Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 23 Is Young Master Commander Chen?

"Earth Spirit Milk..."

Staring at the hastily written characters slowly emerging on the Heavenly Book of "Seeking Good Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune," Chen Sheng's gaze suddenly sharpened like a knife, and his breath hitched slightly.

This is no ordinary item.

Even though it's a relatively young opportunity, it's still a rare and precious chance for a martial artist at the Foundation Establishment stage!
The essence contained within can be directly refined and absorbed by martial artists, transforming into the most fundamental true qi, enough to cause a rapid increase in cultivation level in a short period of time.

"We must get our hands on this!"

Chen Sheng thought to himself that this opportunity, which could save him from arduous cultivation and even directly improve his cultivation level, was extremely important to him at the moment and absolutely could not be missed!

His eyes flickered as he rapidly considered all the possibilities in his mind.

The Heavenly Book has warned him that if things had gone according to plan, he would have acted impulsively and conspired with the other party to do something bad, which would have resulted in the treasure being given to the Gao family by Ma Changhai. But since he has foreseen the future, he must not let such a regret happen.

He must plan carefully before acting, not only to deal with the provocations that the Gao family and the Seven Star Gang are about to launch, but also to seize the opportunity to reclaim the inheritance that rightfully belongs to him.

Thinking of this, Chen Sheng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the restlessness in his heart. His gaze gradually became deep and calm, and he had already made a preliminary plan.

……

at the same time.

Gao Yuanhe, the third master of the Gao family, has clearly conveyed the family's will to Ma Changhai, the current leader of the Seven Star Gang.

The order was simple, yet ruthless enough—to immediately create chaos in the northern part of the city, targeting the North City Military Camp, both a test of the government and a revenge against Chen Sheng.

After hearing this, Ma Changhai broke out in a cold sweat.

He knew perfectly well how he had obtained his position as gang leader, and he was also well aware that the Gao family could help him rise to power, but they could also easily bring him down, and even make him follow in the footsteps of his predecessor.

Going against the Gao family's wishes? He didn't even dare to think about it right now.

Even though he knew that a direct confrontation with the government was extremely risky and that the slightest mistake could lead to his annihilation, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and do it.

After seeing Gao Yuanhe off, he immediately summoned all the high-ranking hall masters in the gang and announced two orders with a gloomy expression:

First, order the Seven Star Gang's main members and its affiliated forces to frequently "operate" in the northern part of the city, starting immediately, by gathering crowds to cause trouble, harassing merchants, or creating friction, making a big fuss and stirring up trouble. In addition, set a trap for this person.
Second, spare no effort to find out the background of the new commander of Beicheng, Chen Sheng, especially his true cultivation level, martial arts style, personality weaknesses, and specific experience in the army.

In fact, ever since Chen Sheng killed Gao Qiheng with a single blow, almost every interested force in Changshan County has been investigating him.

Such a young and ruthless rising star in the military cannot be ignored, especially given the strength Chen Sheng has demonstrated, which inspires even greater apprehension.

Gao Qiheng's strength is recognized as outstanding among the younger generation in Changshan County. After breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm, he is highly regarded by the Gao family.

Yet, this very person was killed by Chen Sheng with a single stroke, as easily as cutting melons and vegetables. Just how powerful was Chen Sheng's true combat strength?

This is especially important to Ma Changhai.

He feared that if Chen Sheng was a ruthless character who acted without restraint and chose to confront the Seven Star Gang head-on without regard for the consequences, then he and the entire Seven Star Gang would most likely become victims in the power struggle between the Gao family and the government, dying without any value.

Below, the leaders of the Seven Star Gang echoed each other, their expressions varying; some were eager to try, while others looked worried.

Only Yang Hu, who was sitting at the end of the table, showed a barely perceptible change in expression when he heard the name "Chen Sheng".

Chen Sheng?

Commander of the Northern City Military Camp?

Kill Gao Qiheng with a single blow?
Could it be... that young master Chen Sheng he knows?

Yang Hu was still hesitant, feeling that this coincidence was too astonishing.

The young master had only recently returned to Changshan County, and now a military commander with the same name, the same age, and the same ruthless methods had appeared here? But then he shook his head inwardly, thinking that he was overthinking it.

He knew the young master's background all too well.

Before leaving home, he was clearly a weak scholar who couldn't even kill a chicken and struggled to complete the Foundation Establishment stage. How long has it been? Less than half a year at most. How could he have transformed into a military expert who could easily kill a Bone Forging Realm martial artist?

"It must be a case of the same name, or I'm just imagining things..."

Yang Hu dismissed his own guess in his heart, but a seed of doubt had already been planted.

He secretly resolved that if he had the chance, he would definitely go and see this "Commander Chen" with his own eyes to confirm it and completely dispel this absurd idea from his mind. "Hall Master Yang!"

Ma Changhai's deep voice pulled Yang Hu back from his thoughts.

"Chief!" Yang Hu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly composed himself and sat up straight.

"Did you hear all the orders just now?" Ma Changhai's gaze swept across his face.

"Understood, subordinate!" Yang Hu replied in a deep voice.

Ma Changhai gave him a deep look before shifting his gaze and addressing everyone sternly:
"Listen up, all of you! This matter concerns the very survival and prosperity of our Seven Star Gang. No one is to slack off! Go and make arrangements immediately. I want to see chaos in the north of the city within three days!"

"Yes, Chief!" the crowd echoed in unison, their voices shaking the rooftops.

……

After leaving the Seven Star Gang headquarters, Yang Hu was in a state of confusion and, as if possessed, returned to that familiar old house.

Although he frequently sends people to clean and keep the place as tidy as ever, he himself doesn't actually come back to live there often.

Only when he was restless or needed to contemplate alone and weigh the pros and cons would he return to this place that held his past memories, seeking a moment of peace of mind. It was also a reminder to himself not to forget the blood feud, to be careful in his words and actions at all times, and to avoid revealing his whereabouts due to momentary carelessness, which could lead to the failure of his revenge plan.

Upon returning today, the name "Chen Sheng" and the mysterious and unpredictable Northern City Commander still linger in my mind.

He actually longed for the "treasure" that the old gang leader might have left behind; in fact, he was determined to get it.

He believed that he had a good talent for martial arts and that with his hard work and diligent practice, it was not impossible for him to break through to the Bone Forging Realm in time. However, what he lacked most was time!
He was afraid that things might change if he waited too long.

If Ma Changhai were to gain complete control of the Seven Stars Gang and solidify his power, and then obtain the treasure left behind by the old gang leader before him, thereby further enhancing his strength... then his hopes for revenge would become even more remote.

At that point, what choice will he have but to continue to lie low and endure indefinitely?

Just as he was frowning and immersed in his chaotic thoughts, his ears twitched slightly, and he keenly caught a very faint strange sound coming from the inner courtyard!
"Someone?!"

Yang Hu instantly became alert, his muscles tensed up, and his right hand instinctively gripped the hilt of the broadsword on his back. His eyes were sharp as a hawk's. He held his breath and moved with utmost care, like a stealthy cheetah, cautiously approaching the direction from which the sound came.

When he silently crossed the threshold of the inner courtyard and saw the figure standing with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, he was struck dumb, his gaze suddenly froze, and his face was filled with disbelief and astonishment.

The man in the courtyard was dressed in a dark blue official robe, with a long black sword hanging at his waist. Who else could it be but young master Chen Sheng?

Unlike his casual clothes when they last met, Chen Sheng now exuded an undeniable official's aura, looking at him with a half-smile. His deep eyes seemed to have seen through everything, containing a hint of something unsettling.

In an instant, all the clues in Yang Hu's mind connected, and everything became clear.

The Chen Sheng, the commander of the Northern City that Ma Changhai mentioned... the military general who killed Gao Qiheng with a single blow... is probably... really the weak former master that Ma Changhai always thought he needed to protect!

A complex mix of emotions welled up in Yang Hu's heart. He was shocked and overjoyed that Chen Sheng possessed such terrifying strength, as well as disappointed and conflicted that the other party had left him far behind after his return. He was also bewildered and helpless in the face of the sudden reversal of his identity and strength.

The frail and sickly boy from my memory has returned, completely transformed, and has become someone even the Gao family treats with utmost respect, and even someone the Seven Star Gang is ordered to retaliate against.

Chen Sheng didn't rush to speak, but quietly watched the fascinating changes in Yang Hu's expression.

He knew that Yang Hu must have heard all the rumors about "Commander Chen of Beicheng". This encounter was the time to reveal the truth. He was also waiting for Yang Hu to digest this fact and see his next attitude.

Yang Hu's throat felt dry. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his turbulent emotions, and slowly loosened his grip on the hilt of the sword, steadily sheathing the greatsword behind him.

He strode up to Chen Sheng, no longer displaying the casualness of a protector from the previous day, but instead bowing deeply and clasping his hands in a very formal, even respectful, gesture.
"Master!"

A satisfied smile appeared on Chen Sheng's face, a smile that conveyed a sense of complete control.

"Ah Hu, have a seat."

He pointed to the stone bench in the courtyard, his tone calm, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Yang Hu sat down as instructed, placing his hands somewhat awkwardly on his knees. For a moment, he didn't know where to begin, and the atmosphere became rather silent.

Chen Sheng didn't give him much time to adjust, cutting straight to the point. His gaze was fixed intently on Yang Hu's eyes as he spoke clearly, word by word:
"Ah Hu, the time has come. The day for revenge is fast approaching."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice not loud, yet it carried a strange, alluring power and an irresistible quality:
"Would you like to lend me a hand?"

(End of this chapter)