Chapter 480 384: Ice Soul Divine Needle, Different Minds

As a member of the Weishui Garrison, Chen Ping'an was naturally no exception. With his current status and position, he was important enough to stand at the very front of the line, alongside the likes of Fan Zheng Heng and Feng Chengxiu.

This was also Chen Ping'an's first time meeting Feng Chengxiu. Feng Chengxiu had a pair of hawk-like eyes, radiating immense pressure and authority.

Even setting aside Feng Chengxiu's status, he was a renowned Pseudo Grandmaster! Though not as formidable as Lan Yingying of the Five Poison Earth Fiend Palm, he was still a first-rate powerhouse among Pseudo Grandmasters! Countless enemies had fallen to his Wind-Chasing Life-Taking Palm!

Normally, given what happened with Tong Jin, Feng Chengxiu should have been eager to kill Chen Ping'an to vent his anger. Tong Jin was a member of his reconnaissance team; Chen Ping'an killing him was tantamount to slapping Feng Chengxiu in the face!

The fact that Feng Chengxiu had previously led an impeachment petition, explicitly ordering the Weishui Garrison to reconsider Chen Ping'an's post, was proof enough of this.

However, during this meeting, Feng Chengxiu's expression was unchanged, showing not the slightest hint of anger. He even took the initiative to smile at Chen Ping'an when their eyes met.

Chen Ping'an returned the smile, but in his heart, he had already slapped a label on the man.

'Scheming old bastard!'

'If Feng Chengxiu's cultivation were any higher, perhaps I'd need to be a bit more vigilant. But since he's only at the Pseudo Grandmaster Realm... the threat is limited!'

'Back then, before I even entered the Grandmaster Realm, I was already strong enough to overwhelm Lan Yingying of the Five Poison Earth Fiend Palm. With my Golden Body Unbreakable, even someone as strong as her couldn't break through my defense. If it weren't for that final palm strike, she probably would have already fallen by my hand!'

'Now, I've already stepped into the Grandmaster Realm, my Dragon Elephant Dominating Body Technique has reached Great Success, and on top of that, I have the Quasi-Divine Weapon, the Profound Ice Silk Armor. My defenses are countless times stronger than they were back then.'

'Even if I just stood here and let Feng Chengxiu hit me, he probably couldn't break my defense!'

'Once Gu Qingchan takes the little girl, I'll have no more worries holding me back. No matter what that Feng Chengxiu is plotting, if he dares to provoke me, I'll just slap him to death!'

'This little brat!' Feng Chengxiu thought, his face still smiling as he suppressed the rage in his heart, not letting a single trace of his malicious intent show.

'I hadn't expected that during this meeting, even after killing Tong Jin, Chen Ping'an could still be so relaxed in my presence. To be so brazenly unafraid... How is it possible!?'

'Does he really think Gu Qingchan can protect him forever!? No matter how strong Gu Qingchan is, she has to return to Canglong State City eventually!' As these thoughts raced through his mind, their eyes met, and Feng Chengxiu gave Chen Ping'an a slight smile. 'It's not safe enough yet. I'll observe a little longer!'

Just as Chen Ping'an and Feng Chengxiu were lost in their own separate thoughts, a procession approached from a distance outside the city gates. The most conspicuous part of the procession was undoubtedly the magnificent carriage in the center.

The carriage was exquisitely carved and adorned, with silk curtains hanging on all sides. They swayed gently in the wind like light blue waves.

As the carriage drew near, the crowd bowed in unison to welcome it.

Amidst a flurry of flying flower petals and the sound of drums and music, the carriage entered Weishui County City. Yet, all the way until it was inside the city, not only did Gu Qingchan not descend from the carriage, she didn't even show her face.

However, considering her current status and position, such behavior upon arriving in a mere county city was perfectly normal!

No one dared to utter the slightest complaint; they felt it was only right and proper!

...

After Gu Qingchan entered the city, the various powerful factions of Weishui County City all went to pay their respects. Pseudo Grandmasters like Fan Zheng Heng and Feng Chengxiu were naturally among them.

However, without exception, none of them were granted an audience with Gu Qingchan. Instead, they were all roundly snubbed!

Given Gu Qingchan's current prestige, they didn't dare feel the slightest resentment despite not meeting her. These great figures, who stood at the apex of Weishui County City, could only depart in dejection.

With Chen Ping'an's personality, he normally wouldn't have gone to pay his respects either. However, considering the matter of the little girl, he ultimately made the trip.

Gu Qingchan had settled into the most luxurious Treasure Pavilion in Weishui County City. To accommodate her, the entire Treasure Pavilion had been cleared of all other guests long ago. Within the vast Treasure Pavilion, only Gu Qingchan and her entourage remained.

Chen Ping'an's carriage stopped before the Treasure Pavilion. He stepped out and had just reached the entrance, not even having a chance to present his visiting card, when a maid at the door led him inside.

...

"He got in?" Upon hearing the news, Feng Chengxiu was slightly stunned. Although he had vaguely anticipated this, given past events, he had still held out hope for other possibilities.

After all, family matters were one thing, but Gu Qingchan's personal feelings were another! Representing her family to help Chen Ping'an once didn't mean that Gu Qingchan personally approved of him.

But to think that... Chen Ping'an was actually granted an audience!

"It's probably just to clarify their previous arrangement. The audience won't last long," Feng Chengxiu secretly guessed.

The news that Chen Ping'an had been granted an audience with Gu Qingchan quickly reached the ears of the many influential figures. While somewhat unexpected, it was logical when considering past events. However, most people guessed the same as Feng Chengxiu: Chen Ping'an would likely come out very soon.

After all, the difference in status between Gu Qingchan and Chen Ping'an was like that between heaven and earth. The gap between them was too vast; they wouldn't have anything to talk about.

And indeed, just as they had guessed, not long after he went inside, Chen Ping'an came back out.

"Just as I thought!" Feng Chengxiu's eyes narrowed, a look of understanding spreading across his face.

'Gu Qingchan's previous actions were all for the sake of her family! She doesn't truly see this Mang Blade as anyone special! This audience was merely due to family obligations! Even if she made him some promises, they were purely for a matter of benefits, and nothing more!'