The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 624 Er Ya's Coming-of-Age Ceremony, a Gift for Those Who Have Been Born (Bonus Chapter for 7500 Monthly Tickets)

When Chen Ping'an arrived at Ruyi Tower in his carriage with Er Ya and Shao Yao, the Gu family had already made all the necessary preparations.

Today, Ruyilou is temporarily closed to the public, but the surrounding area is filled with a festive atmosphere.

Various carriages, vehicles, and mounts were parked in the exclusive area of ​​Ruyi Tower. From time to time, celebrities from all walks of life in Canglong, representatives of powerful gangs, and core elders of the family gathered to participate in today's coming-of-age ceremony.

The territory of Canglong Prefecture is vast, and its population is countless.

Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman!
Even within the entire Canglong Prefecture, he is considered an absolute legend.

The youngest rising star in Canglong Prefecture to date, a leader of the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command, the Chief Inspector of the Thunder Garrison Command, a senior candidate for Commander, and a candidate for Deputy Commander.
Each and every one of these incidents, taken out of context, would be a source of awe for countless people.

The youngest sister of the Mangdao family is coming of age, and with the Gu family's backing, no one would dare to refuse her invitation.

Even more surprisingly, some people without invitations also wanted to come and join in the fun. Unfortunately, they were turned away at the door.

Such scenes further aroused a sense of superiority among many participants.

Ruyi Tower, with its winding paths leading to secluded spots, offers tranquility amidst the bustling city.

With the Gu family steward managing all the affairs, Chen Ping'an didn't need to worry about anything.

"The leader of the Qingsha Gang has come to pay his respects, bringing with him a single Xuan Shen medicinal herb and ten bottles of top-quality pills."

"The head of Luoye Hall has come to pay his respects, bringing fifty catties of top-grade refined ore and a set of writing implements."

"Elder Xu from the Canglong family has come to pay his respects, bringing with him a scroll of calligraphy and painting by Wen Dao, and ten precious wolf-hair brushes."

"The Deputy Pavilion Master of the Blazing Sun Pavilion has come to pay a visit. Congratulations."

"."

The area in front of Ruyi Tower was bustling with activity as representatives from various factions came to pay their respects.

Most of these forces are first-class or top-tier forces within Canglong Prefecture City, and each of them has at least a top-tier grandmaster in charge.

Although this grand ceremony was only for Chen Ping'an's youngest sister's coming-of-age ceremony, all the various factions still gave her ample face, and the overall level of participation was extremely high.

A very simple horse-drawn carriage slowly drove up, standing out starkly among the clusters of luxurious vehicles.

Lang Shiyuan took his wife's hand and stepped down from the carriage, looking slightly reserved.

Looking at the magnificent scene around him, he felt a little uneasy.

"Ruyi Tower."

As the time drew closer, Lang Shiyuan became increasingly nervous.

He not only came to this ultra-luxurious abode, a place he could hardly even hear about in ordinary times, but he was also going to attend a banquet there. Even someone as composed as him felt a little uneasy at the sight.

Who among those coming and going around here isn’t a renowned figure in the capital, standing atop the clouds?
"Relax." Instructor Lin patted her husband's hand, calming her own nervousness.

In comparison, her performance was much better than her husband's.

Lang Shiyuan tightened his grip on his wife's hand, trying to calm himself down.

He had seen his fair share of grand occasions while serving in the town's garrison in Canglong Prefecture. But never had he felt so tense as he did today.

It wasn't just the grandeur of the surroundings, but also the atmosphere of people coming and going. The scale of this banquet exceeded his expectations.

Even the head of the inner town's garrison was not qualified to participate.

If it weren't for his wife, he wouldn't even be here.

Looking at his wife's calm face beside him, Lang Shiyuan suddenly remembered a phrase his wife used to say.

"A person with a wealth of knowledge naturally exudes elegance."

He had previously scoffed at this statement, but at this moment, he suddenly believed it.

Lang Shiyuan was walking arm in arm with his wife when, just as they approached the gate, a dignified-looking middle-aged man alighted from a luxurious carriage. A large group of people surrounded the carriage, waiting in place.

"Vice Hall Master Xu!"

Lang Shiyuan did not recognize the middle-aged man's identity, but he did recognize the man standing beside him who was acting as his assistant and guide.

The head of the Canglong Huichun Hall had the honor of seeing the face of a powerful figure from above.

In the past, the higher-ups held the lowest positions, while he...
They didn't even have the right to sit down.

During the meal, those of higher rank than him repeatedly toasted him.

The other party remained unmoved, his face full of arrogance.

That scene left a very deep impression on him.

Lang Shiyuan instinctively tried to get out of the way with his wife.

Just as he was about to step aside, the people in front of the door seemed to recognize them, and with smiles on their faces, they jogged up to greet them.

"Instructor Lin, Lord Lang, please come in quickly."

Before the people approaching could even speak, maids and servants sprang into action, welcoming them inside with the utmost courtesy.

Lang Shiyuan was completely dumbfounded by this display of force.

Looking at the somewhat neglected Deputy Hall Master Xu to the side, his mind went even more blank.

"This is what I am"

Chen Ping'an gave advance advice to several important guests regarding the coming-of-age ceremony.

As long as you serve at Ruyi Tower today, the characteristics and appearance of these important guests will be clearly remembered in your mind.

Their needs will be taken care of and met as a priority.

Today's coming-of-age ceremony was extremely grand, with many guests in attendance. However, most of the mundane items were handled by family members.

For Chen Ping'an, all he needed to do was entertain some important guests.

For example, some high-ranking colleagues from the State Garrison Command, representatives of some top forces, and people from the Gu family.

The Gu family showed great importance to Chen Ping'an's younger sister's coming-of-age ceremony.

To be precise, this emphasis actually came from Chen Ping'an.

Only through deduction can we arrive at the current situation.

The Gu family not only sent an elder to attend, but also specially sent a female clan elder as the officiant for the ceremony.

Having a grandmaster preside over the ceremony as the officiant is extremely rare, even among the coming-of-age ceremony of core members of prominent families.

It's quite common for a master to be the principal guest in a prominent family, but it's really rare for someone to be a master in charge of praise.

The younger generation is, after all, just the younger generation. Even if they are direct relatives or elders, they would not lower themselves to preside over the coming-of-age ceremony unless the relationship and level of importance attached to it are high enough.

Unless the difference in status between the two parties is too great, or the level of affection shown by the superior is extraordinary, such a situation will not occur.

In addition to the one who gives the praise, a respected and high-ranking female elder is also needed as the main guest to play the role of adding the hairpin during the coming-of-age ceremony.

However, Old Chen had fled to Weishui County in his youth. He had no elders during his lifetime, and his wife, whom he married later, had no relatives to help him either. Therefore, he and Er Ya had no elders above them.

This matter then fell to Elder Lan.

Er Ya's hair-pinning ceremony was performed by a Grandmaster!
Such an honor is something that even in Canglong Prefecture, a city teeming with aristocratic families, probably few people can enjoy.

Only families like the Gu, Xue, and Wang families, the pillars of their time, can enjoy this privilege when they reach adulthood or reach the age of twenty.

In other words, at this stage, Er Ya's starting line is already equal to theirs.

The little girl who used to depend on Chen Ping'an and often stayed alone in the small courtyard has now enjoyed the treatment of a contemporary pride of a top family in the state.

"Young Master, the Xue family's representatives have arrived." Chen Ping'an was sitting in the inner room when a special person came to announce his arrival.

Chen Ping'an nodded, but didn't put on airs, and went out to greet them. Strictly speaking, there was still some unresolved discord between him and the Xue family.

However, today is Er Ya's coming-of-age ceremony, and since the Xue family is willing to give him face, he won't make the scene ugly.

The representative from the Xue family attending the banquet was Xue Shijing, a core elder of the family.

Having reached the mid-stage of the Jade Balance realm for many years, he is still a little short of becoming a top-tier grandmaster.

Upon seeing Chen Ping'an, Xue Shijing was quite polite, and the gift he brought was rather substantial. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Ping'an welcomed him into the main hall.

No matter how complicated Xue Shijing's feelings were, Chen Ping'an had now grown to the point where even he had to look up to him.

He still remembered that when he first heard this name, he was just a rising star on the rookie list.

Only a few years have passed, and the once promising young talent has grown into a behemoth.

With Xue Shijing's arrival, the Wang family's representatives also arrived, and like the Xue family, they were the core elders of the clan.

"Congratulations, Lord Chen, on your younger sister's coming of age. It is a great joy for the family."

Chen Ping'an greeted them twice and then led them inside.

This coming-of-age ceremony was held in the main hall of Ruyi Building.

However, most people could only watch from the outside. The details were meticulously divided according to power levels and treatment standards.

The Gu family has a long history and has its own set of rules for this. Chen Ping'an only needs to grasp the general direction, and he can entrust all the details and trivial matters to them.

Guests from all sides arrived one after another, and the time for the coming-of-age ceremony to officially begin was drawing ever closer.

Once the guests were seated, the atmosphere became orderly.

At this moment, the little girl was already preparing in the inner room, tidying her appearance and getting ready.

Looking at the guests filling the hall, Chen Ping'an felt happy and had a rare sense of comfort.

The little girl who used to peek at him from the windowsill is now approaching marriageable age.

Through his continuous cultivation, he finally regained the dignity of his family, changed his circumstances, and truly established himself in the vast Canglong Prefecture.

Chen Ping'an was filled with emotion, and a feeling of being a father arose in his heart.

"Old Chen, did you see that?"

Chen Ping'an stopped and stared intently, as if he could see the figure of Old Chen.

That hearty and forthright man.

That old father, lying in his hospital bed, was still scheming for him.

That man of unwavering integrity.

Old Chen.
Chen Ping'an looked wistful, as if he had returned to those years.

"Lord Li, the Deputy Commander of the Canglong Prefecture Garrison, has come to offer his congratulations—"

The sound coming from outside Ruyi Tower interrupted Chen Ping'an's thoughts.

This also drew the attention of the representatives from all sides present.

Many representatives of various factions even showed signs of surprise and doubt.

"Lord Li? Is it Li Wusheng of the Absolute Sound Palm?"

"The Mangdao faction has such a prestigious presence. Not only are elders of the Gu family attending their younger sister's coming-of-age ceremony, but core figures from the State Garrison Command are also participating?"

"This"

Old Lan, with his full head of white hair, sat in the main guest seat and followed the sound, looking over in that direction.

"Li Wusheng?" Chen Ping'an's eyes narrowed slightly as he came to his senses. "Why is he here?"

His relationship with Li Wusheng could hardly be described as friendly.

Li Wusheng's trusted confidant, Blood Bat Wei Yiqi, was killed by him.

Li Wusheng was also behind the events surrounding Qian Zhengyu.

Chen Ping'an even suspected that the discrepancy between the reported and finalized merits awarded to Lei Mingshan was likely related to Li Wusheng.

Li Wusheng's visit today is likely not for good reason.

Chen Ping'an remained calm, but a hint of coldness flashed deep in his eyes.

"Lord Chen, I've come uninvited, just to join in the fun. I hope you don't mind."

Li Wusheng, dressed in a long black robe, with a pale and cold face, entered the main hall in a few steps, as if they were worlds apart.

Many of the onlookers, representing various factions, looked grim and were terrified.

The Absolute Palm Master, Li Wusheng, ranked among the top deputy commanders of the Canglong Prefecture's Garrison Command, having reached the pinnacle of Grandmaster status over a hundred years ago. Now, so many years later, what level has his cultivation reached?

The move he just showed is something that even a grandmaster couldn't do!
Such methods are alarming.

Chen Ping'an gave Li Wusheng a deep look.

Li Wusheng's aura was restrained, obscure, and profound, clearly indicating that he had cultivated an extremely advanced concealment technique. However, even this level of concealment was somewhat insufficient in front of Chen Ping'an.

With just one glance, he saw through Li Wusheng's concealment and touched upon the most essential realm of martial arts.

Chen Ping'an withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "It's alright, guests are always welcome. If Lord Li has come to pay his respects, please take a seat. My younger sister's coming-of-age ceremony will begin shortly."

Chen Ping'an's words were simple, yet full of profound meaning.

The representatives of the various factions present immediately understood Chen Ping'an's implied meaning.

They hadn't expected that Chen Ping'an, the shrewd swordsman, would be so outspoken. Facing Li Wusheng, a top-ranking figure in the Canglong Prefecture's Zhenfu Division, he spoke frankly and without any restraint.

Li Wusheng looked at Chen Ping'an in front of him, his pale face devoid of any color.

"Not urgent."

Li Wusheng slowly raised his hand: "Since you've come to pay your respects, I should naturally do something in return."

As Li Wusheng rolled up his long robe, an inkstone appeared in the main hall.

"This black inkstone was acquired by me in Bicang years ago. Although it is not of high grade, it is still considered a literary object. I present it to Lord Chen's younger sister as a congratulatory gift."

hum~
A flash of inspiration appeared between Li Wusheng's brows, and the black inkstone flew towards Chen Ping'an at a steady speed.

"Lord Chen, please accept it!"

"Then I, Chen, will thank Lord Li on behalf of my younger sister."

Chen Ping'an remained calm, his eyes filled with indifference. He slowly reached out his hand towards the black inkstone.

The black inkstone moved slowly, its aura peaceful, just like any other ordinary object. Chen Ping'an reached out and touched the inkstone.

In an instant, under spiritual perception, the area around the black inkstone suddenly distorted, and an invisible spiritual power swept around, creating ripples of ink.

A cacophony of shrill screams exploded in Chen Ping'an's ears.

Sharp and piercing, like the wailing of ten thousand ghosts and the howling of a thousand demons, each sound contained an indescribable piercing power, as if to shatter one's mind.

"not good!"

Old Lan's expression suddenly changed as he noticed something amiss.

Li Wusheng's long robe hung down, his heterochromatic eyes exuding coldness, and a faint, cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

(End of this chapter)