Daqian Martial Saint

”Hey, little girl! Was it you who just said I’m not paying?”

Scoundrel Jiang took a few steps forward, not even glancing at Old Man Hao, who was lying on the ground.

”I said it. You eat, you pay. That’s just how it is. Is there a problem with that?”

Chen Erya stared at Scoundrel Jiang without backing down.

”Oh? ’Just how it is’?”

Scoundrel Jiang laughed. The two men behind him laughed as well.

”Why don’t you ask him if I should pay for my meal?”

Scoundrel Jiang pointed a finger at Old Man Hao on the ground, staring brazenly at Chen Erya.

”Young lady, this old man appreciates your kind intentions. But I was happy to treat Master Jiang to this meal. It has nothing to do with him.”

Old Man Hao struggled to pick himself up from the ground.

”Did you hear that?”

Scoundrel Jiang slowly walked forward, a cruel look on his face as he watched Chen Erya.

Just as he was about to get closer, Chen Ping’an stood up.

”Don’t take another step. If you do, you’ll face the consequences.”

There wasn’t much emotion in Chen Ping’an’s voice, but it was enough to stop Scoundrel Jiang in his tracks.

He looked at Chen Ping’an, uncertain and suspicious.

From his perspective, though Chen Ping’an looked young, his dress and appearance were clearly not those of a commoner. His sudden move to stand and speak only confirmed this suspicion.

’Which family’s young master is he?’

This was the first thought that flashed through Scoundrel Jiang’s mind.

”Boss!”

The ruffian behind him tugged on Scoundrel Jiang’s clothes. He had clearly been intimidated by Chen Ping’an’s aura and sensed there was a problem.

Meanwhile, the other ruffian, who had been so arrogant and aggressive just moments before, was now like he’d been doused with cold water, instantly sobered.

’This feeling...’

’He doesn’t feel like a normal person!’

”Right.”

Scoundrel Jiang nodded.

”Haha, young man, don’t be hasty. I was just joking! The little girl is cute, so I was just teasing her a bit!”

Chen Ping’an didn’t say a word, just watched them.

Scoundrel Jiang gave a dry laugh, then turned and left without a moment’s hesitation.

’Dammit, I miscalculated!’

He had noticed Chen Ping’an’s group earlier while eating. Judging by their appearance and clothes, they didn’t look like common folk; their family was probably well-off.

He hadn’t planned on starting anything, but when the little girl spoke up, he had the idea to test the waters.

If they had acted weak, he would have seized the opportunity to extort them for some money and bully them a bit while he was at it.

Who would have thought their reaction would be so much tougher than he’d imagined!

’Judging from the young man’s reaction just now, this wasn’t just a case of being from a well-off family. He’s clearly a young master from a major clan. Otherwise, he wouldn’t possess the kind of aura that comes from being in a position of power for a long time.’

’That’s an aura an ordinary person couldn’t fake even if they tried!’

Since the other party was playing hardball, how could he dare to pester them further? He didn’t even utter a threat before leaving directly.

’Dammit, this is so infuriating!’

’To be honest, if it weren’t for the strict orders from above not to cause any trouble during the days leading up to the new Deputy Commander’s arrival, I would have tangled with them, even if he was some young master from a big clan.’

’I might even have waited until dark, found a secluded spot, and beaten them up to vent my frustration!’

’The young man is slightly built and clearly hasn’t even reached the Entry Level of the Martial Dao. With two little girls alongside him, they would have been easy prey.’

’So what if he’s from some clan! Beat them up, and there would be no proof it was us. Even if they made baseless accusations, without evidence, the Crocodile Gang backing us isn’t a bunch of pushovers.’

’As long as they’re not from one of the three great families, it wouldn’t matter what clan they belonged to!’

’Sigh, what a shame...’

’You all got lucky this time!’

’You really should thank your soon-to-arrive Deputy Commander!’

「...」

The few ruffians from the Crocodile Gang left quickly, and Chen Ping’an didn’t step forward to stop them.

However, he made sure to remember their faces and nicknames.

’I need to get Xiaozeng over here sooner. Otherwise, I’ll have to deal with these things myself,’ Chen Ping’an thought to himself.

Watching the ruffians from the Crocodile Gang leave, Old Man Hao let out a long sigh of relief and hurried forward.

”Sir, I’m so sorry. This is all this old man’s fault. None of this would have happened otherwise. Thankfully... it was a scare, but no real danger!”

Chen Erya said, ”Elder Hao, it’s not your fault. This only happened because I spoke up and they heard me. It even caused you to fall. Are you alright?”

”It’s nothing! This old man’s body is still quite sturdy!”

”Elder Hao, why did they suddenly leave like that? Do you know the reason?”

Chen Erya was a little curious.

Chen Ping’an smiled but said nothing.

’This sister of mine is still a bit too young, after all. There are some things she doesn’t understand yet.’

Hearing her question, Old Man Hao glanced around. Seeing that not many people were nearby, he said mysteriously, ”The new Deputy Commander, well, if you count the days, he’s due to arrive in the city and take up his post very soon. These gangs don’t dare stir up any trouble right now! They don’t want to cause any problems for no reason!”

”Oh, so that’s why~”

The little girl glanced at Chen Ping’an, a look of sudden understanding on her face.

Peony, on the other hand, looked a bit playful. She glanced at Chen Ping’an, then at Old Man Hao, looking as if she wanted to say something but held her tongue.

”Elder Hao, we’re the ones who troubled you this time, causing you to be pushed to the ground for no reason.”

Chen Ping’an said with a kind smile. As he spoke, he took out a few pieces of broken silver from his robes.

”This is just a small token of our apology. Please accept it.”

Old Man Hao hesitated. ”Sir, this is...”

”Please, take it,” Chen Ping’an said with a smile.

”You can use this to get yourself examined, see if any bones were injured.”

”Yes, Elder Hao, please take it,” Chen Erya chimed in.

”This is too much, Sir!”

Old Man Hao was still refusing.

However, with Chen Ping’an and Chen Erya’s insistence, Old Man Hao finally accepted their small token of goodwill.

Watching Chen Ping’an and the others’ departing figures, Old Man Hao’s face was filled with gratitude, and he secretly committed their appearances to memory.

「...」

The White Stone Town Pacification Bureau, the core institution that, in name, governed all the various factions, was located in the most prosperous and bustling Central District of White Stone City.

Chen Ping’an didn’t return to the inn to retrieve his luggage, but he did settle Chen Erya and Peony there.

He walked alone to the entrance of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau and, under the astonished gazes of the guarding constables, took out his personal Waist Token.

Upon the Profound Iron Waist Token, four large words were carved: White Stone City Deputy Commander!

Upon seeing this Token, the many constables at the gate were filled with awe, their faces showing deep respect.

”We welcome Your Excellency’s appointment to White Stone City!”

”We welcome Your Excellency!”

A quick-witted constable had already run inside the gates of the Garrison Commandant’s Office to report the news.

”The Lord Deputy Commander has arrived to report for duty! Everyone, come and greet him at once.”

”Hurry and welcome the Lord Deputy Commander!”

”...”

As the report spread, constables and Head Constables began emerging from the various Task Rooms.

Meanwhile, amidst the welcoming shouts of the constables, Chen Ping’an walked through the main gates of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau.