Daqian Martial Saint

The three major powers based in Red Maple Market had, of course, long since heard about the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s ambush and massacre. This shocking and utterly tragic news had left them deeply alarmed.

However, as the local tyrants of the market, they had no intention of tracking, sweeping, or even annihilating the Ten Thousand Demons Sect. Their thinking was simple: protect their own interests. They couldn’t let the affair with the Ten Thousand Demons Sect affect them.

Thus, their first decision was to consolidate their forces and strengthen the market’s defenses.

Their philosophy was to mind their own business—a principle that ensured their survival and protected their interests.

Successfully defending Red Maple Market was, in their view, the best support they could offer the trade route patrol.

A vicious incident like the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s massacre in the Red Maple Mountain area was bound to attract the attention of the Garrison Commandant’s Office and the Qiankun Bureau. What they hadn’t expected, however, was for this affair to draw a figure as revered as Chen Ping’an—and for him to arrive so quickly!

The Beicang Auction was less than ten days away. In their minds, a young prodigy like Chen Ping’an would surely be too restless to stay put and would have headed to the great Beicang Town early to take part in the grand event and experience the gathering of titans.

But who would have thought that at this critical juncture, he would show up at Red Maple Market instead.

Situated on the outskirts of the Long’an Trade Route, they naturally knew a thing or two about the chief official of the Garrison Commandant’s Office responsible for patrolling the outer regions. They had started paying attention to Chen Ping’an back when he was still the second-in-command of the outer route patrol.

They had assumed this prodigy from the Rising Star Chart was just here to burnish his credentials before heading back once he had enough seniority. But unexpectedly, not long after taking up his post, he accomplished a feat that shook the entire region.

He personally led a team and wiped out a branch of the Celestial Net Sect!

The Celestial Net Sect! This was the Celestial Net Sect they were talking about!

After that, it was only natural that he was promoted to Trade Route Patrol Envoy. More recently, he had even broken through to the Profound Light Realm. No matter how much chaos erupted elsewhere, his Five Peaks Mountain City remained as stable as a mountain. He had truly become one man holding down an entire city!

How could the three major powers possibly sit still with such a powerful and ruthless figure suddenly arriving at Red Maple Market!

In truth, local snakes and tyrants like them were most afraid of a "strong dragon" like Chen Ping’an. Not only was he absurdly powerful, but he also held the moral high ground and had jurisdiction over them.

So, upon receiving news of Chen Ping’an’s impending arrival, the leading figures of the major powers all felt a knot of fear in their stomachs, terrified of causing any trouble.

But what must be faced must be faced. After composing themselves, they hastily went out to greet him.

They made quite the grand entrance.

Some of the shopkeepers and regulars doing business in the market were puzzled to see them all come out. ’Why are all the big shots, who are usually so hard to catch a glimpse of, suddenly running out here?’

"Why have all these big shots come out? What’s going on?"

"I don’t know! Let’s go see!"

"Makes sense!"

"..."

A few curious onlookers followed from a distance and saw these high-status bosses standing respectfully before the market’s main gate, facing the distance as if waiting for someone.

"Are they... waiting for someone?"

"Looks like it. Who could they be waiting for that would bring all these figures out at once!"

"No idea. Must be someone important!"

Amidst the whispers of the crowd, the faint sound of hoofbeats could be heard from beyond the market. As the sound grew closer, a dozen or so riders came into view on the road.

Fine steeds galloped, kicking up dust that danced in the sunlight. As the mounted party drew near, the figure of their leader became clearer. He wore a brocade robe, its sleeves fluttering like splendid, rosy clouds against the horizon. He appeared young; a dashing youth in fine clothes, riding a spirited horse!

Whoa!

The riders all pulled on their reins. Accompanied by a sharp neigh, the mounts came to a stop before Red Maple Market. Hooves stamped back and forth, kicking up a spray of dust.

Gazing at the young man surrounded by the riders, the expressions of the crowd before Red Maple Market turned solemn, and they all bowed in unison.

"We greet you, Lord Commander Chen! We wish Your Lordship the utmost peace!"

Chen Ping’an scanned his surroundings, and the Martial Arts Realms of everyone present became clear to him. With his current Martial Arts Realm, achieving such a feat was, of course, incredibly easy.

Among those present, there was no one in the Profound Light Realm. The strongest individual was only at the level of the Inner Qi Three Gates, and he had only just barely reached it.

That made sense. Although the market was not small, it was ultimately just a large marketplace with limited profits, making it difficult to attract the attention of anyone in the Profound Light Realm. In fact, it would be strange if there *was* a Profound Light Realm Martial Arts Cultivator among them.

’Hmm, if it were one of those large Black Markets hidden behind the many marketplaces, there might be a Profound Light Realm Martial Arts Master.’

However, whether it was the Inner Qi Realm or the Profound Light Realm, to the current Chen Ping’an, it was all just a trivial matter. The pressing issue was to understand what the trade caravan had been doing in the market and see if he could use that to indirectly investigate the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.

"All of you, rise," Chen Ping’an said lightly.

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison as they raised their heads.

"This old one is Huang Zhishu. I humbly welcome Your Excellency. Your presence truly makes our humble Red Maple shine!" said a hale and hearty, medium-built old man as he stepped forward, his face wreathed in smiles. It seemed he was the unspoken leader among the major powers of Red Maple Market.

"Indeed, Lord Commander."

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