Chapter 539 - 263: Life and Death Arena

Chapter 539: Chapter 263: Life and Death Arena

Chen Cheng was now finally getting a taste of why Xiao Nianci was called the Poison Lady.

Working under her was nothing but thankless jobs. Who could possibly stand it?

As a subordinate, he had to obey his superior’s orders. Chen Cheng had no choice, but he could at least try to delay.

"My Lord, I suffered some internal injuries during my previous match with Yang Poman and the others. It would be unwise for me to engage in combat anytime soon.

If I force myself, I fear I won’t be able to win."

"That’s fine. Just focus on recuperating. You can take action after your injuries have healed."

Xiao Nianci waved her hand magnanimously, but then her tone shifted.

"However, as the acting Director of the Inspection Department, I must treat all my subordinates equally.

Handling this matter will be your assessment. If you lose to the disciples from the other Sects, or if you fail to complete the mission by year’s end,

then I’ll have no choice but to follow the regulations and fail you.

At that point, I will have to relieve you of all your duties, and the corresponding rewards and Salary that come with them will be suspended.

Of course, I do hope you will complete the mission successfully and pass the assessment.

When that time comes, in addition to the rewards for your post, I will personally give you a generous bonus."

Xiao Nianci’s words were noble-sounding, but in reality, she was backing him into a corner, ready to pull the rug out from under him.

And yet, Chen Cheng couldn’t find a single thing to reproach her for.

"My Lord, as long as I prevent the other Sects from recruiting disciples in Linji Prefecture, will the mission be considered complete?"

Chen Cheng asked after a moment of thought.

’It wouldn’t do to always be led by the nose by Xiao Nianci.’

’You have your schemes, and I have my countermeasures. As long as I can achieve the goal, I don’t have to be a fool and rush to the front lines to be her hired muscle.’

Xiao Nianci clearly hadn’t expected this question from Chen Cheng. After a moment’s thought, she said:

"But of course. If you can stop the other Sects from recruiting disciples in Linji Prefecture without bloodshed, that would be for the best."

"Yes." Chen Cheng nodded.

Xiao Nianci looked at Chen Cheng, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "Oh, by the way, I already spread the word before you arrived."

"When the disciples from those other Sects heard they would have to face your challenge, perhaps they feared your strength and have already left with their people."

’She was clearly forcing my hand!’

Chen Cheng couldn’t be bothered to call her out on it. He simply offered a respectful bow and departed.

...

At the fourth-floor chief’s office, Meng Qin was sorting through various documents. When she saw Chen Cheng return looking heavy-hearted, she immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Lord Chen, you seem troubled?"

Xiao Nianci had assigned twelve Brocade Guard subordinates to Chen Cheng, but during duty hours, only Meng Qin was ever in the Tower office.

Since Chen Cheng had no specific assignments for them, the others had all been temporarily reassigned by the other Chiefs.

Chen Cheng managed a small smile. "Lord Xiao has given me an assignment, and it’s a particularly difficult one."

Meng Qin had delicate features and a sweet, sensible personality. Over the past few days, Chen Cheng had slowly gotten to know her.

Meng Qin had joined the Great Dao Sect as a child, but due to her humble birth and average Martial Arts Talent, she was still an Outer Disciple.

The Great Dao Sect had numerous Outer Disciples, and the competition for various resources was extremely fierce.

In Meng Qin’s own words, coming to the Prefecture City with Lord Xiao to serve as a Brocade Guard was an excellent post.

With the Salary and Elixir Pills she earned as a Brocade Guard, she had a real hope of advancing her Cultivation to the Bone Forging Realm and being promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple.

That Chen Cheng, who also came from humble origins, could achieve so much was something she truly admired!

"In my heart, Lord Chen, you are far more exceptional than any of the True Disciples from the Sect’s various peaks.

Even Senior Brother Li Xuanqi, the top True Disciple, might not have better Martial Arts Talent than you, Lord Chen."

Those were Meng Qin’s exact words.

"I’m sure you’ll be able to handle it, Lord Chen." Meng Qin smiled, a faint dimple appearing on her cheek.

"Let’s hope so," Chen Cheng said quietly, then added, "Gather the Brocade Guards under my command.

Starting tomorrow, everyone has work to do. The other Chiefs are no longer permitted to reassign them."

"Yes," Meng Qin said respectfully.

Chen Cheng gave a few more instructions and then headed home.

As soon as he returned to the True Disciple residence and entered the main garden, he saw Shen Qingyao and Mu Xiaowan practicing the Seven-Star Sword Technique.

Shen Qingyao’s Seven-Star Sword Stance was becoming increasingly sharp. Even in broad daylight, it faintly carried the aura of the stars and moon, her mastery much deeper than Chen Cheng’s.

Furthermore, her Qi Blood Power seemed to have grown much stronger, verging on the stage of Great Success in the Bone Forging Realm.

Mu Xiaowan had long ago achieved Perfection in the Seven-Star Sword Technique, and her Martial Arts Power was on the cusp of advancing to the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

Even Chen Cheng couldn’t help but be impressed by the speed of her Cultivation Progress.

"Brother Cheng, you’re back?"

Mu Xiaowan stopped practicing and gave him a sweet smile.

"Yes." Chen Cheng nodded.

"You’re just in time! Senior Sister Qingyao just got back, too. Her seclusion is over, so she won’t be going back to her family’s house for a while!

Senior Sister Qingyao, you talk with Brother Cheng for a while. I’ll go make dinner."

Mu Xiaowan said with a cheerful grin and headed toward the Cyan Dragon Courtyard.

Shen Qingyao stood in a pristine white dress, her graceful figure exuding an even more captivating allure.

Her limpid eyes gazed reproachfully at Chen Cheng, her exquisite red lips pursed in a slight pout.

"Senior Sister Qingyao, who upset you?"

Puzzled, Chen Cheng stepped forward, about to reach for her soft, jade-like hand.

But Shen Qingyao snorted softly, dodged his hand, and turned to hurry toward the Vermilion Bird Courtyard.

Chen Cheng was once again completely bewildered, but Shen Qingyao had already disappeared into the Vermilion Bird Courtyard.

"Junior Brother Chen, come here!"

...

Chen Cheng followed her into the Vermilion Bird Courtyard, and a fragrant breeze washed over him—her familiar, elegant scent.

...

After a long while, Chen Cheng leisurely toyed with the Honey Peaches, his thoughts gradually clearing.

Shen Qingyao’s long eyelashes trembled. She blinked her beautiful eyes and said with great seriousness,

"Junior Brother Chen, my grandfather said Lord Xiao’s current consolidation of Linji City’s Government Offices is likely a ploy to incite conflict among the Four Great Clans of the Inner City and weaken their influence.

Lord Xiao has had friction with Mr. Zheng in the past, so you need to be careful, too."

"Yes, I know," Chen Cheng said softly.

Shen Qingyao continued, "They say Lord Xiao is also organizing men to head to the Great Wilderness Mountain Range to besiege the Black Lotus Sect, and he’s ordered the Ancestors of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City to assist.

The Ancestors of the other three clans all refused, using the excuse that their bodies’ Innate Origin is depleted and their Qi and blood are in decline.

Only our Shen Family’s Ancestor, being the youngest and having just achieved the Second Layer of the Frost Snow Realm, was unable to refuse.

So, with Linji City left vulnerable, our Shen Family will be in danger, and so will you."

Chen Cheng frowned. "How come I haven’t heard about this?

Could Lord Xiao be doing this to deliberately target the Shen Family?"

Shen Qingyao shook her head gently. "Not exactly. Lord Xiao met with each of the Ancestors personally.

The other three Ancestors’ Innate Origin is severely depleted. They only have a few years left and are unfit for battle.

Lord Xiao cultivates the Five Elements Wood Realm, which gives her an extremely strong sense for a person’s Innate Origin. She shouldn’t be mistaken.

To be fair, Lord Xiao will have the other three clans—which still have an Ancestor to guard them—dispatch more of their people.

As for our Shen Family, since our Ancestor is going on the expedition, we’re allowed to keep more people back to defend the city."

"That doesn’t seem fair either," Chen Cheng murmured.

If something were to really happen, no amount of Shen Family members could stand against a single Ancestor at the Organ Refining Realm!

"It’s not fair," Shen Qingyao agreed with a slight nod. "But the matter is still under discussion.

Lord Xia is also in the process of tracking down the precise location of the Black Lotus Sect’s stronghold.

By the time all preparations are complete, it should be the end of the year."

"The end of the year, you say? Then it won’t be a problem," Chen Cheng murmured to himself.

Shen Qingyao didn’t quite hear what Chen Cheng said and continued on her own, "My Ancestor said that if he leaves the city, we’re all to move to the Ice Castle.

With the Shen Family’s Clan Elders protecting us, we won’t have to worry about the other three Ancestors pulling any tricks behind our backs.

Besides, on this mission to besiege the Black Lotus Sect, the other three clans are bound to suffer heavy losses. It might not be a bad thing for the Shen Family to preserve more of its strength.

Still, it’s always better to be prepared and cautious...

Ah... Junior Brother Chen, you’re doing it again?"

"Senior Sister Qingyao, do you still remember the Sutra of Ultimate Bliss?"