Chapter 361 - 335: Gu Family’s Marriage Alliance, Broken Soul Inheritance

However, a determined glint flashed through Chen Ping’an’s eyes as light swirled within them.

’If I want to reach the top, why should I need to rely on others and become some groveling sycophant! Even if I do end up agreeing to a marriage alliance with the Gu Family, it won’t be because I’m driven solely by self-interest. The benefits will be a bonus at most, not the main reason for my decision!’

’A real man never has to worry about finding a wife! I’ll set this matter aside for now. When I travel to Canglong State City and meet the Gu Family Grandmaster face-to-face, I’ll give it more thought then!’

Chen Ping’an was in no hurry to get married. He might allow certain considerations to influence his decision, but influence was not the same as compromise, and it certainly wasn’t about settling.

When it came to his official wife, what Chen Ping’an valued most were his own feelings. If he didn’t feel that profound, unspoken connection, he wouldn’t agree, not even for a mountain of gold.

Speaking of which, for a dignified Grandmaster and a major figure in the State Garrison Command, Gu Haoqing’s letter had the distinct air of a pimp. Such an act was somewhat demeaning to the title of Grandmaster, yet Gu Haoqing did it anyway. The breadth of vision and courage he displayed was leagues above that of the Mu Family’s Clan Elders!

Since ancient times, those who accomplish great things and hold high positions plan for results, not for reputation!

They have the vision of one standing on a mountaintop, as well as the fortitude to bow their heads and bear infamy.

One could infer the Gu Clan’s fortune from this small detail. With such an atmosphere influencing their family’s teachings and legacy, it was no wonder the Gu Family had thrived for thousands of years, its foundation ever-strong.

After a moment of thought, Chen Ping’an set the matter aside. Gu Haoqing’s letter had shown him more than just the man’s attitude; it revealed many other things as well.

Gu Haoqing had sent this letter through the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s channels. While it had undertones of encouraging a junior and looking after a subordinate, it was ultimately inseparable from his considerations for his family. Whether it was recruitment or a marriage alliance, the Gu Family came first!

Such an act mixed public and private affairs! This letter was a clear case of using his public position for private ends—benefiting himself and his family!

But in the current climate, such actions were commonplace. Even in the eyes of the Qiankun Bureau, Gu Haoqing’s move wasn’t considered a major transgression. They would mostly turn a blind eye!

As long as a selfish motive was tainted with a hint of public interest, it was treated as a public interest!

The Garrison Commandant’s Office had been corroded by the Noble Families in every region, leaving it riddled with holes. The local powers acted in collusion, and even the State Garrison Command was no exception. And it wasn’t just the Garrison Commandant’s Office; the Qiankun Bureau, which was responsible for oversight, was the same, to say nothing of other organizations!

The regional powers had grown too strong to be controlled, and the central government struggled to command them. The decline of the Daqian Dynasty was evident for all to see!

However, there were still towering pillars of support within the Imperial Capital. The might of the Daqian Dynasty’s dragon was not yet spent, and it had not truly reached its twilight. No matter how turbulent the undercurrents, the world maintained a superficial peace—a scene of prosperity and splendor. The common people had not yet been plunged into true suffering.

But these were matters for the great figures of the State Realm to ponder. For the current Chen Ping’an, they were far too distant. So, after a fleeting thought, he refocused his attention on himself.

With a flicker of Chen Ping’an’s will, a great curtain seemed to part in the empty space before him. Amidst motes of starlight, several lines of text appeared.

Name: Chen Ping’an

Realm: Profound Light - Mystic Light Penetrating Object

Martial Arts: Great Success in Three-Thirds Human Tribulation Finger (507/1600), Soul-Severing Saber (Uninitiated: 1/80), Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill Perfect, Great Vajra...

...

’A Divine Skill! Soul-Severing Saber!’ Chen Ping’an’s eyes lit up as he looked at the newly acquired cultivation technique on the panel.

He had looted Li Pingjiang’s body and brought everything back with him to Five Peaks Mountain City. Taking stock of it all afterward, he found quite a few good things.

Chen Ping’an hadn’t expected Li Pingjiang to be carrying the Soul-Severing Saber’s Sword Manual on his person. Although it was just a tracing and not the original, it was enough for Chen Ping’an!

Obtaining a Divine Sword Skill was a wonderful surprise! It would save Chen Ping’an a lot of trouble down the line!

Besides the Divine Skill Soul-breaking Blade, Chen Ping’an also found a Fine Treasure Saber, over a hundred Yuan Crystals, and various miscellaneous items like Healing Elixirs and External Gold Powder on Li Pingjiang’s body.

All in all, the total value exceeded two hundred Yuan Crystals!

Li Pingjiang was truly worthy of being a Grandmaster Disciple. His wealth was immense, completely incomparable to that Yin Tribulation Sword fellow! The only slight regret was that Li Pingjiang didn’t have anything like a Hundred Treasures Pouch; otherwise, the haul would have been even more substantial!

But that was to be expected. A Hundred Treasures Pouch was, after all, an incredibly precious item. Not even every Absolute Master could possess one!

’What a good guy, that Li Pingjiang! He came all this way from so far away, gave me a chance to establish my might, and even delivered such a huge sum on top of it all!’ Chen Ping’an thought with a joyful smile.

Chen Ping’an guessed that the reason Li Pingjiang was carrying so many Yuan Crystals was likely related to the Beicang Auction!

It seemed the Beicang Auction was truly a gathering of prominent figures; even people from the Celestial Net Sect had shown up to join the excitement.

Including the haul from Li Pingjiang, Chen Ping’an’s personal fortune now amounted to nine hundred Yuan Crystals.

Nine hundred Yuan Crystals was a considerable sum of wealth anywhere! With this kind of fortune, he had a good chance of successfully bidding for even a Quasi-Divine Weapon or a Divine Skill!

With this foundation, Chen Ping’an was full of confidence for the upcoming Beicang Auction.

Five Peaks Mountain City was close to the entrance of the trade route. It didn’t take long for Chen Ping’an to travel from the city to the entrance of the Long’an Trade Route.

At the entrance to the Long’an Trade Route stood a towering stone stele. Inscribed upon it in powerful, vigorous strokes were three large words: Long’an Trade Route!