Daqian Martial Saint

The Mountain Elder, relying on his Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill which he had cultivated to the Perfection Realm, roamed the territory of Canglong Province for many years. At his peak, he was ranked 173rd on the Daqian Dynasty’s Dragon and Tiger Chart and had once slain an Absolute Master. Then, at the height of his fame over seventy years ago, he vanished without a trace.

The Mountain Elder was not a master from Chen Ping’an’s era!

Chen Ping’an examined the information in detail. He breathed a sigh of relief to find that the Mountain Elder had no known enemies. Or perhaps, with the Mountain Elder’s power, any enemies he once had were already dead.

The prestige of being ranked 173rd on the Dragon and Tiger Chart was no joke!

After learning about the Mountain Elder’s life, Chen Ping’an let out a long sigh.

In the end, his fears had not come to pass.

First, the Mountain Elder was a figure from over seventy years ago; few of his contemporaries were likely to still be alive.

Second, based on the intelligence reports, there was no sign of any surviving enemies.

’That puts my mind at ease.’

The major powers in the city were currently keeping an extremely low profile, and the overall situation was very stable. Other than Feng Shixian’s memorial service, there was no urgent business to attend to at the Garrison Commandant’s Office, so Chen Ping’an found himself with free time.

He was currently practicing three main Cultivation Techniques: Flying Star Swordsmanship, Great Vajra Palm, and Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill. He had already brought the first two to the Great Success Realm and was now striving for the Perfection Realm. The Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill, however, had only just reached the Entry Realm.

Due to the limited space, it was difficult to practice the Flying Star Swordsmanship and the Great Vajra Palm. It was, however, a perfect opportunity to practice the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill.

With that thought, Chen Ping’an glanced around his office. As Deputy Commander, his office was naturally quite spacious. He found an empty spot, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing, seeking to comprehend the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill.

Unlike other Cultivation Techniques, the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill placed greater emphasis on comprehension of the Mental Realm.

+1!

+1!

As his Cultivation progressed, lines of Cultivation Experience scrolled past his eyes.

...

A group of riders advanced along the main road.

At the head of the procession, a middle-aged man rode a magnificent steed with a glossy coat and steady hooves, his face beaming with confidence.

This man was none other than Fu Wanyu, the incoming Commander-in-Chief of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau.

And he had every reason to be confident.

For a man of his stature, the post of Commander-in-Chief of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau was a minor affair. The truly crucial part was the position overseeing the periphery of the Long’an Trade Route.

What a lucrative post it was!

Countless interests were tied to the Long’an Trade Route, and numerous powers were desperately trying to get a piece of the pie.

’As the inspector for the periphery, I’ll be in charge of all related matters. Who is compliant and who isn’t? Who needs to make corrections and who doesn’t? I’ll have the final say in everything!’

’There are so many things that can be handled... flexibly within my authority. And flexibility means profit!’

Fu Wanyu was in extremely high spirits on the way to his new post.

His post at the Weishui Garrison had been in an influential office, but no matter how influential, it was nothing compared to overseeing the periphery of the Long’an Trade Route.

As a scion of the Fu Family, with many years of experience at the Weishui Garrison, he was certainly not heading to his new appointment alone.

He had brought a sizable entourage of about ten reliable confidants. ’To quickly take control of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau and the Long’an Trade Route patrol, these men are indispensable!’

’Feng Shixian, oh, Feng Shixian, it’s a good thing you died! Otherwise, how would such a fine post have fallen into my lap?’ Fu Wanyu thought, holding an exquisite riding crop and tapping it lightly against his horse’s back.

’I suppose I should thank you, but honestly, Feng Shixian, you were a real piece of trash! A man from the esteemed Garrison Commandant’s Office, transferred to White Stone City for years, and you couldn’t even control a single city? And in the end, you just died while inspecting a trade route!?’

’And then there’s... that Chen Ping’an fellow in White Stone City. All he did was wipe out two gangs. Why are the higher-ups making such a big deal out of it? Saying he deserves special attention and could be added to the list for focused training! They’re just making work for themselves! All he did was destroy two gangs in a small city. What’s there to be so proud of?’

’An undercurrent of turmoil in White Stone City? What a joke! That’s just because I wasn’t there. Once I take my post, I’ll crush every last scoundrel!’

’That Chen Ping’an dares to brag about taking down two gangs!? Just wait until I get there. We’ll see how I handle the powers of White Stone City! Wiping them all out will be nothing more than a routine matter!’

Fu Wanyu had good reason to be so confident. He had brought a full four masters of the Inner Qi Realm with him. That, combined with his own cultivation at the Celestial Rain Descending Realm Perfection and his formidable combat prowess...

He had every reason to believe that in the whole of White Stone City, no one could last a single exchange against him.

Fu Wanyu held his head high, his posture proud and arrogant.

"Lord Fu, we should reach the borders of White Stone City in about half a day," one of his men reported.

"Good. We won’t stop. Let’s press on and reach White Stone City before nightfall. I’ll host a banquet tonight to reward you all!" Fu Wanyu announced with a wave of his hand.

"Yes, sir!" the men responded in unison, their spirits high.

Hooves flew, kicking up a trail of dust.

As the procession passed through a forest, a man in black suddenly flashed from the shadows like a phantom. A cold light glinted as he thrust straight for Fu Wanyu.

"How dare you!" Fu Wanyu roared, instantly drawing the twin axes from his waist.

He truly hadn’t expected anyone would have the audacity to ambush him on the road.

’How utterly reckless!’

Fu Wanyu sneered. As the steed beneath him whinnied in alarm, he leaped into the air. Without a moment’s hesitation, he unleashed an incredibly powerful Axe Technique.

He hadn’t built his formidable reputation in Weishui County City on nothing.

Anyone who had not yet reached the Third Gate of the Inner Qi Realm would likely be cleaved in two by this single axe strike.

A smile spread across Fu Wanyu’s face, as if he could already see his attacker’s fate.

CLANG!

With the sound of metal on metal, Fu Wanyu felt a tremor shoot up his arm, nearly making him lose his grip on his axe.

’This... how is this possible!’

Fu Wanyu’s pupils contracted in an instant, his face a mask of horror.

The immense force and surging Inner Qi sent him crashing to the ground.

Before he could even regain his footing, his opponent launched a relentless barrage of attacks.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

A brilliant light flashed from the spear with every thrust, surging with Inner Qi. The tip of the weapon held an incredibly sharp and penetrating force.

"Assassin!"

"Protect the Lord!"

...

The escort erupted into chaos. Men drew their blades, scrambling to join the fight.

But more men in black emerged to intercept them. Though not numerous, each one radiated the aura of the Inner Qi Realm. The stronger among them had even reached the Second Stage of Inner Qi.

This was not an even fight. It was a one-sided slaughter!

SQUELCH!

"Ah!"

"Who... ah..."

...

Watching his trusted men fall one by one, Fu Wanyu’s eyes turned crimson. He swung his twin axes in a furious blur, creating an impenetrable wall of afterimages.

’Such overwhelming power!’

’Who is it? Who could it be?’

Fu Wanyu’s mind raced as he desperately defended against the onslaught. He couldn’t fathom who would want him dead.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

WHUMP!

A massive shockwave erupted. Fu Wanyu felt his arms go limp. The opponent’s Spear Technique was supposed to be tricky and unpredictable, so why did every single thrust contain such immense power?

SQUELCH!

A single opening was all it took. The opponent’s spear pierced straight through Fu Wanyu’s throat.

His twin axes clattered to the ground. Fu Wanyu desperately clutched his throat as blood gushed out, instantly soaking his hands.

"Ghk... ghk... ghk... Soul... Soul-Breaking Spear..."

With a heavy thud, Fu Wanyu’s body fell backward onto the ground, his eyes wide with terror and disbelief.

After Fu Wanyu collapsed, the attacker expertly delivered a finishing blow, then unleashed a burst of power that instantly pulverized Fu Wanyu’s internal organs.

Having done this, the attacker vanished from the road in a flash, without a second glance at Fu Wanyu. The other men in black followed suit, leaving behind nothing but a field of carnage and blood.