Chapter 357 - 334: Hung on the City Wall, Aweing the Four Directions

Chen Ping’an’s words left everyone stunned.

They never imagined Chen Ping’an would resort to such drastic measures. Hanging the head of the Soul-breaking Saber on the city gate to deter troublemakers from every corner. The method would certainly be effective, but...

He wasn’t afraid of offending a Grandmaster!?

Zhao Lianzhi stole a glance at Chen Ping’an, trying to see things from his perspective. ’If I were in Chen Ping’an’s position, I would never have dared to give such an order. Using a Grandmaster Disciple’s life to intimidate those with ill intentions hoping to disrupt the peace would certainly have an immediate effect, but the consequences would be far too severe. If it were me, I would at most report it to the Weishui Garrison and take things slowly.’

In that moment, Zhao Lianzhi gained a new understanding of just how ’reckless’ Mang Blade could be.

Zhong Shanyong looked up at Chen Ping’an in the seat of honor, his face filled with admiration.

’Heaven and earth can bear witness to Sir’s resolve! He is willing to bear a Grandmaster’s wrath, all to use this incident to deter villains and ensure the peace of Five Peaks Mountain City.’

"Sir..."

Regardless of what everyone else was thinking, Chen Ping’an himself was perfectly calm.

This decision was no rash impulse, but the result of careful deliberation.

He had long been looking for the right opportunity to make a show of force, to stop any would-be troublemakers from getting any funny ideas.

Wu Tianqi of the Wu Family Trading Team had been a perfect opportunity. But unfortunately, the Wu Family’s Tributor, Eagle Claw Meng Yude, had been far too perceptive. Chen Ping’an had succeeded in hanging Wu Tianqi from the city wall, but without the involvement of a Profound Light Realm master, his demonstration of authority felt incomplete.

Afterward, he’d had the Wei Family spread rumors to bolster his display of authority, but it was no substitute for the impact of a genuine, hard-won battle.

His previous attempt to establish his authority had fallen short, but now, the affair with the Soul-breaking Saber presented a perfect new opportunity.

And this display of power, in terms of both influence and impact, would far surpass anything before.

The formidable reputation Soul-breaking Saber Li Pingjiang had built for himself would, upon his death, transfer entirely to Chen Ping’an, becoming part of his own overwhelming might. No one would dare to underestimate him now.

He was certain that with the "Grandmaster Disciple" angle, the news would attract immense attention and spread far and wide.

Furthermore, this would be his chance to settle the dispute with the Qiankun Bureau over who deserved credit for the Ten Thousand Demons Sect incident. After all, if he could take down a Grandmaster Disciple like Soul-breaking Saber Li Pingjiang, was it really so surprising that he could handle three Elders from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect?

The true genius of this plan was that Chen Ping’an had only announced that Soul-breaking Saber Li Pingjiang had been brought to justice. He never specified how Li Pingjiang had died, or whether he had died by his own hand.

With no clear proof, one group of people was bound to step forward and question the official story. But another group would let their imaginations run wild.

The two sides would argue their points, debating fiercely and stirring the waters until they were murky. And then, he could fish in those troubled waters.

By the time the truth gradually came to light, his Cultivation would have advanced. At that point, what would it matter if he openly revealed his near-peerless strength?

However, the plan wasn’t without its risks. The one major drawback was that it would surely incur the extreme displeasure—and likely the wrath—of the Celestial Net Sect’s Grandmaster, the Seven Extremes Elder.

A Grandmaster’s wrath was not something just anyone could withstand.

His disciple’s head was hanging on the city wall. Even if he felt no affection for the man, the Seven Extremes Elder would be forced to retaliate, if only for the sake of his own reputation.

If he failed to act, how could a magnificent Grandmaster like him maintain his standing? What would people say?

Worse, those with ulterior motives might start to suspect that the Seven Extremes Elder’s power was no longer at its peak. Such speculation would lead to endless trouble, and could even threaten the very foundation of his power and influence.

Every Grandmaster is the public face of their respective power and faction. And as the public face, it cannot have the slightest stain upon it; it must remain forever pristine.

For instance, if this decision had been made by a Grandmaster from the State Garrison Command, then even if the Seven Extremes Elder failed to win the ensuing confrontation, his reputation would only be slightly tarnished, not truly damaged.

That would have been a contest between equals, a game between Grandmasters. Wins and losses in such a game are to be expected.

It’s a case of king against king, general against general.

But since the decision had come from Chen Ping’an, a fierce counterattack from the Seven Extremes Elder was now a certainty.

However...

As long as it wasn’t a direct confrontation, Chen Ping’an could still bear a Grandmaster’s wrath. And even if the Seven Extremes Elder did show up at his door one day, Chen Ping’an’s Martial Arts Realm wasn’t stagnant. A day would come when he might just be able to face him in battle.

After weighing all the considerations, Chen Ping’an’s final conclusion was that the pros decidedly outweighed the cons.

And if that was the case, then he had nothing to worry about.

Still, all this thinking served as a reminder for Chen Ping’an. He needed to pay more attention to his younger sister, Chen Erya.

Weishui Inner City was safe, but as he climbed higher, the enemies he made would only grow stronger. Places that were once safe might not remain so forever. If he had the chance, he had to find a more secure location for his sister and let her experience a wider world.

As her older brother, he was meant to be Erya’s greatest support. Under the protection of his power and prestige, no one would dare harm a single hair on her head.

One day, when his reputation was second to none, he would shelter Erya and grant her a lifetime of Ping’an.

Though his thoughts seemed to span an eternity, they had in fact taken place in the blink of an eye.