Daqian Martial Saint

Zhong Shanyong was well aware of his own standing. In name, he was a Deputy Commander. While it seemed he was only one rank below Commander Chen, the actual gap between them was immense.

His role as Deputy Commander was, within the Garrison Commandant's Office system, truly only at the level of a Vice Chief of the Patrol. Lord Chen, on the other hand, was a genuine, bona fide Commander-in-Chief.

Vice Chief of the Patrol, Chief of the Patrol Office, Candidate for Commander, Deputy Commander, Commander-in-Chief!

Each step up the ladder could take more than a decade of struggling within the system! And it was even more likely that after ten years, you would end up right where you started, unable to advance a single step!

'If… If Lord Chen were willing to intervene, then the Wei Family…'

The thought flashed through Zhong Shanyong's mind and was gone. He didn't dare dwell on it. Lord Chen was currently in secluded Cultivation. Before entering seclusion, he had specifically stressed that he was not to be disturbed unless it was for something important.

Zhong Shanyong had etched these words into his memory! He didn't dare show the slightest disrespect!

He looked big and burly, but he was anything but crude; in fact, his mind was exceptionally sharp and meticulous.

Ever since learning of Lord Chen's promotion to Outer Trade Road Patrol Envoy and the dismissal of the previous Five Peaks Mountain City Commander, he had suspected that Lord Chen might also take on the role of Commander for the city. From that moment on, he began to meticulously research the man's methods and past accomplishments.

What he discovered was a heart-stopping truth: Lord Chen was a man who lay dormant, but when he acted, the world shook. His methods were like thunder, his actions iron and blood. No matter how dire the situation or how poor the odds seemed, Lord Chen could always sweep away the chaos and restore order.

The end result was always the same: everyone who underestimated him for his youth or dared to resist him ended up dead. Meanwhile, Lord Chen enjoyed a meteoric rise, ascending higher and higher.

It had been this way at the South City Prison, this way in White Stone City, and it was the same at the Five Peaks Mountain Residence...

How could Zhong Shanyong dare show an ounce of disrespect to such a man? Disrespect? He wouldn't even dare to feign compliance while secretly disobeying!

When Lord Chen first arrived in Five Peaks Mountain City, Zhong Shanyong had personally gone to the city gates to respectfully welcome him. Afterward, he had acted like a personal attendant, seeing to every detail himself to ensure the lord was settled in properly.

'The Lord is in seclusion; he must be occupied with something important.'

'The current situation is deteriorating, but it hasn't completely spun out of control. No matter what, I must do my utmost, shoulder this responsibility, and not disturb the Lord in the slightest.'

This was Zhong Shanyong's resolve.

"Lord Zhong, when is the Lord Commander coming out of seclusion? With the situation in the city as it is, does he really intend to just stand by and watch?"

"Shut your mouth!" Zhong Shanyong snapped, his face dark with anger. "How could we possibly presume to understand the Lord Commander's thoughts! His concerns lie with the entire Trade Route patrol; do you think he's preoccupied with a single city?"

Seeing Zhong Shanyong's harsh reaction, the constable knew he had misspoken. He said no more, simply lowering his head and hurrying onward.

Zhong Shanyong knew the man was loyal and brave, and that his gaffe had come from a place of genuine concern. His voice softened. "Remember, as long as the Lord is here, Five Peaks Mountain City cannot descend into chaos. Even if there's turmoil for a time, it will ultimately be quelled. The Lord hasn't emerged yet, so we must simply hold our posts and do everything within our power."

"Yes, sir." The constable nodded, but a doubt bloomed in his heart. 'Where on earth does Lord Zhong's confidence come from?'

'Lord Chen might have a huge reputation, but he's only twenty-one! Even if he's a monstrous talent, a dazzling prodigy, his foundation can't possibly compare to those old masters! He's no match for them!'

'What's more, from what I've heard, there's more than one Profound Light Realm master in Five Peaks Mountain City right now!'

The two moved with great speed. Though they exchanged a few words along the way, their pace never faltered.

"You damned oaf, how dare you insult me? You're courting death!"

"Courting death? I think you're the one with a death wish!"

As Zhong Shanyong and his companion passed by a certain area, they suddenly heard a loud clamor.

'What's going on?' The two men exchanged a glance and slowed their pace slightly.

In the corner of an alley, two Qi Blood Realm Martial Artists were going at it. One of them looked like a Guard from a trade caravan. A small crowd had gathered to watch.

"You stay here!" Zhong Shanyong said after watching for a moment, having made his decision. The two combatants weren't particularly strong, probably only at the third or Fourth Layer of the Qi Blood Realm. He didn't need to intervene personally; the constable at his side was more than enough to handle the situation.

"Yes, sir." The Constable lowered his head, quickly veering from their path and heading toward the alley corner.

"Liu Changhua of the Five Peaks Mountain Town Pacification Bureau is here! Cease this at once, both of you!"

Zhong Shanyong only heard that one shout; he didn't bother to listen to what followed.

Scenes like this, where a simple disagreement erupted into a fight, were common in Five Peaks Mountain City. A conflict between those in the Qi Blood Realm caused limited damage. As the Deputy Commander of the Garrison, he needed to go where he was needed most.

This matter involved several experts at the Inner Qi Realm. Even though he had reached the Second Stage of Inner Qi, suppressing them would be no easy task.

...

'That was too close! I never thought there'd be a Martial Arts Master at the Third Stage of Inner Qi watching the conflict in Orchid Lane. Good thing he didn't get involved, or my attempt to suppress the situation would have likely ended in failure!'

'Dammit! Why are there so many masters here!'

Having personally experienced the scene, Zhong Shanyong felt a profound sense of powerlessness. This wasn't a situation that could be resolved by sheer willpower. What was needed was the absolute authority and strength to settle things once and for all.

He might hold the title of Deputy Commander, but if a real fight broke out, those people wouldn't give him the slightest bit of face. It was safe to say they didn't take him seriously at all.

A mere Deputy Commander of a small city—why would those Jianghu wanderers, powerful Loose Cultivators, and caravan Guards give him any regard? They lived their lives on the road, licking blood from the blade's edge. If a conflict arose, what did it matter if someone from the Garrison Commandant's Office showed up? In a backwater town like this, they wouldn't even show the most basic respect. They'd just go right back to doing whatever they were doing.

Fortunately, the Inner Qi Realm practitioners involved this time weren't exceptionally strong, and the master who was watching didn't intervene, so Zhong Shanyong managed to suppress the incident smoothly.

But...

'I succeeded this time, but what about the next?'

'The Inner Qi Realm is one thing. I could stop them, even if I had to give it my all. But what if someone from the Profound Light Realm makes a move?! If the Wei Family doesn't step in, what can I possibly do?'

The people of Five Peaks Mountain City wanted something very simple: to live stable, peaceful, and orderly lives. As the city's Deputy Commander, who enjoyed its provisions and the respect of its citizens, could he not even fulfill such a simple wish?

Zhong Shanyong dragged his exhausted body back to the Garrison Commandant's Office. Before he even reached his office, he saw a figure with hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at a nearby locust tree.

"Lord… Lord Chen!" The exhaustion on Zhong Shanyong's face vanished, replaced by sheer excitement. "You've come out of seclusion?"