Promise!

Chapter 128, The Return

Leave the Pingshuibofang residence.

"Sister Shu, that Garrison Commander Liu..."

"The other party is not related to us. As I said before, it's a favor to help, and it's our right not to help."

As Chen Yun spoke, she glanced behind her and then bowed deeply to Xue Yandao and Duan Tao, saying, "Please, gentlemen, protect us on our way to headquarters."

"Sister-in-law, you flatter me. It is my duty to do so," Xue Yandao and Duan Tao said, clasping their hands in a fist salute.

Their relationship with Zhuang Jin was somewhat cordial, but not to the point of being confidants. They stayed mostly because Zhuang Jin was selling the exotic beast hide armor at market price... Under such circumstances, if they had adopted a condescending and bossy attitude, they probably would have simply turned their backs and left.

In contrast, Chen Yun's attitude made them feel respected and at ease, and they subconsciously became much more diligent in their work.

……

Behind Chen Yun and her group followed a group of government officials. Coincidentally, the leader of the group was none other than the sergeant surnamed Song who had captured Zhuang Yutang before.

The task assigned to them was to capture Chen Yun and bring her to the government office. They had been blocked by a group of martial artists from Dongqiaowu. Some of them went back to report, while others stayed outside to guard her. When Chen Yun and her party left earlier, the group they left behind followed behind.

"What are you standing there for? Come on, follow them!" the squad leader surnamed Song shouted.

"Good!" said one of the constables, drawing his sword.

Snapped!
The squad leader surnamed Song immediately slapped his nephew on the head: "I told you to come along, but I didn't say you had to draw your sword. What if you hurt someone? What, you really want to fight? This isn't how you seek death! See those two in black robes? They are Six Classics Martial Artists. Someone like you wouldn't even be worth a slap from them."

"Uncle... no, sergeant, didn't you say you'd follow them? Are you just going to watch and escort them without doing anything?" the young constable said aggrievedly.

"You're absolutely right, it is escorting."

The sergeant surnamed Song nodded seriously, looking at his bewildered nephew, and said earnestly, "Getting involved in the struggle between these important figures can easily lead to your destruction and even harm your family... In times like these, you need to use your brain and learn to turn a blind eye... Remember, before the power struggle between the big shots is completely resolved, you must not act rashly, otherwise, if things turn out differently in the end, the consequences... will be unbearable!"

As he spoke, he recalled how Zhuang Jin had treated Zhuang Yutang's entire family—the old, weak, women, and children had all committed suicide. He couldn't help but shudder. No matter how much pressure the higher-ups put on such a ruthless individual, they would never take action against him, even if it meant losing their own skin.

……

Shen family headquarters.

Chen Yun sought out Ni Ying, hoping to persuade the Ninth Young Master Shen Xuqing to help, but Ni Ying hesitated, saying, "Sister Yun, it's not that I don't want to help, it's just..."

It turns out that a few days ago, Shen Xuqing married his first wife... because he was not good at martial arts, after talking with Shen Xuqing, the head of the Shen family decided to choose a good wife for him, who was the only daughter of a high-ranking prison warden in the government office.

In such a large prefectural city, it was impossible for all cases to be decided by the prefect. In the prefectural government office, ordinary cases were decided by the ninth-rank clerk; some important cases were decided by the eighth-rank jailer; and the seventh-rank grand jailer was responsible for cases involving truly powerful and influential people.

The positions of Warden, Warden, and Grand Warden all involve martial arts and require a martial artist. A Warden must have at least four classics to be qualified, a Warden must have at least seven classics, and a Grand Warden must have at least ten classics!
Shen Xuqing's wife, as the only daughter of the Grand Prisoner, was spoiled since childhood and had a jealous nature. Not long ago, Ni Ying became pregnant, so she targeted her openly and secretly, setting rules for her.

“If I bring this up with the young master, he might deliberately target me and make things even worse…” Ni Ying said.

"That's the truth."

Chen Yun nodded slightly, realizing it was indeed the case, and dismissed the thought. After talking for a while, she told Ni Ying to take care of herself and then left.

As Ni Ying watched Chen Yun's retreating figure, she felt no sense of satisfaction at seeing someone's house collapse; instead, she was filled with worry.

After getting to know him over the past six months, she has truly seen through Shen Xuqing. This young master from a prominent family, who received an elite education from a young age, is extremely selfish and self-serving. There is no way he can use emotions or beauty to manipulate her. His standard for judging a person is value. If you have value, he will greet you with smiles and treat you like a gentle breeze; if you have no value, he will discard you like trash.

She was promoted to concubine because of Zhuang Jin's influence. Now that Zhuang Jin's fate is unknown, if he really does die... it would be like losing the support of her maternal family, and life would be even more difficult.

'By then, who knows what will happen to my child…' Ni Ying gently stroked her lower abdomen. Her eyes, which were once like a pool of autumn water, were now tainted by worldly affairs, no longer clear and bright, but instead shrouded in gloom.

……

He bid farewell to Ni Ying and left the inner courtyard.

"Sister Shu, what should we do now?"

"For the time being, let's stay at the Shen family headquarters. No matter what the people behind them are like, they won't dare to cause trouble here, and the government won't dare to come here to arrest people either."

Chen Yun had already planned ahead, and said, "I have some close sisters here who can stay with me temporarily. You can stay with your husband's teacher."

She knew that the two of them were likely being watched, so this trip to the Shen family headquarters was not only to seek help, but also to stay and isolate themselves from the other party's schemes, waiting for a change in the situation.

This time it went smoothly.

Yesterday, Ping Yongfeng heard that Zhuang Jin's fate was unknown, so he made up his mind to break through to the fourth level of cultivation to see if he could provide some assistance. He just came out of seclusion today when Chen Yun and her brother came to find him. He agreed to let Chen Honggan live with him.

Xue Yandao and Duan Tao also returned with the news, saying that during last night's attack in the north of the city, Zhuang Jin was not among the Seven Classics level heads that the Medicine King Gang presented as a deterrent, which was considered good news at the moment.

Afterwards, Chen Yun thanked them again, saying that they should stay at headquarters and not worry. The two of them went back first, but promised to come and visit at least once a day.

……

Both are part of the Shen family headquarters, in a small courtyard.

Snapped!
Xing Yan slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "Zhao Bin and Miao Shao... they've gone too far! My Shen family is in a terrible mess right now. Brother Zhuang is away on official business and his fate is unknown. Yet these two are scheming against the families of those who have rendered meritorious service because of personal grudges. If my Shen family is full of scoundrels like them, what hope do we have?"

He summoned his eldest son, Xing Jian, and his second son, Xing Li, and ordered one to go to the government office to make arrangements, and the other to go to the south of the city to warn Zhao Bin and Miao Shao.

"Yes!" The eldest son, Xing Jian, readily agreed. Knowing that Zhuang Jin was his father's good friend, he immediately prepared to get up.

The second son, Xing Li, was somewhat unwilling: "Father, when you became a personal guard, Zhuang Jin didn't come to the celebration party, and you had to wait at the door for a long time... Is it necessary for us to go out of our way to do favors for someone like that?"

"This matter was my..." Xing Yan glanced at his two sons and revealed the inside story of the selection of bodyguards.

"So that's how it is." Xing Li didn't think her father was wrong. Everyone looks out for themselves.

"This matter..." Xing Jian hesitated, though he knew that a son shouldn't speak ill of his father. However, deep down, he still believed that his father was wrong.

Xing Yan readily admitted, "It was indeed my fault, and I'm sorry, Brother Zhuang. However, I had no choice. This opportunity to personally guard the body might be my only chance in this life to break through the Ten Classics, achieve perfection in the Twelve Classics, and even reach a higher level. I absolutely cannot give it up, therefore..."

He shook his head slightly as he said this: "There's no need to talk about the past. You may go now!"

"father!"

Xing Li was even more unwilling after learning about this.

According to his thinking: his father had a grudge against Zhuang Jin, and it would be good not to take advantage of the situation to kick him when he was down. How could he provoke two Seven Scripture Martial Artists because of a dead man? Xing Yan could see through his son's thoughts: "Brother Zhuang was attacked and died. It is too early to say that. At least, it is too early to say that before seeing the body."

Based on the current intelligence analysis, Zhuang Jin would most likely be killed, but he had a gut feeling that Zhuang Jin wouldn't be harmed: 'Zhuang Jin was incredibly lucky when he was under my command. Whether it was luck or ability, this man is no simple character. I don't believe he'll be easily defeated here!'

"Father, it is said that the Medicine King Gang has eight martial artists in charge of each attack, and more than one seven martial artist... How could Zhuang Jin possibly..." Xing Li said unconvinced.

"This is not a matter of life or death for Brother Zhuang!"

Xing Yan looked at his second son and shook his head slightly: his eldest son was able to distinguish right from wrong and was honest and upright, so he was not worried about him; however, his second son was too concerned about immediate gains and losses, acted impulsively, and left no way out. If he did not correct this, he would probably suffer a great loss in the future...

He let his eldest son go first, then looked at his second son, Xing Li, and took the opportunity to teach him earnestly: "If we only analyze the pros and cons of this matter, the pros outweigh the cons. Now that I am the Eighth Prince's personal guard and the approval for the Shuluo Pill has been granted, I have already broken through to the Eighth Scripture. Why should I be afraid of offending two Seventh Scripture martial artists whose potential has been exhausted? On the contrary, Zhuang Jin is the one with extraordinary potential."

"If I take action this time, and Zhuang Jin really comes back, all the past grievances can be completely wiped clean, and he might even remember my personal favor... Even if Zhuang Jin really does... it won't be a loss. Others will see that I did this, and my colleagues will think I'm a decent person. It will also leave the young master with the impression that I'm considerate..."

Xing Li listened with a sudden realization, and a look of admiration appeared on her face: "Father, you're brilliant, you're truly brilliant!"

“Chestnut, remember this,”

Xing Yan waved his hand and solemnly instructed, "Unless it's a matter of life and death, and you absolutely have to do something, don't go to extremes. Leave yourself a way out."

"I understand, Father. I'll go right now." Xing Li nodded in understanding and then left.

……

South of the city.

After Xing Li came over and gave Xing Yan a warning, Zhao Bin and Miao Shao both looked grim.

Snapped!
Zhao Bin flicked his sleeve, sweeping the teacup to the ground: "What the hell? A second-level martial artist dares to act high and mighty in front of me?"

Why didn't you say that earlier?

Miao Shao glanced at Zhao Bin, sneered inwardly, and said, "Who told his father to be an Eighth Rank Martial Artist and the Eighth Young Master's personal guard? With Xing Yan watching over him, the plan has to be stopped. That's fine, it was going to fail anyway."

Their original plan was to bribe Min Shang's parents and use Min Shang's affair as a pretext to get the government to take Chen Yun away and imprison her, then they could do whatever they wanted. However, they were thwarted by the many martial artists in Dongqiaowu. Afterwards, many of those martial artists left, but Chen Yun and her brother were protected by two Six Principles experts, so unless they took action themselves...

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bin's face darkened even further as he recalled the current situation: "I didn't expect that even though Zhuang Jin is dead, there are still quite a few loyal followers!"

To be honest, he was extremely jealous of this, because someone like him would never be in that situation.

"Yes, and what's even more unexpected is that Chen Yun and her brother, after going to headquarters, actually decided not to leave."

Chen Yun and her brother, Xue Yandao, and Duan Tao went to the Shen family headquarters. Zhao Bin and Miao Shao knew about it, but with two Six Classics protectors, they couldn't take action themselves. They also wanted to see how much attention the Eighth and Ninth Young Masters still paid after Zhuang Jin's 'death'. However, they didn't expect that once Chen Yun and her brother arrived, they would hide there and not come out.

This caused them to break down their defenses, and they hid in the Shen family headquarters. All their subsequent plans were ruined, since they couldn't possibly cause trouble in such a place.

"Didn't Chen Yun develop a blood disorder? After all that trouble, it wasn't a complete loss."

"Too."

Zhao Bin said unwillingly, gritting his teeth, "I don't believe that Chen Yun and her brother can hide at headquarters forever, waiting for them to come out..."

Seeing that the other party still wouldn't give up at this point, Miao Shao felt that the other party was stubborn and had gone a bit crazy. He shook his head and stood up: "Zhao Zhenshou, now that Xing Yan is watching, the risk is too great. If you still want to make a move, please do so. I won't accompany you."

Wow!
Zhao Bin watched Miao Shao's departing figure, his face turning ashen, and suddenly overturned the table.

……

As one act ends, another begins. It can only be said that although Zhuang Jin is not in the prefectural city, the turmoil caused by him has never diminished. Enemies, friends, strangers... all are engaged in a back-and-forth struggle centered around him.

Ultimately, this power struggle came to a temporary end with Chen Yun and her brother hiding in the Shen family headquarters and Xing Yan issuing a warning... until Zhuang Jin returned on this day.

……

On January 22, Zhuang Jin and Fei Zecong arrived in Linji County by waterway.

Upon hearing what had happened, the patriarch of the Fei family, a prominent family in Linji County, was overjoyed and grateful. He warmly invited Zhuang Jin to stay and enjoy the scenery, but she politely declined. After receiving the receipt for the Qingyuan Liquid, she rushed back home overnight.

January 27th.

Zhuang Jin secretly returned to the prefectural city and went straight to the Shen family headquarters. Upon arriving at the General Affairs Department, amidst the astonished expressions of many and the various questions swirling around him, he opened the box and revealed three heads of the Seven Scripture Warriors from the Medicine King Gang…

Needless to say, it caused quite a stir.

After the chaos of war and the reports being relayed up the chain of command, Mu Mingxi, the head of the General Affairs Department, personally received Zhuang Jin and listened to his account of what had happened. This was accompanied by Fei Zecong's handwritten notes, the old master of the Fei family's handwritten notes, the secret report he had left before his departure, and the heads of the three martial artists from the Medicine King Gang. The matter was now clear and unambiguous.

—The secret report that Zhuang Jin submitted earlier had its own internal procedures within the General Affairs Department. Multiple copies were made and archived, so it was impossible for it to have been concealed.

Looking at Zhuang Jin, who remained calm and composed even now, Mu Mingxi was filled with admiration. He admired her for her intelligence and prudence, as well as her talent. After breaking through the seventh meridian, she had broken through the eighth meridian in just over two months.

"Right now, our Shen family is receiving double the battle merits. I can make that decision for you: three heads will earn you 23,000 battle merits... Take good care of yourself, and there will be further rewards later..."

He told Zhuang Jin to rest well, and then prepared to publicize the matter extensively.

This good news would have been most appropriate a few days ago, when news of the Medicine King Gang's attack spread, causing unrest and allowing for a turnaround. It's a bit late now, but it still has the effect of boosting morale.

To be honest, if Zhuang Jin had sent the good news back earlier, Mu Mingxi would have indeed sacrificed Zhuang Jin's personal safety without hesitation and publicized it extensively for the sake of the bigger picture. Now that Zhuang Jin has returned to the prefectural city and only learned of the good news and started publicizing it, the benefits to the Shen family have diminished, but it is advantageous to Zhuang Jin, because the Medicine King Gang in the prefectural city is unlikely to send high-level martial artists to suppress him...

The matter is already settled, and Mu Mingxi will not be harsh; it is only human nature.

When Zhuang Jin came out of the General Affairs Department, he saw Lin Hong, Bi Kai, Qian Wende and others. Lin Hong and Bi Kai were fine, but Qian Wende looked like a panda with a bruised and swollen face.

"Brother Zhuang, you're finally back."

When Qian Wende saw Zhuang Jin, he was so excited that he almost burst into tears. He rushed over with snot and tears streaming down his face and said, "Brother Zhuang, you don't know how badly we were bullied when you weren't here. Even your wife vomited blood..."

"What did you say?!"

Zhuang Jin's expression was indifferent. He already had an aura of "keep away" about him. Upon hearing these words, his gaze sharpened, and for a moment, a murderous aura seemed to rise from his body.

……

(End of this chapter)