Daqian Martial Saint

Soul-Severing Saber Li Pingjiang, a Grandmaster of the Celestial Net Sect and disciple of the Seven Extremes Elder, was executed. His head was hung from the walls of Five Peaks Mountain City. The news spread like wildfire within the city, then radiated outward at a truly astonishing speed.

”What?! A Grandmaster’s disciple is dead?”

”His head is hanging from the walls of Five Peaks Mountain City!?”

”Who did it!?”

”...”

In an instant, the name ”Mang Blade” caused a massive stir, spreading far and wide.

...

Regardless of the rumors swirling outside, Chen Ping’an was already seated in a special carriage of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, on his way to Beicang Town.

The carriage was escorted by more than a dozen riders, all elites from the Five Peaks Mountain Town Pacification Bureau. They were imposing figures, powerfully built, with sharp gazes and large sabers hanging at their waists.

Along the way, passing merchant caravans and pedestrians saw the procession and quickly moved aside. They all wondered which big shot from the Garrison Commandant’s Office was inside.

Inside the carriage, Chen Ping’an sat with his eyes slightly closed, pondering the contents of the letter from the Canglong Province Garrison Command.

The letter’s contents were not, as Chen Ping’an had first guessed, a list of official orders. The actual message had greatly surprised him.

The message wasn’t written in a formal, official tone, but rather like a private correspondence. The letter was from a major figure in the State Garrison Command: Gu Haoqing, also known as Director Gu, a Candidate for Chief of the State Garrison Command.

As his own status had risen recently, Chen Ping’an had naturally done his homework. He had gained some understanding of the major figures within the Canglong Province Garrison Command.

Gu Haoqing, Director Gu, was one of the figures he had learned about.

Besides his position as a Candidate for Chief of the State Garrison Command, Gu Haoqing had another identity: he was one of the real power elders of the Gu Family, the most prominent Noble Family in all of Canglong Province.

Furthermore, he was a genuine, bona fide Grandmaster!

With so many overlapping identities, one could only imagine how venerable Gu Haoqing’s status was. A man like him stood at the very apex of power, even when considering the entire Canglong State.

And now, a personally penned letter from such a man had been delivered to Chen Ping’an’s hands, sent by way of the Weishui Garrison.

The contents of the letter were not complicated.

After a brief opening, the letter expressed great admiration and approval for Chen Ping’an, stating frankly that having a prodigy like him in the State Garrison Command was a blessing for them all.

Then, writing in his capacity as a Candidate for Chief of the State Garrison Command, he encouraged his junior, hoping Chen Ping’an would maintain his momentum, advance with courage and diligence, and forge ahead with keen determination. He hoped that one day Chen Ping’an would become a true pillar of the State Garrison Command, and even of the entire Daqian Garrison!

Words of encouragement like these were commonplace, but considering the sender’s identity—a man of high position and immense authority who still remembered those beneath him—it was a powerful gesture. Anyone within the Garrison Command’s system would likely be moved to tears of gratitude, and might even feel compelled to pledge their loyalty and follow him.

But the real point of the letter wasn’t in the first half. After offering his encouragement, Gu Haoqing turned his pen to another matter: Chen Ping’an’s marriage.

He wrote that since ancient times, it has been the natural order of things for a great man to first start a family, and only then establish his legacy!

Chen Ping’an was now getting older and had achieved many great things, yet he still lacked a suitable marriage arrangement. Gu Haoqing knew that Chen Ping’an had lost his father at a young age and had no one to handle such an important matter for him. Seeing such a remarkable talent, he felt a paternal protectiveness and was willing to select a daughter from the Gu Family’s main lineage to marry Chen Ping’an, creating a fine match. He hoped they would be bound by fate and grow old together!

He asked for Chen Ping’an’s thoughts on the matter.

After asking for Chen Ping’an’s opinion, Gu Haoqing showed no hint of pressuring him. Instead, he inquired about Chen Ping’an’s current situation, saying that if he faced any difficulties, he should feel free to write back. Whether the marriage alliance came to pass or not, he would always consider Chen Ping’an a junior of his own clan!

At the end of the letter, Gu Haoqing expressed that he looked forward to meeting Chen Ping’an and hoped they would have the chance to speak face-to-face one day.

And that was the end of the letter.

The letter’s tone was sincere and heartfelt. Throughout the entire message, Gu Haoqing never lorded his status over him; instead, it was filled with care and concern, as if he genuinely saw Chen Ping’an as a junior of his own clan.

The writing was down-to-earth, his eye for talent was sharp, and his methods were masterful. Any young prodigy who read it would undoubtedly develop a favorable impression of Gu Haoqing.

As long as no fundamental conflict of interest arose, this favorable filter through which they viewed Gu Haoqing would likely remain.

Chen Ping’an, of course, knew that Gu Haoqing didn’t necessarily think exactly as he wrote. The words in the letter were likely all based on considerations of politics and personal gain.

But knowing that was one thing; the feeling it produced was another. The words were still as pleasant as a spring breeze, as sweet as honey.

Whether his sentiment was genuine or feigned, the very fact that a Grandmaster like Gu Haoqing was willing to condescend to write such things to win a person’s heart was enough to move someone. This was Gu Haoqing’s method—a flawless, open stratagem.

Having lived for two centuries, Gu Haoqing’s worldliness and understanding of human nature were truly astonishing.

’Indeed, no one who reaches such a high position is ever a simple person!’

’A daughter of the Gu Family’s main lineage!’

Inside the carriage, Chen Ping’an slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as sharp as lightning.

A daughter of the Gu Family’s main lineage was a person of noble birth, of revered status. For almost anyone, she would be considered the perfect match.

If he agreed to Gu Haoqing’s proposal, the benefits to him would be immense. Not only would he receive an incredibly generous dowry, but through this connection, he and the Gu Family would become natural political allies.

With the Gu Family’s backing, his path within the Garrison Commandant’s Office would likely be far smoother than he’d anticipated. Furthermore, Erya could take this opportunity to move from Weishui County City to Canglong State City, where the world was much larger. That would also be wonderful for the little girl’s future!