Daqian Martial Saint

Following Fang Shicheng, Chen Ping’an soon passed a waterside pavilion.

Just as the two were leaving, their figures receding into the distance, a young lady on the pavilion happened to see them.

”That man... He isn’t from our Fang Family, is he?”

”I suppose so. But who cares?” a young man said, unconcerned.

”That Zuo Wumei who trespassed on our Fang Family lands before... I heard he’s dead. My uncle said the person who killed him was some Candidate for Deputy from the Outer City Garrison Command, and that he isn’t very old. Could that be him?”

”I suppose that’s possible!”

”...”

The young men and women on the pavilion chatted, their tone mostly careless.

”Alright, so what if he killed Zuo Wumei? He’s just a bumpkin from the Outer City. Is that really something to talk about? Come on, come on, let’s get back to playing Qu Shangliu Shui.”

A young man with a hint of arrogance on his face spoke up, clearly displeased.

”Alright, Fang Rui, we get it,” a young lady said with a smile.

By the waterside pavilion, elegant flowers gave off waves of delicate fragrance amidst cheerful laughter. It was as if the world’s troubles and heartaches had nothing to do with them.

For the scions of noble families, as long as they weren’t part of the group being specially groomed as successors, life was always easy, pleasant, and vibrant—at least until they grew old enough to worry about family matters.

...

Chen Ping’an had arrived in a Fang Family carriage, but his return journey was not nearly as comfortable or convenient.

Having refused the Fang Family’s offer to recruit him, Fang Shicheng had no intention of sending a carriage to take him back, merely escorting him to the entrance as custom dictated.

Walking along the bustling streets of the Inner City, taking in the lively and prosperous sights on either side, Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but sigh at the stark difference between his trip here and his trip back.

”Traveling by carriage is so much more comfortable!”

The image of those young men and women at the waterside pavilion, looking so relaxed and carefree, surfaced in Chen Ping’an’s mind. Their expressions showed none of life’s troubles, none of its unbearable weight.

’Next time, I’ll let Nannan experience this, too!’

Chen Ping’an was swift on his feet and quickly returned to his small courtyard. Chen Erya, as always, was waiting for his return.

”Big brother, you’re back!”

The little girl’s smile bloomed like a flower.

”I am.” Chen Ping’an’s face was all smiles, his heart softening at the sight of her.

’It feels so good to have a home.’

...

After returning from the Fang Family, Chen Ping’an cultivated his Martial Arts Techniques with even greater diligence. He reasonably allocated his time among the three: the Golden Bell Shield, the Gale Sword Technique, and the Eight Steps Chasing Cicada. Before heading out for his official duties in the morning, he would practice the Gale Sword Technique. During his spare time in the day, he cultivated the Golden Bell Shield, and after returning at night, he would tackle the Eight Steps Chasing Cicada.

Overall, his practice of the Gale Sword Technique was the smoothest, and it was the one he practiced most frequently.

The Fang Family proved highly efficient, delivering the custom-made Black Cloud Brocade Boots in just three days. Chen Ping’an tried them on; they were a perfect fit. Walking in the Black Cloud Brocade Boots felt like treading on clouds, exceptionally comfortable.

On the very same day the Fang Family delivered the Black Cloud Brocade Boots, a transfer order from the South Town Garrison Command arrived at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.

”Candidate for Deputy Chen Ping’an of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, for suppressing evil, protecting the innocent, and demonstrating meritorious and loyal service, is hereby transferred to the South Town Garrison Command to assume the post of South City Prison Chief.”

When the transfer order arrived, Tian Fuliang heaved a massive sigh of relief.

His biggest worry had been that Chen Ping’an would skip two ranks and be appointed directly to the position of Inspectorate of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office. As the acting Inspectorate, how could he have borne such an outcome?

Thankfully, his worst fear did not come to pass.

Having breathed his sigh of relief, Tian Fuliang immediately began bustling about to make arrangements for Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an’s promotion to South City Prison Chief was a post at the Inspectorate level. Moreover, he would be registered under the South Town Garrison Command. Strictly speaking, that made Chen Ping’an practically a superior to Tian Fuliang.

This Chen Ping’an was a man of considerable ability and a deep background; the post of Prison Chief was unlikely to be his final destination. Since they were colleagues for now, it was a good opportunity to curry favor and strengthen their connection. In the future, this might become a valuable part of Tian Fuliang’s network.

Once the news of Chen Ping’an’s promotion to Prison Chief of the South City Prison spread, it sent waves of commotion through Nanquan Lane.

...

”Mu Wanjun... that woman plays a good game. I never expected her to have a move like this, to have hidden it so deep.”

Inside the South Town Garrison Command, Fu Yuanming sat on a grand chair, his face grim.

The South City Prison had always been Mu Wanjun’s private domain. But he had expended immense effort to slowly infiltrate it with his people. He had waited painstakingly for the previous Prison Chief to retire with honor, and the Vice Prison Chief prepared to take his place was one of his men. By all rights, with everything in his favor, the South City Prison was destined to fall into his hands.

Who would have thought that some punk named Chen Ping’an would suddenly appear out of nowhere.

He slays Zuo Wumei, gets a double promotion, and with that woman Mu Wanjun pulling the strings, he actually manages to snatch away the position of South City Prison Chief.

”How outrageous! Lord Fu had arranged everything perfectly; the position of Prison Chief was already Zhu Qirong’s. I can’t believe that brat just had to interfere.”

The speaker was one of Fu Yuanming’s trusted men, a middle-aged man with a fine beard and an angry look on his face.

”Ultimately, this just shows Mu Wanjun’s extraordinary methods. To think she secretly had an ace at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer, one with merit to his name. By the time it came to the final resolution, the majority had sided with her.”

Fu Yuanming had made some inquiries about this Chen Ping’an. But he hadn’t learned much. His attention was primarily fixed at the Inspectorate level; he hadn’t had much interest in a freshly promoted Candidate for Deputy.

Who would have thought it would be this very person who would disrupt his entire layout.

”Go find out more about this new Prison Chief, this Chen Ping’an. Be thorough. Be diligent. Don’t be like last time, when our information was still stuck at Qi Blood Three Realms Perfection, and we didn’t even know the man had already reached the Qi Blood Fifth Layer.”

Fu Yuanming said this with a look of displeasure, a clear reprimand.

This lack of information left him unprepared for Mu Wanjun’s gambit. In the end, he had lost the initiative in this struggle for the position of South City Prison Chief.

From now on, he would have to pay much more attention to this young man named Chen Ping’an.

’Qi Blood Fifth Layer at the tender age of twenty... This is getting interesting.’

The position of South City Prison Chief was now important enough to warrant his full attention.

”Also, tell Zhu Qirong that when the new Prison Chief takes office, he doesn’t need to have too many reservations. He should continue to feign compliance while acting in defiance. Keep making trouble for the new guy. He’s just a rootless young man, after all. He won’t necessarily be able to keep his seat warm! Qi Blood Fifth Layer, and he wants to sit securely as the South City Prison Chief? He’ll have to ask Zhu Qirong for permission first!”

”With Lord Fu’s words, Zhu Qirong will feel at ease and act boldly.”

”Mm. But while he can be defiant, remind Zhu Qirong to avoid direct conflict as much as possible. If conflict is necessary, have him incite the men under him. He shouldn’t show his own face. It would be messy if he got caught and gave them leverage.”

”This subordinate understands. Your Lordship is wise. That way, the men below will be completely disobedient. After some time, once constant trouble is plaguing the South City Prison, you can use it as an opportunity to impeach Chen Ping’an.”

”Go see to it.”

”Yes, sir.”