Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill-Chapter 68 - 66: A Mismatched Pair

Shen Qingshuang said coldly, "Lord Zhou, are you threatening my subordinate? I will report the events of today’s assessment truthfully to the Lord Chief Steward. If your Zhou Family truly dares to harm a constable of our Ruyi Square Sub-Department, the Lord Chief Steward will personally step in to punish your family."

"I don’t need you to remind me!" Zhou Xu spat resentfully before leading his constables to retrieve Zhou Fang’s body.

Chen Cheng glanced at Liu Yunfeng, feeling a slight sense of confusion. He had not reported to Shen Qingshuang that Zhou Fang might be a member of the Black Lotus Sect. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

He didn’t understand why Liu Yunfeng wouldn’t report it. They could use this chance to inspect Zhou Fang’s body. If they could confirm Zhou Fang was part of the Black Lotus Sect, the Zhou Family would face dire consequences.

After all, members of the Black Lotus Sect were easy to identify. One only needed to check the chest and back of Zhou Fang’s corpse for a lotus flower-shaped mark.

"Chen Cheng has passed the assessment and is promoted to official constable."

After announcing the results of the assessment, Shen Qingshuang ordered her constables to escort the spectators away.

Then, she beckoned to Chen Cheng. "Chen Cheng, come with me."

"Yes." Chen Cheng acknowledged, following Shen Qingshuang and her maid, Xiaoxing, out of the training grounds and into her personal courtyard.

She led Chen Cheng into the main hall and sat in the host’s seat. She studied him carefully, a rare smile gracing her usually cold features.

"Chen Cheng, you did very well today."

Chen Cheng cupped his fists in a humble gesture and answered truthfully, "I wanted to be promoted to an official constable, so naturally, I gave it my all."

"Mm." Shen Qingshuang nodded slightly, her smile widening as she asked leisurely, "You’re only seventeen this year?"

Chen Cheng replied, "I am already eighteen."

"Oh, eighteen. I must have remembered incorrectly." Shen Qingshuang said, then continued, "Although you have only cultivated the Bear Skin Grinding Technique to Small Success, your practical combat ability is comparable to a Great Success Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm. That is truly rare."

"To have such power at eighteen... even among the disciples of the great families in the Inner City, not many can accomplish that."

In her opinion, Chen Cheng’s talent was exceptional, and he must have already cultivated the Bear Skin Grinding Technique to Small Success.

Killing a Great Success Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm with only the power of Small Success wasn’t easy, but quite a few geniuses were capable of such a feat.

Of course, this level of power was nothing worth mentioning in front of Shen Qingshuang.

After all, as a scion of a great Inner City family, she had started her training at fourteen, reached Skin Grinding Realm Perfection at seventeen, and now at twenty-two, had already cultivated to Muscle Strengthening Realm Perfection and was on the verge of breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm.

Although Chen Cheng’s talent was considerable, it was naturally impossible for him to catch up to her Martial Arts Cultivation.

However, possessing the real combat power of a Great Success Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm at only eighteen years old made Chen Cheng worthy of her, Shen Qingshuang’s, patronage.

Chen Cheng said, "Thank you for the praise, Chief Constable."

Just then, Xiaoxing returned after closing the courtyard gate.

Shen Qingshuang looked at Xiaoxing, then back at Chen Cheng, secretly comparing them.

In her eyes, Chen Cheng was handsome, with a calm and steady personality. He was decisive, and his Martial Arts Power was outstanding—truly a rare young talent.

And Xiaoxing, though only a maid, had already cultivated to Skin Grinding Realm Perfection. Her Swordsmanship had also reached Perfection. Her power was greater than, not inferior to, that of an ordinary Chief Constable.

Chen Cheng might not seem worthy of Xiaoxing at the moment, but his talent for the Martial Dao was exceptional and his potential was immense. In the future, he would surely catch up to her.

The two of them were truly a good match.

Moreover, Xiaoxing had been with the Shen Family since childhood and was unquestionably loyal. If Chen Cheng married Xiaoxing, he would naturally become one of the Shen Family as well.

The more Shen Qingshuang thought about it, the more pleased she became, and the warmer her smile grew.

Xiaoxing had long known what her mistress was thinking. She felt intensely shy, her cheeks burning hot all the way to the tips of her ears.

Chen Cheng was bewildered. Shen Qingshuang was staring at him with a knowing, matchmaking sort of smile—an expression that seemed utterly out of place on the face of the ice-cold Chief Constable.

’I was prepared for this when she called me over,’ Chen Cheng thought. ’It’s probably just some recruitment speech, asking for my loyalty and for me to serve her diligently.’

’Now that I’ve offended the Zhou Family, I have no choice but to rely on the Shen Family.’

’As for loyalty, as long as the Shen Family treats me with respect and offers protection, I’ll naturally be grateful. I believe in returning kindness for kindness and will do my best to repay them.’

’But if this Miss Shen is planning to offer herself in marriage... that’s something I’d have to think about carefully.’

’After all, a bride is already waiting for the Chens. Even though Mu Xiaowan and I haven’t officially married, I can’t just go thinking about other women, can I?’

’I’m not the type to play around and leave a trail of broken hearts.’

’But that can’t be right. How could the great Miss Shen, with her noble status and formidable Martial Arts Power, possibly take an interest in a nobody like me?’

Chen Cheng quickly dismissed the idea. But then, why was this Miss Shen acting this way?

’Could it be that she’s just captivated by my dashing good looks? No way. I’m probably overthinking things.’

Chen Cheng thought to himself, dismissing the idea once again.

"Chen Cheng, you said you’re eighteen. Are you married?" Shen Qingshuang asked out of the blue.

’So the Chief Constable really *is* thinking along those lines,’ Chen Cheng thought, slightly alarmed. He quickly cupped his fists and said with a serious expression:

"To answer the Chief Constable, I am not yet married, but my father had already arranged a marriage for me before he passed away.

Even though my father is gone, his wishes cannot be disobeyed. I must marry my betrothed."

Chen Cheng’s words were earnest and came straight from the heart. Although he and Mu Xiaowan were not officially married, he already saw her as his wife.

If Shen Qingshuang had any improper ideas, this should be enough to make her back down.

Shen Qingshuang hadn’t expected such a direct answer from Chen Cheng. The words she had prepared to set him up with Xiaoxing could no longer be spoken.

"You’re referring to that childhood fiancée of yours?"

Shen Qingshuang asked. She had investigated Chen Cheng, so she naturally knew about his family background.

Chen Cheng nodded and replied seriously, "Yes."

The fact that Chen Cheng so cherished a childhood fiancée made Shen Qingshuang think even more highly of him. She saw him as a loyal and principled man. If they recruited someone like that into the Shen Family, they would never have to worry about his allegiance.

"It is admirable that you think this way." Shen Qingshuang nodded in approval.

Then, she changed her tone and continued, "However, a childhood fiancée is still just that. Most are acquired by one’s parents, and there are no real feelings involved.

You aren’t married yet. You could easily marry a suitable principal wife first and then take her as a concubine."

"After all, you have already achieved some success in Cultivating Martial Dao. It is only natural that you should marry a woman of equal social standing who has also succeeded in her own cultivation to be your principal wife. Only that would be a fitting match."

The smile never left Shen Qingshuang’s face. She was normally as cold as ice, but her smile was exceptionally beautiful.

Chen Cheng had a sinking feeling. ’It seems this Miss Shen really *does* have improper designs on me.’

’To be honest,’ he thought, ’if it weren’t for Mu Xiaowan, considering Shen Qingshuang’s beauty, her family background, and her Martial Arts Cultivation, I might have actually accepted.’

’I can’t let her misunderstand. I have to cut this off cleanly now, otherwise it will only get more entangled.’

In a flash, Chen Cheng made up his mind. He said solemnly, "Chief Constable, my heart is set on Cultivating Martial Dao, and I have not yet considered marriage. Even if I were to marry, I would marry Mu Xiaowan."

Shen Qingshuang never thought he would be so stubborn. A flash of anger rose in her, and her expression darkened. She said:

"Chen Cheng, I am doing this for your own good, can’t you see that? Do you have any idea that I am trying to introduce you to a woman of both talent and beauty, with outstanding Martial Arts Power?

This is a heaven-sent opportunity that countless people could only dream of."

At the side, Xiaoxing was growing anxious. She stared at Chen Cheng with a slightly reproachful look, cursing him for being such a blockhead.

Ignoring a beauty with outstanding Martial Arts Power like her, yet being so fixated on some childhood fiancée—it was simply incomprehensible.

’What the hell do I need this opportunity for?’ he thought. ’Mu Xiaowan is enough for me!’ He said, his voice firm as iron, "To answer the Chief Constable, I will only marry Mu Xiaowan."

"Fine! I am tired. You may leave."

Shen Qingshuang stood up abruptly and said dismissively.

Chen Cheng was stunned for a moment. He truly couldn’t figure out what on earth this Miss Shen saw in him.

"Chief Constable, about today’s events... I’m afraid I have offended the Zhou Family..."

"You need not worry about the Zhou Family. I will handle it. I doubt they’ll dare to do anything to you."

Shen Qingshuang waved her hand, seeming irritated by the very sight of him.

"Yes." This was what Chen Cheng had been waiting to hear. He cupped his fists, turned, and strode away.