Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Importance
As early as last night, Chen Ping’an had someone take Zhu Qirong to the South Town Garrison Command.
With multiple injuries, a shattered sternum that had crushed his lungs, and no immediate medical attention, Zhu Qirong was finished.
Objectively speaking, although Zhu Qirong’s scheme had been a bit crude, it was extremely difficult to counter.
His failure this time was due to a single miscalculation: he never expected that Chen Ping’an, despite being the head of the South City Prison, would be so conscientious as to patrol personally during his night shift. This allowed Chen Ping’an to notice the anomaly in the staffing.
In order to magnify the consequences of the prison break, Zhu Qirong had secretly adjusted the number of guards on the night shift. Of course, the change was within reasonable limits, and he had a plausible excuse ready in case of an investigation.
Beyond that, Zhu Qirong’s most critical mistake was his ignorance of Chen Ping’an’s true strength.
He had never imagined that his own martial strength, at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer Perfection, could be so easily suppressed by Chen Ping’an.
In that battle, Chen Ping’an hadn’t even revealed his true strength, yet he still defeated Zhu Qirong with ease.
On the way to the South Town Garrison Command, Chen Ping’an meticulously reviewed the previous day’s events, checking for any oversights or loose ends.
When he arrived at the South Town Garrison Command, the expressions of the constables guarding the main gate were far more solemn than usual.
"Lord Chen."
A constable took the initiative to greet him.
"Mm."
Chen Ping’an gave a slight nod and stepped through the gates of the South Town Garrison Command.
Not long after Chen Ping’an went inside, one of the gate constables turned to the one who had greeted him and asked curiously.
"So that’s Lord Chen from the South City Prison? He’s so young!"
"Yeah. Among all the heads of the South Town Garrison Command’s various divisions, Lord Chen is probably the youngest!"
"To reach that position at such a young age, he must have some serious skills! And how long has it been..." The constable glanced around, and seeing no one else was near, he lowered his voice. "Lord Chu, Zhu Qirong, is finished! The official story is a prison break, but who really knows what happened? What’s clear is the result: Zhu Qirong lost. He lost miserably!"
"Shh! Quiet! Talking about this at the main gate! Do you have a death wish?!"
The other constable hissed quietly.
"Heh heh... I didn’t see anyone around!"
Despite his words, the constable didn’t dare spout any more nonsense. The conversation ended there, but an unspoken sense of awe toward the South City Prison’s Lord Chen had grown among the constables.
Capable people command respect and fear wherever they go.
The news about Zhu Qirong had spread throughout the South Town Garrison Command early that morning. Many were utterly astonished by the outcome.
Even those familiar with Chen Ping’an, like Shen Shikang and Liu Jinzhu, found the news unbelievable.
’This Young Lord Chen’s methods are so ruthless!’
’Even Zhu Qirong, a man who had weathered the political storms for decades, had capsized?’
...
Chen Ping’an made his way to the building where Mu Wanjun was located. Just as he reached the second floor, he saw Fu Yuanming descending from upstairs, his face a dark mask of fury.
"Lord Fu."
Chen Ping’an greeted him, his own expression calm.
’Fu Yuanming is the Vice Chief of the Patrol for the South Town Garrison Command. As a mere Prison Chief, I have to greet him.’
’It’s just protocol within the system.’
When Fu Yuanming saw it was Chen Ping’an, his expression grew even darker.
"Lord Chen, you truly have impressive methods!"
"Lord Fu, you flatter me. I don’t have any special methods; it’s all thanks to your excellent leadership."
Chen Ping’an said with a smile, looking directly at Fu Yuanming.
Fu Yuanming’s face was grim. Chen Ping’an’s calm response only fueled his resentment.
"So you’re saying this is my achievement?"
"Naturally."
Chen Ping’an replied, perfectly composed.
’Good, good, good!’
Fu Yuanming was so furious he started to laugh.
"Lord Chen, you truly are a pillar of our South Town Garrison Command! However, I feel I must remind you that the road ahead is long. A temporary victory means nothing. In the days to come, Lord Chen, you had best continue to exert yourself, lest you fail to live up to expectations!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Yuanming flicked his sleeves and departed, not bothering to see Chen Ping’an’s reaction.
Chen Ping’an watched Fu Yuanming’s retreating back and called out loudly, "I will take Lord Fu’s teachings to heart! In the days to come, I will certainly do my best, and I hope to satisfy you even more, Lord Fu."
Hmph!
Hearing Chen Ping’an’s words, Fu Yuanming’s anger surged. However, his years of self-control kept him from turning around.
’Some people get a little taste of success and think they’re untouchable, prancing about for all to see. They have no idea that there’s always a higher mountain to climb, a bigger fish in the sea!’
’If someone truly powerful wanted to deal with him, it would be far simpler than he could ever imagine!’
’Does he really think Mu Wanjun can protect him forever?!’
’Ridiculous!’
’Chen Ping’an...’
’This time, I’ll be sure to remember your name!’
Regardless of what schemes were brewing in Fu Yuanming’s mind, Chen Ping’an felt perfectly calm.
As he was now, he wasn’t afraid of Fu Yuanming resorting to open conflict. In terms of raw strength, he didn’t fear Fu Yuanming in the slightest.
And within the established rules of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, he was more than happy to lock horns with him.
Chen Ping’an’s ambitions had never been limited to the mere position of Prison Chief.
His journey was toward the sea of stars, toward the Bright Moon and the great sun!
...
"Not bad!"
Mu Wanjun looked at Chen Ping’an, a satisfied smile gracing her features.
"As expected, you haven’t disappointed me!"
"It is all thanks to your excellent leadership!"
Chen Ping’an offered the all-purpose flattery.
Mu Wanjun rolled her eyes at him, though they sparkled with amusement.
"Enough with the flattery! And don’t you dare use the same lines on me that you just used on Fu Yuanming!"
Chen Ping’an froze.
’So, she heard my conversation with Fu Yuanming.’
"Still, I have to give you credit. That was immensely satisfying to hear! I bet that fellow Fu Yuanming’s face was practically black with rage."
Having gained a clear upper hand in their rivalry once again, Mu Wanjun was in an excellent mood.
Her tone toward Chen Ping’an was now full of warmth and familiarity.
"Ping’an, for you to suppress Zhu Qirong... does that mean you’ve broken through to the Qi Blood Sixth Layer?"
"Yes, that’s right. I had a moment of insight a few days ago and managed a smooth Breaking Realm."
Chen Ping’an said, maintaining an honest and straightforward expression.
After confirming Chen Ping’an’s Martial Arts Realm and personally verifying it, Mu Wanjun’s beautiful eyes began to shine.
"Qi Blood Sixth Layer! Ping’an, you’re even more brilliant than I imagined. When it comes to Martial Dao aptitude, you are an absolute top-tier genius!"
Mu Wanjun was astounded by Chen Ping’an’s progress in the Martial Dao.
Even though she had repeatedly raised her estimation of him, Chen Ping’an had still managed to surprise her today.
’At this rate, forget just reaching the Inner Qi Realm... he even has a real shot at the Rising Star Chart!’
’A talent like this must be bound to our family’s cause, no matter the cost.’
In that instant, Mu Wanjun made a decision.
’Today, I will personally return to my family, explain the situation, and formally bring this Martial Dao genius into our fold.’
