After the family split up, I achieved martial arts sainthood.

Chen Tong's arrival shattered their plans.

The favorable situation they had painstakingly built up was completely wiped out by Chen Tong.

They had considered that Chen Tong might try to obstruct them.

This is why they are working against the clock and leaving no room for error.

Furthermore, Chen Tong's direct and forceful intrusion demonstrates his confidence in confronting them.

And the determination to fight to the end.

After this incident, there was no room for maneuver for either side.

"Master Yang, if you don't mind, would you like to sit down and have some more?"

Chen Tong ignored the murderous glares from the four clan lords and extended an invitation to Yang Wei.

"Please make yourself at home, Lord Chen. I have had my fill of food and drink and must take my leave now!"

Yang Wei waved his hand and smiled, then turned and left.

This attitude also shows that she doesn't want to have anything to do with Chen Tong.

Gu Xin hesitated for a moment, but ultimately followed Yang Wei away.

He has already decided to follow Chen Tong, but not now.

A business that's rushed or forced isn't a business.

We had to wait for Chen Tong to speak again.

Moreover, Chen Tong wanted to confront the four major clans and seize power that belonged to him.

You should at least show off your skills, right?

Otherwise, if someone is easily swayed by a few words and becomes confused enough to join their cause, wouldn't that make them seem cheap?

Tonight's banquet is clearly a rare test.

Watching Gu Xin leave with Yang Wei, Chen Tong smiled and didn't try to stop him.

He turned around, poured himself a glass of wine, and drank it by himself.

They drank and ate, completely at ease, as if they were truly there for a banquet.

"Chen Tong, is it really going to escalate to this point?"

Master Qian gripped the iron ball tightly, his chubby face turning cold and stern.

His smile had long since vanished, and his gaze toward Chen Tong was now sharp.

"Your hands are reaching too far."

Chen Tong drank alone and casually laughed, "But I can understand it. You've been bullying others for so many years, it's not uncommon."

"If that's the case, why can't we each take a step back?" Master Qian asked indifferently.

"Sure!"

Chen Tong swallowed the meat in his mouth and laughed, "Give me the authority of the yamen's third shift and the city guard's defense."

"You're dreaming!"

Master Tao immediately launched into a tirade of curses.

The reason they were able to act so arrogantly and lawlessly in Qingyuan County was...

It was because they controlled the three shifts of the government office and the city guard.

The Yamen Sanban was responsible for maintaining public order and enforcing criminal law, while the Chengwei Sifang was responsible for sealing off the four areas. It was the core power hub of the Qingyuan County government.

Although they are not the highest-ranking leaders, the middle and lower-level members are all their people.

If higher-ups want to make transfers, without the cooperation of middle and lower-level staff, their orders will be nothing but empty words.

Once they lose these powers, the county government can easily take action against them.

"See? We agreed to each take a step back, but neither of you will back down. What am I supposed to do?"

Chen Tong downed a glass of wine and looked at Master Qian with a helpless smile.

"Let's change the terms."

Master Qian solemnly said, "For example, you can mobilize them, but you can't use them against us."

"What's the point?"

Chen Tong immediately sneered: "What business is it in Qingyuan County that doesn't concern you? If I can't touch you, what use are they to me?"

"Not a single thing to discuss?" Old Master Qian narrowed his eyes.

"Sure!"

Chen Tong let out a burp, then smiled at Master Qian and said, enunciating each word clearly, "Kill me!"

Swish!

The faces of the four clan lords all darkened instantly.

Kill Chen Tong?

If they had the guts, why would they be so conflicted?

Although imperial power has always been hampered by powerful clans and prestigious families.

However, those who could restrain imperial power were the five famous sects, such as Baiyun Temple and Wenchan Temple, which were top-tier institutions in all thirteen states of the world.

Rather than their small families confined to one city or one place.

The imperial court could do nothing against the prestigious families with five prominent surnames, but dealing with these smaller families was effortless.

Killing Chen Tong would be to oppose the imperial court and the imperial power.

They wouldn't dare even entertain such a thought unless they wanted their entire family to be exterminated.

It is precisely because they know that they are still insignificant that they want to unify the martial arts of Qingyuan County.

The purpose is to cultivate talent, help them rise to higher positions, and provide them with protection.

Dealing with Chen Tong was not their ultimate goal.

In the whole scheme, it was just a side effect.

"Lord Chen is joking!"

Master Qian gave a cold snort. How could they admit to such thoughts?

"Lord Chen, please enjoy your meal!"

Master Qian flicked his sleeves, stood up, and left.

Since things have come to this point, there's no point in dwelling on it any longer.

The other gentlemen all stood up and left with them.

"Remember to pay the bill!"

As Chen Tong poured the wine, he didn't forget to offer his advice.

The four clan elders were so angry that their faces turned ashen.

"Master Zhou!"

Chen Tong paid no attention to the feelings of the four major clans. As he watched Zhou Feng get up and walk away, he called out to Zhou Feng.

"You are a martial arts student, and you were selected through the imperial examination. Instead of serving the court, you are willing to be a lackey of your clan. This is beneath your dignity."

Chen Tong glanced at Zhou Feng and gave a soft hum.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Feng remained unmoved, merely clasped his hands slightly in greeting, and then strode past Chen Tong and left.

Soon, Chen Tong was the only one left in the huge Tianxia Zhen Hall.

Chen Tong swallowed the food in his mouth, put down his chopsticks, and didn't linger any longer.

He didn't come here today really for food and drink.

Upon exiting Tianxiazhen, the guards stationed outside had already withdrawn.

The area outside the door was deserted, and the door was almost empty.

Chen Tong walked out and looked around. He saw a carriage parked on the street not far away.

Gu Xin and his apprentice Yang Wei stood by the carriage, chatting casually.

Chen Tong thought for a moment, then strode over.

"Master Yang, Brother Gu."

Chen Tong greeted him warmly with a smile and a fist salute.

"Lord Chen, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Yang Wei nodded slightly, then smiled and said, "I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

After saying this, he boarded the carriage and left without waiting for Chen Tong to stop him.

Only Gu Xin remained in the same spot.

Chen Tong watched Yang Wei leave, ignoring the latter's vehement avoidance of him, and turned to Gu Xin with a smile: "So? What do you think?"

"I have one condition!"

Gu Xin didn't waste any words, and met Chen Tong's gaze with a raised finger and a smile.

He stayed here not only to see the outcome of Chen Tong's confrontation with the four major clans, but also to wait for Chen Tong to recruit him again.

Tell me about it!

Chen Tong smiled and nodded.

"You need to ensure the safety of the people around me."

Gu Xin didn't make an exorbitant demand, stating frankly, "I don't want anyone to use the people around me to blackmail me."

Chen Tong raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

I didn't expect Gu Xin's deliberately made request to be so simple.

"That's only right!"

Chen Tong nodded and smiled, "You can change your terms again."

"That's enough for you."

Gu Xin shook his head; he had no other desires.

His biggest concern right now is that he worries about implicating those around him.

If he could be free from this concern, he would have nothing to fear.