Chen Ping's Sword-Chapter 46: Assessing the Situation, Staying Vigilant in Times of Peace

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Assessing the Situation, Staying Vigilant in Times of Peace

"Find a place to hide for now; earlier I lost control, and the killing was exhilarating. I fear the constables of Xingqing Prefecture have been alerted."

Chen Ping was quite aware of himself.

He knew what he had done previously was indeed a bit loud, and he didn’t hide it.

The advantage is that regular small fry won’t dare to come and cause trouble anymore...

However, there are downsides too; the actions were too heinous. Killing openly in broad daylight, whether it’s gang members or common folks, too many deaths become a major case.

Even if Xingqing Prefecture wants to turn a blind eye, it has to pass without suspicion, putting on a show is still needed.

Otherwise, they’ll surely be cursed as freeloaders.

So, at this time, hiding quietly, giving others face, is also giving oneself dignity.

If he really resists head-on, causing the experts from Six Gates or the City Defense Patrol to act, that would be called impossible to escape.

The constables, though, are not a big threat.

The most threatening is actually the Seven-Colored Hall.

From the earlier interrogation of the Cyan Hall’s Incense Burning Disciple, Chen Ping had already learned...

Although Chang Sansi showed signs of rebellion during the attack from outsiders,

anyone with a discerning eye could see he wasn’t truly rebellious... He was simply attempting to clear Seven-Colored Hall’s name once he found himself unable to explain himself.

That’s not a traitor; that’s a loyal servant.

Moreover, having been an old member of Seven-Colored Hall, and having held the position of Vice Incense Master in Cyan Hall for years, he had some connections.

Now his tragic death, if left unattended by the hall, would chill the hearts of the lower-tier members.

Therefore, looking at this, Seven-Colored Hall will surely start tracking for revenge...

Especially the Cyan Hall Branch, Dong Jinzhong will not let it rest.

In fact, although he had hidden far away, Chen Ping could still hear the angry roars coming from Yulan Street.

The voice was filled with murderous intent, like metal grinding, unpleasant to the ears, and very recognizable.

Wasn’t that Incense Master Dong, or who else?

"Not going to the north side of the city anymore?" Zuo Duanshou, young and fearless, was not worried about meeting the pursuers. He bore enmity towards the Seven-Colored Hall members...

He had been holding back only because he lacked the skills, and couldn’t do otherwise.

"Let’s avoid tonight... Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. I heard Xingqing Prefecture is planning a big event, offering sacrifices to fire gods, to ward off pests for a bountiful harvest.

On the streets, there will be stricter control, and patrol soldiers will be out. Even if someone from Seven-Colored Hall is watching, they’ll be more restrained."

Little Table suddenly spoke up.

"Yes, yes, then let’s go to the north side tomorrow. Oh dear, I haven’t bought any lanterns yet, and no fireworks... In our new courtyard, we can’t have it all dark. We should at least get some lanterns."

Alright, this was Hua Lian’er.

She was already imagining how to decorate their new home.

This nerve, really bold.

Chen Ping chuckled silently, thinking that although he had weathered many storms and lived like a second life, his mindset was still not as carefree as these kids. Had he been living too cautiously?

Or are these few the so-called "foolishly daring" ones?

...

The sky gradually darkened.

Chen Ping and the others snuck through some alleys, darting among the shadows cast by the houses, without alarming anyone.

Street traffic lessened significantly; those who needed to go home had already done so.

Occasionally, some people could be seen rushing around, calling out cryptic phrases to each other.

These were likely Cyan Hall Incense Hall disciples searching.

Indeed, they were the most active.

They arrived at an old courtyard...

The faded and peeling red door creaked open, and an impatient voice said, "Uncle Guii, have you lost your mind? Do you dare meddle in the young master’s affairs?

As the saying goes, ’A graceful lady is a gentleman’s desire.’ Isn’t this a chance to find a bride from Chunfeng Tower for our Old Qi Family? Later, a couple of healthy sons can properly honor your old bones."

A young scholar, dressed in a new long robe, skin hugging his bones, with sleeves fluttering, staggered out. With a shove to the old man blocking him, he talked without turning back and walked away.

The old man pushed fell to the ground, his head tilted, hitting the doorframe.

His eyes rolled back, not making a sound, and fainted.

Chen Ping and the others halted in their tracks, watching the young scholar’s distant figure, momentarily speechless.

"Isn’t this old man going to die here with no one to care for him?" Hua Lian’er ran up to check the old man’s breath, breathed a sigh of relief, and peeked into the courtyard, "How about this place then, no one’s here."

"Are all scholars like this?" Zuo Duanshou, with a wooden expression, sneaked a glance at the Kuihua Brothers.

He thought, this was the first time he heard someone equate visiting a brothel with finding a bride.

Oddly, it still made sense.

Little Table and Little Stool muttered, not knowing how to respond.

They wanted to say ’no,’ but the words couldn’t come out.

Back when they were brothers, the family was well-off, and such behavior was common.

Visiting a brothel was like eating meat.

Moreover, as far as they knew, their classmates all took pride in drinking flower wine... To have a sweet encounter, the next day at school, they’d surely boast for half a day.

Everyone, even including the teachers, didn’t see it as a bad thing.

They’d rather ask if any good poetry was written in the spirit of the drink... 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

But that’s in the past.

For Little Table and Little Stool, Zuo Duanshou’s question was undeniably humiliating to them.

Have you ever seen anyone ask a eunuch about visiting a brothel?

Indeed, it was the rough, uneducated upbringing of the frontier military family.

The two brothers muttered to themselves, silent for a moment.

...

"Alright, let’s settle here, shut the door, and move the old man inside; the ground’s quite chilly."

Chen Ping looked around; it was in the depth of an alley, fairly quiet.

In the courtyard, aside from the old servant, there was only the young scholar who went out to visit the brothel.

When visiting a brothel, unless silver runs out and daylight breaks, he likely won’t return.

Perfect as a temporary refuge.

"Prepare some food; I need to meditate for a while."

Chen Ping hastily tossed out a sentence and found a secluded room to step inside.

When he killed Chang Sansi earlier, a brilliantly bright orb only he saw sunk into his mental sea... The quality of this orb was unprecedented, likely surpassing the Tribulation and Fortune gained before.

On the way, he sneaked a glance and found his Tribulation Points had increased by 6 points, and Fortune by 4 points.

This time, it was a rare high yield.

Indeed, as expected, Chang Sansi was of extraordinary fate, with robust strength, truly a treasure.

......