Daqian Martial Saint

Truth is stranger than fiction, far more marvelous than any novel or biography.

Once Chen Ping’an gave Zhao Lianzhi the response he was hoping for, Zhao Lianzhi no longer saw any need to hold back and laid everything out on the table.

Normally, an appointment like Chen Ping’an’s would have been delivered by an official with a rank of at least Candidate for Commander-in-Chief.

However, with the opening of the Long’an Trade Route and the Beicang Auction about to begin, matters were incredibly complex. Coupled with the constant trouble stirred up by the Ten Thousand Demons Sect and other petty criminals, the Weishui Garrison was stretched thin. Manpower was especially tight at the level of Candidate for Commander-in-Chief; not a single person could be spared. Therefore, in the end, they could only send him, the head of the Dispatching Bureau. He explained that this was a slight to Chen Ping’an and hoped he would forgive the lack of formality.

Chen Ping’an expressed his understanding. He knew the Weishui Garrison was short-staffed, and as a member of the Garrison Commandant’s Office himself, it was his duty to help shoulder the burden. Of course he understood.

Zhao Lianzhi praised Chen Ping’an for his magnanimity and added that once matters concerning the trade route were settled, the Weishui Garrison would hold a formal banquet to celebrate his promotion.

In the County City, a Candidate for Commander-in-Chief was considered part of the top brass. An appointment to such a position naturally warranted a celebratory banquet.

Chen Ping’an thanked the Weishui Garrison for their thoughtful arrangements, stating frankly that he was in no hurry and that more important matters should take precedence.

The two chatted for a while in a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere. During their conversation, Zhao Lianzhi’s gaze occasionally fell upon another letter in Chen Ping’an’s hand. He was incredibly curious about this letter, which had come from the State Garrison Command.

But no matter how curious he was, he couldn’t let it show. His mind raced with speculation as he looked at the letter. Recalling the rumors about Chen Ping’an circulating within the Weishui Garrison, his demeanor became even more reverent.

Rumor had it in the Weishui Garrison that a powerful figure within the State Garrison Command highly valued Chen Ping’an’s talent and intended to arrange a marriage between him and a younger member of their family.

His smooth promotion to Candidate for Commander-in-Chief, aside from his own indisputable talent and abilities, was also believed to have a great deal to do with this rumor.

After all, promotion slots were already precious, to say nothing of one for a Candidate for Commander-in-Chief. Such positions were deeply entangled in the factional struggles within the Weishui Garrison. Every time a spot opened up, every faction vied for it.

To be promoted to Candidate for Commander-in-Chief, one didn’t just need the approval of the Weishui Garrison’s internal review. The promotion had to be reported to and approved by the State Garrison Command. Only with the State Garrison Command’s consent would the promotion officially take effect.

When the Weishui Garrison submitted the promotion for the State Garrison Command’s approval this time, they never expected it to pass so quickly. Based on the usual pace of decisions, they had expected the results to arrive after the Beicang Auction at the earliest.

But to everyone’s surprise, the State Garrison Command’s efficiency was far beyond the norm this time, and the promotion was approved with incredible speed.

This development only served to further confirm the internal speculations within the Weishui Garrison.

From what Zhao Lianzhi understood, the major factions within the Weishui Garrison were all focused primarily on winning over and building a good relationship with Chen Ping’an.

With Zhao Lianzhi present, Chen Ping’an didn’t rush to read the letter from the State Garrison Command. Instead, considering Zhao Lianzhi had come all this way, it was only proper for Chen Ping’an to host him.

Accompanied by Deputy Commander Zhong Shanyong, the two had lunch together within the Five Peaks Mountain Town Garrison. The specific details of the luncheon were, of course, meticulously handled by their subordinates, with dedicated personnel reviewing everything to ensure there were no errors or oversights.

During the meal, Zhao Lianzhi recalled the recent incident he’d heard about—an ambush on a merchant caravan by the Ten Thousand Demons Sect. The incident was heinous in nature and had occurred right in the territory under Chen Ping’an’s jurisdiction, so Zhao Lianzhi asked about it out of curiosity.

He had expected to hear some boilerplate response—that the matter was under investigation and they would have results soon.

But who could have imagined...

...that Chen Ping’an would reply that the matter had already been properly dealt with, and a full written report on the proceedings had been submitted to the Weishui Garrison.

’Already dealt with?’

Zhao Lianzhi was stunned. He had interacted with Chen Ping’an a few times and knew he wasn’t the type to make baseless claims. If he said something like that, then the matter was likely well and truly finished.

Driven by curiosity, Zhao Lianzhi probed for a few more details.

The three Ten Thousand Demons Sect Elders involved in the incident had all been slain.

They had captured a Ten Thousand Demons Sect spy who was lying low in the Red Maple Market alive.

They had deduced that there was likely a Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold in the Red Maple Mountain area and were meticulously following the clues. And there was a possibility of even greater victories to come!?

The more Zhao Lianzhi listened, the more astounded he became.

’It’s only been a few days, and not only have three Ten Thousand Demons Sect Elders been slain and a spy captured alive, but they’re already investigating their nearby strongholds?’

Such astonishing efficiency!

The look of astonishment on Zhao Lianzhi’s face lingered long after the luncheon had ended. During the idle conversation that followed, an Inspectorate officer from the Garrison Commandant’s Office hurried in from outside. When he reached the doorway and saw the officials inside, he hesitated, not daring to be presumptuous.

"Come in!" Chen Ping’an said, glancing up.

"Yes, sir!" The Inspectorate officer bowed, answered loudly, and then hurried inside, moving to Chen Ping’an’s side to whisper in his ear.

"You found out who it was?" Chen Ping’an’s hand paused as he was drinking his tea, the lid of the cup hovering just above the rim.

Sitting to the side, Zhao Lianzhi’s interest was piqued. Zhong Shanyong knew what this was about, but he was also curious to learn the identity of the head’s owner.

Both men watched the scene unfold with bated breath.

The Inspectorate officer bowed and said respectfully, "Reporting to you, sir, we have confirmed the identity."

"Since you’ve found out, just say it," Chen Ping’an said calmly. "This is Lord Zhao from the Weishui Garrison. He’s one of us; there’s no need for secrecy."