Daqian Martial Saint

Chapter 459: Chapter 376: Ten Thousand Demons Branch, Talented Lady of the Academy

In a spacious and bright office, Chen Ping’an met Fan Zheng Heng, the Capital Envoy of the Weishui Garrison.

“Ping’an, welcome.”

Fan Zheng Heng had a square-jawed face, giving him an extremely stern appearance. However, the small beard he wore added a touch of refinement.

“Lord Fan.” Chen Ping’an smiled and clasped his hands in a salute.

He keenly noted how Fan Zheng Heng had addressed him. This was their first formal meeting. Given Fan Zheng Heng’s status in the Weishui Garrison, there was no need for him to be so cordial.

“Ping’an, come, come, no need to be so formal. Please, sit!”

Fan Zheng Heng smiled and gestured for him to sit, his every move putting one at ease. “Yuan Hua, you sit as well.”

Fan Zheng Heng’s enthusiasm greatly exceeded Chen Ping’an’s expectations.

‘Is the Gu Family’s influence in the Garrison Commandant’s Office really that great!?’

‘Could a single statement from them make Fan Zheng Heng, the head of the Weishui Garrison, act like this?’

Although Chen Ping’an was slightly puzzled, he sat down as told. Beside him, Liu Yuanhua thanked Fan Zheng Heng and also took a seat.

Soon, a dedicated servant came and poured them tea.

“This is Moon-printed Flower Tea! You must try it,” Fan Zheng Heng said with a smile.

Liu Yuanhua glanced at Chen Ping’an and chimed in with a timely compliment.

“Lord Chen, you may not be aware, but this Moon-printed Flower Tea is produced in the Southern Border Mist Lake, and its annual yield is minuscule. Even less of it makes its way to us. Even the great Noble Families in the State City wouldn’t normally serve this to guests.

That I am fortunate enough to taste such a fine tea today is all thanks to Lord Chen!”

Chen Ping’an hadn’t expected this side of Liu Yuanhua. In his memory, Liu Yuanhua had always been a symbol of authority and power. Now, in front of Fan Zheng Heng, he seemed like a completely different person.

Chen Ping’an raised his teacup. Before it even touched his lips, an intoxicating floral aroma filled the air. He took a sip. It was cool and crisp on his tongue, truly a refreshing and wonderful experience.

Although Chen Ping’an’s Cultivation didn’t rely on external objects, at this moment, he could faintly feel the True Essence within his body become slightly more active.

“Excellent tea!” Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but praise.

Hearing this, a smile touched Fan Zheng Heng’s face.

With such an opening, the conversation that followed was extremely smooth. During their exchange, Chen Ping’an thanked Fan Zheng Heng for the welcoming ceremony he had just arranged.

Fan Zheng Heng said it was only proper. If not for the lack of time, the welcoming ceremony would have been even grander. He stated frankly that Chen Ping’an was a rising star of the Garrison Commandant’s Office and the pride of their Weishui Garrison, so such a reception for his glorious return was only right.

Liu Yuanhua added a few words from the side, mainly to highlight Fan Zheng Heng’s attention to and care for Chen Ping’an.

During the conversation, Chen Ping’an learned a piece of news.

The Canglong Province Garrison Command had issued a new appointment, promoting him to Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Weishui Garrison. His specific responsibilities would be clarified upon the arrival of the Special Envoy from the State Garrison Command.

‘Deputy Commander-in-Chief!?’

Although Chen Ping’an had not known about this beforehand, his expression remained calm upon hearing the news.

‘So that’s why the two of them were being so friendly!’

Chen Ping’an’s composure, however, only made Fan Zheng Heng and Liu Yuanhua more certain of their suspicions. They believed Chen Ping’an must have already known about the promotion, which was why he had rushed to Weishui County City ahead of time.

The Gu Family’s regard for this young man was likely even greater than they had imagined.

Once this was clear, the atmosphere in the room became even more harmonious.

Taking the opportunity, Chen Ping’an also inquired about the status of the campaign to encircle and annihilate the forces of the Evil and Heterodox Dao.

Seeing Chen Ping’an ask about this, Fan Zheng Heng didn’t hold anything back and shared a great deal of information.

“With the State Garrison Command’s support, provided at all costs, the encirclement campaign is proceeding very smoothly. We’ve already eliminated many strongholds and bases. Within the State Realm, the encirclement net is now complete. All fronts are preparing to tighten, hoping to catch a few big fish.”

…

As everyone watched, a tall, spacious, all-black carriage drove away from the Weishui Garrison.

‘Looks like the Garrison Commandant’s Office will be making some big moves soon!’

Inside the carriage, Chen Ping’an’s eyes were slightly closed as he quietly contemplated what Fan Zheng Heng had just told him.

The Beicang Chaos had enraged the State Garrison Command. In coordination with various powers, they had mobilized a massive force to organize a grand-scale encirclement campaign.

This campaign was different from previous ones. The emphasis on results far outweighed any consideration of profit, and they were sparing no expense. Clearly, they were serious this time.

It involved numerous strategies, layers of deduction, and precise coordination, ultimately yielding impressive results. Now, the campaign had reached a fever pitch. The encirclement net, long in the making, was now in place, with interconnected and perfectly coordinated rings of containment spread throughout the Canglong State.

Before the net was fully formed, a few forces of the Evil and Heterodox Dao had managed to escape. However, the majority were still trapped within the encirclement. As all fronts tightened, the rings of containment shrank, and sweeping patrols were deployed, it was certain to deal a devastating blow to these evil forces.

During his conversation with Chen Ping’an, Fan Zheng Heng had implicitly mentioned that, based on current clues, there was a high probability that a Ten Thousand Demons Sect Branch was also within the encirclement net. Although they hadn’t yet pinpointed the Branch’s true location, as long as the intelligence was reliable, finding it would only be a matter of time as the encirclement tightened.

A Ten Thousand Demons Sect Branch would definitely have an Absolute Master presiding over it! There might even be a Pseudo Grandmaster present!

If they could successfully encircle and destroy it, it would be a huge victory for the Garrison Commandant’s Office!

Chen Ping’an only pondered the matter of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect for a moment. For him, the most important thing right now was still picking up the little girl from school.