Chapter 546 - 267: Dare to Make It Count

Chapter 546: Chapter 267: Dare to Make It Count

The next day.

Cyan Dragon Courtyard, in the main hall.

Chen Cheng was shoveling down Demon Beast Meat Porridge, eating with great relish.

After two large bowls, a warm current surged from his belly and spread through his limbs. His qi and blood gradually grew abundant, and he felt exceptionally comfortable.

"This porridge is great today!" Chen Cheng smiled.

Mu Xiaowan blinked and said with a beaming smile, "Of course it is! Senior Sister Qingshuang made it herself.

You spent all night in Cultivation, so you used up a lot of qi and blood. Senior Sister Qingshuang made a point of adding lots of precious Snow Lotus Seeds."

Unlike Chen Cheng, who ate voraciously, the three ladies of the house always ate slowly and delicately.

Today’s porridge was even more effective at replenishing qi and blood than usual. Mu Xiaowan only dared to eat half a small bowl, while Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang limited themselves to a single bowl each.

"Well, Senior Sister Qingshuang’s porridge-making skills are truly impressive," Chen Cheng praised generously.

Shen Qingshuang, however, felt a pang of guilt, a blush creeping onto her stunning face. "I’m just glad you like it."

She had been pampered since birth, never having to lift a finger, so her culinary skills were nothing to write home about.

Simmering Demon Beast Meat Porridge might seem simple, but mastering the heat control was a profound art.

How long to simmer the Demon Beast Meat, how long to cook the millet, when to add Medicinal Materials like the Snow Lotus Seeds to maximize their effects without being wasteful—all these things required meticulous attention to detail.

Even after several attempts under Mu Xiaowan’s direct guidance, she had still nearly burned today’s porridge!

"Junior Brother Chen, I’ll cook lunch myself and make some braised Demon Beast Meat," Shen Qingyao said, her eyes glinting, clearly eager to try.

"Er... alright," Chen Cheng finally agreed, nodding slightly.

Shen Qingyao had cooked a few times before, and she always liked to challenge herself with difficult dishes.

But much like Shen Qingshuang, she had grown up as a pampered young lady. What could she possibly know about cooking?

Lately, Chen Cheng had noticed that one or two dishes tasted rather strange, and they were undoubtedly Shen Qingyao’s creations!

Shen Qingyao obviously didn’t notice Chen Cheng’s odd reaction and turned to Mu Xiaowan with a cheerful laugh.

"Xiaowan, you don’t need to guide me this time. Just watch me work my magic and show off my culinary skills!"

"Okay," Mu Xiaowan said with a smile.

"Enjoy the rest of your meal. I’m heading out for duty," Chen Cheng said, getting up to leave.

Shen Qingshuang suddenly asked, "Junior Brother Chen, did you hear thunder last night?"

Shen Qingyao, also quite surprised, chimed in, "That’s right, I heard it too! Why would it thunder out of the blue like that?

And it was just that one clap. When I went outside to check, there was nothing. It was so strange."

"Perhaps it was just a random spring thunderclap," Chen Cheng said casually as he walked straight out of the hall.

...

As a seasoned bureaucrat, Chen Cheng was constantly busy, taking his duties extremely seriously.

When it came to his own responsibilities, Chen Cheng wasn’t one to slack off and just get by; he truly was conscientious and dedicated.

In terms of official rank, Chen Cheng was already in a high position, so he naturally had to have the mindset of someone in his station.

For matters concerning the Demon Suppression Department, he only needed to give orders and have his subordinates carry them out.

As for the Inspection Department, Chen Cheng was quite strict with his Brocade Guards, demanding they monitor every move of the disciples from the Four Major Sects.

This included details like what important figures they met with each day, what properties they acquired in Linji City, and which disciples with outstanding Martial Arts Talent they recruited.

In short, every last detail had to be recorded and compiled for him. Chen Cheng only needed to glance over the reports.

Chen Cheng didn’t have many Brocade Guards to begin with, so keeping an eye on the disciples from the Four Major Sects kept them incredibly busy every day.

The results were naturally excellent; his desk was already piled high with all sorts of intelligence on the Inner Sect Disciples of the Four Major Sects.

Xiao Nianci was paying close attention to Chen Cheng. Seeing that he seemed to be actively preparing for the competition against the disciples of the Four Major Sects, she had expressed her approval through Meng Qin on more than one occasion.

Because Chen Cheng had yet to set a date for the competition, the Inner Sect Disciples of the Four Major Sects were acting particularly arrogant.

Zhang Daozong of the Taiyi Sect was especially brazen. On multiple occasions, he had publicly spread rumors slandering Chen Cheng, saying things like he was all bark and no bite and didn’t dare to fight him.

Chen Cheng had bigger plans for them, so he could only let their insults go in one ear and out the other.

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, another month had passed, and it was now the beginning of the fifth month.

On this day, while Chen Cheng was at the Inspection Bureau Office reviewing the reports compiled by his men, Meng Qin rushed in to report.

"Lord Chen, Lord Xiao wishes to see you."

"Lord Xiao is looking for me? What happened?" Chen Cheng asked, looking at Meng Qin with some surprise.

Xiao Nianci knew Chen Cheng’s every move like the back of her hand.

Meng Qin would even summarize the intelligence Chen Cheng had gathered on the disciples of the Four Major Sects and report it to her.

Although Meng Qin tried to be discreet, how could she escape Chen Cheng’s discerning eyes?

’Xiao Nianci shouldn’t have any reason to summon me!’

"I’m not sure of the specifics, but it seems Lord Xiao has run into some kind of trouble," Meng Qin said.

"Mm, I understand." Chen Cheng nodded and immediately got up to head out of the government office.

When he arrived at Xiao Nianci’s government office, he found her sitting upright at her desk, just as he’d expected. She held a written report in her hand, her expression grim.

"Come in," Xiao Nianci said flatly before Chen Cheng could speak.

"Yes, my lord." Chen Cheng replied respectfully, stepping into the office and standing to the side. "May I ask what instructions you have for this subordinate?"

"Take a look for yourself!"

Xiao Nianci tossed the document onto the desk, then rubbed her forehead and leaned back in her chair, looking quite troubled.

After Chen Cheng picked up the document and read it carefully, he felt a flicker of confusion.

The report had been submitted by City Lord Jiang Botao and was related to this year’s disasters.