Daqian Martial Saint

Chen Ping’an stayed in Weishui County City for a few more days before receiving news from the Weishui Garrison.

The Fine Treasure Artifact, the Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber, had been delivered to Weishui County City from the Canglong Province Garrison Command’s Treasure Vault under special escort.

The moment Chen Ping’an received the news, he rushed to the Weishui Garrison.

"Lord Chen!"

"Commander Chen!"

Everyone at the Weishui Garrison, from top to bottom, bowed upon seeing Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an was now a prodigy on the Rising Star Chart and the Outer Trade Road Patrol Envoy. He was in the limelight and held in high esteem. Of course, many also harbored their own private thoughts. But regardless of their true feelings, none dared show the slightest disrespect to his face.

"Hahaha, Lord Chen is truly young and promising!"

A middle-aged man with a square face and a beard laughed and clasped his hands in a salute to Chen Ping’an.

A Fine Treasure Artifact was so precious it naturally required a special escort. This man was the Special Envoy sent from the Canglong Province Garrison Command, a Profound Light Realm cultivator named Qi Deliang, who held the rank of Standard Commander Level.

However, because he was from the Canglong Province Garrison Command, his status was implicitly a notch above the Commander-in-Chief of the Weishui Garrison.

"Lord Qi, you flatter me! I possess only ordinary talent and am unworthy of such praise." Chen Ping’an returned the salute. "On the contrary, Lord Qi, you have come a long way to escort this Treasure Artifact. I am truly grateful for your trouble and will remember this."

The second part of Chen Ping’an’s response made Qi Deliang’s smile widen.

’This Chen Ping’an looks so young, but he has a remarkably deft grasp of social etiquette. What he said was exactly what I wanted to hear.’

’He knows how to handle people!’

"Hahaha... Lord Chen, you’re too humble. I was just speaking from the heart."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they got straight to the point.

"Lord Chen, I’ve brought the saber. Take a look."

As Qi Deliang’s voice fell, someone from behind him stepped forward, holding a jet-black saber box.

Chen Ping’an had already noticed the box. He took it and immediately opened it.

SHIIING!

The blade slid from its sheath. It was long and wide, with an overall dark red hue, and covered in twisting, curved patterns. The edge glinted with a cold light—it was truly a fine saber!

"What a fine saber!"

Chen Ping’an’s face was filled with delight.

"The Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber! A Fine Treasure Artifact with considerable power. Besides its ability to cut through iron like mud, it can also trigger the Fire Blade Divine Wonder. With the help of this Treasure Saber, Lord Chen, your combat strength will surely rise to a new level!" Qi Deliang said with a smile.

"I hope your auspicious words come true, Lord Qi!" Chen Ping’an toyed with the Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber, looking as if he couldn’t bear to part with it.

The surrounding members of the Garrison Command’s Office looked at the Treasure Saber in Chen Ping’an’s hands, their faces showing a trace of envy.

’A Fine Treasure Artifact!’

’Normally, that’s something only an Absolute Master is qualified to possess!’

’And yet, Chen Ping’an hasn’t even stepped into the Profound Light Realm, but he already owns such a treasure.’

’You really can’t compare one person to another!’

Feeling the fervent gazes around him, Chen Ping’an’s expression was one of joy, but his heart was perfectly calm.

’The Treasure Saber is nice, but it doesn’t actually move me this much.’

’My true trump cards are the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill and the Three-Point Human Tribulation Finger! As for things like Sword Skill or Swordsmanship, they’re just for show—a public display to dazzle everyone’s eyes.’

’News that I’ve redeemed this saber will, with a little push from interested parties, spread quickly.’

’Everyone will know that Mang Blade has acquired a Fine Treasure Saber of considerable power. When facing me, their first impression will be of the saber. In a fight, they will only be wary of my Sword Skill and neglect my other abilities.’

’This will be an excellent way to mislead my opponents! It will make them think that my greatest strength is my Sword Skill, and nothing else.’

These were also part of Chen Ping’an’s calculations.

One should think of danger even in times of peace. Although he currently had no mortal enemies, many things require preparation in advance. If he waited until something happened to act, it would likely be too late.

But in any case, obtaining a Fine Treasure Saber was enough to make Chen Ping’an happy. At the very least, with the Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber, his public combat strength would see a significant boost.

’Then, using the three-hundred-year-old Xuan Can as a cover, I can break through to the Profound Light Realm. Afterward, by leveraging the power of the Treasure Saber to possess the strength to match or even defeat a Profound Light Middle Realm expert... that would all seem quite reasonable, wouldn’t it!’

’If I want to keep climbing, I’ll have to reveal my strength little by little.’

’But to reveal that much strength, my *actual* combat power needs to be even higher. Only then can I feel secure!’

After thoroughly admiring and handling the Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber, Chen Ping’an fastened it to his waist. That spot had been empty ever since he had traded in his Yanling Saber.

Things were right again. Young Master Chen, the Dual Master of Blade and Sword, had returned!

"Lord Chen is truly a man of remarkable talent!" Qi Deliang said, looking at Chen Ping’an in praise. His words were seventy percent sincere and thirty percent aimed at currying favor.

As someone from the Canglong Province Garrison Command, he naturally knew that Chen Ping’an had long since caught the eye of the State Garrison Command’s upper echelons.

After all, Chen Ping’an had slain a Profound Light Realm expert while only at the Inner Qi Realm. The talent and aptitude he had displayed were enough to move anyone. Such a prodigy was a rare sight, even in Canglong State City.

Most importantly, the sheer drive Chen Ping’an had shown throughout his cultivation journey was astonishing. No one knew where his limits lay!

For instance, a recent rumor circulating within the State Garrison Command was that Director Gu intended to win over Chen Ping’an by marrying a young woman from his clan to him.

He was currently searching for a suitable candidate, but outsiders had no idea who might be chosen.

But regardless, the Gu Family’s willingness to marry off a noble daughter was a clear sign of the high importance they placed on Chen Ping’an.

The Gu Family had a long history, and their influence radiated across several provinces. Their position within the Garrison Command’s Office was significant, with many key positions held by Gu Family members.

If Chen Ping’an truly became the Gu Family’s son-in-law, his future prospects would be simply limitless!

Qi Deliang had to do everything in his power to befriend such a figure.

Take this mission of escorting the Treasure Artifact, for example. He hadn’t been required to come in person. But if you’re going to befriend someone, you have to act early and get ahead of everyone else.

Otherwise, if he were a step too slow and only made his move when everyone else was trying to curry favor, the final result would be vastly different.

While Qi Deliang harbored these little schemes, Chen Ping’an also had the intention of building some connections within the State Garrison Command. The two hit it off immediately, and their conversation flowed smoothly.

Later, as their conversation grew more animated, the two even shared a meal. After a few cups of wine, their relationship grew even closer.

This news also reached the ears of Liu Yuanhua, further confirming the suspicions in his heart.

’So it’s true. The matter of the Gu Family’s marriage alliance isn’t just a baseless rumor.’

’Otherwise, why would someone like Qi Deliang—a Commander-in-Chief from the State Garrison Command, whose status is not much lower than a Candidate for Commander-in-Chief of the Weishui Garrison—go to such lengths to befriend him?’

’A noble daughter of the Gu Family...’

Liu Yuanhua sat upright in his office, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind.