Chapter 70: The Shockwave
Chapter 70: The Shockwave
"Although there are many types of Sinew Transformation Pills, they are not difficult to distinguish. Based on its color and appearance, this should be a Black Jade Power Pellet."
Chen Mu murmured.
After some thought, he carefully put the pill back and closed the last small wooden box. Then, he opened the final box.
Inside, he found numerous books and scrolls.
They included some Skin Tempering Techniques and Muscle Cultivation Techniques, along with various sword and blade techniques, and even a gun technique.
Blades were the easiest to learn and the most common, so most low-level martial artists trained in blade techniques. Sword and gun techniques were less common among them.
"Mountain Splitting Blade Technique, Mountain Shattering Blade Technique, and Rainfall Gun Technique... Hmm, they don't seem very useful."
After a quick review, Chen Mu put the books aside.
A moment later, Chen Mu returned to the study from the secret room. At the entrance, Shang Qinglai, Zhang Tong, and the others were still waiting respectfully, without making any unnecessary movements.
"Patrol Commander," they greeted as they saw Chen Mu approach.
"Below is Zheng Family's private treasury. Go down and clean it up," Chen Mu said calmly, then walked out.
With his permission, Shang Qinglai and the others finally turned their eager eyes towards the secret passageway.
"Yes, sir!" they replied, and quickly led the group down to clean and transport the items.
There was a large amount of silver in the Zheng Family's treasury, so Shang Qinglai and the others dared not slack off. After finishing the cleaning, they reported the total amount to Chen Mu and transported the items to the City Guard Headquarters in batches.
The total value of all the valuables was approximately 76,000 silver taels.
In a world where one tael of silver was enough for a family to eat for half a year, 70,000 taels was undoubtedly a huge sum. It was enough to cultivate a group of elite Muscle Cultivation warriors, making it a significant force in the Outer City.
And so, the entire Zheng Family residence was cleaned, interrogated, and cleared out throughout the night, with torches burning until dawn. By daybreak, the operation was mostly completed.
By this time, news about the Zheng Family had already spread rapidly throughout Willow Grove and the Southern District, causing a shockwave throughout the entire area! The Zheng Family had been a dominant force in Willow Grove for many years and was also a powerful faction in the Southern District, having dealings with various parties. Their sudden downfall overnight left many factions in awe.
...
Nine Streets.
Crimson Gold Gang's leader, Yin Hong, listened to the report, remaining silent for a long time. The shock in her eyes gradually subsided, and she shook her head, saying, "This Patrol Officer Chen... no, Patrol Commander Chen. When I met him last time, I knew he was no ordinary man, but I never expected that in such a short time, he would reach this level."
Although she had intelligence that Chen Mu was Xu Hongyu's protege, she didn't anticipate his rapid promotion to Patrol Commander and, within a few days of his appointment, causing such a significant stir without drawing attention.
The Zheng Family! In terms of power, they were even stronger than her Crimson Gold Gang, and their sudden downfall overnight was truly terrifying.
"Willow Grove will likely undergo significant changes after today."
Yin Hong muttered to herself.
With the rise of such a powerful new Patrol Commander like Chen Mu, the dynamics in Willow Grove were bound to shift, especially since Chen Mu was still young and had even greater potential. It was not impossible for him to become a major figure overseeing the entire Southern District in the future.
Fortunately, when Chen Mu was in Nine Streets, he had not offended Yin Hong and had even sent gifts to express goodwill.
...
In a spacious mansion elsewhere...
In the bedroom, Min Baoyi stretched his body and rose from between the two fair-skinned and delicate concubines. As he did, the concubines woke up and began to attend to him, helping him get dressed.
Just then, a knock sounded from outside.
"Master, someone is here to report that something has happened in Willow Grove."
"Hmm?"
Min Baoyi was enjoying the service of his concubines when he heard the voice from outside. His expression changed slightly, and he pushed the two women away, quickly putting on his clothes and stepping out of the room.
He looked at the young servant standing at the doorway and asked in a deep voice, "Where is the person? What happened?"
If it had been some other place, he might not have been so serious, but Willow Grove... He knew that was the territory Chen Mu had recently taken over, and the situation there was far more complex than in the Nine Streets.
On the first day of Chen Mu's appointment, one of the local powers, the Zheng family, had gathered their men to teach Chen Mu a lesson. Their arrogance was infuriating, and it had also made Min Baoyi angry.
However, he couldn't do much to help Chen Mu, as Chen Mu was no longer under his command. Having taken over Willow Grove, a place filled with problems, Chen Mu could only find a way to withstand the pressure.
But before even a few days had passed, something had happened again.
This made Min Baoyi somewhat doubtful about Xu Hongyu's decision to have Chen Mu replace Xu Feng.
"The person is out front..."
"Bring him in."
"Yes, sir."
The young servant bowed his head and then led someone in—one of Min Baoyi's informants.
The informant quickly approached Min Baoyi and reported, "Sir, last night, a major incident occurred in Willow Grove. The City Guard suddenly launched an attack on the Zheng family, leading to a clash between the two. The head of the Zheng family, Zheng Hong, Zheng Yong, and others were all killed. The Zheng family has been confiscated and detained..."
Min Baoyi's expression grew even more serious. He had thought that it was unlikely to be good news when a place under Chen Mu's command for just a few days had caused such a stir. However, halfway through the report, he was stunned.
"What did you say?"
He looked at the informant in astonishment.
The City Guard had clashed with the Zheng family, and the Zheng family's main force had been wiped out. As of this morning, the Zheng family had been confiscated and detained... This meant that Chen Mu had led his men to subdue the Zheng family overnight!
How was this possible?
Min Baoyi felt a surge of disbelief. Although he knew that Chen Mu was no ordinary talent, possessing exceptional wisdom, outstanding qualities, and a remarkable temperament, destined to become a prominent figure, Chen Mu had only just taken command of a local magistrate position.
In just a few days, he had annihilated the Zheng family, a faction that had dominated Willow Grove for several decades, making it one of the most powerful forces in the region.
Moreover, this had been done quietly, overnight.
This was vastly different from Chen Mu's previous style in the Nine Streets. If Min Baoyi had previously thought that Chen Mu was calm and composed, now he saw that Chen Mu also possessed the skills and the courage to take bold actions.
After asking for more details, Min Baoyi gradually recovered from his shock, his mind filled with surging emotions.
He brushed aside the Zheng family's initial aggression as if it were a cautious and submissive move. Then, under the guise of a new magistrate, Chen Mu had repeatedly trained his men day and night, lulling all sides into a false sense of security before suddenly launching an attack, wiping out the Zheng family overnight...
After much contemplation, Min Baoyi finally exhaled in relief.
In just one short year, Chen Mu had risen from someone who needed protection to a force capable of stirring up the winds of change. Undoubtedly, he had proven himself worthy of the local magistrate position in Willow Grove. Min Baoyi's initial concerns about Chen Mu's ability to handle the complex situation in Willow Grove had been unnecessary.
(End of Chapter)
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