Daqian Martial Saint

Zhong Zeyu offered a sincere and heartfelt apology, bringing the matter to a close. This was, however, on the condition that no more undiscerning people would come wandering around Chen Ping’an.

After playing the role of peacemaker, Zhong Zeyu brought up the matter of the Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo.

”The Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo, ravaged the region, his hands stained with the blood of countless innocent lives. He was truly a villain of the highest order, a man whose crimes were unpardonable! Lord Chen, your act of slaying this beast has rid the people of a great menace. Your contribution is immense.” Zhong Zeyu said with a smile, ”Lord Chen, I took the liberty of reporting this matter to the State Garrison Command. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Chen Ping’an, of course, wouldn’t hold it against him.

The merit for killing a veteran top-level expert of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect was substantial. In addition, it came with a corresponding accumulation of Merit points. Having already tasted the benefits after exchanging Merit for the Wandering Dragon Body Technique, Chen Ping’an certainly wouldn’t complain about having too much.

Besides the Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo, there were also several Profound Light Realm Elders and Inner Qi Realm Protectors from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect present at the time. Their deaths would also yield a handsome amount of merit.

Furthermore, if they could pry any information from the mouth of the captured Ten Thousand Demons Sect Profound Light Realm expert, that merit would also be credited to Chen Ping’an.

After discussing the matter of the Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo, Zhong Zeyu and Chen Ping’an talked about several other things, primarily focusing on the current situation of the encirclement campaign against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.

The Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold had been more or less pinpointed to the Sanqi Mountain area. According to previously gathered intelligence, this stronghold was very likely a Ten Thousand Demons Sub-Altar. It was probably teeming with demon lords, a chaotic nest of evil.

Fortunately, however, the tide had turned in their favor. They had established a cordon, trapping the Sub-Altar securely inside. Although the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had employed some vicious and cunning schemes, they had ultimately failed to break through.

The current encirclement of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect at Sanqi Mountain was divided into four main fronts: the eastern, southern, western, and northern lines of suppression. In addition, there were numerous mobile units.

The next step was to seal off the mountain. Then, they would gradually ascertain the true location of the Ten Thousand Demons Sub-Altar, gather the elite forces from each division, consolidate their strength, and conquer it in one fell swoop.

Through Zhong Zeyu’s explanation, Chen Ping’an gained a clearer understanding of the upcoming deployment.

From the perspective of the entire Canglong State, the Sanqi Mountain encirclement was just one of several battlefields. There were four other similar battlefronts within the state. The scale and intensity of the campaign were unprecedented; the State Garrison Command was clearly taking this very seriously. The amount of manpower, resources, and finances involved was immeasurable.

The other battlefields were too distant to concern Chen Ping’an. From what Zhong Zeyu said, he understood one thing: the Sanqi Mountain encirclement had to succeed. Failure was not an option.

After their conversation, Zhong Zeyu prepared to leave. Before he left, his expression turned solemn. He clasped his fists in a salute and said, ”Lord Chen, your focus on the bigger picture and your sense of responsibility are admirable. I am truly impressed!”

”You’re too kind, Lord Zhong,” Chen Ping’an replied calmly, returning the salute.

’This Zhong Zeyu is first-class in both his speech and his actions, a truly capable man. Moreover, his top-level combat strength is sufficient to handle most situations.’

’If I have the chance one day, it would be a good choice to recruit him.’

...

In the following days, reinforcements from all sides arrived, and the encirclement divisions officially began sealing off the mountain.

The eastern, western, southern, and northern fronts moved in unison, carrying out the task in an orderly fashion. It involved battle lines, patrols, and investigations—a great many details. However, under the coordination of the State Garrison Command, the various fronts worked together seamlessly. There were no slip-ups, and the mountain was successfully sealed.

After the mountain was sealed, the various units slowly tightened the encirclement, conducting searches area by area.

During the search process, specialists from the State Garrison Command stepped forward. Using their unique methods, they investigated for any clues, gradually eroding the living space of the Ten Thousand Demons Sub-Altar.

On the third day after the mountain was sealed, the southern encirclement force encountered a small group of Ten Thousand Demon Thieves, and a minor skirmish broke out between them.

The final result was the complete annihilation of the Ten Thousand Demon Thieves, though the encirclement force suffered some losses. During the fight, the elite troops had tried to capture the thieves alive, but their opponents fought with no fear of death, and ultimately, it was not to be.

As the sealing of the mountain continued, contact between the two sides became more and more frequent. Through constant reconnaissance and investigation, the Garrison Commandant’s Office gradually locked onto the location of the Ten Thousand Demons Sub-Altar.

While the encirclement of the Ten Thousand Demons Sub-Altar was in full swing in the Sanqi Mountain area, a small-scale deliberation meeting was also being held far away in Canglong State City, within the State Garrison Command.

The topic of this deliberation was the discussion of candidates for the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Li Yang Town Guard Office. The impetus for this meeting was the news that Chen Ping’an had killed the Ten Thousand Demons Sect expert, the Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo, which had been reported to the State Garrison Command.

”Chen Ping’an killed the Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo?!”

Upon hearing the news, Gu Haoqing’s eyes lit up with delight.

From his perspective, the Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo, was naturally nothing special. But in the eyes of others, Shi Tianpo was a rather troublesome Evil Master. His Cultivation had reached the peak of the top level, and he excelled at battles of attrition and group combat. With his Blood Demon Hammer Technique, he was strong enough to clash head-on with veteran top-level experts.

But now... Chen Ping’an had killed him?!

If the intelligence report was correct, then Mang Blade Chen Ping’an undoubtedly possessed peak top-level combat strength!

Ever since Chen Ping’an first made a name for himself, the speed of his Cultivation and his innate talent were astounding. Even from Gu Haoqing’s lofty perspective, this was the case.

A peak top-level expert at only twenty-two years of age—what did that even mean?!

It meant that the Grandmaster Pass, an incredibly difficult barrier for others, would not be able to stop Chen Ping’an. Given time, he was certain to become a Jade Balance Grandmaster.

And even after achieving the Grandmaster realm, given Chen Ping’an’s talent, his potential for growth was still immense.

Grasping this point, Gu Haoqing immediately recognized an opportunity.

With the Commander-in-Chief of the Li Yang Town Guard Office having just died, Chen Ping’an had earned great merit by killing the Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo. If he could give him a little push, he might be able to promote him to the position of Commander-in-Chief!

Gu Qingchan’s evaluation of Chen Ping’an in the Gu Clan Elder Hall had sealed the deal for the marriage alliance. The family’s candidate for the marriage had also been elevated from the direct lineage to the core direct lineage.

With the marriage alliance about to be finalized and the timing so perfect, Gu Haoqing would naturally not miss this opportune moment to support Chen Ping’an.

The very moment he received the news, he used his authority as a Candidate for Chief of the State Garrison Command to submit a list of candidates for the Commander-in-Chief of the Li Yang Town Guard Office. The candidate on the list was, of course, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Weishui Garrison, Chen Ping’an.

”Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Weishui Garrison, Chen Ping’an, is a man of exceptional talent. He successfully annihilated a Celestial Net Church Entrance... killed Soul-Severing Saber Li Pingjiang... and just over ten days ago, in the Luohua Ridge area, he killed the Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo... This Chen Ping’an is exceptionally talented, acts with propriety, possesses his own strategies, and is capable of great things!”

In the official recommendation letter, Gu Haoqing had written a long and glowing tribute, filled with no shortage of praise.

Given Gu Haoqing’s status, the candidate he recommended naturally passed the initial screening and was submitted to the meeting for deliberation.

Looking at the current situation, the timing was perfect, the conditions were favorable, and the support was there!

The timing: The Commander-in-Chief of the Li Yang Town Guard Office had died at the hands of the Ten Thousand Demon Thieves, leaving a convenient vacancy.

The conditions: Chen Ping’an had earned merit by killing the Blood Demon Hammer, Shi Tianpo, demonstrating peak top-level combat strength and thus meeting the requirements for the position of Commander-in-Chief.

The support: The Commander-in-Chief of the Li Yang Town Guard Office had died at the hands of the Ten Thousand Demon Thieves, and Chen Ping’an had killed one of their own. This causal link would provide a positive boost. Furthermore, the Gu Family held significant influence within the State Garrison Command. With their backing, they could build considerable momentum for the recommendation.

Based on a comprehensive analysis, the probability of Chen Ping’an’s promotion to Commander-in-Chief of the Li Yang Town Guard Office was extremely high.

However, the outcome of the meeting’s deliberation was somewhat unsatisfactory.

”The encirclement campaign is a complex affair. We shall discuss this matter at a later time!”

After a heated discussion, the Deputy Chief of the State Garrison Command, the Five-Thunder Transformation Hand, Ning Zhengyue, made the final decision, announcing that the matter would be temporarily shelved.