Daqian Martial Saint

Tasked with investigating Feng Shixian’s death, Chen Ping’an couldn’t relax even if he wanted to.

Liu Yuanhua’s scheme was an open one. Unless Chen Ping’an was willing to flip the whole table, his only option was to solve the case within the given time limit and let the results speak for themselves. There was no other way out.

But when operating within the system, flipping the table is a last resort—a move made out of desperation. It might look like a show of force, but in reality, it only exposes one’s own powerlessness.

As long as he had other options, Chen Ping’an would never resort to such a measure.

For one, flipping the table would completely expose his Martial Arts Realm.

For another, while it would certainly be satisfying, his current cultivation in the Profound Light Middle Realm wasn’t enough to withstand the backlash.

’If I could just break through to the Profound Light High Realm, perhaps...’

But the thought was fleeting, vanishing from his mind as quickly as it appeared.

Although he couldn’t manage any official duties at the moment, the men under him were still willing to cooperate when he wanted to learn about the investigation into Feng Shixian’s death.

Over the past few days, Chen Ping’an had managed to get a general understanding of the situation. While he couldn’t command the constables at the local garrison, he had sent out the elite troops he brought from the Garrison Commandant’s Office to investigate.

However...

Even though he had men to conduct the investigation, their efficiency was abysmal without access to crucial intelligence.

When Feng Shixian first died, there must have been a formal investigation. And that investigation must have made some progress. Unfortunately, all that information was sealed away by the Weishui Garrison.

Chen Ping’an had already sent a messenger to the Weishui Garrison with a request to review the case files, but he had yet to receive a reply.

He had sent the letter, but he wasn’t holding out much hope.

Since Liu Yuanhua wanted to suppress him, he wouldn’t let him get his hands on the files so easily.

Bound by the system’s regulations, Liu Yuanhua wouldn’t refuse him outright, but he would surely find some other excuse to prevent or delay him from obtaining the case file.

First, intelligence; second, resources.

The intelligence was being held up by Liu Yuanhua. The resources, on the other hand, were controlled by Guan Yu Ping.

’Since Guan Yu Ping won’t come to me, I’ll go to him! I’d like to see just what "official business" is keeping him so busy in Five Peaks Mountain City!’

...

Early the next morning, Chen Ping’an mounted a swift horse and galloped toward Five Peaks Mountain City.

Five Peaks Mountain City was no more than fifty li from the garrison. However, the path leading to it wasn’t a wide, flat official road, so the journey still took Chen Ping’an some time.

Dressed in his Fish Scale Armor, the constables guarding the city gates didn’t dare give him any trouble and let him pass right through.

「Inside a private residence in the city.」

"Chen Ping’an came into the city looking for me?" Guan Yu Ping was somewhat taken aback as he listened to his subordinate’s report. He hadn’t expected Chen Ping’an to come charging over so directly!

"He really is reckless! No wonder his title on the Rising Star Chart is ’Mang Blade.’ I’m finally seeing why!"

"But it’s useless, no matter how reckless he is. I’m the one with the power here! Pass on my orders: I am entering seclusion. I’m not to be disturbed by anyone!"

"Yes, my lord," the subordinate replied respectfully.

As he watched the man leave, a sneer formed on Guan Yu Ping’s face.

’So what if he’s a prodigy from the Rising Star Chart? Trying to fight me? You’re still too green!’

At this thought, Guan Yu Ping’s mood lifted, and a smile spread across his face.

He raised a hand and beckoned to someone behind him. "I hear the Red Mill has a new top Courtesan. Go, invite her to the residence. She can keep me entertained."

"Yes, my lord." A voice from behind answered respectfully, and the person trotted off to see to the matter.

...

"Are you saying that Lord Guan had a sudden moment of insight and has entered seclusion to attempt a breakthrough, and is therefore seeing no one?"

Chen Ping’an stood before Guan Yu Ping’s residence, his expression unchanging as he spoke calmly.

Upon entering Five Peaks Mountain City, he had made a beeline for Guan Yu Ping’s residence. He had already found out its location long before he arrived.

He had announced his presence through the proper channels, but instead of being granted an audience with Guan Yu Ping, he was met with this message.

He wasn’t even allowed through the gate. He was stopped at the entrance and told that Guan Yu Ping had found some inspiration and was preparing to enter seclusion for a breakthrough, seeing no one.

The man blocking him was named Wan Yuanze. To Chen Ping’an’s senses, he was, shockingly, a Martial Arts Master at the Third Stage of Inner Qi, Celestial Rain Descending Realm Perfection.

It was clear that this man was undoubtedly one of Guan Yu Ping’s most trusted confidants.

"Indeed, Lord Chen. That is what Lord Guan told this humble subordinate before he entered seclusion," Wan Yuanze said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Chen Ping’an looked at Wan Yuanze without a word.

’Guan Yu Ping broke through to the Profound Light Realm years ago, and his cultivation has been stagnant ever since. He doesn’t get his moment of insight any other day, but just so happens to have it on the very day I come to visit. What a coincidence!’

"What a coincidence for Lord Guan to enter seclusion now," Chen Ping’an said, his face devoid of expression.

"Lord Chen, these moments of insight are unpredictable. It really is just a coincidence!" Wan Yuanze said with a grin. "I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to head back for now."

"No need. My business is extremely important. Since Lord Guan is in seclusion, I will simply wait for him to emerge. I wonder, how long does Lord Guan plan to be in seclusion?" Chen Ping’an’s expression was unreadable.

Wan Yuanze chuckled. "Lord Chen, as for how long Lord Guan will be in seclusion, this humble subordinate can’t say for sure. It could be ten days, it could be a month, or it could be three months! There’s really no telling!"

’Looks like Guan Yu Ping is dead set on not seeing me.’

Chen Ping’an saw the situation with perfect clarity.

Just then, an embroidered sedan chair was carried down the street toward them.

Chen Ping’an turned to look. A moment later, the sedan chair arrived at the entrance of the residence.

"Halt!" A servant at the gate blocked the sedan chair’s path.

"Sir, this is the Courtesan that Lord Guan personally requested. I was ordered to bring the young lady here," the woman at the front of the sedan chair said with a fawning smile. She lifted the curtain as she spoke, revealing a young woman seated inside.

’One second they’re saying Lord Guan is in seclusion and seeing no one, and the next they’re having a young woman delivered to the door. The logic just doesn’t hold up.’

But at that moment, the smile on Wan Yuanze’s face grew even wider. When he saw the gatekeeper look to him for instructions, he gave a slight nod.

Seeing this, the servant immediately said, "In that case, you may enter!"

"Very good, thank you, sir." The woman led the sedan chair inside with another fawning smile.

’It’s much more interesting now that the excuse has been exposed. Lord Guan just doesn’t want to see you. What can you do about it?’

’If you accept the excuse, you can at least walk away with some dignity. If you don’t, you’ll be utterly humiliated!’

’What’s your choice?’

Wan Yuanze watched Chen Ping’an with great interest, eagerly anticipating his reaction.

’Mang Blade! Mang Blade! Reckless as they come. He’ll never be able to swallow this insult. He’s going to flip out and try to force his way in, right?’

’Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever fought one of these prodigies from the Rising Star Chart before. I’d love to see what it feels like to beat up a so-called "prodigy." ’

Wan Yuanze studied Chen Ping’an’s reaction, but to his surprise, a faint smile actually appeared on Chen Ping’an’s face.

"What a refined way for Lord Guan to conduct his seclusion! I am truly impressed! In that case, I wish Lord Guan great progress!"

Hearing this, Wan Yuanze was momentarily stunned.

Chen Ping’an gave Wan Yuanze one last, deep look before turning and walking away without a backward glance. The moment he turned, Chen Ping’an held out his hand and stared down at his palm.

’I wonder if Guan Yu Ping’s head is any harder to smash than Fang Qixian’s?’

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