Chapter 14: The Joy of Bullying Others by Relying on Power, You Cannot Imagine (Seeking Follow-up Reads)
The crowd looked at each other in dismay.
Having not seen him for a few days, Chen Mo seemed like a different person... not only had his strength soared, but his methods were also so ruthless!
What shocked them even more was that Yan Liang, who was also a Platoon Leader and the nephew of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, had actually swallowed such a bitter pill!
It was simply incomprehensible!
Those who had been laughing the loudest just moments ago felt their scalps tingle; they lowered their heads, terrified of drawing the attention of this star of misfortune.
The white-haired elder did not know why Yan Liang had suddenly backed down, but he could see that there was nothing he could do to Chen Mo today.
However, he still refused to concede verbally.
"Brat, I advise you not to be happy too soon!"
"Relying on your father's power and influence to act recklessly and disregard the law—with such an arrogant air, do you really think no one can deal with you?"
"There is plenty of time ahead; you had best not let this old man catch you in a trap..."
Chen Mo dug at his ear and interrupted impatiently, "Company Commander Chu, how old are you this year?"
The white-haired elder was stunned by the question and frowned, "This old man is sixty-five this year, so what?"
"With one foot in the grave and still just a Company Commander, how much room for improvement do you think you have left?"
"Both your martial path and your official career have reached their ends; what right do you have to talk to me about 'plenty of time ahead'?"
"What did you say?!"
Chen Mo’s successive retorts made the white-haired elder tremble all over, his beard blowing high in his rage.
"I am not yet twenty and am already a Sixth-Rank Return to Origin; surpassing you is merely a matter of time."
"As for you mentioning my father... I almost forgot, you are like a widow sleeping alone—you have no one above you, so you simply cannot imagine the joy of bullying others by relying on power."
Chen Mo said in a mocking tone.
"What? Did I hear that right!"
"Chen Mo has already broken through the mortal shell and stepped into the Sixth Rank?!"
"No wonder he could fight two Platoon Leaders of the Ding Fire Division in a row and even sever one of Yan Liang's hands!"
"With such strength, he is likely enough to rank among the Ten Heroes of Qingyun!"
The training ground was in an uproar, the noise reaching the heavens!
After the shock, most people wore expressions of wariness.
Meanwhile, the members of the Gui Water Division stood with their backs straight, faces glowing with pride, sharing in the honor!
Among the ten divisions, the Imperial Consort’s faction held only four; outnumbered, they were usually at a disadvantage, and life was not easy.
Chen Mo had truly vented their pent-up anger this time!
Fatty Qin Shou even shouted from the side, "Platoon Leader Chen is mighty!"
Company Commander Chu’s old face flushed red, his teeth grinding audibly, yet he had no way to deal with Chen Mo.
In the end, he could only snort coldly and flick his sleeves as he left.
Like a defeated dog.
Chen Mo looked on with disdain.
A mere Company Commander was not worth mentioning at all.
The interior of the Tianlin Guard was a mix of good and bad, with the two factions constantly squeezing each other out.
Rather than waiting to be plotted against, it was better to take the initiative, and it would also prove his value to the Imperial Consort!
As for the nail that sticks out getting hammered down...
Today, he was standing on the branch; let’s see who dared to fire a shot.
"No roll call today; return to your posts and get to work. Everyone disperse."
Shen Shuchou waved his hand, dismissing the crowd.
Seeing Chen Mo trying to blend into the crowd and slip away, he said, "Come with me."
Then he walked into the pavilion with his hands behind his back.
"If it’s a blessing, it’s not a disaster; if it’s a disaster, there’s no avoiding it..."
Chen Mo sighed and silently followed behind Shen Shuchou.
The black-haired woman with a ponytail stood in a corner, watching Chen Mo’s back, her eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Also at the Sixth Rank, his strength is above mine, especially that overbearing blade intent, which has similarities to my own..."
"I didn't expect such a formidable rival in the division office; it truly delights me!"
Gui Water Division Office.
In the room, Shen Shuchou sat at the desk, burying his head in reviewing documents, leaving Chen Mo aside without even offering him a seat.
Chen Mo moved a chair over on his own and sat opposite Shen Shuchou.
He picked up the teapot on the table and poured himself a cup.
As soon as it touched his lips, his expression changed slightly.
"Is there wine in this teapot?"
Shen Shuchou didn't even look up and said, "Drinking on duty, one month's salary docked."
Chen Mo: "¿"
Not until he finished reviewing all the documents did Shen Shuchou look at him directly and ask bluntly, "Why?"
Chen Mo answered calmly, "I’ve long found Yan Liang an eyesore, so I just used the opportunity to vent; mainly, it’s because I discovered that the Yan family is secretly..."
"I mean, why did you tear up the marriage contract?"
"In what way is Zhixia not good enough for you?"
Shen Shuchou said coldly.
"..."
Chen Mo’s expression froze.
Shen Shuchou, Company Commander of the Gui Water Division.
Also the second young master of the Shen family, and Shen Zhixia’s own brother.
"My brother-in-law is my direct superior, and I dared to tear up the marriage contract in public... am I a centipede, worried that I don't have enough small shoes to wear?"
"The key is that I was in love with a 'paper character,' which is a case of the little head controlling the big head."
"If you don't die, who will!"
Regarding the various behaviors of his predecessor, Chen Mo was already beyond speechless.
In this world fraught with crises, his predecessor was simply terrifyingly naive.
Like a clear-eyed yet stupid college student who wandered into a palace drama; when someone fed him poison, he would even thank them.
"This matter was not my wish."
"The specific situation is not something I can explain in a moment."
"In short, Company Commander, you can understand it as me acting on behalf of the Imperial Consort."
Chen Mo lowered his voice and said mysteriously.
Anyway, it was always right to dump the blame on the Imperial Consort.
Shen Shuchou’s thick brows knitted together.
His father had kept his mouth shut about this matter and hadn't revealed much, but he could roughly guess some of it.
That courtesan’s identity must be problematic; otherwise, they wouldn't have searched the Music Conservatory time and time again.
"So, you mean you still like Zhixia in your heart?"
"I heard that you got her all wet at the Chen Fu yesterday."
Shen Shuchou raised an eyebrow.
Hey, talking like that is very easy to misunderstand!
But it seems that is indeed...
"Ahem, about that..."
Noticing the somewhat dangerous gaze from the other side, Chen Mo nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, "Zhixia and I are childhood sweethearts, we grew up together, so naturally there is a foundation of affection; therefore, something like a marriage contract is irrelevant."
"What you say makes sense; a marriage contract is indeed meaningless."
Shen Shuchou pinched his chin, deep in thought.
Just as Chen Mo was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he heard him mutter to himself, "Perhaps I should give up the chance to be promoted to Deputy Battalion Commander and ask the Imperial Consort to grant the marriage; that would be more secure..."
Chen Mo: Σ(°△°|||)
"By the way, what did you say about the Yan family?"
Shen Shuchou asked after coming back to his senses.
Upon hearing what Chen Mo said next, his expression gradually turned cold, and murderous intent surged in his eyes, which were as deep as a pool!
"Boss!"
As soon as Chen Mo walked out of the office, Qin Shou, who had been waiting outside, hurried over.
"How was it? The Company Commander didn't give you a hard time, did he?"
Chen Mo shook his head and said, "It’s fine, just docked a month's salary."
Qin Shou breathed a sigh of relief and then said with extreme excitement, "You were so mighty just now! One against two, suppressing two Platoon Leaders, and you even severed one of Yan Liang's hands! From now on, the Ding Fire Division will have to take a detour when they see us!"
"And that woman Li Yuan, I’ve long found her an eyesore; relying on her good sword skills, our brothers have suffered plenty of abuse from her!"
"Hmph, what 'first person under a Battalion Commander,' isn't he still being beaten down by you..."
Halfway through his sentence, Qin Shou felt a slight chill down his back.
Following Chen Mo's gaze to look behind him, his expression instantly stiffened.
He saw a tall figure standing behind them.
Long legs, a slender waist, a high ponytail, sharp brows and eyes, and a two-meter-long horizontal blade resting on her shoulder.
"Platoon Leader Li, Li..."
Qin Shou's lips trembled, and he couldn't even speak clearly.
From Captains down to Platoon Leaders in the Heavenly Qilin Guard, almost everyone had received her "special training," and thinking of all their past encounters, his legs began to shake uncontrollably.
However, Li Yuan didn't even glance at him, walking straight up to Chen Mo and saying, "You are very strong."
Chen Mo nodded, "I know."
"I admit, Qin Shou was right, but this is only temporary."
"Right now you are pressing me down, but sooner or later, I will be the one pressing you down."
Li Yuan's tone was calm and earnest, as if she were merely stating a fact.
Chen Mo was rendered speechless.
After a long while, he spoke:
"Sorry, I still prefer being on top."
"As for you, you'll get used to it sooner or later; being pressed underneath... is actually quite comfortable."
Li Yuan raised an eyebrow; for some reason, she felt this person's way of speaking was strange.
But it didn't matter; she would prove herself with her strength.
"When it comes to the Dao of the blade, I will not lose to anyone!"
"The blade is the weapon of a hegemon; drawing the blade to defeat all enemies under heaven—this is my Dao!"
End of Chapter
