Daqian Martial Saint

After leaving Old Man Hao’s stall, Chen Ping’an made his way to the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau.

By now, a crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau.

"Lord Commander!" Seeing Chen Ping’an’s figure, the crowd’s eyes burned with fervor as they shouted in unison.

"Mm." Chen Ping’an nodded slightly.

Cheng Renjing led a horse over, his expression solemn. "My lord, have a safe journey."

Chen Ping’an smiled in response, took the reins, and swung himself onto the horse.

"Prepare to depart! Destination: Weishui County City!"

"Yes, sir!" At his words, a dozen or so men in the crowd swiftly mounted their horses, their movements perfectly synchronized and disciplined.

"We respectfully send off the Lord Commander!" the crowd shouted in unison, their voices filled with sincerity.

"There’s no need to see me off so far!" Chen Ping’an waved his hand, tugged on the reins, and headed toward the city gates. His retinue set off as well, following close behind him.

In front of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, the crowd took a few steps forward, watching until Chen Ping’an was out of sight.

Since they were still inside White Stone City, Chen Ping’an rode at a leisurely pace, following the street toward the city gate. A dozen or so men followed him, clad in Soft Armor, greatswords at their waists, and quivers of arrows on their backs. They were clearly an elite force.

"Look over there!"

"I think that’s people from the Garrison Commandant’s Office!"

"Who’s that at the front?"

"I know him! I think it’s the Lord Commander!"

"It is the Lord Commander! Quick, come out and look!"

Along the street, commoners craned their necks to get a look. Upon realizing it was the Lord Commander, the crowd began to stir with excitement.

"Where? Let me see!"

"Hurry, hurry! It’s the Lord Commander! If you don’t come now, he’ll be gone!"

"Make way, make way!"

He had successively wiped out several gang factions, swept away lawlessness, reduced their burdens, and stabilized the situation, bringing about a tangible improvement in their lives.

As the Commander-in-Chief of White Stone City, Chen Ping’an held an extremely high status in the hearts of many citizens. Now that they had this rare opportunity, they all dropped what they were doing, wanting to catch a glimpse of him.

"What? The Lord Commander?"

Old Man Hao was busy at his stall when he heard the commotion around him, and a jolt went through him. Without a moment’s hesitation, Old Man Hao dropped the white flour he was holding and ran toward the crowd.

Unfortunately, his legs weren’t what they used to be. By the time he reached the main street, he could only see a figure’s back from a distance, stuck at the edge of the crowd.

Old Man Hao squinted, gazing into the distance, when he heard a voice nearby.

"Papa, he’s so impressive!"

Old Man Hao turned to see a little child with a large head sitting on the shoulders of a simple-faced, honest-looking middle-aged man, pointing and exclaiming in amazement.

"Kiddo, the one who just passed by is our White Stone City’s Lord Commander. Of course he’s impressive!"

Old Man Hao glanced at the pair, and when he turned back, the figure had vanished from sight.

...

「South Town Garrison Command.」

Shen Shikang had just finished his official duties, same as any other day, and was thinking about heading out to relax for a bit. He hadn’t been out of his office for long when he saw two people standing in a corner, whispering to each other.

"Supervisor Liu, what are you two talking about?" Shen Shikang asked with a smile as he walked over.

Liu Jinzhu, Supervisor of the South Town Garrison Command’s Dispatch Room, was the hub for most of the gossip. Shen Shikang was on good terms with him, so stumbling upon him now, he didn’t feel the need to be reserved.

"Ah, Supervisor Shen!" Liu Jinzhu glanced at Shen Shikang, a secretive look on his face.

Shen Shikang looked at the other person beside him, the Deputy Supervisor of the Dispatch Room, Pang Miao. At this moment, a look of shock still lingered on Pang Miao’s face.

This piqued Shen Shikang’s curiosity.

’What could have surprised Pang Miao so much!?’

"Supervisor Liu, what’s the big news? Let me in on it," Shen Shikang said, leaning in closer.

Liu Jinzhu first looked around to make sure no one was listening, then turned to Shen Shikang with a mysterious expression.

"Supervisor Shen, it’s huge news!"

"What is it?" Shen Shikang’s curiosity intensified. He watched as Liu Jinzhu stepped closer and whispered something to him.

What!?

After hearing what was said, Shen Shikang froze on the spot, his face a mask of utter shock.

Chen Ping’an... promoted two ranks in a row! Promoted to Outer Trade Road Patrol Deputy Envoy, a Vice Commander Level position!

A Vice Commander Level position! Even within the entire Outer City Garrison Command, that was the rank of an absolute giant, enough to look down on everyone!

...

「Outer City Garrison Command.」

It was midday, and Wang Changxu had just returned from investigating a case in Xicheng District. He had been working on it for four or five days, and his efforts had finally paid off. Thinking of the substantial rewards from this trip, Wang Changxu felt the fatigue wash away from his body.

He had just stepped into the Garrison Commandant’s Office when he saw his colleagues gathered in small groups, talking animatedly.

Wang Changxu was curious and immediately went over to join them.

"This Chen Ping’an isn’t even twenty-one, and he’s already been promoted to Outer Trade Road Patrol Deputy Envoy. That’s a true Vice Commander Level position! It’s incredible!"

"Yeah, at his rank, only the Lord Commander in our Outer City Garrison Command would be definitively above him. If he were ever transferred here, he’d be the second-in-command! We’d all have to address him as ’My Lord’!"

"Tsk tsk... A Deputy Commander who’s not even twenty-one... It’s truly unthinkable!"

"Exactly! To reach his level... even the scions of the great Noble Families would probably find it extremely difficult!"

"..."

His colleagues’ words left Wang Changxu stunned.

’Chen Ping’an?’

’Is it the same Chen Ping’an I know!?’

’Outer Trade Road Patrol Deputy Envoy! Vice Commander Level!’

’What on earth is going on?’

Before Wang Changxu could process it all, a colleague spotted him.

"Isn’t that Old Wang! Old Wang, you’re just in time! I remember you’ve had dealings with Chen Ping’an before, right? Come on, tell us, what kind of person is this Chen Ping’an really?"

Wang Changxu didn’t even hear the rest of his colleague’s question. His mind suddenly went blank.

’Deputy Commander!’

...

Under twenty-one, Vice Commander Level, a prodigy of the Martial Dao—the combination of these points would create a sensational buzz in any setting.

The news that Chen Ping’an had been promoted to Outer Trade Road Patrol Deputy Envoy and would enjoy the privileges of a Vice Commander Level official spread like wildfire throughout the Weishui Garrison system.

"Chen Ping’an! Vice Commander Level?" When the news reached Tian Fuliang’s ears, his face was a picture of disbelief.

Even after confirming the authenticity of the news again and again, Tian Fuliang still couldn’t believe it.

’How long has it been? How could Chen Ping’an have come this far already?’

An image of a young man with a handsome, refined face surfaced in Tian Fuliang’s mind. The youth had a gentle expression, yet he carried himself with a distinct air of dignity.

"Chen Ping’an..."

Tian Fuliang muttered to himself, unable to calm his turbulent emotions for a long time.

The constable who was once under his command had now become a major figure whom even he had to look up to. Such a change in circumstances was truly unimaginable.