Chapter 106 - 105: Sweep

"Are you saying the rebel army sent you this time just for the four Chief Constables of the Divine Capture Bureau?"

Chen Xuan sat on the chair, took a deep breath.

This rebel army is truly ruthless. Once the four Chief Constables surrender to the rebel army,

then Youlan Mansion will be in deep trouble.

"So, what was the result?"

"None rejected, but none agreed either," the man in green answered truthfully, not daring to show any complacency.

There was no choice; Chen Xuan first interrogated him alone.

If he dared to make a mistake, and his statement didn’t match the other two, then... it would be over.

He didn’t want to die!

"It seems that in front of the Third Grade cultivation technique, these three couldn’t resist the temptation at all."

Chen Xuan pondered silently in his heart.

The court’s contribution point tactic could tie these people down, but once someone offered equivalent conditions, the flaws became apparent.

Moreover, these people might even harbor resentment in their hearts.

"Ah! It’s both good and bad!"

He sighed, then got up and went outside.

"Young master, how is it? Do you need to interrogate the other two?" Ning Xian pointed to the two people and asked.

"No need, we know everything we need to, and they haven’t lied!" His spiritual power had been sensing the man in green, without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

So he deduced that he wasn’t hiding anything or deceiving him.

"Then...?"

Ning Xian looked at the two people outside.

"Thank you, Uncle Ning."

"Hehe, I’m good at this!"

Back in the black market, he dealt with those who betrayed the black market quite often, so he was very adept at such things.

Moreover, he wasn’t surprised that Chen Xuan didn’t spare these three people.

After all,

the current him was no longer the small hunter from Shuanggang Village.

...

Back in the room.

Chen Xuan sat on the bed, his expression complex.

Just as the news of the rebel army planning to attack Youlan Mansion spread, their people had already contacted the Divine Capture Bureau.

No... it should be more than just the Divine Capture Bureau.

If it weren’t for his hidden strength, Celestial Master Long wouldn’t have dared to come to him alone.

Then... those three from the Divine Capture Bureau are very likely to join the rebel army.

This could be a big problem.

"Should I launch a citywide sweep?"

He considered this question in his mind.

It’s not that he was particularly loyal to Youlan Mansion, such things were worthless. He just didn’t want Youlan Mansion to fall.

After all, he had established a foothold here.

If Youlan Mansion fell, he would have to flee and start anew elsewhere.

That would be too troublesome.

The creak of a door broke his train of thought.

Chen Xuan looked up to see Su Wanqiu carrying a meal slowly approaching: "I went to the side room to find you but you weren’t there. I met Uncle Ning who said you were in the room, so I made some fresh food for you since you hadn’t eaten all day."

She set the meal down and said softly, "Come and eat!"

"Alright!"

After a whole day of cultivation and dealing with those unlucky three, he was indeed famished.

"Eat slowly, if it’s not enough, I’ll make more!" Su Wanqiu watched him devour the food, feeling both amused and slightly annoyed.

Seriously....

He gets so absorbed in cultivation he forgets to eat. She really didn’t know whether to praise or scold him.

"Have some soup, it’ll go down better."

She said, feeding him personally.

"Wanqiu, your cooking skills have improved, this soup is delicious!" Chen Xuan took a sip and was immediately impressed.

"As long as you like it."

Su Wanqiu continued to feed him, a satisfied smile on her face.

As long as Chen Xuan was happy, she was happy.

She was just such a simple woman.

....

The next day!

Chen Xuan arrived at the Government Office on time.

Qin Gang and Liu He had already arrived.

"Was everything okay yesterday?" he asked as soon as he entered.

"No problem, chief! With so many people caught, everyone was scared. It was very peaceful yesterday!" The day before yesterday really exhausted the two of them.

"Mm, how did the interrogation of those people go? Any news?"

So many people spreading the news simultaneously, there was definitely someone behind it. He needed to find out how many rebels had infiltrated the city.

"They all said someone gave them silver and instructed them to spread news of the rebel army attacking the city to cause panic."

"Moreover, each of these people was that sort of idle and lazy city dweller, very easy to buy off."

"From what I’ve gathered, the rebel army should have infiltrated quite a few people this time."

Liu He reported the general results of yesterday’s interrogation to him.

"Hmm! Not bad at all."

Chen Xuan praised him and nodded with satisfaction.

Compared to Qin Gang, Liu He is more meticulous; he knows everything without the need to ask.

"Of course, Chief, Old Liu interrogated all day and night without rest! And I did too!"

Qin Gang quickly chimed in for credit, fearing Chen Xuan might forget about him.

"Alright, you’ve all worked hard. After leaving the government office today, let’s eat whatever we want at Ink Lotus Pavilion, my treat!"

Having worked hard all day, it’s only right for the leader to reward them well.

"Thank you, Chief!"

"No need to be polite, Chief!"

"Enough with the formalities, and during this period leading up to the Youlan Association, not a single issue should arise, as Lord Zhuge instructed!"

Upon hearing it was Zhuge Potian’s directive, both of them assumed a more serious demeanor.

"Understood, Chief! I will coordinate with Old Liu for round-the-clock patrols."

"Hmm!" Chen Xuan nodded.

"I’m going to the Divine Capture Bureaus of the other three districts, you guys manage on your own." After giving these instructions, he got on the carriage and left the government office.

"Even the Chief is so concerned, seems like we can’t slack off during this period."

Qin Gang half-reclined on the chair, sighing.

"Yeah, the Chief is the Deputy Director of the Divine Capture Bureau. It’s not just the East District; if anything goes wrong in the other three districts, he’d also be in trouble, so the pressure is quite high."

Liu He also chimed in at that moment.

After all, Chen Xuan used to be quite laid-back, taking each day as it came.

So, the two of them naturally couldn’t continue slacking off as before.

...

The first place Chen Xuan visited was the North District where Luo Encheng was.

"Lord Chen."

Luo Encheng looked at Chen Xuan seated above, filled with mixed emotions.

In such a short time, he had become the Deputy Director of the Divine Capture Bureau, young, powerful, and favored by Lord Zhuge—all of which made him deeply envious.

One must know, he had been a Chief Constable for many years, and only he knew that this was probably the end of the line for him in this lifetime.

"Better call me Brother Chen; it’s closer that way."

"Haha, in that case, I’ll shamelessly oblige."

Luo Encheng chuckled, then asked, "Is there anything you need to instruct me, Brother Chen?"

"It’s possible a lot of insurgents have infiltrated the city, so after some consideration, I’ve decided to conduct a sweep operation across the four main districts simultaneously, and repeated every few days!"

"A sweep? That might cause some discontent among certain people."

Luo Encheng furrowed his brow, showing signs of worry.

"I know, but for the sake of the Youlan Association, it has to be done! Even if there’s discontent, it doesn’t matter; Lord Zhuge has our back anyway."

In fact, Chen Xuan had been observing him all along.

When he mentioned the sweep operation, he clearly sensed a pause in Luo Encheng.

Though he quickly recovered, Chen Xuan still caught it.

"Looks like as the man in blue said, he’s tempted, hence reluctant about the sweep."

Chen Xuan thought to himself.

But it’s human nature; after all, he’s been stuck at the Fifth Grade for quite some time, and without enough contribution points to exchange for a Third Grade Cultivation Technique, how could he resist the temptation now?

"Alright, let’s settle it then. When the time comes, the four main districts will act together. I will send someone to notify you of the specific timing. I still need to visit the Divine Capture Bureaus in the other two districts, so don’t see me off."

After speaking, he got up and left the North District Divine Capture Bureau.

Actually, Chen Xuan did this for the sake of Youlan Mansion, and also perhaps to help him a bit.

After all, should he side with the insurgents, Chen Xuan believed that even if Luo Encheng obtained a Third Grade Cultivation Technique, the chances of reaching the Third Grade were slim.

Talent and age were facts he couldn’t ignore; he just didn’t want to accept them.

...

Chen Xuan subsequently visited the two southwest districts, but for their Divine Capture Bureaus, he directly informed them of the need to unite all four districts for a raid on Youlan City. Even if Xia Yu and Liu Yi were unwilling, he didn’t give them a chance, showing his Deputy Director’s aura.

After all, his relationship with these two was quite ordinary, so there was no need for unnecessary politeness.

Finally, Chen Xuan arrived at the headquarters of the Divine Capture Bureau to detail all the arrangements to Zhuge Potian.

"You really know how to create trouble! One sweep operation after another, bear in mind there are bigwigs behind those merchants."

Zhuge Potian looked at him, honestly appreciating Chen Xuan; otherwise, he wouldn’t have told him to prepare well for the Youlan Association last time.

Still, this guy knew how to stir things up.

Of course, he wasn’t afraid. After all, the Chief Steward had already instructed that stability during this period must be ensured at all costs.

He just dreaded the hassle when some people came to plead or whatever.

Annoying!

"Hehe, I really have no choice either. Caught so many people, the Divine Capture Bureau can’t hold them anymore. If I don’t clean up properly, and there’s yet another batch, I’ll have no choice but to send them to you!"

Chen Xuan claimed he’s reluctant but unavoidable, expressing his grievance.

The sight almost made Zhuge Potian want to slap him.

Send them to him? Wishful thinking!

"Alright, alright, that’s settled then! Get out quickly if you have nothing else, every visit from you brings big trouble." Waving his hand, he showed a face full of disdain.

"Oh right, I really do have something, regarding cultivation, okay?"

Fortunately, Chen Xuan added this, otherwise, Zhuge Potian would have already gotten up to leave, fearing it would be yet another troublesome issue.

"Speak, next time, get straight to the point."

Zhuge Potian glared at him.

"Yes, yes," Chen Xuan quickly nodded, accompanied by a smile, "it’s like this, I want to ask about Spirit Cultivation, my lord."

"Spirit Cultivation? Where did you hear about that?"

Zhuge Potian was surprised. Spirit Cultivation was nearly extinct; not only ordinary people, but even in Youlan Mansion, those who knew about Spirit Cultivation could be counted on one hand.

And he’s sure that Chen Xuan wasn’t among them.