Chapter 521 - 256: Where is Chen Cheng?

Chapter 521: Chapter 256: Where is Chen Cheng?

Summoning everyone would have taken too much time. It was already too late.

The crowd, who had been whispering amongst themselves, fell silent upon seeing Chen Cheng and Xia Lingfeng alight from the carriage. All discussion ceased as their gazes shifted to the two men.

Most of the attendees had seen Xia Lingfeng before. Thus, their gazes barely lingered on him before they began to carefully size up Chen Cheng, who followed close behind.

Although Chen Cheng’s fame had recently skyrocketed, resounding throughout Linji City, he had always kept a low profile. Most people, in fact, had never actually seen him.

In the hearts of many, Chen Cheng—the most dazzling new star in Linji City—was an enigmatic figure, as elusive as a dragon that shows its head but never its tail.

Their gazes held curiosity, admiration, and respect, but most of all, they were stunned.

This legendary Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department was young and handsome, with a tall, imposing figure. His bearing was composed, his demeanor tranquil and unruffled.

Even here, in a gathering of all of Linji City’s dignitaries and nobles, he remained perfectly calm and at ease.

That Chen Cheng had arrived in the same carriage as Xia Lingfeng, Director of the Demon Suppression Department, held a special significance.

Most of those present were seasoned veterans of the political sphere; how could they not see that Xia Lingfeng had done this intentionally?

As the Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department, Chen Cheng already wielded immense authority, but it was obvious to anyone with a discerning eye that this was merely his starting point.

In a few years, this Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department, the number one martial artist of Linji City’s younger generation,

was bound to soar to the heavens and rise through the ranks, becoming a lofty existence that everyone would look up to.

They were about to witness Chen Cheng’s own great roc’s flight—rising with the wind in a single day and soaring ninety thousand li into the sky.

City Lord Jiang Botao stood within the pavilion, his pair of deep, profound eyes also fixed on Chen Cheng.

Jiang Botao’s expression was outwardly calm, but inside, his heart was a maelstrom of emotions, complex beyond measure.

The Jiang Family controlled the City Lord’s Mansion, possessed uniquely favorable resources, and had even cultivated a Martial Dao genius like Jiang Lang.

An occasion like today should have been the stage for the Jiang Family’s Qilin Child, Jiang Lang, to reveal his eminence before the crowd and bask in limitless glory.

It was meant to pave the way for him to one day succeed Jiang Botao and take control of the City Lord’s Mansion.

But the affairs of the world are often unpredictable. Chen Cheng had burst onto the scene, shining with the brilliance of the sun, moon, and stars, and had undoubtedly disrupted all of Jiang Botao’s plans.

In Chen Cheng’s presence, the Jiang Family’s Qilin Child, Jiang Lang, was rendered dim and lusterless, so much so that he seemed too obscure to even serve as a proper foil.

Before a dazzling star, who would pay any mind to whether the specks of light meant to be its foil are shining brightly?

A thousand thoughts raced through Jiang Botao’s mind, and his deep eyes suddenly narrowed.

’The Jiang Family’s Qilin Child, Jiang Lang, was sent to the Great Dao Sect long ago for further tempering.’

’As for Chen Cheng, he’s too much in the spotlight. He’s bound to face countless challenges.’

’Whether he’ll prove to be a dragon or just a worm is still an unknown quantity.’

’After all, he comes from a humble background, lacking a deep foundation. He might not be able to withstand the crushing pressure from the various major powers.’

’It’s not as if this kind of thing is without precedent!’

’Take Zheng Hun from all those years ago. His talent was so exceptional that he made all of us scions of the great clans, myself included, pale in comparison. And in the end, wasn’t he ruthlessly suppressed for decades?’

’Chen Cheng is now a second Zheng Hun, dazzling in the extreme, but he will still face the same predicament. It’s almost inevitable that he will meet the same end.’

’Today’s Linji City is in a state of chaos far worse than in those days.’

’Chen Cheng’s fate might very well be worse than Zheng Hun’s!’

’Putting aside everything else, just getting through today will be an incredibly difficult trial for Chen Cheng!’

As the saying goes, every cause has its effect, every action its consequence. What is sown must be reaped.

And this trial was precisely the karmic debt left behind by Zheng Hun.

As Zheng Hun’s Closed-door Disciple, it was only natural that Chen Cheng should inherit this debt.

"Lord Jiang, how thoughtful of you to have tea ready so early. I happen to be quite thirsty, so I won’t stand on ceremony!"

Xia Lingfeng gave a few brief instructions to Chen Cheng, Xue Huai’an, and their companion.

After waving a hand at the various officials who were bowing to him, he strode nonchalantly into the pavilion, picked up the teapot from the stone table, poured himself a cup, and drained it in a single gulp.

As if that wasn’t enough, he poured and drank two more cups in quick succession, finally smacking his lips and saying:

"Sweet on the palate, with a delightful aftertaste. Excellent tea! Truly excellent tea!"

Jiang Botao was inwardly displeased, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly.

As the City Lord of Linji City, he held a high rank and immense power. By rights, every official present today was required to come and pay their respects to him.

Even the patriarchs of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City—Qin Qiyuan, Commander of the Imperial Guard; Wang Tingxuan, Director of the Smelting Department; and Shen Mingyuan, Director of the Salt Transport Department—were no exception.

To say nothing of the various major and minor officials from the other Government Offices.

Xia Lingfeng, naturally, did not need to pay respects to Jiang Botao, but the other officials of the Demon Suppression Department were required to do so.

That was the rule!

But this rascal, Xia Lingfeng, had just broken that rule, whether intentionally or not!

How could Jiang Botao not be incensed?

But he couldn’t let his anger show. When it came to power, the Demon Suppression Department answered directly to the Great Dao Sect and possessed a degree of supervisory authority over the City Lord’s Mansion.

As Director of the Demon Suppression Department, Xia Lingfeng was implicitly a cut above him, the City Lord!

Furthermore, if Jiang Botao were to make an issue of it and get into a public argument with Xia Lingfeng on an occasion like this,

it would only make him appear petty, unworthy of his status as City Lord, and would damage his own prestige for no reason!

’Unacceptable!’

"This is this year’s new spring tea. It’s exceedingly precious, and I only managed to acquire a small amount after great difficulty.

Since you enjoy it, Lord Xia, please, have a few more cups!"

Jiang Botao put on a magnanimous air and said with a smile.

"Spring tea? Doesn’t that mean it comes from one of those Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands, and it’s the very first harvest? No wonder it’s so crisp and refreshing!

In that case, I’ll help myself to a couple more cups!"