The next day, at the Martial Arts Arena of the military camp.
Chen Sheng was training as diligently as ever, tempering his body day and night. Aided by Qi and Blood Pills, his Cultivation progressed steadily, if not by leaps and bounds. The numbers on his panel were the best proof of this.
[Basic Knife Technique: Great Success (450/1000)]
[Golden Bell Body Refining Technique: Minor Achievement (243/500)]
However, while he held a Pile Skill stance, his gaze was grave. At his mental command, the Celestial Book, [Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil], silently appeared. The five words of its title glowed faintly. The small, hastily written words that had materialized on it this morning still sent a chill down his spine.
My name is Chen Sheng. By the time you read these words, my regret is absolute... It turns out that in the Quartermaster case, Wang Yi's report was merely the trigger. The real story was Captain Nie wanting to eliminate Zhou. I was just an innocent victim of the fallout.
Wu Kuang had summoned me, making it clear that if I were willing to testify against Zhou, I would be pardoned. Without much thought, I chose to save my own skin and immediately backstabbed him. However, after Zhou was executed, I was still transferred away, ultimately unable to escape my fate on the frontier.
Only then did I realize this was a test from Wu Kuang. He praised me on the surface, but he was actually deeply disappointed by how easily I had betrayed another. He feared I might betray him in the future as well. On the road to the frontier, I was filled with endless regret... If I had known, I might have been able to turn this disaster into a blessing...
After reading the Celestial Book, Chen Sheng's eyes glinted. So, Wang Yi's takedown of Zhou—which had swept him up as well—was just a matter of timing. Wang Yi was merely the fuse. Even without him, Captain Nie had already fattened the pig and was just waiting for the new year to slaughter it.
He just hadn't expected Wu Kuang to use the situation to test his loyalty.
'Thinking it over,' he mused, 'under normal circumstances, after weighing the pros and cons, I would have most likely chosen to protect myself, even if it meant climbing over the bodies of others.'
'Now it seems that in the eyes of superiors like Wu Kuang, those who lack loyalty and righteousness can never win true favor.'
Fortunately, he had foreseen the risk and had a countermeasure ready.
"Vice Commander Chen, Commander Wu has returned to the camp. He summons you to his tent at once."
A soldier reported, hurrying over and bowing.
"Understood."
Chen Sheng composed himself, dropped his Pile Skill stance, and followed the soldier to the command tent.
Only Wu Kuang was inside the tent. After the soldier withdrew, Wu Kuang remained silent, his torch-like gaze fixed on Chen Sheng, waiting for him to speak first.
"Commander, I have something important to report." Chen Sheng was the first to break the silence.
"Speak."
"Yesterday, Wang Yi..."
Chen Sheng briefly and cautiously recounted the events of the previous day.
"I heard you were there as well?" Wu Kuang's tone was flat, betraying no emotion.
"That's right. It seemed Wang Yi hadn't given up on the Vice Commander position. He wanted to borrow silver from me to bribe his way up, but I refused due to our past disagreements. While we were arguing, Zhou burst in with his men and found some stolen goods under Wang Yi's bedding..."
Chen Sheng replied smoothly, reciting the story he had already prepared.
Wu Kuang listened quietly, his knuckles tapping on the desk. He remained noncommittal. After a moment, he abruptly changed the subject.
"Your Cultivation is advancing remarkably fast. Are you using Blood Qi Pills or Blood Qi Powder?"
'The test is here.' Chen Sheng's heart skipped a beat. He immediately bowed his head and lowered his voice.
"Reporting to you, Commander... it's... it's Blood Qi Pills."
His frank admission caught Wu Kuang slightly off guard; he had expected Chen Sheng to argue or make excuses.
"Are you aware that Blood Qi Pills are military supplies reserved exclusively for commanders? A soldier purchasing them privately is a crime punishable by law! If word of this gets out, you will face severe punishment!"
Wu Kuang's voice turned icy, and a palpable pressure filled the tent.
"Commander, I beg you to save me! I... I am willing to give up my entire fortune, if only the Commander will protect me!" Chen Sheng's face was a mask of panic as he bowed deeply, pleading with the utmost humility.
"Your entire fortune?" Wu Kuang raised an eyebrow and asked reflexively:
"How much of a fortune do you have?"
"In cash... around... a little over one hundred taels of silver."
Wu Kuang stroked his long beard, suppressing the flicker of greed in his heart. He let out a cold snort.
"Hmph. Do you take me for some corrupt official who bends the law for money? Let me be honest with you. The crimes committed by Zhou and his cronies go far beyond the private sale of resources! They've been skimming profits, colluding with foreign powers, and even consorting with rebel armies. The higher-ups are determined to crush him this time. No one can save him!"
He paused, his gaze as sharp as a knife as it bore into Chen Sheng.
"But the brass still needs a pretext. If you're willing to step forward and testify against the Quartermaster who sold you the pills, I can not only guarantee you'll be cleared of this minor infraction, but I might even put in a good word for you with the Captain. This is a rare opportunity."
The air in the tent instantly grew still. A conflicted expression appeared on Chen Sheng's face, and he remained silent for a long time.
"What is it?" Wu Kuang slammed his hand on the table and demanded harshly.
"You're not willing?!"
After what seemed like a difficult internal struggle, Chen Sheng finally looked up, his eyes filled with an unwavering resolve.
"Commander, please understand. While that Quartermaster was indeed at fault, he took a great risk to sell those pills to me, solving an urgent problem in my cultivation. As much as I fear military law, I cannot commit such a dishonorable act and betray someone who has done me a favor!"
"I am willing to offer all my savings and beg for you to show mercy beyond what the law requires. If that is not possible... then I am ready to accept the punishment!"
The atmosphere in the tent grew incredibly tense. Wu Kuang's burning gaze was locked on Chen Sheng. He looked furious, but deep inside, an undercurrent of admiration began to stir.
'He was about to be promoted and transferred, and he needed to cultivate his own trusted subordinates. He couldn't trust Huang Ren, who had his brother's connections. He preferred someone with a clean slate whom he had promoted himself. Everything he'd just said had been a test.'
'If Chen Sheng had truly sold someone out to save his own skin, Wu Kuang would have kept his word and protected him, but he would have also transferred him away from the inner circle before leaving. He would never dare keep such a disloyal person at his side.'
However, every word of Chen Sheng's reply had perfectly met his standard of "loyalty and righteousness."
'Excellent.'
'He values loyalty and righteousness, willing to suffer a loss himself rather than fail others. He's a talent worth nurturing.'
But he needed to make one final confirmation. Wu Kuang's face became as grim as still water as he spoke in a frigid tone:
"Have you really thought this through? If that Quartermaster turns on you first to save himself, your crime will be compounded! You'll surely lose this hard-won position of Vice Commander. Is it worth it, for a corrupt and lawless criminal?"
"I may not be a Saint, but I know that righteousness must come first. My actions were my own. If I am punished for them, I will have no regrets!"
Chen Sheng's tone was resolute, leaving no room for retreat.
"...Fine."
Wu Kuang waved his hand with an air of resignation. "You may go. Don't mention this to anyone. I... will do my best to sort this out for you."
"Thank you for your grace, Commander!"
With a grateful expression, Chen Sheng stepped forward, pulled a pouch from his robes, and moved to place it on the desk.
"Take it back!"
Wu Kuang stopped him flatly, his tone unquestionable. "This time, I'm not taking your silver."
"...Yes. Thank you, Commander!"
Chen Sheng gave a deep bow, put the pouch away, and slowly backed out of the tent.
The moment the tent flap fell behind him, he let out a silent, long sigh of relief.
'I've passed this test. Not only am I safe, but I've likely earned a measure of Wu Kuang's esteem.'
'Solving a problem when you already have the answer key... it really is the best way to seek fortune, avoid evil, and plan every step.'
...
「Several days passed in a flash.」
Just as he had anticipated, Zhou and his cronies were swiftly arrested by Captain Nie for "trafficking military assets and colluding with foreign enemies." All were sentenced to death by beheading, and a somber mood settled over the military.
Chen Sheng, however, weathered the storm completely unscathed.
That evening, he was summoned to Wu Kuang's command tent once again.
When Wu Kuang saw him enter, his first words were:
"I will soon be transferred to Changshan County in Ning'an Prefecture to serve as the County Captain. I seem to recall you're from Changshan yourself, aren't you?"
His gaze landed on Chen Sheng as he asked lightly:
"Are you willing to accompany me to my new post and return to your hometown in glory?"