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

Chapter 99 The Xu family has come; do they want to die?!

The gate tower of Changshan County stands majestically, and the city wall built of bluestone gleams with a cold, hard luster in the morning light.

At the city gate, carriages and horses rumbled and people thronged. The shouts of peddlers and the sound of carts rolling over the bluestone slabs intertwined to create a bustling symphony of the marketplace.

A richly decorated two-horse carriage slowly entered the city gate amidst the crisp sound of horses' hooves.

The carriage was made of rosewood, the curtains were made of fine Suzhou embroidery, and the gilded bells hanging at the four corners made clear and melodious sounds as the carriage moved, all of which showed that the owner of the carriage was either rich or noble.

Inside the carriage, a pretty and lively maid dressed in a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) was excitedly lifting the side curtain, her bright eyes curiously observing the county town scenery outside the window, which was so different from the prefectural city.

"Miss, we've arrived in Changshan."

Hongxiu's voice carried a hint of excitement.

Inside the carriage, a woman dressed in a moon-white silk dress slowly opened her eyes upon hearing the sound.

She was about sixteen years old, with skin as white as snow, eyebrows like distant mountains, and a pair of willow-leaf eyes that exuded a gentle charm and a cool aloofness. She was Wang Zhilan, the eldest daughter of the Wang family, a top family in Ning'an Prefecture.

"Go directly to the county government office."

Wang Zhilan's voice was pleasant, but it carried a sense of detachment and indifference, as if the hustle and bustle of the outside world had nothing to do with her.

"Yes, ma'am."

The maid, Hongxiu, responded and leaned forward slightly, giving an instruction to the coachman through the curtain. She then turned back and said:
"Miss, are you really that close to that Miss Han? You even came all the way from the prefectural city to Changshan County to bail her out? After Miss Han is released, why don't we stay here for a few more days before going back?"
I've heard that although Changshan is small, there are several quite beautiful scenic spots outside the city.

Wang Zhilan's slender fingers gently brushed over non-existent folds on her skirt, and she said calmly:

"I just happened to be passing through here on some trivial business, so I stopped by. It wasn't a special trip."

"Oh"

Hongxiu nodded as if she understood, then asked doubtfully, "Isn't Miss Han engaged to that young master of the Xu family? Wouldn't it be the same if the Xu family sent someone? Why bother you, Miss?"

Wang Zhilan's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of helplessness flashing across them:

“Ling’er is devoted to the Dao and has long intended to annul the engagement. It would be inappropriate for the Xu family to intervene in this matter. Besides, she wrote to me a few days ago, earnestly asking me to intervene. Since I have agreed, I cannot refuse. This is a good opportunity to resolve the issue at the same time.”

Wang Zhilan sighed inwardly.

If it weren't for her close relationship with Han Ling'er in the past, and the fact that Han Ling'er had helped her several times, she would not have wanted to get involved in such troublesome matters that could easily offend people.

Although the Xu family is not as powerful as the Wang family, they still have some influence in Ning'an Prefecture. Making enemies for no reason would be unwise.

"anyway."

Hongxiu tilted her head and continued asking:

"How exactly did Miss Han offend the officials of Changshan County? Given her status as a disciple of the Iron Sword Sect and the future daughter-in-law of the Xu family, one would think that she shouldn't have offended these county officials so easily, let alone tried to curry favor with them?"

There are only two possibilities.

Wang Zhilan gazed at the flowing scenery outside the window, her voice calm and unwavering: "Either the person in charge has a powerful background and is not afraid of the Han and Xu families or the Iron Sword Sect; or they rely on their official position to act impartially and not give face to the aristocratic families and sects."

Neither of them are easy to deal with.

"Even if they're difficult to deal with, once they find out who you are, Miss, do you think they'll still dare to disrespect the Wang family?"

Hongxiu covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her tone filled with pride and joy.

The Wang family has been entrenched in Ning'an Prefecture for hundreds of years, with numerous branches and deep roots. Even the Prefectural Governor has to show them respect, let alone a mere county official.
"The Wang family's reputation is not to be used for such convenient purposes."

Wang Zhilan gently shook her head, disagreeing with the maid's idea.

She prefers to pay some tangible price in exchange for the other party releasing the person.

Debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay. If the other party does a favor today out of respect for the Wang family, will the Wang family be required to repay that favor elsewhere in the future? If they don't repay it, the Wang family's reputation may be damaged instead.

"Miss, it looks like someone is following us?"

Hongxiu inadvertently lifted the curtain again and looked back. She saw a figure at the end of the official road outside the city, like a roc spreading its wings, about a foot off the ground, with its clothes fluttering, flying through the air at an extremely fast speed. In just a few leaps, it had already approached the city gate.

Wang Zhilan glanced back and saw that the figure had already landed at the city gate. It was a middle-aged man with a square face, wide mouth, and a fierce look between his brows, dressed in a brown brocade robe.

"It is Xu Yuanhai, the head of the Xu family. He must have come to rescue his son, Xu Shenzhi."

She spoke in a flat tone, then lowered the curtain, but made no move to get out of the car to exchange pleasantries.

Although Xu Yuanhai is the head of the Xu family, he is not so powerful as to make her get out of the car to greet him.

"The Xu family head has come in person?"

Hongxiu's eyes lit up, and she immediately perked up: "Then there's going to be a good show at the county government office today!"

"not necessarily."

Wang Zhilan closed her eyes again, adjusting her inner energy: "Although the Xu family has two Xiantian masters, it is not enough for them to challenge the authority of the government. His visit here is probably more about exerting pressure and negotiating."

"Should we join forces with Patriarch Xu to increase our influence?"

"No need, it's unnecessary. You can go to the county government office on your own later."

Wang Zhilan's tone was decisive, and she said no more.

……

Behind them, Xu Yuanhai walked into Changshan County with a gloomy expression.

Recalling the scene when his family received the news from the prefectural city, an inexplicable anger rose in his chest.

The purpose of sending his son Xu Shenzhi to Changshan County was to support the Huang family, who were dependent on the Xu family for marriage, and to give the future heir of the Xu family some experience.

Because in the eyes of the Xu family, this was just a trivial matter that could be easily accomplished. How could the officials of Changshan County, a place like this, not give the Xu family some face?
However, the way things unfolded dealt the Xu family a severe blow.

Xu Shenzhi not only failed to accomplish his task, but he also got himself into trouble.

What angered and horrified him even more was that the matter had also alarmed a powerful figure in the government, who personally came to the Xu family and sternly rebuked them for their audacity in colluding with the Changshan rebels and attempting to defy the government.

When this label was put on them, it terrified the entire Xu family.

When did they collude with rebels?

This was clearly a fabricated charge by the Changshan County government, a frame-up. But faced with the power of the prefectural government, even with a hundred members, the Xu family could not refute it and could only swallow their anger and listen to the reprimand.

Afterwards, the Xu family used many connections and paid a considerable price to barely suppress the accusations of collusion with traitors and avert this undeserved disaster.

Now that the storm has subsided, he has come to Changshan County in person, not only to bail out the people, but also to see who these officials in Changshan County are, daring to be so arrogant and not taking the Xu family seriously at all.

Xu Yuanhai hardened his heart, his eyes flashing with cold light.

After all, the other party was an official, so it was not appropriate to take action openly. However, if given the opportunity, he would not mind secretly punishing them, letting the officials in charge of Changshan County know that a Xiantian expert could not be insulted, and that the Xu family of the prefectural city was not a pushover.

As long as he maintains a proper balance and doesn't leave any evidence, even the government shouldn't be able to do anything to him.

……

The military equipment battalion is located inside the command tent.

Chen Sheng sat cross-legged, his aura harmonious and restrained, with a faint golden radiance flashing beneath his skin.

Since successfully breaking through to the Innate Realm the night before, although he was overjoyed, he did not become arrogant or complacent. Instead, he worked even harder, seizing every opportunity to consolidate his newly acquired Innate Realm, familiarize himself with his surging power and his new perception of the primordial energy of heaven and earth.

However, during his cultivation, he also clearly felt that the Golden Jade Ointment, which had previously been very effective for Foundation Establishment Martial Artists, had become much less effective after he had undergone the complete tempering of his body by the primordial energy of heaven and earth and achieved the Innate Body. It was almost negligible.

This thwarted his plan to quickly improve his cultivation level by relying on external aids, and his cultivation speed inevitably slowed down.

Nowadays, he mainly relies on refining the pure Yuan Qi in the Yuan Crystal to increase his cultivation, but the slowly jumping numbers on the progress panel still make him feel a little helpless.

"It seems that the Golden Jade Ointment is no longer of any use to me. I might as well give some to County Magistrate Wu as a way of repaying him for the favor of giving me the medicine and protecting me."

Chen Sheng pondered to himself.

To maintain the previous cultivation speed, it is necessary to obtain cultivation resources specifically for the Innate Realm.

This would likely require a transfer to a prefectural city where resources are more concentrated.

When discussing the matter with Wu Kuang the day before yesterday, Wu Kuang also strongly agreed with his decision to go to the prefectural city to develop his career.

Such a young innate martial arts master is a promising talent worthy of being nurtured wherever he is placed.

Wu Kuang has promised to report Chen Sheng's situation to both the Jingwu Division and the Prefectural Government as soon as possible. Given Chen Sheng's age, cultivation level, and past achievements, the higher authorities will certainly not remain indifferent and will definitely make some arrangements.

Chen Sheng also deeply agreed with this.

Unless he willingly enjoys wealth and honor in Changshan, if he wants to reach a higher level and obtain more resources, he must go to the prefectural city, which is the true gathering place of resources.

Just as his thoughts were racing, hurried footsteps sounded outside the tent, and Yan Ming's voice rang out:
"Commander, the county magistrate has sent an urgent message requesting you to proceed to the county government office immediately."

Chen Sheng raised an eyebrow, concealed his aura, and said in a deep voice:
"Come in and answer me. What is so urgent?"

Yan Ming strode in and bowed to report:
"Reporting to the commander, the Xu family of the prefectural city has sent someone. It is the patriarch Xu Yuanhai himself. According to the messenger, he is a cultivator with innate cultivation. County Lieutenant Wu requests that you go there immediately to take charge of the situation."

"Xu Yuanhai?"

A knowing and subtle glint flashed in Chen Sheng's eyes.

What was supposed to come has finally come.

It would be strange if the Xu family remained silent after detaining Xu Shenzhi and Han Ling'er for so long.

He had anticipated that the other party would launch an attack sooner, and if that happened, he might have needed to be more cautious in his dealings.

Unfortunately, the other side was slow to respond and acted, and now that he had stabilized his innate realm, the other side's so-called advantage had vanished.

"Alright."

Chen Sheng slowly stood up, straightened his eighth-rank military officer's uniform, and a cold, stern smile appeared on his lips:

"Let me go and meet this Master Xu, and see what kind of skills this Xiantian of the prefectural family has."

He walked out with steady steps. Although he did not exude a powerful aura, the profound and dignified demeanor he naturally revealed brought a sense of peace to Yan Ming's heart.

……

The main hall of the county government office.

The atmosphere was so heavy that water seemed to drip out.

Xu Yuanhai sat upright in the head seat of the guest section, his face ashen. His fingers unconsciously tapped the rosewood armrest, producing a dull 'tap-tap' sound, revealing his extreme impatience and anger.

He originally thought that with the arrival of the Xu family patriarch and a master of innate cultivation, the officials of Changshan County would be trembling with fear and would immediately release his son and future daughter-in-law respectfully.

Unexpectedly, reality gave him a cold shoulder.

Magistrate Lin Shou of Changshan County was humble and respectful in his words, but when it came to releasing the people, he looked troubled and stammered.

And Wu Kuang, the county magistrate of Changshan, was even more despicable.

They appeared polite, but their eyes were indifferent, even carrying a hint of nonchalance. They even claimed that the matter needed to be decided by Chen Sheng, the commander of the military battalion, and that they had no authority to handle it.

It's simply a horror of slipping the world!

When did an eighth-rank military officer become superior to a seventh-rank county magistrate or county lieutenant?

This is clearly an excuse and a deliberate attempt to slight Xu Yuanhai.

If this place weren't the government office, representing the face of the officialdom, he would have already lost his temper and wanted to teach this lowly county magistrate that the authority of the government should not be easily violated.

Lin Shou felt the increasingly oppressive aura emanating from Xu Yuanhai, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He was inwardly groaning.

He kept gesturing to Wu Kuang with his eyes, hoping he would say something to ease the tension, or at least urge Chen Sheng to arrive sooner.

But Wu Kuang calmly picked up his teacup and sipped it slowly, as if he were detached from the situation, which made Lin Shou even more anxious.

Wu Kuang had his own reasons for doing so.

In the past, when facing a master of innate strength, he would naturally have to be careful and courteous.

But times have changed, and Chen Sheng has already broken through to the Innate Realm.

Unless Xu Yuanhai has gone mad and dares to lay a hand on an official appointed by the imperial court in the county government office, there is absolutely nothing anyone can do to him.

Since that's the case, why bother being nice to him?

"how?"

Xu Yuanhai finally couldn't hold back any longer and slammed his hand on the coffee table beside him. Several cracks appeared on the heavy solid wood coffee table, which groaned under the weight.
"Is this Commander Chen really so arrogant? I've been sitting here for almost half an hour, and he still hasn't shown up. Does he really not take me or my Xu family seriously?!"

Xu Yuanhai's voice boomed like a bell, imbued with innate true energy, causing dust to fall from the beams and pillars of the hall. Lin Shou, startled by the force of the sound, turned pale and quickly stood up, forcing a smile as he explained:
"Brother Xu, please calm down. Commander Chen must have been busy with camp affairs and was delayed. I will send someone to go again immediately."

However, before Lin Shou could finish his explanation, a clear, cold voice, carrying undisguised arrogance and authority, rang out from outside the county government hall, reaching the ears of everyone present:

"You're right, I indeed don't take you seriously. Besides, you're just a commoner with no official position, yet you dare to shout like this? Do you want to die?!"

-----------

Requesting monthly votes...

(End of this chapter)