Chapter 451 372: Wu Family's Apology Gift, Qiankun Investigation (Part 2)

When two parties haven't sworn a blood feud to the death, offering an apology to quell anger is undoubtedly the most cost-effective solution.

"Seeing is believing. The Mang Blade's might is truly extraordinary. Though he and I are both in the Profound Light Middle Realm, I felt like I had thorns at my back in his presence!"

"But fortunately, this trip was a success and went off without a hitch. I can report back now!"

...

'I didn't expect to get an extra reward for coming back to the city!'

Chen Ping'an's mood was quite good as he looked at the Blood Lingzhi and Yuan Crystal sealed within a Jade Box before him.

During their earlier conversation, Wu Shangli had been extremely deferential, his words filled with pleas for forgiveness. Coupled with the gifts he presented, Chen Ping'an decided to let the matter go and accepted his apology.

In the eyes of the world, Chen Ping'an had offended the Wu Family by hanging Wu Tianqi from the city walls. The reality, however, was the exact opposite. In the Wu Family's eyes, an ignorant junior from their own clan had provoked Chen Ping'an's displeasure, leading to his severe punishment! They were terrified of angering Chen Ping'an over the Wu Tianqi incident.

In this turn of events, the deciding factor was the strength of both sides! With enough power, one's circumstances could be completely reversed!

A matter that would cause others endless dread was easily resolved by Chen Ping'an.

The reason was simple: power and authority.

'Another little boost to my resources!'

Chen Ping'an chuckled softly, placed the Blood Lingzhi and Yuan Crystal into his Hundred Treasures Pouch, and turned to leave.

Today, without him having to do anything, the Wu Family had bowed their heads in submission. They did so because of his strength and the potential he had revealed.

And these things were not his by birth; they were accumulated bit by bit through tireless and diligent Cultivation.

'Cultivate! Cultivate! I must raise the Three-Point Human Tribulation Finger to the Perfection Realm as soon as possible!'

...

For the next few days, Chen Ping'an went nowhere. He remained in the Five Peaks Mountain Town Pacification Bureau, singularly focused on diligently cultivating the Divine Skill Three-Point Human Tribulation Finger.

In between his Cultivation, Chen Ping'an took the time to meet with You Yongming at the Five Peaks Mountain Residence and listen to some reports.

Due to the influence of the Beicang Chaos, the Canglong Province Garrison Command had dispatched many personnel to coordinate with the Weishui Garrison in a harsh crackdown on the Evil and Heterodox Dao within the commandery. Under these circumstances, the outskirts of the Trade Route appeared extremely calm.

With the outskirts of the Trade Route stable and secure, and no difficult matters to handle, Chen Ping'an was naturally happy to have the free time. His subordinates, including Zhong Shanyong, Yuan Zutong, and You Yongming, handled the corresponding routine duties, so he didn't need to worry much.

All Chen Ping'an had to do was oversee the general situation and stand guard over the region.

In those few days, Chen Ping'an heard a piece of news.

Xue Kunsheng, the Vice Beicang Garrison Commander also known as the Vajra Demon-subduing Chain, had failed to promptly suppress the turmoil during the Beicang Auction. For his failure to properly guard Beicang Town, an investigation by the Canglong Province Garrison Command resulted in his demotion to a Candidate for Guardian of Beicang Town!

'Candidate for Guardian!?'

Chen Ping'an was quite surprised when he learned the news.

The position of Garrison Commander in Beicang Town was vacant, making Vice Garrison Commander Xue Kunsheng the nominal person in charge. The Beicang Chaos this time had resulted in heavy casualties and had an extremely vicious impact. Logically, Xue Kunsheng, the nominal head, should have at least been transferred elsewhere and stripped of important duties, if not forced to resign in disgrace.

But unexpectedly, the final outcome was merely a single-level demotion for Xue Kunsheng! Moreover, from the news he had gathered, no new appointment had been made for Beicang Town. Although Xue Kunsheng was demoted to Candidate for Guardian, he was still the one in charge of Beicang Town.

'It really pays to have connections up top!' Chen Ping'an mused after his surprise faded. 'There's a world of difference between having backing and having none!'

The Xue Family had definitely pulled some strings in Xue Kunsheng's case.

As a member of the Xue Family, Xue Kunsheng had worked hard to reach his position. For the sake of their interests, the Xue Family would not give it up easily. Even if it meant a demotion, they had to preserve his position as the one in charge.

'But... why didn't the other families take this opportunity to make a move? To support one of their own to take over as the head of Beicang!?'

'Could there be some other, deeper reason!?'

Chen Ping'an grew curious and speculated privately.

However, the matter ultimately didn't have much impact on him. After some brief thought, he didn't dwell on it and let it go.

Learning of Xue Kunsheng's demotion didn't change the rhythm of Chen Ping'an's Cultivation. He continued his diligent daily practice, accumulating Cultivation Experience.

During his days of Cultivation, people from the Qiankun Bureau paid a visit to Five Peaks Mountain City. However, compared to Tong Jin, this group was undoubtedly far more polite.

It was clear that the sudden cancellation of the impeachment hearing requested by the Qiankun Bureau had made them quite wary of Chen Ping'an. Their entire interaction was extremely restrained.

It was worth noting that among the people from the Qiankun Bureau, there were two whom Chen Ping'an recognized and was quite familiar with: Zhao Zhiteng and Lin Wanying from the Qiankun Bureau Weishui Branch!

"Lord Chen, it's been a while!" Seeing Chen Ping'an again, Zhao Zhiteng cupped his fist in greeting, an embarrassed look on his face.

He had met Chen Ping'an before in the Red Maple Mountain area. At that time, Cao Yingxiong had gotten into a dispute with Chen Ping'an over the credit for a mission.

Although he hadn't approved of Cao Yingxiong's actions at the time, he had gone along with it in the end! He had reported to the State Qiankun Bureau with the claim that they had killed all three Ten Thousand Demons Elders.

Although the credit was still under dispute and hadn't been officially recognized, the act of claiming it for themselves was undoubtedly despicable.

Under these circumstances, Zhao Zhiteng naturally felt extremely awkward seeing Chen Ping'an, the person who had actually earned the credit!

"Lord Zhao!" Chen Ping'an replied with a smile, his expression unchanging. "It has been some time since we parted. Have you been well!?"

As he spoke, Chen Ping'an's gaze fell on Lin Wanying, who stood to the side. Lin Wanying was tall with fine features, but unfortunately, a terrifying scar ran below her ear, which not only detracted from her looks but also made her appear somewhat unsettling.

In the battle that day, Lin Wanying had nearly died at his hands. But she had managed to escape in the end. 'This woman's luck must be incredible!'

Sensing Chen Ping'an's gaze, Lin Wanying grimaced but said nothing.

The group from the Qiankun Bureau consisted of four people. Besides Zhao Zhiteng and Lin Wanying, the other two were members of an investigative team dispatched from the Canglong State Qiankun Bureau.

Chen Ping'an briefly sensed their Cultivation. Of the two, one had stepped into the Peak Realm, while the other's Cultivation had reached Profound Light Middle Realm Perfection, not much weaker than Tong Jin!

"Lord Chen, we apologize for the intrusion! You happened to see Lord Cao on the day of his death. The main purpose of our trip is to understand the detailed circumstances of your encounter with Lord Cao that day."

The speaker was a burly man with a broad forehead and thick-boned joints. What made him memorable was a cyan-colored mark on his right cheek, adding a unique touch to his appearance.

He was the leader of the four-person group from the Qiankun Bureau and also the only Absolute Master among them.

"Fine!" Chen Ping'an glanced at the man. Since he had spoken politely, Chen Ping'an didn't refuse. "However, my time is limited. You have a quarter of an hour at most!"

The Qiankun Bureau was used to being the one setting time limits during an interrogation; they had never had a subject set a time limit for them. However, with the Tong Jin incident as a precedent, the burly man was mentally prepared for Chen Ping'an's potential reactions, so his expression didn't change much. In contrast, the long-faced middle-aged man standing beside him looked displeased and rather indignant.

"Hm!?" Chen Ping'an shot a cold glance at him, his gaze full of pressure. "Does this lord have some sort of objection?"

Before the long-faced man could speak, the burly man cut in, "Lord Chen, we have no objections. Since time is limited, why don't we start now?"

Glancing at the long-faced man, whose face was flushed red from suppressing his anger, Chen Ping'an gave a faint smile. "Let's begin."

A quarter of an hour later, the four from the Qiankun Bureau departed. Throughout the process, Chen Ping'an remained composed. They failed to uncover any useful clues.

...

「Three days later.」

Chen Ping'an's eyes snapped open, and a panel materialized in the air before him.

Name: Chen Ping'an

Realm: Early Jade Balance Stage - Condensed Spiritual Flower

Martial Arts: Three-Point Human Tribulation Finger (Great Success: 1600/1600), Dragon Elephant Dominating Body Technique (Minor Achievement: 0/640), Soul-Severing Saber (Minor Achievement: 0/640), Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill (Perfection), Great Vajra Palm (Perfection)...

'I've accumulated enough Cultivation Experience!'