Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 65 Your words are profound.
As Chen Sheng stared at the Golden Jade Ointment in his hand, pondering the connection between this Buddhist treasure and the Gao family, Cheng Yanhua hurriedly entered the ancestral hall, his face unusually solemn.

"Sir, the Huang and Yang families have arrived. Judging from their appearance, they are probably up to no good."

Cheng Yanhua lowered his voice to report, his eyes revealing vigilance.

Chen Sheng calmly put the Golden Jade Ointment into his pocket, a faint, cold smile appearing on his lips:

"You've come with ill intentions? We're the ones who've come!"

These profound words startled Cheng Yanhua at first, but then he suddenly realized what they meant and quickly put on a smiling face: "Your Excellency is wise. We are the ones who came here. Your words are very insightful."

"Alright, stop flattering me."

Chen Sheng waved his hand, his expression turning serious. "Have all the Gao family members been dealt with?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, all 317 members of the Gao family, regardless of age, have been brought to justice. The brothers are currently searching for the Gao family's wealth and evidence of their crimes." Cheng Yanhua quickly corrected himself, his eyes flashing with awe.

"Where is Gao Yuanfeng? Have you found any trace of him?" Chen Sheng frowned slightly.

Chen Sheng only discovered that Gao Yuanfeng, the head of the Gao family, was not in the mansion after he stormed the Gao family compound. Prior to this, the "Seeking Good Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune" celestial book had not mentioned this matter.

This left Chen Sheng somewhat unsatisfied. He had promised to wipe out the entire family, so how could he leave any survivors?

"this."

Cheng Yanhua looked troubled. "I have interrogated him severely, but all I know is that Gao Yuanfeng left the Gao residence yesterday and his whereabouts are unknown. He is very likely not in Changshan County."

"Pass down the order to conduct a city-wide search."

Chen Sheng said coldly, "I want to see him alive or dead."

"Yes!" Cheng Yanhua bowed and accepted the order.

Chen Sheng straightened his blood-stained official robe and strode out of the ancestral hall.

He wanted to see if Huang Dongchun and Yang Yi would dare to draw their swords against each other this time.

When Chen Sheng walked out of the Gao residence, the atmosphere outside was already tense.

Dozens of soldiers stood ready, bowstrings drawn taut, arrowheads gleaming coldly in the sunlight. All eyes were fixed on the Huang and Yang families opposite them, waiting for Chen Sheng's command to unleash their arrows without hesitation.

In contrast, Huang Dongchun, the head of the Huang family, and Yang Yi, the head of the Yang family, had ashen faces.

They never imagined that before they arrived, the entire Gao family had already been slaughtered. The heavy stench of blood in the air testified to the cruelty of the massacre.

If they had arrived a little earlier, there might have been room for the situation to turn around.

But now, it's all too late.

"The government is cracking down on rebels. What are you here for? Could it be that you've joined forces with the Gao family and colluded with river bandits?" As soon as Chen Sheng appeared, he bluntly accused the Huang and Yang families.

The soldiers on both sides immediately made way and stood at attention. Looking at Chen Sheng's official robe, which was still stained with blood, Yang Yi and Huang Dongchun's eyes flashed with killing intent and solemnity.

"Chen Sheng, stop spouting nonsense!"

Huang Dongchun shouted sternly, "The government is arbitrarily confiscating property and exterminating entire families. How is this any different from banditry? Has the law disappeared in Changshan County?"

"Not bad!"

Yang Yi immediately echoed, his voice cold and stern, "The Gao family has been kind and virtuous for generations, and they are well-regarded throughout Changshan County. The government's actions are simply an attempt to force the people to rebel!"

"presumptuous!"

Chen Sheng roared angrily, his imposing aura piercing: "I am an official appointed by the imperial court, and you are but commoners. How dare you address me by my name? You have no respect for the law! The Gao family colluded with river bandits, plotting a rebellion. They have been wiped out as a whole, which they deserve. What, do the Huang and Yang families also want to follow in the Gao family's footsteps?"

These words were spoken with resounding force and carried an unquestionable authority.

"Insanity!"

"Officials have two mouths. If you say the Gao family colluded with river bandits, then produce the evidence!"

"Who do you think you are, to even look at evidence?" Chen Sheng sneered, his right hand already resting on the hilt of his knife. "Clang—"

As he made this move, the sound of swords being drawn immediately rang out all around. The soldiers' weapons were all pointed at the Huang and Yang families, and the atmosphere instantly turned icy, as if a bloody conflict would break out at any moment.

Despite facing four martial artists at the Marrow Transformation Realm, Chen Sheng showed no fear.

If they dare to make a move, he wouldn't mind going on a killing spree here.

With hundreds of soldiers by our side, what harm is there in a martial arts master at the Marrow Transformation stage?

In a real battle, the only path for the other side is defeat and death.

After all, an ordinary martial arts master who has reached the Marrow Transformation stage is no match for him.

Huang Dongchun was furious. Remembering his great-uncle's instructions, he could hardly contain his urge to take action.

However, Yang Yi stopped him in time and gave him a wink.

If the Gao family had not yet been wiped out, it would be reasonable for them to lend a helping hand.

But now that the Gao family has been destroyed, even if they have four martial arts masters at the Transformation Realm, they will still be defeated once they face hundreds of soldiers who are ready for battle.

More importantly, engaging in a firefight with government troops in broad daylight is a serious crime of treason.

Even if Magistrate Lin Shou is willing to favor them, once this matter reaches the prefectural city and a stronger expert is sent, the century-old foundation of the Huang and Yang families will surely be destroyed.

At that point, they would only have one option left: to become outlaws.

It was precisely because of this concern that they had not openly killed Chen Sheng before. The official skin he wore, though seemingly thin, was enough to intimidate these powerful families.

Huang Dongchun clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his eyes filled with humiliation and resentment.

"If you don't dare to make a move, then stop bluffing!"

Chen Sheng snorted coldly, his tone chilling, "Get out! If you don't leave within three breaths, I'll make sure your blood is spilled on the spot!"

At this critical moment, an untimely voice suddenly rang out:

"Commander Chen, you have quite the airs of an official!"

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw Magistrate Lin Shou walking quickly towards them, surrounded by a group of yamen runners. His face was ashen, and the onlookers quickly made way for him, making the atmosphere even more tense.

Seeing this, Huang Dongchun and Yang Yi felt somewhat relieved.

Chen Sheng glanced at Lin Shou, his expression calm, as if he had expected his arrival.

"You flatter me, Magistrate. I dare not accept such praise."

Chen Sheng spoke indifferently, saying he dared not, but his actions showed little respect.

He had already ascertained Lin Shou's strength; he was only at the Bone Forging Realm. The only thing that made him slightly wary was Lin Shou's official position and the fact that he hadn't yet figured out his backing.

Overrated?

Was that a compliment?

"Dare not? I don't think you're afraid of anything!"

Lin Shou stared at Chen Sheng and snorted coldly.

He never expected that Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang would take action against the Gao family without even informing him. Wu Kuang went even further, simply sending someone to deliver a casual message.

This is blatant disregard for him, the county magistrate.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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