Free Web NovelChapter 146: Chapter 109: If He’s the Captain, Then Who Am I?
"According to our latest intelligence, he should be coming out of seclusion soon. While it’s still unclear if he has succeeded in Condensing Evil, you absolutely must not let your guard down. The hatred from having his family annihilated makes you sworn enemies; he will definitely seek revenge."
"He might not dare to make a move so brazenly within Ning’an Prefecture City. But the moment you leave its borders, if he’s willing to risk his life to ambush and assassinate you, it will be impossible to guard against."
The Jingwu Bureau’s intelligence network had long ago investigated Chen Sheng’s background and enemies down to the last detail, which prompted this warning.
"Thank you for the warning, Lord Governor. I will take it to heart and be on high alert." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Chen Sheng responded solemnly.
In truth, even without Nie Xuanfeng’s warning, he had never let his guard down around Gao Yuanzhao.
He just hadn’t expected news about Shanxin to leak so quickly; that was something of a surprise.
But on second thought, Chen Sheng was able to let it go.
’After all, no secret can be kept forever.’
"Mm. Go on. Don’t disappoint me."
Nie Xuanfeng said no more. He raised a hand and tossed a Profound Iron Waist Token, already prepared and engraved with the title ’Peacekeeper Envoy,’ through the air to Chen Sheng.
"As you command!"
Chen Sheng caught the token securely. It was cool and heavy in his palm. He bowed once more, then withdrew from the inner hall.
...
G Camp was an elite force directly under the command of the Jingwu Bureau Headquarters. As such, its Government Office wasn’t located outside the city. Instead, it occupied the northern side of the Jingwu Bureau’s main complex, with its own independent training ground and office area.
Soon, Chen Sheng led Li Huai Sheng, Xu Shenzhi, and his other trusted men through the heavily guarded gates of G Camp.
A Peacekeeper Envoy by the name of Zhao Changqiu, having heard of their arrival, came to greet them.
He was about thirty years old, fair-skinned, and had a habit of smiling before he even spoke, giving him a very sociable air. After inspecting Chen Sheng’s waist token and official papers, his face immediately broke into a warm, enthusiastic smile.
"So, you’re Chen, promoted from Changshan County? What a coincidence! I won’t hide it from you, my ancestral home is in Cyan River County, right next to Changshan."
"You could say we have quite the connection."
As he spoke, Zhao Changqiu gave Chen Sheng’s shoulder a familiar pat, his tone overly friendly.
"From now on in G Camp, if there’s anything you don’t understand or if you ever need a hand, just come find me. Don’t you hesitate."
Chen Sheng’s eyes flickered down to the hand on his shoulder, a perfectly measured smile appearing on his face.
"Then I’ll be counting on your support in the future, Zhao."
"Of course, of course!"
Zhao Changqiu laughed heartily, smoothly draping an arm over Chen Sheng’s shoulders and guiding him inside.
"Come, I’ll take you to meet the other colleagues in the camp. We can also discuss arrangements for your men. We’ll see whether we should transfer some people from the other squad leaders or if there’s another plan."
"Thank you for the introductions, Zhao."
Chen Sheng went along with it, replying with a smile.
"Hey, no need to be so formal, Chen."
Zhao Changqiu feigned displeasure, then lowered his voice and spoke in a confidential tone.
"Being assigned to our G Camp makes you one of us. We’ll be working side-by-side from now on. I’ll be straight with you—if I ever run into trouble and need to ask for your help, you can’t just stand by and do nothing, alright?"
Zhao Changqiu’s actions weren’t entirely calculating.
It was just that befriending—or even allying with—a newly promoted Innate Peacekeeper Envoy like Chen Sheng would undoubtedly bolster his own influence and authority, especially given that the four Peacekeeper Envoys in G Camp each had their own agenda.
As they walked, Zhao Changqiu enthusiastically explained the situation in G Camp to Chen Sheng.
Currently, including Chen Sheng, the camp had a total of four Peacekeeper Envoys.
Besides himself, the other two were a man named Lu Cheng and another named Zhan Fusheng. However, when he mentioned Zhan Fusheng, Zhao Changqiu slowed his pace and lowered his voice, his tone carrying an obvious warning:
"Chen, when we see Deputy Captain Zhan in a moment, you might want to be a bit... more respectful."
"Deputy Captain Zhan? Hasn’t the position of Deputy Captain in G Camp always been vacant?"
Chen Sheng raised an eyebrow.
’If Zhan Fusheng is the Deputy Captain, then who am I?’
Zhao Changqiu shot Chen Sheng a look, an expression that said, ’You’re out of the loop,’ and explained in a low voice:
"Zhan Fusheng hasn’t been officially appointed, but rumor has it... the higher-ups have pretty much decided. Besides, he’s backed by our Jingwu Bureau’s Vice Envoy. G Camp doesn’t have a Captain right now, so for all camp matters, Lu and I are temporarily following his lead. And what’s more..."
At this, Zhao Changqiu paused, giving Chen Sheng a meaningful look.
"You’ve been assigned to G Camp now, bringing the number of Peacekeeper Envoys to a perfect four. Doesn’t that suggest the higher-ups have tacitly approved the arrangement? The way I see it, the Deputy Captain position is his, nine times out of ten."
"We’ll be serving in the same office, and he’ll be our direct superior. It’s better to be respectful now to avoid any awkwardness later."
Chen Sheng just smiled at that, offering no reply.
’Now I get it. This is why Nie Xuanfeng never mentioned who the candidate for G Camp’s Deputy Captain was. It’s because this Zhan Fusheng isn’t his man. On top of that, the guy is completely out of line.’
’He’s calling himself Deputy Captain before the official orders have even come down.’
’He’s showing absolutely no respect for the Governor.’
’But since the orders haven’t been issued, nothing is set in stone yet.’
Chen Sheng didn’t call him out on it, simply continuing to walk with Zhao Changqiu.
Before long, the two arrived at the G Camp Government Office Hall.
The moment they stepped inside the hall, two pairs of eyes shot toward them.
One gaze came from a man in a lower seat. He was rather thin, dressed in the uniform of a Peacekeeper Envoy, and had a somewhat scholarly air about him. His eyes held both scrutiny and curiosity.
The other came from the head seat on the dais. That seat, which should have been the vacant Deputy Captain’s, was currently occupied by a man sitting imposingly. He was powerfully built with coarse features and a fierce, unconcealed aura. His eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, were sizing Chen Sheng up from above as he entered.
’I don’t need Zhao to tell me. The thin, scholarly one must be Peacekeeper Envoy Lu Cheng, and the one perched up in the high seat has to be the ’acting’ Deputy Captain, Zhan Fusheng.’
The atmosphere in the hall froze for an instant at Chen Sheng’s arrival.
Seeing this, Zhao Changqiu quickly stepped forward, a broad smile on his face as he tried to smooth things over.
"Lu, Deputy Captain Zhan, this is the newly appointed Peacekeeper Envoy, Chen. Chen, this is Peacekeeper Envoy Lu Cheng, and this is Deputy Captain Zhan."
The thin man, Lu Cheng, immediately stood up. Forcing a smile, he cupped his fist in his palm and said:
"So, Peacekeeper Envoy Chen has arrived. My apologies. I was just discussing an urgent matter with Zhan and was unable to greet you properly. I hope you don’t take offense, Peacekeeper Envoy Chen."
"You’re too kind, Peacekeeper Envoy Lu. Official business comes first," Chen Sheng replied, returning the salute with a level tone.
Zhan Fusheng, however, feigned displeasure.
"Changqiu, the official appointment from our superiors hasn’t come down yet. Let’s not be so quick with the ’Deputy Captain’ title. We wouldn’t want people to think I’m presumptuous and lacking in decorum."
But even as he said this, he remained firmly planted in the head seat. His true meaning was obvious to everyone.
"With Deputy Captain Zhan’s achievements, it’s only a matter of time."
Zhao Changqiu let out a hearty laugh.
Zhan Fusheng seemed to greatly enjoy the flattery. He gave a slight nod, his gaze finally returning to Chen Sheng as he said coolly:
"You must be Chen Sheng. Since you’re here, have a seat."
Chen Sheng glanced over but didn’t make an issue of it. He simply gave a slight nod.
"Alright."
He used no title, nor did he show any humility or warmth.
That one simple word made the atmosphere in the hall stiffen abruptly.
At his response, Zhan Fusheng’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. The air in the room seemed to congeal as Zhao Changqiu, standing to the side, frantically shot Chen Sheng a look.
But Chen Sheng ignored him, calmly taking a seat beside Lu Cheng.
Zhan Fusheng stared at Chen Sheng for a moment before impassively looking away, as if not the least bit angered. He then turned back to Lu Cheng and continued discussing G Camp’s affairs.
