Chapter 556 - 271: The First Prodigy, the Face of the Government Office

Chapter 556: Chapter 271: The First Prodigy, the Face of the Government Office

"Twenty-sixth on the Dragon and Tiger List."

"The number one prodigy of Yunzhou!"

"The top expert of Yunzhou’s younger generation!"

Inside the main hall of the Jingwu Bureau in Yunzhou City.

Chu Zhengnan read the report in his hands, a faint, knowing smile gracing his lips.

This Chen Sheng truly hadn’t disappointed him.

In fact, he had even underestimated the man.

Originally, Chu Zhengnan had thought that despite Chen Sheng’s extraordinary combat record, his Cultivation was still a step below people like Monk Yikong and Li Chengyin.

The reason he had tacitly allowed this affair was twofold.

First, he wanted to use this as an opportunity for the Celestial Dragon Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain to save face, at least for a while.

After all, he wasn’t fully prepared to completely sever ties with Yunzhou’s top factions just yet.

A game of give-and-take, of mutual maneuvering, was the only way to ensure things continued smoothly.

Second, he wanted to use this chance to temper Chen Sheng.

There were still about six months until the court’s Martial Examination.

Chu Zhengnan held high hopes for Chen Sheng. After all, Chen Sheng was currently the most outstanding young man within the Yunzhou Government Office’s ranks and might just bring him glory in front of His Majesty.

However, since rising to prominence, Chen Sheng had never known defeat. Based on Chu Zhengnan’s intelligence, the young man was exceedingly arrogant, and he had been prepared to let him experience a taste of failure.

This would have allowed Chen Sheng to grow.

And it would have also created an opportunity to bestow a favor upon him.

He never expected, however, that all his careful calculations would be completely upended by Monk Yikong’s defeat.

With a display of absolute dominance, Chen Sheng had firmly established himself as the poster child for the Yunzhou Government Office’s younger generation, proving his worth.

Even his two colleagues, the Governor of Yunzhou and the Yunzhou Garrison Commander, had personally sent letters to inquire about Chen Sheng.

It was clear that Chen Sheng had now fully captured the attention of the highest echelons of the Yunzhou Government Office.

And if his predictions were correct, the Nie Family’s regard for Chen Sheng would also reach a new level.

"My lord, regarding this so-called ’number one in Yunzhou,’ your subordinate suspects that many factions are fanning the flames and adding fuel to the fire."

A Vice Commander in the hall below said with a grave expression.

"Of course someone is fanning the flames. How else could the news have spread so quickly? If I’m not mistaken, Dragon Tiger Mountain and the Celestial Dragon Temple are even involved."

Chu Zhengnan sneered.

How could he not see the subtleties at play?

Chen Sheng’s combat record was indeed solid.

But it wasn’t as if the Celestial Dragon Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain lacked talent. If they were willing to pay any price, they could have boosted the strength of Li Chengyin and Yikong dramatically in a short time.

But in the end, not only did these two factions fail to avenge their defeat,

they instead fell silent.

They simply allowed the outside world to slander and belittle them.

How could it be possible that the Celestial Dragon Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain didn’t have some sort of scheme in mind?

"But no matter. Since Dragon Tiger Mountain and the Celestial Dragon Temple are willing to give us an out, we’ll simply accept it. For Yunzhou to produce such an incredible young man is highly beneficial to the Government Office."

Chu Zhengnan said, his tone shifting.

"My lord, my only fear is that the tree which stands tallest is the one the wind will destroy. I fear Chen Sheng will be in danger."

Vice Commander Yuan frowned.

He had a close relationship with the Nie Family and was also related to them by marriage. Fundamentally, he was on Chen Sheng’s side.

"A genius? How can one shine brightly without being polished by adversity? I have faith that Chen Sheng can hold his own."

Chu Zhengnan gave Vice Commander Yuan a look that was not quite a smile.

As the one in charge of the Yunzhou Jingwu Bureau, he was well aware of how deep the Nie Family’s roots ran within the Government Office, using marriage alliances as ties to form a vast network of connections.

But it was precisely for this reason that he could leverage the Nie Family’s power.

Vice Commander Yuan fell silent upon hearing this, clearly trying to deduce Chu Zhengnan’s intentions.

’If he’s just using Chen Sheng as a blade, the Nie Family will never agree to it.’

"Enough. I have already reported Chen Sheng’s matter to the headquarters in the Capital City. It may have even reached His Majesty’s eyes by now. It’s impossible for Chen Sheng to lay low and avoid the spotlight."

Chu Zhengnan said with a wave of his hand.

Although there were prodigies in the court stronger and with greater potential than Chen Sheng, that didn’t mean he was unimportant. As a genius who came from the Government Office, the court would inevitably promote him extensively. This was because it served as proof of the Daqian Empire’s enduring strength!

"Otherwise, do you really think the Dragon and Tiger List would be updated so quickly?"

"It’s simply the higher-ups intentionally building momentum."

"His direct placement at twenty-sixth on the Dragon and Tiger List was also clearly arranged by them."

"Of course, such an honor also means greater pressure on Chen Sheng. If he can’t live up to this reputation, the higher-ups will be displeased."

"Vice Commander Yuan, you’re not busy lately. Take a trip to Ning’an. With the Martial Examination approaching, it’s time for me to show some appreciation."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and presented three jade boxes.

The first jade box contained several top-grade Spirit Nourishing Pills, enough to greatly accelerate Chen Sheng’s breakthrough to the late stage of Profound Mastery.

The second held a protective Jade Talisman, capable of blocking a single strike from a Pill Realm Grandmaster.

The third contained a Token and a letter.

These three items represented the stance of the Jingwu Bureau and the Yunzhou Government Office.

Chen Sheng had proven his worth, so it was only natural that the Government Office would not remain indifferent.

The Spirit Nourishing Pills and the protective Jade Talisman were both priceless Secret Treasures from the Yunzhou Jingwu Bureau’s vault. If they appeared in the outside world, they would be enough to cause widespread conflict and turmoil.

As for the Token, it represented recognition.

From this day forward, Chen Sheng would no longer serve as the Ning’an Inspector. Instead, he would be appointed the acting Yunzhou Patrol Envoy, not subject to any local jurisdiction and reporting directly to him, the Commander.