Daqian Martial Saint

Even though Shen Shikang had already heard the news, he couldn’t hide his surprise when he actually saw Chen Ping’an.

With one simple appointment—a promotion from Candidate for Deputy to South City Prison Chief—Chen Ping’an had achieved what took Shen Shikang over twenty years.

Although the position of South City Prison Chief was nominally at the Duty Officer Level, it reported directly to the South Town Garrison Command, making it effectively half a rank higher than a typical Duty Officer post.

So while it looked like Chen Ping’an had been promoted two ranks, it was actually more like two and a half.

The kid he had once viewed as a mere ant was now his equal.

Having not seen each other for a long time, the two exchanged enthusiastic pleasantries.

Their shared history as colleagues from Nanquan Lane added a layer of familiarity to this reunion, making it feel closer.

”Lord Chen, shall I show you around and help you get acquainted?”

Shen Shikang offered proactively.

”That would be wonderful. I’ll have to trouble you then, Lord Shen.”

Chen Ping’an said with a smile.

Being new to the place, having someone willing to show him around was, of course, for the best.

Besides helping him get familiar with things quickly, it was also an effective way to display his backing and strength.

Shen Shikang first took him to the Dispatch Room to collect his Waist Token.

The Dispatch Room was one of the nine great Task Rooms of the South Town Garrison Command. Its responsibilities included personnel file registration, promotions and retention, and performance evaluations.

When Shen Shikang brought Chen Ping’an to the Dispatch Room, everything was already prepared for them.

The person who came to greet them was the supervisor of the Dispatch Room, Liu Jinzhu.

”Welcome to the South Town Garrison Command, Lord Chen.”

Liu Jinzhu was a round, portly man who looked rather soft and flabby. But no one dared to underestimate him. How could anyone who secured such a position in the South Town Garrison Command be ordinary?

”You’re too kind, Lord Liu.”

Chen Ping’an said, cupping his fists.

’Qi Blood Six Layers Perfection!’

He had sensed Liu Jinzhu’s Martial Arts Realm in the first instant.

Meanwhile, Liu Jinzhu had also gauged Chen Ping’an’s Martial Arts Realm.

’Qi Blood Fifth Layer!’

Once the procedures were complete and the three had exchanged a few more pleasantries, Chen Ping’an left with Shen Shikang.

’So he really is at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer! Zhu Qirong isn’t going to be easy to deal with. A mere Qi Blood Fifth Layer practitioner won’t be enough to keep him suppressed!’

Liu Jinzhu thought to himself as he watched the two of them leave.

’Still, I didn’t expect Shen Shikang to get so close to him. Is he placing a bet?’

Shen Shikang and Chen Ping’an had been colleagues before, so it would be normal for them to exchange pleasantries upon meeting. But for Shen Shikang to proactively show him around on his very first day went well beyond a typical colleague relationship.

’Was he instructed to do so? Or was it Shen Shikang’s own decision?’

Liu Jinzhu mused silently.

’But no matter what, this newly appointed Chen Ping’an is probably not a simple character.’

’This is going to be interesting to watch.’

...

”Lord Chen, Liu Jinzhu is the supervisor of the Dispatch Room. He oversees numerous matters concerning promotions and retention within the South Town Garrison Command. He holds a high position with significant authority—he’s no ordinary man!”

Shen Shikang explained to Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an nodded.

”Lord Shen, you don’t have to be so formal. Just call me Ping’an.”

Seeing Chen Ping’an take the initiative to get closer, Shen Shikang was thrilled. This was exactly the outcome he had been working so hard for.

”Hahaha... I’m a few years your senior, so I’ll take the liberty of calling you Ping’an.”

”Lord Shen, it’s only right.”

Chen Ping’an said with a laugh.

”What’s this ’Lord Shen’ business! Just call me Shi Kang!”

”Then I’ll take that liberty, Brother Shi Kang.”

”Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!” Shen Shikang laughed heartily.

With this back-and-forth, the relationship between the two grew even closer.

A former superior and subordinate were now colleagues addressing each other as brothers. The twists of fate were truly something to marvel at.

After leaving the Dispatch Room, Shen Shikang took Chen Ping’an on a tour of the other Task Rooms.

The South Town Garrison Command had jurisdiction over more than ten lanes, with a well-organized structure and clearly defined functions.

Within the South Town Garrison Command, there were nine great Task Rooms in total. Each Task Room had different areas of responsibility, such as clerical work and documentation, arrests and seizures, investigation and interrogation, performance reviews and transfers, Merit accumulation, and management of bows, crossbows, and other weaponry.

Each of the nine Task Rooms was normally assigned a supervisor and a deputy supervisor. The supervisors of the Task Rooms were all at the Duty Officer Level.

Of course, being situated within the South Town Garrison Command, their actual rank was half a level higher than a normal Duty Officer.

Shen Shikang’s situation was an example of this. As the supervisor of a Task Room, he was primarily responsible for matters of arrest and seizure.

In addition to the nine Task Rooms, there were also three special institutions.

The South City Prison, the Quartermastery and Granary, and the Special Affairs Office.

Each of these institutions also had a chief and a deputy.

Chen Ping’an, for example, held the head position of the South City Prison—the South City Prison Chief.

Above the various supervisors were the Vice Chief of the Patrol and the Chief of the Patrol Office.

Both of these high-ranking officials typically had a Steward by their side to assist with managing all matters, big and small.

As for the Inner Qi Tributors of the South Town Garrison Command, their duties placed them outside the regular administrative structure. Only when special circumstances arose did they have the authority to command the various parties.

This was the overall institutional function of the South Town Garrison Command—a complete and fully-equipped organization.

’Nine great Task Rooms, three special institutions! Supervisors, Stewards, Inner Qi Tributors, and the two true Giants at the top.’

Chen Ping’an silently committed everything Shen Shikang had said to memory.

”Brother Shi Kang, do you know how many are in the Inner Qi Realm within our South Town Garrison Command?”

Seeing that the atmosphere was congenial, Chen Ping’an took the opportunity to ask a question that was on his mind.

Hearing Chen Ping’an’s question, Shen Shikang smiled faintly. ”Inner Qi Masters are rare; they are cornerstones in any power. Our South Town Garrison Command oversees more than ten lanes and needs to deter miscreants, so we should have about eight or nine Martial Arts Masters at the Inner Qi Realm.”

”Oh? As many as eight or nine?”

Chen Ping’an was slightly surprised.

He had thought the South Town Garrison Command would only have four or five people in the Inner Qi Realm and hadn’t expected there to be so many.

”Chief of the Patrol Office Lord Mu and Vice Chief of the Patrol Lord Fu are both veteran masters who entered the Inner Qi Realm many years ago. In addition, the two Stewards who assist them are also in the Inner Qi Realm. Add in the Inner Qi Tributors and others, and it comes out to about eight or nine.”

Shen Shikang explained patiently.

”I see.”

Realization dawned on Chen Ping’an.

’The South Town Garrison Command is truly full of hidden masters!’

’I wonder where my strength ranks among them?’ Chen Ping’an wondered.

’If the South Town Garrison Command alone has eight or nine Inner Qi Masters, then the total number in the entire South City must be even higher. Looking at the whole of Weishui Outer City, while Inner Qi Realm experts might not be a dime a dozen, they probably aren’t all that rare either.’

’My current level of strength might be impressive in some backwater corner, but it’s not nearly enough to make a mark in the whole of Weishui Outer City! Yes, I can’t get complacent. I must continue to cultivate diligently!’

’Only by breaking through to the Second Stage of Inner Qi, Purification and Rejuvenation, will I have a solid foundation to stand on.’

After Shen Shikang finished showing Chen Ping’an all the departments of the South Town Garrison Command, they took another stroll around the area. By the time they were done, it was already noon.

The two had a meal together, reminiscing about old times. As the supervisor of a Task Room, Shen Shikang was busy with official duties and naturally couldn’t stay with Chen Ping’an forever.

After bidding farewell to Shen Shikang, Chen Ping’an went to pay a visit to Mu Wanjun.

When Mu Wanjun saw Chen Ping’an, she first offered a few words of encouragement before shifting the topic to Zhu Qirong, the Vice Prison Chief of South City Prison. She shared some information about the current situation, explaining that Zhu Qirong had been at the South City Prison for many years and had a complex and deep-rooted network of connections. He would likely not be easy to deal with.

She urged Chen Ping’an to be careful with everything.

Chen Ping’an nodded in agreement, assuring her that he would be cautious.

Finally, Mu Wanjun stated directly that he could come to her if he encountered any difficulties down the road.

Chen Ping’an was naturally immensely grateful for this, thanking the Chief of the Patrol Office for her guidance.

’With Mu Wanjun’s support, my work from now on should be exceedingly smooth.’

’As for Zhu Qirong?’

’Nothing but a paper tiger!’