Daqian Martial Saint

Mu Feiyu’s voice rang out in the hall, causing a stir.

"Brother Feiyu is going to make a move!"

"I’d like to see what’s so strong about this Chen Ping’an. He actually stole the Rising Star Chart ranking that should have belonged to Brother Feiyu."

"That’s right! Brother Feiyu’s cultivation has reached Celestial Rain Falling on the Crown, and he’s even mastered several superior cultivation methods of great power. How could he possibly fail to make the chart after achieving all that!"

"..."

Inside the hall, Mu Haorong and the others buzzed with discussion. Their eyes gleamed as they watched Chen Ping’an, eagerly awaiting his response.

"Feiyu!" Mu Wanjun’s expression soured as she watched Mu Feiyu walk toward Chen Ping’an. She never would have thought that Mu Feiyu would challenge Chen Ping’an on an occasion like this.

"Young Master Chen, I ask for your guidance!"

Mu Feiyu came to a stop before Chen Ping’an’s seat, a faint, mocking smile on his face.

Chen Ping’an picked up a cup of wine, tilted his head back, and drained it in one go. Only then did he raise his eyes to look at Mu Feiyu.

"I was invited by the Mu Family to attend this banquet. Young Master Mu, what is the meaning of this?" Chen Ping’an’s voice was calm, his expression composed.

"What? Are you scared?" Mu Feiyu’s eyes narrowed.

"Feiyu, that’s enough!" Mu Tianxiong’s voice rang out. "The Rising Star Chart rankings are naturally fair. You’ve only just stepped into the Third Stage of Inner Qi. You have your shortcomings and much to learn from Young Master Chen!"

The moment Mu Tianxiong spoke, he put a stop to Mu Feiyu’s actions. As the Patriarch of the Mu Family, Mu Tianxiong naturally wielded immense authority. With him having spoken, Mu Feiyu could no longer demand a challenge.

"Feiyu has always been rash. I hope Young Master Chen will forgive him," Mu Tianxiong said apologetically.

"It’s nothing," Chen Ping’an said with a slight wave of his hand.

"Feiyu, apologize to Young Master Chen at once!" Mu Tianxiong’s gaze hardened as it fell upon Mu Feiyu.

Although reluctant, Mu Feiyu ultimately took a cup of wine from a servant’s hand and raised it in a toast.

"Young Master Chen, it was I, Feiyu, who was presumptuous!"

Without waiting for Chen Ping’an’s response, he downed the wine in his cup.

Chen Ping’an watched Mu Feiyu without saying a word.

’I have to admit, these children from noble families do have some redeeming qualities. One moment he’s provoking me, and the next he’s able to swallow his pride and toast me. At least half the people out there couldn’t do what he just did.’

"Hahaha, Young Master Chen, please don’t take offense!" Mu Tianxiong said, trying to smooth things over.

The other Mu Family Elders also chimed in, easing the earlier awkwardness.

"Haha, is that all? Brother Feiyu went so far as to say all that, and he still won’t accept the challenge. Mang Blade? More like Coward Blade!"

"Exactly, I thought he was some big shot, but this is it? He’s just a coward!"

"Brother Feiyu, I think his spot on the Rising Star Chart should be yours!"

"..."

Seeing Mu Feiyu return to his seat, several surrounding Mu Family youths started speaking up. They looked at Chen Ping’an, who was seated in the center of the hall, with undisguised mockery on their faces.

"Sister Wan Jun, this person you brought doesn’t seem all that impressive!" Mu Haorong turned to Mu Wanjun beside him and taunted, "He was given a chance and didn’t even take it!"

"Mu Haorong, you haven’t even broken through the Second Stage of Inner Qi. What right do you have to criticize him?" Mu Wanjun shot a glance at Mu Haorong.

"You!" Mu Haorong’s face turned ashen.

"What? Was I wrong?"

"Sister Wan Jun, you weren’t wrong, but are you really going to treat your brothers like this for an outsider?"

"Yeah, that’s right. A grown daughter can’t be kept at home! Not even married yet and her elbow is already turning outwards!"

A Mu Family youth chimed in from the side.

Before inviting Chen Ping’an to the banquet, the Mu Family Elders had held a small meeting about winning him over. At the meeting, the idea of using a marriage alliance to tie Chen Ping’an to the Mu Family’s war chariot was raised.

However, now that Chen Ping’an was the Deputy Commander of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, had ascended the Rising Star Chart, and was ranked among the prodigies of Weishui, they couldn’t just casually find any Mu Family woman for the marriage alliance as they might have before.

An ordinary Mu Family woman was simply not worthy of marrying him. During the meeting, a Clan Elder had mentioned Mu Wanjun. It was most appropriate for her to represent the Mu Family and marry Chen Ping’an.

First, Mu Wanjun was a direct descendant of the Mu Family’s main line, so her status was beyond question.

Second, Mu Wanjun’s talent was exceptional and her position in the family was high. Choosing her for the marriage alliance was enough to show the Mu Family’s sincerity.

Third, Mu Wanjun and Chen Ping’an had known each other for a long time and had a mutual understanding. Choosing her would not be so abrupt for Chen Ping’an.

This matter had caused some small-scale discussions within the Mu Family. These youths, who were being specially cultivated by the family, naturally knew about it.

It was unexpected, however, that they would bring it up now as a way to attack Mu Wanjun.

’A grown daughter can’t be kept at home?! Her elbow is turning outwards?!’

Mu Wanjun looked at her younger brothers, so furious she could grind her teeth. She wished she could just beat them up right then and there.

The exchange on their side didn’t affect Chen Ping’an’s drinking. As they chatted, Mu Tianxiong steered the conversation toward the topic of starting a family.

"Young Master Chen, you have a dignified bearing and extraordinary talent. There must be no shortage of women in this city who admire you. I wonder, are you betrothed?" Mu Tianxiong asked with a smile, raising his wine cup.

"I am not," Chen Ping’an replied.

"If that’s the case, might I have the honor of playing matchmaker?" Mu Tianxiong said with a laugh. "My Mu Family has many daughters. Is there any that might have caught Young Master Chen’s eye?"

The meaning behind Mu Tianxiong’s words was already crystal clear. As long as Chen Ping’an was willing, he could essentially take his pick of the Mu Family’s women.

The noble ladies of a great family, in the eyes of others, were now just a tool for the Mu Family to win him over.

Chen Ping’an saw right through Mu Tianxiong’s scheme. Perhaps earlier on, he might have considered it, but now, he truly had no intention of tying himself to the Mu Family.

"Regarding marriage, I have no such thoughts. I only wish to dedicate myself to the Martial Dao and seek accomplishment within it!"

"Young Master Chen, as the saying goes, ’start a family, build a career.’ Starting a family comes first. You can still dedicate yourself to the Martial Dao after getting married. The two do not conflict; in fact, they can even be mutually beneficial," Mu Tianxiong tried to persuade him.

But Chen Ping’an’s mind was set. Mu Tianxiong tried to persuade him a few more times, but he remained unmoved. Seeing that he couldn’t convince him, Mu Tianxiong didn’t insist and started talking about other topics.

After many rounds of toasts, the evening banquet drew to a close.

Declining the other activities the Mu Family had arranged, Chen Ping’an rose to leave. Several Mu Family Elders escorted him to the entrance of the main hall.

Just as he was about to depart, Mu Feiyu stepped forward.

"Young Master Chen, it was presumptuous of me, Feiyu, to seek a lesson today. The occasion was inappropriate. Tomorrow, I will personally visit your residence to issue a proper challenge!"

Hm?

Chen Ping’an narrowed his eyes, truly looking at Mu Feiyu for the first time.

"That’s our Brother Feiyu!"

"A visit to his home tomorrow... let’s see how he refuses then!"

"If he refuses, I’m afraid the Rising Star Chart will have to call him Coward Blade!"

"..."

The surrounding Mu Family youths whispered amongst themselves, looking at Chen Ping’an with amusement.

"Young Master Mu, you practice Swordsmanship?" Chen Ping’an asked, glancing at the sword at Mu Feiyu’s waist.

"That’s right. I have diligently cultivated Swordsmanship since I was a child. While my Swordsmanship may not be god-like, I have rarely met my match within the same realm!" Mu Feiyu’s expression was full of pride.

Ever since the Rising Star Chart was updated, he had been resentful that he had not made the list.

"Good." Chen Ping’an nodded and slowly turned around.

SWOOSH!

A Sword Aura suddenly flared, dazzling and brilliant, like a silver river cutting through the night sky, dispelling all surrounding darkness. In that instant, flying stars seemed to dance, creating the illusion that even the stars in the heavens were drawn in by this one sword strike. The Sword Aura intertwined, painting a beautiful picture across the night sky.

With that single strike, Chen Ping’an walked away without a backward glance.

"One Sword, Flying Star!"

A Mu Family Elder cried out in shock.

The surrounding crowd, seeing the beautiful picture in the night sky, were all dumbfounded, their faces pale with shock. At this moment, they were utterly stunned by the power of Chen Ping’an’s sword strike.

One Sword, Flying Star—a Slaughter Secret Technique from the Flying Star Swordsmanship. Only those who have cultivated the Flying Star Swordsmanship to the Perfection Level can execute it. As a top-level, superior cultivation technique, the difficulty of mastering Flying Star Swordsmanship was known to all.

Chen Ping’an had actually cultivated it to the Perfection Realm?

"This... this sword strike..."

Gazing at the scene in the sky, Mu Feiyu’s face turned deathly pale.