Chapter 449 - 231: As I Command, Who Dares Disobey?

Chapter 449: Chapter 231: As I Command, Who Dares Disobey?

Chen Sheng’s words were like a knife, mercilessly tearing away the last shred of their dignity.

Lu Qingsong’s face was grim. He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing in rebuttal.

Chen Sheng’s words, though harsh, struck at the heart of the matter.

The three families weren’t entirely powerless to resist. It was just that each had their own reservations. They feared suffering heavy losses and feared that once all pretenses were dropped, the situation would become irreversible. Most of all, they feared their backers were unwilling to risk a direct confrontation with the Celestial Dragon Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain.

All these calculations were laid bare under Chen Sheng’s piercing gaze.

"Quell your anger, Chen Zhenfu."

Lu Qingsong, being the most experienced, was the first to regain his composure. He sighed and steered the conversation back on track:

"What’s done is done. There’s no use dwelling on the past. The most crucial thing now is how to respond. Since you’ve returned, Chen Zhenfu, you must have a good plan."

"A response?"

Chen Sheng’s fingertips tapped a steady rhythm on the armrest as his gaze swept slowly over the three of them.

"It’s simple. Immediately assemble all the fighting forces of the Danxia Sect, the Wang Clan, and the Iron Sword Sect. Send out all your elites! You will follow me. First, we will annihilate Golden Spring Temple, and then we will crush Qingfeng Temple!"

"What about the Government Office...?"

Wangqingshan asked instinctively. This was both their greatest concern and their greatest hope.

"I am now the Ning’an Inspector, jointly appointed by the Three Government Offices of Yunzhou."

Chen Sheng’s voice was not loud, but every word landed with immense weight, carrying an undeniable authority:

"I hold full authority over all military and political affairs in the entire Ning’an prefecture! I am in command now—who dares disobey? The Jingwu Bureau and the Military Preparation Army are already mobilizing. Their troops are ready. They wait only for my command to march on Golden Spring Mountain!"

Inspector?!

Full authority over military and political affairs?!

Shock and disbelief were written all over the faces of Lu Qingsong, Wangqingshan, and Bai Qing.

If anyone but Chen Sheng had said it, they would have dismissed it as a fanciful tale. But he sat on the main seat of honor, his imposing aura even more majestic than before.

How could a young man in his early twenties, even one marrying into the Nie Family, ascend to such heights in a single step and wield such terrifying authority?

"But... what about the Celestial Dragon Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain...?"

Bai Qing asked, her breathing slightly hitched. It was the most critical question.

The greatest obstacle to destroying Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple had never been the two sects themselves, but the two supreme powers in Yunzhou that backed them.

"How can you accomplish anything when you’re constantly looking over your shoulder?"

Chen Sheng’s brow furrowed, his gaze as sharp as lightning.

"Are your backers—the sects and Noble Families—just for show? You all want to reap the greatest rewards, yet you’re unwilling to shoulder the slightest risk or pressure? There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

If they lack even that much backbone, if they don’t dare to shield you from the pressure of the Celestial Dragon Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain... then from this day forward, why should any of you continue to rely on them?

I, myself, will find you a more reliable patron!"

The words were earth-shattering.

Lu Qingsong and the other two were profoundly shaken, exchanging glances filled with shock and uncertainty.

Relying on their current patrons was the foundation of their existence, a tradition stretching back centuries.

To switch allegiances so suddenly was an immense risk. If the new patron’s foundation was unstable, or if they reneged on their promise later, all three of their houses would be doomed beyond recovery.

"I am not asking you to decide right this instant."

Chen Sheng seemed to sense their hesitation. He leaned forward slightly, his tone softening, yet it carried an even more undeniable, commanding weight:

"The priority right now is to destroy Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple. Lu, Clan Leader Wang, return to your sects at once. Gather all your elite forces and rendezvous with me on the outskirts of Golden Spring Mountain as quickly as possible.

Once we have crushed these two powers, the Ning’an Martial World will be yours for the taking."

"I will return to my sect at once!"

Lu Qingsong shot to his feet, all hesitation gone from his eyes. In its place was the fierce resolve of one who had burned his bridges.

His previous indecisiveness had led to over a month of frustration and losses.

Now, opportunity had knocked again. With a powerful ally like Chen Sheng and the backing of an Inspector’s authority, how could he possibly let it slip through his fingers once more?

Moreover, the future Chen Sheng had painted was undeniably alluring.

If they could carve up the resources and territory of Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple, the Iron Sword Sect would surely usher in an era of unprecedented prosperity!

"I have no objections either. The entire Wang Family is at Lord Chen’s disposal!"

Wangqingshan declared, following suit with a solemn clasp of his fist.

"Good!"

Chen Sheng nodded.

"Time is of the essence. Go and prepare at once!"

Lu Qingsong and Wangqingshan said no more. With a final salute to Chen Sheng and Bai Qing, they moved like lightning, flashing out of the main hall and speeding off toward their respective sects.

Only Chen Sheng and Bai Qing remained in the hall, along with the silent, charred corpse on the floor.

"My, my, Lord Chen... You’ve become truly awe-inspiring. It’s quite captivating."

Bai Qing glided gracefully to stand before Chen Sheng. She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of flirtatious charm and genuine feeling as she spoke:

"I still remember our first meeting. You were just a talented young man beginning to show your promise. In such a short time, you’ve come to wield the power over life and death in Ning’an... No wonder Yuzhi was so devoted to you, defending you at every turn. It seems she recognized long ago that you were destined for greatness.

But I... I was blind."

"It’s not too late to see clearly now."

A faint smile touched Chen Sheng’s lips. His gaze fell upon her beautiful face, flushed slightly from her excitement, as he spoke with clear insinuation:

"As it happens... I’m feeling a bit... fired up right now."

Hearing this, the blush on Bai Qing’s face deepened. But she didn’t shy away. Instead, she gave him a coy, sidelong glance, her voice a mix of feigned annoyance and probing curiosity:

"If you were to break off your engagement with the Nie Family, then I... wouldn’t mind being yours."

"That’s impossible."

Chen Sheng’s reply was swift and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

"However, I can certainly share some of my accumulated ’fire’ and ’reserves’ with you."

"Pah!"

Bai Qing spat delicately, her cheeks flushing crimson. This time, she was genuinely flustered and annoyed.