Chapter 18: Like Thin Leather

“This feeling of immense power.”

Chen Pingan meditated in the courtyard for quite a while before slowly opening his eyes.

“Wonderful!”

He walked straight into the kitchen, looked at the water vat filled more than halfway, placed both hands on it, and exerted a sudden, violent force.

With a sudden movement, the water vat was actually lifted into the air by him.

Although their family's water vat wasn't exceptionally large, when filled more than halfway, its weight would certainly not be less than three hundred catties.

“Brother! How did your strength become...”

Chen Erya, who had witnessed the entire scene, gasped with her hand over her mouth.

She was stunned.

Since when had her brother's strength become so great!

“I still have strength to spare!”

After testing his limits, Chen Pingan set the water vat down. He turned his head toward Chen Erya and flashed a smile.

“It's from martial arts training!”

“Martial arts...”

Shock was still etched on Chen Erya's face.

How many days had it been since Brother started practicing martial arts? How could he already...

Perhaps sensing her confusion, Chen Pingan added another sentence.

“Your brother is a once-in-a-ten-thousand martial arts genius!”

Indeed, in less than ten days, he had transformed from an ordinary person into a martial arts practitioner at the peak of the first stage of Qi and Blood. If such speed wasn't a genius, then what was?

“Peak of the first stage of Qi and Blood, increased strength!”

“Let me try again—the changes after achieving minor mastery of the Iron Cloth technique!”

Chen Pingan stripped off his upper garments, his Qi and Blood surging. He struck his own chest with a palm.

Unsure of his strength for the first strike, he only used a small fraction of his power.

*Thud!*

A dull sound, like a strike against cowhide.

Chen Pingan felt only a slight vibration in his chest, without much sensation.

“Again!”

This time, Chen Pingan increased his strength and struck again.

*Thud!* It was still an incredibly dull sound. This time, however, Chen Pingan felt a sensation of numbness.

“Peak of the first stage of Qi and Blood, skin refinement achieved; it is like thin cowhide!”

After several repeated attempts, Chen Pingan finally confirmed his current condition.

His ability to withstand impact had increased significantly. Perhaps due to the effect of his "Golden Finger," his skin looked no different from an ordinary person's, but in reality, his defense and impact resistance were like that of thin cowhide.

If a delicate young lady were to strike his skin with a knife, she likely wouldn't be able to break the surface for some time.

The sensation was similar to using an ordinary knife to cut through the thickest part of a pig's carcass; with normal force, it simply wouldn't pierce the skin.

At this moment, Chen Pingan possessed a similar quality.

But what Chen Pingan gained was not just this; his most precious asset was the combat experience of the Iron Cloth technique, as if he had practiced it through years of bitter cultivation.

Even though Chen Pingan had never fought a single real battle, he was fully confident in the various tactical applications of the Iron Cloth combat methods.

“This Golden Finger is truly miraculous.”

Minor mastery of the Iron Cloth technique and the peak of the first stage of Qi and Blood meant that Chen Pingan was absolutely not inferior to any formal constable in the Nanquan Alley Town Guard.

In fact, in terms of comprehensive strength, he could rank in the upper-middle tier among the formal constables.

After all, some of the formal constables in the Nanquan Alley Town Guard had already begun to enter the period of Qi and Blood decline.

“With the peak of the first stage of Qi and Blood, it is time to make a trip to the Black Market.”

To the Black Market!

This was something Chen Pingan had planned from the very beginning.

He owed Young Master Xiao of the Tiger Head Gang ten taels of silver. Under normal circumstances, with a one-year loan period, it wouldn't be difficult to repay both principal and interest with his monthly salary if he lived frugally.

But the situation had changed; Young Master Xiao had altered the terms. In ten days, he was required to repay a total of fourteen taels of silver, including interest.

Since the current Chen Pingan lacked the strength to flip the table, he could only repay the silver obediently.

To gather this amount of silver in ten days...

The fastest way was to go to the Black Market and sell the Iron Cloth martial arts manual!

Yes, the Iron Cloth martial arts manual!

Although he hadn't brought the original book recording the technique out with him, the contents of the manual had been recorded by his Golden Finger.

A few days ago, he had bought paper and ink and had already finished writing out the technique. He had even used thin string to bind it into a crude, makeshift book.

No matter how common the Iron Cloth technique was, it was still a martial arts manual that could serve as an entry point into the martial arts world. Even as a handwritten version, selling it for a few taels of silver would not be difficult.

However, while a standard version could be sold at a treasure pavilion within the prefecture city, a handwritten version could only circulate through the Black Market.

Nanquan Alley was home to many gangs, as well as ruffians, thugs, and people from all walks of life who sought quick wealth through illicit means.

For items of questionable origin to be circulated and traded, they naturally required underground channels. The Black Market had emerged against such a backdrop.

The Nanquan Alley Town Guard also turned a blind eye to the existence of the Black Market. As long as they didn't overstep, they were allowed to exist.

However, being a Black Market meant there was risk.

This was the reason why Chen Pingan had delayed his trip until today.

Now that he had achieved minor mastery of the Iron Cloth and reached the peak of the first stage of Qi and Blood, his self-preservation abilities had greatly increased.

Even if faced with two or three burly men wielding large sabers, as long as they had not entered the realm of martial arts cultivation, he could easily maneuver, contend, or even kill them.

Going to the Black Market to sell the handwritten Iron Cloth manual was the final link in his plan, and the confidence that would allow him to repay his debt tomorrow.

This trip was a necessity!

Because he needed to ensure he was in peak condition for the Black Market, Chen Pingan did not exploit any "bugs" to continue practicing the Iron Cloth technique.

“Nannuan, Brother has some business to attend to and needs to go out for a bit.”

Chen Pingan said to Chen Erya, who was standing nearby.

The little girl had not yet recovered from the shock of seeing him lift the water vat.

“Ah? It's so late, where is Brother going?”

“The Black Market.”

Hearing this, the little girl frowned. Although she was young, she knew what kind of place the Black Market was.

“It's so chaotic there, and it's the middle of the night...”

The little girl said worriedly.

Chen Pingan stepped forward and vigorously rubbed the little girl's head, making her hair a messy nest before finally letting go.

“It's fine. You saw just now; Brother's strength is no joke. It's very safe.”

“Hmm, I suppose so... but...”

The little girl hesitated.

“Don't worry, Nannuan. Brother will definitely be back within two hours at most,” Chen Pingan comforted her.

“Then... alright. Be careful, Brother.”

The little girl pouted and reluctantly agreed.

In truth, she knew her brother was going out to handle serious matters. She only tried to stop him out of concern.

After soothing Chen Erya, Chen Pingan changed into a dark, tight-fitting garment and took a piece of black cloth to use as a mask later.

Just as he was about to leave, he felt uneasy and grabbed a wood-cutting knife. Then, with the handwritten Iron Cloth manual tucked into his bosom, he walked out of the courtyard gate.

“Nannuan, remember to secure the door bolt properly. Wait obediently for Brother to come home.”