Chapter 40: Second Perfection (Please keep reading)

Chapter 40: Second Layer Perfection (Please keep reading~)

Early in the morning, after finishing his Iron Cloth practice, Chen Pingan ate breakfast and headed to the Nanquan Lane Constabulary for duty.

At today's pre-shift meeting, all five head constables were present, as Deputy Constable Tian Fuliang was participating in this session.

Tian Fuliang, speaking from the high platform, appeared to be in a very good mood.

The bounty posters for the Nancheng Constabulary had only been posted for a short while when Nanquan Lane successfully killed the remnant of the Green Fish Gang, the scoundrel Ma Mao-yu. Reporting this to the Nancheng Constabulary was a massive boost to their prestige.

Tian Fuliang still remembered how the Constable and Deputy Constable of Qingliu Lane had turned pale with envy during yesterday's report.

"Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong joined forces to kill the Green Fish Gang remnant, Ma Mao-yu. Zheng Shiyong delivered the final blow and is credited with a medium merit, awarded ten taels of silver. Tan Huacong provided effective assistance and is credited with two minor merits, awarded five taels of silver. Chen Pingan provided the clues and is credited with one minor merit, awarded five taels of silver."

Tian Fuliang announced the results of the bounty commendation.

"Zheng Shiyong, Tan Huacong, Chen Pingan—you are all the elites of our Nanquan Lane! I am very pleased." Tian Fuliang praised the three of them lavishly. "Especially Zheng Shiyong, who has achieved such great merit so shortly after joining our Nanquan Lane Constabulary! Regarding your official registration, it has already been reported to the Nancheng Constabulary. I have high hopes for you! Your future potential is limitless!"

Tian Fuliang's words left Zheng Shiyong looking ecstatic below.

To be praised by Tian Fuliang in front of so many constables was an experience of immense honor. With Tian Fuliang leading the way, the surrounding constables did not hesitate to offer their praise. The waves of compliments made Zheng Shiyong feel somewhat lightheaded with pride.

"It is all thanks to the guidance of the Constable, Lord Tian, and all the head constables that Shiyong has achieved this merit today."

Zheng Shiyong's face was flushed with excitement, and his voice was high and clear.

"Good, very good." Zheng Shiyong's response satisfied Tian Fuliang. This young man knew how to handle himself; he was worth cultivating!

Standing behind Tian Fuliang, Zheng Zhenwu was also in a good mood. With Zheng Shiyong's merit, he shared in the glory.

Tan Huacong stood among the many constables, a wide smile on his face.

With Zheng Shiyong taking the lead, he had merely spun a bit of nonsense on the side and gained two minor merits for nothing. Looking at it now, the matter had clearly carried no risk whatsoever.

It was obvious that that kid Chen Pingan had finally come to his senses!

With this thought, Tan Huacong glanced toward the corner where Chen Pingan was situated. He saw the youth looking calm, his eyes deep, seemingly lost in thought.

The Nanquan Lane Constabulary bounty commendation concluded smoothly. As it ended, Tian Fuliang called Zheng Shiyong aside privately.

"Ping'an, the five taels of reward silver have been issued! Quick, treat us, treat us!"

Monkey Head said excitedly, as if he were the one who had received the five taels himself.

"Alright, I'll treat you," Chen Pingan said with a smile.

"Five taels of silver, that's several months' salary! We have to fleece you properly. Hmm, let me think..." Monkey Head lowered his head in mock contemplation.

"Dashan, what about you? What do you want to eat?" Chen Pingan asked.

"Anything is fine with me," Dashan said with a simple grin.

With the atmosphere relaxed, the group left the Nanquan Lane Constabulary.

Throughout the entire morning, Monkey Head clamored about fleecing Chen Pingan. But when noon actually arrived, they only ate a bowl of noodles.

Chen Pingan had intended to treat them to something delicious, but Monkey Head insisted that a certain noodle stall had a "destined connection" with him and that they had to eat there. Dashan chimed in from the side, and finally, having no choice, Chen Pingan gave in and they ate a bowl of noodles.

While eating, Monkey Head was still shouting and making a scene, claiming he would eat Chen Pingan into bankruptcy. He even grandly ordered the owner to add a large pork chop to his noodles.

A few days after that post-shift meeting, Zheng Shiyong's official registration was completely approved by the Nancheng Constabulary.

Temporary Constable of Nanquan Lane Constabulary, Zheng Shiyong. His name was entered into the rolls, and he was officially promoted to a regular Constable of the Nanquan Lane Constabulary.

He was granted a ceremonial saber, which he did not need to return after his shift, giving him the right to carry it at all times. He was granted a waist token to prove his status as a regular constable. Additionally, he was granted one of the Thirteen Official Sabers.

Zheng Shiyong's original temporary constable uniform was replaced with a cyan cloth robe—a cross-collared, narrow-sleeved long robe with a red woven sash at the waist. Standing among the other constables, he looked quite imposing.

Many temporary constables envied him greatly, crowding around him. Even the veteran regular constables showed intentions of befriending him.

In terms of current status, Zheng Shiyong was now on equal footing with them. Moreover, he not only had the connection of Head Constable Zheng but had also gained the favor of Deputy Constable Tian Fuliang over the past few days. His future prospects were bright!

In time, he might even become a high-ranking head constable within the Nanquan Lane Constabulary.

However, none of this had anything to do with Chen Pingan.

*Regular Constable.*

Chen Pingan's mood was not affected in the slightest; he continued to patrol the streets with Monkey Head and Dashan, practicing his Iron Cloth.

Over the next few days, Chen Pingan's life was extremely fulfilling. During this time, he even took a day off, allowing him to accumulate a few more points of Iron Cloth cultivation experience than usual.

One evening, Chen Pingan was practicing the Iron Cloth in his small courtyard.

A familiar experience symbol surfaced before his eyes.

"It's done!"

Seeing the faint plus sign on the panel, a look of joy flashed across Chen Pingan's face.

Without any hesitation, he focused his mind and tapped the plus sign.

*Whoosh~*

The experience points churned, and specks of starlight surged toward his brow.

The familiar sensation rushed in again, and a massive amount of complex information flooded into his mind.

These insights regarding the Iron Cloth felt as though they were the direct result of his day-and-night bitter training, combat experience, review of past encounters, and personal realizations.

Everything felt completely natural!

Name: Chen Pingan Realm: Blood Qi Second Layer (Perfection) Martial Art: Iron Cloth (Perfection)

The changes in Chen Pingan's body were not just limited to his insights into the Iron Cloth, but also involved changes to his blood qi and skin. At this moment, Chen Pingan's blood qi was abundant, and his strength had increased further. His skin, which was already comparable to cowhide, had become even more solid, as if two thick layers of hide had been layered together.

Iron Cloth Perfection! Blood Qi Second Layer Perfection!

Even the Young Master Tiger of the Tiger Head Gang was only at the Blood Qi Second Layer Perfection martial realm.

In less than a month, Chen Pingan had gone from an ordinary person with no martial knowledge to being on par with the Young Master Tiger.

Among the many constables in Nanquan Lane, Chen Pingan's strength had reached the peak, representing the pinnacle of a regular constable. Anything beyond that was the level of a head constable.

"After dragging it on for these few days, now that I've reached Blood Qi Second Layer Perfection, it's time to go to the black market."

After wiping his body clean, Chen Pingan put on the clothes he had prepared long ago.

With Iron Cloth at Perfection, without a new martial technique, his martial cultivation would stagnate. Because of this, Chen Pingan had naturally made preparations early on.

Five nights ago, he had visited the black market and used some cleverness to find a suitable channel. Within his limited budget, he had ordered a hand-copied version of a low-grade martial art from the black market.

In reality, if he hadn't been short on cash, Chen Pingan would have certainly chosen to buy a martial technique from the prestigious treasure pavilions in the city.

That way, he could practice martial arts openly and legitimately.

Unfortunately!

He didn't have enough money!

Compared to the prices in the treasure pavilions, which often reached ten or dozens of taels, the black market was undoubtedly much more cost-effective!

The scheduled time for the transaction was tonight.

***

*PS: Don't worry, don't worry, the protagonist will definitely feel great later on. He will slaughter his way through, suppressing all who dare to defy him! I am the rule, I am the trend of the world; who dares to disobey! Death to all!*

*It needs a little time. The outline and detailed plot have already been worked out beyond three hundred chapters. I am also looking forward to the upcoming plot.*

(End of Chapter)