Chapter 444 - 229: Ning’an’s Shot-Caller

Chapter 444: Chapter 229: Ning’an’s Shot-Caller

"I do not agree to starting a war now. You can either use the Nie Family’s influence to have me removed from my post, or you can fall in line and follow my orders!"

If he had a choice, Xie Jingze really didn’t want to completely alienate a young man like Chen Sheng, who had such a boundless future.

But at this moment, Chen Sheng’s attitude bordered on insubordination and provocation. He showed absolutely no respect for him, the Lord of the Prefecture City!

He had to issue a warning.

"Lord Xie, why must you get so angry and blow this all out of proportion?"

With his brows tightly furrowed, Nie Xuanfeng could no longer hold back and finally spoke, his words clearly siding with Chen Sheng.

Although Chen Sheng’s recent words and actions had also made him slightly uncomfortable, the two of them had a deep history. More importantly, they were bound by a marriage alliance between their families, so he had to take Chen Sheng’s side.

Li Qianzhou also said grimly:

"Chen Zhenfu, your words were a bit excessive."

Although he also advocated for a hardline stance against Golden Spring Temple, he was displeased that Chen Sheng, a mere Junior Fifth Grade Vice Envoy, would so flagrantly disregard the Lord’s authority. He even vaguely felt that after marrying into the Nie Family, Chen Sheng had become somewhat arrogant.

Chen Sheng’s gaze slowly swept over the three men and their varying expressions. He said no more.

Then, he reached into his sleeve and produced a document bound with a bright yellow silk ribbon. His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable power:

"As of ten days ago, I was no longer the Vice Governor of the Jingwu Bureau."

Chen Sheng paused, then enunciated each word clearly:

"By the joint decree of the Three Government Offices—the Inspectorate of Yunzhou, the Garrison General’s Mansion, and the Commander’s Office of the Jingwu Bureau—I have been specially appointed to the position of ’Ning’an Inspector,’ with full authority over all military and political affairs throughout Ning’an.

This is the letter of appointment, bearing the seals of the Three Government Offices. Gentlemen, please examine it."

With that, Chen Sheng flicked his wrist, and the document sailed smoothly toward Xie Jingze, who was behind his desk.

As soon as he said this, the entire hall fell deathly silent.

Ning’an Inspector?

Total authority over military and political affairs?

What kind of joke was this!

Even Nie Xuanfeng, who held the highest hopes for Chen Sheng, found this utterly inconceivable.

Xie Jingze’s brow furrowed even deeper as he snatched the document, swiftly untied the silk ribbon, and unrolled it to inspect it closely.

Forgetting themselves, Nie Xuanfeng and Li Qianzhou immediately leaned in to look as well.

Their eyes fell upon the forceful, elegant calligraphy on the silk document. Below it were three dazzling, bright-red seals representing the highest authority in Yunzhou: the Tiger-Buttoned Golden Seal of the Commander’s Office of the Jingwu Bureau, the Lion-Buttoned Silver Seal of the General’s Mansion, and the Chi Niu Jade Seal of the Inspectorate. The pupils of all three men contracted, and they held their breath.

It was all there in black and white, the seals unmistakable. This was no forgery.

You could hear a pin drop in the great hall, the only sound being the faint rustle of the silk document as fingers unconsciously caressed it.

With steady steps, Chen Sheng walked to the head of the official table, to the side, and slowly sat down. His gaze swept over the three men, who were still in shock. His voice was firm and clear:

"Envoy Nie, Lord Xie, General Li. In the past, all three of you have shown me kindness and helped advance my career. I have etched this into my heart and dare not forget."

But then his tone shifted, taking on an undeniable air of authority:

"However, this is a matter of state. A public office is a public trust. Private relationships are one thing, but official business must be conducted officially. The authority of the Government Office cannot be trifled with, let alone be overridden by personal sentiment."

If it were anyone else, Chen Sheng would not have taken such a tone.

He would have dispensed with the pleasantries long ago.

But these three were different.

Nie Xuanfeng had earned his gratitude by recommending him for promotion. Li Qianzhou had given him his full support during the annihilation of Luoyun Manor. Xie Jingze had even gifted him a suit of Spirit Armor.

They may have had their own reasons, but the favors were real.

Chen Sheng couldn’t be the type to be meek and subservient when weak, only to become arrogant and high-handed when he gained power.

That was precisely why he had to draw the lines clearly from the very start.

Provoking Lord Xie moments ago had also been intentional.

Only by first establishing his authority and drawing clear boundaries could he ensure his future orders would be obeyed, preventing past sentiments from hamstringing him at every turn.

Otherwise, what would be the difference between this hard-won authority as Inspector and the old way of having to negotiate every decision?

The affairs of Ning’an must be his to decide, and his alone.

He had to make these three powerful figures before him understand this fact, crystal clear!

"This... This is real?"

Xie Jingze held the document, his fingertips trembling slightly. He still found it hard to believe.

"Forging an appointment letter from the Three Government Offices is tantamount to treason."

Chen Sheng said flatly:

"I am not so bold."

Nie Xuanfeng opened his mouth, wanting to ask Chen Sheng why he hadn’t revealed his identity from the beginning, why he’d insisted on starting an argument first.

But he swallowed the words before they could escape.

A clear thought surfaced in his mind.

’Chen Sheng did it on purpose.’

’He wanted to argue first, to build that invisible wall.’

Xie Jingze closed his eyes and let out a long, heavy breath. When he opened them again, they were a vortex of complex emotions: the frustration and humiliation of being suddenly superseded, but also a sense of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted.

The frustration stemmed from the fact that this young man, Chen Sheng, who had once been utterly respectful toward him, now wielded immense power, his status far surpassing his own.

Only he could truly understand the sting of that psychological shock.

The relief, on the other hand, came from the fact that the crushing burden on his shoulders—a weight that concerned the stability of Ning’an, his own career, and even his life—could finally be set down.

It wasn’t as if he didn’t know the future repercussions of compromising with the Jianghu powers.

It was just that the blame for ’Great Chaos in Ning’an’ was too heavy a burden to bear, and a gamble he dared not take.

Now that someone willing and able was stepping up to take the lead, the pressure on his shoulders would be drastically reduced, regardless of the outcome.

"I... understand."

Xie Jingze finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness.

Then he straightened his robes and, facing Chen Sheng seated at the head, solemnly cupped his fist and bowed deeply.

"Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple have repeatedly defied the laws of the court and brought chaos to the region. The evidence of their crimes is irrefutable. They cannot be pardoned!"

Chen Sheng wasted no more words. His voice suddenly turned sharp, ringing with an iron resolve:

"As Inspector, I have resolved that, effective immediately, we will launch a thunderous purge against these two sects!"

"I am finished speaking. Who is in favor? Who is opposed?"

"We humbly obey the Inspector’s command!"

Xie Jingze adapted with astonishing speed, the first to solemnly assent with a deferential bow.

Nie Xuanfeng and Li Qianzhou exchanged a glance. Though their minds were still reeling, the die was cast.

Li Qianzhou hesitated no longer, cupping his fist and declaring in a solemn voice:

"We humbly obey the Inspector’s command!"

Nie Xuanfeng’s Adam’s apple bobbed. The words "We humbly obey the Inspector’s command" were on the tip of his tongue, and he was just about to bow.

But Chen Sheng had already shot to his feet, stepping before him in a single stride and raising a hand to firmly catch his arm before he could bow.

Forcing him to take a stand was to make him recognize the new reality.

Stopping him from bowing, however, was to preserve the dignity of their past relationship.

He wasn’t about to start lording his authority over Nie Xuanfeng.

"Envoy Nie, there is no need for such ceremony."

A slight smile appeared on Chen Sheng’s face, and his tone softened:

"You will always be my superior officer and my mentor."

With his arm supported, the last bit of awkwardness in Nie Xuanfeng’s heart vanished, replaced by a wave of warmth.

He straightened up and shook his head, chiding with a laugh:

"You brat... If you’d shown the document earlier, would we have needed all this? You did it on purpose, didn’t you!"

Chen Sheng smiled but didn’t answer. He turned back to Lord Xie and General Li, his expression once again becoming grim and resolute as he spat out a clear series of commands:

"Time is of the essence. We deploy immediately!"

"Lord Xie, you will remain in the Prefecture City to oversee the general situation. Be especially on guard for any sneak attacks by the fiends of the Blood River Sect trying to take advantage of the chaos, and ensure you stabilize public morale."

"General Li, return to the Military Preparation Army barracks at once and muster five thousand elite soldiers! Two thousand will remain in the Prefecture City to reinforce its defenses. The other three thousand are to secretly march to a designated assembly point outside the city and await orders, ready to strike Golden Spring Mountain at a moment’s notice!"

"Envoy Nie, all elite forces of the Jingwu Bureau are to mobilize immediately. Leave a skeleton crew to maintain order in the Prefecture City. You will personally lead the rest and prepare to coordinate with the army’s operation!"

Finally, Chen Sheng’s gaze shifted to the world outside the hall, as if he could already see the storm about to break over the Ning’an Martial World.

"As for myself, I will set out at once. I will personally visit the Iron Sword Sect, the Danxia Sect, and the Wang Clan. I must convince these three powers to stand with the Government Office in this endeavor!"

Then, Chen Sheng’s voice rose, sharp and decisive as hammered steel:

"The objective of this battle is clear: first, we will destroy Golden Spring Temple, then we will annihilate Qingfeng Temple! We will strike with the speed of lightning, wiping them out root and branch, and decide the fate of Ning’an in one single stroke!"

"Sir!"

"As you command!"

"Good!"

Three sounds of assent, sonorous and powerful, rang out in succession within the great hall.

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