Chapter 209: Chapter 132: Breaking Through to Innate, The Gold-Swallowing Dilemma

"Why do I feel that Chief Clerk Pei Hao harbors hidden discontent? If it weren’t for you killing the assassin today, the Prefecture Government Office would have been covered in blood, losing all face. Why does he act like this?"

They were far from the Government Office now.

Approaching the Primordial Martial Arts Hall.

Han Xiaoru’s stern little face finally relaxed a bit. She let out a long breath and said softly.

"You’re absolutely right."

Chen Ping smiled casually, "Moreover, I can even guess that once we leave the Government Office, Pei Zixing will definitely find a way to leak the news that I killed the Blood Eye Assassin with the Illusory Heart Sword.

He might even do some tricks to make the Wind and Cloud Pavilion bear a grudge against me."

"Aren’t we in a cooperative relationship with the Government Office? Why go against you, or rather, against our Primordial Martial Arts Hall? How does it benefit them?" Han Xiaoru said, spitting secretly, completely unable to comprehend the ways of these noble family descendants.

"No, we’ve never been in a cooperative relationship with them." Chen Ping’s eyes turned slightly cold. "In their eyes, inviting us this time was merely to be a meat shield, cannon fodder.

By the way, you don’t know what cannon fodder is; it’s similar to that Fake Prefect, meant to be sent to die and stall the assassins. Those medicines were essentially bribes to save our lives."

"A scapegoat?"

"Yes, exactly a scapegoat. They overestimated themselves and underestimated their opponent, leading to a botched performance." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"It doesn’t make sense. Our Primordial Martial Arts Hall has no conflicts with the Government Office, no grudges in the past, no enmity now. Is there really a need to plot against us?"

Han Xiaoru was still somewhat puzzled.

These twists and turns were a bit beyond her to comprehend fully.

Chen Ping guessed that this naive girl inherited her mother’s looks and her father’s mind.

However, for a young girl to be pure-hearted and a bit dim-witted is actually a virtue.

It makes interactions especially comfortable.

He smiled and said, "Where in the world is there so much reason to talk about? In the eyes of noble family sons, there are only two kinds of people: those who can be used and those who can’t.

We happen to be the ones who can be used.

Don’t be fooled by Pei Zixing’s amiable face and courteous manner; it’s all a facade. Deep down, they never see us as equal partners."

Saying this, Chen Ping sighed, "If the strength I showed today was slightly weaker, not making him feel too threatened, perhaps he wouldn’t bear a grudge against me.

But the stronger I am, the more uneasy he feels, so he has to find ways to target me. This has nothing to do with personal grudges but is about the bigger picture."

"Why is that?"

"Because, in the eyes of the Pei Family, this Xingqing Prefecture was originally theirs.

If it’s their possession, can they tolerate a Commanding General beneath them being uncontrollable?" Chen Ping asked tactfully.

"So, Pei Zixing and his folks don’t sincerely want to give you the position of Xuanwu Guard Captain either, treating you as a disposable tool?" Han Xiaoru finally understood.

"By leaking the news of you killing the Blood Eye Assassin and provoking the Wind and Cloud Pavilion to issue the Soul-Seeking Order, whether you win or lose, they create a formidable foe for you.

Even if you manage to defeat the Xuanwu Guard Zhang Lianshan, you’ll still be too stretched to confront the Government Office’s power. It’s a triple win situation, calculating you to death."

"Well, you are quite clever, Senior Sister."

"I’ve always been clever, aren’t you just asking for a beating?" Han Xiaoru was displeased.

At that moment, she almost forgot that she couldn’t beat this Junior Brother, proving she was still a bit dense.

"Noble Families, Government, whoever trusts them is unlucky."

Chen Ping looked back towards the Government Office, shaking his head. I intended to share my heart with the bright moon, but the bright moon shines where it will.

Is it so hard to cooperate honestly?

Yet they have to come up with all these tricks.

For now, the noble reputation of the Government is still needed as a front, so I’ll not argue with them for the time being.

As for the future, we’ll deal with it when it comes.

Whoever laughs last will see how it all ends.

Seeing the faint worry in Han Xiaoru’s eyes, Chen Ping said no more.

Some things need to be done, not talked about.

As long as the strength is sufficient, no matter the twists and turns, it can all be cut through with one strike.

...

Back at the Primordial Martial Arts Hall.

Han Wushang, Sima Rou, and all the direct disciples were already waiting.

Before Chen Ping could speak, Han Xiaoru chirped away, recounting every detail of what happened at the Government Office to her parents.

Han Daniu began narrating.

The story was full of twists and turns, with plenty of embellishments.

In her words, the Ninth Junior Brother was practically a divine warrior descending from the heavens, intimidating and fierce, single-handedly suppressing the assassins.

Moreover, having subdued the entire Government Office, he retreated after achieving his great feat, an unbeatable hero.

Even Chen Ping felt his ears were getting slightly warm.

Being flattered like this.

"Good, this really boosts the prestige of our Primordial Martial Arts Hall." As dozens of direct disciples looked at Chen Ping with awe and wonder, Sima Rou was also stirred with excitement, clapping firmly.

"That Blood Eye Assassin with the Illusory Heart Sword had such fame and power, and yet he died at the hands of my disciple. I truly take pride in you."

Alright, enough with the flattery.

Chen Ping finally couldn’t take it, his face flushed.

After some laughs, Sima Rou turned to the direct disciples and said solemnly, "Everyone heard, right? Xiaojiu needs to take up the position of Xuanwu Guard Captain. He’s going to be an official now."