Chapter 454

Chapter 454: To Avoid a Hundred Punches

Faced with Wu Jingwei’s stern and accusatory question, Wang Chen didn’t even lift his eyelids.

He flicked his hand to produce a sparkling crystal.

In the next moment, a burst of colorful light shot out from the crystal, and a crystal-clear image appeared before everyone’s eyes.

A memory stone!

Gasps filled the conference hall.

A memory stone is a special magical tool crafted from mid-grade or high-grade spirit stones, used to record and store sound and images — it is extremely valuable.

No one expected Wang Chen to present such evidence.

The image showed Xiang Yingzhe from the moment he entered the door until he fell to the ground. Although the duration was very short, the arrogant and overbearing demeanor of this steward was clear as day.

Wang Chen had every right to accuse him of “disrespecting orders and defying his superior.”

The evidence was as solid as a mountain!

Wu Jingwei turned a ghastly shade of pale and said in a deep voice, “Even if Steward Xiang is guilty, such punishment is unwarranted.”

“I have already spared him from death.”

Wang Chen scoffed, “If Master Wu disagrees, you can appeal to the Grand Celestial Guardian for judgment, or file a complaint with the sect.”

Wu Jingwei was left speechless.

He truly hated Wang Chen to the core and was furious at Xiang Yingzhe’s foolishness.

How could Xiang Yingzhe let Wang Chen grasp such a handle against him?

Wu Jingwei didn’t consider that if it weren’t for his own suggestion and support, Xiang Yingzhe would never have acted so arrogantly!

After all, it was always someone else’s fault.

“Lesser Steward must apologize.”

Wu Jingwei, however, was no ordinary person and did not let anger cloud his judgment.

He quickly collected himself, clasped his fists, and bowed respectfully, “Lesser Steward was careless in his concern; please forgive me, Master Wang.”

Wu Jingwei understood very well that with Wang Chen holding tangible evidence, going to the sect would be pointless; he might even face punishment instead of securing justice for Xiang Yingzhe.

But Wang Chen was new and would be stationed in Daying City for three years.

He had plenty of time and opportunities to regain his position, and there was no need to rush.

In Wu Jingwei’s mind, he had already sentenced Wang Chen to death!

While Wang Chen couldn’t hear his thoughts, he could guess, smiling as he said, “Ignorance is no crime; Master Wu is too harsh. As long as you work diligently, I will have rewards in store for you.”

Wang Chen’s gaze moved to the other stewards, who were as silent as cicadas in winter: “The same goes for you.”

Wu Jingwei nearly ground his teeth to dust.

Wang Chen’s tone was condescending, pinning him firmly in a subordinate position, even carrying a sense of condescension.

However, Wang Chen was justified in his words, leaving no room for criticism.

Wu Jingwei did not want to be charged with “defying his superior,” so he had to obediently listen.

Even though he was a Purple Palace cultivator like Wang Chen, Wang Chen represented the West Sea Sect as a celestial guardian, holding a higher rank and greater authority, which granted him an inherent sense of righteousness and law.

Wu Jingwei had already realized that this new celestial guardian was not like the previous one, who could be easily manipulated!

“Thank you, Master Wang.”

Wu Jingwei forced out a few words through clenched teeth.

The other stewards, seeing this, also lowered their heads and said, “Thank you, Master Wang.”

“Very well.”

Wang Chen nodded. “Since Steward Xiang can no longer fulfill his duties, the streets he managed will now be overseen by Steward Xi. Does anyone have objections?”

Everyone was stunned.

How ruthless!

The Xun district, under the jurisdiction of the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion, was divided into seven workshops and thirty-nine streets, housing over fifty thousand families.

There were hundreds of taverns, inns, shops, and workshops, and the tax revenue they generated each year was substantial.

Sixty percent of this tax went to the Grand Celestial Guardian’s residences, while the remaining forty percent was managed by the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.

Typically, twelve stewards managed the seven workshops and thirty-nine streets, with each steward overseeing an average of three or four streets.

The benefits were obvious.

Xiang Yingzhe had a high cultivation level, a strong personality, and the backing of Wu Jingwei, which allowed him to control one workshop and five streets, making him one of the most powerful stewards.

Now, with a single statement, Wang Chen had stripped Xiang Yingzhe of his authority!

The stewards exchanged uneasy glances, all turning their attention to Wu Jingwei.

In this matter, they had neither the right nor the courage to voice objections and could only wait to see how Wu Jingwei would respond.

No one expected Wu Jingwei to agree.

After all, much of the profit Xiang Yingzhe had taken had been funneled to Wu Jingwei.

And given that Wu Jingwei had always suppressed Xi Manyun, how could he allow her to gain the upper hand now?

To everyone’s surprise, Wu Jingwei said expressionlessly, “I defer to the Master’s decision.”

He took a step back, clasped his hands, and bowed. “Master Wang, the Lesser Steward is unwell and will take his leave for now.”

What a remarkable character!

Wang Chen smiled faintly and replied, “You may go.”

If possible, Wang Chen would have preferred not to clash with the local powers so soon.

However, it was clear that the other side had no such reservations and was intent on asserting their dominance from the very beginning.

When others are ready to trample over you, how can you simply stand by?

As the saying goes, “Strike first to avoid being struck a hundred times!”

Though Wang Chen had now completely alienated the local powers represented by Wu Jingwei, leaving no room for reconciliation, as long as he held the authority of a celestial guardian, he was not afraid of these scheming individuals.

In the world of cultivation, strength is what truly matters.

With Wang Chen’s current power, he feared neither Wu Jingwei nor even the Grand Celestial Guardian.

Below the Golden Core level, Wang Chen had nothing to fear!

Wu Jingwei abruptly turned and left the conference hall without so much as a glance at Xiang Yingzhe, who lay unconscious on the ground.

His cold-heartedness left the other stewards feeling uneasy.

After all, Xiang Yingzhe had been a loyal supporter of Wu Jingwei, and now, in his time of need, he had been ruthlessly abandoned.

What would become of them if they were in his position?

“Bring him here,” Wang Chen commanded. “Take Steward Xiang home and ensure his family tends to him properly.”

Two servants entered cautiously and carried Xiang Yingzhe away.

Next, Wang Chen called on each steward individually, asking them a few questions.

Without Wu Jingwei as their anchor, these scheming stewards dared not act out and instead behaved meekly, with their heads bowed.

Wang Chen paid no mind to their true feelings. After the inquiries, he said, “Return to your posts and carry out your duties diligently.”

Wang Chen did not make any grand promises, as he knew these individuals were unlikely to side with him; any assurances would be futile.

He also had no immediate plans to remove them from their positions. By taking down Xiang Yingzhe, he had already established sufficient deterrence.

Most importantly, he did not believe these local powers were a united front, nor were they all blindly loyal to Wu Jingwei!

Once the meeting concluded, Wang Chen kept Xi Manyun behind.

He asked her directly, “Can you manage Xiang Yingzhe’s responsibilities?”

Xi Manyun’s expression became deeply conflicted, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.