Daqian Martial Saint

After successfully completing one Circulation of the Three-Point Human Tribulation Finger, Chen Ping’an did not continue his Cultivation in the room.

By his count, five or six days had passed since he had entered the room.

He was still at White Cloud Temple, and many matters had yet to be fully resolved. Before, he hadn’t succeeded in cultivating the Divine Skill, so it was a different story. But now that he had found the path forward, he was no longer in a rush.

"Lord Chen!"

Seeing Chen Ping’an walk out of his room, an elite constable on duty greeted him respectfully.

"Mm." Chen Ping’an nodded slightly and asked about recent events.

In the past five or six days, the operation to encircle and suppress the Celestial Net Sect had reached its final stages. Following Chen Ping’an’s prior orders, they had reinforced defenses and patrols in the surrounding area. They had even managed to capture a few fleeing remnants of the Celestial Net Sect.

"Good, I understand. My injuries have partially recovered. Pass down my orders: we’ll spend the next two days wrapping things up. Aside from a small contingent who will stay behind to finish up, everyone else is to return to the residence! As for this operation, I will personally request commendations from the Weishui Garrison on everyone’s behalf!"

"Yes! Thank you, My Lord!" The man stood ramrod straight, his expression filled with excitement.

’Finally, it’s time to reap the rewards! What was the point of putting our lives on the line, risking everything? It was for this moment!’

Afterward, Chen Ping’an walked around White Cloud Temple, occasionally running into other constables. Their attitude toward him was extremely deferential, with some even showing a sense of reverence.

Compared to before, their demeanor was like night and day.

"Commander Chen!"

"Lord Chen!"

"My Lord!"

"..."

Chen Ping’an was quite satisfied with everyone’s attitude.

’To truly establish my authority, I really had to lead the team to a decisive victory! Words are useless; results are what matter.’

’A superior who can bring real benefits to his subordinates... put yourself in their shoes, who wouldn’t like that!’

He could imagine that once news of Guan Yu Ping’s death spread, after a bit of careful selection, the majority of these men would become his trusted core team.

After Chen Ping’an came out, Zhao Zhiteng and Chu Long were still in their rooms recuperating. Chen Ping’an didn’t disturb them.

He entered the great subterranean hall to inspect it again. After a few days, many of the items in the hall were about to be cleared out. Things like archive scrolls would be sent to the Weishui Garrison to be cataloged and examined by specialists.

The credit for this would also be recorded in the names of everyone present.

And so, Chen Ping’an stayed at White Cloud Temple for another two days. Two days later, both Zhao Zhiteng and Chu Long emerged from their seclusion.

"Lord Zhao, Lord Chu!"

Seeing them again, Chen Ping’an’s expression was normal as he greeted the two.

"Commander Chen!"

Aside from Chu Long, who seemed slightly different, Zhao Zhiteng’s expression was also normal.

Chen Ping’an observed them closely for a moment and saw that after several days of recuperation, the True Qi in their bodies was surging with a faint, majestic power. It seemed their combat strength had recovered by about seventy or eighty percent.

Chen Ping’an exchanged a few pleasantries with them, indicating that with matters here concluded, he was preparing to lead his men away. Naturally, Zhao Zhiteng and the others had no objections.

They also briefly explained their own thoughts, saying that they had not detected any sign of the Yin Tribulation Sword in the past few days and figured it had likely already left. With most matters concluded, they were also preparing to depart.

"In that case, I’ll take this opportunity to wish you both a swift promotion, Lord Zhao and Lord Chu!" Chen Ping’an said with a smile, clasping his fist.

"Thank you for your kind words, Commander Chen. I also wish you a swift promotion, my lord!" Zhao Zhiteng returned the gesture with a smile.

This operation, aside from the deaths of a few colleagues, had achieved Perfection in all other aspects! According to a friend in the Qiankun Bureau’s branch office, the branch was already discussing using this encirclement operation as a model case to be reported up to the Canglong State Qiankun Bureau.

To be held up as a model case by the branch and reported to Canglong Province—the credit for that would be immense! It might even become a major highlight of his career record!

This was the eradication of an entire hall of the Celestial Net Sect, after all!

As for the deaths of their colleagues, after a brief period of grief, they no longer dwelled on it.

Since they had chosen to join the Qiankun Bureau, life and death were commonplace. As long as one died for a worthy cause, it was not a bad end.

They had been prepared for this since their training days.

"Lord Zhao, Lord Chu, it’s about time. I will take my leave now. Until next time!"

"Until next time!" Zhao Zhiteng watched Chen Ping’an leave. Gazing at this absurdly outstanding young man, the desire to win him over grew even stronger in his heart.

Although the Qiankun Bureau and the Garrison Commandant’s Office were not part of the same system, there was a precedent for personnel transfers between them.

...

When Chen Ping’an led his team back to the Five Peaks Mountain Residence, he was greeted by numerous elite constables standing in neat rows.

"Welcome back, Lord Chen! A triumphant return!"

The moment he approached the residence gate, a thunderous roar erupted.

"Good! Good! Good!" Chen Ping’an waved his hand with a smile. "You’ve all worked hard, brothers!"

"In this operation, it’s not just those of us on the front lines who earned merit. I will also request commendations from the Weishui Garrison for all the brothers who stayed behind to guard the residence! Our success in the field was only possible because of everyone’s contribution."

Chen Ping’an’s words ignited the emotions of the constables present, and their spirits soared.

"Lord Chen is mighty!"

"Thank you, Lord Chen!"

"My Lord is wise!"

"..."

One by one, they looked at Chen Ping’an with fervent gazes.

Chen Ping’an was very satisfied with the atmosphere.

’No wonder so many people like to put on a show. The payoff is enormous! A tiny bit of effort yields such a massive return.’

’Mm, there’s certainly a lot to learn for someone in a position of power!’

That night, a victory banquet was held at the residence. Long rows of feast tables were set up on the large training ground.

At the banquet, Chen Ping’an was all smiles, clinking glasses with everyone and not putting on the airs of a Deputy Inspection Envoy.

For a superior to act like this, especially after displaying decisive and ruthless methods before, was an incredibly effective tool for winning people’s hearts. Chen Ping’an also took the opportunity to say a few inspiring words.

He also publicly promised that the constables who died in the operation would be considered to have fallen in the line of duty, and he would not withhold a single coin of their due compensation. Furthermore, if their families, wives, or children faced any difficulties, they could report them directly to him, and if the request was reasonable, he would do his best to help resolve it.

In reality, the latter part of Chen Ping’an’s speech was best taken as just a nice sentiment. How could the wife or child of an ordinary constable ever get an audience with him? It sounded good, but it would be extremely difficult to actually carry out.

But this was a banquet, and what was most needed was just such a promise from a superior. Naturally, Chen Ping’an’s words were met with a wave of cheers.

"Well said!"

"My Lord is mighty!"

"We would die for you, my lord!"

One constable, overcome with emotion, roared at the top of his lungs.

"We would die for you, my lord!"

A nearby constable followed his lead, and soon their voices merged into a thunderous chorus.

"We would die for you, my lord!"

"..."

The residence was brightly lit. It was destined to be a sleepless night.