Chapter 538 - 263: Life and Death Arena

Chapter 538: Chapter 263: Life and Death Arena

Chen Cheng feigned a look of puzzlement and said,

"Linji Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of the Great Dao Sect, so all matters should be decided by the Sect.

Why don’t you simply issue an official decree, Your Excellency, ordering these Sects not to recruit disciples within Linji Prefecture’s borders?"

Xiao Nianci’s eyes narrowed. She stared intently at Chen Cheng for a long moment before finally saying in a low voice,

"Issuing a decree is easy enough. But if the members of these Sects refuse to comply, what should I do then?"

Chen Cheng said gravely, "If they disobey a decree from the Great Dao Sect, then naturally we should handle it by the book and expel them directly from Linji Prefecture."

"Hah!" Xiao Nianci said. "You make it sound so simple. These disciples from Major Sects wouldn’t dare to come here without some backing.

If I were to expel them on these grounds, it would inevitably provoke conflict between the Sects.

While the Great Dao Sect fears no single Sect, if they were to unite against us, it would be quite taxing for us to handle."

"Well..." Chen Cheng put on a troubled look. "This subordinate can’t think of a good solution at the moment."

"Sigh..." Xiao Nianci suddenly sighed softly. "Chen Cheng, Chen Cheng... when you were a Chief Constable in the City Guard Department, you were known for your meticulous and decisive actions, and you solved many difficult cases. I refuse to believe you don’t have a plan!"

Chen Cheng thought for a moment before decisively passing the buck back to her. "This subordinate is of humble status and my words carry little weight. This is the only method I could think of.

However, Your Excellency is wise and farsighted; you must have already devised a strategy."

"Haha!" Xiao Nianci chuckled. "Since you’re unwilling to offer any ideas, I suppose I’ll have to come up with something myself.

However, my plan will require you to be the one to carry it out."

"Yes, this subordinate will do my utmost." Chen Cheng bowed respectfully.

’No matter what method Xiao Nianci uses to handle this, my only responsibility is to lead my Brocade Guard subordinates and carry it out.

Even if something goes wrong, Xiao Nianci will be there to take the blame in the end. It’s the safest approach. This is the way to be prudent and protect oneself.’

"In that case, I will explain the specifics of my plan to handle this matter."

Xiao Nianci walked over to her seat and sat down. She gave Chen Cheng a profound look before continuing,

"Those Sects have sent disciples to Linji Prefecture, ostensibly to recruit new members, but their true intentions are far from simple.

They recruit disciples and expand their influence, but ultimately, it’s all about seizing Linji Prefecture’s resources.

They might even go a step further and compete with the Great Dao Sect for control of Linji Prefecture, carving up our territory piece by piece.

Examples of this are rampant elsewhere.

These Sect disciples haven’t committed any crimes. Mobilizing the Government Office’s forces to suppress them would lack proper justification.

The best way is to follow the rules of the Jianghu. Now, do you understand what I’m saying?"

The so-called rules of the Jianghu were, of course, all about fighting and killing. Might makes right.

Chen Cheng nodded slightly. "Your Excellency means to send someone to fight these Sect disciples and make them back down in the face of a superior force?"

"Mm." Xiao Nianci nodded slightly in approval. "You truly are exceptionally intelligent. You grasp things instantly.

There has always been an unwritten rule among the Sects: when disputes arise, they are first settled through duels between their disciples.

Before I even took up this post, I had already planned to resolve this through duels. That’s why I specifically requested the transfer of Yang Poman and his three comrades, the Border Guards from Xuanshuo Peak.

The four of them have been tempered for years in the Border Region. Their practical combat skills are exceptional, more than enough to defeat the Inner Sect Disciples from other Sects.

Unfortunately, they were severely injured in their battle with you, leaving me no choice but to send you to fight the other Sects’ disciples."

Duels between Sect disciples weren’t just friendly spars that ended at first blood. They were fought on the Life and Death Arena—contests to determine not only victory, but also life and death!

The only way to avoid the Life and Death Arena was to concede defeat beforehand.

Chen Cheng’s heart skipped a beat. "Your Excellency, Inner Sect Disciples from four different Sects have come to Linji City. Their strongest members are all at the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm, and their power is formidable.

This subordinate is only in the Bone Forging Realm, and I am alone. Outnumbered and outmatched, I’m afraid this task will be impossible."

Xiao Nianci adopted a calm and unhurried posture. "Chen Cheng, there’s no need to be so modest in front of me.

Your battle at the Ten-mile Pavilion north of the city, where you single-handedly defeated four Border Guards from Xuanshuo Peak, has already made you famous.

Throughout Linji Prefecture, everyone calls you the strongest expert below the Organ Refining Realm.

You might not even have to lift a finger. Just issue a written challenge, and the disciples of these Sects might be scared enough to concede defeat and leave Linji City of their own accord."

But Chen Cheng wasn’t falling for her flattery. "Your Excellency, in duels between Sect disciples, they will often stop at nothing to win.

Those Sect disciples have deep reserves and all sorts of powerful Hidden Weapons. Even an Organ Refining Realm Martial Artist would struggle to defend against them.

Let alone a mere Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist like this subordinate!"

Xiao Nianci said, "Oh, now that you mention it, that does remind me.

A few days ago, I was inspecting the Demon Suppression Department’s armory and saw several powerful Hidden Weapons. Once you’ve set a time for the duels, come find me for a Token. You can go directly to the armory and take them for your own protection."

Chen Cheng said, "Your Excellency, what if True Disciples from these Sects arrive?

You can’t expect me to fight their True Disciples as well, can you?"

Xiao Nianci smiled warmly. "You needn’t worry about that.

Since I was the one who promoted you to the Inspection Department, I will naturally protect you.

If a True Disciple from another Sect shows up, one of the Great Dao Sect’s own True Disciples will naturally come to handle them.

You just need to prepare yourself and defeat their Inner Sect Disciples."