000)]

At this rate, Chen Sheng estimated that it might only take a little over a month to reach the peak of the Marrow Transformation Realm. Such rapid progress, on top of his arduous training, made him feel an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

Of course, a large part of this exhilaration also came from the satisfaction of exterminating the Gao Family.

The grudge for his predecessor’s murdered father, coupled with the Gao Family’s previous malice, had long been festering in his heart. Now that vengeance was served, a feeling of pure relief washed over him from head to toe.

His only regret was that Gao Yuanfeng had not been at the residence, so he had failed to eliminate the problem at its root.

But then Chen Sheng had another thought. ’With my current strength, if Gao Yuanfeng actually dares to come seeking revenge, he’ll just be walking into a trap. In fact, I’d rather he be blinded by hatred and deliver himself right to my doorstep.’

Aside from the pleasure of revenge, the tangible gains from exterminating the Gao Family were also extremely bountiful.

The silver alone exceeded ten thousand taels, filling an entire storeroom.

In addition, there were numerous antiques, paintings, calligraphies, land deeds, and various Cultivation Resources that had yet to be fully inventoried. Their value was ten times greater than what was gained from wiping out the Seven Stars Gang.

Even after giving a portion to Wu Kuang and rewarding his soldiers, the remainder was more than enough to make him fabulously wealthy. It was truly as the saying goes: a horse doesn’t get fat without midnight grass, and a man doesn’t get rich without a windfall.

However, amidst his newfound wealth, Chen Sheng was also keenly aware of the crises he now faced. Gao Yuanfeng’s revenge, the hostility of the Huang and Yang Families, County Magistrate Lin Shou’s obstruction, and the threat of the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance—all of these were swords hanging over his head.

For this very reason, he had returned to the Military Preparation Camp to enter secluded cultivation the moment he finished exterminating the Gao Family, unwilling to waste even a single moment.

However, the Chen Sheng of today was not the same as before.

Having broken through to the Marrow Transformation Realm and with the protection of the Blood Evil Demon Talisman, ordinary Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Artists were no longer much of a threat to him. Therefore, while he remained vigilant against Gao Yuanfeng and the Huang and Yang Families, he did not fear them. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

As for Lin Shou, he only had his official position to rely on. At most, he could create some trouble with the official appointment of the Military Preparation Camp’s Grand Commander, but Wu Kuang had already promised to handle it.

Only the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance gave him considerable pause.

Only after exterminating the Gao Family did he truly understand how formidable this faction was.

Most of the water bandits in the surrounding counties answered to the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance. Their foundation was not in the county towns, but in the Prefecture City. It was said that the alliance even had an Innate Powerhouse among its ranks, which was why the Government Office’s repeated attempts to suppress the bandits had never fully succeeded.

This time, he had mobilized troops to wipe out the Black Snake Water Stronghold, and the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance was unlikely to let the matter rest.

Although there had been no movement from them yet, he had to remain on guard.

At this thought, Chen Sheng couldn’t help but sigh softly.

’I’m still not strong enough.’

Gathering his thoughts, he resumed his Pile Skill stance and once again immersed himself in his arduous training.

...

Meanwhile, inside the Lin Mansion’s study, County Magistrate Lin Shou was hunched over his desk, writing furiously, an unconcealable annoyance on his face.

He was drafting a memorial to impeach Wu Kuang, which he planned to submit to the Prefecture City. In addition, he was also preparing to ask his backer for a favor to obstruct Chen Sheng’s official appointment as the Grand Commander of the Military Preparation Camp.

Right now, Chen Sheng was only serving in an acting capacity. As long as the Prefecture City didn’t approve the appointment, he would remain the commander of North City.

To Lin Shou, the threat posed by Wu Kuang and Chen Sheng had grown too large. Previously, when Chuyue Mountain held the position, he had occasionally wavered but was generally obedient. If Chen Sheng were to be officially appointed, Lin Shou would truly have no way to control him.

This was something Lin Shou absolutely could not accept.

CREAK—

The study door was pushed open gently, and Madam Yang, dressed in a simple and elegant long dress, entered gracefully.

Lin Shou glanced up at her, then ignored her and continued writing.

"My lord." Madam Yang curtsied slightly.

"What is it?" Lin Shou asked without looking up.

"I heard that today... something happened to the Gao Family?" Madam Yang asked, cautiously observing Lin Shou’s expression. When her gaze swept across the letter on his desk and she saw its contents, a chill ran down her spine, but she forced a smile.

"Did Yang Yi send you?" Lin Shou sneered.

"My lord is truly perceptive." Madam Yang stepped forward, wanting to massage Lin Shou’s shoulders, but he stopped her with a single look.

"If you have something to say, say it. Don’t stand so close."

Lin Shou’s tone was cold, his eyes filled with undisguised disgust.

Madam Yang’s smile froze, and she silently took half a step back.

"Go back and tell Yang Yi that Chen Sheng’s position as Grand Commander of the Military Preparation Camp is not secure. But the Yang Family had better behave and not get any funny ideas."

"My lord, you’ve misunderstood."

Madam Yang quickly explained, "I did indeed meet with my brother before coming here, but his wish is for you to call a temporary truce with Chen Sheng. After all... there is still the matter of an unresolved marriage contract between the Yang Family and Chen Sheng."

"A marriage contract?"

Lin Shou snorted coldly. "So now you remember the marriage contract? A pity. He’s already a force to be reckoned with. He might not even deign to look at your Yang Family anymore."

The thought of this matter made Lin Shou furious.

If the Yang Family hadn’t dragged their feet back then, the marriage alliance might have already been sealed, and he might have been able to bring Chen Sheng under his wing.

But now, it was too late.

"My brother had no choice before."

Madam Yang said softly, "But there may still be a chance now. If Chen Sheng wants to be officially appointed as Grand Commander, he can’t do it without your recommendation. If we can persuade him to submit to you, then with you holding the authority of the County Magistrate, backed by Chen Sheng’s Military Preparation Camp and the Yang Family’s support, who in Changshan County would dare to defy you?"

The full obstruction of a County Magistrate would have a huge impact on Chen Sheng’s career.

What’s more, Lin Shou had a backer in the Prefecture City.

"Ridiculous! That might have been possible before, but what hope is there now?" Lin Shou said with a cold face.

Besides, after being publicly humiliated today, he couldn’t bring himself to extend an olive branch and try to win him over.

"How about you let me go and persuade Chen Sheng, my lord?"

Madam Yang smiled faintly. "From what I’ve observed of this Chen Sheng, he’s quite fond of that girl, Xueyao. If I explain the stakes to him, it might not be impossible to win him over to our side."

Lin Shou eyed Madam Yang suspiciously, his gaze appraising. "You’re going to persuade him... in bed?"

"It’s worth a try, isn’t it?"

Madam Yang replied calmly, her demeanor poised and dignified:

"If I succeed, that would be for the best. If I don’t... there’s no loss, is there?"

...