The next day, the military camp's drill grounds.
Chen Sheng continued his arduous training without pause, tempering himself day and night. Assisted by the power of Blood Qi Pills, though his cultivation did not advance a thousand li in a day, it steadily improved. The numbers on his panel were the best proof.
[Basic Blade Technique - Major Success (450/1000)]
[Golden Bell Body Forging Method - Minor Success (243/500)]
However, though he currently held his stance training posture, his gaze was somewhat grave. With a thought, the [Seek Fortune and Avoid Calamity] Heavenly Tome silently emerged—four ancient characters shimmered with a dim light. The scribbled words that had manifested this morning had left his heart chilled until now.
[I am Chen Sheng. When you see these words, it is already too late for regret... It turns out that in the Quartermaster case, Wang Yi's report was merely the trigger. Behind it all, Commandant Nie wished to eliminate Secretary Zhou, and I merely suffered a calamity without cause.
Wu Kuang once summoned me for questioning, explicitly stating that if I was willing to step forward and testify against Secretary Zhou, I could be pardoned. Without deeper thought, I chose to let my friend die in my stead and immediately backstabbed him. Yet after Secretary Zhou was executed, I was still transferred elsewhere, ultimately unable to escape the fate of the frontier garrison.
Only then did I realize this was Wu Kuang's test. He appeared appreciative on the surface, but was actually deeply disappointed by my readiness to betray. He feared I would betray him in the future as well. On the road to the frontier, I was overcome with regret... Had I known earlier, perhaps I could have turned misfortune into blessing...]
Having finished reading the tome, a flicker passed through Chen Sheng's eyes. So Wang Yi successfully bringing down Secretary Zhou and himself was merely a matter of coincidence—he had happened to become the fuse. Even without him, Commandant Nie had already fattened the pig and was waiting for the year-end slaughter.
He simply hadn't expected that Wu Kuang would use this to test loyalty.
Thinking carefully, under normal circumstances, after weighing the pros and cons, he would most likely have chosen to preserve his own skin, even climbing over others' bones to rise.
Now it seemed that in the eyes of such superiors, those who did not value benevolence and righteousness indeed found it difficult to earn genuine regard.
Fortunately, he had foreseen the risk and naturally had a strategy to deal with it.
"Deputy Commander Chen, Commander Wu has returned to camp and summons you to his tent immediately."
A soldier hurried over, reporting with a bow.
"Understood."
Chen Sheng reined in his thoughts, ended his stance training, and followed him to the central army tent.
Inside the tent, Wu Kuang was alone. After the soldier withdrew, he did not speak. He merely fixed his piercing gaze directly on Chen Sheng, waiting quietly for him to speak first.
"Sir, this subordinate has an important matter to report." Chen Sheng was the first to break the silence.
"Speak."
"Yesterday, Wang Yi..."
Chen Sheng briefly reported the events of the previous day, his words cautious.
"I heard you were present at the time?" Wu Kuang's tone was flat, betraying neither joy nor anger.
"Indeed. Wang Yi still seemed unwilling to give up on the deputy commander position and wished to borrow money from this subordinate to grease palms, but this subordinate refused due to old grievances. Just as we were arguing, Secretary Zhou broke in with his men and even searched out some stolen goods from beneath his bedding..."
Chen Sheng responded with ease, reciting the prepared lines he had long since rehearsed.
Wu Kuang listened quietly, his knuckles lightly rapping the table, neither endorsing nor rejecting. A moment later, his tone suddenly shifted:
"Your cultivation has advanced so quickly—are you using Blood Qi Pills or Blood Qi Powder?"
The test had come. Chen Sheng's heart chilled, and he immediately lowered his head, his voice dropping a few degrees:
"Reporting to Sir, it... it was Blood Qi Pills."
His frank admission instead caused Wu Kuang to stiffen slightly. He had originally expected the other to quibble and evade.
"Do you know Blood Qi Pills are military supplies specially allocated for commanders? For a soldier to purchase them privately is to be severely punished by law! If this matter were leaked, you would surely face punishment!"
Wu Kuang's voice suddenly turned cold, and crushing pressure surged forth.
"Sir, please save me! This subordinate... this subordinate is willing to exhaust his family fortune, only begging Sir to protect me!" Chen Sheng showed panic on his face and hurriedly bowed in supplication, his posture placed extremely low.
"Exhaust your family fortune?" Wu Kuang raised an eyebrow, subconsciously pressing:
"How much family fortune do you have?"
"In ready silver, roughly... a little over one hundred taels."
Wu Kuang stroked his long beard, suppressing the trace of greed in his heart, and let out a cold snort:
"Hmph, do you think this official is the sort of corrupt villain who covets wealth and perverts the law? Let me tell you the truth—Secretary Zhou and his faction's crimes are far from as simple as privately selling resources! They bought low and sold high, colluded with foreign enemies, and even secretly communicated with rebels. This time, those above are determined to take him down; no one can save him!"
He paused, his gaze as sharp as a blade, pressing on Chen Sheng:
"But those above still need a pretext. If you are willing to step forward and testify that the quartermaster who traded with you violated regulations, not only can this official guarantee your safety regarding this minor fault, but perhaps I can even put in a good word for you before Commandant Nie. This is a rare opportunity."
The air inside the tent instantly congealed. Chen Sheng showed a struggling expression and remained silent for a long while.
"What?" Wu Kuang suddenly slammed the desk and said fiercely:
"You are unwilling?!"
Chen Sheng seemed to go through a difficult choice. Finally, he raised his head, but his gaze became exceptionally resolute.
"Sir, please see clearly: though that quartermaster was at fault, that he risked selling pills to this subordinate ultimately resolved the urgent need of this subordinate's cultivation. Though this subordinate fears military law, I absolutely cannot commit such an unrighteous act and betray one who showed me kindness!
This subordinate is willing to offer all his savings, begging Sir for extra-legal leniency. If it is truly too difficult... this subordinate is also willing to accept punishment!"
The atmosphere in the tent was suppressed to the extreme. Wu Kuang's eyes blazed as he stared fixedly at Chen Sheng. On the surface he appeared angry, but beneath the surface his heart surged with undercurrents, and a sense of appreciation gradually arose.
He was soon to be promoted and transferred elsewhere, and needed to cultivate trusted confidants. Huang Ren had his elder brother's background; he could not trust him. Instead, he leaned more toward someone with clean roots whom he had personally promoted. His earlier words had all been a test.
If Chen Sheng had truly betrayed another to preserve himself, he would still protect him according to his promise, but before departure he would definitely transfer him away from the core—he absolutely dared not keep such an unrighteous person at his side.
However, Chen Sheng's answers, sentence by sentence, aligned with the measuring stick of "loyalty and righteousness" in his heart.
Not bad.
One who valued bonds and righteousness, who would rather harm himself than let others down—this was material worth carving.
But he needed to confirm one final time. Wu Kuang's face sank like water as he said in an icy voice:
"Have you truly thought this through? If that quartermaster bites back and implicates you first, your crime will be compounded! This deputy commander position you worked so hard to obtain will surely be lost. For the sake of a corrupt criminal, is it worth it?"
"Though this subordinate is no sage, I also know that the word 'righteousness' comes first. This matter was done willingly by this subordinate. If I am punished, I will absolutely have no complaints!"
Chen Sheng's tone was firm and decisive, leaving no room for recourse.
"...Enough."
Wu Kuang seemed helpless and waved his hand. "You may go. Do not mention this matter to anyone. This official... will do my best to handle it for you."
"Thank you for Sir's grace!"
Chen Sheng showed gratitude, stepped forward, and took out a money pouch from his bosom, preparing to place it on the table.
"Take it back!"
Wu Kuang stopped him decisively, his tone brooking no doubt. "This time, this official will not take your silver."
"...Yes, thank you, Sir!"
Chen Sheng gave a deep bow, put away the money pouch, and slowly withdrew from the great tent.
The moment the tent curtain fell, he finally let out a secret long breath.
This trial had passed. Not only was he unharmed, but he had likely won even more of Wu Kuang's regard.
With the answer key in hand while solving the problem, one truly could seek fortune and avoid calamity, advancing step by step with secure footing.
...
Several days passed in a flash.
As expected, Secretary Zhou and his entire faction, on charges of "reselling military supplies and colluding with foreign enemies," were thunderously taken down by Commandant Nie. All were sentenced to execution by beheading, and the army was shaken into solemn respect.
As for Chen Sheng, he passed through this storm safely, not suffering the slightest involvement.
That night, he once again answered the summons and stepped into Wu Kuang's great tent.
When Wu Kuang saw him enter, his first words were:
"This official will soon be transferred to Changshan County in Ning'an Prefecture, assuming the post of county lieutenant. I recall, are you not a native of Changshan?"
His gaze fell upon Chen Sheng, and he then asked faintly:
"Are you willing to accompany this official to take up the post, returning to your hometown in glory?"