Return to Thunderclap, the Thunderclap Situation (Monthly Pass)

"Reckless Saber has entered the city?"

At the Thunderclap Valley Gu Family's rear-courtyard garden, a white-haired elder reclined in a large chair and asked the person beside him indifferently.

"Reporting to Elder, he has entered the city! Judging by his direction, he should have gone to the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office." A middle-aged man in a long robe at his side replied respectfully.

As someone by the Elder's side, he naturally kept real-time track of all manner of affairs. Let alone a crucial matter involving Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an.

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an, Chief Inspector of the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office, was a true titan at the very pinnacle of Thunderclap.

Solely in terms of authority and threat, even Feng Wuhen, the Great Vassal of the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office, could not compare.

The elder had lean, refined features and wore a pale green robe patterned with cranes, carrying an air of transcendent grace. Even in his current posture, it did not diminish that unworldly elegance in the slightest.

He lay in the large chair, pondering for a while, before issuing an order in a low voice.

"Tell Lu Ping to put on a good performance. Don't slack off. The longer we drag this out, the greater the profits."

"Yes, Elder." The middle-aged man in the long robe gave a respectful bow, then jogged away.

Gu Baixuan raised his eyes to the heavens, gazing at the clear skies and the endless blue vault stretching ten thousand miles.

"Reckless Saber!"

Gu Baixuan narrowed his eyes, and an inscrutable expression appeared on his lean face.

"The steps have already been laid out for you. I hope you understand the situation and know your limits. Don't ruin Thunderclap's greater game!"

"Reckless Saber has entered the city?"

Wu Benqing sat high in a large chair, casually asking the shadows to one side.

"He has entered. Judging by the time, he should be arriving here soon." A hoarse voice sounded from one side of the office.

"He still wanted to come back, did he? He requested one month of leave, but actually took more than two months. He had barely assumed office before taking leave and leaving the city, and then his leave was extended midway—the Province Town Pacification Office actually approved it! It really is easier to be an official when you have someone in the court!" Wu Benqing wore an amused expression, with faint disdain beneath it.

"With Thunderclap's situation as it is, the later he returns, the more beneficial it is to us. The later he comes back, the greater the profits."

"That may be true, but the Province Town Pacification Office's rules are becoming increasingly lax." Wu Benqing chuckled softly, the smile on his face deepening. "He had been in office less than two months, yet he was allowed more than two months of leave. With such laxity, it is no wonder the Administration Bureau has landed itself in such a huge mess."

The black-robed figure in the shadows said nothing. He knew Wu Benqing was referring to the nighttime aerial assassination in Azure Dragon Province City not long ago.

That incident had prompted an update to the Wind and Cloud Grandmaster Rankings. All of Great Qian knew of it, and the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office had lost all face.

"How do you intend to explain Thunderclap's current situation to Reckless Saber?"

"Explain? Explain what?" Wu Benqing sneered. "I am the one in charge of Thunderclap, not Reckless Saber!"

"That may be so, but he holds the post of Chief Inspector. With so many twists and turns involved, aren't you afraid he will uncover them? Besides, although the current arrangement has been handled cleverly, the result is far too obvious. With a little thought, one can skip the intervening steps, work backward from the result, and see the situation clearly."

Wu Benqing sneered. "He is a smart man. He knows what to do. He will not lack for benefits, but he had better stay out of my affairs! This Thunderclap arrangement is a consensus of interests among all parties. I have merely threaded the needle through it all! If he truly wants to interfere, he may not necessarily be able to!"

The shadows gradually fell silent, and no more was said.

Indeed, Thunderclap's present situation was not Wu Benqing's interest alone, but a consensus among the industries and interests of every faction. Wu Benqing was merely a representative carried along by the tide.

Using the fleeing Demonic Heretics as bait, they had consolidated the interests of some forces in Thunderous Roar Great City, swallowing up and suppressing certain weaker businesses.

On the surface, the Demonic Heretics took the blame. In secret, the various parties in the city reaped the gains.

And within this chain, one could also see the shadows of the various forces in the Thunderclap Mountain Range.

It involved smuggling. Without their support, this chain could not operate. Moreover, judging from the previous incidents, the various families in the Thunderclap Mountain Range had most likely reached some sort of understanding with the fleeing Demonic Heretics—or at least part of them.

Both sides had developed an unspoken understanding: at the gates of profit, well water did not offend river water.

Most crucially, although Wu Benqing had not said it outright, he had already seen that certain personnel from the Universe Control Division also had a share in this matter!

Otherwise, the Universe Control Division, which bore supervisory responsibility, would not have remained so unmoved by it.

Previously, although they had all been involved in smuggling, their interests had not been bound together nearly as tightly as they were now.

By borrowing the hands of the Demonic Heretics to raise the threshold for selection, they were, from one perspective, enlarging their share of the pie.

All they needed to do was control the atmosphere of public opinion, stir up some panic, and manufacture unfavorable reports during certain crucial interceptions and encirclements.

In other words, they needed only remain inactive at critical moments—or even maliciously foster that atmosphere. At the cost of Thunderclap's peace, they would seize the greatest possible profits.

Most importantly, every link in the chain had already been opened. They were not even afraid of being exposed. With the Universe Control Division involved, even if it truly came to light, it would be the problem of the various forces in the Thunderclap Mountain Range, not the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office.

At most, they would admit incompetence and accept the charge of accomplishing nothing.

The disparity between investment and return was enormous, completely disproportionate. No wonder so many people had joined in.

But now, the only small deviation was that Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had returned.

The Universe Control Division bore supervisory responsibility, but its relevant personnel had already become part of the chain, so there was no need to worry about them. But Reckless Saber, as the Chief Inspector within the system, also carried inspection duties.

If he stepped forward to investigate this matter, then this operation truly could not continue.

But judging by Wu Benqing's demeanor, he clearly had everything under control. He had already grasped Reckless Saber's nature, so there should be no need to worry.

Just as the black-robed man was thinking, the report of Wu Benqing's trusted subordinate came from outside the door.

"My lord, Lord Chen requests an audience."

"He is here!" Wu Benqing glanced at the black-robed man, cleared his throat, and instructed, "Quickly, invite Lord Chen in!"

"Yes, my lord."

"Ping'an, did everything go smoothly?"

Wu Benqing sat in the large chair and spoke with a genial expression.

"Thanks to your lordship's blessings, all has gone smoothly." Chen Ping'an looked calm, his expression unreadable.

The moment he entered the office, he sensed the presence in the shadows. The other party's concealment technique was excellent, but in his eyes, it was as glaring as broad daylight.

Wu Benqing's face was somewhat pale. His injuries appeared far from light.

"Ping'an, when I heard you had returned, I originally wanted to come greet you. But these injuries of mine are truly a headache. And Thunderclap's affairs as well—one matter after another, none of them let one rest easy. I truly could not get away. My apologies, Ping'an."

Wu Benqing spoke with apparent sincerity, and combined with his wan complexion, he truly looked like someone still recovering from serious injuries.

"I understand," Chen Ping'an said calmly.

According to the information he had learned from Five Thunders Extreme Hand Ning Zhengyue, during a prior campaign against the remnants, Wu Benqing had personally gone to the front lines, accidentally fallen into the enemy's trap, and been poisoned with spiritual venom. His combat strength had plummeted, and he was still recuperating.

"Lord Wu handles ten thousand affairs each day, with countless official duties resting on your shoulders. Naturally, you must recover in peace and place your health above all else." Chen Ping'an spoke calmly, yet Wu Benqing found his words strangely unsettling.

Had he seen through it?

Impossible!

Wu Benqing studied Chen Ping'an, but saw no strange expression on his face.

Not only had Wu Benqing disguised his condition, he had deliberately taken a secret medicine. Let alone Chen Ping'an, even an ordinary Great Grandmaster would not be able to see through it.

That said—

Wu Benqing could not help but look at Chen Ping'an a few more times.

This time they met, he sensed that Chen Ping'an seemed veiled by a thin, faint gauze. The Martial Path Realm he had once been able to see through at a glance was now obscured.

It was not that he could not pierce it, but under the present circumstances, if he tried to probe further, he would inevitably draw Chen Ping'an's attention.

It seems his return to Canglong brought him considerable gains. He even obtained a treasure that conceals cultivation. Wu Benqing felt jealousy rising in his heart, but his face betrayed nothing.

A Heavenly Talent was a Heavenly Talent. As the Gu Family's Ideal Son-in-Law, he had surely received no small number of benefits from the Gu Family during this return to Canglong.

As for a breakthrough in Martial Path Realm, Wu Benqing had not considered that possibility. First, the time had been too short. Even if Reckless Saber possessed astonishing talent, he was facing the bottleneck of a realm. If he wanted to break through, it could not have happened so quickly.

Second, though he was in Thunderclap, he paid close attention to Canglong's affairs. He had never heard any news that Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had broken through.

"Indeed, one should cherish one's health. But those bandits are hateful, raging through Thunderclap like lawless fiends! They have thrown the people of Thunderclap into panic. It truly breaks this Envoy's heart!" Wu Benqing declared indignantly.

Since the matter had come up, he took the opportunity to explain Thunderclap's present situation. At first, their interceptions and encirclements had gone smoothly, but then another group of remnants had emerged from nowhere. With both groups overlapping, they had been placed in an extremely passive position.

Moreover, the forces in the Thunderclap Mountain Range had also been somewhat restless. Though they had not openly done anything, they had caused many disturbances and diverted much of the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office's attention.

That alone would have been one thing. But under the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office's orders, they needed to eliminate the impact here as quickly as possible. Seizing an opportunity, they had originally wanted to wipe out these Demonic Heretics in one decisive push. Yet they had not expected to be drawn into a trap, and one misstep had landed them in the enemy's calculations.

In that battle, not only had he fallen victim to those demonic remnants and been poisoned with spiritual venom, greatly weakening his combat strength, but Gu Loping had also suffered extremely grave injuries.

He had taken a solid palm strike from an Evil Extremity Path remnant.

Though he had fortunately kept his life and was no longer in danger of dying, a recovery in a short period of time was already impossible. He had recuperated for nearly a month now, but at present he possessed at most one-tenth of his peak combat strength.

Feng Wuhen was in somewhat better condition, but he alone remained intact in the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office. One tree could not make a forest; he had been running himself ragged.

After that battle, although many of those demonic remnants had fled, some remained behind, dispersing into scattered units and appearing and vanishing unpredictably.

Every so often, they would emerge to harass others, stir up trouble, and leave Thunderclap without a moment's peace.

"Ping'an, it is good that you have returned! With your assistance, Thunderclap's overall situation will surely improve and gradually return to the right track. Once those remnants hear of your reputation, they will likely not dare act rashly again." Wu Benqing looked delighted, faint excitement showing as he piled praise upon Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an did not follow his lead.

"After dispersing into scattered units, where are those bandits hiding?"

Wu Benqing had not expected Chen Ping'an to ask that question. Without much thought, he answered, "They should be in the Thunderclap Mountain Range! The terrain there is complex, the mountains tower high, and dense forests stretch without end. If they are determined to hide, it will not be easy for us to find them."

"When they come out to rob and kill from time to time, is there not even the slightest advance warning?" Chen Ping'an glanced at Wu Benqing.

Wu Benqing was taken aback, then smiled. "Oh, Ping'an, you mean that. Most of the demonic remnants who escaped here are quite strong, following an elite path. Broken into scattered units and acting separately, they truly do not make much of a disturbance when prepared. By the time we learn of the news each time, the ambush is practically over. During the most recent incident, we only managed to clean up the end of it and barely saved half a merchant caravan."

"We cannot learn of it in advance. Can the forces within the Thunderclap Mountain Range not learn of it either?" Chen Ping'an asked placidly.

Seeing Chen Ping'an's expression, Wu Benqing felt a trace of foreboding. He had truly not expected Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an to be so serious, asking questions that all pointed directly at the heart of the problem.

With Reckless Saber asking this, he could no longer brush him off.

"They should know of some of it, but as for the specifics, I do not know."

Wu Benqing had wanted to say they could not know, but the various factions in the Thunderclap Mountain Range had operated there for years. In terms of control over the mountain range, they were far beyond what the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office could match. If he said they could not know, it would clearly be unrealistic.

"In other words, the various families of the Thunderclap Mountain Range are sheltering these demonic remnants." Chen Ping'an's voice remained calm, but his words struck directly at the core of the matter, simple and clear.

"Because of their shelter, massacres keep occurring."

"That would not be entirely wrong, but—" Wu Benqing tried to soften things. "That is only speculation. We have no evidence in hand. Besides, we have never been on particularly good terms with the various families in Thunderclap. At a time like this, it is in line with their position to give us a little trouble."

"Lord Wu."

Chen Ping'an raised his voice slightly. "Empathizing with the enemy and exchanging positions with them is not our duty. Protecting peace in one region and ensuring Thunderclap remains unharmed—that is our duty. Everything we think and do should stem from that. Since the various families in the Thunderclap Mountain Range obstruct the greater situation, we should find every possible way to deal with and eliminate them, rather than empathize with them and deem their motives reasonable!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Benqing's expression turned cold as well.

"Lord Chen, then what is your meaning!?"

Chen Ping'an's conduct was, to some extent, a refusal to give him face. As the one in charge of Thunderclap, if he continued speaking pleasantly, then the Heavenly Dipper truly would be inverted.

"Give all parties formal warning: those who shelter Demonic Heretics and those who aid evil shall be punished as the same crime! Use thunderous methods to carry out lightning deeds! Sweep away every foul and turbid breath, and return Thunderclap to a bright and clear heaven and earth!"

Chen Ping'an's wording was fierce, but his voice was incomparably calm. There was no hysterical frenzy, only a tranquil strength.

"Lord Chen has quite the spirit!" Wu Benqing smiled, but his voice was somewhat cold. "However, this Envoy wishes to ask: with the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office in its current state, how are we to carry out these thunderous methods and lightning deeds? Solely by the strength of our Town Pacification Office, how can we support them? If our office possessed such authority, why would the situation in the Thunderclap Mountain Range have been allowed to reach this day?

Have you considered these questions, Lord Chen?"

"Lord Wu." Not a trace of emotion showed on Chen Ping'an's face. "Some things only become possible once they are done. If we do not act, there will never be an opportunity. If we fear difficulty in all things, how can we handle this perilous situation?

During the Dragon Peace Turmoil, Demonic Heretics ran rampant and all sides suffered grievous losses. The Town Pacification Office acted, using iron-blooded methods to sweep away the decline and restore a bright and clear heaven and earth to the provincial territory. The Northern Border Pacification Bureau even dispatched a special envoy specifically for this matter. After several months, the strong bowed their heads, Evil Extremity was destroyed, and its remnants fled. This deed benefited the present age and brought profit for a thousand autumns. The Northern Border Pacification Bureau acted thus; we should do the same! Killing Demonic Heretics is an iron law! How can those who shelter them be tolerated?"

"Lord Chen, you make it sound easy. But have you ever dealt with the various forces in the Thunderclap Mountain Range? If, after receiving formal warning, they still persist in their own ways, band together, and refuse to comply, what then!? The mountain forces are no small presence, and if they join hands, their power will be even more astonishing. At that time, how should our Thunderclap Town Pacification Office conduct itself?

If we let them do as they please, our office's prestige will suffer greatly. If we truly intend to enforce this, then I would like to ask, Lord Chen: where should we begin?" Wu Benqing demanded coldly.

"How?" A smile appeared on Chen Ping'an's face for the first time. "I think Lord Wu, in your weighing of circumstances and balancing the middle path, has forgotten something! In Thunderclap territory, who exactly is the true master!?

No matter how great Thunderclap's influence is, can it surpass the laws of the dynasty!? Can it surpass our vast Great Qian!?

If that truly is the case, then they shall naturally be dealt with according to the law! Those who refuse to cooperate shall have their sects broken and their lands razed, their mountains pushed down and their ravines filled."

Chen Ping'an's words rang like stones striking the ground, carrying a faintly majestic momentum.

Wu Benqing fell silent.

He was not silent because he thought Chen Ping'an was right, but because Chen Ping'an had spoken from the highest ground, leaving him no way to refute him. Or rather, Chen Ping'an's stance was clear; refutation was useless.

So Wu Benqing smiled.

"Lord Chen need not make it sound so lofty and righteous. If Lord Chen truly possesses such earnest resolve, then please take sole charge of this matter!"

"Since Lord Wu has such intent, Chen will accept this matter." Chen Ping'an said calmly.

"Good! Then I shall trouble Lord Chen with it." Wu Benqing smiled without warmth.

"This Envoy is busy with official affairs and cannot speak at length. Lord Chen, if there is nothing else, please see yourself out!"

Their conversation ultimately ended on unhappy terms.

Only after Chen Ping'an left did the office once again become quiet.

Wu Benqing sat upright in the large chair, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

Had he not been mindful of Chen Ping'an's identity just now, he would likely have erupted long ago.

Though he controlled Thunderclap, Chen Ping'an's identity was special. He was the Chief Inspector of Thunderclap and belonged to the inspection system of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office. Nominally, he held the authority to inspect Wu Benqing.

Especially since the other man possessed stunning talent and bore the title of Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talent. Though Wu Benqing stood one level above him, their overall influence was essentially equal.

Furthermore, when Reckless Saber had previously gone to Canglong, he had achieved notable battle results. According to the information Wu Benqing had received, although the Evil Extremity Twin Fiends had been injured, Reckless Saber had still slain them both. His combat strength was likely not to be underestimated.

The Hidden Dragon Rankings had previously stated that Reckless Saber, when erupting with full power, might possess the strength of a Top Grandmaster.

But now, Wu Benqing believed Reckless Saber's combat strength was likely above even that. If, in an all-out eruption, he could reach the threshold of Great Grandmaster combat strength, Wu Benqing would not find it strange at all.

Talent, combat strength, influence, status. With all these factors stacked together, Chen Ping'an had been given the confidence to contend with him.

Though unwilling, Wu Benqing ultimately restrained himself.

However, even a clay Buddha had three parts anger, let alone him. After this exchange, the two had essentially torn away all pretense.

All that remained between them was that thin membrane.

Once that membrane vanished, the two could truly be called irreconcilable as fire and water.

"How does it feel to be taught a lesson by a little fellow?" As Wu Benqing continued pondering, a faintly teasing voice sounded nearby.

Wu Benqing turned his head, his gaze icy as he stared coldly into the shadows at his side.

"You are pleased?"

"Hahaha, it is rare to see you suffer a setback, and at the hands of a little fellow no less."

The black-robed man hid in the shadows and teased him a few times. But he ultimately did not dare go too far, and quickly returned to the matter at hand.

"You misjudged him."

According to their previous discussion, Reckless Saber would most likely Watch from the Sidelines, or hold himself aloof since it did not concern him. Yet they had not expected that Reckless Saber, having only just returned, would speak so fiercely and act so aggressively, seemingly intending to involve himself in it.

This attitude was utterly different from before, like two entirely different people.

"Yes, I misjudged him." Wu Benqing's expression was icy as he reclined once more in the large chair. "This Reckless Saber is not only foolish, but naïve! Thunderclap's situation is complex beyond anything he can imagine! Once he gets involved in this matter, it is destined not to end well."

"And you are not stopping him? If Reckless Saber truly does this, it may have an adverse effect on the situation."

"Stop him? Why would I stop him!? Not only will I not stop him, I will even help him! Since he wants to do it, then let him do it thoroughly. If he takes everything upon himself, he will become the enemy of everyone! With such aggressive methods, he will not even know how he dies when the time comes!"

"If Reckless Saber dies here, it will do you no good. The only Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talent across several provinces—your Town Pacification Office must consider him precious."

"Rest assured, I know what I am doing. Entering a quagmire alone, his spirit may be commendable, but the outcome may not be ideal. In the end, he may be covered in filth and blamed by all. Even if I do not act, he will have no choice but to leave with his tail between his legs. If he remains unwilling and insists on seeking death, then with me having done my utmost to dissuade him beforehand, if Demonic Heretics strike and he dies here, even if the Town Pacification Office wishes to blame someone, the blame will not fall on my head."

"It seems you already have a plan."

Wu Benqing reclined in the large chair, a cold look on his face, and remained silent.

Reckless Saber

If you stopped in time, you could still preserve your life. But if you insisted on walking this road into the black, making enemies of everyone, then if you died here, you would have no one to blame.

Since Reckless Saber had involved himself in this matter, the best way to handle it was to let him enter the mire alone and stain himself with its filth.

Having weathered the tides for many years and understood human nature deeply, he naturally grasped the logic behind it.

If Reckless Saber refused to take the bait, held fast to his supervisory post, and repeatedly made trouble from the sidelines in the name of oversight, then even if he had prepared countermeasures, he truly would have found it difficult to handle while running himself ragged.

But now, things were different!

Reckless Saber was now solely responsible for this matter. By accepting the assignment, he had effectively given up the natural advantage of a supervisor, given up the chance to stand above it all and point fingers.

Without this kind of righteous ground, dealing with him would be far easier.

Those caught in the game were lost; those watching from the sidelines saw clearly.

Sometimes, those in the game were not necessarily lost, and those watching were not necessarily clear-sighted. The difference between confusion and clarity lay more in one's state of mind under different circumstances.

When a matter had nothing to do with oneself, one could naturally hang it high and ignore it. From the most omniscient perspective, with the calmest train of thought, one could weigh the situation and analyze the overall picture.

But if one stood at the center of it all, even with clear thoughts, when vital matters were involved, one might truly find it difficult to make a decision.

If he did not want someone standing by and pointing fingers while picking apart every flaw in his actions, the best way was not to argue or confront him, but to let him demonstrate it himself while he watched from the side.

Who would have thought that a simple provocation would make Reckless Saber personally step into the game?

That truly was unexpected.

It seemed that no matter how he usually behaved, when critical matters were involved, Reckless Saber truly was as the rumors said—unrestrained in his actions, reckless beyond words!

"Reckless in action, though gifted, he will never ascend to the halls of elegance.

Reckless Saber, let's see how you clean this up!"

Wu Benqing's smile was stern and cold, chilling to the bone.

Outside the main building of the Town Pacification Office, Chen Ping'an's eyes were deep as he curled his lips into a faint smile.