Chapter 476 - 241: Yunzhou Shaken: Everyone Is a Pawn

Chapter 476: Chapter 241: Yunzhou Shaken: Everyone Is a Pawn

Nie Xuanfeng didn’t finish his sentence, but his meaning was perfectly clear.

If he didn’t genuinely value Chen Sheng, his cautious nature would never have allowed him to speak so frankly with a new acquaintance.

After all, this also concerned the Nie Family.

The smile on Chen Sheng’s face faded slightly. He said with a serious expression:

"Governor, I will take your heartfelt words to heart."

Chen Sheng naturally understood Nie Xuanfeng’s good intentions.

He wasn’t some naive fool.

If things went awry or the tides turned, Chen Sheng would make a swift escape.

From the very beginning, he had never fully trusted Chu Zhengnan’s promises and had always remained on high alert.

The Celestial Book’s precognitive abilities were one of his greatest trump cards. The moment he sensed a truly fatal risk, he would abandon everything he had without hesitation and flee far away.

After all, he had already gained a great deal from these last two battles.

Though he hadn’t done a full inventory, the various resources already in his possession were worth no less than two thousand Elemental Crystals.

This was a massive fortune, enough to make even a Pill Realm Grandmaster green with envy.

And then there was the unopened Storage Magical Artifact from the True Inheritor of Qingfeng Temple.

’What it holds inside is probably even more astounding.’

Surviving in chaotic times meant seeking wealth through danger.

Though this venture was fraught with peril, the corresponding rewards were far beyond what he could achieve by simply following the rules.

"It’s good that you have a plan."

Seeing the steady look in Chen Sheng’s eyes, Nie Xuanfeng knew he wasn’t just spouting empty words to placate him. This set his mind at ease.

In truth, he also knew that he sought stability.

But Chen Sheng was like a rising sun, sharp and ambitious. Their chosen paths were destined to be different.

"This spring truly has miraculous effects. Why don’t you give it a try as well, Governor?"

Chen Sheng changed the subject, inviting him as his arm glided through the warm spring water.

Nie Xuanfeng glanced at Chen Sheng and couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile.

"What a colossal waste... If those monks from Golden Spring Temple knew about this, they’d probably be angry enough to crawl back from the Netherworld."

This Spiritual Spring was the number one Spiritual Spring in Ning’an.

It had always been regarded by Golden Spring Temple as a treasure that protected the sect.

And now, it had become Chen Sheng’s personal bathtub.

Never mind Golden Spring Temple; even an outsider would surely curse Chen Sheng for this extravagance.

"Those bald donkeys don’t have what it takes."

Chen Sheng laughed heartily, unconcerned.

’So what if they crawl back?’

’I’d just cut them down all the same!’

"Alright, I’m done wasting words with you. Ning’an Prefecture is in chaos right now with a thousand things to sort out. While you, the Inspector General, are hiding here enjoying your leisure, I have to go clean up the mess."

Nie Xuanfeng looked helpless.

Among the several Vice Envoys of the Jingwu Bureau, Sun Yuzhi had not yet returned, Chen Sheng had been promoted, and Li Jizhou was stationed out in the provinces. The bulk of the Jingwu Bureau’s affairs had now fallen on his shoulders.

He was nowhere near as idle as Chen Sheng.

"The capable are always busy. Thank you for your hard work, Governor."

Chen Sheng smiled, showing no inclination whatsoever to get up and help.

’Are you kidding me?’

’Now that I hold all this power, if I still had to do everything myself, what would be the point of being Inspector General?’

...

「Yunzhou City.」

Deep within the Jingwu Bureau.

In a quiet courtyard, an ancient pine stood lush and green.

On a stone table, the chessboard was a battlefield. Black and white pieces crisscrossed, a hidden killing intent in the air.

"PAK!"

A black stone landed with a crisp sound. Chu Zhengnan, Commander of the Jingwu Bureau, showed a smug expression. His tide-like assault had already cornered his opponent.

Across from him, Patriarch Nie Tiankun of the Nie Family frowned, staring at the board for a long moment. Suddenly, with a great sweep of his hand, he scattered the pieces.

"I’m done. This is boring."

"Nie, a man’s character is revealed on the board."

Chu Zhengnan wasn’t angered. He picked up the cup of tea beside him, took a leisurely sip, and spoke with pointed meaning.

"However bad my character is, it’s still better than someone who uses my Nie Family’s son-in-law as a pawn."

Nie Tiankun snorted softly, his gaze shooting toward Chu Zhengnan like a bolt of lightning.

"And where is this coming from?"

Chu Zhengnan set down his teacup, his smile unwavering.

"I was giving the young man an opportunity. See? Didn’t the boy Chen Sheng perform unexpectedly well? The moment he acted, he swept through them completely, uprooting two major cancers.

Now his name rings throughout Yunzhou. His fame is unparalleled."

"That kind of fame is not a good thing."

Nie Tiankun’s expression darkened slightly.

"The monks of Celestial Dragon Temple are notoriously protective and domineering. The Daoists of Dragon Tiger Mountain may seem detached and inactive, but they are actually even more petty. By pushing him into the eye of the storm like this, have you thought about how you’ll clean up the mess?

"Chen Sheng is engaged to my Great Elder’s granddaughter. If you’re just treating him as a disposable pawn... the Nie Family will not agree to it so easily."

He didn’t say everything, but the warning was crystal clear.

In fact, his visit was at the behest of the Great Elder.

They could cooperate, and they could plot for certain benefits.

But the Nie Family could not be treated as if they were nothing.

The news of Chen Sheng becoming the Nie Family’s son-in-law had already spread throughout Yunzhou. If they couldn’t protect him, the blow to the Nie Family’s prestige would be considerable.

Therefore, he had to give Chu Zhengnan a warning in advance.

Lest the man make an unwise decision.

The smile on Chu Zhengnan’s face faded a little as a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Nie, could it be that in your eyes, the court... is easy to deal with? If that were truly the case, why would the Nie Family bind itself so tightly to the court?"

Hearing this, Nie Tiankun’s brow furrowed even deeper. He didn’t reply.

Some things were better left unsaid.

Seeing the other man’s silence, Chu Zhengnan’s expression softened, and he smiled again.

"Rest assured, Nie. I have other important uses for the boy Chen Sheng; he is by no means a disposable piece. The day the news came back, I personally went to Dragon Tiger Mountain and sent a messenger to Celestial Dragon Temple."

"What did they say?" Nie Tiankun’s eyes flickered, and he pressed for an answer.

"What else could they say?"

Chu Zhengnan sneered.

"Naturally, they put on a show of universal compassion while demanding justice. But in my view, they were just probing the court’s attitude. Those old foxes are shrewder than anyone.

They won’t make a move until they’ve figured out the court’s intentions.

"Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple are their branches, but losing them is far from enough to shake their foundations or warrant an all-out response."

At this point, Chu Zhengnan paused before continuing.

"My stance is clear. Chen Sheng was acting on orders to suppress local unrest. The evidence is solid and irrefutable. Anyone who disagrees can come and argue with me directly. If they truly dare to cast aside all face, for the strong to bully the weak, and move against Chen Sheng directly...

"Hmph. The Taiping Dao rebellion has just been quelled, and the court is in a foul mood. They aren’t stupid. They would never dare to start a major conflict over such a trivial matter at a time like this."

Nie Tiankun seemed lost in thought.

"So you’re saying they won’t make any major moves openly for now?"

"Not openly, no."

Chu Zhengnan nodded slightly.

"But behind the scenes, within the rules, it’s inevitable that they’ll cause some trouble for the boy and try to trip him up. After all, they’ve lost face and will need to get it back somehow."

"What kind of trouble?"

Nie Tiankun narrowed his eyes.

"Chen Sheng is a young man. Do you think Dragon Tiger Mountain and Celestial Dragon Temple... don’t have outstanding young people of their own?"

Chu Zhengnan gave Nie Tiankun a meaningful look.

"The martial examination is imminent. Now is the perfect time for young people to make a name for themselves. Although Chen Sheng has won victory after victory, I believe the boy still has untapped potential.

"For young people, a bit more tempering is not a bad thing. If he can be forged into steel and honed into a fine weapon, it would be a huge gain for your Nie Family."

Nie Tiankun’s gaze sharpened. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly asked:

"You want to use him to stir up the situation in Yunzhou, don’t you?"

Chen Sheng was only a Mystic Realm Cultivator. Even if he was used to stir up trouble, it wouldn’t get too out of hand. The Yunzhou Jingwu Bureau could always step in to contain it, keeping it within Chu Zhengnan’s control.

The other powers wouldn’t engage in a fight to the death over some minor squabbles.

After all, Chen Sheng was still the Nie Family’s son-in-law. That connection served as a layer of background protection.

It was a protective talisman for him.

Chu Zhengnan clearly viewed all of Yunzhou as his chessboard.

And Chen Sheng was one of his pieces.

"It’s a win-win situation. What’s wrong with that?"

Chu Zhengnan admitted it openly.

"Besides, in this process, I will grant him even greater authority and support. Chen Sheng is a smart man. He must have seen this clearly, yet he did not refuse."

"Those who treat people like pawns are often treated like pawns in turn. Chu Zhengnan, be careful you don’t capsize in a ditch in the end."

"Hahaha!"

Chu Zhengnan laughed out loud, but there was little mirth in his eyes, only the profound darkness of a deep pool.

"If such a day truly comes, I... would quite look forward to it."

————