"Earth Core Spirit Milk..."
Gazing at the scrawled words slowly materializing on the Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil, Chen Sheng's eyes sharpened like daggers, and his breath hitched.
This was no ordinary item.
Even a young batch was an incredibly rare and precious opportunity for a Martial Master in the Foundation Establishment Realm!
The Essence of Primordial Qi it contained could be directly refined and absorbed by a Martial Artist, transforming into the most fundamental True Qi Inner Breath and causing a massive surge in one's Cultivation in a short time.
'I must get my hands on this!'
Chen Sheng resolved inwardly. An opportunity that could spare him from years of bitter cultivation and directly boost his power was incredibly important to him right now. He absolutely could not let it slip by!
His eyes flickered as his mind raced, calculating all the possibilities.
The Celestial Book had already warned him. If events followed their original course, his impulsiveness and the enemy's scheming would cause him to fail, resulting in the treasure being presented to the Gao Family by Ma Changhai. But now that he could foresee the future, he would never allow such a tragedy to occur.
He had to think before he acted. He needed to deal with the impending provocations from the Gao Family and the Seven Stars Gang, and more importantly, find an opportunity to reclaim the inheritance that was rightfully his.
At this thought, Chen Sheng took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the agitation in his heart. His gaze grew deep and calm as a preliminary plan began to form in his mind.
...
「Meanwhile.」
Gao Yuanhe, the third master of the Gao Family, had already delivered the family's orders to Ma Changhai, the current Gang Leader of the Seven Stars Gang.
The order was simple, yet ruthless: immediately cause chaos in North City, targeting the North City Military Camp. It was a test of the Government Office's reaction and, more importantly, revenge against Chen Sheng.
A cold sweat beaded on Ma Changhai's back as he listened.
He knew all too well how he had obtained his position as Gang Leader. He was even more aware that just as the Gao Family could raise him up, they could just as easily cast him down—or even make him share the fate of the previous Gang Leader.
Defy the Gao Family's will? He didn't even dare to entertain the thought.
Even knowing the immense risk of a direct confrontation with the Government Office—where a single misstep could lead to annihilation—he could only grit his teeth and obey.
After seeing Gao Yuanhe off, he immediately summoned all the high-ranking Hall Masters of the gang. With a grim expression, he announced two orders:
First, all members of the Seven Stars Gang's main branch, along with its subordinate factions, were to begin "activities" in North City immediately. They were to gather and cause trouble, harass merchants, and create friction. The goal was to muddy the waters and escalate the chaos. In addition, they were to set a trap for a certain person...
Second, they were to spare no expense in investigating the new North City Commander, Chen Sheng. They were to find out everything: his true Cultivation, his martial arts style, his weaknesses, and his detailed military record.
In fact, ever since Chen Sheng had cut down Gao Qiheng with a single strike, nearly every discerning power in Changshan County had begun investigating him.
A military up-and-comer this young, with methods so ruthless and cruel, could not be ignored. The strength Chen Sheng had displayed, in particular, was deeply unsettling.
Gao Qiheng's strength was widely acknowledged to be among the best of Changshan County's younger generation. After he broke through to the Bone Forging realm, the Gao Family had placed even greater hopes on him.
Yet a figure like that had been cut down by Chen Sheng as easily as slicing a melon. Just how terrifyingly powerful was Chen Sheng's true combat strength?
This point was especially crucial to Ma Changhai.
He was afraid. If Chen Sheng turned out to be a ruthless man who acted without restraint and chose to clash head-on with the Seven Stars Gang, then he and his entire gang would likely become worthless sacrifices in the power struggle between the Gao Family and the Government Office.
Below, the various Seven Stars Gang Hall Masters all voiced their agreement, though their expressions varied. Some were eager for action, while others looked worried.
Only Yang Hu, who was seated at the far end, showed a flicker of an unreadable expression upon hearing the name "Chen Sheng."
'Chen Sheng?'
'Commander of the North City Military Camp?'
'Killed Gao Qiheng with one strike?'
'Could it be... the Young Master Chen Sheng he knew?'
Yang Hu was filled with doubt. The coincidence seemed too staggering.
The Young Master had only just secretly returned to Changshan County, and now a military commander with the same name, the same age, and the same ruthless methods had appeared? But on second thought, he shook his head, telling himself he was overthinking it.
He knew the Young Master's background better than anyone.
Before leaving home, he had clearly been a frail scholar, too weak to even truss a chicken, someone who had struggled to even achieve Acupoint Opening and Foundation Establishment. How long had it been? Less than half a year, all told. How could he possibly have transformed into a military expert capable of easily slaying a Bone Forging Martial Master?
'It must be someone with the same name, or maybe I'm just mistaken...'
Yang Hu mentally dismissed his own suspicion, but a seed of doubt had been planted.
He secretly resolved that if he had the chance, he would have to see this "Commander Chen" for himself. Only by confirming it with his own eyes could he banish this absurd idea from his mind.
"Master Yang!"
Ma Changhai's deep voice pulled Yang Hu from his thoughts.
"Gang Leader!" Yang Hu's heart skipped a beat. He quickly composed himself and sat up straight.
"Did you hear the orders just now?" Ma Changhai's gaze was like a torch as it swept across his face.
"Loud and clear. This subordinate understands!" Yang Hu replied in a low voice.
Ma Changhai gave him a long, deep look before turning his gaze away and roaring at everyone present:
"Listen up! This matter concerns the very survival of our Seven Stars Gang. No one is to slack off! Go and make the arrangements immediately. I want to see North City in chaos within three days!"
"Yes, Gang Leader!" the crowd roared in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles.
...
After leaving the Seven Stars Gang's Main Hall, Yang Hu's mind was in turmoil. As if guided by some unseen force, he found himself returning to the familiar old residence.
Although he often had people clean it, keeping it as tidy as ever, he rarely stayed here himself.
Only when he was deeply troubled, or when he needed to think alone and weigh his options, would he return to this place steeped in memories. He came seeking a sliver of peace, but it was also a reminder—a warning to never forget his blood feud and to always be cautious, lest a moment of carelessness expose him and cause his grand plan for revenge to fall apart at the last moment.
Today, as he returned, the name "Chen Sheng" and the mysterious North City Commander still lingered in his mind.
He deeply coveted the "treasure" the old Gang Leader might have left behind. In fact, he was determined to obtain it.
He believed his talent in the Martial Dao wasn't poor. With diligent practice, he was confident he could break through to the Bone Forging realm given enough time. But what he lacked most was time!
He was afraid that delays would bring new problems.
If Ma Changhai managed to solidify his control over the Seven Stars Gang and found the old Gang Leader's treasure before he did, using it to further increase his strength... his own hopes for revenge would become even more remote.
At that point, what choice would he have but to continue lying low and biding his time indefinitely?
Just as he was frowning, lost in his chaotic thoughts, his ears twitched. He keenly detected a faint, unusual sound coming from the inner courtyard!
'Someone's here?!'
Yang Hu was instantly on alert. His muscles tensed, and his right hand subconsciously gripped the hilt of the greatsword on his back. With eyes as sharp as a hawk's, he held his breath and moved with the quiet stealth of a stalking leopard, carefully approaching the source of the sound.
When he silently crossed the threshold into the inner courtyard and saw the figure standing there with hands clasped behind his back, he froze as if struck by lightning. His gaze locked, and his face filled with utter disbelief.
The person in the courtyard was dressed in a crisp, dark cyan official's robe with a black longsword at his waist. Who could it be but Young Master Chen Sheng?
But unlike the simple cloth clothes from their last meeting, the current Chen Sheng was shrouded in an undeniable aura of official authority. He was watching Yang Hu with a faint, unreadable smile, his deep eyes seeming to see through everything, holding a profound meaning that made his heart tremble.
In an instant, all the clues in Yang Hu's mind connected, and everything became clear.
The Commander Chen of North City that Ma Changhai spoke of... the fierce military general who killed Gao Qiheng with a single strike... was probably... truly the same frail former master he had always thought needed protection!
An indescribable mix of emotions surged through Yang Hu. There was shock and elation at Chen Sheng's terrifying strength, but also a sense of loss and conflict knowing that his master had returned and already left him far behind. Above all, there was a disoriented helplessness in the face of this sudden reversal of status and power.
The sickly, frail youth from his memories had returned utterly transformed, becoming a figure so formidable that even the Gao Family had to take him seriously—so formidable they would order the Seven Stars Gang to retaliate against him.
Chen Sheng didn't speak immediately. He just quietly watched the spectacular array of expressions shifting across Yang Hu's face.
He knew Yang Hu must have already heard the rumors about "Commander Chen of North City." This meeting was the moment of revelation. He was waiting—waiting for Yang Hu to process this truth and show his attitude.
Yang Hu's throat felt dry. He took a deep breath, forced down the turmoil in his heart, and slowly released his grip on his sword hilt, sliding the greatsword smoothly back into its sheath on his back.
He strode before Chen Sheng. Gone was the casual, protective air from the other day. Instead, with a perfectly formal and even reverent posture, he bowed deeply and clasped his fist in salute.
"Young Master!"
A satisfied smile appeared on Chen Sheng's face, one that held the calm assurance of a man in complete control.
"Hu, have a seat."
He pointed to a stone bench in the courtyard. His tone was level, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Yang Hu did as he was told, sitting down and placing his hands awkwardly on his knees. For a moment, he didn't know what to say, and the atmosphere grew silent.
Chen Sheng didn't give him much time to adjust. He cut straight to the point, his burning gaze fixed on Yang Hu's eyes as he spoke, enunciating each word clearly:
"Hu, the time has come. The day for our revenge is near."
He leaned forward slightly. His voice wasn't loud, but it held a strange, bewitching power and a tone that brooked no refusal.
"Are you willing to lend me your strength?"