Chapter 82: Isn't the principle just standing there?

West City Hundred Household Office.

Because the Commandant Office collapsed and was being rebuilt, this place served as a temporary Commandant Office.

Inside the Hundred Household Office, a surge of aura suddenly fluctuated.

Immediately after, Fang Ming's loud laughter came: "Success! Success! I finally made it!"

Over the past month or so, Fang Ming followed Shen Qing in solving countless major cases, also earning considerable merit, exchanging it for many precious medicines, and after secluding himself for several days, he finally broke through to the Innate Realm.

Shusheng walked over, clapped his hands, and said: "Congratulations, Sir Fang; from now on you should be called Chief Fang."

Fang Ming suddenly startled, covered Shusheng's mouth: "Hey, Shusheng, you dare not speak such nonsense; only Sir Shen is the Chief, how could I dare?"

These past few days Fang Ming has been in seclusion, so he didn't hear the news of Shen Qing's promotion.

Shusheng said lightly: "To be frank, our boss is no longer the Chief."

Fang Ming only felt his mouth go dry, he gulped down several mouthfuls of saliva, and for a moment didn't know what to say.

Shusheng narrowed his eyes and smiled: "He's been promoted to Commandant."

"Shusheng! I ought to warn you."

"Speaking half‑sentences easily gets you in trouble!"

Fang Ming let out a long sigh, his tone full of resentment.

However, his mind was already filled with countless thoughts.

Recalling what Shen Qing said when he first arrived at the Hundred Household Office over a month ago, those words echoed again beside Fang Ming's ear.

"I don't fancy this Chief position; before long I'll have to leave."

"While I'm in office, you behave yourself, don't cause trouble; after I leave, this position remains yours."

He had believed those words ever since Shen Qing, on his first day, shattered two Innate Realm cultivators of the Blackwater Gang and captured the Scouting Cloud Hand technique.

"The Chief position? What is that? It's utterly unworthy of Shen Qing."

"A promotion? That's just a matter of time."

Fang Ming swallowed a mouthful of saliva, never imagining he could jump four ranks at once and land directly as a Commandant.

And Fang Ming didn't need to do anything; he just had to let out two quacks while Shen Qing was on a killing spree, thereby gaining merit and breaking through to the Innate Realm.

It's laughable that Ma Kui is so short‑sighted, and in the end he overestimated himself, seeking revenge on Shen Qing.

Shusheng waved his hand in front of Fang Ming's eyes: "Don't space out; now that you've broken through to the Innate Realm, come with me—the boss and the others are holding a meeting."

Fang Ming hurried to follow.

In the courtyard, Shen Qing, Qin Chuan, Lu Tong, and the Chiefs had gathered to discuss matters.

Fang Ming lightly knocked on the courtyard door.

Shen Qing saw him, smiled, and said: "Fang Ming, you've finally broken through to the Innate Realm—congratulations."

Fang Ming immediately dropped to one knee and saluted: "Chief Fang Ming greets the Commandant!"

Shen Qing waved his hand: "Since you've broken through to the Innate Realm, from now on the West City Hundred Household Office is yours; find a place to sit."

"Thank you, sir!"

Fang Ming rose, feeling a bit uneasy, walked into the courtyard, found a spot at the back and sat down; previously, whenever he saw these Chiefs, he would have to bow and scrape, but he never imagined today he would sit as their equal.

All he failed to notice was that the Chiefs' gazes toward him were filled with envy and jealousy.

The reason is simple: it's because Fang Ming once followed Shen Qing.

From now on, Fang Ming's résumé need not list anything else; just one line will suffice.

When Shen Qing served as Chief in Luo River City, Fang Ming served as his Chief under him.

Just that line alone is enough for Fang Ming's future rise to be smooth and swift.

Qin Chuan gave a light cough and continued the unfinished sentence.

"Peng Mei has confessed; the Peng Family still keeps private soldiers, numbering over a thousand—remember, show no mercy."

"Besides Peng Guang, the Peng Family also has a Master Realm expert; according to my information, they should have seven Innate Realm cultivators, and the number of Acquired Realm cultivators is too great to count."

"However, the main targets are precisely these few; they are also our key priorities—others may escape, but these must not."

"Each take a portrait and look at it carefully."

The Chiefs hurried over to collect the portraits.

At that moment, Old Li came running: "Boss, outside the gate, Golden Guard General Huo Zheng and Majestic Army General Cao Shen request an audience."

Shen Qing raised his eyebrows; Huo Zheng was the one he summoned, but where did this Cao Shen come from? Majestic Army? Does the Yongning Commandery garrison even have such a unit?

All the Chiefs in the room instantly pricked up their ears— a request for an audience? That phrase is truly rare.

Two Third‑Rank generals seeking an audience with a Fourth‑Rank Commandant?

Shen Qing waved his hand: "Fine, then you just watch for now."

Having said that, Shen Qing strode toward the front gate, and Qin Chuan and Lu Tong hurriedly followed.

The courtyard instantly buzzed with discussion.

"I never expected Peng Guang to actually do something like this."

"How far have we come? Eight years ago there was still a Chief named Li Yuan—do you remember him?"

"Of course I remember—wasn't it said he resigned his post?"

"Hmph, this had nothing to do with resigning—you don't know this, but he offended Peng Guang, was forced to return to his hometown, and not long after going back, the Peng Family wiped out his household; I secretly had someone collect their bodies."

To one side, Pan Ruoyuan looked at the portrait and chuckled: "The Peng Family is truly finished; finally someone can deal with them."

But his brother Pan Ruhai remained silent, worried sick.

Outside the Hundred Household Office, Huo Zheng and Cao Shen stood at attention, hoping to leave Shen Qing a good first impression.

Not long after, footsteps sounded; Shen Qing walked out of the courtyard, and the two immediately stepped forward, the sweat on their foreheads revealing how nervous they were.

The two hastily bowed and were about to say: "Huo Zheng/Cao Shen greets Shen San..."

He hadn't finished speaking when Shen Qing raised a hand to cut him off: 'Call me Shen Qing, or call me Commandant.'

The two were startled and hastily corrected themselves: 'Greetings, Commandant.'

Huo Zheng also understood; Shen Qing still didn't want to make a big show of revealing his identity, and at the same time he silently cursed Cao Shen.

He used to be quite sharp, didn't he? How could he not think of such a simple thing?

Of course, Cao Shen was also cursing Huo Zheng in his heart.

Shen Qing nodded: 'Let's go, talk inside, have you brought everyone?'

The two followed behind Shen Qing.

'We brought them; the Golden Warrior Guard's 1,600 personnel are already waiting outside the West City Gate.'

'The Majestic Martial Army's 3,900 personnel are also all present.'

Shen Qing said: 'Majestic Martial Army? I recall there is no such garrison in Eternal Peace Commandery.'

Cao Shen hastily explained: 'Reporting to Shen Three... Commandant Shen, it's like this; our Majestic Martial Army is stationed in Jia Shui Jun, and for the past few years we've been fighting the Japanese pirates.'

'They retreated to Eternal Peace Commandery half a year ago to rest and recuperate; they should be transferred back to Jia Shui Jun soon, and today they just happened to be drinking with General Huo.'

So it's the troops that retreated from Jia Shui Jun; that makes sense.

Suddenly, Shen Qing thought of something and turned to look at Cao Shen.

'Fighting the Japanese pirates? Then you've brought all your military equipment, right?'

'Reporting to Commandant Shen, we have brought them all; they are life-saving gear, not to be parted with even when sleeping.'

'And do you also have the Heaven-Shaking Cannon?'

'Unlike the Golden Warrior Guard and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, these combat troops are equipped with some large-range lethal weapons; the Heaven-Shaking Cannon developed by the Heavenly Workshop is one of them.'

'This thing is not to be underestimated; a single shot will surely kill a Post-Heaven realm martial artist, and if a Heavenly realm martial artist isn't prepared, they will also suffer heavy injuries.'

Cao Shen hastily nodded: 'We have them.'

Shen Qing's lips twitched upward: 'Can you give some to my subordinates to use?'

'Sure!'

Cao Shen had not a hint of hesitation.

Shen Qing suddenly had another thought: Red River Mountain is easy to defend but hard to attack, and its high terrain allows observation of the surroundings; if a large army encircles it, it will surely be detected, so ultimately a frontal assault is necessary.

But a frontal assault would surely cause many casualties, and Shen Qing is not the type who doesn't cherish his subordinates.

Reducing casualties would definitely be best.

Shen Qing gave a hehe laugh: 'Then let's go, we need to discuss new tactics.'

Shen Qing strode forward with big steps.

Huo Zheng grabbed Cao Shen and reminded him: 'Is this... according to the rules?'

Cao Shen laughed heartily: 'In principle, we definitely cannot use this Heaven-Shaking Cannon.'

Saying that, Cao Shen glanced at Shen Qing's back.

'But now, isn't the principle standing right there?'