Daqian Martial Saint

”The He Family is here!”

”It’s the Song Family!”

”The people from the Commerce Alliance have arrived!”

”The Iron Fist Gang!”

”The Blood Oath Alliance is here!”

Cheng Renjing stood outside, watching as the leaders of one faction after another stepped through the Chu Family’s gates.

A faint sense of unease and apprehension churned in his heart.

’Lord Chen...’

The thought surfaced in Cheng Renjing’s mind, but he instantly dismissed it.

After all this time together, he had to admit that he still didn’t truly know Chen Ping’an.

His impression of Chen Ping’an was constantly changing.

At first, he thought Chen Ping’an was just a greenhorn kid looking to build his resume. Then, Chen Ping’an revealed his methods, annihilating two major gangs in succession and cementing an image of overwhelming strength in his mind.

Later, after both Commander Feng and the newly appointed Commander Fu died, Chen Ping’an was promoted to the position of Commander-in-Chief of White Stone City.

He had thought that with the strength and methods Chen Ping’an had previously shown, he might have a chance of reaching the level Commander Feng had.

Cheng Renjing had even felt a little hopeful.

But reality dealt him a heavy blow. Faced with successive provocations from the various factions, Chen Ping’an had simply endured them all.

Eventually, the factions’ antagonism became overt, showing no regard for the Garrison Commandant’s Office whatsoever. Widespread discontent filled the ranks of the Garrison, and he had expected Chen Ping’an to show some kind of reaction to the situation, no matter what.

Who would have thought that Chen Ping’an would instead issue an order for a full-scale retraction!

At that moment, Cheng Renjing’s heart had sunk into complete despair.

But a lord was a lord. Despite everything, Cheng Renjing would still carry out his orders to the letter.

The provocations from the factions grew more blatant and more forceful.

Cheng Renjing’s heart had died.

Just when he had completely lost hope, who knew...

The scenes that had just unfolded moments ago replayed in Cheng Renjing’s mind. ’Lord Chen... isn’t he being too radical!’

Cheng Renjing was worried.

Although the combat power the Lord had just displayed far surpassed the Perfect Second Level of Inner Qi, he wasn’t just facing one family now!

The Blood Oath Alliance, the He Family, the Song Family, the Iron Fist Gang, the Commerce Alliance...

At least five experts at the Perfect Second Level of Inner Qi, and several more at the Second Stage of Inner Qi! This...

Even Commander Feng in his prime could never have accomplished something like this.

’Lord Chen is inside... could he be in danger?’

Cheng Renjing stood ramrod straight, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He was ready to provide support the moment his lord gave the command.

He, Cheng Renjing, might be weak, but he was willing to spill his last drop of blood for his lord!

Just as Cheng Renjing’s mind was racing, a young man walked out from the gates.

The young man’s eyes were deep and bright. His features, though handsome, projected an extraordinary martial air. Every movement revealed an uncommon bearing. He appeared scholarly, but was in fact domineering and majestic. This blend of calm and authority inspired awe.

”My Lord!”

Seeing the young man, a great weight lifted from Cheng Renjing’s heart, and he immediately hurried forward.

”Are you all right?” Cheng Renjing asked, his face etched with worry. ”The Blood Oath Alliance... they didn’t give you any trouble, did they?”

”Trouble?” Chen Ping’an chuckled. ”Let’s go. We’re heading back to the Garrison Commandant’s Office. You’re all about to be very busy!”

’Very busy? Did the negotiations fail?’

’With the strength of the Third Stage of Inner Qi that my lord displayed, that shouldn’t be the case. As long as he was willing to sit down and talk, these factions should have shown him some respect!’

’Did he not negotiate? So...’

’No, that’s not right either!’

’Looking at my lord’s demeanor, it doesn’t seem like there were no negotiations.’

’Could it be...’

Cheng Renjing’s thoughts raced as he tried to decipher the meaning behind Chen Ping’an’s words.

When he looked up again, Chen Ping’an’s figure was already distant.

He froze for a moment. Just as he was about to give chase, Chen Ping’an’s voice drifted back from afar.

”From this day forward, no one will dare to defy the authority of my Garrison Commandant’s Office! Those who do shall be killed without mercy!”

Killed without mercy!

Chen Ping’an’s voice echoed through the empty street, lingering for a long time.

Hearing this, Cheng Renjing’s expression froze. He stood stunned, not moving for a long while.

...

Inside the Chu Family’s main hall, blood stained everything. Bodies lay strewn about in a gruesome mess.

The Patriarch of the Chu Family, Chu Mingwei, sat slumped in a chair, gasping for air. Each breath seemed to erupt from deep within his chest, heavy and ragged.

”Chen Ping’an...”

Recalling the scene of Chen Ping’an’s invincible, overwhelming rampage just moments before, a look of terror once again crept onto Chu Mingwei’s face.

”Combat power approaching the Profound Light realm!”

Lightweight Skill, Sword Skill, Palm Technique, a Horizontal Training Method...

Chen Ping’an had revealed so much in a single battle.

And considering his current age... this...

What kind of prodigious genius was he!

Chu Mingwei felt his breath catch, and the fear on his face deepened. He recalled what Chen Ping’an had said to him before leaving, and any last shred of defiance in his heart vanished.

”These men died here because they brought it upon themselves!”

”Patriarch Chu, you’re a smart man. You know what to do next. Whether you ultimately live or die will depend on your performance!”

”I do not want chaos in White Stone City!”

”...”

...

After returning to the Garrison Commandant’s Office, Chen Ping’an did not immediately relax. Although the heads of the major factions—the Song Family, the He Family, the Commerce Alliance, the Blood Oath Alliance, and the Iron Fist Gang—were dead, the overall situation had not yet completely stabilized.

If it wasn’t brought under control, chaos would likely erupt in White Stone City once the news spread.

And even though they had lost their core combat power, the influence of these factions was still astonishing.

Relying on the strength of the Garrison Commandant’s Office alone would likely not be enough. Besides the Garrison, he needed the support and cooperation of another faction.

This was why Chen Ping’an had spared Chu Mingwei’s life.

The Chu Family was ranked first among the three great families, and their power was considerable. If they were willing to offer their full support, working in concert with the Garrison Commandant’s Office, they could definitely ensure White Stone City remained stable. From there, they could slowly devour and digest the interests of the other major factions.

Considering the might and talent Chen Ping’an had displayed, as well as the overall interests of the Chu Family, he believed Chu Mingwei would make the right choice.

However, what makes people human is their variability and complexity. Before the situation was set in stone, anything was possible.

’I hope Chu Mingwei makes the right choice...’

Chen Ping’an tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, deep in thought.

The corresponding orders had already been passed down through the chain of command. Although the constables carrying them out didn’t yet understand why, they felt a faint thrill at the latest directives.

They were to begin a forceful counterattack against the overt provocations of the Blood Oath Alliance and the Iron Fist Gang!

Faced with the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s sudden aggression, the two gangs were not only unafraid but were even faintly excited.

A counterattack?

An excellent counterattack!

This was especially true for the Blood Oath Alliance. Everything they had done so far was to escalate the conflict, hoping to achieve their strategic goals and create a fait accompli during the strategic vacuum before the Weishui Garrison could intervene.

After all, the major factions in White Stone City were all allied. On the surface, it was the Blood Oath Alliance and the Iron Fist Gang provoking the Garrison Commandant’s Office, but in reality, numerous factions were working together.

If the Garrison Commandant’s Office didn’t fight back, they might have a chance to barely survive. But if they did, escalating the conflict, they would likely lose their last shred of dignity!

Just as the Blood Oath Alliance was confidently launching a fierce counter-strike, they suddenly discovered that the tacit support from the city’s three great families had been cut off! The strength of the Garrison Commandant’s Office had previously been tied down by the three families, preventing it from fully consolidating for a counterattack, but that was no longer the case.

After investigating, they were shocked to find that the Chu Family, the head of the three great families, had brazenly struck, aggressively cornering the other two families.

At this critical juncture, why would the Chu Family help the Garrison Commandant’s Office?

The members of the Blood Oath Alliance and the Iron Fist Gang were baffled. This was especially true since their own Gang Leader and Alliance Leader had yet to return after going to the Chu Family estate.

What in the world was going on?

The Garrison Commandant’s Office’s counterattack was far more aggressive than they had imagined. With their respective backbones missing, the Blood Oath Alliance and the Iron Fist Gang began to suffer setbacks.

But things had already come to this. The two gangs couldn’t possibly abandon their previous objectives over a few minor losses.

Just as the two gangs were boosting morale, preparing to rally their forces and go all out...

The Chief of the Patrol Office for the Central District of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, Shan Qiwang, walked alone through the gates of the Blood Oath Alliance, a severed head in each hand.