Chapter 131: Chapter 103: Fish in a Barrel (Part 2)

Yan Ming’s steady voice came from outside the cabin.

"Let him in." Chen Sheng slowly concluded his meditation, opening his eyes. The sharp glint within them had been drawn back.

The cabin door swung open, and Yang Yi strode in, an indelible worry etched on his face.

"Commander Chen, in another fifteen minutes, our ship will reach the waters of Cyan Wolf Stronghold. My heart... is in turmoil. Cyan Wolf Stronghold’s actions have been far too unusual. There must be a trap.

In my humble opinion, it would be best to proceed with caution. A more thorough plan is the only proper course of action."

Yang Yi had voiced his concerns about Cyan Wolf Stronghold setting a trap several times over the past few days, but Chen Sheng remained unmoved.

He knew Commander Chen was young and hot-blooded, with profound Cultivation, but that was no reason to underestimate the enemy.

What’s more, Chen Sheng’s fate was no longer his alone; it was tied to whether the Yang Family could seize this opportunity to rise.

Without this "Evil God," Chen Sheng, to hold the line, the Yang Family alone was powerless to suppress the other covetous factions in Changshan County and monopolize the immense benefits left behind by the fall of the Gao and Huang Families.

"Clan Leader Yang, you worry too much."

Chen Sheng’s gaze swept over him calmly.

"Cyan Wolf Stronghold is nothing but a disorderly mob. I intend to use this opportunity to uproot them completely and eliminate this problem for good. Besides, we’ve come too far; the arrow is already on the string. Wouldn’t we be a laughingstock if we spoke of retreat now? Just do your part."

"But..."

Yang Yi wanted to say more, but seeing the look in Chen Sheng’s eyes—one that brooked no argument—he swallowed the rest of his words. They turned into a helpless sigh as he cupped his hands and said:

"Yes, I understand."

Yang Yi could only console himself silently.

He had a rough idea of the strength of the water bandits around Changshan County.

There were at most three Martial Masters at the Marrow Transformation Realm among them. This time, two of the Yang Clan’s own Marrow Transformation Realm elders had come, along with the unfathomable Chen Sheng and Li Huai Sheng, plus dozens of elites handpicked from the Yang Family and the Military Preparation Camp. As long as there were no major surprises, their odds of victory should be high.

Yet for some reason, he couldn’t shake the ominous feeling in his heart.

The merchant ship sailed on for several more miles.

In the distance, a ship of similar style, also flying the Yang Family flag, was seen approaching.

The members of the Yang Clan were filled with righteous indignation at the sight—it was the very merchant ship that had been stolen from them days ago. The people on board had to be the water bandits from Cyan Wolf Stronghold.

"All hands, on alert!"

A Yang Clan elder roared, his hair and beard bristling with fury.

In an instant, the Yang Clan disciples and Military Preparation Camp soldiers drew their blades and nocked their arrows. The atmosphere grew taut with tension.

"Friends on the other ship, hold your fire!"

Just then, a loud shout came from the opposite boat.

A middle-aged man in brown martial attire stood at the prow of the ship, hands clasped behind his back. His sharp gaze swept over the Yang Family’s vessel. Yang Yi’s pupils constricted; he immediately recognized the man as the Village Chief of Cyan Wolf Stronghold—Li Qianlang.

He glanced back at Chen Sheng instinctively, only to see him still sitting calmly in the Taishi Chair. His posture was languid, his face showing not a hint of tension, as if he were facing some insignificant small fry.

"Commander Chen, we..."

"No rush."

Chen Sheng waved his hand, his tone indifferent. "Let’s hear what he has to say."

He then gave Yan Ming a look. Yan Ming understood at once and closed the cabin doors.

Seeing this, Yang Yi could only suppress his unease and nod in agreement.

The two ships drew closer, stopping when they were less than ten zhang apart.

Li Qianlang stood at the prow, cupped his hands towards Yang Yi, and said in a clear voice:

"Yang. I trust you’ve been well?"

"Mr. Li."

Yang Yi’s face was grim as he replied in a cold voice, "My Yang Clan and your Cyan Wolf Stronghold have always stayed out of each other’s way. Why have you repeatedly plundered our merchant ships? I have come in person today. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?"

"HAHAHA."

Li Qianlang burst out laughing, perfectly calm and collected. "Why so angry, Yang? Might I come aboard for a chat? I will be sure to give you a satisfactory explanation then."

He was fearless about boarding their ship, and for good reason.

Upper Envoy Yu Qiantong was sitting in the cabin right behind him. With an Innate Powerhouse for backup, he would dare to charge into a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair.

Still, before they dropped all pretenses, he wanted to meet Chen Sheng and attempt one last talk.

It would be best, of course, if he could resolve the matter without bloodshed.

If his opponent proved to be stubborn, it would not be too late to eliminate him then.

"Since Mr. Li wishes to talk, then please come aboard," Yang Yi said in a deep voice.

"A man of action, Yang."

With a word of praise, Li Qianlang kicked out, sending a long bamboo pole flying through the air to land firmly in the water.

He leaped after it, his toes tapping lightly on the pole. With his robes fluttering, he crossed the distance in a few graceful bounds and landed steadily on the deck of the Yang Family’s ship, his movements nimble and practiced.

"Mr. Li, are you ready to give me that explanation now?" Yang Yi stepped forward, his eyes locked on Li Qianlang.

Li Qianlang leisurely straightened his robes and gave a faint smile.

"There’s no rush. I’ve heard that Commander Chen Sheng of the Military Preparation Camp is aboard this ship. I have long admired him. Might I ask Commander Chen to grace me with his presence? I have important matters to discuss."

"You..." Yang Yi’s expression changed slightly, feigning shock and anger as if his plan had been seen through.

The confident smile on Li Qianlang’s face grew wider. His gaze went straight to the closed main cabin door, as if he could see through the wooden planks to the person inside.

"You wish to see me? What for?"

Just as Li Qianlang’s voice fell, a cold voice came from within the main cabin.

Immediately, the cabin doors were pushed open from the inside by two soldiers, revealing a young figure seated on a Taishi Chair.

He wore the robes of an eighth-rank military official, and his face was cold and severe. Though he remained seated, an invisible aura of authority and condescending pressure filled the air.

"So you must be the renowned Lord Chen, Chen Sheng?"

A flicker of astonishment crossed Li Qianlang’s eyes—he clearly hadn’t expected Chen Sheng to be so young. He quickly composed himself, however, forcing a calm expression as he cupped his hands.

Chen Sheng didn’t answer. He simply scrutinized him with a pair of deep, cold eyes, as if looking at something already dead.

Li Qianlang grew uneasy under his gaze and forced himself to speak.

"Commander Chen, could we speak in private?"

"If you have something to say, say it here."

Chen Sheng finally spoke, his voice devoid of all emotion. His gaze shifted away from Li Qianlang, and he looked down to gently stroke the scabbard of the Cold-Intimidating Blade resting on his lap.

"Everyone present is one of my trusted men. There’s no need for secrecy."

Li Qianlang’s heart burned with anger at such arrogance.

But he was under the Upper Envoy’s orders. He could only suppress his anger. His gaze swept over the faces of Yan Ming, Li Huai Sheng, and the others before he took a deep breath and said gravely:

"Commander Chen, though I am a man of the Jianghu, I have long heard of your extraordinary methods and hold you in high esteem. However, your recent actions... have been excessively domineering. You’ve cut off the livelihood of many of our brothers.

We were forced into a corner, which is why we resorted to this poor stratagem of plundering the Yang Family’s merchant ships, just to create an opportunity to speak with you, Commander Chen, face to face."

Here, Li Qianlang paused, observing Chen Sheng’s reaction before continuing:

"As long as you, Commander Chen, promise that the Government Office will turn a blind eye to the affairs of the Changshan Waters from now on and allow us to live our lives here in peace, I am willing to swear an oath on behalf of all my brethren in these waters.

We will immediately return all of the Yang Family’s goods and ships. Furthermore, we will never again plunder passing merchant vessels and will live in peace with everyone."

"Furthermore, during festivals and holidays, we will present you with a ’token of our appreciation,’ guaranteed to be to your satisfaction, Commander Chen. Wouldn’t it be better for all of us to get along peacefully, each getting what we need? Why must we resort to fighting and killing, where both sides lose?"

"Bribing me?"

Chen Sheng slowly raised his head. The corner of his mouth curled into a smirk, but his eyes were as cold as daggers. "That does sound tempting... but what if I refuse?"

Li Qianlang’s expression darkened, and his tone hardened.

"If you insist on giving us no way out, Commander Chen, then this will be a fight to the death. And you might want to consider this: since I knew you had an ambush waiting and still dared to board this ship alone, I obviously have an ace up my sleeve.

You’re so young, Commander Chen, yet you already have such status and Cultivation. Your future is boundless. Wouldn’t it be a shame to throw away such a bright future here over a moment of pique?"

"Heh..."

At this, Chen Sheng gave a contemptuous sneer, looking at him as if he were a buffoon.

"You? You think you’re worthy of threatening me?"

"On the basis of..." Before Li Qianlang could even get the next word out, everything changed in a flash.

The instant Chen Sheng’s words fell, Li Huai Sheng, standing at his side, and Xu Shenzhi, who had just pledged loyalty and was eager to prove his merit, attacked without a shred of hesitation.

Two fierce gusts of wind shot toward Li Qianlang. Xu Shenzhi’s attack was especially vicious; his Sword Light flashed like a viper striking from its den, cunning and deadly, aimed straight for Li Qianlang’s throat.

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