Chapter 545: Chapter 411: Imminent Promotion, Ten Thousand Demons Secret Technique

"My lord, Commander Lin seeks an audience."

A respectful inquiry came from outside the office of the Weishui Garrison.

Several breaths passed before a voice came from within the office, "Let him enter."

"Yes, my lord."

Inside the office, Chen Ping’an sat upright at his desk, brush in hand, reviewing a mountain of documents. During the days he was away supporting the siege against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect at Sanqi Mountain, Fan Zhengheng and Liu Yuanhua had handled most of his official duties, but a considerable amount of work had still piled up.

This was especially true for matters concerning his core interests, which required his personal signature before they could be enacted.

"My lord, I, your subordinate Lin Shaohua, have come to see you. May you be blessed with good fortune and peace. I offer my deepest respects."

A moment later, Lin Shaohua, Commander-in-Chief of the Outer City Garrison Command, knelt on one knee in a respectful salute. Though he was Chen Ping’an’s direct subordinate, such a grand gesture was not normally required. His doing so now was a clear display of his profound respect.

"Rise," Chen Ping’an said flatly, setting down his brush.

"Thank you, my lord." Lin Shaohua replied respectfully and rose slowly. His eyes were bright, and his expression was full of reverence.

"What is it?" Chen Ping’an glanced at Lin Shaohua.

"My lord, I am here today for two main reasons. First, on your triumphant return from the campaign against the Ten Thousand Demons, you have brought glory to the entire Weishui Garrison. It is my honor to come and congratulate you. Second, I am here to report on the recent affairs of the Outer City Garrison Command."

Lin Shaohua spoke to Chen Ping’an in a humble tone.

Chen Ping’an gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. Seeing his lord’s approval, Lin Shaohua wasted no more words and began his report on the state of the Outer City Garrison Command.

The Outer City Garrison Command was responsible for the overall administration of the Weishui Outer City, a job that involved a great many trivial matters. However, the issues Lin Shaohua brought before Chen Ping’an were, of course, anything but trivial. They primarily concerned the First-class Influences within the Weishui Outer City. Apart from that, the most frequent topic was the collection of "donation silver" from the subordinate gangs in the major city districts.

As the one in charge of Weishui Outer City, the "donation silver" from the region was passed up through the ranks, and the largest share naturally went to him, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief. As such, the largest sum ended up in his hands.

Chen Ping’an listened to Lin Shaohua’s report, offering only noncommittal replies. But when Lin Shaohua mentioned an area under Mu Wanjun’s responsibility toward the end of his report, Chen Ping’an asked a few extra questions.

At this, Lin Shaohua couldn’t help but tense up.

’I heard that years ago, Mu Wanjun was the one who first recognized Lord Chen’s talent. It’s said that Lord Chen keeps a close eye on her, and seeing this today, it seems the rumors are true.’

"My lord, Commander Mu balances kindness with authority and acts with measured restraint. The affairs under her purview are managed with clear logic and are in perfect order. She is deeply loved and supported by everyone," Lin Shaohua said with the utmost deference.

After hearing this, Chen Ping’an didn’t ask anything further, merely stating flatly, "That’s for the best."

His questions were a warning in disguise, and Lin Shaohua naturally understood what he needed to do from now on.

The conversation lasted for about a quarter of an hour. When Chen Ping’an fell silent, Lin Shaohua bowed and took his leave.

After stepping out of the office, Lin Shaohua’s expression remained tense; he didn’t dare relax in the slightest. Only after he had walked through the main gates of the Weishui Garrison did he finally let out a long sigh.

’Lord Chen may not be old, but his imposing presence is immense. It felt as if I were facing Lord Fan himself.’

As he looked out at the street beyond the Garrison Commandant’s Office, Lin Shaohua couldn’t help but recall the news he had just heard.

Chen Ping’an, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Weishui Garrison, possessed peerless talent and astounding combat prowess. He had rendered great merit in the campaign against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect at Sanqi Mountain and was now rumored to be promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Li Yang Town Guard Office, granting him sole authority over an entire county!

Recalling this sent another jolt of shock through Lin Shaohua.

’Becoming a county’s Commander-in-Chief at only twenty-two years of age!’

’What an insane prospect!’

This was the fundamental reason for his profound respect during this visit. Furthermore, setting aside Lord Chen’s political power, his displayed cultivation and combat prowess alone were enough to command such deference.

’Power approaching that of a master on the Dragon and Tiger Chart, putting him a clear step above even the most supreme top-level experts!’

’With such combat prowess, he could look down upon all other experts in Weishui County. Even if you counted everyone from the Garrison Commandant’s Office, the Qiankun Bureau, and Weishui’s Four Great Noble Families, Lord Chen’s current strength would still firmly place him in the top five.’

’And one of those top five, Feng Chengxiu, the Pseudo Grandmaster from the Canglong State Qiankun Bureau, wasn’t even technically from Weishui County.’

’Excluding Feng Chengxiu and Fan Zhengheng, while the others could contend with Lord Chen for a spot in the top five, the final outcome of such a fight would still be uncertain.’

’In other words, it was possible that Lord Chen was the third strongest person in all of Weishui County!’

Of course, this was just Lin Shaohua’s own speculation. Whether it was actually true could only be determined by a real fight.

...

The fact that Chen Ping’an had displayed power on par with the Dragon and Tiger Chart by using the Soul-Breaking Slash from the Soul-Breaking Blade Secret Technique in the Ten Thousand Demon Blood Pool was known only to Gu Qingchan. Thus, the truth had not spread. The more common rumor circulating was that Chen Ping’an’s combat prowess was close to the Dragon and Tiger Chart’s standard and that he could overwhelm a supreme top-level expert who was not in peak condition.

News of Chen Ping’an’s great deeds during the Sanqi Mountain campaign against the Ten Thousand Demons, along with his potential promotion to Commander-in-Chief of the Li Yang Town Guard Office, had also reached the ears of Weishui’s Four Great Noble Families through various channels. Compared to the rumors circulating among the general populace, the information they received was far more comprehensive and confidential.

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