Chapter 374 - 201: The Meaning of Power; The Iron Sword Sect Bows Its Head

Chapter 374: Chapter 201: The Meaning of Power; The Iron Sword Sect Bows Its Head

"Please forgive our past transgressions, Governor Chen."

All eyes focused on the scene.

Holding his wine cup, Chen Sheng’s calm gaze swept over the two bowing figures below, then lingered on Lu Qingsong’s seemingly sincere face.

He felt a profound sense of irony.

In all his conflicts with the Iron Sword Sect, he had never once been at a disadvantage. On the contrary, the Iron Sword Sect had always suffered greatly.

They had not only served as a stepping stone for his rise.

Later, he had even targeted them during the battle on Wushan Mountain, causing them to lose numerous advantages.

By all rights, the Iron Sword Sect should hate him to the very bone.

But the reality was that the Iron Sword Sect now had to bow their heads in apology.

To Chen Sheng, this was the very definition of strength.

Once you were strong enough...

...even former enemies would have to crawl before you and beg for forgiveness.

However, Chen Sheng let none of this show on his face. Instead, he offered a magnanimous smile at the perfect moment and made a gesture as if to help them rise.

"Sect Leader Lu, you overstate things. We were all young and impulsive once, were we not? I haven’t given those minor past misunderstandings a second thought. You are all here today to celebrate, so let’s not allow old history to spoil the mood.

Both of you, please sit."

"Thank you, Governor Chen!"

Xiong Lie and Li Xuance breathed a silent sigh of relief and quickly returned to their seats, realizing their backs were already soaked with cold sweat.

A great weight was lifted from Lu Qingsong’s heart, and the smile on his face grew a little more sincere.

"Governor, your magnanimity is admirable. I’ll toast to that!"

Liang Jingxing also stroked his beard and said with a smile:

"Before I came, my martial nephew Dao Ming from the temple specifically asked me to pass on a message. He said that Governor Chen is a once-in-a-century prodigy for our Ning’an. He feels he is no match for you, but he deeply admires you.

He says that in the future, he will look to you as his role model and do his utmost to catch up.

He also asked me to put in a good word. Should he be foolish enough to come and challenge you one day, he hopes you might go easy on him, for the sake of Qingfeng Temple."

It was a masterfully crafted bit of flattery, giving face to Chen Sheng while also creating a safety net for his own disciple.

"You flatter me, Elder Liang."

Chen Sheng raised his cup to touch Liang’s, laughing heartily. "Brother Dao Ming’s talent is also extraordinary. I, for one, quite look forward to the day we can spar and test our progress on the Martial Dao!"

The atmosphere grew even more congenial.

However, just then, Wangqingshan set down his wine cup and spoke. His voice wasn’t loud, yet it caused the entire hall to fall several degrees quieter:

"Governor Chen, I’ve come today not only to offer my congratulations but also on behalf of another. I’ve been entrusted to ask about the matter concerning Luoyun Manor.

I was wondering if you, Governor... would be willing to grant him an opportunity to be heard?"

At almost the exact same moment, Bai Qing, Sect Leader of the Danxia Sect, also parted her lips. Her voice was pleasing to the ear, but her words were just as sensitive:

"What a coincidence. Manor Master Lu also entrusted me to speak on his behalf."

The once-jovial atmosphere instantly dropped to a freezing point.

Liang Jingxing’s expression shifted. He immediately shot to his feet, forcing a laugh.

"Oh my, will you look at my memory. Some urgent temple business has just come to mind, so I’m afraid I can’t stay any longer. Governor Chen, everyone, I must take my leave. We’ll have to gather again another day."

Without waiting for a reply, Liang Jingxing gave Chen Sheng a cupped-fist salute, turned, and left without a moment’s hesitation.

Seeing this, Lu Qingsong hurriedly stood up as well. ’Damn Lu Canghai and his terrible timing!’ he cursed to himself.

"Governor Chen, matters at the sect..."

However, before he could finish his excuse, Chen Sheng raised a hand, silencing him.

Chen Sheng leaned back slightly in his chair. His gaze swept over Bai Qing and Wangqingshan, who remained seated, before finally landing on Lu Qingsong’s uncomfortable expression. A faint, knowing smile played on his lips.

"Why the hurry to leave, Sect Leader Lu? Since we’ve come this far, you might as well stay and listen. Besides... I just so happen to have a piece of ’business’ I’d like to discuss with you.

I wonder, Sect Leader Lu, would you do me the honor?"

Lu Qingsong froze, his half-raised foot hovering in the air.

His gaze met Chen Sheng’s calm but unfathomable eyes. A thousand thoughts raced through Lu Qingsong’s mind as he weighed his options.

After a moment, Lu Qingsong slowly lowered his foot. He forced a smile onto his face and sat back down as if nothing had happened. He waved for Xiong Lie and Li Xuance to leave the hall, and only then did he speak:

"If you have something to say, Governor, please speak freely. I... am all ears."