Chapter 138: You Think Quite Highly of Yourself

"This Prefect seems to have become even stronger!"

It was hard to tell if it was just an illusion, but after the Prefect before them slaughtered everyone, the aura on his body seemed to surge violently in an instant. That aura, as bottomless as an abyss, was enough to make one tremble uncontrollably.

Damn it, I heard he is only twenty years old. Within the vast Imperial Court, there are probably few who can compare to him. When I was twenty, I had barely entered the Innate realm, and I was still feeling smug about it.

Yet he has long since surpassed me by a wide margin; he is incredibly strong. I admit I am a bit jealous. Geniuses are truly not something people like me can understand; it's just that the gap between people is a bit too large.

"General, the old Marquis from the Wei Wu Hou Mansion has brought people, and he is entering the army camp right now!" Just then, a soldier hurried over to report, looking somewhat anxious.

Although the Dongning Army had been completely controlled by Lu Shaozhi, it was inevitable that some hearts were still unsettled. This old Marquis was once the Commander of the Dongning Army, and with his own prestige and strength, for a moment, no one dared to stop him.

"The old Marquis? Are you sure it's him? Isn't he bedridden?" Upon hearing this news, Lu Shaozhi couldn't react in time.

In the information he had received earlier, this old Marquis had only one breath left. Could he still come to the army camp in such a state? Could it be an impostor again?

"Prefect Shen, I will go and return shortly!"

"Wait, I will go with you!"

A group of people hurried outside, and before long, they encountered the people from the Wei Wu Hou Mansion. This time, the old Marquis did not come alone; not only was he in full armor, but he also brought hundreds of family retainers with him.

"Marquis!" Shen Yu cupped his hands toward the Marquis, but his attitude was clearly displeased. He had just pacified the Dongning Army, and right on his heels, this Marquis arrived. He came so fast!

This old fellow must have been watching this place every single moment. Otherwise, how could he have come scurrying over so quickly the moment the Dongning Army showed signs of unrest?

Especially those hundreds of family retainers following him; that should be most of the Wei Wu Hou Mansion's foundation. Bringing so many people over, no matter how you look at it, they are not here with good intentions; they surely aren't here for a social visit.

"Haha, Prefect Shen, you truly did not disappoint me. In such a short time, you have already completely pacified the Dongning Army. I admire you!"

Upon meeting, the old Marquis did not spare his words of praise, immediately showering Shen Yu with compliments. That shameless attitude made even Shen Yu feel embarrassed.

"Marquis!" Upon seeing the old Marquis arrive, everyone seemed to have found their backbone. After all, this old Marquis was the former Commander of the Dongning Army, and quite a few people still acknowledged him.

However, Lu Shaozhi was not so optimistic and whispered to Shen Yu, "Prefect Shen, be careful. This Marquis has been bedridden; it is absolutely impossible for him to come to the camp. This might be an impostor!"

"General Lu, you are overthinking it. I have seen the old Marquis; he has always been faking illness, only he successfully fooled everyone else. This old Marquis is much more formidable than the average person!"

"Faking illness?" Lu Shaozhi frowned; he truly hadn't expected this. However, as long as the person was real, that was all that mattered.

"Prefect Lu, I have also generally learned about the situation of the Dongning Army. General Ye and most of the officers have been replaced, causing the Dongning Army to be restless. A vast Dongning Army cannot go a day without a leader, or there will be great chaos!"

"I wonder what Prefect Shen plans to do next. Who knows when the Imperial Court will send a new Commander? If there is no Commander for such a long time, I fear..."

Sighing, the old Marquis put on an appearance of being concerned for the country and the people. His eyes swept across the surroundings, and he even nodded to the people around him. Many of the people here were once his subordinates.

"So that's it! No wonder the old Marquis is so concerned about the Dongning Army; it turns out you want the military power of the Dongning Army!"

At this moment, Shen Yu completely understood the old Marquis's scheme. Putting on an act of being concerned for the country and the people—it turned out that all of this was ultimately just to seize the military power of the Dongning Army.

The Dongning Army Commander Ye Jing had gone mad, and the remaining captured officers had endured cruel torture; it would be difficult for them to lead troops again. This was the perfect time to plant his own people.

When the time came, this old Marquis would firmly control the entire Dongning Army, and the Imperial Court would have no choice but to swallow their pride and accept it. A fine scheme, a fine calculation!

But when there was trouble, he hid and faked illness, letting him charge into battle. Now that everything was resolved, this old fellow hadn't contributed a shred of effort, yet he wanted to come and reap the rewards at the end. He thinks quite highly of himself.

"Prefect Shen, do not speak nonsense. When has this Marquis ever thought about the military power of the Dongning Army? I simply cannot bear to see the army I raised with my own hands fall into such chaos!"

"Marquis, I feel that it is very appropriate for you to lead the Dongning Army for the time being. I believe the Imperial Court will definitely agree!"

"I also think so; there is no one more suitable than the Marquis right now!"

Soon, the people around expressed their stance one after another, seemingly in full agreement with this proposal. For them right now, there was probably no better choice.

"Old Marquis, you are impressive!" Looking at this, it seemed this old Marquis had planted people in the Dongning Army long ago, just waiting to stir the pot at the end. It seems this old Marquis has been coveting this military power for more than a day or two.

"This, this... sigh, you are forcing this old man. I have already retired to the fields!"

"Marquis, the army cannot go a day without a master. If chaos breaks out, it will surely harm the common people. This subordinate implores the Marquis, for the sake of the Dongning Army and the people, please do not decline again!"

"This, very well!" At this moment, the old Marquis seemed very conflicted, gritted his teeth, and reluctantly said, "Since that is the case, then I will..."

"Wait!" Waving his hand, Shen Yu directly interrupted the old Marquis's words and said indifferently, "There is no need to trouble yourself with the affairs of the Dongning Army, Marquis. I will take charge here for the time being!"

"Presumptuous!" The old Marquis did not speak, but his steward was already furious, "You are just a Prefect, a tiny official—how can you lead the grand Dongning Army!"

"Exactly, the position of Dongning Army Commander is of great importance. In the vast Songnan Prefecture, besides the Marquis, who else has the qualifications?"

"Is that so? Then take a look at what this is." With a cold gaze sweeping over the people beside the old Marquis, Shen Yu took out a Command Sword and held it high.

"This is the Jade Tablet Command Sword of the Governor's Office!"

"Correct, it is indeed the Jade Tablet Command Sword of the Governor's Office. Whoever holds this Command Sword, all civil and military officials below Third-Rank in the entire Nanhua Domain must obey its orders. Now, do I have the qualifications?"

"Prefect Shen!" Sneaking up to Shen Yu's side, Lu Shaozhi whispered, "Didn't you say this Jade Tablet Command Sword can only be used once a year? Aren't you afraid of being exposed for bluffing like this?"

"General Lu, there is one thing you might have forgotten. The New Year has passed; it is now the second year, so this thing can be used again. What do you think I was waiting for while preparing for so long before I made my move?"

"Damn, it can be like that?"

"What did you think!" Rolling his eyes at Lu Shaozhi, Shen Yu then shouted loudly, "Dongning Army, hear my order: return to your respective barracks and stabilize the morale. General Lu, immediately take men to patrol the camp. Anyone who causes trouble shall be executed without mercy!"

"You! Fine, I didn't expect this Marquis to underestimate you!" Looking at the Jade Tablet Command Sword in Shen Yu's hand, the old Marquis was so angry he nearly exploded with rage. He seemed unable to maintain his previous calm and composed demeanor, and a trace of the aura on his body could no longer be contained and leaked out.

Even just a trace made Shen Yu feel as if he were facing a formidable enemy. He looked at the other party in disbelief, "What a terrifying aura. This aura definitely transcends the Grandmaster Perfection realm. Marquis, you have hidden yourself very deeply!"

Without the slightest hesitation, he met the old Marquis's gaze. The unique Sword Intent formed by Sword Twenty-Three erupted suddenly, coupled with the Twelve-Layer Golden Bell Shield enveloping his entire body.

At this moment, the old Marquis's expression changed slightly. This kid before him actually gave him a faint sense of threat—a feeling he had not experienced in many years.

He even had a faint illusion at this moment that if they were to truly fight, he might not necessarily win.

Trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice; he thought everything was under his control, but he didn't expect to be outmaneuvered by this kid in the end. This little Prefect has such formidable means; he is truly watertight!

"Marquis, there is no reward without effort. You didn't contribute a single thing and yet wanted to reap the rewards—you think quite highly of yourself!"

"You!"