Chapter 229: All Are Smart People

Yu Shoujiang bowed and withdrew from the hall, his brow furrowing involuntarily.

As he instructed his subordinates to reserve the top-floor banquet hall at Zhenzhoucheng's finest "Zuixian Tower," he pondered Chen Mu's brazen demand for wedding gifts.

"Something's off…"

Yu Shoujiang slowed his steps, doubts multiplying in his mind.

Though he knew little of Chen Mu, he understood the Dragon's Nest List judged only combat record and strength, not character or morality.

Yet a young man below the Earth Altar realm, no matter how high his rank, openly threatening and extorting local powers backed by Earth Altar experts—this could not be explained by mere arrogance.

"Either he's so crazy he's lost his mind, believing rank thirty on the Dragon's Nest List grants him free rein."

Yu Shoujiang shook his head slightly; how many who climbed the Dragon's Nest List and survived to this day were truly fools?

"Or… he has a powerful backer behind him—someone we don't know, strong enough to make him fearless of Earth Altar factions!"

At this thought, Yu Shoujiang's heart lurched.

Yes!

Only this explanation makes sense!

Those truly powerful figures with heavenly connections act quietly, hiding their depth—until provoked or harmed, when their terrifying influence erupts instantly, unleashing tidal waves that leave all trembling.

But Chen Mu, flaunting his power from day one, displaying an attitude of "I have backing—what can you do?"—this makes every faction hesitate, afraid to strike first!

"Brilliant. Truly brilliant!"

The more Yu Shoujiang thought, the more it made sense; he couldn't help but admire inwardly, "This Inspector Chen—so young, yet not only powerful, but his tactics are extraordinary."

"He appears arrogant and reckless, but he's actually establishing authority, drawing lines to instill fear!"

With clarity achieved, Yu Shoujiang no longer hesitated; he personally oversaw the matter, securing not only the top-floor luxury banquet hall at Zuixian Tower but also dispatching messengers to deliver letters—polite in wording yet subtly warning—to every notable faction inside and outside Zhenzhoucheng.

…

That night, the top floor of Zuixian Tower was lit with lanterns, cups clinking in merriment.

Nearly every influential faction in Zhenzhoucheng sent representatives.

Though many inwardly despised the new inspector's conduct, they feared his authority as a Zhenwu Bureau Inspector and suspected his possible deep connections, so they all appeared warmly cordial.

"Inspector Chen, a small gift, insufficient to show respect—please accept it."

Zhang Tieli, deputy chief of the Rising Sun Gang, boomed like a bell, presenting a pair of valuable warm-jade ruyi scepters.

"Hah! Inspector Chen, truly a dragon among men—seventeen years old and ranked thirty on the Dragon's Nest List! The Heavenly Palace is surely yours!"

Yan Song, elder of the Black Water Gate, smiled without warmth, offering a box of rare medicinal herbs.

"Congratulations, Inspector Chen, champion of this year's Dragon-Tiger Storm Summit!"

Liu Yi, deputy lord of Qingyun Manor, maintained a composed demeanor, presenting an ancient painting imbued with aura.

"With Inspector Chen in Zhenzhou, peace is within reach!"

"Congratulations, Inspector Chen!"

"…"

Zhao Kongchuan of the Zhao family, Lu Kaifeng of the Lu family, Xu Zitong of the Xu family, and Gao Changgong, elder of the Mandarin Duck Sect—all presented lavish gifts, their words overflowing with flattery over Chen Mu's Dragon's Nest ranking and his victory at the summit.

Chen Mu sat enthroned at the head table, accepting every gift without refusal, merely glancing at each offering before nodding for his Zhenwu Bureau guards to take them.

"Thank you all!"

"Come, drink it all!"

Chen Mu wore a smug smile, raising cups frequently with the guests, laughing loudly—boisterous, and to outsiders, ostentatious—clearly playing the part of a young man who had just triumphed, brimming with pride.

"Hah! Inspector Chen, you've got the stomach of a dragon! Old Zhang here, on behalf of our chief, toasts you again!"

Zhang Tieli of the Rising Sun Gang was the most energetic, delivering compliments perfectly timed to keep Chen Mu in high spirits.

Near the banquet's end, Chen Mu personally clapped Zhang Tieli on the shoulder, grinning slightly drunk, "Deputy Chief Zhang, you're a fine fellow—come visit me often."

Zhang Tieli was stunned and honored, bowing quickly, "Of course! To earn the Inspector's favor is my fortune!"

The banquet, seemingly a joyous affair, ended.

Each faction's representative returned home and reported the events—reactions varied.

The heads of the Mandarin Duck Sect, Xu family, Lu family, Zhao family, and others viewed Chen Mu as merely "young and reckless," "arrogant with talent," or "greedy and domineering"—they avoided provoking him for now but didn't take him seriously, instructing their people merely to avoid him temporarily and observe further developments.

Yet Gu Anxun, lord of Qingyun Manor, after hearing Liu Yi's detailed report, fell into deep thought.

"What was Yu Shoujiang's reaction?" Gu Anxun asked.

"Director Yu… seemed deeply respectful toward this Inspector Chen—even… somewhat wary."

Liu Yi recalled Yu Shoujiang's expression at the time and answered cautiously.

Gu Anxun tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Yu Shoujiang is a clever man. He didn't reach his position as temporary head of the Zhenwu Bureau by luck. If he treats Chen Mu this way, Chen Mu is certainly not the frivolous playboy he appears."

His conclusion aligned perfectly with Yu Shoujiang's.

"A youth who rose to fame yet acts with such reckless boldness—either he's a fool, or he has backing and is acting deliberately."

Gu Anxun said slowly, "Could someone who reached rank thirty on the Dragon's Nest List and won in Wudicheng be a fool?"

Liu Yi's heart tightened. "Master's meaning is…"

"Issue orders."

Gu Anxun's tone turned solemn. "All of Qingyun Manor must show proper respect to this Inspector Chen—no negligence. Liu Yi, you must closely observe his every move. This man is no ordinary figure!"

"Yes!"

…

…

Back at the inn, Chen Mu's alcohol scent had vanished.

Pretending was not his strength.

But a showy demeanor was unavoidable.

Fortunately, with a banquet of over a hundred people, attending once is enough.

As for the "gifts of congratulations" received, Chen Mu didn't touch a single one, sealing them all away.

Tonight, virtually all the major powers of Zhen Prefecture came.

Except for Jing'an Wang Fu, and the Hidden Sword Palace!

The mountain gate of the Hidden Sword Palace is some distance from the prefecture city, over a hundred li away.

The sect also hadn't set up a foothold in the prefecture city.

Yu Shoujiang had no time to notify them, and even if he had notified the people of the Hidden Sword Palace, they wouldn't have made it in time.

As for Jing'an Wang Fu...

They are royalty; even without real power, without a fief, they are still royalty, and the current Zhou Huang's younger brother at that — a noble status indeed.

Chen Mu is merely a C-rank Inspector, a low-to-mid level official — how could Wang Fu take notice of him?

It would be more fitting for Chen Mu to pay a visit to Jing'an Wang Fu!