Daqian Martial Saint

Meng Yude walked out of the office, his pace never faltering as he left the Five Peaks Mountain Town Pacification Bureau.

Along the way, a chaotic jumble of thoughts flashed through his mind.

’I tell you, it always comes down to the young ones these days. He’s certainly not afraid to make bold claims! ”Violent arrest,” and ”those who resist will be dealt with on the spot”!? With what authority does Chen Ping’an think he can ”deal with” anyone on the spot?’

’The words of a wet-behind-the-ears brat are just that—words! He’s talking so big now. Let’s see how he cleans up his mess when he runs into someone truly tough!’

...

His grandstanding pronouncements in the tavern felt like they were made only yesterday, but the current situation was far from what he had predicted.

Worse, Wu Tianqi, the other man from the tavern, had been forcefully suppressed for causing trouble and was to be hung from the city walls as a warning to others. He had thought he could do as he pleased in this small Five Peaks Mountain City! The so-called strict orders in the city were something he could humor if he was in a good mood and completely ignore if he wasn’t. Even if he broke them, what could the Garrison Commandant’s Office possibly do to him?

He had thought that by graciously condescending to visit in person, combined with the many benefits he offered, he would be able to persuade Chen Ping’an. In reality, his gesture meant nothing in the other man’s eyes.

Reality had slapped him hard across the face!

At the thought of it all, Meng Yude’s face burned with shame.

He had managed to rise from humble beginnings to where he was today not just because of his outstanding talent in the Martial Dao, but also thanks to his keen perception and meticulous mind.

In Chen Ping’an’s presence, the moment he recognized the Wei Family’s old ancestor, Wei Zhixing, he had instinctively felt that something was wrong. When he later changed his tune on the spot, he had faintly sensed that Chen Ping’an seemed to be hoping he would object.

’Hoping he would object?’

When this fact became clear to him, his heart skipped a beat.

In a situation like this, for him to still be hoping for an objection... there was undoubtedly only one conclusion.

Chen Ping’an wanted to use his name to establish his authority!

Under the strict new orders, the situation in Five Peaks Mountain City had improved, but all sorts of unsavory characters were still lying in wait, ready to stir up trouble again. With the Beicang Auction approaching, more and more people from all walks of life were passing through the city.

In such circumstances, if he didn’t display his power soon, the situation would likely become uncontrollable.

’If I were Chen Ping’an, I would also be thinking about how to establish my authority.’

He had originally thought that using Wu Tianqi of the Wu Family was Chen Ping’an’s method of establishing authority. He never imagined the man’s ambition was so much greater—he actually wanted to use the reputation of a Profound Light Realm master to cement his power!

’If he succeeds, it will probably be just as he wishes!’

’This Lord Commander Chen, though young, has shown a mind, methods, courage, and decisiveness that are all top-notch...’

As these thoughts flashed through Meng Yude’s mind, he stepped out of the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s main gate. Without stopping, he took a series of twists and turns, heading for his residence.

’Since Chen Ping’an wants to make an example of someone, I absolutely will not be the one to stick my neck out! This visit, though it fell short, is enough to handle any blame from the Wu Family. Let someone else be the fool who sticks their neck out!’

Before he came, he thought that even if things didn’t go smoothly, or even if the negotiations broke down completely, he had more than enough strength to protect himself from Chen Ping’an. But after seeing the Wei Family’s old ancestor acting so humble and subservient before Chen Ping’an, he no longer dared to entertain such a thought.

’This Mang Blade Mang Vajra... he’s probably hiding his strength far more deeply than anyone could have imagined!’

...

”Patriarch Wei, what are your thoughts on this matter?” After Meng Yude left, Chen Ping’an turned his gaze to Wei Zhixing.

Although Wei Zhixing was not the current Patriarch of the Wei Family, he was its de facto leader, so addressing him as such wasn’t incorrect.

”This pertains to your lordship’s decision. This old man wouldn’t dare to comment freely,” Wei Zhixing said, cupping his hands and adopting an extremely humble posture.

Chen Ping’an watched Wei Zhixing quietly, not speaking for a moment.

In truth, he didn’t quite understand the reason for Wei Zhixing’s attitude.

The other day, he had sent Zhong Shanyong to the Wei Family with a message, demanding that they actively cooperate with the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s measures. He had expected some trouble, but things had gone unexpectedly smoothly.

The Wei Family had responded enthusiastically to the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s initiatives, implementing them with astonishing speed. Even if he wanted to find fault, he couldn’t pick out any major problems.

Chen Ping’an had originally planned that if the Wei Family refused to cooperate, he could use it as a pretext to knock them down a peg and establish his authority.

But the Wei Family’s reaction had made it difficult for Chen Ping’an to do so.

’Why is it so hard to make an example of someone?’ Chen Ping’an lamented inwardly.

Not only did the Wei Family actively cooperate with the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s affairs, but Wei Zhixing, their old ancestor, had even paid him a personal visit. During the visit, his attitude was modest, and he was incredibly respectful towards Chen Ping’an.

If not for his complete confidence in his Golden Finger Panel, Chen Ping’an would have suspected that Wei Zhixing possessed some special Secret Technique and had seen through to his True Realm!

”Patriarch Wei, please speak freely!” Chen Ping’an said lightly.

”Since your lordship has spoken, this old man will take the liberty of saying a few words. I have heard of Meng Yude of the Eagle Claw Technique. He is said to be stubborn and his attacks are ruthless. But seeing him in person today, I find the rumors aren’t entirely true. This man knows when to advance and when to retreat and carries himself with restraint. He is not an undisciplined person. His previous behavior was likely a deliberate facade!” Wei Zhixing said with his head lowered.

Chen Ping’an nodded. His own assessment was much the same.

As expected, no one who could fight their way up as a Loose Cultivator and step into the Profound Light Realm was ever a simple character.

”Your lordship’s words have already made him back down. Combined with my judgment of his character, I doubt he will cause any more trouble. The only ones your lordship must be wary of are the Wu Family of Earth Fire County!”

”Regarding the Wu Family, what are your insights, Patriarch Wei?” Chen Ping’an asked.

The Wu Family was one of the Noble Families of Earth Fire County. In terms of power and foundation, they were no weaker than the Weishui Liu Family, and they even faintly suppressed the other three great Noble Families of Weishui.

Not to mention the masters hidden in the shadows, the Wu Family had no fewer than five publicly known Absolute Masters!

One of them even stood at the Top Level among Absolute Masters!

Offending a family like this would put immense pressure on anyone.

For Chen Ping’an, however, it was actually manageable.

Putting aside whether the Wu Family would be willing to offend a rising star like him for a common member of their Direct Lineage, even if they were, he refused to believe the Wu Family would be willing to risk their entire clan to make an enemy of him.

After all, his true combat strength was already at the very pinnacle of the Profound Light High Realm!

However, if things really reached that point, it would be impossible for him to hide his strength any longer. Unless absolutely necessary, Chen Ping’an preferred to play it safe.

Chen Ping’an already had a vague plan in mind for what to do next. Asking Wei Zhixing now was more about hearing his perspective.

Faced with Chen Ping’an’s question, Wei Zhixing didn’t hold back. He directly stated his opinion, first giving a simple overview of the Wu Family’s strength. On paper, the Wu Family undoubtedly held an absolute advantage. The problem was, any family was inevitably filled with factions and competing interests.

The death of a single, ordinary member of the Direct Lineage would never be enough to unite the forces of all factions.

Furthermore, Wu Tianqi had violated Daqian Law and was in the wrong to begin with. Even if hanging him from the city walls brought shame upon the Wu Family’s name, at most it would draw the attention of one or two Absolute Masters. That was the limit of what an ordinary Direct Lineage member’s death could provoke; without sufficient incentive, there would be no more than that.

Regarding this matter, if Chen Ping’an displayed sufficient strength or backing to make the Wu Family wary, they weren’t fools. They wouldn’t create an enemy for no reason. At most, they would make a few inquiries to save face, but they wouldn’t take any substantive action.

In fact, if Chen Ping’an’s prestige was great enough, they wouldn’t even bother with the inquiries!

”What you say, Patriarch Wei, is incredibly insightful. Your grasp of the situation is crystal clear! You’ve truly been a great help to me.” Chen Ping’an smiled, showing his approval of Wei Zhixing’s words.

”Lord Chen is too kind. This old man was merely spouting nonsense,” Wei Zhixing said, his head still lowered. ”Even without me, your lordship’s wisdom is more than enough to handle the Wu Family!”

”You’re mistaken. There is indeed a matter where I will need Patriarch Wei’s help,” Chen Ping’an said with a grin.

Wei Zhixing’s expression tightened slightly. He lowered his head, cupped his hands, and said, ”Lord Chen, please speak freely. The entire Wei Family is willing to serve you faithfully.”

”Excellent,” Chen Ping’an said, clapping his hands with a smile.

...

After leaving the Garrison Commandant’s Office, Wei Zhixing boarded a low-key, simple carriage and returned to the Wei Family estate.

”Third Grand-uncle, how did it go?”

Wei Zhixing had just returned to the rear courtyard when the Wei Family Patriarch, Wei Zhenheng, heard the news and hurried over.

”Everything went smoothly. You’ve come at a good time. There are some things I need you to handle. Remember, they must be done properly.” Wei Zhixing’s posture was relaxed as he lay back on his long reclining chair. ”Come closer.”

”Yes, Third Grand-uncle. Please, go on.”

Wei Zhenheng moved closer to Wei Zhixing’s side and leaned down, assuming a posture of respectful listening.

In truth, he didn’t quite understand why his third grand-uncle was going to such lengths to curry favor with Chen Ping’an. He knew that even with Guan Yu Ping back in the day, his third grand-uncle had never been so attentive, let alone paid a personal visit.

But understanding was one thing, and action another. All he needed to do was trust his third grand-uncle.

Over thirty years ago, the Wei Family had risen to its current position, and it wasn’t due to anything else but his third grand-uncle himself!

Outsiders only knew that his third grand-uncle had suppressed Five Peaks Mountain City with his Profound Light Realm Cultivation, and they attributed the Wei Family’s rise entirely to that. But they didn’t know that besides his Cultivation, it was his third grand-uncle’s decisions and foresight that they relied on.

Wei Zhixing spoke for a while from his reclining chair. As Wei Zhenheng leaned in and listened, his expression shifted, growing more and more astonished.

”Go on, now! And remember, the faster, the better!”

”Yes.” Wei Zhenheng bowed and departed.

After Wei Zhenheng left, Wei Zhixing lay on his chair, his mind drifting back to that previous scene.

He breathed in the sweet fragrance of the surrounding flowers and plants and gazed up at the vast blue sky, feeling utterly joyful and carefree.

’Ah, a person only learns how precious life is after they’ve gotten off a pirate ship.’