The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 640 The harsh winter has ended, and the starry river shines eternally.

Night had fallen, and the moonlight was hazy.

Although Canglong Prefecture City was still bustling late at night, it was not as prosperous as it was during the day.

Even the most extravagant places of entertainment were confined to the city of the prefecture.

Although there were lights in most of the mansions, they were sparse and somewhat dim.

Whoosh!
Without a sound, a figure flew across the sky above the city.

The figure moved with incredible speed, almost invisible to the naked eye, and there was no fluctuation of true energy around it. Even a martial arts practitioner who had achieved some success would find it difficult to detect anything even at close range.

This figure was none other than Chen Ping'an, who had quietly left the Gu family.

He had changed completely. A long gray robe concealed his figure and face.

Beneath the gray robe was a face covered in scars, not old, but with an air of decay. Within that decay, a hidden killing intent emanated.

Black Iron Mask!

This appearance was naturally a disguise created by Chen Ping'an using the supernatural power of the Black Iron Mask.

After so many days of refining, Chen Ping'an has not yet completely succeeded in refining the Black Profound Iron Mask, but overall, it is not far from being perfect.

Although it did not trigger the unique divine ability of true simulation, the Black Iron Mask already possesses extremely strong simulation and disguise capabilities based on its current effects.

With his martial arts level, if he were to exert all his power, he might not be able to deceive a Martial Arts Celestial, but deceiving a Pseudo-Celestial would certainly not be a problem.

The Black Iron Mask has a single function: to conceal one's aura, change one's appearance, and disguise oneself.

But it is precisely because of this that the Black Iron Mask's expertise is revealed.

In terms of disguise and simulation alone, the Black Iron Mask's effectiveness is by no means inferior to that of a precious treasure.

However, while ordinary simulations do not have as many limitations as real simulations, a lot of preparation is still needed to achieve accurate simulations and a flawless disguise.

Chen Ping'an's current form is one that has never been shown before.

He had been carefully considering this for more than half a month.

His elaborate disguise, while not flawless, was enough to conceal his entire background.

The Black Iron Mask can change one's appearance, simulate one's aura, conceal one's cultivation level, and hide one's age.

In many aspects, it can be said to be comprehensive and flawless.

It should be noted that many concealment-type treasures may have powerful functions in a certain aspect, but their flaws are too obvious. Once you come into contact with them, you will discover their true background.

Even if it has several functions, any errors or omissions will be exposed once the truth is revealed.

For example, his age was mentioned, and he was very good at disguising himself in other aspects, but he was careless in this one aspect.

Experienced individuals will use this information to deduce the truth behind the scenes.

Those grandmasters and pseudo-celestial beings all possess sharp eyes; they can judge a great deal about someone's character simply by looking at them. Even if someone's cultivation level is concealed, their spiritual perception is enough to determine the other person's bone age.

At that time, no matter how old you look or how old you appear, people will be able to see through your true background at a glance.

Even if you don't discover it on the spot, you can use it as a basis for careful deduction and comprehensive analysis afterward, and eventually you will be able to find out who it is.

Those who can achieve the status of Grandmaster, or even Pseudo-Celestial, possess far more than just martial arts prowess.

Their martial arts prowess is only one aspect of their strength; they also possess a broad perspective and wealth of information accumulated over many years.

Like in biographical novels, a mask can easily manipulate numerous renowned figures and powerful individuals. Or, through mind control, one can bewitch people into a state of utter confusion.

Such scenarios are ultimately unlikely in reality.

Even if his appearance is flawless in every way, his conversation and experience will naturally reveal his true background.

The longer the contact lasts, the bigger the flaws become, and the higher the chance of exposure.

This is not limited to natural talent, but depends on accumulation.

Even if there are exceptional talents who can accomplish in one year what it takes to accomplish in ten, gaining ten years' worth of information in a single year, sufficient resources are still required to support such an achievement when this number is magnified infinitely.

The longer Chen Ping'an cultivated, the more he realized the value of information asymmetry.

If someone with such a background doesn't know how to detect bone age and doesn't take precautions in advance, their background will be exposed without them even realizing it.

At that time, he may not have known how the incident was exposed.

The term "dimensional reduction attack" refers to more than just numerical strength or the accumulation of martial arts realms. It signifies an all-round crushing defeat in terms of experience, information, intelligence, methods, treasures, planning, strategy, and so on.

Looking across the world, apart from those born with destiny and protection, who else can withstand this level of dimensional reduction attack?

Under the protection of fate, if someone harbors ill intentions towards them, inner demons will arise, obscuring their vision, confusing their perception, and making their true nature difficult to express.

Most importantly, those involved are completely unaware of the situation, and believe that all their decisions are made purely and flawlessly from their own hearts.

Ancient texts record that some great dynasties collapsed due to the incompetence of their emperors. However, according to secret records, the incompetence of emperors did not stem from their own shortcomings, but from the proliferation of differing opinions.

Under the circumstances, it's difficult to defy destiny!
The reason why some emperors of the last dynasty were wise in their early years but became senile in their old age is largely due to this.

Even with brilliant decisions, one will inevitably doubt oneself if one's knowledge and understanding are clouded.

Ultimately, the edifice collapsed, and the dynasty perished.

Of course, Chen Ping'an only learned about this matter occasionally from miscellaneous books, and he had doubts about its authenticity. He didn't know whether later generations had embellished it or exaggerated the story to enhance its legendary status.

However, the phenomenon of fate protecting one another is recorded in detail in ancient books. The mastermind behind it is still unknown, but many of the events are verifiable.

According to classical texts, this is a sign of good fortune and destiny bestowed upon us by Heaven.

For most people in the world, the concept of destiny seems somewhat ethereal and unrealistic. But in the path of martial arts, the more one cultivates, the more one can subtly perceive its essence.

While the overall trend of a dynasty may be unclear, there are still clues to be found within its destiny. From the very beginning of its establishment, the Great Qian Dynasty set up many directly affiliated institutions, many of which were involved in the deduction of celestial secrets, divination by stars and stars, and the principles of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements.

Clearly, this matter is not something ethereal or unreal.

Legend has it that within the two great academies of the dynasty, there were scholars skilled in divination who could use celestial secrets to predict fate and kill people invisibly.

Since learning of this matter, Chen Ping'an has always held it in awe and remained cautious.

Unlike those prodigies who are among the top talents, he came from humble beginnings and did not have much family background or powerful backing. Faced with this level of dimensional reduction attack, he would find it difficult to resist.

All he could do was stay behind the scenes as much as possible.

Silently accumulating strength, gathering its wings, until one day, it shines brightly in its time, suppressing its contemporaries. Even...
With invincible power, we suppress all invading enemies!
Chen Ping'an's thoughts shifted, and his figure flickered continuously in the night sky.

Although the Black Iron Mask is a treasure for camouflage, it can still conceal one's aura and hide one's tracks to a certain extent.

When combined with Chen Ping'an's own martial arts level, the effect was perfect.

Under such concealment, let alone a Grandmaster at the pinnacle level, even a Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud level might not be able to detect it if they were to arrive in person and maintain a certain distance from each other.

Chen Ping'an's trip tonight was meticulously planned. Under the guise of the Gu family celebration, he intended to spend the night at the Gu family residence, but in reality, he would quietly leave and launch a nighttime attack.
Li Wusheng!
Chen Ping'an remained calm, calculating his own methods.

He's currently using a pseudonym, so he can't reveal his overt methods. Even if no one notices, he can't use them at all to minimize risk.

As a top-level figure in the Canglong Prefecture's Zhenfu Division, Li Wusheng was a standard deputy commander, ranking among the top even among many deputy commanders.

His death will inevitably attract the attention of the Northern Border Garrison.

Although we may not have much energy, this is something we must be wary of.

Who knows what methods the investigators sent by the Northern Garrison Command have?
Therefore, no matter how small the risk, he cannot reveal it in the slightest.

Furthermore, he didn't want to resort to the black-robed vest method if possible.

For example, the Seven Killing Heavenly Fist, the True Body of Ten Thousand Demons, and the Seven Absolute Divine Skills.

Unfortunately, although he now has many methods, having already ruled out overt methods, it is impossible to kill Li Wusheng as quickly as possible without resorting to the methods of the black-robed man.

No matter how strong he is now, when facing a grandmaster of Li Wusheng's caliber, the disguises he can reveal are ultimately limited.

Maintaining a stable pseudonym that is separate from one's real identity is already the limit.

If there are more, then unless the enemy's strength is greatly reduced, such as to the level of an ordinary Grandmaster, it might be possible to establish one or two more.

Otherwise, having one stable pseudonym is already the limit.

Chen Ping'an took this extra precaution for multiple reasons. For example, if the assassination went smoothly, but they encountered enemies during the retreat, he could perhaps conceal the black-robed man's presence without resorting to additional methods.

When planning, one should not anticipate victory, but rather calculate defeat.

Chen Ping'an hoped that this trip would be uneventful and that he could successfully kill Li Wusheng, the Absolute Sound Palm, without attracting anyone's attention.

But he still made sufficient mental preparations.

If you encounter setbacks, adapt to the situation!
Without revealing their true origins, they will kill without fear!
Even if it meant revealing his identity as the man in the black robe and vest, he was willing to do it.

Let's leave aside what happened before.

However, the incident of Li Wusheng coming to Zhaoheng's door to provoke him during his coming-of-age ceremony was enough to make him want to kill, and Li Wusheng was added to his kill list.

Chen Ping'an was filled with many thoughts, and he became increasingly eager to find the treasure that concealed the supernatural beings.

He was especially eager for treasures that could conceal the origins of his cultivation techniques during battles.

The swirling smoke alone is enough to block out all prying eyes; the jade bowl, once covered, creates its own private space. Or, in a public battle, divine weapons and secret artifacts can conceal his methods.

He unleashed the Seven Killing Heavenly Fist, intending to kill, but onlookers could hardly discern his methods.

Of course, Chen Ping'an can only dream about such treasures now.

On this trip, Chen Ping'an's only reliance for isolating himself from the outside world and concealing his movements was that set of Qingyang Four Directions Command Flags.

Based on the four directions, the Qingyang Four Directions Command Flags are laid out to confuse the spiritual energy, isolate the inside from the outside, and form a space of their own.

The Qingyang Four Directions Command Flags are mainly sets of confinement-type divine weapons. Although they are not good at concealment, they must still be quite powerful in this area.

Chen Ping'an flew away, and his mood gradually calmed down.

However, on the eve of calm, a scene flashed through his mind, something that had happened not long ago.

Under the hazy moonlight and amidst the dazzling fireworks, as he was putting on his hairpin, he gazed at the beauty's flawless face and, as if possessed, kissed her.

Reflecting Moon Lake.

Bathed in moonlight, Gu Qingcheng stood by the lake, her expression serene and aloof, as if detached from the world, exuding an ethereal quality. A wooden hairpin adorned her hair, adding a touch of rustic simplicity.

This is a paradox combining transcendence and simplicity.

"Decided?"

In the distance, the shadows of trees sway, and a young girl holds a sword, her bright eyes and white teeth clear and pure.

Gu Qingcheng remained silent. A gentle breeze rippled her moon-colored dress, and the bright moon in the night sky gradually faded into a blur.

The moon shines brightly over the palace.

Winter's chill has faded, and the stars shine ever bright.

Celestial phenomena and astrological divination indicate that destiny has arrived!
Gazing at the stunning beauty who seemed to blend into the moon, the sword-wielding girl's expression revealed a hint of bewilderment, a sense of confusion and melancholy about her unknown fate.

hum~
The divine sword trembled and sang, giving birth to the Divine Firmament.

Ripples spread around the girl holding the sword, conveying a subtle and profound atmosphere, as if sensing the heavens and earth and returning to nature.

When two families unite in marriage, a contract is made in one hall, a blessed union is forever sealed, and the couple is hailed as a perfect match.

The moonlight in the night sky remains the same, just as it did on that day ten thousand years ago.

Like crossing the river of time, it scatters its gentle light, leaving behind endless tenderness.

People today do not recognize the moon of ancient times, yet the moon of today once shone on people of ancient times.

In the distance, beneath the treetops, a raft sways, with some characters faintly carved on it.

Farewell to the twilight years, fireworks bloom year after year, morning and evening, may peace prevail year after year.

"This is it!"

Chen Ping'an's gray robe fluttered in the air, overlooking the distant mansion.

That was the residence of Li Wusheng, the master of the Absolute Sound Palm.

As an absolute top figure in Canglong Prefecture, Li Wusheng's residence was incredibly grand. Even in Canglong Prefecture City, where land was extremely valuable, it occupied a vast area.

The gardens are beautiful and the rocks are magnificent.

hum~
Chen Ping'an closed his eyes, and a flash of spiritual light appeared in the depths of his mind.

The spiritual connection spread like radiation towards the distant houses.

While spiritual perception is incredibly fast, accurate perception still requires a certain amount of time to buffer and a comprehensive examination.

Normally, such a comprehensive sensing would be quite noisy. However, with Chen Ping'an's current abilities, he can completely minimize the fluctuations. Furthermore, with the concealment capabilities of the Black Iron Mask, it is practically silent.

A few breaths later, Chen Ping'an suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils shining brightly.

"found it!"

After all that trouble, it wasn't a wasted trip!
The mastermind behind the Jueyin Palm technique, Li Wusheng, was located within this very courtyard.

Chen Ping'an's eyes turned cold as he concealed his aura and headed towards the courtyard below.

(End of this chapter)