Chapter 425 - 362: Leaving Beicang and Future Plans

’What sharp senses!’

Chen Ping’an hadn’t expected her to notice his gaze so quickly, but she immediately turned to look his way.

She had a delicate, straight nose, fair skin, and charmingly curved eyes. Deep within her pupils, a faint blue light shimmered.

’Lan Yingjun!’

Chen Ping’an recognized her instantly. He glanced at the figure beside the young woman, who was completely shrouded in a gray robe. Without a doubt, this had to be the Five Poison Earth Fiend Palm, Lan Yingying.

’What’s this? Her injuries still haven’t healed!?’

Chen Ping’an narrowed his eyes slightly, lowered the curtain, and sat back inside his carriage.

He hadn’t forgotten that Lan Yingying had won the second-to-last Heavy Treasure at the Beicang Auction: the Ice Soul Profound Heart Lotus. Furthermore, as a Poison Dao Master, Lan Yingying was bound to have many other valuables on her. The Ten Thousand Marvels Poisonous Smoke was a perfect example.

’If I could just kill her...’

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Ping’an’s eyes, and he felt the strong urge to make a move.

His injuries were now fully healed, and he was in peak condition—even better than he had been after that series of intense battles. Lan Yingying, on the other hand, was still heavily injured. Even if she teamed up with Lan Yingjun, the two of them would be no match for him.

If he chose to strike, success was virtually guaranteed.

However, the thought only lasted for a few moments before he dismissed it.

Although the two of them together were no match for him, attacking them would undoubtedly cause a commotion. Beicang Town was currently reeling from the rampage of the Evil and Heterodox Dao. The authorities were on high alert, patrols were everywhere, and there was no telling what other clandestine measures were in place.

If he rashly caused a disturbance, he would likely draw immediate attention. Worse, he might attract the notice of a Grandmaster.

He wasn’t afraid of a single Grandmaster, but if two or three showed up... he would probably have no choice but to flee in disgrace.

This speculation was not unfounded. For the Garrison Commandant’s Office, and even the Qiankun Bureau, this vicious incident—Evil Demons running rampant in Beicang—was undoubtedly a huge slap in the face. Their fury was soaring, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Under these circumstances, any further disturbance would cause that volcanic fury to erupt and pour down on him. With his current strength, Chen Ping’an wasn’t sure he could withstand it.

Besides, while the Ice Soul Profound Heart Lotus was undoubtedly a Heavy Treasure, it wasn’t essential for Chen Ping’an. He could reach the Jade Balance Realm and become a Grandmaster simply by continuing on his current path. Why take unnecessary risks and invite trouble?

Were it not for these concerns, Chen Ping’an would have certainly followed them, biding his time and waiting for the right moment to strike.

His top priority right now was to break through to the Jade Balance Realm and become a Grandmaster. That was of utmost importance. There was no need to risk a great loss for a small gain by tangling with those two. Once he became a Grandmaster, countless treasures would be well within his grasp!

As Chen Ping’an mulled this over, he glanced at the pair a few more times through the carriage window. Lan Yingying and Lan Yingjun kept their figures partially obscured, as if wary of something.

As he watched Lan Yingjun coyly hiding within her robes, a different scene flashed through Chen Ping’an’s mind: the young woman’s clothes torn, her charms exposed as she fled in distress.

With every sway of her dress, glimpses of her snow-white skin were revealed.

’Speaking of which, that Lan Yingjun’s figure is really something else...’

The image only lingered in Chen Ping’an’s mind for an instant before he pushed it aside.

The line soon reached Lan Yingying and her companion. He didn’t know what method they used, but they passed through the inspection with incredible speed and departed from Beicang Town.

Chen Ping’an watched them disappear into the distance. Inside his Hundred Treasures Pouch, an Enchanting Silver Bell lay undisturbed.

"Sir, I’ve cleared the way. Please proceed!" Before long, Yuan Zutong ran over excitedly with the news.

After receiving Chen Ping’an’s permission, Yuan Zutong drove the carriage slowly forward. Though Yuan Zutong had invited him to "proceed," he naturally wouldn’t make Chen Ping’an walk, so it was the carriage that moved.

The moving carriage drew the attention of the crowd.

"There’s a carriage? Who does that belong to?"

"Are you blind? You don’t even recognize a carriage from the Garrison Commandant’s Office? How do you even get by out here!?"

"Quick, quick, get out of the way! We’re about to leave anyway, no need to ask for trouble!"

"Good point, let’s move!"

"..."

When out and about, stubborn fools were in the minority. Most people knew how to read the situation and act accordingly.

The carriage proceeded slowly as the crowd parted to let it pass, secretly guessing which dignitary was seated inside.

To be assigned a dedicated carriage from the Garrison Commandant’s Office, one had to at least be part of the command hierarchy, at the level of a Commander-in-Chief. Such an individual would be no nameless nobody in Beicang.

The carriage drove up to the town’s exit checkpoint and was stopped by the elite guards on duty. However, compared to the gruff, curt way they spoke to others, their tone now was far more gentle.

Yuan Zutong naturally handled the necessary details. Chen Ping’an simply had to sit inside the carriage and wait.

In leaving the town this way, Chen Ping’an was essentially cutting the line. Having recently slain an Evil Master of the Profound Light Middle Realm, he was currently in the limelight. Combined with his status as a Candidate for Commander-in-Chief, his prestige and authority were considerable, so the Beicang Garrison naturally had to show him some deference.

However, while he could cut the line, he couldn’t avoid the mandatory inspection. In normal times, it might have been overlooked, but the recent turmoil had been too great. No one dared to be careless or neglect their duty. If an oversight on their part led to another incident, not even a hundred deaths could atone for it.

Given the situation, Chen Ping’an had no objections and was quite cooperative. He would submit to whatever inspection was required.

With his current reputation, he had enough pull to cut the line, but not nearly enough to be exempt from the inspection and leave Beicang Town directly.