Changshan North City, Military Preparation Headquarters.
In the faint light of dawn, Chen Sheng wore black light armor and sat tall atop a fine steed. The Shehan Treasure Saber, exuding a faint, dark glow, hung at his waist.
His expression was calm, his gaze detached as he swept it across the somewhat weathered gates of the Military Preparation Camp. Escorted by Yan Ming and his retinue of personal guards, he rode in at a gentle pace.
Wherever they passed, soldiers on duty or nearby hurried to bow in salute. A chorus of greetings rose and fell, and while the scene wasn't one of great fanfare, it projected an undeniable authority.
The two Vice Commanders of the North City Military Camp might harbor resentment, unwilling to have a young outsider appointed over them, but the rank-and-file soldiers dared not show any open disrespect. The struggles between the higher-ups were their own affair; if common soldiers like them dared to openly slight the new commander, the consequences would be far more than they could bear.
In truth, Chen Sheng paid little mind to the two Vice Commanders he had heard of but never met. Through sporadic hints from the "Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil" Celestial Book, he had already glimpsed the deeper machinations behind the affair.
This provocation wasn't aimed solely at him, but rather at his backer, County Captain Wu Kuang.
Ever since the powerful Noble Families had hosted that banquet to "welcome" them, their intentions had become crystal clear: cooperate and share the spoils, or become an enemy and find your path blocked at every turn.
However, Wu Kuang had made no move these past few days, giving no clear response. He knew that accepting their favors would be the same as giving them leverage over him, tying his hands should he wish to make any real changes in the future.
That was precisely why the local factions wanted to apply some pressure—to flex their muscles.
Targeting Wu Kuang directly was too risky and could lead to a complete breakdown of relations. Making an example of his trusted subordinate, however, was the perfect alternative—it would demonstrate their power and serve as a warning to Wu Kuang.
As for the Grand Commander in charge of all Military Preparation in Changshan County, he had adopted an attitude of tacit approval, even condoning his subordinates' attempts to make things difficult.
If that weren't the case, and he had simply stated his clear support for Chen Sheng, who in the camp would have dared to tweak the tiger's whiskers?
It was precisely because he saw through this web of intrigue that Chen Sheng had patiently waited until he broke through to the Bone Forging Realm before formally coming to assume his post.
A Martial Master at the Bone Forging Realm was considered an expert, whether in his former Mountain Camp or here in Changshan County.
What's more, he was no ordinary Bone Forging practitioner. The Golden Bell Body Refining Technique was incredibly difficult to cultivate, but it had granted him a foundation and physique far more powerful than others at his level.
Combined with his Basic Knife Technique, which had reached a state of perfected simplicity at the Great Success stage, he feared no one below the Marrow Transformation Realm. The only exception would be a Marrow Transformation Martial Master who had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment and begun the process of Muscle and Marrow Cleansing.
As Chen Sheng's party entered the camp, the two Vice Commanders inside were quickly informed. Yet, they didn't come to greet him. Instead, as if by prior agreement, they put on airs, deliberately intending to give their new superior a hard time.
Chen Sheng did not grow angry. His expression remained unchanged as, under Yan Ming's guidance, he began his inspection of the North City Military Camp.
The results of his inspection could only be described with one phrase: a disorderly rabble.
According to Daqian law, the North City Military Camp was supposed to have a full complement of one hundred and fifty soldiers.
But based on what he saw and Yan Ming's prior report, the actual number of enlisted men didn't even reach two-thirds of that quota. The embezzlement of funds for ghost soldiers was flagrant.
Even among the hundred or so men who remained, most were old, weak, and undisciplined. Less than half could be considered able-bodied. In contrast, the thirty-odd battle-hardened veterans he had brought with him were now the camp's only "elite" troops.
...
「Meanwhile, inside the Military Camp Office.」
Vice Commanders Gao and Cheng were secretly plotting how to give the new, young commander a "memorable" welcome.
"This Commander Chen certainly is composed."
Peering through a window, Vice Commander Cheng watched Chen Sheng continue his unhurried inspection near the Martial Arts Arena. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. Far from underestimating him, he found the young man's composure rather remarkable.
"Hmph, so what if he's composed? He's still too young, with no real foundation."
Vice Commander Gao Qiheng snorted.
Of the two Vice Commanders, Gao Qiheng was undoubtedly the one in charge.
There were two reasons for his resentment toward Chen Sheng. First, he believed deep down that Chen Sheng had stolen the North City commandership, a position that should have been his. His Cultivation was the highest in the camp, he hailed from the local Gao Clan, and he had already made all the necessary arrangements. He had thought the position was in the bag.
Who would have thought that a new County Captain Wu would be appointed from outside? To show deference to the new superior, the position was simply "given" away, much to his displeasure.
Second, he had heard that Chen Sheng had only been in the army for a few short months and wasn't known for his martial prowess.
From this, he deduced that Chen Sheng's Cultivation was likely only at the Mingxi Realm—and not even at a particularly high level within it. He, Gao Qiheng, on the other hand, was a genuine Bone Forging Realm Martial Master!
Whether his realm had been achieved through his family's resources or his own arduous training, the advantage in his cultivation level was, at the very least, undeniable.
Being forced to serve under a "connections hire" whose Cultivation was likely inferior to his own had left him simmering with resentment.
Thus, when he received a hint from his family's leadership that they needed to cause trouble for the new County Captain Wu Kuang and apply some pressure, he was more than happy to oblige.
Now, with his family's blessing and support, he would naturally seize this opportunity to make his presence known. Even if County Captain Wu later chose to cooperate with the Gao Family and the other local Noble Families, he could use this to sideline Chen Sheng and wield the true commander's authority from his post as Vice Commander!
Hearing this, Vice Commander Cheng merely smiled without chiming in.
He couldn't afford to offend either man—not Commander Chen, backed by the County Captain, nor Vice Commander Gao, backed by the Gao Family.
His choice to side with Gao Qiheng was one of necessity. Compared to the new commander with his unstable footing, he was far more wary of the deeply entrenched Gao Family and the notoriously vindictive Gao Qiheng.
"Let's go. We'll go meet this *Grand* Commander Chen. Since he won't come to us, then I, Gao, will go to him."
When Chen Sheng still didn't show up at the Government Office, Gao Qiheng became even more convinced that the man was all bark and no bite, completely lacking in confidence. His own self-assurance soaring, he waved his hand and led his cronies toward the Martial Arts Arena.
...
Back at the Martial Arts Arena, Chen Sheng was inspecting the Military Camp when he suddenly sensed something. He looked up to see a large crowd surging toward him, with two men at its center.
He narrowed his eyes and stopped, his calm gaze sweeping over the two men in the lead.
Although he had never met them, he could identify them from Yan Ming's detailed descriptions. The man at the forefront, burly and with a hint of arrogance in his expression, had to be Vice Commander Gao Qiheng of the Gao Clan.
He was also the mastermind behind this whole affair.
The calm-faced man half a step behind him was, of course, Vice Commander Cheng.
Gao Qiheng led his entourage to a halt five paces from Chen Sheng. Forcing a somewhat exaggerated smile, he cupped his fist in a familiar gesture and said:
"Ah, I heard that you were assuming your post today, Chen. I unfortunately caught a cold a couple of days ago and have been unwell. I couldn't welcome you from afar, which was truly remiss of me. Truly remiss!"
His tone was overly familiar, completely ignoring the proper hierarchy.
Vice Commander Cheng, by his side, was more proper. He offered a cupped-fist salute, his tone even:
"Commander Chen."
Chen Sheng's gaze swept impassively over the gaggle of military louts behind them—obviously there to watch the show and provide backup—before finally landing on Gao Qiheng's smirking face.
He showed no anger. His voice was level, but it carried an icy edge that no one could mistake as it reached the ears of everyone present:
"Does Vice Commander Gao not even understand the rules of hierarchy? This is the Martial Camp Government Office. There are no 'brothers' here. Since you've come to report to me, you will use my official title!"