Inside the Baishi City Garrison Command.
Yamen Runners were lined up on both sides, welcoming Chen Ping'an’s arrival. In the very center, a long, festive red carpet had already been laid out. The red carpet had been prepared long ago and was temporarily displayed for today.
Besides the Yamen Runners, the Chief Constables and Squad Leaders of the Zhenfu Division were also present. Standing at the very front was a group of people, all the supervisors and deputy supervisors of the various Errand Offices, serving as the main welcoming party.
In addition, the Chief Warrant Officers and Deputy Total Affairs Offices from various urban areas were already on their way.
“Your humble subordinates respectfully welcome Commander!”
A large crowd knelt on one knee, greeting Chen Ping'an in unison with respectful voices.
Although Chen Ping'an was the Deputy Commander, since the Commander was not present, they naturally addressed him as Commander. No one would be foolish enough to add the word “Deputy.”
Seeing the large crowd kneeling on one knee before him, Chen Ping'an nodded slightly.
“There’s no need for such ceremony, all of you may rise!”
“Yes, Commander.”
The supervisors of the various Errand Offices of the Zhenfu Division then stood up and looked up at Chen Ping'an.
Seeing Chen Ping'an so young up close, some Squad Leaders were slightly startled. Although they had heard the news early and knew that the newly appointed Deputy Commander was not old, and had prepared themselves mentally, seeing him in person was a different matter entirely.
Such a young… Internal Energy Realm cultivator?
Are you kidding me!
Judging by his appearance, some would even believe he hadn’t reached adulthood yet!
There were also Squad Leader supervisors who, upon seeing Chen Ping'an's appearance, couldn't help but curse inwardly: “Damn it, I’ve worked myself to death for half my life, and in the end, I can’t even compare to a young man. Why didn’t I get a better reincarnation!”
Evidently, these people all believed that Chen Ping'an was able to serve as the Deputy Commander of the Baishi City Garrison Command at such a young age because of his background. Even his cultivation was due to his privileged background.
Otherwise, it would be utterly impossible to reach such a height!
To be able to sit in the second-in-command position of a Zhenfu Division at such a young age, who would believe it without some background!
Everyone looked at Chen Ping'an, their thoughts varied.
But no matter what they thought inwardly, no one dared to casually reveal their true feelings. Each of them acted with utmost respect, as if they would go through fire and water if the Commander spoke.
The chief official had just taken office; how could they not leave a good impression!
Did they want to mess up their careers!
The Errand Office, being in charge of the Zhenfu Division's registered archives, transfers, and reassignments, its supervisor, after a brief self-introduction, proactively introduced the other people present to Chen Ping'an. However, the main introductions were of the supervisors of the various Errand Offices.
“Commander, I am Cheng Renjing from the Errand Office of the Baishi City Garrison Command. This is Wei Jingyu, the supervisor of the Dispatching Division…”
Every supervisor who was introduced respectfully greeted Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an met them one by one.
When the last person was introduced, Chen Ping'an asked, “Where is the Commander?”
Seeing Chen Ping'an ask, Cheng Renjing smiled and cupped his hands: “Replying to Commander, Commander Feng is currently inspecting the outer perimeter of the Long'an Trade Route. He has been out for over half a month and should not be back anytime soon.”
“Inspecting the outer perimeter of the Long'an Trade Route.”
Chen Ping'an nodded slightly.
Baishi City had a special geographical advantage, being close to the starting point of the Long'an Trade Route. As a city's Commander, he also bore the responsibility of inspecting the outer perimeter of the trade route. This was quite normal; otherwise, a small city like Baishi City would not be equipped with a master of the Inner Qi Third Level, Tianlin Descends Peak.
After all, even the Outer Town Envoyship of Weishui County was only equipped with a master of this caliber!
“How much longer until Commander Feng returns?”
“According to usual practice, it should be about another ten days to half a month,” Cheng Renjing replied.
A hint of doubt flashed through Chen Ping'an's mind, but he smiled slightly on his face: “Did Commander Feng leave any instructions before he left?”
“He did not leave any instructions,” Cheng Renjing replied.
Chen Ping'an’s doubt grew stronger.
Counting the days, when Commander Feng left the city, the former Deputy Commander had already died. In such a situation, regardless of any external missions, it should have been a priority to stabilize the situation within the city.
Why did Commander Feng go out instead!?
And even if he went out, why for so long?
What’s going on?
Chen Ping'an scanned the crowd before him and said with a smile: “Let's go, don't stand here anymore. Let's go inside and talk.”
Everyone hurriedly responded: “Yes! Commander, please go first!”
“Hahaha, good.” Chen Ping'an laughed heartily and stepped forward.
After Chen Ping'an left, the supervisors of the various Errand Offices exchanged glances.
They had previously agreed that the young man didn't need too much attention, but now that they saw him, why were they all so fawning!
Cheng Renjing glanced at several colleagues and thought to himself: “A bunch of bootlickers, they spoke so righteously and looked so unyielding before, and now this!? Luckily, I wasn't clever and wasn't fooled by you! If I had really done what we said back then, I would have been the chicken sacrificed to warn the monkey today!”
Watching the once formidable Squad Leaders of various divisions acting cautiously in front of the New Vice Commander, the Yamen Runners and Chief Constables in the area couldn't help but sigh.
“How imposing!”
Even some quick-witted Yamen Runners had already firmly memorized Chen Ping'an's appearance.
This is our Zhenfu Division's second-in-command from now on; we must remember him clearly!
...
After all, as the core of a city's Zhenfu Division, the Baishi City Garrison Command occupied a considerable area and was very spacious inside. After Chen Ping'an briefly understood the internal operations with the supervisors of the various Errand Offices, he then met the Chief Warrant Officers and Deputy Total Affairs Offices who had arrived from various urban areas.
There was no scene of a show of force as he had imagined; these people were all very cooperative. Although one couldn't say they were completely loyal and without reservations, they were outwardly respectful. This included the five Chief Warrant Officers who had already entered the Internal Energy Realm.
It seems having proven battle achievements isn't necessarily a bad thing!
Previously, in order to secure the position of Deputy Commander of Baishi City, Mu Wanjun had vigorously promoted his feat of slaying the Shadowless Kick! And this news naturally spread to Baishi City.
To be able to slay an Internal Energy Realm master, regardless of the circumstances at the time, Chen Ping'an undoubtedly possessed at least the combat power level of a seasoned Internal Energy First Level practitioner!
Of course…
Whether this achievement had any embellishment was hard to say!
At least after seeing Chen Ping'an, especially his overly young face, several Chief Warrant Officers had a question mark in their minds.
It was highly possible that the story of slaying the Internal Energy Realm master Shadowless Kick was just a trick by the higher-ups to arrange a position and fool the people below.
For example, Dan Qiwang, the Chief Warrant Officer of the Central Urban Zhenfu Division, had already begun to speculate about Chen Ping'an's background.
To be able to hold such a high position at such a young age, it was clear that this new superior was not as simple as the intelligence reports suggested.
“Commander, you have just arrived in Baishi City for your appointment, and I imagine you don't yet have a suitable residence. Your subordinate has already prepared a mansion for you. If you don't mind, why don't you…”