Chapter 356 - 333: Promotion and Appointment, Shocking the Entire Hall

"Yes, My Lord." The Inspectorate officer’s expression grew stern as he began to report his findings.

"My Lord, regarding the face on the head you brought back, we’ve carefully compared and cross-referenced it. After repeated confirmations, we have determined that this person is Li Pingjiang, the fifth disciple of the Celestial Net Sect’s Grandmaster, the Seven Extremes Elder. He was active in and around Earth Fire County for years, building a fearsome reputation and earning him the moniker ’Soul-Severing Saber’! He once slew a Profound Light Middle Realm expert in a direct confrontation! During an operation to handle a disturbance caused by the Celestial Net Sect, one Candidate for Commander-in-Chief and two Commanders-in-Chief from the Earth Fire Town Suppression Bureau died at his hands. Furthermore..."

As the Inspectorate officer continued his report on the Soul-Severing Saber, Zhao Lianzhi was already dumbstruck, his eyes wide, rendered momentarily speechless.

’A disciple of a Celestial Net Sect Grandmaster!? A student of the Seven Extremes Elder!? The Soul-Severing Saber!? He killed a Profound Light Middle Realm expert in a head-on fight!?’

’What... what was he hearing?’

Besides Zhao Lianzhi, Zhong Shanyong, who stood to the side, was also too shocked to speak.

’A Grandmaster’s disciple from the Celestial Net Sect!? With a record of killing a Profound Light Middle Realm expert!? Even a Candidate for Commander-in-Chief from the Earth Fire Town Suppression Bureau died at his hands!?’

’What kind of combat prowess was this!? It was nearly the power of an absolute master!’

He didn’t know the specifics of what had happened after the Lord left the city. But he did know that such a ruthless figure from the Celestial Net Sect had died an ignominious death, and his head had been brought back to the city by the Lord!

The Lord had been gone from the city for barely two days, and already he had returned with such bombshell news!

’Also...’

’Did the Lord kill the Soul-Severing Saber? If so, then...’

Zhong Shanyong opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.

"We await your instructions, My Lord!" In a state of excited fervor, the Inspectorate officer finished his detailed report on the Soul-Severing Saber, bowed his head, and clasped his hands, awaiting Chen Ping’an’s response.

"Mm," Chen Ping’an nodded slightly. Under the crowd’s shocked and uncertain gazes, he raised his teacup and took a slow, unhurried sip.

’So, his moniker was Soul-Severing Saber!’

’That saber technique really was something special. Powered by a Profound Light Middle Realm cultivation, a single strike managed to cross the threshold into the power of an absolute master!’

As he pondered, the warm tea entered his mouth, and a fresh, elegant fragrance instantly filled his senses. It was slightly sweet, yet also held a hint of bitterness. It seeped into his very being, its aftertaste lingering.

’No wonder, he was from the Celestial Net Sect!’

Chen Ping’an had vaguely suspected the reason for the sudden attack, but he’d had no proof. Now, hearing his subordinate’s report, his suspicions were confirmed.

He had once worked with the Qiankun Bureau to wipe out a Celestial Net Sect branch. Not only had the Yin Tribulation Sword, an expert at the Profound Light Middle Realm, died at his hands, but so had Gu Wu, the wielder of the Soul-Breaking Spear and a rising star the sect was heavily grooming.

The Celestial Net Sect might still not know who was responsible for the Yin Tribulation Sword’s death. But as for Gu Wu, with the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s widespread announcements, even a deaf man in the Celestial Net Sect would have heard it loud and clear.

Clearly, whether it was the encirclement of the Celestial Net Church Entrance or the death of Gu Wu, he had earned the hatred of the Celestial Net Sect and even caught the attention of its upper echelons.

This move by the Soul-Severing Saber was clear proof!

But the Soul-Severing Saber probably never imagined that after journeying a thousand li from Earth Fire County to Weishui, he would ultimately meet such an end.

’Come to think of it...’

’It’s been months since that incident. Why did they only make a move now?’

’Is there some story behind this?’

But the man was already dead, so none of that mattered anymore. For Chen Ping’an, the pressing issue was how to maximize the benefits of this event.

After a moment of thought, a plan formed in his mind.

"Li Pingjiang, the Soul-Severing Saber, a Grandmaster Disciple of the Celestial Net Sect! Arrogant in his high Realm, he wrought evil and attempted to shatter the peace of the trade routes. He has now been put to death! Hang his head above the city gates and make his identity known, to serve as a warning to the vile wretches who harbor ill intentions and plot to sow chaos. This will protect our Five Peaks Mountain City and secure the Long’an Trade Route’s periphery!"

Chen Ping’an set down his teacup and spoke calmly, his expression one of disdainful authority.