Chapter 342

Gu Shengshen is a bit younger than Chen Wuji, looks about nineteen or twenty, has a narrow face and an underbite, not particularly good-looking, but his affluent family gives him an air of wealth.

However, this premise holds only if he doesn't speak.

The moment this brat opens his mouth, his aura of wealth drains away instantly, becoming frivolous and ostentatious.

"Let's talk, you join my Gu family!" Gu Shengshen said arrogantly.

"Although you, Chen Wuji, now have a status—appointed by the court, no, appointed by the magistrate as Provincial Soldier Captain—but a Provincial Soldier Captain is merely a low‑rank official."

"My Cao family has money and manpower; Lu Jinglve's envoy has already promised my father the post of magistrate of Yunan. If you join my Gu family, there's no need to fight for Yunan, and your Chen family won't have to lose many men; you'll still be a Provincial Soldier Captain—why not?"

Chen Wuji set down his teacup, nodded, and said, "That's indeed a good suggestion, but since you've given me this captaincy, what should the two of you here do?"

"The Li family will withdraw, we want nothing." Shopkeeper Li said immediately.

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, "Can you actually be the head of the Li family?"

"I can't, but I can persuade the family head to give up."

"Since you can't, then keep quiet."

Shopkeeper Li gritted his teeth in silence, yet he still obediently shut his mouth.

Xue Chou looked left and right, wearing a mournful face, and said, "Our escort agency is a small operation; we really can't get involved in your feud. I just want to do some honest business. Otherwise, don't count me as a person."

"Boss Xue, I've heard a saying: 'No wind comes from an empty hole.' Have you heard of it?" Chen Wuji said softly.

Having come this far, this old brat still wants to sit on the fence—does he really think everyone else is foolish?

Gu Shengshen said timely, "Captain, you needn't worry about the Li and Xue families; in a county, officials with authority aren't just the captain—there's also the County Assistant and various department heads, enough to place you all and your clan's younger members."

"Moreover, my father's ambition isn't limited to Yunan; if we work together, we can also hold magistrate posts elsewhere. With our combined forces, Yunan's troop strength is more than three times that of Hezhou, and Lu Jinglve appoints people based on ability."

Chen Wuji nodded repeatedly in agreement, "To be honest, hearing this really moves me."

"But… what if I don't believe you?"

Gu Shengshen pressed, "Deputy Commander Chen has only a little over a thousand troops, plus those provincial troops that are just make‑weight; why shouldn't I believe? Do you expect the captain to wait until everyone's dead before he'll trust?"

"But by then, if the captain wants to make any decision, it might already be too late."

"It's fine—I'm hot‑blooded and love doing things I know are impossible!" Chen Wuji laughed lightly, "So, everyone, hurry home and write letters urging surrender. Also, make sure your wording is good enough to move those in your family who hold authority."

"This letter concerns the lives of you and your family's young and old; if it's poorly written, that's a big problem. Starting from the day the letter arrives, I'll kill one of your family members each day—actually, make it two, since you all have many adults in your big households."

"I'll stop when those adults in your household agree to surrender."

Gu Shengshen flew into a rage, "Surname Chen, how dare you do this?"

"How wouldn't I dare? You little dog, haven't you figured out the current situation?" Chen Wuji decided not to tease this brat any further; otherwise, the kid might actually believe him.

As for threatening him in return, Chen Wuji isn't worried at all.

Chen Bushi and Chen Luozi stayed behind in the village; if there's any disturbance, they just head into the mountains.

That big mountain has many places where they can hide.

Moreover, Chen Bushi has prepared a backup plan for many years in the mountains.

This old brat still hasn't revealed that secret.

Their so‑called alliance truly has more troops, but once they enter Shenxian Ling, that advantage may not continue.

However, just in case, Chen Wuji still sent someone to deliver an oral message to Chen Bushi, asking his opinion and whether he could hold the line; but no reply has come back yet.

"I won't write!" Gu Shengshen didn't know whether he'd suddenly thrown a childish tantrum or was certain Chen Wuji wouldn't dare touch them; he flung down his burden in a fury.

Chen Wuji waved his hand with a calm smile, "No problem—if you don't want to write, then don't; why shout so loud? I can hear you."

"Come here, does this brat have any uncles or elders around? Just pick one and hang him on the city wall!"

"Yes!"

Chen Li clasped his fist in salute and departed on the order.

Not long after, he dragged a middle‑aged man to the doorway and said, "Captain, how about this person?"

"Fine."

"Yes!"

Chen Li gave a low acknowledgment, then with his left and right hands gripping the man's neck front and back, he exerted force and snapped the man's neck, then dragged him away backward from the doorway.

His ruthless method terrified Gu Shengshen, whose face instantly changed and he shouted in a shrill voice, "No, don't! Fifth Uncle, Fifth Uncle…"

Chen Wuji actually doesn't like doing such things; he's an honest person who favors benevolence and virtue. But there's no choice—these people are simply too arrogant and disrespectful toward their opponents, forcing him to resort to some despicable tactics.

However, Chen Li handled this matter beautifully, and his considerations were thorough.

If Gu Shengshen hadn't seen it himself, one might think Chen Wuji was just bluffing, trying to scare him, and would have to waste some words arguing.

We're all adults—who would waste time playing such petty tricks with him?

"Everyone, you must watch your words and actions—I'm not joking with you; what you say and do really affects your kin's lives." Chen Wuji pointed at the dazed Gu Shengshen.

"He is the best example."

Xue Chou and Shopkeeper Li's expressions were extremely complex, but neither hesitated much; they quickly picked up their pens and began writing letters. The Li family's main force now lies outside the city, concentrated on the Zhuangzi.

As for the escort agency outside the city, it is Xue Chou's younger brother, Xue Yi.

The two appear to be one family, with Xue Chou as the main figure, but in substance there are still some differences.

Xue Chou runs the escort agency, while Xue Yi steadfastly serves as the lord of the Zhuangzi outside the city.

Gu Shengshen collapsed limp like a puddle of mud in the chair, only his pair of eyes filled with venomous hatred fixed on Chen Wuji; he seemed to want to utter more vicious harsh words, but ultimately held back.

"I'll write, just stop killing." He struggled to sit up, "I'll think of a way to persuade my father to surrender; as long as you don't keep killing, I can agree to any terms."

"I wouldn't have guessed you still have someone else in your heart—then go ahead and write." Chen Wuji was indeed somewhat surprised; Gu Shengshen gave him the impression of a spoiled rich kid raised in a honey pot, with some insight but not much, yet firmly convinced he understood all the world's truths.