The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 605 Lei Ming's Colleagues, Matters of Merit (Seeking Monthly Tickets~)

"Remember this! Inside and out, up and down, if I find even a speck of dust, don't bother explaining, you're fired!"

"You all better be on your guard! If I, your master, get into trouble with the higher-ups, none of you will get away with this!"

"Brother, what else is there? Go home quickly. Wandering around outside at this hour might offend some important person."

"You brat, listen up! There's nothing important to do today, so don't go out! A distinguished guest is coming to the city. If anything happens, even your old man can't cover it up!" An elderly man, with a puffed-up beard and glaring eyes, said to a finely dressed young man.

He, who usually dotes on his son, was serious today and said some harsh words.

"Father, with our family background, in Thunder City, as long as we don't offend the top families, who do we have to be afraid of?" the richly dressed young man asked, puzzled.

"Who are you afraid of! Who are you afraid of!" The man, exasperated, couldn't help but slam his fist down on him. "Who could I possibly be afraid of! I always tell you to know more about things. The giant is approaching the city, and you don't even know such important news!"

"A giant!?" A hint of doubt flashed in the richly dressed young man's eyes, but his expression quickly changed: "A giant! Could it be that person is coming!?"

"Chen Ping'an, the 'Ruthless Blade,' Inspector Chen—who else could it be but him! Remember, be careful these next few days, don't give anyone any leverage against you!"

"Understood." The elegantly dressed young man nodded repeatedly.

Similar scenes were playing out throughout Thunder City. Each family offered the highest level of hospitality, warning their own members and children while maintaining a warm and cooperative demeanor towards outsiders.

Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman, has taken up his post in Leiming!
Today, Thunder City is destined to be incredibly lively.

The powerful figures who once held sway over their respective regions have now set aside their important matters and, with smiles on their faces, stand quietly at the city gate awaiting the arrival of the new leader.

Even the most serious person forced a smile onto their face at this moment!
Although they are all giants, there are huge differences between them.

Chen Ping'an, a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon List, was granted the title of Senior Commander Candidate and included in the preliminary assessment plan for Deputy Commander. He was then the Chief Inspector of the Thunderous Garrison Command of the Northern Border Garrison Command.

Such people can be discussed however you like in private, but once they're in the public eye, it's not something anyone can simply ignore.

Looking across the entire city of Thunder, there are probably only a handful of people who are qualified to stand on equal footing with him.

These individuals, each one an absolute top figure in the Thunder Mountains region, are capable of influencing the balance of power within the region with their every move.

Wu Benqing, the Grandmaster and head of the Thunderous Garrison.

Gu Luping, the second-in-command of Leiming Town Pacification Division and a senior member of the Gu family.

Feng Wuhen is the third-in-command and chief retainer of the Thunderous Garrison.

In addition, there were only a handful of people, including the Gu family tycoons.

"We respectfully welcome Inspector General Chen to Leiming. It is an honor to have you here!"

Before the city gate, powerful figures gathered, with elite armored guards standing on both sides.

Chen Ping'an did not show himself. He sat on the vehicle frame and slowly drove into Thunder City.

Thunder City, as one of the top three commercial cities in Canglong Prefecture, naturally attracts a large number of caravans, tourists, and travelers.

Such a solemn and majestic scene naturally attracted the attention of countless onlookers.

Previously, to ensure the smooth entry of the vehicle frame into the city, some order had been maintained in the surrounding area. However, the vehicle frame could still be seen from a distance.

"Grandpa, that's so impressive!"

"That important person has arrived!"

"Hey, look, isn't that the leader of the Sand Gang standing in the corner?!"

"No way! The Sand Gang is one of the most famous gangs in the city. How could their leader be standing in a corner? Hey, you know what, it's true!"

"Hiss~ The Sand Gang leader is standing in the corner, so who are the others!?"

"."

hum~
Inside the vehicle, the spiritual light between Chen Ping'an's brows gradually dimmed until it disappeared completely.

In the past few days, he has never slacked off in his cultivation.

"2975 points!"

Chen Ping'an's gaze sharpened as he saw the cultivation experience accumulated by the Seven Absolute Divine Skill on the Golden Finger panel.

"I'm still far from finished. The trip to the black market took a lot of time. Once things settle down, it's time to calm down and focus on my cultivation."

Chen Ping'an smiled, and the golden finger panel in front of him disappeared.

He looked out of the car window at the scene inside the city.

Its streets are incredibly wide, though not as wide as those of Canglong Prefecture City, but not far off, almost identical.

There were guards around, and although he couldn't see many people nearby, Chen Ping'an could see curious faces through his spiritual perception.

Experienced and shrewd individuals, fearing trouble, would avoid such a scene beforehand. However, there were also some curious onlookers who stared at the vehicle frame, eager to see what the newly appointed Inspector General looked like.

Chen Ping'an had already learned quite a bit about Thunder City.

Within the city of Thunderclap, numerous powerful forces exist, spanning all walks of life. Among them are those of the highest and lowest classes, each controlling the vast commercial interests of Thunderclap.

Among them were many powerful rogue cultivators who mingled and profited from the middle ground. In addition, the regularly organized auctions and the trade caravans that facilitated communication between Xuanling Prefecture and the Thunder Mountain Range attracted numerous forces like fish to a pond.

After a long period of struggle, the distribution of interests and industries within Thunder City has gradually stabilized. Subsequently, the power dynamics have become incredibly complex, with a vast and intricate network of relationships.

If an ordinary person were to come here, it would take several months or even a year or two just to clarify the pros and cons involved. Moreover, much of the information obtained during this process would be incorrect.

But now that Chen Ping'an has come, he's taken over the supervisory system and is in charge of everything. Many things don't need to be so complicated anymore.

For some people to live peacefully and safely, they must first come and pay their respects to this powerful figure.

Many of the relationships and networks of interests don't require him to actively sort them out.

There are plenty of people who will bring it to him.

He came here this time with a clear understanding of things.

His transfer to Leiming is not as the top leader, and he does not need to oversee the overall situation. His main role is supervision, so he will no longer have to work as hard as before.

His main focus this time was cultivation, and there were no major changes, so he didn't want to get involved.

His time is precious, and he has a lot to do next, so he can't afford to waste it like this.

Cultivating techniques, forging divine weapons, gathering intelligence, clearing resources, and researching the Dream Pearl.
Each and every one of these matters is more important than that damned inspection!
As long as all parties cooperate actively and nothing goes wrong, Lord Chen is not an unreasonable person!
"Welcome, welcome! Lord Chen, I've been waiting for you for so long, and I'm so glad you've finally arrived."

At the gate of the Thunderous Garrison Command, Wu Benqing, beaming, led a group of core high-ranking officials of the Garrison Command to greet them.

Previously, those who greeted Chen Ping'an in front of Leiming City were mostly representatives of powerful factions. As the head of Leiming Town's Pacification Division, Wu Benqing was, theoretically speaking, already giving Chen Ping'an ample face by being able to greet him at the headquarters.

After all, on the surface, Chen Ping'an's position is extraordinary, but his rank is still below Wu Benqing's, and even a little behind the second-in-command Gu Luping.

Of course, true status isn't determined solely by these factors. Chen Ping'an possesses numerous identities, each one highly valuable on its own, far surpassing those of people like Gu Luping!

"Lord Wu!" Chen Ping'an greeted him with a smile and cupped his hands in greeting.

Wu Benqing smiled broadly and looked completely at ease. It was unclear whether his words, "waiting and waiting," carried a hidden meaning or some other significance.

"Lord Chen, come, let me introduce you. This is Gu Luping, Lord Gu. Lord Gu is an elder of the Gu family, and there is nothing in this Thunder City that he doesn't know." Wu Benqing introduced Gu Luping beside him with a smile.

"No, no, I wouldn't dare." Regardless of whether Wu Benqing's words were meant as a warning, Gu Luping naturally couldn't just agree like that: "In this Thunder City, Lord Wu is the one who calls the shots. I'm just helping out on the sidelines, basking in Lord Wu's glory!"

"Lord Chen, it's a pleasure to meet you." Gu Luping smiled and cupped his hands, his face full of goodwill.

"Lord Gu," Chen Ping'an returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"Lord Chen, this is Lord Feng. Lord Feng is the chief retainer of our Thunderous Garrison Division, and he is currently mainly in charge of the affairs of the Retainer's Pavilion," Wu Benqing said with a warm smile, gesturing for him to introduce him.

Beside him stood a bright-eyed young man with striking features, none other than Yunyin Jianfeng Wuhen.

"Lord Chen." Feng Wuhen's expression wasn't cold, and he even had a smile on his face, but compared to the other two, he was undoubtedly much less impressive.

"Lord Feng, it's been a long time." Chen Ping'an smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Lord Wu, I, Chen, have known Lord Feng for a long time when I was in the State Garrison Command. We are old acquaintances," Chen Ping'an said with a hearty laugh.

"Is that so?" Wu Benqing feigned surprise: "It seems I am truly ignorant!"

"Haha, Lord Wu is so busy with state affairs, he probably won't mind such a small matter," Gu Luping said with a smile.

Wu Benqing glanced at him, then turned and smiled, "Lord Chen is now serving as the Chief Inspector of my Leiming Town Pacification Division, so this matter is no small thing. From now on, Lord Chen's affairs will be of utmost importance to me."

"Lord Chen, it seems that with your arrival, I'll have to move my position back a bit more," Gu Luping said half-jokingly.

"No, no, I wouldn't dare," Chen Ping'an said with a faint smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the atmosphere became quite warm.

"Lord Chen, let's not just stand here awkwardly. Since you're new here, we've prepared a banquet. Let's go inside and eat and chat!"

Wu Benqing made a suggestion, and the group headed towards the interior of the Thunderous Garrison.

The rest of them followed closely behind. When they greeted Chen Ping'an earlier, apart from the major figures of the Thunderous Garrison, everyone else greeted him respectfully.

Normally, eating, drinking, and having fun are not allowed during business trips.

However, such matters naturally do not include the bigwigs. Let alone the bigwigs of a town's magistrate's office, even in the streets and alleys of the city, there are many officials who, while on duty, accept banquets and entertainment from gang forces.

During the meal, as they exchanged toasts and pleasantries, they gradually became acquainted.

They were all shrewd and worldly-wise people, and after a brief exchange, the atmosphere became incredibly warm and enthusiastic.

"Lord Chen, this cup is for you. It is the first time in my life that I have had the honor of sitting at the same table with the prodigy of the Hidden Dragon." Every now and then, high-ranking officials of the Thunderous Garrison would stand up and toast Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an did not refuse.

Wu Benqing, Gu Luping, and the others watched Chen Ping'an's response with smiles, without saying a word.

This banquet was less of a welcome party and more of a small test.

During official duties, indulging in banquets and entertainment is also within the scope of the supervisory system. If Chen Ping'an were to react on the spot, suggesting that the matter should not be done, or if he showed any reluctance, it would mean that they might not be on the same side at all.

The tone of their future interactions needs further adjustment.

However, if this matter proceeds smoothly and is successfully concluded, it proves that everyone can get along amicably in the future.

While a banquet may not prove anything, it does mean that Chen Ping'an is not inflexible and that subsequent matters can be discussed amicably.

As long as the negotiations go well and the profits are divided, what does it matter?

The banquet finally came to a close amidst the compliments of the guests.

Normally, today is Chen Ping'an's first day in office, and he should be familiarizing himself with official duties and personnel matters as soon as possible. But perhaps everyone forgot, this was not mentioned. Instead, Wu Benqing and Gu Luping took Chen Ping'an to see his new residence.

Originally, Feng Wuhen was also with them.

However, before leaving, Feng Wuhen seemed to be in low spirits: "Lord Wu, there are still many things to deal with in the Hall of Offerings, so I won't be going."

Wu Benqing, with his kind face, didn't make things difficult for him and simply agreed with a smile.

Chen Pingan naturally witnessed this scene.

It seems that the relationships between the major figures of the Thunderous Town Command are not as simple as they appear on the surface.

However, this matter is none of his business. He came to Leiming mainly to cultivate and develop, and he would rather not get involved in some things.

Power may be good, but compared to real strength, it's nothing!

With the shared damage mechanism with the Heavenly Luo Saintess in place, Chen Ping'an still feels a strong sense of urgency.

Although the Holy Maiden of Tianluo is quite powerful, she is, after all, a member of the Demonic Sect, and there's no guarantee that she won't be brought down one day.

If he gets seriously injured or something, he might get implicated if he's not careful.

At least, he cannot relax his guard for a moment until his physical strength is further improved.

"We need to determine the blood refinement blood as soon as possible, especially regarding the demonic beast blood!"

Led by Wu Benqing and Gu Luping, Chen Ping'an quickly saw his new residence in Thunder City.

This is a large mansion with five courtyards, covering a vast area, and equipped with all kinds of facilities.

Besides the residence, all the necessary servants have been arranged and are ready for Chen Ping'an's inspection.

“Lord Chen, we were a bit rushed, please don’t mind. If you have any complaints about these maids and servants, or if you’re not used to them, please let me know.” Gu Luping said, pointing to the maids and servants standing in rows in front of him with their heads bowed.

At first glance, these maids and servants were all young girls. While their looks might not be considered stunning, they were certainly pretty.

Chen Ping'an looked at the scene in front of him without saying a word.

Wu Benqing, who was standing to the side, spoke up.

"Lord Chen, please don't misunderstand. Your transfer to Leiming is a privilege granted by the Zhenfu Division. You should be provided with a comfortable and livable residence in Leiming City. As for the remaining servants and maids, they were provided by a few people below. They were not paid for with public funds, so you can rest assured."

Chen Ping'an's expression softened slightly only after Wu Benqing finished speaking.

"You gentlemen are very kind."

"I hope Lord Chen has a pleasant stay."

As they chatted, they entered the courtyard.

This residence boasts a prime location in the heart of Thunder City. Yet, the surrounding area is quiet and peaceful, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle.

The mansion is surrounded by a tall and imposing gate tower, representing the face of the residence. Behind it is a screen wall, which blocks the view and ensures privacy for both the inside and outside.

There is a gate, a front yard, and side rooms at the back.

Then there is the inner courtyard and main house, the rear garden, and the side courtyard.

It is worth mentioning that there is a specially designed meditation room in this mansion, located underground, with a special mechanism leading down to it.

Gu Luping was quite enthusiastic during the introduction.

"Lord Chen, you possess extraordinary talent and remarkable abilities, truly a hidden dragon. However, Lord Chen has achieved such success at such a young age, which must be due not only to your innate talent but also to your diligent daily practice. This meditation room is a token of our goodwill, and we hope that Lord Chen can reach even greater heights and make further progress!"

Chen Pingan also smiled at the opportune moment and expressed his gratitude.

None of them were ordinary people, and they quickly finished touring the mansion.

Gu Luping solemnly handed over the land deed for the house and the servants' deeds to Chen Ping'an.

"Lord Chen, I have come to Leiming with a heavy responsibility on my shoulders. I cannot bear to leave you here, so please accept this small token of my appreciation!"

Chen Ping'an didn't refuse and accepted it with a smile.

Wu Benqing stood to the side, a broad smile on his face.

Just as he expected, Chen Ping'an's so-called "recklessness" was nothing more than a choice made under the guise of self-interest. His previous exploits were likely largely orchestrated and publicized by the Gu family!

If we had been reckless, we wouldn't have reached this level of success today.

What, one man suppresses an entire city, and slays the Azure Dragon Envoy with his sword?
Such actions are mostly the Gu family's way of promoting their own son-in-law, Chen Ping'an, to gain fame and influence. They're using the name "Rough" to push Chen Ping'an, the "Rough Blade," to the top!
It has to be said, the Gu family really has some clever tricks up their sleeves.

Even at the cost of the most outstanding talents of our time, we must firmly bind the reckless Chen Ping'an to our war machine.

In retrospect, the Gu family's judgment was indeed incredibly sharp.

The legitimate daughter was married off, a marriage contract was entered into, and Gu Qingcheng was used to acquire a promising young talent, a son-in-law who would ride the dragon.

Although Gu Qingcheng's talent is remarkable, ranking first on the Azure Dragon Rising Star List, she is undoubtedly several levels below the Hidden Dragon Prodigies.

The Gu family's move was truly brilliant!

Wu Benqing smiled warmly, feeling a sense of wonder.

After Gu Luping delivered the land deed to the slave owner, the two prepared to leave. As core figures in the Thunderous Town Pacification Division, they were, if not extremely busy, certainly burdened with official duties.

If it weren't for Chen Ping'an, they really wouldn't have taken the time to make this trip today.

"Lord Wu."

Chen Pingan suddenly called out to Wu Benqing.

"Lord Chen?" Wu Benqing turned to look at Chen Ping'an.

"Lord Wu, there is something I originally intended to discuss after I officially took office, but today the opportunity is perfect. I wonder if I should speak of it?"

"Please speak freely, Lord Chen."

Wu Benqing was puzzled, wondering what Chen Ping'an was up to.

Gu Luping, who was standing to the side, was also a little curious.

"Lord Wu, before taking up my post, I made a trip to the Thunder Mountain Range," Chen Ping'an said slowly.

Wu Benqing listened calmly. He already knew the news Chen Ping'an was talking about, so he wasn't surprised at all.

Just as he was about to hear what Chen Ping'an was going to say next, he saw Chen Ping'an raise his hand, and several wooden boxes appeared in front of him.

"During Lei Ming's trip, he happened to encounter several thugs. Chen, having nothing better to do, killed them on a whim. The evidence is here. I request Lord Wu to witness it so that it can be registered tomorrow." Chen Ping'an said calmly, a smile on his face.

hum~
A flash of inspiration struck, and the wooden box opened, revealing a series of hideous heads inside.

"What?" Wu Benqing's eyelids twitched, and his gaze fell on one of the heads.

That is
Yu Xihai, the young master of the Black Spirit Sect!

Gu Luping was shocked, as if struck by lightning. Looking at the bloody head in front of him that was somewhat familiar, he felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet and spread throughout his body.

(End of this chapter)