Chapter 135: The Regional Inspector's Estate

Long Chen sat cross-legged inside the military tent, simultaneously running the Yin-Consuming Technique and the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Art. His internal martial qi gathered at the Gate of Fate, and then he slowly separated a wisp of the purest martial qi to condense at his dantian.

This was the catalyst Diluo Xi had mentioned—the vital yang fire essential for breaking through to the Martial Emperor realm.

Once this yang fire condensed to a certain degree, the breakthrough could be achieved.

However, Long Chen's current status was still that of a eunuch. If he were to break through to the Martial Emperor realm, he would inevitably arouse suspicion.

The status of a eunuch was truly a double-edged sword; it granted Long Chen the advantage of doing whatever he pleased within the inner palace, while simultaneously requiring him to constantly maintain his eunuch persona.

"My lord, Chen Zu, the Prefect of Qianjiang Commandery, requests an audience."

Outside the tent, Zhang Qian called out. Long Chen slowly opened his eyes, pacified the martial qi within his body, rose, and stepped out of the tent. He saw Prefect Chen Zu waiting outside with a group of officials and soldiers.

"Chen Zu, Prefect of Qianjiang Commandery, pays his respects to Imperial Envoy Lord Long."

Chen Zu was tall with a round face, a large nose, and particularly prominent fan-like ears. He had no beard on his upper lip.

Behind him stood an armored official who appeared to be the Commandant of Qianjiang Commandery.

Not far away were about three hundred soldiers.

Long Chen had never met Chen Zu before, so he could not gauge his true strength, nor could Zhang Qian and the others.

Their departure had been far too hasty, leaving no time to thoroughly investigate the background of Qianjiang Commandery's officials. Besides, no one would have suspected a prefect of colluding with maritime bandits.

"I have long heard that Prefect Chen governs with great skill. Even when maritime bandits were rampant, Qianjiang Commandery remained safe and secure. Your contribution is immense, and I shall certainly memorialize the throne."

Chen Zu bowed and said, "This humble official wouldn't dare; it is merely my bounden duty."

"Please enter the city, my lord. This humble official has already prepared a banquet of welcome."

Long Chen glanced at the troops behind him and said, "It is feared that the army entering the city would disturb the people, so we will temporarily camp outside the city walls."

A look of troubled hesitation crossed Chen Zu's face as he said, "If my lord does not enter the city, how can this humble official properly play the host?"

Long Chen smiled and said, "Since they are camping here, I naturally must go into the city to take a look. Everyone says this place is a prosperous land, how could I make the trip in vain?"

Only then did Chen Zu look pleased. He bowed and said, "That is wonderful indeed. Please mount your horse, my lord."

Zhang Qian tugged at the back of Long Chen's robe. Long Chen said, "You and Commandant Wu shall accompany me. General Dugu will remain here to camp."

Zhang Qian nodded and said, "Very well."

Wu Sword signaled a dozen or so cavalrymen. These were men he had brought from the Fierce Cavalry Camp, not subordinates of Dugu Jiali.

The Empress had commanded Wu Sword to train cavalry outside the city, and Wu Sword had cultivated several capable men of his own.

"Prefect Chen, please lead the way."

Long Chen mounted his horse, accompanied by Zhang Qian and Wu Sword, along with thirteen fierce cavalry guards. With Prefect Chen Zu leading the way, they proceeded slowly toward Qianjiang Commandery.

Dou Yufei, the Commandant of Qianjiang Commandery, brought up the rear with his troops. His gaze lingered on Long Chen and Zhang Qian, feeling a vague sense of familiarity as if he had seen them somewhere before, yet he could not quite recall where.

Inside the military tent, Wu Xiangyun pulled her head back, her expression shifting uncertainly. The wounds on her face, feet, and back were already beginning to scab over.

The effect of the fish oil was miraculous; the wounds healed rapidly and left no scars.

Once Long Chen had gone some distance away, Dugu Jiali ordered the troops to maintain constant combat readiness. Seeing that the army was indeed on high alert, Wu Xiangyun cowered, pondered for a moment, and then lay back down to rest.

Long Chen rode on horseback, escorted by Chen Zu who chatted with him as they moved.

"Has Lord Long ever visited Qianjiang before?"

"This is my first time. I have long heard that this place is prosperous with an abundance of treasures, and I am eager to broaden my horizons."

"Whatever Lord Long wishes to see or whatever you desire, just tell this humble official, and I will surely procure it."

"How could I impose in such a manner? Hahaha, I have heard there are many beauties here."

Long Chen assumed the expression of a corrupt official. Hearing Long Chen mention beauties, Chen Zu could not help glancing at Zhang Qian, and he smiled as he said, "I have long heard that Lord Long is a romantic scholar. The beauties here are gentle as water; I will certainly find a few for Lord Long to enjoy."

Long Chen laughed heartily and said, "Prefect Chen is too courteous. I am particularly fond of those gentle as water."

Zhang Qian remained silent at his side, though inwardly she muttered: *Playing a corrupt official so convincingly, it must be second nature to him.*

Upon arriving outside the West City Gate, soldiers and commoners lined the streets to welcome them, and guards stood atop the walls in a festive display.

At the gate, the soldier who had demanded money from Long Chen yesterday stood at strict attention.

Entering the city, they traversed the streets until they reached the gates of the Prefectural Office, where the officials of the office stood in formation to greet them.

Prefect Chen Zu dismounted and led all the officials in paying their respects.

Long Chen dismounted from his horse, and Prefect Chen Zu called out loudly in introduction: "The Emperor's Imperial Envoy, Minister of Works, Minister of Revenue, and Superintendent of the Inner Palace, Lord Long Chengen!"

The officials of the Prefectural Office bowed in unison: "This humble official pays respects to my lord."

Many onlookers crowded the streets to watch the spectacle, among them the inn's junior waiter, who stretched his neck to catch a glimpse, feeling vaguely that this imperial envoy looked somewhat familiar.

Lictors of the Prefectural Office brandished wooden staves to disperse the crowd.

"This is the Vice Prefect Song Tongyang, this is the Commandant Dou Yufei, this is the Records Officer Tao Zhigang, this is the Military Advisor Cai Xinqiao..."

Prefect Chen Zu introduced the officials of the yamen one by one. Long Chen swept his gaze across them, noticing that while they varied in height and build, every single one of them possessed a vigorous and agile physique.

"The Emperor has commanded me to pacify the bandits in Qianjiang Commandery, and I must rely upon you all."

"We await your commands, my lord."

Chen Zu led Long Chen into the Prefectural Office, with Zhang Qian and Wu Sword flanking him closely, and the thirteen fierce cavalry guards trailing steadily behind.

Entering the main hall, Long Chen took the seat of honor while Chen Zu sat to the side, the rest of the officials remaining standing.

"Gentlemen, my purpose in coming this time is very clear: to pacify the maritime bandits."

"Having remained in the capital, I am not fully acquainted with the situation here. I ask Prefect Chen to explain the details."

Prefect Chen Zu stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "My lord, Qianjiang Commandery governs five counties, all of which border the sea and have continuously suffered from the harassment of maritime bandits."

"Some time ago, Zhenhai County was even overrun by the bandits, and the magistrate was killed. This humble official is incompetent and unable to suppress them, which is why I petitioned the Emperor to dispatch troops."

Long Chen asked, "How many bandits are there, and where do they lair? What is the current situation in Zhenhai County?"

Chen Zu replied, "There are approximately one hundred thousand maritime bandits, entrenched on Ghost Island. Zhenhai County is still occupied by them at present."

Long Chen asked further, "Who is the leader of the bandits, and what are their tactics?"

Chen Zu answered, "The leader is called Mentolang, and their tactics... they mostly arrive by boat and come ashore, heavily wielding long sabers."

What Chen Zu described matched the intelligence Long Chen had previously reviewed, with no apparent falsehoods.

Ever since the inn waiter claimed that Chen Zu was colluding with the maritime bandits, Long Chen had harbored a lingering doubt: if Chen Zu was indeed in league with the bandits, why would he memorialize the Empress and request the imperial court to send troops to annihilate them?

Could it be that the situation had grown too large to conceal? Was it no longer possible to keep it hidden?

Long Chen looked at Chen Zu, then glanced at the other officials, and asked, "I have heard that among these maritime bandits, many are outlaws from Da Zhou who pillage under the banner of maritime bandits. Is there any truth to this?"

Chen Zu's expression shifted abruptly, and the officials in the hall changed color as well.

"May my lord be wise, these are all rumors; there is no such thing at all."

"Those maritime bandits are merely criminals from the eastern island nations who come here to plunder; no locals are involved."

Chen Zu spoke with absolute certainty.

Long Chen gazed quietly at Chen Zu, and asked once more, "What is the story with the Wu family of Zhenhai County?"