The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 765 The Power of the Mysterious Spirit, a Strategically Important Garrison (Seeking Monthly Tickets~)

Xuanling City is a major commercial city, and is the most prosperous place for commerce in several states.

Every day there are a large number of profits coming in and out, and transactions going in and out.

The daily transaction volume far exceeds the annual transaction volume of an ordinary city. In such a magnificent city, where the interests of various parties are intertwined and they compete fiercely, the forces that can hold sway within the city are naturally extraordinary.

Within each state, most of the major powers have some involvement in the interests of key cities. Those with sufficient strength establish their own entities and control the profits. Those with less strength unite with various parties to jointly invest and participate.

There are also some powerful forces with their own considerations and grander schemes, who unite with various parties to form alliances, expand the pie, and control more interests.

Besides the forces within each state, there are also state-level administrative divisions, Qiankun Divisions, and other related forces. In addition, there are some renowned independent cultivators who are frequently active within Xuanling City.

Chen Ping'an had already learned a great deal about this from the secret files of the Canglong Prefecture's Zhenfu Division. It included not only the powerful rogue cultivators active within, but also various other forces intertwined with them.

Wenxin Sword Pavilion, Hengshan Sect, Bi Cang Merchant Guild, Xuanling Merchant Guild, Tianwu Pavilion, Daqi Sect
The Five Continents Pacification Bureau, the Five Continents Heaven and Earth Bureau, and the Top-Level Review Committee.
The entire Xuanling City is rife with complex power dynamics and vested interests. If an ordinary person were to rashly get involved and meddle in the power struggles, they would likely be reduced to nothing, with not even bones left.

The garrison commander of Canglong Prefecture stationed in Xuanling, and the deputy garrison commander of Xiaguang Prefecture, are the best examples of this.

This Xuanling City appears prosperous and peaceful on the surface, but beneath the surface, undercurrents are surging and waves are turbulent.

The level of your social standing determines the world you encounter. Different levels of social standing naturally lead to different views of the world.

Ordinary rogue cultivators come to this Xuanling Heavy City only to seek a handy weapon or a suitable spiritual object. The world they see is mostly this prosperous scene. They see the forest of treasure pavilions and shops, the surging crowds, the abundance of spiritual objects, and the grandeur of the heavy city.

If an ordinary force were to open a shop in Chongcheng, what they would see is fierce competition, interpersonal relationships, a clear distinction between social classes, and the overall atmosphere and structure of Chongcheng.

If viewed from other perspectives, the scene would naturally be quite different.

Chen Ping'an, from the perspective of the Xuanling Garrison Commander, arrived at Xuanling Heavy City and saw things that were different from his last visit to Xuanling.

With intelligence information from the Gu family and secret files from the State Garrison Command, he was quite familiar with the situation within Xuanling City. He also had a relatively clear understanding of the matters that needed to be dealt with next.

Normally, when he arrives in Xuanling, he is welcomed by all sides, and after becoming familiar with the situation, he starts with his deputies, allowing them to adapt to each other and gradually become familiar with the ecosystem. Under the guise of righteousness, he then seizes power. He then works with the garrison commanders dispatched by the other four prefectures to jointly control the garrison in Xuanling.

In the process, it is necessary to stabilize the ecosystem of interests, balance the interests of all parties, gradually become familiar with each other, and eventually consolidate power. It is also necessary to consider the overall situation and take care of the interests of one's own family.

These procedures are the standard steps that follow after assuming office. As for how far things will progress, how quickly they will go, and what the specific steps will be, that depends entirely on the individual's abilities and the current situation.

The situation in Xuanling City is not very stable right now.

The struggle for the throne in the Bicang County Prince's Mansion, the probing of interests by various forces, the intricate factional battles, and the internal erosion in the commercial sector—all these events create utter chaos.

It's not an easy thing to get used to and gradually adapt to something in a short period of time.

Even if it were easy, Chen Ping'an wouldn't be interested.

He has just broken through to the Celestial Realm, and there are countless matters to attend to, making things extremely complicated.

Whether it's cultivation, research, or scheming for spiritual objects and treasures, all of these require a great deal of energy. Under such circumstances, where would he find the time or inclination to play this childish game and go through the motions again?

Some things should be done in a simpler way, with fewer steps if possible.

"Then let's start with taking up our posts." Chen Ping'an walked calmly through the bustling streets of Xuanling City, his eyes clear and his expression serene.

His entry into the city was extremely simple and did not cause the slightest commotion.

"Finish this as soon as possible, and once I've completed my duties, I'll visit the Gu family tomorrow."

He glanced at the sky, which was gradually becoming hazy and gray.

Dusk has fallen, and night is approaching.

The Gu family also has considerable interests in Xuanling City. As the son-in-law of the Gu family, he should pay a visit to them when he takes up his post in Xuanling.

Xuanling City is vast and magnificent.

Each city has a core urban area, an inner city, and an outer city. Each city is also divided into four urban areas: east, west, south, and north.

The core urban area is home to Xuanling Mountain, with palaces and pavilions scattered like clouds, a serene and elegant place, truly a place of nobility, renowned far and wide, its fame spreading throughout several states.

Even among martial arts grandmasters, only a very small number are qualified to reside in Xuanling Mountain, and their residences are mostly located at the foot of the mountain.

Within the Xuanling City, there are five provincial garrison offices and garrison commanders jointly stationed there. As the five provincial garrison offices that nominally control the situation in Xuanling, their core location is naturally situated within the heart of Xuanling, in the core urban area.

Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command, a place of defense, Canglong Garrison.

The palace is magnificent, with flying eaves and brackets, ceremonial gates and stone pavilions, and a series of buildings and corridors. The layout is complete and the atmosphere is natural.

Night had fallen, but the building was still brightly lit.

"Sir, this is the draft proposal, which has been revised twice. Please take a look."

"Sir, there is an internal review meeting tomorrow that requires your attendance."

"Previously, Yanlie Prefecture came forward to negotiate, accusing Canglong Prefecture of encroaching on our improper interests and demanding an explanation. This is the official reply letter drafted by my subordinates."

"My lord, the supervisory review team from the Qiankun Division has issued a report, demanding a response from us by tomorrow. Otherwise, they will file for impeachment."

"The five state garrison councils responded the day before yesterday regarding the interests and ecosystem of the Gu family mine, but we just received news that the garrison councils did not approve it and we need to resubmit it."

"The Xuanling Chamber of Commerce has been putting pressure on us recently. Although we took precautions in advance, we were still caught off guard. The opinion within the state is that we should formally announce this matter and express our dissatisfaction at the garrison council meeting."

"Regarding the overlap between the state's interests and the Yokoyama Clan's interests, the Yokoyama Clan has expressed its dissatisfaction and demanded that we intervene and resolve the matter as soon as possible. Otherwise, they will issue a stern rebuke at the garrison meeting. In addition, they may reconsider their position on the initiative previously proposed by Xiaguang State."

"There's a power struggle within the state, and some forces want us to mediate. This matter..."

"My lord, this opinion needs further consideration, especially regarding..."

"."

The building was bustling with activity as figures came and went, discussing important matters in the state, seeking instructions on countermeasures, clarifying the tone, and confirming their stance.

As a garrison of a state, representing the interests of Canglong State in Xuanling, they engage in a power struggle with other states. Compared to the local garrison, they have access to higher levels of government and face more complex situations.

Of course, the pressure they bear will also be much greater.

Those who can be assigned to positions here are all elites from the Canglong Prefecture's Zhenfu Division, selected from the best of the best and carefully dispatched.

In Xuanling City, the situation is unique, and ordinary constables are of little use here. Basic duties such as patrols are all handled by the Xuanling Prefecture Garrison Command.

As the institutions stationed here by Canglong Prefecture, their organizational structure needs to be more streamlined, and their operations and communications need to be more efficient. Naturally, their level of authority will also be higher.

Previously, when reporting important matters and requesting decisions, the positions were mostly filled by grandmasters, many of whom were senior grandmasters.

Such matters involve the interests of a state and a vast territory, so it is impossible to give them too much importance.

After finishing all the tasks, it was already past midnight.

Shen Huiqing rubbed her forehead, trying to smooth away the worries between her brows and calm the myriad thoughts in her heart.

Every day there are a lot of things to do that require her to make decisions.

Each and every single matter must be handled meticulously, without the slightest deviation. Improper handling could lead to even greater trouble.

Such as the impeachment by the Qiankun Division, the escalation of the situation, the rebuttal by the garrison review committee, and the pressure from various state forces.
Having single-handedly defended Xuanling for so many years, she felt as if she had aged more than ten years.

Having reached her level of cultivation, the marks left by the years on her face are no longer as obvious as they used to be.

But she still felt that her youth had passed and she no longer had the vitality of her youth.

She lived for over three hundred years, cultivating to the level of a Grandmaster of Martial Arts, reaching the pinnacle of combat power and firmly establishing herself among the top Grandmasters. She no longer cared so much about her appearance.

But as a female Grandmaster, even if she didn't value it, she still cared about it in the end.

Over the years, she has shouldered the burden alone, enduring pressure from all sides. Although she has made some progress, the clamor of public opinion and the oppression from all sides have made her feel deeply uncomfortable.

But no matter how uncomfortable it is, you still have to keep going.

With the interests of the state at stake and heavy responsibilities on our shoulders, how can we back down?
Shen Huiqing let out a long sigh of relief, slowly rose from the long table and chair, and stretched her body.

Her arms were incredibly soft and supple, and her figure was voluptuous, giving her an indescribable allure.

With almond-shaped eyes and faint wrinkles at the corners, if one disregarded her air of authority, she could easily be considered an older, unmarried woman.

Although she is no longer as beautiful as she once was, she still retains her charm.

As the decision-making center for important matters concerning the garrison of a prefecture, this entire floor of the pavilion is her official residence. As the person in charge of the Xuanling garrison in Canglong Prefecture, she also has a residence on Xuanling Mountain. Although the residence is not large, Xuanling Mountain alone surpasses countless others of the same level.

However, it was already late, and she didn't plan to go back. This entire floor of public housing was meticulously divided and had a complete layout, naturally providing a place for rest and quiet contemplation.

She has a review meeting to attend tomorrow, so she can just stay here for a while and avoid the hassle of traveling back and forth.

For a martial arts grandmaster, a little travel is nothing. But the mental and physical exhaustion accumulated over the years led her to choose the simplest method.

Even when it comes to competition, the mental and physical exertion required is completely different between competing at the same level and competing at different levels.

Furthermore, since the former garrison commander was seriously injured and retired, she has been the only one left to support the area. Without rotation or cooperation, the overall mental and physical exhaustion has been even greater.

Compared to the other states, the forces of the Canglong State's Zhenfu Division stationed in Xuanling appear to be much weaker. This is not a comparison of overall power dynamics, but rather a comparison of strength at the highest level.

Although her combat strength is considerable, she is quite powerful among the top-tier Grandmasters. She is on the same level as Nie Yunlong, the former guardian of Long'an Town.

Even so, compared to the cooperation between the chief and deputy envoys of the other states, hers was far weaker.

In places like Xiaguang Prefecture, although only one person is stationed there, the one stationed in Xuanling is the garrison commander, whose combat strength is similar to that of a Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud Sect, and who also has secret techniques to enhance his abilities, making him extremely intimidating.

Furthermore, Xiaguang Prefecture's influence is immense; though it remains hidden, the garrison review committee is aware of it. Behind that figure is a pseudo-celestial being.

Unlike them, who are far away in their respective states, they are right here in this Xuanling City!
With such a deterrent, the predicament of Xiaguang Prefecture is self-evident.

The garrisoned Xuanling are a unified entity. When facing external threats, the Five Provinces' Garrison Command and the Qiankun Command usually unite to exert pressure on the outside world. However, when internal conflicts of interest arise, their respective stances may diverge.

Each has its own methods, its own perspective, and its own set of rules.

Different matters will be handled in different ways, with different interests to consider, and different stakeholders will be courted in order to seek their own maximum benefit.

They also have their own internal problems.

In such a competitive situation, whoever's power and influence weakens will naturally encounter more problems.

Sometimes, when you're weak, you encounter more problems.

Among the five prefecture garrison commands, the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command was one of the weakest in terms of influence within the garrison review committee.

It shouldn't have come to this, but since the previous garrison commander retired more than a decade ago, she has been the sole person in charge, and that's how the situation has become.

When vying for power with the various state-level military commands and the Qiankun Division, she often found herself at a disadvantage. She had to consider the overall situation and weigh the interests involved. Caught in the middle of many things, she was powerless to control her own destiny and was utterly exhausted.

Shen Huiqing's hair fell loose, and a sense of weariness arose in her heart.

"I wonder when the new garrison commander will arrive?"

When she first received the appointment as the garrison commander, she felt a little unwilling, but then she felt a secret joy and relief at the transfer of burden. A long-lost sense of relaxation and exhilaration.

But when she saw the new garrison commander, she was somewhat taken aback.

"Chen Ping'an, the Brute?"

Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman and a rising star, has recently gained considerable fame. Since joining the Hidden Dragon Ranking, he has made continuous progress. In the latest ranking, he, with the cultivation of a newly promoted Grandmaster, advanced four places without any combat achievements to support his advancement, ranking twenty-fifth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

This situation naturally made him incredibly popular for a time.

Even from her perspective, she had to admit that this was indeed an exceptionally outstanding prodigy. Among his generation, he was truly exceptionally brilliant.

可那
They're just from the same generation.

She acknowledged Chen Ping'an's excellence, but in her opinion, he was not the best candidate for the Xuanling Garrison Commander.

Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman, has indeed made great achievements along the way, and his methods and courage are commendable.

But this is Xuanling!

No amount of courage will help if you lack the ability.

You can forcefully push something forward and have the courage to make a decision, but can you bear the backlash that follows?

Among his contemporaries, Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman, was undeniably brilliant and possessed extraordinary talent. However, to grandmasters, he was merely a junior figure.

While his talent is astonishing and his record on the Hidden Dragon Ranking is commendable, he has only just broken through to the next level. As a newly promoted individual, no matter how much he has accumulated, how amazing his talent is, or how formidable his combat power, he can at most barely enter the ranks of the ultimate Grandmaster.

With such combat power, they might not even be able to match her. How can they possibly resolve the matter of Xuanling?!

Although Mang Dao is excellent, his age is a factor, and he is far inferior to those old guys.

If given another ten years, with more experience and training, she was confident that Mangdao could handle this matter concerning the Mystic Spirit. But now...
not enough.

But even if you're dissatisfied, so what?

The Northern Border Garrison has issued a resolution and announced the appointment of Chen Ping'an, the Mangdao, as the Garrison Commander of Xuanling Heavy City, acting on behalf of the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Commander, to be fully responsible for the garrison affairs of Xuanling in Canglong Prefecture, to hold the authority of the Xuanling garrison, and to liaise with the Garrison Commanders and the Qiankun Commander of other prefectures to jointly control the garrison affairs of Xuanling.

The matter has already been decided, and any further objections from her will be futile.

Mang Dao is exceptionally talented, and it's clear that the higher-ups intend to provide him with significant support, recognizing him as an outstanding example within the Zhenfu Division system.

Hopefully, the other states will be more cautious during the game, considering Mang Dao's talent.

All in all, it's better than nothing.

It's always good to have someone come and share the burden, even if they're a little weak in combat. With his fierce and reckless style, even if his combat strength is weak, he should be able to barely get into this circle.

It was truly fortunate that the higher-ups made a firm decision and were willing to relinquish such a heavy responsibility, directly granting him the highest level of authority instead of the third-level power of a deputy director.

This newly arrived, rough-and-tumble swordsman Chen Ping'an, Lord Chen, though young, wields considerable power!

Looking across several states, they can be considered truly top-tier giants.

She felt relieved, and after a few days of reflection, she gradually accepted the situation.

I thought the other party would be able to take up the post on time, but to my surprise, it has been more than half a month since then and the other party has still not taken up the post.

This situation truly left her speechless.

"Could something have happened?" With this thought in mind, she wrote a letter half a month ago, inquiring about the specific situation of the Canglong Prefecture Garrison.

I haven't received a reply yet.

However, news of her appointment had already spread, and the fact that it had been delayed for more than half a month made her Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command a laughing stock. Many garrisoned in other prefectures were eager to see the spectacle unfold.

This matter also left her slightly dissatisfied. Since she was to take up the post, why did things turn out this way?

However, not knowing the specific reason, she didn't react. She would wait until Mang Dao took office before slowly figuring out how to get along with him.

"What a troubled time!"

With the power struggles raging in the Azure Realm and the situation in the Mysterious Spirit Realm becoming increasingly complex, it's hard to say whether this incident is a good thing or a bad thing.

Hopefully, Mang Dao will be more reliable after taking office, so she can save herself some trouble. Otherwise, if she has to work hard against external threats while also having to be wary of internal threats, it would be better for her to stay in Xuanling alone.

Although it's tough, at least everyone is united. If someone else starts interfering later, she might not be able to handle it.

She didn't expect him to be assertive in public, only that he stay out of trouble and cause no real problems. That would be enough for her, and she would be content.

The two cooperated and took turns, and even if their strength was slightly inferior, it was still a good thing.

With this thought in mind, Shen Huiqing put aside her worries and prepared to meditate quietly for a while until it was fully light.

Within the public housing complex, there was a quiet place for meditation. With a light leap, she could reach the meditation room.

Although she was busy with official duties, she did not neglect her cultivation. However, in recent years, her cultivation had stagnated and she had hit a bottleneck, so she had to spend much less time on cultivation.

As Shen Huiqing's skirt swayed, she caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of her eye.

"Who?"

She was suddenly startled, and her body tensed instantly.

What are their intentions in stealthily infiltrating this heavily fortified area?
She hasn't noticed yet?
Her heart tightened, her expression became wary, and she turned around abruptly, her face cold as if she were about to demand an explanation.

But on the side of the window, a man in a blue robe stood calmly. Seeing her turn around, he smiled, slightly cupped his hands, and spoke gently.

"Lord Shen, there's no need to panic. I mean no harm. Let me introduce myself, Chen Ping'an, the newly appointed..."
Xuanling Garrison Commander.

(End of this chapter)