He could accept Zhan Fusheng getting the promotion. After all, Zhan Fusheng had the most seniority, a decent record of achievements, and powerful backing.

But Chen Sheng’s sudden promotion left him with a complicated, indescribable feeling.

He even found himself thinking, ’On what grounds does Chen Sheng deserve this promotion?’

By contrast, the expression on Zhao Changqiu’s face was far more interesting.

First came shock, then dawning realization, and finally, a hint of relief.

A thought couldn’t help but surface in his mind: ’Damn, Chen’s backing is way too strong. He just transferred from a county post and immediately gets to be a Junior Sixth-Grade Deputy Captain.’

’How many years would I have to struggle to get a position like that?’

’No wonder Chen has been so calm and collected ever since he stepped into G Camp, refusing to back down an inch even in the face of Zhan Fusheng. Turns out he knew this was coming all along.’

Remembering how he had patted Chen on the shoulder and said, "Come find me if you need anything," Zhao Changqiu couldn’t help but feel a pang of sheepishness.

He wasn’t particularly bothered by Chen Sheng’s appointment. He knew all too well that in the world of officialdom, this sort of thing was perfectly normal.

The world was inherently unfair. Some people struggled their entire lives without advancing an inch, while others soared through the ranks effortlessly.

’Good thing I made the right choice and didn’t rashly side with Zhan Fusheng.’

Immediately, both Lu Cheng’s and Zhao Changqiu’s gazes shifted to Zhan Fusheng, as if to gauge his reaction.

At that moment, however, Zhan Fusheng still hadn’t processed what had happened. A smirk was still playing on his lips, but now it was frozen in place—stiff, contorted, and utterly ridiculous.

"Your subordinate obeys."

Chen Sheng gave a slight bow, his expression calm as he accepted the official appointment papers with both hands.

"Governor Nie, I refuse to accept this! On what grounds..."

Zhan Fusheng finally snapped out of his stupor, his face a mask of humiliation and rage as he cried out in protest.

He had already arranged the celebratory banquet, even accepting congratulatory gifts from many of his subordinates. Everyone in G Camp, even the entire Jingwu Bureau, knew that he, Zhan Fusheng, was about to become the new Deputy Captain. For this to happen now... wasn’t this the same as having his reputation dragged through the mud?

"Besides, why Chen Sheng? How long has he even been with the Jingwu Bureau?!"

"He’s been here less than a month and hasn’t accomplished a single thing! I wouldn’t have had such a problem if it had been Lu Cheng!"

But before Zhan Fusheng could finish, a cold snort cut him off abruptly.

"Insolence! This is an official appointment from the Yunzhou Jingwu Bureau. It is not for you to question!"

Nie Xuanfeng didn’t move. Instead, it was Zhan Fusheng’s own backer, Sun Siniang, who struck. With a wave of her hand, a tyrannical blast of Gang Qi erupted, slamming directly into Zhan Fusheng’s chest.

THUD. With a muffled sound, Zhan Fusheng was sent flying backward. He slammed heavily into a nearby pillar before crumpling to the ground.

The blow was swift and decisive, a clear sign that Sun Siniang had been prepared for this.

By striking first, she gave Nie Xuanfeng no reason to take action himself.

Sun Siniang then hurriedly turned to Nie Xuanfeng and explained, "Governor Nie, Peacekeeper Envoy Zhan had a momentary lapse in judgment and spoke carelessly. I pray you will forgive his transgression."

Nie Xuanfeng glanced at Sun Siniang, then at the fallen Zhan Fusheng on the floor. A cool smile touched his lips.

"Ah, so that’s all it was. For a moment, I thought Peacekeeper Envoy Zhan was defying me—and by extension, the entire Yunzhou Jingwu Bureau Office."

Nie Xuanfeng might have claimed he wouldn’t support Chen Sheng, but how could he possibly not?

If Zhan Fusheng had been allowed to voice all of his grievances today, Nie Xuanfeng would have seized the opportunity to have him charged with a crime.

’A pity,’ he thought. ’This Female Demon reacts fast.’

Blood trickled from the corner of Zhan Fusheng’s mouth, his back instantly breaking out in a cold sweat. He scrambled to his knees to beg for forgiveness.

"Lord Governor, I beg your forgiveness! Your subordinate... I was momentarily out of my mind."

Nie Xuanfeng ignored Zhan Fusheng, turning to Chen Sheng instead. "Captain Chen, from this day forward, I am entrusting G Camp to you. Do not let me down."

"Your subordinate will not fail you!" Chen Sheng declared with a firm bow.

Nie Xuanfeng gave a slight nod.

"I have other pressing matters and cannot stay. Familiarize yourself with the camp’s affairs and take command as soon as possible."

With that, Nie Xuanfeng strode away, his official robes billowing and kicking up a faint breeze.

"Respectfully seeing off the Governor!"

Chen Sheng bowed quickly.

Lu Cheng and Zhao Changqiu, snapping back to reality, did the same.

"Deputy Captain Chen, G Camp wields immense authority. As a newcomer, you must act with caution."

The moment Nie Xuanfeng left, Sun Siniang’s voice rang out, cold and laced with displeasure. Her piercing, almond-shaped eyes scrutinized Chen Sheng, as if trying to see straight through him, body and soul.

"Thank you for the advice, Vice Envoy Sun. I understand." Chen Sheng gave a slight bow, his demeanor neither humble nor arrogant.

Sun Siniang strode up to Chen Sheng, an aura of chilling killing intent radiating from her. She stood there in silence for several long breaths before finally moving away to stand before Zhan Fusheng.

"Vice Envoy!" Zhan Fusheng opened his mouth, wanting to voice his grievance.

"You’re a disgrace! Spreading the news far and wide before you even had the position. Let today be your lesson!"

Sun Siniang shot him a look as cold as ice. "Now get the hell up!"

With that, she turned and strode away, completely ignoring Zhan Fusheng.

With the two high-ranking officials gone, the atmosphere in the G Camp’s Government Office Hall grew heavy once more. Lu Cheng wore a complicated expression, looking like he wanted to say something but held back. Zhao Changqiu, however, was beaming, clearly wanting to offer his congratulations.

Chen Sheng, however, paid no mind to their expressions. He walked directly up the dais, slowly lowered himself into the seat of honor at its head, and let his indifferent gaze sweep across the three Peacekeeper Envoys before him.

In that moment, he was no longer Peacekeeper Envoy Chen, the recent transfer. He was the Deputy Captain of G Camp, the man in charge here.

"Your subordinate, Zhao Changqiu, pays his respects to Captain Chen!"

Seeing Chen Sheng act this way, Zhao Changqiu felt a jolt. He no longer dared to call him "Chen." Their relationship had fundamentally changed.

He wasn’t a brother anymore; he was a superior officer!

And this was the Government Office, where official titles were required!

Chen Sheng heard him and turned his gaze to Lu Cheng.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Cheng suppressed his complex emotions, stepped forward, and clasped his hands in a formal bow.

"Your subordinate, Lu Cheng, pays his respects to Captain Chen."

"At ease, both of you."

Chen Sheng made a placating gesture with his hand, his gaze then shifting to Zhan Fusheng, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Zhan Fusheng gritted his teeth. He desperately wanted to curse Chen Sheng right then and there, but Vice Envoy Sun’s parting words echoed in his mind. After a moment of silence, he finally bowed his head and forced out the words:

"...Greetings, Captain Chen."

Chen Sheng nodded, satisfied.

"From now on, I will be a colleague to all of you. I trust we will support one another in the future."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. "Let’s do this: I will host a banquet tonight to treat you all. I trust none of you will decline."

Lu Cheng looked hesitant, but Zhan Fusheng spoke up immediately.

"This subordinate has pressing matters to attend to and will be unable to join the banquet."

His voice was clipped, clearly still seething with resentment and bitterness.

"Sir, you’ve just been promoted! How could we possibly let you host the banquet?"

Zhao Changqiu quickly interjected, his face plastered with a wide smile. "Why not give your subordinate a chance to prove himself? I will host a celebratory banquet for you at Fuyuan Pavilion tonight. How does that sound?"

Now that Zhan Fusheng and Chen Sheng were on bad terms, and Lu Cheng’s attitude was ambiguous, wasn’t this the perfect chance for him to make his move?

He had already begun to see the bigger picture based on what had just transpired.

This Captain Chen was either backed by Governor Nie or by someone even higher up. Whichever it was, he was well worth currying favor with.

"Peacekeeper Envoy Zhao, you are too kind."

Chen Sheng nodded. "Since that is the case, it would be impolite of me to refuse. Fuyuan Pavilion it is." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"This subordinate will be there to offer his congratulations, Captain Chen."

Lu Cheng suppressed the feelings in his heart, clasped his hands, and forced a smile.

Meanwhile, upon hearing this exchange, Zhan Fusheng’s face turned as black as the bottom of a wok. He looked absolutely livid.

Zhao Changqiu knew full well that Zhan Fusheng himself had planned to host a celebratory banquet at Fuyuan Pavilion tonight. This was a blatant slap in the face, a deliberate move to use him as a stepping stone to display loyalty to Chen Sheng.

At this thought, Zhan Fusheng’s expression became faintly menacing. He shot a dark look at Zhao Changqiu and bit out:

"This subordinate takes his leave."

Without waiting for Chen Sheng to respond, he turned on his heel and stormed out.

"Captain, Peacekeeper Envoy Zhan is making his dissatisfaction clear."

Zhao Changqiu whispered.

Chen Sheng paid him no mind, merely narrowing his eyes as he watched Zhan Fusheng’s retreating back.

’I thought Zhan Fusheng wouldn’t be able to stop himself from lashing out,’ Chen Sheng mused. ’After all, I stole the position right out from under him.’

’But he actually managed to hold it in.’

’That won’t do. I still need to establish my authority. A newly transferred Peacekeeper Envoy suddenly promoted to Deputy Captain... it’s bound to breed resentment, not just outside, but right here within G Camp.’

’People like Lu Cheng, who obey on the surface but are unconvinced in their hearts.’

’Publicly putting Zhan Fusheng in his place is undoubtedly the quickest and easiest way to do it.’

’He’s the perfect stepping stone. I have to use him, and I have to use him well.’

————