Daqian Martial Saint

Chen Ping’an recalled his conversation with Liu Yuanhua. Faced with Liu Yuanhua’s attempt to recruit him, he had tactfully expressed that he was still young and had no intention of joining any faction for the time being. He only wished to develop his career within the Garrison system and serve the Dynasty!

It was all politically correct nonsense, but it had also served to convey his polite refusal.

However, it was as if Liu Yuanhua hadn’t understood the underlying meaning of his words. He told Chen Ping’an that if he were to join the Liu Family, they would fully support his career in the Garrison Commandant’s Office.

Faced with Liu Yuanhua’s renewed attempt to recruit him, Chen Ping’an ultimately refused once more.

"Thank you for your favor, Lord Liu, but I am young and my abilities are meager. I’m afraid I will only disappoint you!"

Liu Yuanhua didn’t show much of a reaction to Chen Ping’an’s rejection, but Chen Ping’an could still faintly sense his displeasure.

Who was Liu Yuanhua? The Deputy Commander of the Weishui Garrison, a figure at the Vice Capital Commander Level. For a man of his stature to personally extend an invitation, only to be refused...

’The boy doesn’t know what’s good for him!’

Liu Yuanhua’s interest waned. After a few more perfunctory words, he dismissed Chen Ping’an.

’Liu Yuanhua!’ A glint flashed in Chen Ping’an’s eyes.

During their recent meeting, he had been unable to perceive Liu Yuanhua’s True Realm. Even with his own Martial Arts Realm at the Profound Light Middle Realm, a level described as Bright as Day, he couldn’t detect the slightest hint despite being face-to-face.

It was obvious Liu Yuanhua had already stepped into the Profound Light High Realm—the Realm of Profound Light Penetrating Objects. As the Liu Family’s representative in the Weishui Garrison, it wasn’t strange at all for him to have reached such a level.

Liu Yuanhua was of the Liu Family’s older generation. In terms of seniority, he was a full generation above the current Patriarch, a figure from Liu Ziming’s great-grandfather’s time.

You would never guess it just from his appearance.

Profound Light Penetrating Objects, Armor Unlost, a lifespan of 180 years!

Someone in the Profound Light High Realm was considered an Absolute Master! They were the true pillars supporting the great Noble Families of Weishui County City!

And now, such a figure was slightly displeased with Chen Ping’an’s refusal. Anyone else would likely be worried and anxious, perhaps even shaking with fear.

Chen Ping’an, however, was completely unperturbed.

’So what if he’s at the Profound Light High Realm? Give me a little more time, and I’ll reach that peak as well! What is there to fear?’

’A 180-year lifespan... now that’s tempting...’

Thinking of the Divine Wonders of the Profound Light High Realm, Chen Ping’an felt a surge of excitement.

"Do you know who I am? How dare you be so arrogant?"

"I don’t care who you are! Today..."

A commotion erupted outside the carriage. Chen Ping’an pulled aside the curtain and looked out. Two noble sons dressed in brocade stood in a standoff, each backed by a group of men. A crowd of onlookers had gathered to watch.

’These guys...’ Chen Ping’an let the curtain fall, not bothering to watch any longer.

Since there was another route they could take, there was no reason to get needlessly involved. He had only come to Weishui County City to report in and complete some formalities; he had no other official duties.

If the day ever came when he was transferred back to Weishui County City as a commanding official, he would be sure to teach these young masters a good lesson!

The carriage headed toward the Outer City, soon leaving the Inner City behind. It finally stopped before the restaurant Chen Ping’an had specified.

When the carriage from the Weishui Garrison stopped at the entrance, the servant greeting guests at the door proved to be exceptionally sharp. He immediately ran inside to fetch the shopkeeper, his face a mask of anxious reverence.

"Lord Chen, we’ve arrived!" Deng Yi said with a smile, pulling back the carriage curtain.

"Mm." Chen Ping’an gave a slight nod and leaned forward.

"Careful now, take your time," Deng Yi said, acting the part of a perfect sycophant.

As Chen Ping’an stepped down from the carriage, the restaurant’s shopkeeper rushed out to greet him, a group of staff in tow, all of them looking utterly terrified.

"My lord, you’re..."

Before Chen Ping’an could speak, Deng Yi boomed, "Listen up, everyone! This is Lord Chen of the Weishui Garrison! All of you are to serve him to the best of your ability! If his lordship is displeased in the slightest, I’ll have your hides!"

"Yes, yes, of course..." The staff nodded repeatedly, their faces filled with dread.

"Lord Chen, you’ve returned." Inside the restaurant, the elite guards Chen Ping’an had brought with him saw him arrive and came out to greet him.

Needless to say, his arrival at the inn caused quite a stir. With Chen Ping’an’s current status, he would cause a commotion wherever he went unless he intentionally kept a low profile.

Under the crowd’s awestruck gazes, Chen Ping’an entered the inn. After returning to his room, he didn’t rest. Instead, he began practicing the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill, as was his custom.

Compared to the Great Vajra Palm, which involved a Heart Method and Circulation Transport, the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill was far more convenient to practice, as it had few requirements regarding the location.

+1!

+1!

...

The all-too-familiar Cultivation Experience notifications appeared again.

Heaven rewards the diligent. The only path to success is through arduous cultivation!

...

「At the crack of dawn the next day」

One after another, factions from Weishui County City began arriving to visit Chen Ping’an. Without exception, these groups were at least considered quasi-first-rate powers.

Each faction brought introductory gifts, more or less. They made no demands, stating only that Weishui had produced such a prodigy who had reached the Rising Star Chart at a young age. They felt greatly honored and were simply overcome with joy, so they had come to offer their congratulations.

’Prodigy? The Rising Star Chart?’ Chen Ping’an was confused.

After a visit from yet another faction, Chen Ping’an finally understood what was happening.

’I’m on the Rising Star Chart, ranked 91st. Everyone knows about it, and I’m the last to find out?! This is getting ridiculous...’

After a moment of reflection, Chen Ping’an sent someone to the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion to buy him a copy of the latest Rising Star Chart.

With his current standing, he naturally no longer needed to handle such routine matters himself.

Before long, a copy of the Rising Star Chart was in his hands.

Chen Ping’an quickly opened the booklet and started flipping through the pages. Naturally, the first thing he looked for was his own entry.

Weishui County City... Chen Ping’an... Rank 91... Title... Mang Blade.

’Mang Blade!? What the hell!?’

Chen Ping’an nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the title.

’My Swordsmanship is so incredible, did they not see it? And... my Great Vajra Palm! Did they not see any of that?! They just take the "Blade" part and slap "Mang" on the front!’

’What is this nonsense! What kind of garbage title is this! Which shameless bastard came up with it?’ Glancing at the name "Mang Blade" again, Chen Ping’an felt so exasperated he could have coughed up blood.

After finally managing to calm himself, Chen Ping’an forced himself to read on patiently.

He discovered the entry on him was quite comprehensive. In the section on his combat record, there were even some detailed descriptions.

Chen Ping’an: at the Celestial Rain Descending Realm, the Third Stage of Inner Qi. Cultivates several superior cultivation methods...

Cultivates Gale Sword Technique, Eight Steps Chasing Cicada, Flying Star Swordsmanship, Great Vajra Palm, Golden Bell Shield, and others.

Proficient in Sword Skill; also cultivates Leg and Palm Techniques, and Swordsmanship. Among the notable features of his cultivation techniques, in addition to the Golden Bell Shield, are traces of the Iron Cloth Shirt and the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training.

This individual acts with reckless abandon. He was once transferred to White Stone City to serve as Deputy Commander, where he annihilated two gangs immediately upon arrival. Subsequently...

Based on his conduct and cultivation techniques, he can be called: Mang Blade!

Furthermore, because he cultivates Horizontal Training in Hard Skills and the Great Vajra Palm, he can also be called: Mang Vajra!

Mang Vajra!???

At this point, Chen Ping’an completely lost it.

’Mang Vajra!? You’re the Mang Vajra! Your whole family are Mang Vajras!’

Ever since he began his Cultivation, he had always strived for a style that was elegant, agile, and effortlessly graceful.

He wanted to be the epitome of "a man on the path, as fine as jade; a young master without peer." Gentle and refined—that was the ideal for Young Master Chen!

Now... with the release of this Rising Star Chart, his pristine reputation was in tatters.

’To hell with this Rising Star Chart!’ Chen Ping’an fumed internally.