Chapter 443 - 229: Ning’an’s Shot-Caller

Chapter 443: Chapter 229: Ning’an’s Shot-Caller

"I will take responsibility!"

This sudden declaration, each word sharp and resonant, instantly shattered the heavy silence in the main hall of the Prefecture Government Office.

Lord Xie Jingze, Jingwu Bureau Governor Nie Xuanfeng, and Military Preparation General Li Qianzhou—the three men who held the reins of Ning’an’s military and political affairs—all turned toward the voice at the same time. Their brows furrowed, their eyes filled with shock and doubt.

Who would dare make such a brazen claim here?

And who had the audacity to single-handedly shoulder the immense blame—blame that could plunge all of Ning’an into turmoil and even provoke retaliation from the Celestial Dragon Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain?

What’s more, a flicker of recognition stirred in Nie Xuanfeng’s heart. That voice... it had a faint yet persistent familiarity.

"Who is causing a ruckus outside this hall?!"

Li Qianzhou was the first to demand, his voice low and commanding. His gaze, sharp as lightning, shot toward the source of the voice.

A figure emerged from the shadows at the side of the hall, walking at a steady, unhurried pace. Clad in black official robes that made his posture as straight and proud as a pine, it was none other than Chen Sheng, who had left for the State City not long ago.

Chen Sheng’s face was calm as his gaze swept across the three men in the hall. He said plainly,

"I’m here."

"Chen Sheng?"

"Chen Sheng?!"

Nie Xuanfeng and Li Qianzhou exclaimed almost in unison, their surprise and delight plain to see.

They were surprised because Chen Sheng had appeared so suddenly, at this very moment.

A marriage alliance with the Nie Family’s legitimate daughter was no small affair.

By any reasonable estimation, the endless ceremonies and social obligations would normally take several months.

That was why Nie Xuanfeng, when he had previously requested aid from the State City, had not factored Chen Sheng’s return into his calculations.

They were delighted because Chen Sheng’s return was, without a doubt, a much-needed shot in the arm.

First, the young man was immensely powerful. He had killed Zhou Kuohai and Lu Canghai with decisive, overwhelming force, and his combat prowess was sufficient to rival an expert at the mid-stage of Profound Mastery. He would be a great asset.

For the Government Office at this juncture, having one more expert meant having that much more confidence.

Second, he had deep ties to the Iron Sword Sect, the Danxia Sect, and the Wang Clan. With him to mediate, they might be able to reunite the Government Office and the Three Sects, forging them into a single, cohesive force.

In the month since Chen Sheng’s departure, it had become an unspoken truth that the Government Office and the Jianghu influences were mutually suspicious, each holding something in reserve.

It seemed only Chen Sheng could bring all sides to a true consensus.

"Why are you back so soon? Could it be that the marriage alliance..."

Nie Xuanfeng trailed off, his heart sinking. He feared there had been a complication with the alliance and Chen Sheng had returned empty-handed.

Chen Sheng shook his head, his tone even.

"The alliance is settled. The marriage contract has been exchanged. I am now officially betrothed to Nie Lingxi."

"That’s good. That’s good."

Nie Xuanfeng breathed a silent sigh of relief.

He was the one who had personally recommended Chen Sheng and brought him to the clan’s attention. If the marriage alliance succeeded, it would be of great benefit to his branch of the family.

If it had failed, all his previous efforts would have been for naught.

And he would have been incredibly disappointed.

"Chen Sheng."

Lord Xie Jingze’s face was grim. His gaze locked onto Chen Sheng as he asked, enunciating each word,

"Just now, you said you would bear any and all blame?"

"That’s right."

Chen Sheng met his gaze and confirmed without hesitation.

"And in what capacity are you saying that to me?"

Xie Jingze’s tone turned cold, laced with displeasure.

"In your capacity as the Nie Family’s son-in-law?"

Although Xie Jingze had always thought highly of Chen Sheng, even gifting him a suit of armor as a sign of support, that absolutely did not mean the title of ’Nie Family son-in-law’ gave him the right to stand above the lord of a prefecture and dictate military and political matters.

No matter how powerful the Nie Family was, they did not represent the laws of the imperial court!

And they certainly couldn’t make him bow his head here.

"And what do you think, Lord Xie?"

Chen Sheng countered with a question of his own, his tone still even.

Xie Jingze took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the flare of anger in his chest. His voice was grave as he said,

"Chen Sheng, you’ve been away from Ning’an for over a month. You probably don’t have a full grasp of the current situation, so I don’t blame you. I also understand that young men are hot-blooded and can’t bear to be wronged.

But you must consider the bigger picture. If we move against Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple, Ning’an will erupt into chaos. The Celestial Dragon Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain stand behind them! Until I receive a clear directive from the State City, I will not permit any unauthorized start to hostilities!

Otherwise, neither you nor I can bear the sin of plunging Ning’an into chaos and its people into misery!"

At this, Xie Jingze’s tone softened slightly, becoming more persuasive.

"Take my advice. You have the Nie Family backing you and a boundless future ahead. Why risk your life fighting those two sects now and creating unnecessary danger? Golden Spring Temple has already signaled a willingness to de-escalate. As long as you’re willing to let go of old grudges, they’re prepared to let bygones be bygones.

I’m not just blindly compromising, either. I will do everything in my power to negotiate and protect the Iron Sword Sect and the other two of the Three Sects. Once the Blood River Sect is annihilated and the time is right, I will support the move to suppress the Buddhists and Daoists. But... that time is not now!"

"So, we’re just supposed to swallow our pride and give ground at every turn?"

Chen Sheng scoffed, his gaze suddenly as sharp as a blade.

"One retreat leads to another. If we back down today, everyone in Ning’an will think the Government Office fears Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple. By the time they’ve consolidated the Jianghu influences and grown even stronger, how will we possibly keep them in check?

Are you saying the great Government Office should be forever at the mercy of two Jianghu sects?"

Chen Sheng’s tone grew colder. He took a step forward, his voice resolute.

"If we’re going to fight, we fight now! Strike them when they least expect it, go straight for the throat! First, we destroy Golden Spring Temple, then we level Qingfeng Temple! If we use overwhelming force to sweep away these fiends, Ning’an won’t fall into chaos—because there will be no one left to cause it!"

"Chen Sheng!!!"

Xie Jingze could finally restrain himself no longer. He shot to his feet and slammed his palm down on the red sandalwood desk, making the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone jump.

"Chen Sheng, let me be perfectly clear!"

Xie Jingze’s face was flushed with anger, his beard trembling slightly.

"I am the Prefect of Ning’an, not you! The millions of people in this prefecture need stability, they need balance! I am the one with the ultimate responsibility! For one city and eighteen counties, all the pressure rests on my shoulders.