Chapter 371 - 200: Promotion to 5th Rank! Governor

Chapter 371: Chapter 200: Promotion to 5th Rank! Governor

Chen Sheng considered for a moment. He had a suspicion but didn’t voice it, simply saying,

"Please, Governor, speak plainly."

A faint smile touched Nie Xuanfeng’s lips. He picked up a document from his desk, which was stamped with the bright red seal of the State Government Office, and handed it over.

"See for yourself."

Chen Sheng accepted the document, unfolded it, and read it carefully.

As he took in the concise yet incredibly significant words, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes. He looked up at Nie Xuanfeng.

"So soon?"

The document’s contents were clear and simple.

Promote Chen Sheng, Standard Sixth-Grade Captain of Jing’an of the Ning’an Prefecture Jingwu Bureau, to the position of Vice Governor of the Ning’an Prefecture Jingwu Bureau, with an official rank of Junior Fifth Grade!

In the Daqian Empire, the bureaucracy was rigid and the promotion process was tedious. A direct promotion to an important post like Junior Fifth Grade was practically unheard of.

’How could this happen so quickly?’

"You’re different from the others."

Nie Xuanfeng looked at him, his tone earnest.

"Frankly, I thought that given your current experience, the higher-ups might delay things and wouldn’t approve this so quickly. But as it turns out, after I urgently reported the news of you Breaking Through to the Profound Realm..."

"The reply from the State Government Office came back faster than I could have imagined. In fact, they’ve probably only just received the news of you leading the troops to annihilate the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance. Your promotion has nothing to do with that particular achievement."

Nie Xuanfeng paused, his voice taking on a meaningful tone.

"A cultivator in the Profound Mastery Realm who is just over twenty years old... that is beyond the scope of a mere ’genius.’ For someone so extraordinary, certain rules can be bent. From this day forth, you are the rightful Vice Governor of the Jingwu Bureau, Lord Chen."

As he spoke, Nie Xuanfeng picked up a prepared brocade box from beside his desk. With a faint pulse of True Qi, he sent it flying smoothly toward Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng reached out, caught it, and opened the lid.

A brand-new, jet-black official robe lay quietly within.

It was embroidered with a fierce bear in dark gold thread. The collar and cuffs were adorned with intricate cloud patterns. The fabric was heavy, and a faint spiritual light seemed to flow across it, exuding an imposing aura that washed over him.

It was, without a doubt, a Fifth-Grade Bear Official Uniform.

"Put it on, Vice Governor Chen."

Nie Xuanfeng said with a smile.

Without any false modesty, Chen Sheng stood up. With a faint tremor of True Qi, his everyday clothes fell away.

He then unfolded the Bear Official Robe. With a flick of his arm, the jet-black garment spread out like a cloud before settling perfectly upon his frame.

The robe was a perfect fit, as if it had been tailor-made. An invisible aura of power emanated from him, complementing his straight posture and serene expression, making him appear all the more remarkable.

"Well? Does it fit?" Nie Xuanfeng asked with a smile, stroking his beard.

"It’s perfect."

Chen Sheng looked down at the exquisite embroidery on the cuffs. He ran his fingertips over the smooth, cool satin, a genuine smile gracing his lips.

A Junior Fifth-Grade rank might not mean much at the heart of the imperial court, nor would it be particularly noteworthy in the State City, but here in Ning’an Prefecture, it made one a major figure.

He was now only one rank below figures like the Lord of the Prefecture and the Governor.

He had truly stepped into Ning’an’s inner circle of power.

"Furthermore,"

Nie Xuanfeng’s tone shifted as he picked up another letter. "The Commander of the State Government’s Jingwu Bureau has issued another order. You are to travel to the State City in the near future. The Commander... wants to meet you in person."

"The Commander wants to see me?"

Chen Sheng’s gaze sharpened, his heart filled with surprise.

The Commander of a state’s Jingwu Bureau was a third-grade official who wielded immense power, overseeing all martial affairs within the state.

Even a Standard Fifth-Grade Governor like Nie Xuanfeng would rarely have the opportunity to meet such a person.

"As for the reason, I do not know."

Nie Xuanfeng shook his head. "But given the potential and achievements you’ve demonstrated, a summons from the Commander isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Don’t worry about it too much. There’s no rush, either. You can make the trip when you travel to the Nie Family estate."

Chen Sheng nodded, taking note of the matter.

’It seems a trip to the State City is unavoidable.’

"Alright, the matter of your promotion is settled."

Nie Xuanfeng leaned forward slightly, his gaze growing sharp as he moved on to the main topic.

"You are now a Vice Governor, possessing both the strength and the authority. So, what’s your next move?"

Chen Sheng met Nie Xuanfeng’s gaze, making no attempt to hide his intentions. His voice was clear and calm.

"Annihilate Luoyun Manor, eradicate the Demon Monk of Golden Spring Temple, cleanse the filth from Ning’an, and restore the dignity of the Government Office."

Although he had anticipated it, hearing Chen Sheng state his goals so bluntly still sent a chill through Nie Xuanfeng’s heart.

After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly.

"Knowing your temperament, I expected you wouldn’t let them off the hook. However... this matter has far-reaching implications. The six major sects may have their internal squabbles, but it has become customary for them to band together when facing pressure from the Government Office."

"Luoyun Manor is backed by the Vast Sea Upper Sect, and Golden Spring Temple has close ties to Celestial Dragon Temple. These two are true behemoths in Yunzhou. The Government Office has maintained a delicate balance for years—not because we don’t want to act, but because we’re afraid of the collateral damage."

The Ning’an Government Office has enough power to deal with either of them individually.

But if we were to engage both of them—and risk a chain reaction involving the other major powers—it would undoubtedly plunge Ning’an into chaos, with unforeseeable consequences.

Chen Sheng stood up, walked into the center of the hall, and fixed Nie Xuanfeng with a grave look.

"Governor, during the recent operation to eliminate the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance, Luoyun Manor and Golden Spring Temple first conspired to set a trap, then openly instigated trouble to obstruct the Government Office. If we continue to tolerate this, what becomes of the government’s prestige? What honor will the Jingwu Bureau have left?"

"If this continues, who will truly be in charge of Ning’an?"

Chen Sheng’s tone shifted, now filled with immense confidence.

"If you trust me, Governor, then grant me full authority to handle this matter. I guarantee that I will not allow the situation to spiral out of control and engulf the entire prefecture in chaos."

"When this is over, Ning’an Prefecture... will be a place where the Government Office holds dominion over the Noble Sects, not the current state of co-governance and shared profit!"

"You’re truly that confident?"

Nie Xuanfeng narrowed his eyes, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the tabletop.

"My level of confidence depends on how much authority you are willing to grant me... and whether we can count on the full cooperation of Lord Xie from the Prefecture Government Office and General Li from the Military Preparation Army."

Chen Sheng’s gaze was fiery.

"As long as all levels of the Government Office are truly united, the likes of Luoyun Manor and Golden Spring Temple can be crushed with ease!"

Nie Xuanfeng stared at Chen Sheng for a long while before a decisive smile suddenly broke across his face.

"I have already discussed this matter preliminarily with Lord Xie and General Li."

"These Noble Sects have indeed become far too brazen. If we don’t mete out severe punishment, the Government Office will be utterly disgraced. You are now a Vice Governor, with enough power to command respect. It is only fitting that you handle this."

Then, Nie Xuanfeng’s tone shifted, taking on a cautionary note.

"However, Lord Xie has his limits. You must not incite a great conflict that engulfs all of Ning’an, leading to civil unrest and widespread suffering. Therefore..."

A cold glint flashed in Nie Xuanfeng’s eyes as he enunciated each word.

"Strike hard and fast. With the force of a thunderbolt, crush Luoyun Manor first. Kill the chicken to scare the monkeys. As long as you’re fast enough to establish a new reality, the other powers won’t dare to act rashly, even after they’ve realized what’s happened."

"I obey! I will not fail your trust, Governor!"

Chen Sheng cupped his fist and gave his solemn assent.

He then continued.

"As for potential interference from the Vast Sea Upper Sect and Celestial Dragon Temple... I will need your help, Governor. We must send an official dispatch to the State Government Office in the name of the Jingwu Bureau, clearly stating the stakes and winning their support."

"Furthermore..."

Chen Sheng paused briefly before looking at Nie Xuanfeng. "I believe the Nie Family of Yunzhou... could also play a part in this."

"Oh? You’ve even factored my Nie Family into your schemes?"

Nie Xuanfeng raised an eyebrow, a wry smile playing on his lips.

"This isn’t scheming. It’s joining forces for a mutual victory."

Chen Sheng replied with complete candor.

"If Luoyun Manor and Golden Spring Temple fall, a power vacuum will open up over their resources and influence in Ning’an. If the Nie Family were to intervene at the opportune moment, they could not only help the Government Office stabilize the situation but also sink deeper roots into Ning’an and expand their own power."

"This action benefits the public and private interest, the Nie Family and Ning’an alike. What do you think, Governor?"

Nie Xuanfeng leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, his fingers tapping gently on the armrest as he rapidly weighed the pros and cons.

He had been transferred to Ning’an with the explicit responsibility of expanding his family’s influence.

Over the past two years, his painstaking efforts had seen some minor success.

But it was still not enough.

Now, however, he saw a golden opportunity to significantly entrench his family’s power in Ning’an...

A moment later, Nie Xuanfeng opened his eyes. A sharp light flashed within them as he slowly uttered a single word.

"Done."

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