Chapter 538: Chapter 408: Bountiful Harvest, Skyrocketing Wealth

Leaving Gu Qingchan’s Fragrance Pavilion, several images still echoed in Chen Ping’an’s mind, a strange sensation lingering on his fingertips.

For the past few days, the image of Gu Qingchan had been flashing through his mind, especially her timid yet alluring appearance, which he found himself unable to resist.

During his conversation with Gu Qingchan just now, Chen Ping’an hadn’t been thinking about such things at all. But when he saw her seated in the place of honor, poised and elegant in a palace gown, a few scenes couldn’t help but flash through his mind.

"What’s going on with me? Thinking about all this nonsense day in and day out," Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but grumble.

His ambition was in the Martial Dao; his mind was not on such things. At least, compared to his goals, they were not the most important. And yet, he still developed a strange feeling toward Gu Qingchan. It wasn’t affection, but an inexplicable possessiveness.

’What is wrong with me?’ Chen Ping’an gave a wry smile, shaking his head in resignation.

’Could it be an after-effect of our Spiritual Energy becoming entangled that day? Or is Gu Qingchan’s Cultivation Technique special, giving her an inexplicable allure to the opposite sex?’

A few theories surfaced in Chen Ping’an’s mind, but with no evidence to support them, he was momentarily at a loss.

Hm?

Chen Ping’an’s senses twitched as he felt an aura steadily approaching. His expression remained unchanged as he continued to walk. After a few breaths, he looked up as if just then noticing.

A dashingly handsome man with sharp brows and bright eyes was walking toward him.

"Lord Feng." Chen Ping’an stepped aside to make way, a smile on his face as he cupped his hands in salute.

Feng Wuhen was preoccupied with thoughts of Gu Qingchan and his mind was elsewhere. He merely glanced at Chen Ping’an and walked past without a word.

...

The campaign to encircle the Ten Thousand Demons at Sanqi Mountain was a success, and memorial services were held along the major eastern, southern, western, and northern fronts. Although the campaign was a great victory, the losses were heavy, and many brothers had been sacrificed.

As their comrades-in-arms, it was only right for the survivors to mourn them. While clearing the battlefield earlier, they had collected the bodies of their fallen comrades so their souls could return home.

Due to the conditions, the memorial service was simple. No Grandmasters were in attendance this time, but the atmosphere was exceptionally solemn.

"In this campaign, our brothers from every unit fought with their lives on the line. Fearless in the face of hardship, they vowed to slay the enemy..."

"With flesh and blood, they bore the will of heaven and earth, safeguarding the peace of our Canglong State... They used their blood as ink and their bones as pens to write the epic of our valiant warriors..."

"Today, we gather here to remember, with our deepest respect, the brothers-in-arms who fell in this place. May their souls return home and rest in eternal peace!"

"..."

Zhong Zeyu stood at the very front, presiding over the memorial service. The crowd before him listened in silence, their expressions solemn and resolute.

Chen Ping’an stood near the front of the ranks. Feeling the atmosphere of the assembly, he was deeply moved.

’It seemed some things were not as he had imagined.’

...

The campaign against the Ten thousand Demons was completely over, leaving only administrative details to handle, such as arranging compensation for the fallen and assessing merits. In the days following the memorial service, troops began to depart from the Sanqi Mountain encampment one after another.

"Lord Chen, with so many matters to attend to, I will take my leave first." Xu Chongyuan, clad in a black robe and wearing a stern expression, cupped his hands toward Chen Ping’an.

Though he appeared stern, his attitude toward Chen Ping’an was extremely respectful. This was partly due to Chen Ping’an’s strength, and partly due to his achievements. The death of Blood Demon Hammer Stone Heaven Break at Chen Ping’an’s hands was a matter for which Xu Chongyuan had long been grateful.

Looking at Chen Ping’an, an idea began to form in Xu Chongyuan’s mind. ’If only...’

"Farewell, Lord Xu," Chen Ping’an replied with a smile.

Xu Chongyuan gave a solemn salute, then swung himself onto his horse and shouted, "Move out!"

The men of the Li Yang Town Guard Office all mounted their horses and headed for the encampment gates. The Li Yang Town Guard Office had deployed numerous units for this campaign and had suffered heavy losses as well. Their returning numbers were a fraction of what they had been upon arrival.

In comparison, the losses on his Weishui side were somewhat lighter. The battlefield had been chaotic; no one could guarantee their own safety. Even for the most elite Top Level masters, life and death were uncertain in such a melee.

After seeing off Xu Chongyuan’s group, Chen Ping’an returned to his quarters. For the past several days, he had publicly claimed to be recuperating from injuries and would return to Weishui County City only after he had recovered. In reality, he was working on breaking the Spiritual Restriction on a Thousand Mechanism Bag he had acquired during the campaign.

Fortunately, after several days of effort, he had nearly worn down the Spiritual Restrictions on the two Thousand Mechanism Bags.

Night fell, the moonlight like quicksilver. Chen Ping’an sat cross-legged on his bed, his eyes gently closed. A faint Spiritual Light flickered at the spot between his brows.

A simple, ancient-looking cloth bag, covered in the traces of age, floated silently before him. Like an ancient Treasure Artifact, it emitted a faint glow.

VMMMMMM~

The bag suddenly began to pulse with flowing light, and the intricate patterns across its surface began to shine in unison.

"Open!" Chen Ping’an’s eyes snapped open, a Spiritual Light flashing within them.

The mouth of the Thousand Mechanism Bag suddenly sprang open.

"Success!" A look of delight crossed Chen Ping’an’s face as he immediately immersed his Spiritual Energy into the Thousand Mechanism Bag.

This was the Thousand Mechanism Bag left behind by the gray-robed old man. The space inside was as large as a small room, and it was piled high with various items.

"This is..." Chen Ping’an’s gaze was instantly captured by one of the items.

An Inheritance Jade Scroll!

With a glint in his eye, Chen Ping’an instantly retrieved the Inheritance Jade Scroll.

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