Chapter 423 - 361: Seeing an Old Acquaintance Again, A Senior Powerhouse

A specialized Garrison Commandant’s Office carriage, escorted by Yuan Zutong and his men, drove along the street toward the exit of Beicang Town. Chen Ping’an sat inside, watching the scenery on either side.

With over half a month to recover, the situation in Beicang Town was much improved. Although many buildings had yet to be repaired, the overall impression was decent, lacking the ruin and disarray of before.

On the street, patrol squads from the Beicang Garrison passed by from time to time. They moved in groups of five, each with a saber at their waist, a bow on their back, and a specialized rope coiled around their body.

Even though the lockdown had been lifted, patrols within the town remained incredibly strict.

When the patrol squad saw Chen Ping’an’s tall, spacious, all-black carriage, they showed no intention of stopping it for an inspection. Instead, they moved to the side to let it pass.

The carriage bore the special insignia of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, a symbol they, as elites of the organization, naturally recognized. Not just anyone was qualified to possess such a carriage. Only those who had reached the level of Commander-in-Chief within the Garrison Commandant’s Office were entitled to one.

Without a doubt, an important figure from the Garrison Commandant’s Office sat within.

With the patrol squad respectfully making way, the carriage soon passed them by.

As he neared the exit of Beicang Town, Chen Ping’an spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.

’Liu Ziming!’

He’d heard long ago that Liu Ziming was in Beicang Town, but he had yet to run into him. To think he would see him now, just as he was about to leave.

’Such encounters must be fate.’ With that thought, Chen Ping’an decided to go and say hello.

Liu Ziming walked down the street, somewhat silent as he listened to the discussion of his two uncle-grandfathers ahead of him.

This session of the Beicang Auction had been grand in scale and prestige, with publicity that was simply inescapable. Being from Weishui County City, he had the geographical advantage over those from other regions. He certainly wasn’t going to miss such a momentous event!

The auction had been truly magnificent, and the final few major items, in particular, were enough to make anyone burn with envy.

A Treasure Pill that could help one break through to the Absolute Master realm, the support-type Divine Skill Enchanting Soul Technique, the Quasi-Divine Weapon Profound Ice Silk Armor, the formidable Divine Skill Dragon Elephant Dominating Body Technique...

Each and every one of these priceless treasures filled him with yearning.

Unfortunately, although his Liu Family was the foremost noble family in Weishui County City, they lacked the financial power to compete for items of such caliber. Unless the very fate of the family was at stake, the resources they could deploy were quite limited.

Still, the trip hadn’t been a total loss. They had managed to win two major treasures. One of them, a Fine Treasure Artifact, was remarkably versatile, much to the delight of his two uncle-grandfathers.

The entire auction lasted for three days, and Liu Ziming had gained a great deal, witnessing countless rare treasures and broadening his horizons.

Although he was the Liu Family’s foremost prodigy and the legitimate son of a noble house, only by stepping out into the world could he realize how truly vast it was. During the final bidding, he had even palpably felt the might of a Grandmaster’s Will!

’A Grandmaster!’

Liu Ziming was filled with awe.

The entire auction had gone smoothly. But who could have predicted that just as it ended, such chaos would erupt? The sheer scale and profound impact were difficult to even imagine.

Even a Grandmaster had personally intervened to suppress the chaos! To say nothing of the Absolute Masters and experts of the Profound Light Realm!

The scene was utter chaos, with powerhouses from every faction coming to blows. He, at least, had been lucky. Thanks to the full-powered protection of his two uncle-grandfathers, he hadn’t suffered any injuries.

Afterwards, Beicang was sealed off and placed under full martial law, which was only lifted today.

’Not yet twenty-two years old, and he killed someone in the Profound Light Middle Realm...’ The news he’d recently heard replayed endlessly in Liu Ziming’s mind. This was the true reason for his silence.

If he previously had the courage to try and catch up to Chen Ping’an, hearing this news had completely crushed his spirit.

He recalled the past: his initial high spirits, his later determination to forge ahead, and now... this feeling of staring at an impassable ocean, utterly helpless.

Killing an expert of the Profound Light Middle Realm!!! That meant Chen Ping’an’s combat prowess stood at the very peak of that realm!

He remembered his own boast, that he would step into the Profound Light Realm before Chen Ping’an. But now, his rival’s power had already reached such heights, while he was still just hovering on the threshold. How could he not feel dejected? How could he not be utterly demoralized?

A carriage pulled up from behind, interrupting Liu Ziming’s thoughts. He turned his head and, behind the carriage’s lifted curtain, he saw a familiar face.

"Young Master Liu, it’s been a while!"

The tone was gentle, as if he were catching up with a long-lost friend.

"Chen Ping’an!" Liu Ziming’s pupils constricted in shock. He was completely stunned to see him here.

Before Chen Ping’an could reply, the two uncle-grandfathers beside Liu Ziming recognized him and hastily cupped their fists. "So, it is Lord Chen in person!"

One of them turned to Liu Ziming. "Ziming, watch your tongue! Lord Chen holds the esteemed title of Inspection Envoy. How can you address him so informally by his full name?"

To them, Chen Ping’an was more than just a prodigy from the Rising Star Chart. He was a young man who already held a high rank among the upper echelons of the Weishui Garrison. Now, having displayed such peerless talent, his future was boundless. A figure like that could not be treated like some common junior!

Chen Ping’an wasn’t bothered by their reaction. Given the talent he had displayed, on top of his position within the Garrison Commandant’s Office, even an Absolute Master would have to treat him with solemn respect. Liu Gongxi, the Defense Commander of the Beicang Garrison, was a perfect example. Even he had to make a deliberate effort to get on good terms with Chen Ping’an, all with an eye toward the future.