Daqian Martial Saint

”Sir, if you have no objections, allow me to take you for a look. If it’s suitable, you can move in today!”

Hovering near Chen Ping’an, Shan Qiwang asked tentatively.

Chen Ping’an glanced at Shan Qiwang without a word. He stared until Shan Qiwang was starting to feel unnerved before finally speaking slowly, ”Lord Shan, you’re very thoughtful.”

Shan Qiwang was overjoyed and immediately said with a fawning expression.

”Once you’ve finished with your official duties, sir, just say the word whenever you’re free. I’ll take you to see the residence.”

Watching Shan Qiwang’s behavior, the other Chiefs of the Patrol Office from the various districts all mentally spat in disgust.

’Ptui! How shameless!’

’Then again...’

’That bastard moves fast! He’s already arranged for a residence!’

’Sigh. He’s based in the Central District, after all. He has the home-field advantage!’

’Judging by the new commander’s bearing, you can tell at a glance that he has connections that reach the heavens!’

’Looks like I’ll have to rethink my welcoming gift for his appointment. Something too meager would be too embarrassing to present!’

Of course, aside from those with such thoughts, others were considering whether to wait and see.

After all, who knew how long this new Deputy Commander would hold his position? He might end up getting taken out like the last one before his seat was even warm!

...

Chen Ping’an spent the better part of the day familiarizing himself with the state of the White Stone City Garrison Commandant’s Office. In addition to handling routine official business, he also reviewed the key personnel and their various connections.

Furthermore, he had someone pull the intelligence files on the various powers within the city and went over them with great care.

’The three great families, the four major gangs, the Commerce Alliance... a bit interesting!’

’On the surface, the strongest figures presiding over them are at the Perfect Second Level of Inner Qi. Looks like my days here will be comfortable enough.’

’...’

After getting a grasp of the situation, Chen Ping’an called in a few people individually for a chat, establishing a basic familiarity. He was a newcomer, and if he wanted an easy time ahead, he’d need to win over some people to act as his trusted subordinates.

’It’s actually good that Feng Shixian isn’t around right now. It gives me enough time to adapt at my own pace.’

After finishing his official duties, he sent for Shan Qiwang, the Chief of the Patrol Office for the Central District Garrison Command. The man came trotting over eagerly to lead Chen Ping’an to the prepared residence.

Shan Qiwang had a somewhat bloated figure and looked more like a merchant than a warrior. But he was, in fact, a genuine master of the Inner Qi Realm.

Along the way, Chen Ping’an observed him.

’He discovered that Shan Qiwang’s foundation was damaged. That, combined with his age, meant his Martial Arts Realm was likely at its peak for this lifetime. He belonged to the level of those who had merely consolidated their realm at the First Stage of Inner Qi.’

’With no hope for advancement in the Martial Dao, it was no wonder he was so enthusiastic about managing relationships and fawning over his superiors.’

Not long after leaving the Garrison Commandant’s Office, they arrived at the residence Shan Qiwang had prepared. Just from the look of the main gate, it was clearly no ordinary place.

And the inside proved it.

It was a grand residence with a full five courtyards, facing south on a symmetrical north-south axis. Just past the main gate was a strange and auspicious Feng Shui stone. Further back stood a large spirit screen wall decorated with exquisite patterns, and beyond that lay gardens, water courts, and great halls...

After a full tour, Chen Ping’an was very satisfied.

’Now this is the kind of prestige a commander should have!’

In addition to the residence itself, Shan Qiwang had also specially arranged for a staff of maids, stewards, and other servants to see to his needs.

”Sir, are you satisfied? Please let me know if there’s anything lacking.”

Shan Qiwang said, trying to curry favor.

Chen Ping’an smiled. ”Excellent. You’ve been very thoughtful.”

Chen Ping’an’s words made Shan Qiwang’s mouth split into a wide grin. ”I’m glad you’re satisfied, sir.”

Next, with the help of the men Shan Qiwang sent, Chen Erya and Peony were quickly brought over from the inn.

”Wow, what a beautiful house!”

The little girl was excited.

”Erya, we’ll be living here from now on,” Chen Ping’an said with a smile.

Seeing Chen Erya’s cheerful face, Chen Ping’an was reminded of her education. He immediately instructed Shan Qiwang to make inquiries about tutors in White Stone City.

Shan Qiwang understood immediately and pounded his chest in assurance.

”Don’t worry, sir. Within two days, I will have a renowned tutor come to the residence to instruct Miss Chen.”

”Mm, I appreciate the effort,” Chen Ping’an offered a few words of encouragement.

Watching Shan Qiwang leave and then glancing around the residence, Chen Ping’an nodded to himself.

’No wonder they say everyone in power likes having toadies and sycophants. The way he gets things done and the things he says are certainly pleasant!’

’The only people who can’t stand a bootlicker are the ones whose boots aren’t being licked!’

’You can’t know what it’s like until you’ve tasted it for yourself!’

...

News of the new Deputy Commander’s arrival spread like wildfire among the various powers in White Stone City. By the time night had fallen, every faction in the city, large and small, had already learned the basic details about the new commander.

”He’s really that young?”

”What’s his background? How did he get a position like that at his age?”

”Has anyone seen him yet!? What’s he like?”

”Keep digging. I want more specific information!”

”...”

Chen Ping’an’s appointment made considerable waves throughout White Stone City.

The Deputy Commander of the Garrison was a genuine powerhouse in the city. Regardless of his cultivation level, anyone who sat in that position was considered a giant. Naturally, every faction in the city, large and small, wanted to learn more about him.

”The new Deputy Commander has reported for duty?”

Inside a small house, Jiang Da, a minor leader of the Crocodile Gang, was eating peanuts and shooting the breeze.

”Good thing we didn’t cause any trouble today! Otherwise, the higher-ups might have decided to make an example of us!”

”Yeah, Boss, that was a close one! With my old temper, after what that little brat said today, I wouldn’t have even needed you to step in. I’d have just gone up, grabbed her by the hair, and dragged her off!”

”Bullshit! Listen to you brag!”

”I’m not...”

”...”

Jiang Da watched the two bicker without saying a word. He couldn’t stop thinking about the youth who had stood up to them during the day. ’I wonder which family in the city he belongs to.’

...

Chen Ping’an couldn’t have cared less about the situation in White Stone City.

In the rear courtyard of his new residence, he dismissed all attendants. Longsword in hand, he began practicing the Flying Star Swordsmanship, the blade a blur of flashing light.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

The sword gleamed, radiating a cold chill under the moonlight.

+1!

A notification for one experience point flashed in Chen Ping’an’s vision.

Accustomed to this, Chen Ping’an didn’t pause his forms and continued his practice.

+1!

+1!

...

The experience points flashed repeatedly, and finally, Chen Ping’an stopped his movements.

Name: Chen Ping’an

Realm: Inner Qi - Celestial Rain Falling on the Crown

Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt (Perfection), Flying Locust Stone (Perfection), Public Door Thirteen Blades (Perfect), Thirteen Grand Protectors Cross Training (Perfect), Golden Bell Shield (Perfection), Gale Blade Technique (Perfection), Eight Steps Chasing Cicada (Perfection), Flying Star Swordsmanship (Minor Achievement, 160/160), Great Vajra Palm (Minor Achievement, 136/160)

...

’My Experience Points for Flying Star Swordsmanship are full! I should be able to achieve a breakthrough with Great Vajra Palm in the next day or two!’

Looking at the information on the panel, Chen Ping’an thought to himself.

’I wonder...’

’Will the Qiankun Pure Qi brought forth by the Flying Star Swordsmanship at the Great Success Level be enough for me to step into the Profound Light Realm!’