"My Lord, your actions today… I am truly in absolute awe!"
Inside the Government Office, Yan Ming's face was filled with irrepressible excitement and reverence as he deeply bowed to Chen Sheng.
After this incident, he was utterly overwhelmed by Chen Sheng's thunderous aura and methods. This young superior officer was usually as calm as still water, but when he made a move, it was earth-shattering. He could instantly dominate the situation and turn the tables.
Those two seemingly untouchable vice commanders had been like clay pigeons before Chen Sheng. Gao Qiheng was slain on the spot, his blood splashing nearby, while the other, Vice Commander Cheng, was scared out of his wits. Now, he was utterly subservient, not daring to defy any of Chen Sheng's commands in the slightest.
This left the old subordinates who had followed Chen Sheng feeling incredibly proud and vindicated, as if they shared in his glory.
Chen Sheng's expression remained as placid as still water, unmoved by the compliments. He looked at Yan Ming with a serene gaze and spoke in a serious tone.
"I have given you the opportunity. Whether you can seize it and truly establish a foothold in the North City Military Camp will depend on your future performance."
"Rest assured, my lord!"
Yan Ming puffed out his chest, his expression solemn as he gave a resolute guarantee. "I will do my utmost and will not fail to live up to the trust you've placed in me. If I make any mistakes, I am willing to face military law!"
Chen Sheng nodded slightly and continued his instructions.
"The North City Military Camp is deeply corrupt. Starting today, begin to clean it up. Dismiss all the old, weak, lazy, and incompetent soldiers according to regulations. Leave the positions vacant for now. The men we brought from the Mountain Camp must form the new backbone. Place them in key positions as quickly as possible. I want to command the North City Military Camp, from top to bottom, as easily as my own arm."
'Now that I've decided to act, I won't hesitate. Gao Qiheng himself was insignificant. The key is the Gao Family behind him and the attitude of the powerful local gentry of Changshan County that they represent. I'm well aware of the game being played behind the scenes. The Gao Family and the other local powers started this incident to force Wu Kuang to show his hand: either cooperate with them or suppress them. And Wu Kuang's position means he would never submit so easily. My decisive execution of Gao Qiheng today was part of the plan from the moment I stepped through the camp gates. Deliberately provoking him was all part of it, to establish the justification of 'a subordinate attacking a superior, forcing me to retaliate.' It leaves them no grounds for complaint. At the same time, this action is a way to test the waters for Wu Kuang, a drastic method to probe the attitude and bottom line of our superiors in the Prefecture City. And within the North City Military Camp itself? If I'd kill someone like Gao Qiheng, backed by the Gao Family, without hesitation, who is there that I wouldn't dare to touch? Faced with such overwhelming force, people like Vice Commander Cheng immediately fall in line. It's far quicker and more effective than any gentle persuasion. As a newcomer with a shallow foundation, this is the most direct and efficient way for me to seize control.'
"I understand! I will ensure my lord's orders are carried out to the letter!"
Yan Ming hurriedly bowed in acceptance.
Chen Sheng waved his hand, dismissing him.
Once he was alone in the Government Office, he closed his eyes and began to breathe deeply. His qi and blood circulated as he quickly sank back into his cultivation, as if the earth-shattering blade strike and the ensuing storm had never occurred.
'Now, I just have to see how Wu Kuang and the Prefecture City respond.'
…
Meanwhile, at the Military Preparation Camp headquarters.
Vice Commander Cheng dared not delay. He took Gao Qiheng's shrouded body and galloped without rest to seek an audience with Chuyue Mountain, the Grand Commander of the Military Preparation Camp. He reported the entire incident exactly as it had happened, not daring to add a single embellishment.
"This Commander Chen… is quite the character."
Chuyue Mountain lifted the white cloth and carefully examined Gao Qiheng's gruesome corpse. His eyes narrowed, glinting shrewdly.
Though burly and imposing, he was no reckless Martial Artist. On the contrary, his mind was sharp and meticulous; otherwise, he never would have secured the position of Standard Eighth Grade Grand Commander of the Military Preparation Camp.
He was well aware of Gao Qiheng's machinations and the hints from families like the Gao and Huang. He had simply been going with the flow, feigning ignorance and content to watch from the sidelines.
He had assumed that Gao Qiheng, with his superior strength, would at least be able to hand the newcomer Chen Sheng a setback and blunt his momentum. He never expected this Commander Chen to be so decisive and ruthless, completely disregarding the consequences. He had struck Gao Qiheng down on the spot, establishing his absolute authority in the North City Military Camp in one fell swoop.
Most importantly, Chen Sheng had been in the right. Gao Qiheng had provoked him, disrespected a superior officer, and even attacked first—every one of these actions crossed the uncrossable lines of military law.
Though Chen Sheng's counterattack was brutal, it was justified as "self-defense" and "cleaning house." What's more, with the tacit support of his direct superior, County Captain Wu, it was impossible to openly find fault with him.
Of course, even if he could find fault, Chuyue Mountain wouldn't dare to pick that fight right now.
His earlier tolerance of Gao Qiheng had been a strategic move to stay on the sidelines. The truth was, he was wary of the new County Captain, Wu Kuang. Until a clear winner emerged in the conflict between Wu Kuang and the local gentry, he would not dare enter the fray and get burned himself.
"My lord, what about Vice Commander Gao's… final arrangements? And how should we rule on his crimes?"
Vice Commander Cheng asked quietly, carefully observing Chuyue Mountain's expression.
Chuyue Mountain snorted, his tone cold and detached.
"He attacked a superior officer. The evidence of his crime is irrefutable. What's more, he brought this upon himself. His death is nothing to be mourned. Clean up the body and have it sent back to the Gao Family. There is nothing more to be said."
"Yes, I understand."
'Vice Commander Cheng understood. The Grand Commander planned to continue playing it safe and had no intention of sticking his neck out over this.'
"What do you think of this Commander Chen?"
Chuyue Mountain suddenly changed the subject, his gaze falling casually on Vice Commander Cheng.
A chill ran down Vice Commander Cheng's spine. He answered cautiously, "Commander Chen's… methods are like thunder, and his strength is unfathomable. I… I've only just met him. I wouldn't dare to pass judgment."
"Hmph," Chuyue Mountain grunted noncommittally, then waved his hand.
"Leave. And remember, from now on in the North City Military Camp, get rid of any foolish ideas you might have. Just do as Commander Chen says. Otherwise, what happened to Gao Qiheng will be your fate as well."
"I will take my lord's teachings to heart!"
Vice Commander Cheng broke out in a cold sweat. He bowed quickly and retreated.
…
「Almost Simultaneously, in the Rear Hall of the County Government Office」
Wu Kuang's reaction to the news from the North City Military Camp was one of sheer, delighted shock.
He had already investigated Gao Qiheng's background and connections. He had even summoned Chen Sheng privately beforehand, offering to personally step in and apply pressure to stabilize the situation if necessary.
But Chen Sheng had tactfully refused. He had stated bluntly that Gao Qiheng was merely a pawn sent by the Gao Family to test the waters. If the County Captain personally intervened to suppress him, it would reveal their hand and make them seem timid.
He was more than enough to deal with someone like that.
Although Wu Kuang had agreed to Chen Sheng's plan out of trust, he had been secretly worried, especially when Chen Sheng delayed taking up his post.
He never imagined that when Chen Sheng finally did make a move, it would be so earth-shattering. He had solved the problem in the most brutal—and most effective—way possible, giving Wu Kuang a massive, pleasant surprise!
He didn't hesitate. Spreading out paper and brush, he began to write furiously. He took the recent "political achievements" (mainly Chen Sheng's actions) — namely, the decisive move to enforce military discipline and punish a rebellious subordinate — and skillfully embellished them into a detailed report. He then ordered a trusted confidant to deliver it to the Prefecture City by express posthaste.
'He and Chen Sheng both needed this to gauge the Prefecture City's true attitude. If the Prefecture City's response was ambiguous, or if they even reprimanded him for being too harsh, it would mean their superiors didn't want a complete break with the local gentry just yet. In that case, they would have to lie low for a while, perhaps even consider a compromise. But if the Prefecture City offered clear support, or even a commendation… that would mean they could finally take the gloves off and make some real moves here in Changshan County!'
And just as Wu Kuang was anxiously awaiting a reply from the Prefecture City, Gao Qiheng's body was delivered to the Gao Mansion.
The Gao Family was instantly thrown into a rage.
News of the storm in the North City Military Camp spread like wildfire through various channels, reaching the ears of every power faction in Changshan County.
With this single, bloody, and decisive strike, the name Chen Sheng had, in the truest sense, become famous overnight, shaking all of Changshan.
————