Chapter 192: A Strong Hand to Settle the Turmoil

Chapter 192: Chapter 192: A Strong Hand to Settle the Turmoil

"That’s quite enough."

"Benefactor, your appearance...?"

"It’s just a simple Transformation Technique, nothing special!" Chu Fan waved his hand dismissively.

Chen Qi’an was even more astounded, regarding him as a celestial being. After the Tengxing Grand Assembly, his master, Liu Huaguang, had recounted all of Chu Fan’s deeds. Hearing the stories had left Chen Qi’an utterly stunned.

Chu Fan was about the same age as him, but he had left an indelible impression on his heart.

He was not only his benefactor but also an object of his admiration.

Such a flawless Transformation Technique, which left no trace, was but a "minor art" in Chu Fan’s words. How could Chen Qi’an not be shocked?

"Let me introduce you. This is Yun Xi, my wife!"

Hearing Chu Fan introduce her as such, Yun Xi’s heart warmed.

"It is an honor to meet you, Madam." Chen Qi’an bowed to Yun Xi.

After all, he was once the Champion Scholar of the Celestial Qi Kingdom, and his conduct was always refined and courteous.

"Yunzhou City is in chaos, but there’s no need to rush. Let’s go to your family’s estate first and see the situation!"

To Chen Qi’an, Chu Fan’s words were like golden rules. How could he possibly disagree? He hurriedly led them toward the Chen Mansion.

But unexpectedly, as they entered the Chen Mansion, they found several suspicious-looking people rummaging through things.

How could Chen Qi’an not be furious at the sight?

He immediately seized the men and dragged them into the courtyard.

There’s a saying that a thief never leaves empty-handed. The truly valuable items had already been taken, but even the various pots and jars were worth something.

That was what these men had come for.

Their crime wasn’t punishable by death. After giving each of them a swift kick, Chen Qi’an let them go.

"An embarrassing sight, Benefactor."

"Stop with the ’Benefactor’ this and ’Benefactor’ that. Just call me Brother Chu from now on!" Chu Fan said.

"Brother Chu, I never expected my family to... react this way," Chen Qi’an explained, somewhat embarrassed.

Chu Fan waved his hand dismissively. "This has nothing to do with them. It was my oversight. Here’s the plan: you’re familiar with Yunzhou City, so gather all the local gentry and wealthy households here. If they won’t come willingly, use whatever means necessary. Celestial Qi has just surrendered, and it will likely be some time before the Great Xia Court can send officials. Yunzhou City cannot fall into chaos. If it does, the common people will be the ones who suffer most."

An hour later, Chen Qi’an had gathered more than twenty men at the Chen Mansion.

Most of them bore injuries, a clear sign that Chen Qi’an had resorted to force.

After all, the Chen Family had fled. Who would take a lone Chen Qi’an seriously?

Seeing Chen Qi’an nod, Chu Fan knew that everyone who was going to come had arrived.

In front of him was a table with paper and a brush.

"Each of you will come up, one by one, and write down your name," Chu Fan said, his gaze sweeping over the men.

"And who are you?"

One of the men—a middle-aged man with a magnificent beard, his face bruised and swollen—demanded resentfully.

"Who am I? That’s an excellent question!" Chu Fan chuckled, then leaped into the air. From a distance, he threw a punch toward a rockery more than thirty feet high.

BOOM! With a tremendous roar, his Fist Power pulverized the entire rockery into dust.

The twenty-odd men were all flabbergasted. A few of the more timid ones even began to tremble uncontrollably.

"You will do as I say. If you do, not only will we all get along peacefully, but you may even receive some rewards after the Court takes over Yunzhou City. If you disobey... well, ask yourselves if your bodies are any harder than that rockery," Chu Fan said coldly.

As soon as Chu Fan finished speaking, the middle-aged man with the magnificent beard was the first to rush forward and write down his name.

With him taking the lead, the others scrambled to write their names as well.

Once everyone had written their name, Chu Fan began to speak. "Someone has been spreading rumors throughout Yunzhou City, causing widespread panic. The instigators are undoubtedly among you. I’m not going to pursue the matter, but I expect the rumors to end today. If panic still grips Yunzhou City tomorrow and I trace the source back to one of you... I’m sorry, but I won’t hesitate to make an example of someone to warn the others. And I have a bad habit: once my Sword is drawn, it must taste the blood of a hundred people before it can be sheathed. So go ahead, count up your households. See if you have enough lives to satisfy me."

"Second, many merchants in the city have used these rumors to buy up houses, estates, and other goods from the common people at low prices. I expect everything to be returned to its original owners within three days."

"Third, each of your families will provide ten able-bodied men to form a patrol. They will be under the unified command of Chen Qi’an and will be responsible for maintaining order in the city until the Court takes over. If any crimes occur, the perpetrators will be detained in the state prison until officials arrive to conduct a formal trial. Chen Qi’an, if any of the men sent by these families refuse to obey your command, kill them on the spot and put a black mark against their master’s name."

"Fourth, you will lead by example. Go out into the city and announce that the Great Xia Kingdom will soon send officials to take control of Yunzhou City. Tell the people there is no need to panic. They should continue with their daily lives and wait peacefully. Assure them that once Great Xia’s officials arrive, life for the people of Yunzhou City will only get better."

"Fifth, send people to persuade the citizens who have already fled Yunzhou City to return."

"These five points are not a negotiation. They are orders—absolute orders. If anyone feigns compliance while acting otherwise, or tries to line their own pockets in the process, believe me when I say you do not want to see me angry."

"This list of names... if you do your jobs well, in half a month at most, it will become a list for commendations. If you fail to accomplish these five tasks, it will be your death warrant. As for who I am, let me put it this way: even the Great Xia Empress must bow to me. I can command the millions of soldiers in the Great Xia army if I so choose, and every Cultivation Sect in the entire Eastern Domain has to show me some respect."

"So, even if you think of running, I guarantee you won’t make it out of the Eastern Domain."

Among the twenty-odd men, some were shocked, some were doubtful, and a few revealed a trace of disdain in their eyes.

Chen Qi’an then spoke up. "You’d be fools not to believe Lord Chu. Have you heard of the Red Blood Mansion? The Red Blood Mansion, along with its vassal Minor Sects, had over fifty thousand Cultivators. And yet, even the Red Blood Mansion crumbled and fell apart at Lord Chu’s hands. Do you think you can compare to the Red Blood Mansion?"

As Chen Qi’an finished speaking, the eyes of the twenty-odd men filled with sheer terror.

Chu Fan waved his hand, and the men departed, filled with apprehension.

"What’s happening in Yunzhou City is likely happening in many other places. I can’t stay here to handle this slowly. Yunzhou City is in your hands. If your Sect asks, tell them I ordered it. Be ruthless with anyone who disobeys; show no mercy. If you run into any issues you can’t handle, go to Mr. Hong’s Auction House. Don’t be afraid of offending anyone. Even if you poke a hole in the heavens, I will be there to hold them up for you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qi’an assured Chu Fan, "Don’t worry, Brother Chu. You’ve already laid out the plan. I’m just executing it. I guarantee there will be no trouble."

"You are a Champion Scholar, after all, and your family has served as officials for generations. I have faith in your abilities. When I have time, I’ll come find you at the Zi Wu Gate for a drink," Chu Fan said, patting Chen Qi’an on the shoulder.

Hearing that Chu Fan would come to the Zi Wu Gate to have a drink with him, Chen Qi’an was overjoyed. ’What an honor!’ he thought.