Chapter 236 - 138: Coinciding Plans

Wiping out a clan from the Outer City District? It wasn’t something the disciples of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City hadn’t done before. As long as she comprehended the Frost Snow Realm and became powerful enough, even the Wang Family and the other two clans would have no choice but to accept it.

"Did your actions attract the attention of Ji Jingbei or the Wang Family?"

Shen Qingshuang estimated that it would take her at least several more months to comprehend the Frost Snow Realm. For now, she was merely laying the groundwork in advance.

But little did she know that her own plan to eliminate the Zhou Family perfectly coincided with Chen Cheng’s.

The difference was that Shen Qingshuang intended to play the long game, while Chen Cheng had no such intention. He was already preparing to draw the net.

"Lord Ji and the other Chief Constables have no suspicions," Dai Qingfeng reported truthfully. "This was actually thanks to Chief Constable Chen Cheng. He requested to transfer a few constables from my subordinates to fill out his squad."

"My squad already had a few extra constables, so I just went with the flow and transferred the men to him. At the same time, I pulled the constables who were patrolling the streets near the Zhou residence. It was all just a routine personnel transfer."

"Chen Cheng?" Shen Qingshuang asked, a little surprised. "Didn’t you say he’s been slacking off on duty lately, that he rarely even shows up at the City Guard Department? When did he start caring about his district’s affairs again?"

"Well... I’m not sure about that myself." Dai Qingfeng shook his head slightly, then ventured a guess. "But I’ve heard that Chief Chen is a fierce man who never accepts a loss. I imagine it’s because his squad was short a few constables before, and now he’s trying to get them back."

Shen Qingshuang chuckled at that. After a moment, she said in a teasing tone, "You’re not wrong. It does seem Chen Cheng has never taken a loss. When the Tiger and Leopard Gang stirred up trouble, he wiped them out."

"When his constables wouldn’t follow orders, he kicked them out. Now he’s transferring new men in to get his own back."

"My... this fierce Chen Cheng is truly interesting."

Shen Qingshuang felt she had a better understanding of Chen Cheng now. Even as a Chief Constable, he had the same disposition as Fierce Ah Cheng the Prison Guard—unwilling to suffer a loss and vengeful over the slightest grievance.

’Having such a fierce subordinate isn’t a bad thing.’ Shen Qingshuang was secretly pleased. She then waved a hand to dismiss Dai Qingfeng and walked toward her meditation chamber with a smile.

「...」

「In a private room of a tavern in Lishui District.」

Zhou Xu asked anxiously, "Young Master Wang, is there any news about my father?"

Although he was shouldering the burden for the Zhou Family now, he was still just a Perfect Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm. Without Zhou Hongjun, a Bone Forger Realm Martial Artist, to hold down the fort, the Zhou Family’s position remained precarious.

Even the City Lord’s Mansion couldn’t find a single clue in Zhou Hongjun’s disappearance. His only option was to turn to the Wang Family for help, hoping they could uncover some useful information.

Wang Xiongjie put on an expression of deep regret and said placatingly, "I’ve already reported the matter of Patriarch Zhou to my clan. The Wang Family dispatched numerous Bone Forger Realm Martial Artists to investigate outside the city, but they also came up empty."

"But you need not worry. No news is good news, as they say. Perhaps Patriarch Zhou has simply left Linji City temporarily to handle some urgent business. He’ll return once it’s concluded."

"SIGH... I hope so." Zhou Xu leaned back in his chair, dejected. Then he asked, "Right, there’s no news of my father, but what about Yan Jian’s disappearance? Has the Wang Family found anything?"

Wang Xiongjie shook his head. "The Wang Family knows nothing about that matter either."

Seeing the doubt on Zhou Xu’s face, Wang Xiongjie added, "Yan Jian is Shen Zhiheng’s son-in-law, after all. Even if the Wang Family wanted to make a move on him, we wouldn’t have chosen his wedding day."

"Then what about Chen Cheng?" Zhou Xu said. "The night our family’s caravan was inspected, I specifically sent a subordinate to inform you of his movements. Why didn’t the Wang Family act?"

Wang Xiongjie gritted his teeth in frustration. "That night, Chen Cheng was indeed supposed to travel from Ruyi District back to Lishui District. But the bastard is incredibly cunning. Our Wang Family experts waited at a key intersection all night and never saw a sign of him."

"Then the incident with Yan Jian happened, and Shen Zhiheng was leading his men all over the city to investigate. It became inconvenient for the Wang Family to act again."

"SIGH..." Zhou Xu heaved a long sigh. "Young Master Wang, that Chen Cheng killed Young Master Wang Li and annihilated your entire family branch in Ruyi District. How can you just let him run so rampant?"

Zhou Xu’s words were clearly meant to fan the flames. He suspected the Shen Family was behind Zhou Hongjun’s disappearance and that their next move would be to eliminate the Zhou Family entirely.

Only if the Wang and Shen Families were to fight would the Shens be too preoccupied to deal with the Zhous.

Wang Xiongjie shot him a deep look. "It’s not yet certain that Chen Cheng was behind the massacre of our family branch. But he won’t be hopping around for much longer. He’ll die, sooner or later."

"As for the Shen Family, you needn’t worry too much. My Wang Family elders have already spoken with the Shen Family about Patriarch Zhou’s disappearance. The Shens won’t make any rash moves."

"Furthermore, the City Lord’s Mansion won’t allow the Shen Family to simply wipe out a clan from the Outer City and stir up chaos. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

Zhou Xu hurriedly stood and bowed. "Thank you for the guidance, Young Master Wang. I understand now."

「...」

After parting with Wang Xiongjie, Zhou Xu didn’t return to Guangfu District. Instead, he went to the Zhou Family’s estate at Lotus Pier.

With Zhou Hongjun missing, Zhou Hongda was also deeply worried. The moment he saw Zhou Xu, he eagerly asked about the meeting with Wang Xiongjie.

Zhou Xu, by contrast, had calmed down considerably. "There’s no need to worry, Second Uncle," he said. "The Wang Family still needs us to handle their affairs, so for the time being, they won’t allow the Shen Family to move against us."

Zhou Hongda let out a huge sigh of relief. "If that’s the case, I can breathe a little easier."

"Today, Dai Qingfeng pulled all the constables from the streets near our residence. I fear it was Shen Qingshuang’s doing. The Shen Family is likely targeting Zhou’s Blacksmith Shop."

"The Wang Family relies on Zhou’s Blacksmith Shop to make money, which makes the shop our family’s lifeline. We absolutely cannot afford for anything to happen to it. I’ll send more men immediately to reinforce its defenses."

But Zhou Xu shook his head. "That’s where you’re wrong, Second Uncle. If the Shen Family wants to make a move on the blacksmith shop, we should let them."

"Only when something happens to the blacksmith shop will the Wang Family be reminded of our value. Only then will they spare no effort to protect us."

"Will... will that really work?" Zhou Hongda asked, hesitating.

Zhou Xu said confidently, "Of course. As long as we keep the batch of Black Gold and Mithril here at the family estate, it won’t matter even if the blacksmith shop suffers some losses."

"Alright. I’ll pull all our experts back to the estate and just leave a skeleton crew to watch the blacksmith shop," Zhou Hongda agreed.

Zhou Xu waved his hand. "No, that won’t work either. It would look too deliberate. If word reached the Wang Family, they would surely be displeased."

"You only need to pull the Black and White Double Slaughter and the Twelve Black Armor Guards back to the estate. After all, the Twelve Black Armor Guards must remain a secret. If the Shen Family really does attack the blacksmith shop, it would be bad if they were discovered."

"With the Black and White Double Slaughter and the Twelve Black Armor Guards here, the Zhou Family will have the means to defend itself, even if one or two Bone Forger Realm Martial Artists were to attack."

"As for the ordinary Hospital Martial Artists, they are expendable. Send all of them to the blacksmith shop. That will make it appear as though our Zhou Family takes the blacksmith shop very seriously."

"Yes, yes, you’re right. You’ve thought of everything. I’ll see to it at once," Zhou Hongda said.

"Wait, Second Uncle, don’t rush off," Zhou Xu called out, stopping him. "One more thing. If the Shen Family does attack the blacksmith shop, you are to remain here and guard the estate. Just send someone to inform me. I will personally bring a City Guard Commander to provide support."

Zhou Hongda said with admiration, "Ah Xu, you’re truly one of a kind. Your strategies are peerless! With you here, the Zhou Family will surely navigate this crisis. Becoming strong enough to be an Inner City Clan will be just a matter of time."

"With my elder brother gone, I, your Second Uncle, will follow all of your orders without question."

Zhou Xu smiled faintly. "Second Uncle, we’re family. There’s no need for such formality. Besides, just as Wang Xiongjie said, the Shen Family might not even make a move. I’m just preparing for a rainy day."

「...」

「Midnight.」

A sliver of a waning moon drifted in and out of the clouds, leaving the sky dim and dark with only a faint glimmer of light. The air was cool and crisp—a perfect night for a Flying Thief to be on the move.

Xi’Er and Dong’Er had long since gone to bed. Dressed in black Night Clothes with a cloth masking his face, Chen Cheng stepped out onto the balcony of his loft.

"HOO HOO HOO!"

The Night Owl, its large eyes glowing red, flapped its massive wings and charged toward Chen Cheng.

The strange bird was full of energy at night. Seeing Chen Cheng’s odd attire, it was clearly curious and wanted to investigate.

Chen Cheng stretched out his hand and lifted it slightly. A sudden gust of wind formed, lifting the Night Owl up before tossing it into the air.

Startled, the Night Owl let out a series of hoots and flew off toward Jishui Lake.

Chen Cheng smiled faintly. His body blurred as he leaped out, landing as light as a feather on a willow branch before flitting away along the banks of Jishui Lake.

Without his weights, Chen Cheng moved like a phantom, his skill far surpassing that of any Flying Thief who had cultivated a Light Body Technique.

Most importantly, Chen Cheng didn’t take an ordinary path. He flitted rapidly across the treetops along the lakeshore, heading toward the territory of Lotus Pier.