Daqian Martial Saint

Chen Ping’an sent off the representatives from the Noble Families who had come to win him over. It was still just morning. Looking out the window, Chen Ping’an thought for a moment.

’Since I’m back in Weishui, I should go see Wan Jun.’

Dressed in civilian clothes and without an entourage, Chen Ping’an left the inn by himself.

...

Constables stood guard at the entrance of the South Town Garrison Command, and people were constantly coming and going to report on official business.

’I’m here.’

Chen Ping’an paused before the South Town Garrison Command, a wave of emotion washing over him.

When he left this place, he was merely a Candidate for Deputy, a sacrificial lamb caught in the clashes between Noble Families. Now, setting foot here once more, he was a Deputy Commander-in-Chief!

Chen Ping’an didn’t linger for long and walked straight toward the main gate.

The gate of the South Town Garrison Command was exactly the same as always, without the slightest change.

’Then again, it’s only been a few months since I left, so of course not much would have changed.’

"Halt! This is the Garrison Commandant’s Office!" a constable shouted, blocking Chen Ping’an’s path before he could get any closer.

Chen Ping’an looked up and saw that the constable who had spoken was a new face. He looked extremely young, with a hint of immaturity on his face. Just as Chen Ping’an was about to speak, he saw an incredulous expression dawn on the face of the constable standing behind the first one.

"Lord... Lord Chen..."

"It’s me," Chen Ping’an said, his expression calm as he gave a slight nod.

"It really is you, Lord Chen! You’re back!" The constable who spoke was suddenly overjoyed. "Xiao Quan, get out of the way! This is Lord Chen!"

"Huh?" The constable called Xiao Quan was confused, unable to grasp the situation.

Ignoring Xiao Quan’s reaction, the other constable bypassed him and welcomed Chen Ping’an inside.

"Lord Chen, do you remember me? I was the one guarding the gate when you first came to the Garrison Commandant’s Office."

Chen Ping’an glanced at Zhang Zhong, a sturdy, honest-looking man with a fawning expression.

And what do you know, Chen Ping’an did have a vague impression of him.

"Zhang Zhong!" Chen Ping’an said.

Hearing Lord Chen say his name, the smile on Zhang Zhong’s face bloomed completely.

"Yes, yes, that’s me, Lord Chen. I’m Zhang Zhong," Zhang Zhong said, unable to contain his delight.

During their brief exchange, Chen Ping’an had already stepped through the gates of the Garrison Commandant’s Office. In the process, more and more constables began to notice him.

"It’s Lord Chen! Lord Chen is back!"

"Lord Chen? Which Lord Chen?"

"Are you an idiot? Who else could it be! The youngest Deputy Commander-in-Chief in our Weishui Garrison system!"

...

Listening to the fervent discussion around him, Xiao Quan, the constable who had first blocked Chen Ping’an’s path, was a little dumbfounded.

’He’d just blocked *the* Lord Chen?’

...

Chen Ping’an paid little mind to the stir his visit caused at the South Town Garrison Command. Led by a constable, he easily found his way to the building where Mu Wanjun worked.

As soon as he went upstairs, Chen Ping’an saw a familiar figure.

"Miss Xiaodie, we meet again," Chen Ping’an said with a smile.

"Lord Chen." Xiaodie looked at the exceptionally handsome young man before her and hurried to give a slight bow.

’Seeing him again today, he was now one of the most sought-after figures in the Garrison Commandant’s Office! Not just in the South Town Garrison Command, but even in the Outer City Garrison Command, he was a top-tier giant.’

"Hahaha, Miss Xiaodie, no need to be so formal. Just call me Ping’an."

"I wouldn’t dare."

"It’s fine, it’s fine..." Chen Ping’an said with a smile as he walked toward Mu Wanjun’s office.

Xiaodie watched Chen Ping’an’s retreating back. It was straight and resolute, just as it had been before, as if nothing had changed at all.

...

Walking into the office, the first thing Chen Ping’an saw was the lovely figure of Mu Wanjun.

"Greetings, Lord Mu!" Chen Ping’an said, clasping his hands in a salute.

"Ping’an..."

Seeing Chen Ping’an enter, Mu Wanjun’s face lit up with pleasant surprise, a gentle smile gracing her lips. But when she saw his sudden, formal gesture, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

"Lord Chen certainly knows how to joke. *You’re* the ’Lord’ now."

’He’s a Deputy Commander-in-Chief, yet he’s still calling her Lord Mu? She’s just a mere South District Chief Department head. Who’s the real ’Lord’ here!?’

"Hahaha, in my heart, Wan Jun will always be Lord Mu," Chen Ping’an chuckled as he walked in. Without much ceremony, he sat right down.

At his words, Mu Wanjun rolled her eyes again.

Xiaodie, who was standing nearby, took the hint. After serving them tea, she closed the door and left.

"Ping’an, congratulations on your promotion to Outer Trade Road Patrol Deputy Envoy for the Long’an Trade Route! Your rank has already surpassed mine."

"Just luck, that’s all," Chen Ping’an said with a faint smile.

"And breaking through to the Third Stage of Inner Qi and making it onto the Rising Star Chart, was that just luck too?" Mu Wanjun was rather speechless.

"Of course it was luck. I was just fortunate enough to make the list," Chen Ping’an said, raising his cup and taking a light sip.

"Oh, is that so? Number 91 on the Rising Star Chart, ’Mang Blade’!" Mu Wanjun said, looking at him with a grin.

’Mang Blade!?! Why did she have to bring up the one thing I didn’t want to talk about!’

Chen Ping’an almost lost his composure. Annoyed, he protested, "I’m clearly a gentle and handsome young man, refined as jade, so how did I end up with ’Mang Blade’!? The person who comes up with these titles for the Rising Star Chart is completely clueless and has zero skill."

"When you first arrived in White Stone City, you killed a Quicksand Gang Elder over a disagreement. Then you annihilated two major gangs. On top of that, you personally paid a visit to the Chu Family... Listening to this list of accomplishments, I’d say the nickname fits you perfectly," Mu Wanjun teased.

...

Although they hadn’t seen each other for several months, their conversation was harmonious and their exchange was warm, with not a trace of awkwardness between them.

Chen Ping’an and Mu Wanjun talked for a long time. They discussed the situation in Weishui County City, recent events, and various topics related to the Martial Dao. During their talk, Chen Ping’an also asked Mu Wanjun about Da Shan, Monkey Head, and the others.

Mu Wanjun was still quite curious about Chen Ping’an’s successive realm breakthroughs. His Cultivation had clearly been much weaker than hers in the beginning, yet in the blink of an eye, he had surpassed her. It was simply incredible.

Chen Ping’an didn’t offer much of an explanation for Mu Wanjun’s bewilderment. He just laughed it off, saying he was a true prodigy of the Martial Dao whose progress advanced a thousand miles a day, and for whom Breaking Realms was as easy as eating and drinking.

Having not seen each other for a long time, the two had much to talk about and even had lunch together. However, Mu Wanjun ultimately had official duties to attend to, so Chen Ping’an chose not to disturb her further after their meal.

"Oh, right, don’t forget about the banquet tonight," Mu Wanjun reminded him as he was leaving. She had mentioned it in her letters, inviting him to the banquet as a representative of the Mu Family.

"I know, I remember," Chen Ping’an replied with a slight nod. Mu Wanjun had gone to great lengths to help him get transferred to White Stone City. Since she had personally invited him, he naturally wouldn’t refuse her and cause her to lose face.