Chapter 417 - 218: Meeting Nie Yuanliu Again, the Twin Lotus Plot

Chapter 417: Chapter 218: Meeting Nie Yuanliu Again, the Twin Lotus Plot

With his identity token as a fifth-grade Vice Governor of the Jingwu Bureau, Chen Sheng’s entry into the city was entirely unobstructed.

In Yunzhou City, a fifth-grade official rank wasn’t the absolute peak, but it was far from the level of a common official. Such individuals were still considered middle-to-high-ranking officials who could govern a region and wield substantial power.

Before the Jingwu Bureau Office.

As he presented his identity token to the guards and waited to be announced, Chen Sheng took the opportunity to size up the Yunzhou Jingwu Bureau headquarters.

Compared to the Jingwu Bureau in Ning’an, the sheer magnificence of this place was like the difference between heaven and earth.

As far as the eye could see were flying eaves and interlocking brackets, high vermilion-lacquered walls, and rows upon rows of halls and pavilions stretching endlessly into the distance. A solemn, majestic aura washed over him, reminiscent of the Royal Forbidden Garden.

Jingwu Guards in sleek black uniforms, their auras sharp and formidable, could be seen everywhere, either patrolling in formation or hurrying about their duties. The atmosphere was tense and efficient.

"Chen Sheng?"

Just as Chen Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, looking up and silently assessing the place, a voice suddenly called out from behind him.

The voice was somewhat familiar, yet sounded strangely distant, as he hadn’t heard it in a long time.

Chen Sheng turned toward the voice. When he got a clear look, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

"Captain Nie?"

The man who had called out to him was none other than Nie Yuanliu—his superior’s superior from the campaign to suppress the Taiping Dao rebellion!

Nie Yuanliu now wore the official robes of a Standard Sixth Grade officer of the Jingwu Bureau. His Cultivation had reached the late Innate realm, and his bearing was far more composed than it had been years ago.

Nie Yuanliu’s face lit up with obvious surprise, but beneath it, there seemed to be a hint of complex emotion and melancholy. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

He had heard bits and pieces of news about Chen Sheng through family channels—that he had reached the fifth grade and was highly regarded by the family’s upper echelon, who were even considering a marriage alliance.

But seeing him in the flesh now, dressed in the dark fifth-grade robes that symbolized a higher station and carrying himself with a composure that far surpassed his former self, the jarring sense of a world turned upside down, of their statuses completely reversed, still left Nie Yuanliu’s heart in turmoil.

It had been just over a year.

The young Vice Commander he had once mentored and favored, the one to whom he had gifted a Treasure Saber, was now the Jingwu Bureau’s Vice Governor of an entire prefecture, his official rank now higher than his own.

"Don’t mention the title of Captain again."

Nie Yuanliu quickly suppressed the turmoil in his heart. Forcing a sincere smile, he cupped his hands and said:

"Your rank is now higher than mine. It should be I who addresses you as ’sir’."

"You’re mistaken, Nie."

Chen Sheng stepped forward and returned the salute, his tone sincere.

"If not for Captain Nie’s considerable support and guidance in the army back then, I might still be just an ordinary Vice Commander today. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a Vice Commander, but the role of Governor has opened up a whole new world for me.

I have always remembered the kindness of you gifting me that saber and the honor of your recommendation. I would never dare to forget it."

Chen Sheng spoke these words with genuine sincerity.

During their time in the army, Nie Yuanliu had indeed shown him kindness.

His subsequent transfer and promotion to the Jingwu Bureau in Ning’an Prefecture, while primarily thanks to Wu Kuang’s efforts, had also been crucially aided by Nie Yuanliu’s advocacy and praise.

Chen Sheng was not one to forget his debts. He would not simply cast this friendship aside because of a change in status.

Moreover, Nie Yuanliu was a member of the Nie Family. While not from the core of the Direct Lineage, he was still considered an outstanding member of a collateral branch.

And since he was about to marry into the Nie Family, they might even be considered relatives in the future.

In any case, it was proper to treat him with courtesy.

"Since you still acknowledge me as an old acquaintance, Chen, let’s dispense with the formalities."

Nie Yuanliu’s smile widened, the last trace of awkwardness in his heart dissipating.

"If you don’t mind, Chen, how about we address each other as brothers from now on?"

"I would like nothing more, Nie."

Chen Sheng nodded with a smile.

"Chen!"

As the two were exchanging pleasantries, the guard who had gone to announce him returned at a quick pace, bowed, and invited Chen Sheng to enter.

Seeing this, Nie Yuanliu gestured to the guard, indicating that he would personally escort Chen Sheng inside.

Walking down the wide, solemn corridors of the Jingwu Bureau headquarters, Nie Yuanliu hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice:

"I heard... that you’re about to marry one of the clan’s legitimate daughters, Chen?"

"Barring any surprises, yes, that should be the case."

Chen Sheng didn’t hide the fact, answering candidly.

The matter wasn’t a secret within the Nie Family, so it wasn’t surprising that Nie Yuanliu had heard of it.

"I wonder... which young lady is it?"

Nie Yuanliu asked curiously.

"Daoist Xiangjun mentioned it would be either Miss Lingshan or Miss Lingxi," Chen Sheng replied.

Hearing this, Nie Yuanliu’s pace faltered for an almost imperceptible moment. An undeniable look of shock and complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

’Nie Lingshan and Nie Lingxi... They were the Great Elder’s direct granddaughters. Among the women of the Nie Family’s younger generation, their status was among the most revered.’

’He had seen them from a distance a few times in his youth but had never once interacted with them.’

’To think...’

After a moment of silence, Nie Yuanliu’s smile returned, his tone a mix of wistfulness and playfulness:

"Well, I’ll be. With this move, Chen, your status in the Nie Family is about to surpass mine in the blink of an eye. When you make it big, don’t forget to give your old comrade a leg up!"

"You’re joking, Nie."

.....

As they spoke, they passed through numerous halls and arrived before a great hall that was particularly grand and solemn.

The hall doors were high and wide. Above them hung four large, gilded words, written in a powerful, calligraphic style: ’Hall of Martial Rectitude’. They seemed to faintly emanate a powerful pressure.

Nie Yuanliu stopped, his expression turning serious as he spoke in a low voice:

"Chen, the Commander is inside the hall. You should go in by yourself. This is as far as I go."

"Thank you for your trouble, Nie."

Chen Sheng cupped his hands in thanks.

Nie Yuanliu nodded in acknowledgment.

After watching him leave, Chen Sheng straightened his official robes, took a deep breath, and with steady steps, walked alone through the main doors of the hall—a place that symbolized the supreme authority of the Yunzhou Jingwu Bureau.

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