The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 781 Chen's Blade: Only Life and Death Matters (Part 2)
Chen Ping'an, dressed in a dark gold robe, sat high at the head of the hall. His expression was calm and indifferent, as indifferent as a god looking down upon the world.

His voice echoed in the hall and rang in the ears of the representatives of various forces.

Upon hearing this, Shi Panyue's expression tightened, but then instantly relaxed, turning into a rough smile.

"Haha, Lord Chen is joking. I'm here to offer my congratulations, not to cause trouble. Lord Chen has just arrived in Xuanling and has a bright future ahead of him. It's best not to talk about matters of life and death, lest we cause unnecessary trouble."

Shi Panyue laughed freely, his laughter concealing a hidden smugness, and his laughter shook the surrounding area.

"However, if Lord Chen insists on this, I, a mere brute, unaware of the value of life, would be happy to play along with you." Shi Panyue's thoughts were clear; in this situation, Chen Ping'an was caught in a dilemma. His previous words were merely a response to Shi Panyue's challenge.

If you want to defuse the situation, then escalate it proactively, using the worst possible outcome to force the situation to calm down.

This brute was quick-witted. But unfortunately for him, he ran into him.

Since the other party is willing to do this, he will add fuel to the fire and see how the other party can stand it.
As long as there is a battle, then it falls into his rhythm.

His provocation stemmed from his inherent invincibility. He had previously stated that even in the worst-case scenario—losing to Mang Dao—as long as the defeat wasn't too humiliating, it would be considered a victory for him.

Furthermore, given Mang Dao's newly acquired strength, the possibility of him defeating him is extremely slim. To be able to fight him to a draw, resulting in a fierce battle, already demonstrates Mang Dao's exceptional talent and unique abilities.

According to his deduction, if they were to actually fight, he would have a very high chance of suppressing and defeating the ruthless Chen Ping'an.

If he could defeat the new garrison commander, Chen Ping'an, in front of everyone, that would be a great victory for him.

This would be of great benefit to both Hengshan Sect's interests in Xuanling and to his personal prestige.

As for the threatening words, he didn't take them to heart at all.

He possessed a powerful, unyielding martial art, with surging blood and qi, and an extremely strong physique.

Kill him?
What a joke!
Even if Chen Ping'an and Shen Huiqing were together, they still couldn't kill him!
He took Mang Dao's words as nothing more than a joke.

If the other party intends to force him to back down in this way, then he will show them what it means to lift a rock only to drop it on one's own foot!

I wonder if the opponent will still be as tough as he is now when he defeats Mang Dao and his life is threatened?

He, Shi Panyue, has reached this state today not because he was easily frightened!
With courage and strength in mind, and backed by Hengshan Mountain, Shipan Yue naturally possesses confidence and is certain of victory.

His eyes, as large as copper bells, burned with the fire of war as he stared at Chen Ping'an with unbridled arrogance. His words, though seemingly polite, were brimming with provocation.

"This is interesting." Lan Taiwen, the garrison commander of Xiaguang Prefecture, sat in the hall, watching the scene unfold, a hint of interest appearing in his eyes.

It must be said that the newly appointed garrison commander, Chen Ping'an, may look young, but he is quite experienced in handling problems.

Faced with hostile visitors, he first comforted them with kind words, thus gaining the moral high ground. Then, under Shi Panyue's questioning and pressure, he remained calm and composed, escalating the situation with a stern warning.

Under normal circumstances, this matter would probably have ended there. But Shi Panyue's reaction was undoubtedly aggressive, as if he was determined to escalate the situation.

Although they lost face, they undoubtedly got the result they wanted.

This was Shi Panyue's reaction, and it was also Cao Penghai's attitude.

It seems that Yokoyama Munechika's attitude toward the mineral control bill is already very clear.

We must do everything in our power to make this happen, even at the cost of sacrificing some dignity.

This welcoming ceremony for Chen Ping'an, the "Wild Blade," served as the stage for the Hengshan Sect to make a strong statement.

The opinions and determination of the Yokoyama Sect were laid bare before all factions. Each side assessed whether it had the confidence and courage to oppose the Yokoyama Sect's proposal for deliberation.

Lan Taiwen remained a detached observer, possessing a keen understanding of the situation. He was not alone in this. The crowd remained silent, watching Chen Ping'an's next move.

"We're in a bind now." Leng Yunhe's pale face revealed a look of anticipation, as if he were watching a good show.

Just when everyone thought that today's events would explode before the celebration even ended, a loud and clear chant came from afar, breaking the silent clamor and deathly stillness in the hall.

"Bicang Chamber of Commerce, Golden-Robed Elder, Senior Fu, have arrived!"

"What!?"

"Senior Fu!? You mean Fu Guangsheng, Senior Fu!"

"Within the Bi Cang Chamber of Commerce and Xuanling City, who else besides him could be worthy of the title of Golden Robe Elder?!"

Why did he come here?

"What's going on?"

"."

The people inside the hall were shocked and their expressions were filled with astonishment.

Leng Yunhe's hand holding the wine glass trembled involuntarily, his previous composure vanished, and his eyes were filled with disbelief and deep astonishment.

Lan Taiwen's expression turned solemn, no longer the calm and indifferent observer he had been before. Deep in his eyes, a strong sense of fear and awe flickered.

Bicang Chamber of Commerce, Golden Robe Attendant, Fu Guangsheng.

The true top experts within Xuanling City have already reached the pseudo-celestial realm, surpassing even Grandmasters of Martial Arts!
Pseudo-Celestial Being!
The people inside the hall were shocked and astonished. An aura approached from afar and soon appeared at the entrance of the hall.

An elderly man with a slender face, wearing a golden robe, strode into the main hall with a vigorous posture and no sign of hunching.

"Senior Fu."

"Old Master Fu."

"Greetings, Senior Fu."

"Greetings, Elder Fu."

"."

Inside the main hall, everyone rose in unison, cupping their hands in greeting. Their expressions were reverent and respectful.

These pseudo-Celestial Beings, operating behind the scenes, are not involved in the overt decision-making of Xuanling, yet they wield power and stir up trouble. Within Xuanling's main city, they are the true decision-makers, determining the overall trend of Xuanling.

The arrival of a pseudo-Celestial Being is worthy of the respect of everyone in the hall. Even if they have other thoughts in their hearts, they will not show them on their faces. They will only be respectful and awe-inspiring.

At this moment, even someone like Shi Panyue, who always considered himself a rough and unruly man and knew nothing of elaborate etiquette, stood up respectfully. His demeanor no longer carried the previous rough and unrestrained air; instead, there was a sense of respectful politeness that was somewhat detached.

As the crowd rose to greet him, Fu Guangsheng remained unperturbed, his face gaunt. He strode swiftly into the hall and looked toward Chen Ping'an, who sat at the head of the table.

"Bicang Chamber of Commerce, Fu Guangsheng, congratulates Lord Chen on taking up his post in Xuanling and wielding power there. We present him with a Biling Fruit and a serving of Millennium Stone Milk."

As he spoke, two objects floated up from his body, shimmering with a pale halo, and headed towards Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an slightly raised his sleeve and, with a smile, accepted the two spiritual items.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Fu, but it would be impolite of me to refuse."

"Lord Chen, there's no need for such formalities. I apologize for my abrupt arrival," Fu Guangsheng said with a soft laugh, his words casual and without any airs befitting a cultivator of the upper realm.

The scene before them undoubtedly left everyone in the hall somewhat bewildered.

"How is this going?"

Lan Taiwen was shocked, staring in disbelief at the scene before him.

He had been stationed at Xuanling for a long time, and although he hadn't had much contact with Fu Guangsheng, he had heard of the man's reputation; he was not an easy person to deal with. Why was he like this today?
Lan Taiwen couldn't understand it, and neither could people like Leng Yunhe from the Xuanling Town Pacification Division.

"grown ups."

Shen Huiqing, dressed in a long dress, looked at the scene before her with increasingly clear eyes.

"I am not offended by Elder Fu's special visit. Please, Elder Fu, take a seat." After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Ping'an invited Fu Guangsheng to sit down.

He had sensed Shi Panyue's arrival as early as when Shi Panyue made his provocative remarks. The arrival of Fu Guangsheng from the Bicang Chamber of Commerce was somewhat unexpected. However, it wasn't a big deal; normal hospitality would suffice. The two gifts the other party brought were quite to his liking.

Chen Ping'an's hospitality was natural and his words were ordinary, but to the others in the hall, it was a completely different scene.

It's not surprising that the Bi Cang Chamber of Commerce, a super-large force with influence in Xuanling City, sent a representative to the welcoming ceremony for Chen Ping'an, the newly appointed garrison commander of Canglong Prefecture, upon his arrival in Xuanling.

But what's strange is that the representative sent by the Bi Cang Chamber of Commerce is of an extremely high level. So high that it has exceeded the threshold for other forces, surpassing a whole new level.

Before Fu Guangsheng arrived, Lan Taiwen was considered the highest-ranking person in the arena, but now that Fu Guangsheng has arrived, he has surpassed him by a whole level.

A pseudo-Celestial Being has stepped out from behind the scenes to the forefront; such a figure is perhaps a little too grand.

In addition, there were the two congratulatory gifts. The thousand-year-old stone stalactite was, needless to say, an extremely rare item even for a martial arts grandmaster like Lantai Wen. It would not be impolite in the social interactions of pseudo-celestial beings.

If it were just this one item, it could be explained as the Azure Cang Merchant Guild wanting to establish good relations and showing goodwill. But with the Azure Spirit Fruit appearing, it's a completely different story.

The Jade Spirit Fruit, a rare spiritual fruit, aids in cultivation and nourishes the spirit, proving highly beneficial at the critical juncture of the Grandmaster realm. Ordinary cultivators, upon consuming it, can easily inscribe a new spiritual rune. If its effects are fully absorbed, it's not surprising that two spiritual runes can be inscribed directly.

If one's cultivation level is already close, the addition of the Azure Spirit Fruit will allow them to take a significant step forward. Its effectiveness in cultivation is immeasurable.

These spiritual fruits are extremely precious even among pseudo-celestial beings. In some major auctions, they are often auctioned off as the grand finale item.

But the Azure Cloud Merchant Guild so easily gave away such a rare item as a congratulatory gift. Isn't this honor a bit too much to ask?

This gift is far too heavy and excessive.

Lan Taiwen looked solemn, his thoughts a complex mix of emotions.

What complicated things for him was not only the generous gift from the Bicang Chamber of Commerce, but also Fu Guangsheng's attitude. In front of Chen Ping'an, Fu Guangsheng was completely unpretentious, speaking in a friendly and approachable manner.

They treated him with the utmost respect, a level of respect that far exceeded his expectations.

Lan Taiwen stood behind the long table, his thoughts racing, struggling to suppress the complex emotions in his heart.

Earlier, when Fu Guangsheng entered the hall, everyone stood up to greet him, and they are still standing now.

"Alright, what are you all standing for? Sit down." Fu Guangsheng seemed to only notice the scene in the hall after he sat down. His expression was calm, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

"Yes, Elder Fu."

"Thank you, Senior Fu."

"."

Everyone agreed, and only sat down after seeing that Elder Fu had spoken.

Shi Panyue's expression was stiff, and he sat down behind the table with the others. If it weren't for the fact that they were pseudo-celestial beings, even if they were grandmasters stronger than Lantai Wen, he wouldn't have been able to stand up.

But if a pseudo-celestial being arrives, the meaning is completely different. No matter how rugged or unrestrained he is, he can only obediently bow down and act subservient. When they were welcoming him earlier, everyone stood up, but Chen Ping'an remained seated at the head of the table, unmoved. When he saw this, he thought there would be a good show to watch.

But to everyone's surprise, not only did Fu Guangsheng not blame Chen Ping'an for his actions, but what happened next was even more unexpected.

His expression remained unchanged, but his emotions were already surging like a tidal wave.

"what on earth is it?"

Shi Panyue's heart pounded like a drum.

"Lord Chen is exceptionally talented and accomplished at a young age. President Biluo has praised him highly. I had previously dismissed his words, but after meeting him today, I realize I was mistaken. Lord Chen is indeed a remarkable and extraordinary talent." Fu Guangsheng, who had previously exuded a sharp aura, now wore a smile as he exchanged pleasantries with Chen Ping'an, his words revealing a desire to flatter and befriend him.

This situation made everyone present feel even more complicated, and they also felt a sense of apprehension towards Chen Ping'an.

"President Bi Luo?" Leng Yunhe's heart skipped a beat, as if he had grasped the essence of the problem.

The Bi Luo President mentioned by Fu Guangsheng is none other than Madam Bi Luo, one of the highest-ranking officials within the Bicang Chamber of Commerce and its Vice President. In the Xuanling region and the surrounding several states, she is truly the highest-ranking official.

He wields power in the Azure Cang Chamber of Commerce and enjoys immense prestige; even among pseudo-celestial beings, he is one of the most powerful figures.

How could someone like that have any connection with Chen Ping'an?

Could it really be because of his natural talent?

Leng Yunhe was suspicious, feeling that he was about to glimpse the key, but he hesitated to step in.

Everyone had different thoughts as they listened to the two exchanging pleasantries.

At this moment, even people like Lantai Wen dared not put on airs in the slightest. The elders of the Wenxin Sword Pavilion, who had previously been there, were now behaving extremely modestly.

The arrival of a pseudo-celestial being overshadowed all their brilliance.

Just when everyone thought the matter was over, the arrival of Fu Guangsheng from the Bicang Chamber of Commerce brought the welcoming ceremony to its climax.

Unexpectedly, shortly after Fu Guangsheng took his seat, chanting could be heard again from outside the main hall.

"Elder Tong of Yuanhai Tower, here!"

A loud and clear chanting rang out, followed by an eerie silence in the main hall.

After a brief silence, the hall erupted in commotion.

"Yuanhai Tower?"

Yuanhai Tower belongs to the Beihai Business Alliance, one of the seven core business associations, and is under the Yunhai Business Association. It has never interfered in Xuanling affairs, so why is it attending this welcoming ceremony?
"Elder Tong!?" Leng Yunhe's fingers trembled, and he almost lost his composure.

Yuanhai Tower, Tong Changchun!
Pseudo-Celestial Being!
After sitting quietly at his desk, Fu Guangsheng heard the chanting outside the hall, and his expression subtly changed.

Yuanhai Tower, Tong Changchun, a renowned figure for many years, whose combat prowess surpasses even his own. Such a person has come to today's banquet?
"Haha, Lord Chen, it's been a long time since we parted ways, how have you been!" Tong Changchun, dressed in a light blue robe, appeared in the main hall with a warm smile.

His expression was calm and composed, but his appearance moved everyone present.

"Old Tong!"

"Senior Tong!"

"."

Everyone greeted them respectfully, just as before.

Even Fu Guangsheng smiled and bowed, saying, "Fellow Daoist Tong, it's been a long time."

Tong Changchun did not pay attention to Fu Guangsheng, but gave him a slight return greeting. His attention then fell on Chen Ping'an, who was seated at the head of the table.

This scene secretly alarmed Lan Taiwen.

His fear of Chen Ping'an, the ruthless swordsman, had reached its peak.

If two pseudo-celestial beings are like this, what makes this brute force so special? Especially Tong Changchun, who doesn't even care about Fu Guangsheng, who is also a pseudo-celestial being, but cares so much about Chen Ping'an.

this.
Lan Taiwen's mind was filled with thoughts, his face solemn and dignified, not daring to show any unusual expression.

Leng Yunhe stood to the side, his face even paler.

Tong Changchun's attitude surprised Fu Guangsheng slightly. Knowing how much Madam Biluo valued Chen Ping'an, he had tried his best to be humble and treat her as an equal. But he hadn't expected Tong Changchun to act even more familiar and eager than him. This attitude aroused his curiosity.

Tong Changchun became famous earlier than him, and even among pseudo-celestial beings, he was an extremely powerful figure. Now, he controls the interests of Yuanhai Tower in Xuanling, and in terms of status and level, he is even above him.

Why would someone lower themselves to befriend a younger person like this?

He did it because of Lady Biluo, but what about Tong Changchun?

"Elder Tong!" Chen Ping'an greeted him with a smile and cupped his hands in greeting. "It's been a while since we last met. Elder Tong, you're still as charming as ever. I hope you enjoy today's ceremony to the fullest."

"That's only right." Tong Changchun laughed heartily: "Lord Chen is going to Xuanling to take up his post. This Luowen Fruit is a congratulatory gift for you, so that you may do as you please and enjoy your freedom."

As he spoke, Tong Changchun raised his hand and presented something that was wrapped in a pale halo. It quickly arrived in front of Chen Ping'an.

"This is a small gift from me to express my gratitude. Please accept it, Lord Chen."

"Luo Wen Guo!" Upon hearing this, a representative of a certain power felt a jolt in his heart.

This is a cultivation item no less valuable than the Jade Spirit Fruit, offering immeasurable benefits to the cultivation of martial arts grandmasters. Not only can it be used as a main ingredient in refining breakthrough pills, but it can also be consumed directly, saving decades of arduous cultivation for advancement.

Such spiritual objects are extremely rare, even for pseudo-celestial beings.

It was given away so easily now.

"I will accept your kind offer, Elder Tong." Chen Ping'an accepted the jade box containing the Luowen fruit with a smile.

Previously in Canglong Prefecture, he had shared a banquet with Tong Changchun, though the two did not exchange words at the time. However, his subsequent meeting with Yun Ya and their agreement to meet in Beihai marked a much deeper level of interaction.

Tong Changchun's visit today is probably also because of that Young Master Yun. It seems Yun Ya is quite concerned about befriending him.

Yun Ya, Yun Ya, though you are a woman, your skills are no less than those of a man.

He truly deserves the title of Young Master Yun.

"Lord Chen, I'm not too late, am I?"

"Mr. Tong has arrived at just the right time. The ceremony is about to begin. Please take your seat, Mr. Tong."

"."

Hearing the two's warm conversation, everyone's hearts skipped a beat. Their chatter was completely unreserved, like old friends reuniting, relaxed and at ease.

And so, the welcoming ceremony for the newly appointed garrison commander, Chen Ping'an, the "Mangdao" (a nickname for a ruthless and cunning man), officially began in this atmosphere.

What was originally a ceremony and banquet of verbal exchanges and power struggles took a turn for the worse with the arrival of two pseudo-celestial beings.

"Lord Chen is going to Xuanling to take up his post, and he will be ranked alongside us. We must keep in touch in the future."

"Haha, Lord Chen is young and promising, with brilliant talent, and he is already among the rising stars. I admire him!"

"This cup of wine is a toast to Lord Chen!"

"."

The atmosphere at the banquet was lively and cheerful, with toasts being exchanged and warm greetings being exchanged.

Shi Panyue sat behind the long table, unsure whether to advance or retreat. He had set his tone too high earlier, and now he found himself in a difficult situation.

Under normal circumstances, he could have left much earlier. But at this moment, regardless of the factors, leaving early would be somewhat inappropriate.

At the banquet, Shi Panyue ate with a bitter taste, showing none of the enjoyment he had felt before.

During the meal, Shen Huiqing seemingly unintentionally mentioned Shi Panyue.

"Everyone says that Elder Shi is a crude and uncouth warrior who doesn't know any manners, but now it seems that he is quite well-mannered."

His words naturally drew laughter from everyone.

Shi Panyue's face darkened, but he couldn't lash out because of the presence of the pseudo-celestial being. He could only suppress his anger.

Under normal circumstances, given the background of the Hengshan Sect, he wouldn't fear anyone. However, the pseudo-Celestial Being level was beyond his authority to confront, so he naturally dared not speak carelessly in this situation.

When the other party arrived in person, seemingly to support Mang Dao, he naturally had no choice but to conceal his brilliance and wait for a better opportunity.

Shen Huiqing, dressed in a long dress, looked at Shi Panyue in the arena, a smile spreading across her face.

Sometimes, it's not that people don't understand manners, but that they don't want to observe them.

In the face of strength, so-called brutes are nothing but a joke!
She glanced at the adult at the head of the table and felt a sense of peace and security enveloping her.

She seems to have rarely experienced such a sense of security since she began her spiritual practice.

She rose from humble beginnings as a rogue cultivator, rising through the ranks amidst storms and hardships. Along her journey, it seemed no one had ever been able to shield her from the wind and rain. Shen Huiqing's eyes were clear and bright, and the smile on her face seemed to deepen.

Amidst the chatter of the crowd, this grand welcoming ceremony finally came to a close.

Only when everyone stood up and prepared to leave did Shi Panyue feel a great sense of relief.

This provocation was a miscalculation on his part. Although Mang Dao's combat strength wasn't at its peak, as a rising star among the prodigies, his background was extraordinary, and ordinary probing attacks would likely be ineffective.

If we want to show our stance, we should change our approach. After we leave this time, we must report the details to Elder Cao and then discuss and decide on a course of action.

With that thought in mind, Shi Panyue hurriedly got up and prepared to leave.

However, just as he stood up, a detached voice pierced through the noise and rang in his ears.

"Did I let you go?"

boom!
A sharp aura, carrying immense power, rose up within the hall.

Its sharp edge is fully revealed, and it is extremely domineering.

Shi Panyue froze, then turned around abruptly, only to see a pair of indifferent eyes, as deep and unfathomable as an abyss.

Rumble~
A deafening roar, like thunderclaps from the heavens, soared straight to the sky.

(End of this chapter)