North City Military Camp, within the Government Office.

It was only when Chen Sheng led his troops back to camp that he learned what had happened. While he was creating a major stir in the western part of the city, someone had executed a "lure the tiger from the mountain" stratagem, taking advantage of the North City Military Camp’s weakened defenses to sneak in completely undetected.

The intruder was ruthless, striking down and killing two soldiers guarding the dungeon.

Their objective was self-evident: they were clearly after a specific prisoner in the dungeon.

A preliminary inquiry confirmed that the dungeon had indeed descended into chaos. The agile intruder had opened numerous cell doors, allowing several prisoners to flee amidst the confusion. Though the breakout was suppressed, some still slipped through the net.

Upon hearing the news, Chen Sheng immediately ordered the entire camp to be locked down to hunt for the fugitives, striving to minimize the damage.

He knew full well that creating chaos and freeing prisoners were merely convenient side effects for the intruder. Their true goal was undoubtedly to rescue a specific individual.

At this critical juncture in his confrontation with the Huang Family, who else could possibly be worth a master’s risky infiltration of the heavily guarded Military Camp to rescue?

The answer was obvious—it had to be the Huang Family, sending someone to rescue Li Huai Sheng!

Unfortunately for the Huang Family, for all their careful calculations, they had failed to predict one thing: Li Huai Sheng was already under his control via a Lifebound Poison Insect, now willingly serving him. By creating this chaos, not only were they trying to sow confusion and increase the odds of a successful rescue, but they were likely also hoping to cause him some trouble.

After all, with prisoners escaping from the Military Camp’s dungeon, no matter how many were ultimately recaptured, he, as the commander of North City, would be held responsible. He was sure to earn a reprimand from his superiors.

But that was all it would be.

With a backer like Wu Kuang, trying to take him down over such a trivial matter was nothing but a pipe dream.

Having figured this out, a cold smirk touched the corners of Chen Sheng’s lips.

’As expected. None of these local powers who have been entrenched in Changshan County for years are to be trifled with. I can lure the tiger from the mountain, but they know just as well how to strike when there’s an opening.’

Half an hour had passed since Chen Sheng’s return to camp, yet Li Huai Sheng had still not appeared to make his report. Chen Sheng’s face, however, showed no trace of anxiety. He continued practicing his Pile Skill within the Government Office as usual, his mind calm and centered.

[Perfection of Basic Knife Technique (278/2000)]

[Great Success in Golden Bell Body Refining Technique (964/1000)]

[Minor Achievement in the Fishing Toad Force Secret Technique (53/500)]

[Minor Achievement in Demon-Suppressing Triple Extremes Saber (389/500)]

As his consciousness swept over the clear panel, Chen Sheng could feel his qi and blood growing more abundant, the roaring sound from his muscles and bones becoming denser and more frequent.

On the solid foundation laid by the Earth Core Spirit Milk, supplemented by the continuous efficacy of the high-grade Tiger Bone Pills, he was only a single step away from the peak of the Bone Forging Realm.

At his current rate, he would be able to touch the barrier to the Marrow Transformation Realm in two days at the earliest, three at the latest.

Just then, his ears twitched, catching the barely audible whisper of robes cutting through the air outside the door. Chen Sheng slowly concluded his practice, opening his eyes. A sharp glint flashed within them for an instant before vanishing. He spoke calmly:

"Since you’ve arrived, come in."

CREAK—

The door swung open. Li Huai Sheng, dressed in a black robe, slipped inside. A somewhat strained smile was on his face as he bowed respectfully.

"I was afraid of disturbing your cultivation, Commander, so I did not dare to enter immediately."

"Spare me the formalities."

Chen Sheng waved his hand, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "How did it go?"

Li Huai Sheng’s expression turned serious. Not daring to delay, he quickly retrieved an exquisitely crafted, square sandalwood box from his robes. He presented it with both hands and, with a soft CLICK, flipped open the lid.

"I have not failed my mission!"

His voice carried a hint of barely concealed pride. He said flatteringly, "It is all thanks to your masterful strategy, Commander. You lured away most of the Huang Family’s experts, which allowed me to infiltrate their restricted grounds so smoothly, find this item, and bring it back safely."

The moment the lid was opened, a faint, cool aura wafted out. Chen Sheng’s gaze was immediately captivated by the object inside the box—a small worm, shaped like an earthworm and about the length of an index finger. Its entire body was the color of lustrous white jade.

Its body was slightly curled as if in a deep slumber, and it looked quite unassuming.

Yet, this seemingly unremarkable creature was a supreme treasure that could drive countless Bone Forging Realm Martial Artists into a frenzy—the Spirit Marrow Gu!

This creature could not only dramatically increase the probability of breaking through to the Marrow Transformation Realm, but also nourish one’s martial foundation. It was regarded as the very cornerstone of a clan’s legacy by many Martial Arts Noble Families, enough to guarantee a family a century of unwavering prosperity!

"Well done."

A look of satisfaction flashed in Chen Sheng’s eyes. He took the wooden box, latched it carefully, and tucked it away securely in his robes.

He then retrieved four silver notes, each for one hundred taels, from his sleeve and handed them to Li Huai Sheng. "You cultivate a Poison Skill, so ordinary elixirs are of no use to you. Take this silver and purchase whatever you need."

"Obtaining the Spirit Marrow Gu was entirely thanks to your meticulous planning, Commander. I was merely following orders. How could I dare take credit and accept such a generous reward?" Li Huai Sheng said, putting on a look of panic as he hastily tried to refuse.

"I’m giving it to you, so take it. When you work for me, merit is rewarded. That is the rule."

Chen Sheng’s tone was placid, yet it carried an authority that could not be questioned. He changed the subject, looking at Li Huai Sheng with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. "As for your Lifebound Poison Insect, I will continue to hold onto it for a while longer. You... need not be in such a hurry."

Li Huai Sheng sighed inwardly, knowing it would be impossible to get his Lifebound Poison Insect back anytime soon.

Without the insect, not only was his strength limited, but his Cultivation would also be difficult to advance. But he understood. He had only just surrendered, and as a captive at that. It was perfectly normal for Chen Sheng to be on guard against him.

He could only suppress his disappointment and thank him again. "Yes, I understand. I am entirely at your disposal, Commander."

"Oh, right," Chen Sheng said, as if the thought had just occurred to him. He toyed with the teacup in his hand and spoke with feigned casualness, "It was only after I returned to camp that I learned the Huang Family is so ’loyal and righteous.’ They actually sent an expert to rescue you. It’s just... while you were going to the Huang Family’s mansion, their people were coming here, to my North City Military Camp."

Hearing this, a chill shot through Li Huai Sheng’s heart, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

He rushed to explain, his tone pleading, "Commander, you must see the truth! The Huang Family’s actions have nothing to do with old loyalties. They simply can’t bear to lose a Marrow Transformation Realm Martial Master they can order around.

Even if they had managed to rescue me, they would’ve surely used even crueler methods to control me; they would never have let me act freely. Since I have resolved to follow you, Commander, I have severed all ties with the Huang Family. I have nothing more to do with them!"

Seeing his intense reaction, Chen Sheng smiled faintly and waved his hand.

"There’s no need to be so tense. I was just making a casual comment, nothing more. Stick with me long enough, and you’ll come to understand my character and my principles."

"Yes, I understand."

A smile was plastered on Li Huai Sheng’s face, but inwardly, his mind was racing.

He knew full well that if he had shown even a hint of "gratitude" toward the Huang Family just now, he would have immediately invited Chen Sheng’s suspicion and brought his wrath down upon himself. This young commander was meticulous, ruthless, and by no means someone to be trifled with.

"Alright, you’ve worked hard. Go get some rest," Chen Sheng said with a wave of his hand.

"I will take my leave." Li Huai Sheng bowed respectfully and slowly exited the Government Office.

After Li Huai Sheng had departed, Chen Sheng once again took out the sandalwood box he kept close to his person. He opened it and carefully examined the jade-like Spirit Marrow Gu for a moment, sensing the immense vitality and Spiritual Charm it contained. Only then did he put it away again, satisfied.

He consumed a high-grade Tiger Bone Pill and, without further delay, immersed himself once more in his arduous cultivation.

With the Spirit Marrow Gu now in his possession, the greatest obstacle to breaking through to the Marrow Transformation Realm had been eliminated. All that now stood in his way was the accumulation of his own Cultivation.

He would not allow himself to slack off in the slightest.

...

However, in stark contrast to the quiet cultivation taking place here, the Huang Family Mansion had erupted into utter chaos over the sudden theft of the Spirit Marrow Gu.

———