Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Heroes as Numerous as Carps Crossing a River

Wu Kuang hadn’t been randomly assigned to his post in Ning’an Prefecture after pulling some strings. In fact, he had come here under the guidance of Nie Yuanliu.

At the time, Nie Yuanliu had just taken up his post in the army. His foundation was unstable, he struggled to win over his men, and many of the arrogant and unruly soldiers were uncooperative. Wu Kuang was the first to pledge his loyalty, and so they formed a bond.

Nie Yuanliu, in turn, looked out for him, and their friendship grew deeper.

Over this period, while he seemed to have given Chen Sheng full authority, he was actually busy with his own affairs. First, he was investigating the details of those within the Military Preparation Camp who were colluding with the three great families.

Second, he wanted to use his connection with Nie Yuanliu to build relationships in the Prefecture City.

And now, his efforts were beginning to bear fruit.

If he were to ask that Envoy Nie in the Prefecture City for help, the man would surely not stand idly by.

Besides, in Wu Kuang’s mind, he didn’t even need such connections to deal with County Magistrate Lin Shou. After all, he was acting on the orders of General Beiling and Lord Beiling.

Just yesterday, he had sent a prepared document by express horse to the Prefecture City for the Lord to review. Lin Shou’s attempt to impeach him was nothing but a pipe dream.

He might even be the one to get reprimanded.

Chen Sheng’s attention, however, was fixed on the "Jingwu Bureau" that Wu Kuang had just mentioned.

Chen Sheng was not unfamiliar with this government office. On the way to Changshan County with Wu Kuang, he had heard of the Jingwu Bureau’s formidable reputation.

It was a branch of enforcers that answered directly to the Emperor.

The power wielded by the Jingwu Bureau was terrifying.

Though it had only been established for a sixty-year cycle, its reach extended to every province and prefecture in the Central Plains, forming a new system completely distinct from the military and civil administration. The most well-known saying of the Jingwu Bureau was a six-word phrase.

To pacify the world, by Imperial authority!

From this alone, one could glimpse the weight of its authority.

Of course, with great power came great responsibility.

According to what Wu Kuang had previously revealed and what he had found out himself, while the Government Office was dominant in the counties, in the Prefecture City, the major Cultivation Sects and Families could practically rival the government.

In recent years, this trend had only intensified.

This was precisely why the court had established the Jingwu Bureau—to keep the Cultivation Sects and Families in check.

In any case, the power of the Jingwu Bureau was self-evident. No wonder Wu Kuang was so confident; the backer behind him was solid as a rock.

"So, you don’t need to worry about Lin Shou. The Huang Family and Gao Yuanfeng, on the other hand..." Wu Kuang’s expression grew solemn.

Although he had a backer, that person was not Captain Nie, after all. He knew he could ask for a favor at most once. He wouldn’t waste such an opportunity unless it was absolutely necessary.

The reason he revealed all this to Chen Sheng was to put his mind at ease.

"As long as the Yang Family doesn’t interfere, the Huang Family can be wiped out overnight. As for Gao Yuanfeng... I am already doing my utmost to apprehend him. I believe it won’t be long before he is brought to justice."

This was no empty boast from Chen Sheng.

Thanks to his Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil ability, if Gao Yuanfeng so much as thought of revenge, it wouldn’t escape his foresight. At that point, the man would simply be walking to his own doom.

"Good. In that case, you have full authority to deal with the Huang Family. If you need me for anything, just ask."

"Then once the ’acting’ is removed from my title, I will take the opportunity to wipe out the Huang Family. Afterward, we can gather our full strength to eliminate the water bandits near the county," Chen Sheng nodded slightly.

"Good."

Wu Kuang nodded, then suddenly stared at Chen Sheng, pondering for a moment before speaking:

"I see from the household register that you just turned twenty this year?"

"Yes."

Chen Sheng was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected Wu Kuang to suddenly bring up his age.

Wu Kuang stood up and paced around the room for a few moments before stopping.

"What are your plans for the future?"

"The future? Sir, what do you mean?"

Chen Sheng’s brow furrowed slightly.

"What I mean is, surely you don’t plan to spend your whole life in a small place like Changshan?"

Wu Kuang sighed as he spoke, "Honestly, I would love for you to stay by my side. If we joined forces, we could easily dominate all of Changshan. To speak treasonously, once we’ve eliminated the local powers and the county’s water bandits, you and I would be the de facto local emperors.

But this path is suitable for me, not for you."

Hearing this, Chen Sheng pondered for a moment, his eyes flickering. He then chuckled lightly.

"If you hadn’t promoted me back then, Sir, I might not even have the position I have today. Staying in Changshan doesn’t seem so bad. I’ve never thought of leaving you."

’Of course, I know what Wu Kuang means, but I can’t say it.’

"Foolish."

Hearing Chen Sheng’s words, Wu Kuang frowned slightly and shook his head.

"A twenty-year-old Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Master... With your innate talent, you’d be considered outstanding not just in Changshan County, but even in the Prefecture City. Staying here will only bury you forever."

"Chen Sheng, this world is overflowing with heroes and prodigies. Even the most exceptional talents struggle to get ahead, fighting desperately to advance. It’s even harder for ordinary men like us. I am old, nearly forty. Although my vitality hasn’t begun to decline, my limit is likely the Innate Morning Origin Realm. But you are different. Your future is much brighter than mine.

I’ve been thinking about this for the past two days. I mentioned Captain Nie and the Jingwu Bureau earlier because I want to give you a helping hand. I have already written a letter to Captain Nie recommending you. With his connections, it probably won’t be long before you are transferred to a post in the Prefecture City."

"Sir, I..."

Chen Sheng was at a loss for words. The Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil ability of his Celestial Book hadn’t warned him of Wu Kuang’s heartfelt speech. Caught off guard, his heart was suddenly filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Wu Kuang might be greedy, but in all fairness, from the Mountain Camp to Changshan County, he had treated him exceptionally well. And now, he was even willing to use his personal connections to give him a push forward.

"Don’t overthink it."

Wu Kuang clapped Chen Sheng on the shoulder and smiled.

"I never make a losing deal. I’m helping you because I see your potential, and I hope that when you rise in the future, you can give me a little boost."

This statement was half-truth, half-jest. He did genuinely see potential in Chen Sheng, but his decision to recommend Chen Sheng through Captain Nie was something he had considered for a long time—ever since Chen Sheng had reached the Bone Forging realm at such a young age.

Later, as Chen Sheng’s performance became more and more outstanding—and most importantly to him, after Chen Sheng gained power but did not become ungrateful and treacherous—he finally decided to speak these heartfelt words after Chen Sheng told him about Madam Yang’s attempt to recruit him.

’You don’t judge a person’s character when they’re at their lowest, but when they are on the rise.’

Chen Sheng had met his standard.

As for any future returns, Wu Kuang wasn’t actually that concerned. After all, he knew his own limits. Otherwise, with Captain Nie’s favor, he could have had a much better future for himself.

"I will not fail to live up to your words today, Sir."

Chen Sheng didn’t make a grand vow, but simply stated this with a calm expression.

Wu Kuang smiled.

"Alright, go back and get some rest."

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

Chen Sheng clasped his hands in a salute and turned to leave the main hall.

A complex look flashed in Wu Kuang’s eyes as he watched Chen Sheng’s departing figure.

He was helping Chen Sheng not only because the young man was outstanding and had good character, but also because the current Chen Sheng reminded him of his younger self—full of youthful vigor and drive.

The only difference was, back then, he had no one to give him a helping hand.

...

「Outside Changshan County, on White Bone Cliff.」

With a solemn expression, Gao Yuanfeng climbed to this place alone. In the entire Gao Family, only he, his great-uncle, and his third brother, Gao Yuanhe, knew that an Innate Powerhouse was hidden here.

The Demon Monk, Shanxin.

Recalling their first meeting, it had been quite a surprise. At the time, Shanxin was seriously injured and had drifted down the Qinglin River, finally hiding in a Gao Family merchant ship where he was discovered.

Originally, the Gao Family had wanted to kill him and seize his treasures.

Unfortunately, though he was severely wounded, he still possessed some of the might of an Innate. In the ensuing fight, everyone on the ship except for him and his third brother, Gao Yuanhe, had been killed.

To kill him, one of the two brothers would have had to die as well.

During the standoff, Shanxin had tempted them with Golden Jade Ointment, promising to give it to the Gao Family if they found Spirit Medicine to heal his injuries. In addition, he also offered Innate Opportunities as a bargaining chip.

In the end, with neither side able to overcome the other, they reached a temporary agreement.

And Shanxin kept his promise, giving the Gao Family a small piece of the Golden Jade Ointment.

But as their cooperation deepened, the Gao Family uncovered his true identity. He had used a fake name; his real name was Shanxin, and he was from the Golden Spring Temple in Ning’an Prefecture. He had committed a grave crime, defected from the temple, and was now a fugitive wanted by Golden Spring Temple, with pursuers on his trail.

It was only then that the Gao Family realized what a huge disaster their greed had led them into.

That was a top-tier power in Ning’an Prefecture, with a terrifyingly deep foundation. Their so-called external support, Gao Yuanzhao, was nothing in the face of the Golden Spring Temple. If the temple found out about this, the Gao Family would surely be annihilated.

However, it was too late for the Gao Family to back out. Shanxin used this to threaten them: if they dared to reveal even a whisper of information about him, he might die, but the Gao Family wouldn’t escape the Golden Spring Temple’s reckoning either.

In the end, the Gao Family could only hold their noses and endure it. This was also why they had decisively killed Chen Xingzhou, who had learned of the secret, fearing he would bring annihilation upon them.

The Gao Family’s original plan was to wait for Shanxin to heal, fulfill his promise, and then they would part ways.

But now, he had no choice but to beg for the man’s help.

With his strength alone, it was impossible to kill Chen Sheng and avenge the Gao Family. A direct attack would be suicide. And while the Huang and Yang Families were willing to "help," they had no intention of actually exerting any effort.

If he wanted revenge, his only choice was to ask Shanxin, an Innate Powerhouse, to strike down his enemy with lightning speed.

As for Gao Yuanzhao...

He didn’t want to drag him into this mess. The Gao Family was destroyed, its foundation gone. Gao Yuanzhao’s branch of the family might be able to rebuild the Gao Family’s fortunes one day. But if he got involved, even if they managed to kill Chen Sheng, the Gao Family’s lineage would be completely severed.

After all, Chen Sheng was still a government official. If an established figure truly dared to bully a junior one, the Prefecture City would be enraged, and the consequences would be unimaginable.