Chapter 132 - 95: Courting Death

To show his sincerity, Yan Jian was quite generous, taking Chen Cheng to a private room on the second floor and ordering a large spread of food and wine.

After exchanging toasts and downing a few cups of wine, Yan Jian looked at Chen Cheng and said, "Mr. Chen, it can’t be easy to be assigned to the Lishui Sub-Department and immediately put in charge of the Qingshui Pier area."

"It’s manageable," Chen Cheng said with a smile.

"Sigh..." Yan Jian sighed and said, "The Lotus Pier area that I oversee is right next to your jurisdiction, and it’s also a mess. Since our territories are connected, we should look out for each other from now on.

"If you run into any trouble, Mr. Chen, just say the word. Of course, if something happens at Lotus Pier, I hope you can lend a hand as well."

"Alright." Chen Cheng gave a slight nod, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

After being ambushed by Ding Mo during the Black Lotus Sect uprising, this guy Yan Jian seemed to have become a completely different person. He had not only lost his former arrogance but had even grown paranoid, seeing enemies behind every corner.

Seemingly sensing Chen Cheng’s thoughts, Yan Jian continued, "Mr. Chen, the Lishui District is unlike any other. There are countless powerful individuals here.

"To be honest, I’ve already reached Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm. In any other Sub-Department, I wouldn’t say I could do whatever I want, but I wouldn’t be far off.

"But in Lishui District, the leaders of several major gangs are all Perfect Martial Artists of the Muscle Strengthening Realm. The leaders of the Giant Shark Gang and the Golden Flood Dragon Gang are even Bone Forging Realm Martial Artists.

"Then there are the Chu and Zhou Families, great clans that also have Perfect Martial Artists of the Muscle Strengthening Realm at their helms."

At this point, he suddenly lowered his voice. "Although the main branch of the Zhou Family moved to Guangfu District, their main businesses and influence are still in Lishui District. In fact, they’re right in my jurisdiction, the Lotus Pier area. The one in charge, Zhou Hongchang, is the younger brother of the Zhou Family Patriarch, Zhou Hongjun. He’s also a Perfect Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm, and incredibly powerful.

"Lotus Pier is right next to Qingshui Pier. Mr. Chen, you had that run-in with the Zhou Family back in Ruyi District, so you need to be careful."

"Oh?" Chen Cheng’s brow furrowed slightly. ’I’ve been too careless,’ he thought. ’I completely forgot to investigate the Zhou Family’s background.’

’No matter what, I killed Zhou Fang, and then Zhou Xu sent assassins after me and failed. This grudge is set in stone.’

Seeing Chen Cheng’s reaction, a flicker of satisfaction flashed in Yan Jian’s eyes. ’I’ve finally found his weak spot,’ he thought. ’From now on, Chen Cheng will have no choice but to ask me for help. If I play my cards right, appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him, I might even be able to pull him in as my underling.’

"During the recent Black Lotus Sect uprising, the Zhou Family was implicated and their power took a hit. But with the backing of the Wang Family, one of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City, they remain standing.

"Zhou Xu is known to be sinister, ruthless, and vengeful over the smallest slight. It’s said the Zhou Family also has connections with Jianghu influences in the Black Market and often uses all sorts of vicious, underhanded methods to harm their rivals."

Yan Jian added a few more details. Seeing Chen Cheng’s brow knit tightly, he felt a surge of satisfaction before putting on a righteous expression. "But you don’t have to worry too much, Mr. Chen. After all, you’re a Chief Constable of the City Guard Department. With your official status, the Zhou Family won’t dare move against you openly.

"As for any dirty tricks they might try in secret... well, like I said, just give me a shout, Mr. Chen, and I, Yan Jian, will definitely do everything in my power to help."

"Alright. In that case, thank you, Mr. Yan," Chen Cheng said, cupping his hands. ’Regardless,’ he thought, ’the information Yan Jian provided about the Zhou Family is worth my thanks.’

Yan Jian chuckled and also cupped his hands. "No need for formalities, Mr. Chen."

After lunch, the two of them returned to the Lishui Sub-Department together.

At the main gate, they ran into Wang Li walking out.

Wang Li was dressed in a black, cloud-patterned uniform, striding forward with his head held high and his nose in the air, the very picture of arrogance.

"Well, well! Junior Brother Chen, I didn’t expect you to become a Chief Constable in Lishui District too. It seems I underestimated you," Wang Li said with a sidelong glance, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Chen Cheng studied his build carefully, growing more certain. ’He is, without a doubt, that rat from the Wind and Rain Tower, Ding Mo.’

As he was wondering how to reply, he suddenly noticed the look Yan Jian gave Wang Li—it seemed to hold a hint of apprehension.

When Chen Cheng didn’t answer, Wang Li turned to glance at Yan Jian and jeered, "Chief Yan, it looks like you and Chief Chen are getting along well. Already thick as thieves?"

Yan Jian frowned but didn’t reply, striding through the gates of the City Guard Department.

Chen Cheng couldn’t be bothered with Wang Li either and followed him through the gates. After a few steps, he glanced back, seemingly by chance, and his eyes met Wang Li’s.

Chen Cheng offered a faint smile, then turned and walked away as if nothing had happened. In that brief glance, however, he had clearly seen a flash of killing intent in the depths of Wang Li’s eyes.

Back on the second floor of the main Government Office Hall, Yan Jian looked at Chen Cheng, opened his mouth as if to speak, but then simply shook his head slightly and went straight to his own office.

Chen Cheng frowned slightly and headed to his own room as well.

’If I can guess Wang Li’s identity, then Yan Jian, who has fought him twice, has probably figured it out long ago too.’

’He warned me about the Zhou Family but didn’t mention Wang Li. He’s clearly wary of something.’

...

In the afternoon, Chen Cheng was diligent in his duties, familiarizing himself with the different areas of his jurisdiction. It wasn’t until after the afternoon roll call, when he had met with the constables on night duty and assigned their tasks, that he finally started his leisurely walk toward Ruyi District.

As he walked, a luxurious carriage suddenly galloped up from behind him. As it drew alongside, the curtain was abruptly lifted, revealing a sneering, smiling face before it was quickly shut again.

Chen Cheng stopped dead in his tracks, his brow furrowing slightly.

He had seen clearly: the person in the carriage was none other than Wang Li. And the carriage was heading straight for Ruyi District.

’That smile on Wang Li’s face was full of taunting and mockery. The way he quickly lifted the curtain for me to see... that couldn’t have been a coincidence.’

’Since it wasn’t a coincidence, it must have been directed at me. It seems that in his eyes, I’m already a dead man.’

’Is he planning another night visit to the Chens’?’

With that thought, Chen Cheng suddenly quickened his pace.

...

「Nightfall.」

「Ruyi District, Dongchang Street.」

Although this wasn’t the center of Ruyi District, it was closer to the heart of the South City District, and its residents were all powerful and influential families.

The bluestone-paved street was wide, smooth, and immaculate, lined on both sides by large compounds with high walls.

The Wang Family’s estate in Ruyi District occupied the most prominent location on the north side of Dongchang Street. It was a grand, three-courtyard mansion, and at this moment, the central courtyard was brightly lit.

In the main hall, Wang Cong had prepared fine wine and delicious food, and was enthusiastically entertaining his younger cousin, Wang Li.

Two flamboyantly dressed young women with alluring figures accompanied Wang Cong. They periodically leaned into his embrace, giggling coquettishly as they brought wine cups to his lips.

By now, Wang Cong was already tipsy. He pulled the woman on his left into his lap and fondled her for a moment.

Just then, the woman on his right brought another cup of wine, urging him to drink.

"Cousin, it’s rare to see you in such high spirits. Let’s keep drinking," Wang Cong said, taking the cup and raising it to Wang Li.

"Alright!" Wang Li raised his cup, downed the wine in one gulp, and slammed the empty cup on the table with a SLAM. "How satisfying!"

Jiang Yun, who was standing beside him to pour his wine, was startled by the sudden noise and froze for a moment.

Wang Cong scolded her, "Jiang Yun, what are you spacing out for? Keep pouring for my cousin!"

When it came to waiting on people, Jiang Yun wasn’t as attentive as his two concubines. However, Wang Li was singularly focused on cultivating the Martial Dao and had no interest in women, so Wang Cong had arranged for Jiang Yun to pour his wine.

Since Jiang Yun also cultivated the Martial Dao, she was nimble and quick, which was satisfactory enough for Wang Li.

She had been intending to curry favor with Wang Li anyway, so she quickly complied and refilled the cup in front of him.

"Cousin, come on and tell me, what’s the happy occasion?" Wang Cong asked again. He was quite surprised that Wang Li had come looking for him to drink in such high spirits, but no matter how many times he asked, Wang Li refused to say, making Wang Cong all the more curious.

Wang Li raised his eyebrows and said in a deliberately profound tone, "It’s nothing major. I’m just going to crush an ant in a little while..."

BANG!

Just then, the door was suddenly kicked open, and a figure dressed in black burst into the room.

Before the figure even fully entered, the chilling aura of a Long Saber was already descending upon Wang Li.

Wang Li remained composed in the face of danger. He shot his hand out, grabbed the Longsword resting by the table, and thrust it toward the intruder with a backhand strike.

His Sword Technique was at the Perfection level. This full-powered thrust was as fast as lightning and incomparably sharp—he intended to kill his attacker in a single counter.

In that split second, a ripple spread through the surrounding air. Wang Li felt his Longsword suddenly slow down. A faint breeze brushed his neck. ’Not good!’ he thought. Just as he was about to leap away, his vision suddenly spun, finally freezing on the sight of a headless corpse, still clutching a sword.

The flash of the saber was gone in an instant. Wang Li’s head flew into the air and thudded to the ground, his eyes wide with utter shock. Then, the light in them slowly faded, leaving them dull and lifeless.