Daqian Martial Saint

The reason Cheng Renjing was so nervous was that, while they had a large entourage for the banquet tonight, not a single Inner Qi Master had come along, aside from Chen Ping’an himself.

The Quicksand Gang Leader was a master at Inner Qi First Level Perfection, putting Chen Ping’an at a disadvantage from the start. To come without any Inner Qi Masters from the Garrison Commandant’s Office made his position even more precarious.

It wasn’t just Cheng Renjing. The heads of various Inspectorates within the Garrison Commandant’s Office had also voiced their concerns. Even the Chiefs of the Patrol Offices from the major city districts had specifically sought out Chen Ping’an. But the outcome was clear from his entourage tonight: no Inner Qi Masters had accompanied him.

Members of the Quicksand Gang swarmed in front of the Drunken Immortal Tower, each one looking fierce and menacing. From a distance, they looked like vicious thugs who would kill without batting an eye. But as Chen Ping’an approached, they seemed to reach a tacit agreement, parting one after another to clear a path for him.

Ignoring the countless eyes fixed upon him, Chen Ping’an didn’t spare them a single glance as he strode directly through the entrance of the Drunken Immortal Tower.

With the exception of a small group that followed Chen Ping’an inside, the men from the Garrison Commandant’s Office remained outside the Drunken Immortal Tower, facing off against the members of the Quicksand Gang.

Watching Chen Ping’an enter as if no one else existed, some members of the Quicksand Gang began to whisper among themselves.

”So, Iron Head, weren’t you the one saying you’d make him piss his pants? Why’d you get out of the way the second he showed up?”

”So did you!”

”That’s different. I wasn’t the one saying he’d piss his pants!”

”I...”

”What ’I...’? He’s just a brat who’s still wet behind the ears! What are you so scared of? You should’ve just stood your ground!”

”Stand my ground? Take a good look at my face!”

”What?” The other ruffian actually took him seriously and looked at Iron Head’s face.

”Take a look. Do I look like I have a screw loose?”

Trash talk was one thing, but he wasn’t serious. Confront the Deputy Commander of the Garrison? Even if you gave Iron Head ten times the nerve, he wouldn’t dare actually do it.

Confront him head-on? Did he have a death wish!?

’Did they really think a Deputy Commander was just some roadside cabbage anyone could trample on?’

The last guy who dared try something like that? His head is still on display back at the gang’s headquarters!

...

”Lord Chen, I’ve long admired your reputation! Ever since I heard you’d taken up your post in White Stone City, I’ve been wanting to find the time to meet you. A pity, then, that gang affairs have been so complex. I’ve been completely occupied and unable to fulfill my wish!”

As soon as Chen Ping’an reached the top floor of the Drunken Immortal Tower, the voice of the Quicksand Gang Leader, Yin Zisheng, rang out, but the man himself remained seated, not moving an inch.

Chen Ping’an glanced around. Besides the Quicksand Gang Leader, Yin Zisheng, there were over ten other people present, but the majority were standing. Only two people were actually seated.

Chen Ping’an ignored Yin Zisheng. He calmly walked forward and sat down at the table. Cheng Renjing followed closely behind but did not take a seat, instead standing ramrod straight behind Chen Ping’an. The other constables filed in, occupying the surrounding space, their gazes fixed on the members of the Quicksand Gang.

Seeing Chen Ping’an’s lack of reaction, a flash of humiliation and anger crossed Yin Zisheng’s face, but he immediately composed himself.

”Lord Chen, I had this banquet prepared with great care just to meet you tonight. Take this pot of tea, for instance...”

Chen Ping’an cut him off. ”Master Yin, let’s dispense with the pleasantries. I didn’t come here tonight to listen to you talk about such things.”

”Lord Chen is truly a straightforward man!” Yin Zisheng narrowed his eyes. ”Come, allow me to make an introduction, Lord Chen. This is the Vice Gang Leader of my Quicksand Gang, Shen Taiyuan!”

”Lord Chen!” Shen Taiyuan looked at Chen Ping’an with a hostile expression. ”My subordinate, Protector Uncle Gu, was killed for no reason. I want an explanation!”

Chen Ping’an had already taken note of Shen Taiyuan when he first came upstairs.

’One at Inner Qi First Level Perfection, the other close to it.’

”An explanation?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, unhurriedly picking up the teapot in front of him and pouring himself a cup.

”Master Shen, as for an explanation, I should be the one demanding it from you!”

”Not only did your Quicksand Gang ruin the mood at last night’s welcome banquet, but they also showed me incredible disrespect! How do you intend to answer for that?”

’What’s going on?’

Yin Zisheng’s heart dropped. Chen Ping’an’s reaction was not what he had expected.

’Is he planning to fight this to the bitter end?’

BAM!

Shen Taiyuan slammed his hand on the table, making the plates on it clatter loudly. He stood up, glaring furiously.

”Lord Chen, what is the meaning of this?”

His teacup now full, Chen Ping’an slowly set down the teapot. He spared Shen Taiyuan a single glance.

Shen Taiyuan already had a short fuse, and seeing Chen Ping’an’s utterly dismissive attitude, he was filled with uncontrollable rage.

”Give me an explanation today, or you’re not walking out of this room!”

As Shen Taiyuan finished speaking, he slammed the long saber from his side onto the table, shattering numerous small plates. His message was clear: he would not back down.

SHING! SHING! SHING!

The constables from the Garrison Commandant’s Office standing behind Chen Ping’an all drew their sabers.

The Quicksand Gang members present also grabbed their weapons, not giving an inch.

”My Lord!” Cheng Renjing also drew his saber, waiting only for Chen Ping’an’s command to strike.

The situation was on a knife’s edge, threatening to explode into an all-out brawl at the slightest provocation.

Yin Zisheng sat to the side, watching coldly from the sidelines. He had no intention of stopping Shen Taiyuan. He couldn’t quite fathom Chen Ping’an’s attitude.

’Letting Shen Taiyuan test the waters isn’t a bad idea. His impulsive nature is perfect for finding out if this Chen Ping’an is just bluffing, or if he really means business.’

Chen Ping’an seemed oblivious to the tense standoff. He leisurely picked up his teacup and took a slow sip.

”Good tea.”

Setting down his teacup, Chen Ping’an’s gaze fell squarely on Shen Taiyuan for the first time.

”Shen Taiyuan, are you trying to rebel?”

SWOOSH!

A beam of pure, condensed blade light shot toward Shen Taiyuan.

Gale Swift Blade Slash!

Shen Taiyuan’s expression changed. He grabbed the long saber on the table, his Inner Qi surging wildly within him as he tried to parry.

But compared to Chen Ping’an, he was... far too slow!

Like a whistling gale, the flash of the blade was gone in an instant.

In the next instant!

A line of blood appeared between Shen Taiyuan’s eyebrows.

And then...

He collapsed, his body splitting into two halves.

Vice Gang Leader of the Quicksand Gang, Shen Taiyuan, was dead!

The instant Chen Ping’an made his move, Yin Zisheng reacted. His face was a mask of disbelief. He knew for a fact that Chen Ping’an was the only Inner Qi master from the Garrison Commandant’s Office inside the Drunken Immortal Tower.

He never thought Chen Ping’an would dare to strike so brazenly under these conditions!

’What audacity!’

Before Yin Zisheng could process it, he saw Shen Taiyuan’s swift counterattack suddenly freeze.

THUD!

Shen Taiyuan’s body crashed to the floor, the thud echoing in Yin Zisheng’s heart.

Without giving him a moment’s respite, SWOOSH! The blade light flared once more!

An intensely condensed, brilliant white light flared before Yin Zisheng’s eyes. He reacted instantly, swinging his own sword to meet the attack, and the two collided in a flash.

Almost simultaneously, Yin Zisheng’s sword was flung from his grasp.

And then...

’Perfect Second Level of Inner Qi!’

Yin Zisheng’s face twisted in terror. He tried to scream, but his throat refused to obey, as if it were blocked or somehow broken.

He tried to look down, but his head wouldn’t move. Instead, his vision was rising higher and higher.

With all his might, he tried to look down and suddenly spotted an all-too-familiar body.

’Huh? Where’s the head?’

’Oh! There it is!’

THUD!

As his head hit the floor, Yin Zisheng’s last flicker of consciousness vanished completely.

Gang Leader of the Quicksand Gang, Yin Zisheng—dead!

”Gang Leader!”

”Master Shen!”

The Quicksand Gang members stared, their eyes wide with disbelief, as if their sockets would crack.

Chen Ping’an stood with his saber in hand, its blade stained with blood.

”Yin Zisheng, Gang Leader of the Quicksand Gang, and Shen Taiyuan, the Vice Gang Leader, attempted to assassinate me. With the evidence of their crime undeniable, they have been summarily executed! The Quicksand Gang has preyed on the people for too long; their sins are monstrous and inexcusable. By order of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau, they are to be annihilated! All who resist will be killed without question!”