Daqian Martial Saint

But that was a matter for the future. For now, he found Gu Qingchan agreeable enough. This connection to the Gu Family was in his best interest.

The flames turned into a Cyan Flame and dissipated, the letter itself completely vanishing into thin air.

”Tong Guan!” Chen Ping’an’s eyes narrowed slightly.

In the letter, Gu Qingchan had also mentioned the name of the Grandmaster from the Qiankun Bureau. Furthermore, she explained the connection between this man and Tong Jin. He had likely acted because Chen Ping’an killed Tong Jin!

At the end of the letter, Gu Qingchan reminded Chen Ping’an that Tong Guan was a sinister and ruthless person. Although he wouldn’t openly move against Chen Ping’an due to the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s influence, there would likely be no shortage of covert retaliation.

Gu Qingchan urged Chen Ping’an to be on his guard and exercise extreme caution in all things.

’I was just thinking it’s best not to make enemies openly,’ Chen Ping’an thought with a bitter smile as he recalled Gu Qingchan’s warning. ’And now, in the blink of an eye, I’ve made an enemy of another Grandmaster!’

He wasn’t afraid of Tong Guan, but the man was definitely a nuisance!

Trouble! Trouble! This is so damn troublesome!

’I just want to cultivate in peace! Why do you people always have to bother me!?’

In the end, it was because his overt power wasn’t enough of a deterrent!

’I need to advance my Martial Arts Realm as quickly as possible and reveal more of my strength in a timely and controlled manner!’ Chen Ping’an mused. ’This Tong Guan is a hidden danger. I need to gather specific information about him as soon as possible.’

As he pondered, his thoughts turned to his younger sister, Erya. He wasn’t afraid of Tong Guan, but there was no guarantee the man wouldn’t resort to some dirty tricks to get to Erya.

’First the Seven Extremes Elder, now Tong Guan! Goddammit...’ The thought cast a shadow over Chen Ping’an’s heart.

The only thing that gave him a slight sense of relief was that Gu Qingchan had mentioned this in her letter, saying she would pay special attention to his family.

’No! I can’t delay the matter of the State City any longer! The sooner, the better!’ With that thought, Chen Ping’an sat back down at the long table, spread out a sheet of paper, and began to write with fluid strokes.

He had no foundation in Canglong State City, so he needed Gu Qingchan’s help with this. Since he had essentially thrown his lot in with the Gu Family, it was an unspoken understanding that if he asked for something, the Gu Family would have to make some show of support.

Besides, from a game theory perspective, making a reasonable request and showing a degree of vulnerability was an excellent way to build trust quickly. If handled correctly, it could rapidly strengthen their relationship.

After Chen Ping’an finished the letter and dispatched someone to send it as quickly as possible, he left his office.

He was going to Weishui County City to see Erya.

”Someone, prepare a carriage! We are heading to Weishui County City!”

”Yes, milord!”

...

A special carriage, exclusive to the Garrison Commandant’s Office, departed from Five Peaks Mountain City, escorted by a dozen mounted Guards.

Inside the carriage, Chen Ping’an sat quietly, silently murmuring his sister’s name.

It had been quite some time since the siblings had last seen each other. Even without the matter of Tong Guan, it was about time he went to see the little girl.

He had already entrusted Gu Qingchan with the matter of the academy in Canglong State City. It wasn’t a difficult task, so he figured Gu Qingchan wouldn’t refuse him. With the Gu Family’s influence, Erya’s enrollment in the State City was more or less secured.

What Chen Ping’an really needed to consider was that Weishui County City was a great distance from Canglong State City—a long and arduous journey. Although law and order within the State Realm were decent, there was no guarantee an accident wouldn’t happen on the road.

Especially with the Seven Extremes Elder and Tong Guan targeting him, he was unwilling to take any risks whatsoever when it came to Erya.

Therefore, it would be best if a Grandmaster accompanied Erya to Canglong State City. If a suitable Grandmaster couldn’t be found, then he, her older brother, would have to escort her personally.

However, before that could happen, Chen Ping’an’s strength needed to improve even more. At his current level, if the Seven Extremes Elder were to strike, he would have a hard enough time just saving his own life, let alone protecting Erya.

Of course, within the State Realm, the true powers were the Garrison Commandant’s Office, the Qiankun Bureau, and the major Noble Families. At this critical juncture, the probability of the Seven Extremes Elder forcing a move was minuscule.

But for Chen Ping’an, as long as the possibility existed, he had to guard against it.

Thus, the ideal situation would be for him to personally escort Erya to Canglong State City after he broke through to the Mid-Jade Balance Stage. Before that breakthrough, he would bring Erya to his side to look after her personally. Although it would mean sacrificing some of the little girl’s study time, in these special circumstances, it was the only way.

’Cultivation!’ At that thought, Chen Ping’an sat down cross-legged, began a Circulation, and started cultivating the Dragon Elephant Dominating Body Technique.

Judging by his current rate of cultivation, he estimated that his Dragon Elephant Dominating Body Technique could advance further, reaching the Great Success Realm, by the time he arrived in Weishui County City.

If he achieved Great Success in the Dragon Elephant Dominating Body Technique, Chen Ping’an’s overall combat strength would be close to the level of a Grandmaster at the Mid-Jade Balance Stage.

...

「Three days after Chen Ping’an left Five Peaks Mountain City」

The Weishui Garrison received the latest appointment order from the Canglong Province Garrison Command.

After the latest appointment from the State Garrison Command arrived, several high-ranking members of the Weishui Garrison were urgently summoned to Commander-in-Chief Fan Zheng Heng’s office.

”What? Promote Chen Ping’an to Deputy Commander-in-Chief!?”

Inside Fan Zheng Heng’s office, Liu Yuanhua, who had just heard the news, couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.

A twenty-two-year-old Deputy Commander-in-Chief! Are you kidding me!?

Within the Weishui Garrison, both the Candidate for Commander-in-Chief and the Deputy Commander-in-Chief were considered high-ranking positions. But the significance of the two was completely different.