The Imperial Guards, like Yama, slaughtered until the Empress cried out for help.

West City Hundred Household Office.

Because the Zhenfusi (a military post station) collapsed and was rebuilt, this place was used as a temporary Zhenfusi.

Inside the Hundred Household Office, a sudden surge of energy rippled through the air.

Immediately following was Fang Ming's loud laughter: "It's done! It's done! I've finally done it!"

In the past month or so, Fang Ming followed Shen Qing to solve countless major cases, amassed a lot of merit points, exchanged for many precious medicines, and after many days of seclusion, finally broke through to the Innate Realm.

The scholar walked over and clapped his hands: "Congratulations, Lord Fang! From now on, we shall address you as Commander Fang."

Fang Ming suddenly snapped to attention and covered the scholar's mouth: "Hey, scholar, you can't say such things. Lord Shen is only a centurion, how could I dare?"

Fang Ming had been in seclusion for the past few days, so he was unaware of Shen Qing's promotion.

The scholar said calmly, "To be honest, our leader is no longer a centurion."

Fang Ming felt a sudden dryness in his mouth and swallowed hard. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

The scholar smiled and narrowed his eyes, saying, "You've been promoted to Garrison Commander."

"Scholar! I must warn you."

"Saying only halfway through a sentence can easily lead to trouble!"

Fang Ming let out a long sigh of relief, his tone full of resentment.

However, my mind was already filled with countless thoughts.

Fang Ming recalled the words Shen Qing had spoken when he first arrived at the Hundred Households Office more than a month ago, which echoed in his ears once again.

"I don't think I'm good enough for this position of centurion. I'll have to leave soon."

"While I'm in power, you'd better behave and not cause trouble. After I leave, this position will still be yours."

He had believed this ever since Shen Qing first defeated two innate masters of the Blackwater Gang and captured the Cloud-Piercing Hand.

The position of centurion? What is that? It's completely unworthy of Shen Qing.

Promotion? That's only a matter of time.

Fang Ming swallowed hard, but he never expected to be promoted four ranks in one go, directly becoming the Garrison Commander.

Fang Ming didn't have to do anything; he just needed to make two noises while Shen Qing was killing indiscriminately, and he would gain merit and break through to the Innate Realm.

It's laughable that Ma Kui was so short-sighted, and in the end he even overestimated himself and wanted to take revenge on Shen Qing.

The scholar waved his hand in front of Fang Ming's eyes: "Stop daydreaming. Once you break through to the Innate Realm, come with me. The boss and the others are having a discussion."

Fang Ming hurriedly followed.

In the courtyard, Shen Qing, Qin Chuan, Lu Tong, and the other households gathered to discuss matters.

Fang Ming gently knocked on the courtyard door.

Shen Qing saw him and smiled: "Fang Ming, you've finally broken through to the Innate Realm. Congratulations!"

Fang Ming immediately knelt on one knee and saluted: "Commander Fang Ming greets Your Excellency, the Garrison Commander!"

Shen Qing waved his hand: "Now that you've broken through to the Innate Realm, the West City Hundred Household Office is yours from now on. Find a place to sit."

"Thank you, sir!"

Fang Ming got up and walked into the courtyard with some trepidation. He found a seat at the back and sat down. In the past, he would have to bow and scrape when he saw these centurions. He never expected that today he would be sitting on equal footing with them.

What he didn't notice was that all the centurions looked at him with envy and jealousy.

The reason is simple: Fang Ming had followed Shen Qing.

From now on, Fang Ming's resume doesn't need to contain anything except one entry.

When Shen Qing was a centurion in Luoshui City, Fang Ming was a captain under Shen Qing.

This one point alone is enough for him to rise to prominence in the future.

Qin Chuan coughed lightly and continued what he hadn't finished saying.

"Peng Mei has confessed. The Peng family also maintains a private army of over a thousand. Remember, don't hold back."

"Besides Peng Guang, there is another Grandmaster in the Peng family. I have heard that there are seven Innate Realm cultivators and countless Acquired Realm cultivators."

"But these are the most important ones, and they are also our key targets. Others can run away, but these few absolutely cannot."

"Take your portraits and look at them carefully."

The villagers hurried over to collect the portraits.

At this moment, Old Li ran over: "Boss, General Huo Zheng of the Golden Guard and General Cao Shen of the Mighty Army are requesting an audience outside the gate."

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. Huo Zheng was the one he addressed, but where did this Cao Shen come from? The Mighty Army? Does the Yongning County garrison even have such troops?

All the officers in the room immediately perked up their ears. Requesting an audience? That was a very rare word.

Two generals of the third rank requested an audience with a garrison commander of the fourth rank.

Shen Qing waved his hand: "Alright, then you guys can keep an eye on things."

After saying that, Shen Qing walked towards the gate, and Qin Chuan and Lu Tong hurriedly followed.

The courtyard immediately erupted in discussion.

"I never expected Peng Guang to do something like this."

"This is nothing. Do you remember Li Yuan, a centurion, from eight years ago?"

"I remember, didn't you say you were resigning?"

"Hmph, there's no such thing as resigning from office. You all don't know this. He offended Peng Guang and was forced to return to his hometown. Not long after he returned, the Peng family wiped out his entire family. I secretly had someone collect their bodies."

Pan Ruyuan, looking at the portrait, smiled and said, "The Peng family is truly finished. Finally, someone can deal with them."

But his brother, Pan Ruhai, remained silent, looking worried.

......

Outside the Hundred Household Office, Huo Zheng and Cao Shen stood upright, hoping to leave a good first impression on Shen Qing.

Soon after, footsteps sounded, and Shen Qing walked out of the courtyard. The two immediately came to greet her, the beads of sweat on their foreheads telling the story of how nervous they were.

The two quickly bowed, about to speak: "Huo Zheng/Cao Shen greet Shen San..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Qing raised his hand to interrupt him: "Call me Shen Qing, or call me Commander Shen."

The two men were startled and quickly changed their tune: "Greetings, Commander Shen."

Huo Zheng understood that Shen Qing didn't want to reveal her identity in a big way, and at the same time, he cursed Cao Shen in his heart.

Wasn't he usually such a shrewd person? How come he couldn't even think of something so simple?

Of course, Cao Shen was also cursing Huo Zheng in his heart.

Shen Qing nodded: "Let's go inside and talk. You've brought everyone, right?"

The two followed behind Shen Qing.

"Yes, we have. Sixteen hundred Imperial Guards are already waiting outside the West Gate."

"The entire 3,900-strong Mighty Army has arrived."

Shen Qing said, "The Mighty Army? I don't recall Yongning County having such a garrison."

Cao Shen hurriedly explained, "I am reporting to Shen San... Commander Shen, it's like this, our Mighty Army is stationed in Jiashui County, and we have been fighting against the Japanese pirates for the past few years."

"I only retired to Yongning County to recuperate half a year ago, and I should be transferred back to Jiashui County soon. Today I'm having a drink with General Huo."

It turns out it was the resignation of Jiashui County, which makes sense now.

Suddenly, Shen Qing thought of something and turned to look at Cao Shen.

"Fighting Japanese pirates? Did you bring all your military equipment with you?"

"Commander Shen carries them with him; they're essential for his survival, he can't even leave them behind while sleeping."

"Do you also have those 'sky-high cannons'?"

Unlike the Imperial Guards and the Embroidered Uniform Guards, these combat troops are equipped with a number of weapons with wide-range lethality, and the Sky-Shattering Cannon developed by the Heavenly Workshop is one of them.

This thing is quite powerful. One shot will surely kill a martial artist in the Acquired Realm, and if a martial artist in the Innate Realm is not prepared, they will be seriously injured.

Cao Shen quickly nodded: "I brought it with me."

Shen Qing's lips curled into a slight smile: "Could my men use it?"

"able!"

Cao Shen did not hesitate for a moment.

Shen Qing suddenly had another idea. Honghe Mountain was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and its high terrain allowed him to observe the surrounding situation. If the army surrounded it, it would definitely be discovered, so he had to launch a strong attack in the end.

But a direct assault would surely result in many deaths, and Shen Qing was not the kind of person who didn't cherish his men.

Reducing casualties is definitely the best option.

Shen Qing chuckled: "Let's go then, we need to discuss new tactics."

Shen Qing strode forward.

Huo Zheng pulled Cao Shen back and reminded him, "Is...is this in accordance with the rules?"

Cao Shen laughed and said, "In principle, we definitely can't use this Sky-Bombing Cannon."

As he spoke, Cao Shen glanced at Shen Qing's retreating figure.

"But aren't the principles right there in front of us?"