Daqian Martial Saint

Mu Wanjun explained things to Chen Ping’an in great detail. It was clear she genuinely regarded him as a close friend and confidant, not merely an associate for mutual benefit.

Anyone ranked in the top fifty of the Dragon and Tiger Chart could practically be considered a Grandmaster!

Of course, there were likely only a handful of such individuals in the entirety of Canglong State, and it was even more improbable that one would be found on the Outer Trade Road.

Based on current intelligence, in the first half of the Long’an Trade Route, there was only one publicly known master on the Dragon and Tiger Chart: Xue Kunsheng of the Canglong State City’s Xue Family, wielder of the Vajra Demon-subduing Chain.

Aside from Xue Kunsheng, the only other person rumored to possess strength approaching or even reaching the level of the Dragon and Tiger Chart was Cao Yingxiong, the Silver Gong Qiankun Envoy of the Qiankun Bureau.

As for Lu Dong of the Demon-Subduing Spear, Li Dongshan of the Celestial Deformed Leg, Leng Wu Ya of the Heartless Stick, and Exquisite Water Hibiscus... all of them were considered a tier below in terms of strength.

On the surface, as the Vice Garrison Commander of Beicang Town, Xue Kunsheng not only made it onto the Dragon and Tiger Chart but was ranked two hundred thirty-third. He held an absolute advantage in strength over the others.

However, their strategic objectives differed. The other factions only needed to look after their own interests and could form alliances when necessary. Xue Kunsheng, on the other hand, had far more to consider. He had to balance the interests of various parties while also securing those of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, leaving him feeling as if he were fighting alone.

Of course, with the support of the Xue Family from Canglong State City, Xue Kunsheng’s position was not as simple as it appeared. At the same time, the Xue Family’s involvement was not solely for the benefit of the Garrison Commandant’s Office.

The other factions each had their own agendas and plans. There were conflicts and compromises, entanglements and shared interests among them.

This was Beicang Town—a place of intersecting interests, deeply entrenched factions, and dizzyingly complex relationships.

After listening to Mu Wanjun’s account, Chen Ping’an had a deeper understanding of the situation in Beicang Town.

’Xue Kunsheng, Cao Yingxiong, Lu Dong, Li Dongshan, Leng Wu Ya, Water Hibiscus...’

Although Beicang Town had many absolute masters, there were only a few he truly needed to be wary of.

Based on his current assessment of his combat strength, if he went all out and activated his Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill, he should have an edge over Lu Dong, Li Dongshan, and the others. But as for who was stronger between him and Cao Yingxiong of the Qiankun Bureau, it was hard to say without a fight. They were likely on par with each other.

And as for Xue Kunsheng...

He was still no match for him!

’In that case, my strength should be a force to be reckoned with, not just on the Outer Trade Road, but even in the first half of the Long’an Trade Route!’ Chen Ping’an’s expression was calm, but he was inwardly shaken.

Throughout his cultivation journey, there had been too many people he had to look up to. But one by one, step by step, he had eventually surpassed them all. After being so cautious for so long, he could perhaps finally breathe a small sigh of relief.

But only a small one.

There weren’t many individuals whose strength gave him pause, but he was only considering one-on-one scenarios.

Yet in most cases, especially when interests were at stake, no one would play by the rules and fight one-on-one. A real fight would likely be a chaotic free-for-all. And in a melee like that, whoever was strongest would become the primary target for everyone else to eliminate first.

Chen Ping’an sighed. ’So I can only let out half a sigh of relief. And now that I think about it, I have to hold the other half in.’

Besides, his entire assessment was based solely on publicly available information.

The stakes on the trade route were enormous. Who knew if a Grandmaster was lurking in the shadows of Beicang Town?

A Grandmaster!

A Grandmaster!

The mere thought that a Grandmaster might be involved made Chen Ping’an tense up immediately.

Among his peers, other absolute masters, he wouldn’t be overly fearful even if his opponent was stronger, thanks to the might of his Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill.

But if he had to face a Grandmaster directly, then...

This feeling—knowing someone nearby was stronger, that his fate could be decided by another—was a terrible one.

And Chen Ping’an hated it.

’Tch, I’m just fated to work myself to the bone. Can’t catch a break for even a second!’

Chen Ping’an gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Fortunately, even if there was a Grandmaster in Beicang, they were unlikely to cross paths with him. He was just a humble Outer Trade Road Patrol Envoy; he wouldn’t be dealing with Grandmasters. Besides, given the status of a Grandmaster, they would never show themselves under normal circumstances.

Chen Ping’an absorbed all the information Mu Wanjun had shared.

At Chen Ping’an’s enthusiastic invitation, Mu Wanjun stayed at his home for dinner.

Compared to the lavish meals at a restaurant, this dinner was undoubtedly far simpler. But the significance of dining at home versus dining out was completely different.

It represented his trust in and friendship with Mu Wanjun, and it was also his way of reciprocating the Mu Family’s goodwill.

"Ping’an, the trade route will be operational soon, and no one knows what might happen. Be careful out there! If you need anything from me or the Mu Family, just send a letter. As long as it’s within our power, we will give you our full support!"

After dinner, Mu Wanjun said to Chen Ping’an with a solemn expression.

Chen Ping’an naturally thanked her for the offer. The two spoke a little longer before Mu Wanjun took her leave from the small courtyard with a reluctant farewell.

Chen Ping’an watched Mu Wanjun leave until her figure disappeared in the distance. Then he turned, returned to his room, and resumed his cultivation.

’I have yet to become a Grandmaster; how can I afford to slack off and relax!’

’A Cultivator must hold true to their original intention and practice tirelessly every day!’

+1!

+1!

Inside the room, as Chen Ping’an cultivated, streams of Cultivation Experience began to float before his eyes.

...

Over the next few days, after pulling some strings, Chen Ping’an settled the matter of Weishui Academy. The day after everything was arranged, he took Chen Erya to the academy.

An incident occurred when he took the little girl to enroll. Perhaps the arrangements for her mid-term admission hadn’t been communicated effectively.

In any case, on the day of enrollment, Chen Ping’an and the little girl were turned away at the gates, stopped by the academy’s guards.

Though Chen Ping’an showed little reaction to being barred from entry, his loyal men who had accompanied him felt differently. ’If the master is insulted, his subjects must die for his honor.’ They all glared furiously.

If Chen Ping’an hadn’t signaled them to stand down, they likely would have drawn their blades and forced their way inside.

Eventually, an Instructor from the academy came out and finally ushered Chen Ping’an and his party inside.

Chen Ping’an didn’t say much about the incident, simply telling the little girl to focus on her studies.

Quite a few people were present at the time, and Chen Ping’an’s mild reaction caused a few of the Instructors to feel a flicker of contempt.

’What was that all about? I thought he was someone with powerful connections! Is that all he’s got?’

The incident should have ended there, but Chen Ping’an soon discovered that the academy’s Instructors were being remarkably careless with Chen Erya’s arrangements.

Chen Ping’an said nothing at the time. There was no point in saying more about such matters. Even if he pointed it out and they acknowledged it to his face, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t continue their behavior behind his back.

So, coincidentally, on the very next day, Weishui Academy was suddenly notified that the Weishui Garrison would be conducting a "routine inspection."

The notice was short, and the inspection was swift. Its thoroughness and scope were unprecedented.

The scene was so intense that many Instructors thought the academy had been infiltrated by criminals.

Most importantly, these constables from the Weishui Garrison showed none of their usual courtesy when questioned by the Instructors. They all wore stern, unsmiling faces, acting strictly by the book.

But strangely, whenever they saw the newly enrolled little girl, these same stern-faced constables would force a smile, bow their heads, and greet her politely.

The little girl watched the constables and knew her big brother was putting on this show of force for her.

At first, the staff at Weishui Academy were confused, but after some discreet inquiries, they finally understood the true cause of the incident.

From that day on, no one at Weishui Academy, from top to bottom, ever dared to treat Chen Erya with disrespect again.