Chapter 39: State of Mind (Please keep reading)

Chapter 39: State of Mind (Please keep reading~)

Chen Pingan left the constable's office expressionless. He had known how this matter would end from the very beginning. Nevertheless, he had still gone to see Head Constable Zheng.

Now, he could be completely certain.

This matter was inextricably linked to Head Constable Zheng. If Zheng hadn't been there to provide cover, it would never have been so simple to steal his credit.

And also...

His greatest weakness, the main reason he couldn't prove his innocence, was that on the surface, he was merely an ordinary person who knew nothing of martial arts!

While certain techniques could explain the use of martial arts, without the essential process of practice and medicinal aid, he could not reveal his martial cultivation. And if he could not reveal his cultivation, he could not prove that he was the one who killed the Scruffy Fish.

He had undoubtedly fallen into a dead end!

"Ping'an, congratulations, congratulations! You kid, you pulled off such a big feat without making a sound. Come, tell me, what exactly happened last night?"

When Chen Pingan reached the entrance of the Zhenfu Division, Hou Tou and Dashan were already waiting there. As soon as they met, Hou Tou gave him a light punch to the chest.

"Hiss!"

Chen Pingan winced and grimaced.

"Ping'an, you're joking, right? I didn't use any strength." Hou Tou was startled.

"No! I happened to have an injury right here." Chen Pingan lifted his shirt, revealing a chest covered in bruises.

"What happened?" Hou Tou asked with concern. The injury looked quite serious.

"It's because of that Scruffy Fish business! Let's talk while we walk!"

"Alright, let's go."

As they walked out of the Zhenfu Division, Chen Pingan told Hou Tou and Dashan about the events of the previous night.

However, he did not tell Hou Tou about the fact that he had killed the Scruffy Fish. Instead, following the official announcement made by Head Constable Zheng, he simply explained how he had discovered the clues. In the end, he still got a kick for his trouble.

Hou Tou was a very loyal person; Chen Pingan feared that if he told the truth, Hou Tou's blunt nature would lead him to confront them directly. If that happened, the matter wouldn't be resolved, and Hou Tou would end up implicated himself.

While patrolling the streets, Hou Tou and Dashan were in high spirits. Since Chen Pingan had reported the clues, he was eligible for a reward of five taels of silver and a minor merit. They were genuinely happy for him, even teasing him to treat them to a meal.

"Fine, once the silver is issued, I'll definitely treat you," Chen Pingan agreed readily.

He truly cherished these two companions.

The rest of the day was filled with joy, which helped the fire in Chen Pingan's heart subside somewhat.

However...

This matter was not over!

Upon returning home, Chen Erya happened to be making dumplings. She had cooked a large amount—a whole massive pot.

"Brother~ You're back~ We're having dumplings tonight!" Chen Erya's eyes crinkled as she showed her small tiger teeth.

"Great, dumplings are great!" Chen Pingan smiled broadly. All the exhaustion of the day seemed to dissolve in that moment.

Watching Chen Erya busy in the kitchen, Chen Pingan suddenly changed his mind.

Perhaps his thoughts during the day had been too radical! The risk was too high! Once exposed, he wouldn't be able to bear the consequences!

Well, at least not as he was now!

If it were just him, it would be one thing. But he had a sister.

During the day, Chen Pingan's thought had been simple: kill them!

Since Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong dared to steal his credit, they should die! Tonight, he would let them know what it meant to bully the wrong person!

No!

His daytime thoughts were too impulsive!

Setting Zheng Shiyong aside, Tan Huacong was an official constable of the Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division. If he died, it wouldn't just be a disappearance; specialized investigators would inevitably be sent.

The people sent to investigate wouldn't be just anyone; they would be professional bounty hunters and investigators.

Once an investigation began, it would inevitably lead back to him. Thus, the risk was immense!

Looking at Chen Erya, Chen Pingan hesitated.

Perhaps...

Sometimes, we must endure certain grievances! When you feel like losing your reason and throwing everything away, please think about whether there are people behind you who care for you.

When your strength is insufficient, please endure first and learn to be friends with time!

One day, you will hold your head high and return every single grievance exactly as it was given!

"Brother, dinner's ready~" Chen Erya came out smiling, carrying a large plate of dumplings.

"Nannann is so good!" A smile appeared on Chen Pingan's face as he hurried to help.

Chen Pingan had a large appetite; most of the dumplings Chen Erya cooked ended up in his mouth.

After dinner, Chen Pingan warmed up and began his nightly practice of the Iron Cloth technique.

However, just as he stripped off his shirt, Chen Erya noticed the bruising on his chest.

"Brother, what happened to your chest?"

This morning, while busy with breakfast, Chen Erya hadn't noticed the injury. Now that she saw it clearly, she couldn't help but feel heartache.

"It's nothing, I just got injured accidentally during a spar at noon." Chen Pingan didn't want his sister to worry too much, so he made up a lie to brush it off.

With his upper body bare, he walked into a pile of stones and began rolling continuously among them.

As he rolled, the scenes from the day flashed through his mind.

Indeed!

He had a golden finger interface; time was on his side. Compared to the hopelessness of most people, his future was full of hope. He was destined for greatness! He absolutely could not foolishly gamble his life for revenge while he was still weak.

Revenge must be taken! But life must be preserved!

Currently, he was only at the second level of Qi and Blood, the Flesh Refining stage! If he reached the third level, Tendon Changing! The fourth level, Bone Forging! And if he went even higher!

None of these were problems. They were trivialities! A mere slot for an official constable was not worth mentioning!

Chen Pingan continued to practice the Iron Cloth.

As the saying goes, "endure for a moment to keep the peace, take a step back to..."

The more he thought, the angrier he got!

Chen Pingan slammed a heavy fist into the stones.

Damn it...

A gentleman's revenge is never too late!

I am no gentleman; at most in two months, I will surely settle this debt!

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Chen Pingan rolled continuously in the pile of stones, repeatedly striking them as he moved.

As time passed, experience symbols flashed before his eyes one after another.

Name: Chen Pingan Realm: Second Level of Qi and Blood Martial Art: Iron Cloth (Great Success) (20/100)

Chen Pingan climbed out of the stone pile. Whether it was because he had made a vow in his heart or because he had vented his frustrations, his mood had actually become somewhat refreshed.

"The reason martial cultivation is called 'cultivation' is because one must not only practice martial arts but also cultivate the mind! Having power without character is ultimately nothing! This is just a small bump on the road of cultivation; looking back in the future, none of this will matter!"

"On the path of martial cultivation, there will be countless twists and turns. If every little setback affects my mindset, then I am nothing special!"

"A martial artist must have both courage and wisdom, the composure to remain unmoved by honor or disgrace, and the decisiveness and drive to advance. I will remember what happened today. But in two months at most, there must be an accounting! Only then can one achieve balance and follow one's heart!"

"..."

With his thoughts clarified and his mind unburdened, Chen Pingan felt as if his state of mind had ascended.

That night, Chen Pingan slept exceptionally soundly.

(End of Chapter)