Chapter 92: Chapter 91: Rank Has Its Privileges

“Chen Tang?”

Mei Nianzhi saw Chen Tang blocking the door and couldn’t help but be stunned for a moment.

Mei Yingxue instinctively lowered her head.

Such an embarrassing scene, she didn’t want Chen Tang to see it.

Knowing this was evasion, self-deception, she still chose to avoid Chen Tang’s gaze, not to look at him.

“What’s going on?”

Chen Tang looked at the two governmental officials behind Mei Nianzhi and frowned as he asked.

“Who are you, coming here to meddle!”

“The Government Office is arresting people, let me…”

The two governmental officials standing behind Mei Nianzhi’s party did not immediately notice the armor on Chen Tang.

They shouted, cursing, took two steps forward, about to act, then recognized the Cyan Dragon Armor on Chen Tang and the Cyan Dragon Sword at his waist.

Their faces changed dramatically!

Although they were not present at last night’s banquet, they heard about what happened this morning.

The two officials, Bai and Shi, didn’t recognize Chen Tang, but they recognized the Cyan Dragon Sword Armor!

This was the most obvious sign of the Cyan Dragon Guard.

This young and unfamiliar face was likely the Chen Tang who was just recruited into the Cyan Dragon Bureau by Guard Captain Cai Yin!

“Lord Chen, Lord Chen…”

“Greetings to Lord Chen.”

The two officials quickly reacted, hurriedly stepped forward to salute.

They were much older, bowing to a young man, respectfully calling him lord, which indeed seemed a bit strange.

This scene almost made everyone in the inn drop their jaws.

Just now these two officials acted high and mighty, unreasonable, arresting whoever they wanted.

In an instant, in front of a young man, they became obsequious, nodding and bowing.

More importantly, this young man was Chen Tang from Changze County.

This person just got his rank yesterday; today he’s already entered the Cyan Dragon Bureau?

This wasn’t just rising rapidly, it was virtually soaring to the heavens in one step!

Chen Tang asked, “Why are you arresting people?”

The official surnamed Bai quickly explained, “Lord Chen, we just posted a notice, looking around for leads on the remaining members of the Evil Wolf Gang nearby. Coincidentally, in this inn, we caught two remnants of the Evil Wolf Gang!”

Chen Tang asked, “Who said they are remnants of the Evil Wolf Gang?”

“This…”

The official surnamed Bai hesitated for a moment, pointing towards Lu Shizong’s side, and said, “He said this Hall Master Mei once took the only son of the Evil Wolf Gang Leader as a disciple, I guess they probably had some private dealings, collusion of interest…”

“You guess?”

Chen Tang slightly raised an eyebrow and said, “That young master of the Lu Family and Gou Dai were fellow disciples, by your guessing, are they also remnants of the Evil Wolf Gang?”

Lu Shizong, hearing this, immediately stood up, waving his hand, saying, “My child is not, he is not familiar with Gou Dai, our whole family has nothing to do with the Evil Wolf Gang!”

Chen Tang ignored him, just looked at the two officials and sneered, “Is this how your government office handles cases? Not talking about evidence, all based on guesswork?”

Under the public gaze, the two officials, chided by Chen Tang like this, suddenly felt ashamed, their faces burning.

Moreover, this young man even extended his words to include the entire government office.

The implication in his words was obvious.

It was heard that even the County Captain stumbled on this young man last night.

The official surnamed Shi said, “Lord Chen is joking, we found these two suspicious, intending to take them back for questioning.”

“Oh?”

Chen Tang stared at the two officials and slowly said, “I now find you two very suspicious, likely spies from the remnants of the Evil Wolf Gang infiltrating the government office, capturing innocent people and confusing the public!”

“You two come with me to the Cyan Dragon Bureau.”

This rogue rhetoric, who wouldn’t know?

The key is, he holds a higher official rank.

To be precise, his rank is two levels higher.

Even if it were these officials’ boss, he’s equivalent to a Centurion, would still have to bow before him!

Who wouldn’t know how to wield official authority?

The two officials were shocked and terrified.

Once admitted to the Cyan Dragon Bureau, no one comes out whole.

Even if they weren’t remnants of the Evil Wolf Gang, other issues would be found.

“Lord Chen, these words should not be spoken carelessly.”

“Lord Chen, you mustn’t wrong anyone.”

The two officials were a bit panicked and hurriedly said.

The diners present, witnessing this scene, all felt a sense of absurdity.

Just now, these two officials acted so rashly and indiscriminately, dealing with others this way.

Unexpectedly, like a boomerang, it struck back at them.

“Release them.”

Chen Tang said lightly.

When Mei Yingxue heard these three words, she seemed to think of something, suddenly lifted her head to look at Chen Tang, her expression complex.

At this point, the two officials could only admit defeat, exchanged a glance, silently turned around, and untied the ropes binding Mei Nianzhi and Mei Yingxue.

“Lord Chen, we take our leave.”

The two officials felt utterly embarrassed, unable to stay here any longer, clasped their fists, intending to leave.

Swoosh!

The Cyan Dragon Sword swept across, blocking their path!

“Arresting the wrong people, and just want to walk away like this? Doing wrong, there’s always a price to pay.”

The faces of the two officials turned unpleasant, frozen in place.

The spectators were all watching the drama unfold, even outside the inn, drawing more and more onlookers.

Besides the two officials, there was another person present whose face turned extremely unpleasant upon hearing these words.

Was it an illusion?

Lu Shizong felt when Chen Tang said those words just now, he seemed to glance at him!

Was he pointing at me?

Was it because of today’s matter, or…

It couldn’t be.

Impossible!

That glance just now must have been a coincidence.

Lu Shizong lowered his head, not daring to look at Chen Tang.

The two governmental officials stood in place for a while, fearing that the gathering crowd would escalate the matter.

The two then approached Mei Nianzhi and Mei Yingxue, speaking softly, “Both of you, we apologize for what happened earlier, it was all a misunderstanding.”

“Hall Master Mei, please forgive us, it was our mistake.”

“Oh, oh!!”

Cheers erupted from the diners present and the crowd outside the inn.

These governmental officials were usually arrogant, and it was rare to see them embarrass themselves, which pleased many people.

Chen Tang sheathed the Cyan Dragon Sword.

He couldn’t be bothered to argue with these types, and it hadn’t escalated to the point of conflict. Intimidating them, teaching them a lesson, and making them retreat was enough.

The two governmental officials hung their heads and quickly headed towards the door.

Just as they reached the door, the official with the surname Bai seemed to remember something, turned back, and walked over, handing two hundred coins to the innkeeper, saying, “Almost forgot, here’s today’s meal payment.”

“Sir, I wouldn’t dare…”

“Take it!”

The official with the surname Bai glared and coughed lightly, raising his voice, “We, as officials, can’t eat for free either!”

The official with the surname Shi silently thanked his luck.

Fortunately, his brother was quick-witted.

If Lord Chen had hauled them into the Cyan Dragon Bureau over the free meal, they would truly have been in tears.

The two governmental officials left dejectedly.

Seeing that the excitement was over, the nearby crowd gradually dispersed.

Chen Tang glanced at his attire.

Indeed, this outfit was quite effective.

No wonder everyone wants to climb higher once they enter the court.

An official of a higher rank can crush others; he hadn’t even drawn his sword, yet scared off the two governmental officials.

Chen Tang looked at Mei Nianzhi and his daughter, asking, “Are you both alright?”

“We’re fine.”

Mei Nianzhi approached Chen Tang, solemnly bowing and saying, “Lord Chen, we are truly thankful. If it weren’t for your intervention, we father and daughter would likely face imprisonment today.”

“Hall Master Mei, you’re too kind, it was no trouble at all.”

Chen Tang held Mei Nianzhi’s arms, helping him up.

“Yingxue, come quickly, thank Lord Chen.”

Seeing Mei Yingxue lingering behind hesitantly, Mei Nianzhi frowned and reprimanded her.

“Oh, oh.”

Only then did Mei Yingxue snap out of her thoughts, step forward, and prepare to give thanks.

Chen Tang caught her arm first, slightly shaking his head, smiling, “There’s no need for that; you helped me in the same way back then.”

Mei Yingxue gazed at the tall young man, donned in armor and wielding a sword, lost in thought.

Indeed.

She was just thinking about how mysterious destiny is.

A few months ago, she and her fellow disciples returned from outside, inadvertently ran into Cui Yong and his companions troubling Chen Tang.

She admired, respected, and somewhat pitied Chen Tang at the time.

On a whim, she decided to step in and help.

Unexpectedly, today she and her father faced nearly the same plight as Chen Tang’s family once did.

And the one who stepped in to save them was precisely Chen Tang.

It all seems like the cycle of karma, a destined fate unbeknownst to them all.

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing Mei Yingxue staring at him silently, seemingly distant, Chen Tang called out softly.

Mei Yingxue snapped back to reality, her cheeks flushed, she lowered her head.

Soon, she mustered the courage to raise her head and asked, “Can I still call you Chen Tang in the future?”

For some reason, Mei Yingxue didn’t want to address Chen Tang as Lord Chen like others.

Chen Tang chuckled, asking in return, “Can I still call you Miss Mei in the future?”

“Of course you can!”

“Then you can as well.”

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

Mei Nianzhi watched this scene from the side, nodding in approval, comforted by the sight.

At the same time, he sighed inwardly, realizing he was getting old.

In his understanding, forming relationships required not just character, but also considering the other party’s ability, status, and whether they could be of help in the future.

In his eyes, Chen Tang had a poor background, low status, and was considered useless; associating with him seemed unnecessary.

So before coming to Wu’an County, he had never visited Chen Tang’s home.

Unexpectedly, his daughter’s thoughts weren’t as complicated or utilitarian as his, and she ended up forming a kind relationship with Chen Tang.

“Lord Chen, congratulations.”

Mei Nianzhi clasped his hands together again and said, “Originally, we thought you’d seek a post beside Commander Wu, but never imagined you’d directly enter the Cyan Dragon Bureau.”

“Lord Chen, I heard that one needs at least a Seventh Grade to enter the Cyan Dragon Bureau. How did you, being Ninth Grade, manage to get selected?”

“No need to ask, they must have seen Lord Chen’s potential.”

“Our Changze County produced a high-ranking official!”

Several wealthy gentry from Changze County stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

“It’s a long story.”

Chen Tang didn’t go into detail, turning to ask, “When does Hall Master Mei plan to return to Changze County?”

“We plan to leave in the afternoon.”

Mei Nianzhi said, “The case in Changze County has been settled, and everyone wants to return soon.”

“Alright.”

Chen Tang nodded, saying, “Travel safely on the road.”

With that, Chen Tang headed upstairs.

Knowing when Mei Nianzhi and his party would return was all he needed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep