Chapter 488: You're Getting Cocky, Aren't You?

"Honorable officials, this is the residence arranged for you. Xiaozhou is barren; I hope you will not mind!"

"What are you saying, Official Cheng? How could we mind? To be honest, this is much better than we imagined!"

Following behind Cheng Lin, Qi Chengan, among the group, was clearly the most composed. Even in front of Cheng Lin, a Deputy Commander of the Black-Clad Guard, he remained neither servile nor overbearing, with every action measured and appropriate.

The residence before them, while called a residence, was actually just a large, dilapidated courtyard, and the environment was filthy and chaotic. In some places, even the roof was broken.

As for the arrival of these people, although Shen Yu did not care at all and had made no arrangements,

the leader might not care, but his subordinates could not ignore it. Giving them a cold shoulder on behalf of Official Shen was standard procedure. They had to let them know who was in charge in Xiaozhou.

The others, seeing this situation, all frowned with expressions of disgust. Among them, the Duke of Zhennan Heir, Teng Zihe, even wore his displeasure directly on his face.

Among these people, only Qi Chengan and Chu Hong remained calm.

Chu Hong was a child of a humble family who had suffered since childhood, so he had long since been tempered. Moreover, when he came, he had already prepared himself for hardship and even death.

The current changes in Xiaozhou were viewed with skepticism even by those in the upper echelons of the imperial court, who dared not be certain, let alone Chu Hong, who had almost no foundation and was completely cut off from news.

Before he came, he didn't even know that Xiaozhou had changed. When he learned he was to take office in Xiaozhou, he had truly prepared himself to risk his life.

He had not only prepared a coffin and written his will in advance, but he had also come to take up his post with a look of determination, as if singing "the wind blows cold at the Yi River."

It was just that he hadn't expected the Sinful State of Xiaozhou, as rumored, to undergo such earth-shaking changes. To say that people didn't pocket lost items might be a stretch, but it was definitely better than many other places.

The current environment was truly much better than he had imagined, which was why he could accept it with such calmness.

Qi Chengan was different; a child of a noble family, raised in luxury, he had never known hardship or suffering.

Yet, when faced with these deliberate difficulties, he remained calm and even chatted and laughed as usual.

These children, carefully cultivated by noble families, truly had their merits; none of them could be underestimated.

Even Cheng Lin couldn't help but look at him a few more times, then said with full appreciation, "Official Qi, there aren't many people like you these days!"

"You are too kind, Official Cheng. Just call me Chengan!"

Bowing slightly to Cheng Lin, Qi Chengan then offered a respectful salute. "Official Cheng, what do you think of Official Shen? We will be working under Official Shen in the future, and I hope you can offer us some guidance!"

"Official Shen loves the people as his own children, treats others with the warmth of a spring breeze, and is even more tolerant toward us."

Looking at the group with their varied expressions, Cheng Lin said with a smile, "Official Shen has a very good temper, so you honorable officials can rest assured."

"As long as you can hold your bottom line, not be greedy or corrupt, and not oppress the common people, Official Shen will be absolutely tolerant toward you."

"Is that so? It seems you hold Official Shen in high regard and respect him deeply, Official Cheng!"

"Indeed!" Cheng Lin nodded subconsciously and said with great emotion, "A figure like Official Shen is someone we can only look up to; we wouldn't even dare to hope to catch up to him!"

"To have the honor of following by Official Shen's side is already a tremendous fortune!"

Cheng Lin wasn't just saying this. How long had it been since he began following Shen Yu? Counting it all up, it had been just over a year, and his cultivation realm had already begun to loosen.

Before long, Cheng Lin was confident he could step into the Mortal-Shedding Realm, achieving a realm he hadn't even dared to imagine before.

Once he ascended to the Transcendence Realm, he would be a major player, whether in the pugilistic world or the imperial court.

At that time, his power and status would undergo a leap-like transformation, possessing everything he hadn't dared to imagine before.

Cheng Lin knew very well who had brought all this to him, so he naturally became increasingly respectful when facing Shen Yu.

If only he weren't a man—if he were a beautiful woman, he would have already offered himself up. Being reserved? That simply wouldn't exist!

"It seems Official Cheng is indeed very loyal to Official Shen!" Looking at Cheng Lin, Qi Chengan smiled inexplicably.

Afterward, when the others went to find their rooms, Qi Chengan quietly came to Cheng Lin's side, the smile on his face growing even brighter.

"Official Cheng, please find a more secluded place. I have something here I would like you to see!"

"Official Qi, what do you mean by this?"

Glancing at Qi Chengan, Cheng Lin looked at him with disdain. "This Commander acts upright and sits straight; what is there that I cannot let people see that requires finding a secluded place?"

Did he not know what these noble children were thinking? Trying to bribe him—in their dreams!

He took back his previous assessment of Qi Chengan; this pretty boy was only at this level.

"Official Cheng, I advise you to take a look!" While smiling at Cheng Lin, Qi Chengan quietly took something out from his bosom.

As soon as a corner of the object was revealed, Cheng Lin made a judgment. That bright yellow thing was likely cast from gold, and the fine patterns carved on it were clearly the work of a master; it was definitely worth a fortune.

Yet, Cheng Lin didn't even want to look at such a thing.

What's this? You didn't go and find out who this Commander is? Do you think a small fry like you can bribe me with some piece of junk?

Your Master Cheng is upright and incorruptible; he is not like those hypocrites. There is no way you can bribe him.

Even if you piled up mountains of gold and silver, Master Cheng would only smile slightly and never be moved!

However, when the object was fully revealed, Cheng Lin glanced at it subconsciously, and his expression changed instantly.

"You, this..."

"What, is Official Cheng still unwilling to find a secluded place?"

"This... Official Qi, please follow me!"

The strange expression on his face quickly vanished, and Cheng Lin soon returned to his previous calm; at least on the surface, one couldn't see anything different.

It was just that his heart was already churning, and he even felt a bit uneasy.

Using the excuse of taking the State Assistant, Qi Chengan, to familiarize himself with Xiaozhou, Cheng Lin left the others behind and took Qi Chengan alone to a secluded spot.

As a member of the Black-Clad Guard, preparing a sufficiently secluded and safe place for oneself in a new environment was absolutely standard procedure.

Here, Cheng Lin was completely confident that no one could monitor him, and he could lower his guard to a certain extent.

As soon as they arrived, Cheng Lin immediately knelt on one knee and said respectfully, "Your subordinate, Deputy Commander of the Black-Clad Guard, Cheng Lin, greets the Imperial Envoy!"

"Cheng Lin, Official Cheng!" Standing where he was, Qi Chengan looked at him coldly, and in his hand was a gold-inlaid engraved token.

"I thought Official Cheng had forgotten who he was."

"I would like to ask Commander Cheng: is the Black-Clad Guard of Xiaozhou the Emperor's Black-Clad Guard, or is it Shen Yu's Black-Clad Guard?"

"The Black-Clad Guard, from top to bottom, naturally swears to serve the Emperor to the death!"

Kneeling on the ground, Cheng Lin did not even raise his head, but shouted with unusual determination, "Our loyalty is witnessed by heaven and earth, and proven by the sun and moon!"

"Is that so?" His icy gaze seemed to pierce through Cheng Lin, and Qi Chengan withdrew the token, saying indifferently, "But why do I feel that you are much more respectful toward Shen Yu?"

"Lord Qi, there is no conflict between this subordinate's loyalty to His Majesty and my respect for Lord Shen. Could it be that Lord Qi is trying to sow discord between His Majesty and Lord Shen?"

"You, good, very good! Lord Cheng is right, the two do not conflict!"

"It is just, Lord Cheng, Lord Cheng, you haven't forgotten the purpose for which His Majesty sent you to Xiaozhou, have you?"

"I would not dare to forget His Majesty's orders for even a moment!"

"Then, Lord Cheng, have you reached any results in the matter you are investigating?"

"No!"

"No?" You say it so righteously despite having nothing; you are really getting carried away!