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

Chapter 41: Madness leads to disaster

Just as the atmosphere in the arena reached a stalemate, a slightly mocking voice rang out:

"I had long heard that Commander Chen of Beicheng was young, ambitious, and arrogant. I thought it was just a rumor, but after meeting him today, I know that it is true. It has really broadened my horizons."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan was overjoyed and hurriedly turned around. Sure enough, he saw Huang Dongchun, the head of the Huang family, walking slowly towards him, surrounded by a group of clansmen.

"Homeowner!"

He quickly bowed and was about to report the situation when Huang Dongchun raised his hand to stop him.

He had already learned about the situation on his way here, so there was no need to elaborate.

"Chen had long heard that the Huang family had a master of poison among their offerings."

Chen Sheng met Huang Dongchun's gaze calmly, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, "It's quite a coincidence. A couple of days ago, I was suddenly attacked by a master of poison in the yamen. I wonder if this matter is related to your esteemed servant?"

The two were not strangers.

When Wu Kuang took office, the local gentry held a banquet to welcome him, and they had met once before.

Back then, Chen Sheng was just an insignificant follower behind Wu Kuang, but now he has become a force that can threaten the Huang family's position.

Upon hearing this, Huang Dongchun put on a fake smile and said indifferently:
"Commander Chen is joking. I know nothing about this matter. This is the first time I've heard of it. As for that retainer, he left the Huang family three months ago and went traveling around."

Chen Sheng feigned surprise and nodded slightly:
"I see. But it doesn't really matter. Anyway, the assassin has been captured by my ambush. He will be executed on another day."

Upon hearing the word "ambush," Huang Dongchun's eyes twitched almost imperceptibly. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging anger within him, and instead asked:
"I heard that Commander Chen has come here to apprehend the remnants of the Seven Star Gang?"

"Indeed, what instructions does Patriarch Huang have?"

"Don't take advice seriously."

Huang Dongchun said with a forced smile, "Since we are citizens of Changshan County, whether it is the Huang family or the Baisha Gang, we should cooperate fully with the government. Chief Shen, open the gate and let Commander Chen's men in to search."

He ultimately chose to endure.

On the one hand, the Qinglin River bandits had already begun their scheme, and in his view, Chen Sheng's arrogance was nothing more than a grasshopper in autumn, unable to hop around for more than a few days; on the other hand, the clan's experts were currently infiltrating the North City Martial Camp to rescue Li Huaisheng, and he needed to use this opportunity to buy as much time as possible for his clansmen.

What he didn't know was that delaying the inevitable was one of Chen Sheng's purposes for this trip.

Otherwise, given Chen Sheng's style, why would he waste his breath on this?

Just like when they wiped out the Seven Star Gang, they immediately ordered a full-scale attack.

Shen Yuan's expression changed, but seeing Huang Dongchun's calm face, he dared not disobey and could only grit his teeth and wave his hand:

"Step aside!"

He knew in his heart that after this incident, the prestige of the White Sand Gang in the west of the city would plummet. However, the White Sand Gang ultimately depended on the Huang family for survival, and since the patriarch had spoken, he had no choice but to obey.

"Deputy Commander Yan."

"Your subordinate is here." Yan Ming stepped forward solemnly.

"Take men in and search thoroughly. Make sure to find all the remaining members of the Seven Star Gang!"

Chen Sheng narrowed his eyes and gave the order in a deep voice.

"Understood!" Yan Ming understood and immediately mustered a team of elite soldiers, who quickly rushed into the White Sand Gang's headquarters.

Whether or not there are remnants of the Seven Stars Gang within the White Sand Gang is not important; what is important is that they must "find" the remnants.

The search within the gang was in full swing, but outside the gang, an eerie silence descended. The Huang family and the Northern City Martial Camp faced off, neither uttering any provocative words, only their eyes clashing fiercely in the air.

About fifteen minutes later, Yan Ming led several bound men out to report:

"My lord, all the remaining rebels have been captured!"

Chen Sheng's sharp gaze shot towards Shen Yuan, his hand already on the hilt of his knife, and he shouted sternly: "Shen Yuan, caught red-handed, what do you have to say for yourself?!"

Shen Yuan looked at the few "remnants" who were clearly members of his own gang, his face turning ashen.

Even before Chen Sheng arrived, he had already arranged for the remnants of the Seven Stars Gang, who were affiliated with the White Sand Gang, to evacuate through the secret passage. What Chen Sheng was capturing at this moment were actually members of the White Sand Gang.

This is clearly a blatant frame-up!

Huang Dongchun glanced at Shen Yuan's frustrated expression and immediately understood the crux of the matter. He then said coldly:

"Commander Chen said they were remnants, so that's who they are? To me, they seem more like ordinary members of the White Sand Gang!"

"how?"

Chen Sheng's gaze suddenly turned sharp as he stared intently at Huang Dongchun. "Does Patriarch Huang intend to teach this official how to handle cases?"

"Commander Chen, please calm down."

Seeing the two sides on the verge of conflict again, Wang Yue quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Since this matter is still controversial, why not investigate it first before determining the guilt of the White Sand Gang?"

Although he had just been humiliated in public by Chen Sheng, he had no choice but to step in and mediate again for the sake of the bigger picture.

Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng feigned a moment of hesitation, his expression softening slightly. After a brief pause, his gaze returned to Shen Yuan.
"Whether these people are truly remnants of the Seven Stars Gang still needs to be verified, but it is a fact that the White Sand Gang obstructed official business today. This official cannot let them off lightly; they are fined six hundred taels of silver and sent to the North City Military Camp before tomorrow."

If there is even the slightest delay, the White Sand Gang will no longer exist in the west of the city by this time tomorrow.

Shen Yuan frowned, subconsciously glancing at Huang Dongchun. Seeing his gloomy expression but silence, he could only take a deep breath, grit his teeth, and bow.
"Yes... I obey."

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, estimating that Li Huaisheng's time should be almost up, so he didn't linger, nimbly mounted his horse, and calmly gave the order:
"Go back to camp!"

The soldiers of the North City Martial Camp immediately lined up in neat rows and followed closely behind, withdrawing from the White Sand Gang.

Watching the procession recede into the distance, Shen Yuan finally couldn't contain himself and roared:

"Too deceiving!"

"When the sky is arrogant, rain will fall; when a person is arrogant, disaster will follow. Let's see how long he can remain so arrogant."

Huang Dongchun snorted coldly, turned around with a flick of his sleeve, and left with his Huang family and their men.

Wang Yue, standing to the side, secretly curled his lip, feeling a bit contemptuous—the Huang family's behavior was nothing special, as they dared not retaliate in public but were indignant in private.

"Judging from his eyebrows and expression, he does indeed resemble Chen Xingzhou by about 70%. I never expected that this person would raise such a son."

Among the crowd, Gao Yuanfeng, who had been observing coldly, spoke in a low voice, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

"Humph!"

Gao Yuanhe snorted coldly, his killing intent palpable: "Let him be smug for a few more days, then I'll send them father and son to reunite in the underworld!"

Chen Sheng's arrogant behavior today has once again brought back memories of his time with the Seven Star Gang.

……

In a private room on the second floor of a restaurant not far away, Yang Xueyao, who had witnessed everything just now, looked at Madam Yang beside her with a pale face and a mixture of fear and pleading:
"Aunt, this man is so arrogant and rude, how can he be a good match for you? Could you please ask Uncle to cancel this marriage?"

Madam Yang glanced at her, a barely perceptible glint of something unusual flashing in her beautiful eyes, her voice cool and clear:
"A young man who is not reckless is not a true youth. Xueyao, your aunt has been through it all. A man who dares to act and shows his sharpness is a true dragon among men, a real man!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Xueyao's face turned bitter. Knowing that it was impossible to change her aunt and uncle's minds, she could only mutter under her breath with a hint of resentment:

"Aunt's words... sound like she's not very satisfied with Uncle."

Madam Yang did not respond to her niece's teasing, but silently looked out the window in the direction where the North City Military Camp had left, sighing inwardly.

The experience is like drinking water; only the drinker can truly understand it.

Only those who suffer know the bitterness.
(End of this chapter)