Daqian Martial Saint

As for the other two, he could ignore them for now. But Zhao Zhiteng, while not a friend, was at least an acquaintance. Although they stood on different sides, they had generally gotten along.

If he killed Zhao Zhiteng along with the others because of Cao Yingxiong, it would go against Chen Ping’an’s principles.

Martial Artists were meant to repay kindness and take revenge with abandon. But they also had to have lines they would not cross!

Based on these considerations, he had just decided to hold back and wait for a better opportunity.

It’s just...

Biding his time and waiting for the right moment might avoid a great deal of risk, but it felt terrible.

He cultivated his mind along with his martial power, but his youthful spirit remained. The more he thought about it, the more his blood boiled.

’That damn Cao Yingxiong! The more I think about it, the angrier I get!’

Chen Ping’an slowly raised his hand, suddenly recalling the time he had furiously struck the sand and rocks in his own small courtyard.

Back then, Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong had colluded to steal the credit he earned for killing the Cyan Fish Gang remnant, Hairy Fish.

His credit was stolen, and he lost the chance to be promoted to official constable!

Of the two, Tan Huacong was an official constable. Zheng Shiyong himself was nothing special, but behind him stood Constable Zheng Zhenwu of the Garrison Commandant’s Office.

At the time, his wings had not yet fully grown. Though incredibly resentful, he had endured it.

’Pathetic, how utterly pathetic!’

The memory of swallowing his anger back then felt as if it were happening right before his eyes!

Chen Ping’an slowly looked up at his own hand. The palm was fair, its lines clear. It was this very hand that could shatter mountains and crush stone with a single move!

’The future is long! I’ll act on another day!’

As the saying goes, patience brings peace, taking a step back...

The more he thought, the angrier he got!

’Dammit...’

’To hell with ”a gentleman’s revenge is never too late”!’

A flash of light sparked in Chen Ping’an’s eyes. He clenched his fist violently, and the surrounding energy rippled.

’Another day? I think today is better than any other day!’

He raised his hand and placed the cicada-wing-thin mask over his face. As he infused it with True Qi, its appearance shifted. In a moment, Chen Ping’an’s face had transformed into that of a different person.

Thick eyebrows, large eyes, and rough, bronze-colored skin.

”Not enough!”

Chen Ping’an’s body shuddered, and a symphony of cracking sounds erupted from his bones and tendons.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

In the span of a dozen breaths, Chen Ping’an’s body forcibly grew a significant amount. His muscles bulged and knotted, his arms and legs became incredibly thick. From a distance, he looked like a hulking, broad-shouldered brute.

Having reached the Perfection Level in the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill, Chen Ping’an was naturally proficient in techniques like stretching his bones and altering his body.

”Cao Yingxiong!”

In the treetops, Chen Ping’an grinned.

He lunged, his entire body crashing toward the ground like a giant bear.

BOOM!

With a faint tremor of the earth, Chen Ping’an’s body slammed onto the ground. He pushed off with one foot and shot off into the distance.

”Prepare to die!”

...

After cleaning up the scene, Cao Yingxiong and his men descended Red Maple Mountain. His brief flicker of anger had passed, and his mood had become excellent.

He hadn’t expected to reap such an unexpected reward on his way to Beicang Town.

They had already surveyed the scene and made the appropriate records. Simply reporting this matter would earn them a significant amount of credit.

Killing three Elders from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, one of whom had even reached the Profound Light Middle Realm—such a feat was a praiseworthy accomplishment even for a distinguished Silver Gong Qiankun Envoy like himself! This could serve as a credential for his future promotions!

Cao Yingxiong had already ordered someone to write up the corresponding report while they were still on the mountain. The Qiankun Bureau monitored the various regions, so its envoys naturally carried written documents with them for on-the-spot recording.

Among the three of them, Zhao Zhiteng was the least experienced. So naturally, the task of writing the report fell to him.

As he was describing the details of the battle, he was about to subconsciously include Chen Ping’an’s name, but Cao Yingxiong stopped him.

”Zhao Zhiteng, from start to finish, only our Qiankun Bureau was present for the extermination of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect villains. We accomplished it all by ourselves! Why are you writing Chen Ping’an’s name?”

”Sir, other people might have witnessed Chen Ping’an pursuing the Ten Thousand Demons Sect villains. I’m afraid it wouldn’t be right to rashly erase his contribution in this matter,” Zhao Zhiteng said, looking troubled.

”What’s not right about it! Let’s not even talk about whether there were witnesses. So what if there were! Did they see Chen Ping’an kill the Ten Thousand Demons Sect villains with their own eyes!?” Cao Yingxiong’s face showed his impatience.

”Sir, if we do this, Chen Ping’an will certainly be unconvinced when he finds out. He’ll probably file a complaint to the higher-ups. If this blows up, I’m afraid...” Zhao Zhiteng said hesitantly.

”Afraid of what!? So what if it blows up and becomes controversial? When others hear about it, who will they believe—him or me?” Cao Yingxiong sneered. ”He’s merely in the Profound Light Realm. How could he kill three Profound Light Elders from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect? Tell me, who would believe that!? But me? I was on the scene. Killing three Profound Light Elders is a simple matter for me! If Chen Ping’an wants to argue with me, he has no chance of winning.”

’He’s right. Cao Yingxiong is right.’

’Judging by common sense, anyone would believe Cao Yingxiong over Chen Ping’an. Cao Yingxiong is famous, a Top Level master, someone who has even been listed on the Dragon and Tiger Chart. For him to kill three Profound Light experts is perfectly normal!’

’On the other hand, there’s Chen Ping’an. Even if the rumors spreading around say he has the combat power of the Profound Light Middle Realm—and who knows if that’s even true—he still wouldn’t be able to kill three Profound Light experts. His strength isn’t convincing enough. No one would believe him.’