Chapter 476: Eve of Departure, a Night Tour of Weishui

Chapter 476: Chapter 383: Eve of Departure, a Night Tour of Weishui

After leaving work at the Garrison Commandant’s Office, Chen Ping’an found himself thinking of Mu Wanjun on his way home.

He owed her a great debt of gratitude for recognizing his talent. Years ago, it was thanks to her help that he had successfully become an official constable. Now that he was accomplished and famous, he naturally wanted to repay the favor.

He had originally thought he would be able to catch up with Wan Jun at the Mu Family’s banquet, but he hadn’t expected her to be in seclusion, attempting to break through to a new Realm. As a result, they hadn’t been able to meet.

‘She’s been in seclusion for so long. I wonder if she’s having trouble Breaking Realm, or if she has already achieved her breakthrough and is now consolidating her new Realm,’ Chen Ping’an wondered.

The Weishui Garrison was not far from the residence Chen Ping’an had previously purchased, so it didn’t take long for his carriage to bring him home.

When Chen Ping’an arrived, his little sister had just returned from her classes at Weishui Academy. Technically, since she was about to leave Weishui to study in Canglong State City, there was no need for her to attend the academy these last few days. However, the young girl didn’t want to waste any time and continued to go to school every day.

He heard that she had already started outlining her future coursework, not wanting to waste the travel time to Canglong State City. Once the framework was set, she could study diligently on her own.

An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, but an inch of gold can’t buy an inch of time.

His little sister had truly taken this saying to heart.

Strictly speaking, the two siblings were quite alike. One studied hard day after day, the other trained hard day after day—both tireless, never daring to slack off in the slightest.

Chen Ping’an had the real-time positive feedback from his Golden Finger Panel to keep him going. He wondered, though, what the driving force behind his little sister’s diligent studies was.

“Brother, you’re home!” Seeing Chen Ping’an, the little girl put down her book, her eyes curving into smiling crescents.

Seeing her smile, as radiant as a flower, Chen Ping’an was momentarily lost in a daze. Time seemed to rewind to the days when the two siblings had only each other to rely on.

He would toil all day outside, returning home from work utterly exhausted. His little sister would be waiting for him, and with a single, sweet phrase upon seeing him return, she would wash away all his fatigue.

Scene after scene flashed through Chen Ping’an’s mind like flowing water, countless moments in time intertwining and overlapping. Chen Ping’an stood frozen in place, only speaking after a long moment.

“Yes, I’m back.”

The little girl found it a bit strange, but she didn’t press him, instead launching into a happy recount of the new things she had learned in her lessons today.

A gentle warmth filled Chen Ping’an’s heart. He listened attentively with a smile on his face. Peony stood sweetly to the side, blinking her large eyes as she listened to the siblings’ conversation.

The lingering glow of the setting sun streamed through the window, the interplay of light and shadow creating a warm, gentle, and beautiful scene.

…

Chen Ping’an had left work early today specifically to show his little sister around Weishui County City before she left Weishui.

Their first stop was a return to Nanquan Lane, to Pear Blossom Lane.

This was the place where they had grown up!

Following Chen Ping’an’s promotion to Deputy Commander-in-Chief, their former residence had been officially taken over by the Outer City Garrison Command, which was now responsible for the small courtyard’s repair and maintenance.

Outside the small courtyard in Pear Blossom Lane, constables directly under the Outer City Garrison Command were permanently stationed. The Outer City Garrison Command had even set up an outpost nearby for this purpose. This matter had a direct impact on the situation in Pear Blossom Lane, and even in Nanquan Lane as a whole.

Gangs that were used to running wild in the lower rungs of society now had to be on their best behavior whenever they came to Pear Blossom Lane, afraid of causing any trouble. This, in turn, improved public security in Pear Blossom Lane, making it the safest lane in the South District, second only to the core area.

And this was just one small effect of Chen Ping’an’s promotion. Similar situations and impacts could be seen in many other subtle ways.

On this trip back to Pear Blossom Lane in Nanquan Lane, Chen Ping’an was not as low-key as he had been before.

Accompanied by a large retinue of Guards, he and his little sister returned to their old courtyard in a large, wide, custom-built carriage.

Even before they arrived, subordinates had already notified all the various local offices to prepare a reception. All along the route, people were gathered to welcome him.

By the time Chen Ping’an officially arrived at the small courtyard, a large crowd had already gathered. Among them were people from the Urban Garrison Command, the local Lane Garrison Command, leaders of various gangs, and core members of minor families.

In Pear Blossom Lane, neighbors watched from a distance. Among them were some bewildered children, asking questions out of curiosity.

“Grandpa, why are there so many people over there? Did something happen?”

“Silly child, Lord Chen has returned! These people are all here to welcome him!”

“Who’s Lord Chen?”

“Lord Chen is a great man from our very own Pear Blossom Lane!”

“A great man? Is he as great as a Constable?”

“A Constable? A Constable isn’t worthy to carry Lord Chen’s shoes!”

“Huh!?”

…

Besides the bewildered children, there were also excited old neighbors.

“Lord Chen is back, Lord Chen is back!”

“Where? Did you get a clear look?”

“Over there! Look! He just got out of the carriage!”

“I see him, I see him! Lord Chen!”

“Hey, from the Zhang family! I heard that your Ah Mu was once patted on the head by Lord Chen, is that true?”

“It’s true! Of course, it’s true! Truer than Gold!”

…

With his Martial Arts Realm, Chen Ping’an could naturally hear the whispers from the distant crowd over the throng of people. Among them were many voices that lingered in his distant memories.