As Chen Sheng stared at the Golden Jade Ointment in his hand, contemplating the connection between this Buddhist Sect Secret Treasure and the Gao Family, Cheng Yanhua walked briskly into the ancestral hall, his face uncharacteristically grim.

"Sir, the Huang and Yang Families are here. Judging by the look of them, I’m afraid they haven’t come with good intentions."

Cheng Yanhua reported in a low voice, his eyes revealing his wariness.

Chen Sheng unhurriedly tucked the Golden Jade Ointment into his clothes, a faint, cold smirk playing on his lips.

"They haven’t come with good intentions? *We’re* the ones who have come!"

The profound words left Cheng Yanhua stunned for a moment before realization dawned on him. He quickly plastered a smile on his face. "Brilliant, Sir! We *are* the ones who have come... Your words are truly profound."

"Alright, enough with the flattery."

Chen Sheng waved his hand dismissively, his expression turning serious. "Have the Gao Family members all been dealt with?"

"Reporting to you, Sir. All three hundred seventeen members of the Gao Family, young and old, have been executed according to the law. The brothers are currently confiscating the Gao Family’s assets... I mean, their criminal evidence." Cheng Yanhua corrected himself just in time, a flicker of awe in his eyes.

"What about Gao Yuanfeng? Have you found any trace of him?" Chen Sheng’s brow furrowed slightly.

Chen Sheng had only discovered that Patriarch Gao, Gao Yuanfeng, was not in the manor after storming the Gao Mansion. Before this, the Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil had not mentioned it.

This left Chen Sheng feeling a bit unsatisfied. ’When you say you’ll annihilate a clan, how can you let a fish slip through the net?’

"Well..."

Cheng Yanhua looked troubled. "My subordinates have interrogated them harshly, but all we know is that Gao Yuanfeng left the Gao Mansion yesterday. His destination is unknown, and it’s very likely he’s no longer in Changshan County Town..."

"Issue the order: search the entire city."

Chen Sheng’s tone was grim. "I want to see the man if he’s alive, and the corpse if he’s dead."

"Yes, sir!" Cheng Yanhua bowed and accepted the order.

Chen Sheng straightened his bloodstained official robes and strode out of the ancestral hall.

He was curious to see if Huang Dongchun and Yang Yi would have the guts to draw their blades on him this time.

...

When Chen Sheng walked out of the Gao Mansion’s main gate, the atmosphere outside was already incredibly tense.

Dozens of government soldiers stood in formation, their bowstrings pulled taut, the arrowheads glinting coldly in the sunlight. All of them had their eyes locked on the members of the Huang and Yang Families across from them, waiting only for Chen Sheng’s command to release their arrows without hesitation.

In contrast, Patriarch Huang, Huang Dongchun, and Patriarch Yang, Yang Yi, both had ashen faces.

They had never imagined that the entire Gao Family would be utterly slaughtered before they could arrive. The thick, bloody stench hanging in the air was a testament to the brutality of the massacre. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

If only they had arrived a step sooner, the situation might have been salvaged.

But now, it was too late for everything.

"The Government Office is purging traitors. What do you people want here? Or could it be that you’re in league with the Gao Family, colluding with water bandits?" The moment Chen Sheng appeared, he unceremoniously slapped a heavy accusation on the Huang and Yang Families.

The soldiers on both sides immediately cleared a path, standing solemnly at attention. Seeing the still-wet bloodstains on Chen Sheng’s official robes, a glint of killing intent and gravity flashed in the eyes of both Yang Yi and Huang Dongchun.

"Chen Sheng, stop your baseless slander!"

Huang Dongchun shouted sharply. "The Government Office ransacking a home and annihilating a clan for no reason—how is that any different from bandits? Is there no longer any King’s Law in Changshan County?"

"That’s right!"

Yang Yi immediately chimed in, his voice grim. "For generations, the Gao Family has been virtuous, with an excellent reputation throughout Changshan County. For the Government Office to act like this... you are practically forcing the people to rebel!"

"Insolence!"

Chen Sheng roared, his presence overwhelming. "I am an official appointed by the court! You are mere commoners! How dare you address me by my given name? You have no respect for the King’s Law! The Gao Family colluded with water bandits, intending to rebel. Their annihilation is the just punishment for their crimes. What, do the Huang and Yang Families wish to follow in the Gao Clan’s footsteps?"

His words rang with power, carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Arrogant!"

"It’s easy for an official to make any claim he wants! If you say the Gao Family colluded with water bandits, then show us the evidence!"

"Who the hell do you think you are to deserve to see evidence?" Chen Sheng sneered, his right hand already resting on the hilt of his saber.

SHIIING—

Following his movement, the sound of blades being drawn echoed all around. The government soldiers pointed their weapons in unison at the disciples of the Huang and Yang Families. The atmosphere instantly dropped to a freezing point, as if a bloody conflict would erupt in the next moment.

Even though four Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Masters stood opposite him, Chen Sheng showed no fear.

If they really dared to make a move, he wouldn’t mind starting a massacre right here.

’With hundreds of government soldiers at my side, so what if they’re Marrow Transformation Martial Masters?’

’If it came to a real fight, their only path was defeat and death.’

’Besides, an ordinary Marrow Transformation Martial Master was no match for him.’

"You..." Huang Dongchun was furious. Remembering his grand-uncle’s previous instructions, he could barely contain the impulse to strike.

However, Yang Yi reached out in time to stop him, giving him a meaningful look.

’If the Gao Family hadn’t already been wiped out, it would have been reasonable for them to intervene.’

’But with the Gao Family gone, facing hundreds of government soldiers in formation, they were doomed to defeat and death if a fight broke out, even with four Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Masters on their side.’

’More importantly, clashing with government soldiers in broad daylight was an act of treason.’

’Even if County Magistrate Lin Shou was willing to side with them, once the matter reached the Prefecture City and stronger experts were dispatched, the centuries-old foundations of the Huang and Yang Families would be destroyed in an instant.’

’At that point, their only remaining path would be to become bandits.’

It was precisely because of this concern that they had never openly tried to assassinate Chen Sheng. The "official skin" he wore, though seemingly thin, was enough to intimidate these powerful Noble Families.

Huang Dongchun’s fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, his eyes filled with humiliation and resentment.

"If you don’t dare to make a move, then stop posturing here!"

Chen Sheng snorted coldly, his tone chilling. "Get lost! If you’re not gone within three breaths, I’ll have your blood splattered on the spot!"

Just at that critical juncture, an ill-timed voice suddenly rang out:

"Commander Chen, what a display of official might!"

Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice. They saw County Magistrate Lin Shou striding toward them, surrounded by a crowd of bailiffs. His face was livid, and the onlookers quickly made way, making the atmosphere even more tense.

Seeing this, Huang Dongchun and Yang Yi felt a small sense of relief.

Chen Sheng glanced at Lin Shou, his expression calm, as if he had expected his arrival all along.

"You flatter me, County Magistrate. This subordinate wouldn’t dare."

Chen Sheng’s tone was indifferent. Though his words claimed he wouldn’t dare, his posture showed little respect.

He had already gauged Lin Shou’s strength—only at the Bone Forging Realm of Cultivation. The only things that gave him slight pause were the man’s official position and his yet-to-be-determined backing.

’Flatter you?’

’Did he think I was praising him?’

"Wouldn’t dare? As far as I can see, there’s nothing you wouldn’t dare to do!"

Lin Shou stared at Chen Sheng and snorted coldly.

He could have never imagined that Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang would make a move against the Gao Clan without even informing him. Wu Kuang was even worse, having only sent a messenger with a flippant verbal notice.

It was as if they saw him, the County Magistrate, as nothing at all.

————