Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill

If Chen Cheng truly proves to be weak and incompetent, then not only is he unfit to be a Chief Brocade Guard of the Inspection Department, but I will also strip him of his title as Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department today!

Furthermore, I will launch a thorough investigation to see if his appointment as Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department was the result of someone abusing their power for personal gain!"

Xiao Nianci was certainly worthy of her title, the Poison Lady. Not only was she vicious and merciless, but her mind was also meticulous to the extreme.

First, she laid a trap for Chen Cheng step by step. Then, with just a few simple words, she left Xia Lingfeng speechless!

If Xia Lingfeng tried to defend Chen Cheng any further, he would be confirming the accusation of abusing his power for personal gain.

Having been framed in such a way, Xia Lingfeng was naturally furious. His face flushed red as he roared, "Xiao Nianci, are you accusing me of abusing my power for personal gain?"

Xiao Nianci stared at him and said coolly, "If Lord Xia admits to it, I will naturally report the facts to the Sect."

"You…"

"Xia Lingfeng!"

The two of them glared at each other, the auras around their bodies suddenly erupting!

The air was thick with the sense that they would come to blows at the slightest provocation!

The people in the pavilion all backed away.

City Lord Jiang Botao also took several steps back. He was naturally delighted to see Xiao Nianci and Xia Lingfeng fight, hoping to reap the fisherman's profit from their conflict.

However, people of Xiao Nianci and Xia Lingfeng's caliber would obviously not engage in a real fight in front of so many people.

At this moment, it naturally fell to him, the City Lord, to act as the peacemaker and break the stalemate.

"You two, please calm down!" Jiang Botao said with a chuckle. He then cupped his fist in a salute toward Xiao Nianci and said,

"Lord Xiao, I have governed Linji Prefecture and worked alongside Lord Xia for many years. I know Lord Xia to be an upright and incorruptible man who would never abuse his power for personal gain.

As for Chen Cheng, he has indeed earned merit by slaying Demon Beasts. His promotion to Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department is beyond reproach."

At this point, Jiang Botao's tone shifted. "However, Lord Xiao is the acting Director of the Inspection Department. It is natural for her to consider the bigger picture.

If Chen Cheng's strength is lacking, then it is indeed unsuitable for him to continue serving as the Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department."

It had to be said that Jiang Botao was a man of truly remarkable cunning, a veritable thousand-year-old fox.

His speech was flawless. He managed not to offend Xia Lingfeng while secretly fanning the flames, cooperating with Xiao Nianci to suppress Chen Cheng.

By currying favor with Xiao Nianci, Jiang Botao could also seize the opportunity to secure the position of Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department for a disciple of the Jiang Family, further consolidating the Jiang Family's power in Linji City.

With things having reached this point, the initiative was now completely in Xiao Nianci's hands.

She nodded slightly, turned, and sat back down at the stone table. She poured herself a cup of tea and took a light sip.

She seemed to have completely forgotten that she had just declared the tea had lost its freshness and was not worth drinking.

Xia Lingfeng also calmed down, but he continued to glare at Xiao Nianci with his large, bell-like eyes.

If looks could kill, Xiao Nianci would have already died countless times over!

Xiao Nianci was clearly aware of Xia Lingfeng's boorish and reckless nature, so she didn't bother with him. Instead, she glanced at Chen Cheng and said languidly,

"Chen Cheng, have you decided which of these four Chief Brocade Guards you will fight?"

"They are not worthy of fighting me!" Chen Cheng said flatly.

"So you do know you're unworthy…" Xiao Nianci initially thought Chen Cheng was backing down, saying he was unworthy to fight these four. Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly realized her mistake and stared coldly at Chen Cheng.

"You're saying *they* are unworthy?"

Wang Xiaowu and the other three were also furious, turning to glare coldly at Chen Cheng.

Everyone else was completely stunned!

Even Xia Lingfeng was taken aback. He looked at Chen Cheng with a puzzled expression, wondering if the pressure had gotten to him and caused him to misspeak.

Chen Cheng's expression was as calm as ever. He nodded slightly and said,

"Lord Xiao, what I mean is that these four Chief Brocade Guards are all Martial Artists of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm, while I am merely a Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist.

No matter which one I fight as part of this assessment, it would be unfair. It is not a match!

Even in the Great Dao Sect, there is no rule that forces a Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist to fight a Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artist, is there?"

'The reason Chen Cheng said this was not because he feared these four, but because he refused to be led by the nose by Xiao Nianci!'

'Xiao Nianci already holds animosity toward me, so why should I play along with her schemes?'

'Does she really take me for a fool?'

'Even the Brahma Sound Sect has rules about equality for all beings. I refuse to believe the Great Dao Sect doesn't have its own regulations!'

"Right, right, right!" Xia Lingfeng finally caught on, his face lighting up as he clapped his hands in agreement.

"Ah Cheng, you're absolutely right!

The Great Dao Sect values rules above all else. You've just joined the Sect, and you're a genius disciple whom I personally recommended. There's no need for you to fight against these losers who can't even make it to the rank of Steward!

Poison Lady, even though you are the acting Director, I will not allow you to act so wantonly!"

"Hmph!" Xiao Nianci snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Chen Cheng, you disappoint me greatly!

So timid and fearful. You don't have an ounce of Zheng Hun's bearing."

Xiao Nianci was clearly trying to provoke him, but Chen Cheng wasn't falling for her trap.

'If I actually go along with Xiao Nianci's wishes and fight, even if I win, who knows what other tricks she'll pull!'

'That would be far too troublesome!'

'The best way is to not let Xiao Nianci get her way!'

"I am simply asking for fairness and equality. I do not fear anyone!" Chen Cheng said with a calm expression.

"Hah!" Xiao Nianci hadn't expected Chen Cheng to be so unyielding and was quite surprised.

She studied Chen Cheng closely again. After a long moment, she finally said, "So, are you planning to resign from your position as Vice Director of the Linji City Demon Suppression Department?"

Chen Cheng shook his head slightly and said flatly, "My position was earned by slaying Demon Beasts and accumulating Merit. Naturally, I cannot resign so easily.

The Demon Suppression Department's rules are to reward based on merit. The Merit I have accumulated is more than enough to qualify me for the position of Vice Director.

If Lord Xiao wishes to dismiss me and appoint someone else to this position, you will have to find someone whose Merit surpasses my own. Only then will everyone be convinced."

"Haha! Exactly!" Xia Lingfeng roared with laughter, winking at Xiao Nianci. "Miss Xiao, Ah Cheng's position as Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department isn't something you can just dismiss at will!

Go on, find someone with more Merit than him. Let me see who it is!

Let all the officials of Linji City see, too!"

After that series of pointed questions, Xia Lingfeng felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him; it was an indescribable thrill!

He brazenly sat down across from Xiao Nianci, picked up the teapot, and chugged the contents directly from the spout. GULP, GULP, GULP.

He didn't stop until he had drained the last of the tea, turning the pot upside down. Then he smacked his lips and praised, "Good tea! This is truly good tea! Sweet on the tongue, with a lasting aftertaste!"

"Sigh…" Xiao Nianci suddenly let out a soft sigh and murmured, "Zheng Hun, oh, Zheng Hun. And here I thought you'd taken on such a remarkable disciple!"

She suddenly began to study Chen Cheng again, her voice turning quite serious. "Are you aware that the latest Rouge List has ranked you fifth in the Northern Territory?

In the Su State region, you are second only to Li Xuanqi, the first True Inheritor of the Great Dao Sect!

In my opinion, while your Martial Arts Talent is certainly not bad, you lack the indomitable, peerless spirit of a true Martial Artist. With such an attitude, your path on the Martial Dao will not take you far!

You're not even a match for the person in last place on the Rouge List! In fact, you don't deserve to be on the Rouge List at all!"

These words from Xiao Nianci were clearly not a provocation, but rather spoken from genuine feeling.

'But Chen Cheng had already made up his mind not to let her get her way, treating her words as if they were nothing but wind passing by his ears!'

'Only I know the truth of my own Martial Dao! There's no need to be manipulated like a fool for the sake of some empty reputation!'

'When I've truly grown strong enough, the first person I'll deal with is Xiao Nianci!'

While Chen Cheng remained perfectly calm, Xia Lingfeng's explosive temper couldn't stand the provocation. He immediately bristled with anger and shot back,

"Miss Xiao, I think you're just flying into a rage from embarrassment and spouting nonsense because you have nothing left to say!

That stupid Rouge List is nothing but a bunch of empty names!

Not long ago, Ah Cheng took care of Su Qiluo and Su Nishang!

What the hell do those other guys matter!"

"Hmph! Those demonesses from the Sutra of Ultimate Sect were just trying to win people over and refused to use lethal force. You actually took it seriously?" Xiao Nianci retorted sharply.

"Tch! What you think is your business. I can't be bothered with you!"

Xia Lingfeng shot her a look and said, "Lord Xiao, can we return to Linji City now?"

"Not so fast!" Xiao Nianci waved her hand and said seriously, "Since Chen Cheng is unwilling to fight a Chief Brocade Guard of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, then surely he can fight a Golden Patterned Brocade Guard of the Bone Forging Realm, right?

If he cannot even defeat a Golden Patterned Brocade Guard under my command, then he is still unfit for the post of Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department!"

Xia Lingfeng frowned and said coldly, "Xiao Nianci, are you trying to use your official authority to deliberately suppress a subordinate?

Believe it or not, I will write a letter to the Sect right now and report you for abuse of power!"

Xiao Nianci said flatly, "Report me if you wish. Go right ahead.

Chen Cheng is a coward without the backbone of a Martial Artist. He is not worthy of the Sect's cultivation!

Furthermore, Zheng Hun was a hero his entire life, yet he took on such an unpromising disciple. It's truly a disappointment.

I'll just be helping him clean house!"