Daqian Martial Saint

As the head of the shopkeepers’ alliance, his Martial Arts Realm was naturally among the best in Red Maple Market. He was at the Perfection of the Inner Qi Two Gates, his pair of iron fists honed to perfection, capable of shattering mountains and crushing stones.

The bandit had just claimed a life. Before a cruel smile could even form on his face, a chill shot up his spine. He whipped his head around to see a pair of iron fists hurtling toward him.

His first instinct was to raise his blade to block the incoming fists.

HUMMM—

As Inner Qi surged, the blade snapped in two. The iron fists continued unimpeded, ruthlessly smashing into the bandit’s head.

BANG!

His skull burst, and he died instantly.

"Anyone who dares to attack Red Maple Market deserves to die!" A cold look crossed the face of the shopkeepers’ alliance representative. Inner Qi surged from his body as he prepared to find his next target.

Just then, he saw a menacing man wielding a Tiger-Headed Refined Steel Saber charging toward him.

"Bring it on!" The man with the iron fists showed no fear. His Inner Qi billowed, and his fists suddenly seemed to grow a size larger.

WHOOSH!

A fierce wind howled as he met the charge.

As the top fighter responsible for protecting Red Maple Market, he had absolute confidence in himself. He’d suppressed countless troublemakers with those iron fists.

The opponent’s aura wasn’t particularly strong. He was confident the outcome would be the same as always.

But this time, his judgment was wrong. Horribly wrong.

BOOM!

A flash of light from the man’s saber landed on his iron fists, shattering them. The fists he took so much pride in, fists that could shatter mountains and crush stone, failed to hold for even a single moment.

SLASH!

The blade flashed, and it was as if his thoughts had been put on pause.

His last conscious thought was of the faint golden light flickering between his opponent’s eyebrows.

’Golden light between the brows?’

’This is...’

Engulfed by despair and terror, he plunged into eternal darkness.

「...」

’Profound Light Realm!’

The moment he saw the menacing man, Chen Ping’an had identified his Martial Arts Realm.

The man’s aura was incredibly dense, and it faintly reeked of blood. In Chen Ping’an’s estimation, this man was a veteran of the Initial Profound Light Realm. ’His combat prowess should be far greater than Fang Qixian’s!’

Just then, the man with the iron fists who had boldly attacked clashed with the other’s blade. What followed was a scene of utter devastation.

With a single strike, the man who had mastered the Inner Qi Two Gates was killed on the spot. The others didn’t even have time to react, let alone help.

’Just as I thought!’

This menacing man’s combat prowess was terrifying. The single strike he had just displayed was on par with that of Guan Yu Ping and his Mandarin Duck Dual Sabers.

Huang Zhishu of the Huang Family and his men stared at the scene, their eyes wide with terror. They were scared out of their wits.

’Thank God we didn’t rush in,’ they thought. ’Otherwise, we’d be the ones lying dead right now!’

’A Profound Light Realm expert!’

’Weren’t these supposed to be common marauders?! Why did a Profound Light Realm expert suddenly show up?!’

’These are definitely not ordinary marauders!’

’Considering the recent caravan robberies, this group...’

As a myriad of thoughts raced through their minds, everyone’s gaze fell on Chen Ping’an. Faced with the menacing man’s might, they knew that only one person present could stop him: their sir.

"Sir!"

Hearing their calls and watching the menacing man unleash his power nearby, Chen Ping’an’s eyes flickered. His hand went to the saber at his waist—the Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber.

’Given my current reputation, killing a peak Initial Profound Light Realm expert would be within people’s expectations. It’s not too much to ask.’

’I’d meant to establish my authority back in Five Peaks Mountain City, but Meng Yude never gave me the chance.’

’Now, a Profound Light Realm bandit leading an attack on Red Maple Market has given me the perfect opportunity to do just that.’

’Besides, as the Outer Trade Road Patrol Envoy, I have a duty to patrol and protect. I happened upon someone causing chaos and attacking the market. Killing them is perfectly justifiable and in accordance with the Daqian Law.’

’In that case...’

With a flash of light, the Top-Grade Treasure Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber was unsheathed.

Just as Chen Ping’an was about to make his move, a long cry suddenly echoed from the distant horizon.

"What miscreants dare cause trouble here! The Qiankun Bureau is present! Surrender at once!"

The voice was deep and powerful, echoing across the land.

’The Qiankun Bureau?’ Chen Ping’an looked toward the horizon.

He saw a figure shimmering with golden light, leaping and bounding across the distant landscape. Each leap and land covered a vast distance.

"Damn it! It’s the Qiankun Bureau!" The menacing man’s expression changed drastically. "How did they follow us all the way here?"

Without a moment’s hesitation, True Qi erupted from the menacing man as he yelled, "The Qiankun Bureau’s here! Brothers, retreat!"

As he yelled, the man acted with extreme decisiveness. The golden light between his brows flickered, his True Qi surged, and his footwork shifted as he sped toward the edge of the market.

"Retreat!"

"Fall back, quickly!"

"..."

As the menacing man’s voice faded, the shouts of his followers rose and fell in succession. They all began to flee in the same direction he had.

"Don’t let them escape!" True Qi surged from Chen Ping’an, sending out visible ripples.

BANG!

Chen Ping’an kicked off the ground and shot after the fleeing man.

"Yes, Sir!"

Only then did the men behind him snap out of it. As if waking from a dream, they lunged at the nearby bandits who were trying to escape.

However, they all deliberately ignored the direction the menacing man had fled.

’Of course they did! That was a Profound Light Realm expert!’

’Who would dare give chase?!’

This was the kind of situation that clearly separated the truly loyal from the rest. A die-hard subordinate would follow their sir to the death, no matter who they were chasing or if they were heading into a mountain of blades or a sea of fire.

As for the people in the market, while they all appeared exceedingly respectful, you couldn’t really count on them when trouble truly struck.

Especially since Chen Ping’an had only ordered them to stop the fleeing bandits, not to join him in pursuing the leader. So they naturally chose to ignore that path. Even if they were questioned about it later, they would have a plausible excuse.

Besides, Red Maple Market was their territory; they naturally had to stay and regain control. The bandits were wreaking havoc, and if they didn’t suppress them quickly, they’d be the ones to bear the costs of the damages.

At that moment, You Yongming and his men were not at Chen Ping’an’s side.

As a result, despite the number of people present, Chen Ping’an was the only one pursuing the menacing man.

But Chen Ping’an didn’t mind.

The man was a Profound Light Realm Martial Artist; Chen Ping’an hadn’t expected his subordinates to be much help anyway.

Besides, with his true strength, a mere Initial Profound Light Realm expert was beneath his notice.

As one’s power grows, one’s perspective and mindset are bound to change.

Of course, looking down on him was one thing, but Chen Ping’an never let his guard down.

’I’m chasing this man to kill him, which makes this a battle of life and death. And a battle of life and death is a matter of survival.’

’Matters of survival must not be taken lightly.’

’Despise the enemy strategically, but respect them tactically.’

’A Martial Artist must always remain vigilant and never become arrogant or careless.’

’Countless people have met their end by underestimating their opponents.’

’With so many cautionary tales before him, Chen Ping’an certainly wouldn’t make the same mistake.’

Chen Ping’an leaped and bounded in pursuit of the menacing man. In a few moments, he had left Red Maple Market behind.

"You brazen thief! Where do you think you’re running?!"

SHIIING!

A brilliant golden light flared, wrapping around a silver Fine Iron Long Spear as it shot toward the frantically fleeing man.

The spear tore through the air, closing in on the man’s back in the span of two breaths. Just as it was about to pierce his heart, a flash of blood-red light burst from the man’s body, and he suddenly accelerated.

BANG!

The spear plunged into the earth, sending dirt and rubble flying.

The menacing man had narrowly dodged the attack, the spear just grazing past him.

"Damn it, I missed!" an exasperated voice exclaimed from beside Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an glanced to the side. A figure was leaping toward him. It was a middle-aged man with a square jaw, thick eyebrows, and large, intense eyes.

The man exuded an air of righteousness and authority; he clearly looked like someone used to being in command. Noticing Chen Ping’an’s gaze, the middle-aged man looked back.

"Are you also in pursuit of this Ten Thousand Demons Sect villain? May I ask your name?"

Chen Ping’an continued his pursuit without breaking stride and replied calmly.

"Chen Ping’an, of the Weishui Garrison."