The crowd looked at each other in disbelief.
A few days apart, and Chen Mo seemed to have transformed into a different person... Not only had his strength surged, but his methods were so ruthless!
What was even more unexpected to them was that Yan Liang, who was also a General and the nephew of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, was able to swallow such humiliation!
It was simply incomprehensible!
The ones who had been laughing the most earlier now felt a tingling on their scalps, bowing their heads, fearing they would catch the attention of this fiendish star.
The white-haired elder didn't understand why Yan Liang suddenly capitulated, but he could also tell that Chen Mo was unassailable today.
However, he still refused to give in verbally.
"Young man, I advise you not to be too pleased with yourself!"
"Relying on your father's power and influence, you behave wantonly, disregarding laws and regulations, with such rampant arrogance, do you really think no one can handle you?"
"There's plenty of time ahead, you'd better not let this old man catch you in the wrong..."
Chen Mo dug at his ear, interrupting impatiently: "Hundred Households Chu, how old are you this year?"
The white-haired elder was startled by the question, frowning and replying: "I am sixty-five this year, what about it?"
"Half of your body is in the grave, and you're still just a Hundred Household Officer, how much room for advancement do you think you have left?"
"With both the path of martial arts and the bureaucratic ladder at their end, what right do you have to speak to me about the future?"
"What did you say?!"
Angered by Chen Mo's consecutive retorts, the white-haired elder was trembling all over, his whiskers puffing up high.
"I'm not even twenty, yet I'm already at Sixth-rank Returning to Origin, surpassing you is just a matter of time."
"As for your mention of my father... almost forgot, you're like a widow in bed, with no one above, so the joy of bullying due to position, you simply can't imagine."
Chen Mo's tone was mocking.
"What? Did I hear it wrong!"
"Chen Mo has broken through the mundane realm and entered Sixth-rank?!"
"No wonder he could fight against two Generals from the Ding Fire Department and even cut off Yan Liang's hand!"
"With such strength, he might well be among the ranks of the Qingyun Ten Masters!"
An uproar erupted in the training field, as if the sky had flipped!
After the shock, most showed a wary expression.
While the members of the Gui Water Bureau stood tall with glowing faces, basking in shared glory!
Among the ten departments, the Imperial Consort Faction only occupied four, a minority against the majority, often at a disadvantage in everyday matters, not having an easy time.
Chen Mo gave them a truly satisfying outlet for their pent-up frustrations this time!
The chubby Qin Shou was even shouting loudly at the side: "General Chen is mighty!"
Hundred Households Chu's old face turned beet red, teeth gritting with a grinding noise, but he had no way to deal with Chen Mo.
In the end, he could only snort coldly and leave with a flounce of his sleeves.
Like a beaten dog.
Chen Mo looked on with disdain.
Such a mere Hundred Household Officer was not worth mentioning.
Inside the Sky Scale Guard, muddied waters abounded, factions intermingled, and the two parties constantly squeezed each other out.
Instead of waiting to be schemed against, it was better to take the initiative and also prove his worth to the Empress!
As for the saying, "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down..."
Today, he would stand on the branch to see who would dare to swing the hammer.
"No roll call today, return to your posts and resume your duties, disperse now."
Shen Shuqiu waved his hand, dispersing the crowd.
Watching Chen Mo, who wanted to slip away into the crowd with oily feet, he said: "Come with me."
Then, he walked towards the interior with his hands behind his back.
"Fortune or misfortune is a mystery, but misfortune cannot be avoided..."
Chen Mo sighed and silently followed behind Shen Shuqiu.
A woman with a black ponytail stood in the corner, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit as she gazed at Chen Mo's retreating figure.
"Both at Sixth-rank, yet his strength surpasses mine, especially that overbearing Sword Intent, something quite akin yet different from mine..."
"I never expected such a formidable rival within the government's ranks, truly delightful!"
...
In the Gui Water Bureau.
Inside the room, Shen Shuqiu was seated at the desk, engrossed in reviewing documents, leaving Chen Mo hanging, without even a hint of invitation to sit.
Chen Mo casually brought over a chair to sit across from Shen Shuqiu.
He poured himself a cup from the teapot on the table.
Upon the first taste, his expression changed slightly.
"This teapot of yours is filled with liquor?"
Shen Shuqiu, without lifting his head, said: "Drinking while on duty, a month's salary will be fined."
Chen Mo: "¿"
Only after finishing reviewing all the documents did Shen Shuqiu finally look at him directly and asked bluntly: "Why?"
Chen Mo candidly responded: "I've been displeased with Yan Liang for a while, I just took the opportunity to show it, mainly because I found out that the Yan Family was secretly..."
"What I mean is, why did you tear up the marriage agreement?"
"Why is Zhixia unworthy of you?"
Shen Shuqiu said coldly.
"..."
Chen Mo's expression stiffened.
Shen Shuqiu, Hundred Household Officer of the Gui Water Bureau.
Also the second son of the Shen Family, the elder brother of Shen Zhixia.
"So the big uncle is the direct superior, yet he dared to tear up the marriage contract in public... Are you a centipede, worried there aren't enough small shoes to wear?"
"The key is that you're in love with a 'paper person,' which means the little head is controlling the big one."
"Who else but you should die!"
Chen Mo was already at a loss for words to criticize his predecessor's actions.
In this world full of crises, his predecessor was terrifyingly naive.
It was like a clear and foolish college student getting mixed up in a palace drama series, someone feeds him poison, and he still has to thank them.
"This was not my intention."
"The specifics are a bit complicated to explain right now."
"In any case, Hundred Households Lord, you may understand it as me running errands for the Empress."
Chen Mo lowered his voice mysteriously as he spoke.
Anyway, as long as he can shift the blame onto the Empress, it should be fine.
Shen Shuqiu's thick brows knitted together.
Mr. Shen kept his mouth shut on this matter and did not reveal too much, but he could probably guess something.
There must be something fishy about that Oiran's identity, or else they wouldn't search the Imperial Music Bureau over and over.
"Does that mean you still have feelings for Zhixia in your heart?"
"I heard that yesterday she got all wet at Chen Mansion because of you."
Shen Shuqiu raised an eyebrow and said.
Hey, such talk can easily be misunderstood!
But it seems to be true indeed...
"Cough cough, well..."
Noticing the other person's somewhat dangerous gaze, Chen Mo nodded like pounding garlic, "Zhixia and I have been childhood sweethearts, we go way back, so the marriage contract is not that important."
"What you say makes sense, the marriage contract isn't really all that meaningful."
Shen Shuqiu rubbed his chin, contemplating thoughtfully.
Just as Chen Mo was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Shen Shuqiu muttered to himself, "Why not give up the chance for promotion to Deputy Thousand Households and ask the Empress to grant the marriage? That would be more secure..."
Chen Mo: Σ(°△°|||)
"Right, what happened with the Yan Family you mentioned just now?"
After coming back to reality, Shen Shuqiu asked.
Listening to what Chen Mo had to say next, his face gradually turned cold, his eyes as deep as pools brimming with a surge of killing intent!
...
"Boss!"
Chen Mo had just stepped out of the government office when Qin Shou, who had been waiting outside, approached him quickly.
"How did it go, was Hundred Households Lord hard on you?"
Chen Mo shook his head, "It's alright, just docked a month's salary."
Qin Shou let out a sigh of relief, then excitedly said, "You were so mighty just now! Taking on two Generals alone, overpowering them, and even cutting off one of Yan Liang's hands! From now on, the Ding Fire Department will have to walk around us!"
"And that woman Li Yuan, I've been sick of her for a long time now, always flaunting her sword technique, our brothers have suffered a lot under her!"
"Hmph, so-called 'first under the Hundred Households', still ended up suppressed by you..."
Halfway through speaking, Qin Shou suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
Following Chen Mo's gaze, he turned around and his expression instantly stiffened.
A tall figure was standing behind him.
Long legs, a slender waist, a high ponytail, sharp eyes and brows, and a Stray Blade more than two meters long slung over her shoulder.
"Gen-, General Li..."
Qin Shou's lips trembled, struggling to speak.
Almost everyone in the Sky Scale Guard, from Colonel to General, had undergone her "special training." Remembering past experiences, his legs began to shiver.
However, Li Yuan didn't even glance at him, walking straight up to Chen Mo, and said, "You're strong."
Chen Mo nodded, "I know."
"I admit, Qin Shou is right, but it's only temporary."
"Right now, you're pressing down on me, but sooner or later, I'll press down on you."
Li Yuan's tone was calm and serious as if she was just stating a fact.
Chen Mo was silently stunned.
After a while, he said:
"Sorry, but I prefer being on top."
"As for you, sooner or later you'll get used to it, being underneath... can be quite comfortable too."
Li Yuan's eyebrows lifted slightly, feeling this man's words were somewhat off.
But it didn't matter, she would prove her strength.
"When it comes to the Sword Way, I will not lose to anyone!"
"The sword is the dominator; unsheathing the sword defeats all enemies, that is my Way!"