Daqian Martial Saint

Chapter 183: Chapter 183: Paying Respects

「Inside the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau.」

The constables were lined up on both sides, welcoming Chen Ping’an’s arrival. A long, festive red carpet had been laid down the center. The carpet had been prepared long ago and was brought out just for today.

In addition to the constables, the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s Constables and Inspectorate officials were also in line. A group stood at the very front, comprised of the supervisors and deputy supervisors of each Task Room, who formed the main welcoming party.

Furthermore, the Chiefs of the Patrol Office and Vice Chiefs of the Patrol from the various city districts were also on their way.

"Your humble servants welcome you, Lord Commander~!"

A vast crowd of people knelt on one knee, greeting Chen Ping’an in unison with the utmost respect.

Although Chen Ping’an was only the Deputy Commander, the Lord Commander was not present, so they addressed him as such. No one would be foolish enough to add the word "Deputy."

Looking at the vast sea of people kneeling before him, Chen Ping’an nodded slightly.

"There is no need for such ceremony. All of you, rise!"

"Yes, Lord Commander."

Only then did the supervisors of the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s various Task Rooms get to their feet and look up at Chen Ping’an.

Seeing Chen Ping’an’s youth up close, some of the Inspectorate officials were slightly taken aback. Although they had long heard that the newly appointed Deputy Commander was young and were mentally prepared, seeing him in person was another matter entirely.

’This young... and he’s in the Inner Qi Realm?’

’You’ve got to be kidding me!’

’He looks so young, people would believe you if you said he hadn’t even reached adulthood yet!’

Another Inspectorate supervisor, seeing Chen Ping’an’s appearance, couldn’t help but curse inwardly: ’Damn it all! I’ve worked my ass off for half my life, and in the end, I can’t even compare to some young punk. Why wasn’t I born into a better family?!’

Clearly, they all believed that the only reason Chen Ping’an could become the Deputy Commander of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau at such a young age was because of his background. They even assumed his Cultivation was a result of his privileged upbringing.

Otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible for him to have reached such heights!

’To become the second-in-command of a Town and City Garrison Command at his age without some powerful backing? Who would believe that!’

Everyone looked at Chen Ping’an, each with their own thoughts.

But no matter what they were thinking, no one dared to reveal their true feelings. Each and every one of them acted with the utmost respect, as if they would go through fire and water if their lord commanded it.

’The new boss has just arrived; how could we not leave a good impression!’

’Do we want to keep our jobs or not?!’

The Civil Affairs Room was responsible for managing the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s personnel files, including registrations, transfers, and departures. After a brief self-introduction, its supervisor took the initiative to introduce the others present to Chen Ping’an. However, he mainly introduced the supervisors of the various Task Rooms.

"Lord Commander, I am Cheng Renjing of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau’s Civil Affairs Room. This is Wei Jingyu, the supervisor of the Dispatch Room..."

Each supervisor who was introduced greeted Chen Ping’an respectfully.

Chen Ping’an acknowledged them one by one.

When the last person had been introduced, Chen Ping’an asked, "And the Lord Commander?"

Seeing Chen Ping’an’s question, Cheng Renjing smiled and cupped his hands. "In response to the Lord Commander, Commander Feng is currently inspecting the outskirts of the Trade Route. He left over half a month ago and is not expected back anytime soon."

"Inspecting the outskirts of the Trade Route."

Chen Ping’an nodded slightly.

White Stone City had a unique geographical advantage, being close to the start of the Long’an Trade Route. As the Commander-in-Chief of a city, he also had the responsibility of patrolling the outskirts of the Trade Route. This was quite normal. Otherwise, a Small City like White Stone City would not have been assigned an expert at the Third Stage of Inner Qi, Celestial Rain Falling on the Crown.

After all, even the Outer City Garrison Command of Weishui County City was only staffed at this level!

"How much longer until Commander Feng returns?"

"According to past precedent, it should be another ten to fifteen days," Cheng Renjing replied.

A flicker of doubt crossed Chen Ping’an’s mind, but he simply smiled. "Did Commander Feng leave any instructions before he left?"

"He did not," Cheng Renjing answered.

Chen Ping’an’s suspicion grew.

’Counting the days, the previous Deputy Commander was already dead when Commander Feng left the city. Under these circumstances, logically speaking, stabilizing the situation within the city should have been the priority, regardless of any missions outside.’

’So why did Commander Feng leave instead?!’

’And not only did he leave, he’s been gone for this long?’

’What’s going on here?’

Chen Ping’an swept his gaze over the crowd before him and said with a smile, "Come, let’s not just stand here. Let’s go inside and talk."

The crowd hurriedly replied, "Yes! After you, Lord Commander!"

"HAHAHA, very well." Chen Ping’an laughed heartily and strode forward.

After Chen Ping’an had left, the supervisors of the various Task Rooms exchanged glances.

’We all agreed not to pay too much attention to the young punk, but now that we’ve seen him, why is every single one of you acting like such a suck-up!’

Cheng Renjing glanced at his colleagues and thought to himself: ’A bunch of ass-kissers. You all talked such a big game, acting so righteous and unyielding. And now look at you! Good thing I wasn’t smart enough to be fooled by you all! If I had actually done what we agreed upon, I would’ve been made an example of today!’

Seeing the usually imposing Inspectorate officials from the various rooms now acting so cautiously before the new Deputy Commander, the constables and Constables present were filled with emotion.

"How imposing!"

The more clever constables had already firmly memorized Chen Ping’an’s face.

’This is our Garrison Commandant’s Office’s next second-in-command. We’d better remember him clearly!’

...

As the core of a Town and City Garrison Command, the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau’s grounds were vast and spacious inside. After briefly learning about the internal operations from the various Task Room supervisors, Chen Ping’an met with the Chiefs of the Patrol Office and Vice Chiefs of the Patrol who had arrived from the various city districts.

There was no show of force to put him in his place, as one might expect; everyone was very cooperative. While they couldn’t be described as completely loyal or forthcoming, they were outwardly respectful. This included the five Chiefs of the Patrol Office who had already entered the Inner Qi Realm.

’It seems having a proven combat record isn’t a bad thing after all!’

Previously, to secure the position of Deputy Commander of White Stone City for him, Mu Wanjun had thoroughly publicized his feat of killing Shadowless Leg! And this news, naturally, had also spread throughout White Stone City.

Being able to kill someone in the Inner Qi Realm, regardless of the circumstances, meant that Chen Ping’an undoubtedly possessed the combat strength of at least a veteran at the First Stage of Inner Qi!

Of course...

...whether this combat record was inflated or not was another question!

At least, after meeting Chen Ping’an and especially seeing his excessively young face, several of the Chiefs of the Patrol Office had their doubts.

The matter of killing an Inner Qi Realm expert like Shadowless Leg was very likely just a ruse concocted by the higher-ups to justify his appointment and fool the subordinates.

For instance, Shan Qiwang, the Chief of the Patrol Office of the Central District Town Patrol Department, had already begun to speculate about Chen Ping’an’s background.

To hold such a high position at such a young age, it was clear this new superior was not as simple as the intelligence reports suggested.

"Lord Commander, since you have just arrived in White Stone City to take up your post, you likely do not have a suitable residence yet. This subordinate has already prepared a courtyard home for you. If you would not be offended, Lord Commander, perhaps..."