Chapter 28: Dual Layer of Blood and Qi (Please keep reading)

The sky was just beginning to dawn.

Nanquan Lane, Lihua Lane, the Chen Family Courtyard.

Chen Pingan was bare-chested, rolling incessantly amidst a pile of sand and gravel. The incredibly sharp stones constantly rubbed against and irritated his skin.

As the gravel rolled, his blood and qi surged.

After continuing this for a long time, a "+1" experience symbol appeared within Chen Pingan's field of vision.

"It worked!"

A smile appeared on Chen Pingan's face as he stood up from the gravel.

Name: Chen Pingan Realm: Blood Qi First Layer (Consummate) Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Technique (Minor Success) (40/40)

Six days had passed since the announcement that Zheng Shiyong had entered the path of martial arts. Just two days after that announcement, his official post was finalized.

Night Shift Guard at the Zhenfu Division.

The division of labor within the Nanquan Lane Zhenfu Division was extremely detailed. Ordinary duties could generally be divided into street patrolling, apprehension, guarding, and clerical work.

The position of "guarding" was far better than street patrolling. To guard, as the name implied, meant to stand watch within the Zhenfu Division. This job was responsible for the scheduling and summarizing of various affairs and reported directly to the various Head Constables. Not only did it mean no need for daily street patrols—sparing one from the wind and sun—but it also allowed for frequent contact with the Head Constables, making it a truly coveted position.

Forget the Head Constables; even the high-and-mighty Constables and Deputy Constables of the Nanquan Lane Zhenfu Division had significant opportunities to be seen.

Even if one couldn't speak to them, frequently showing one's face so that the Constable or Deputy Constable took note was a wonderful thing.

One should not underestimate the small matter of being remembered by a Constable; at critical moments, it could decide a person's future.

There might be only one slot for official promotion, but if several people met the requirements of merit and seniority, how would the choice be made?

It all came down to the Constable's decision.

Those who were familiar would naturally be treated differently from those who were not.

This was not written in the rules of the Zhenfu Division, but it was an unspoken, customary rule.

Generally speaking, the duty of guarding could only be held by official constables. Even the few night shift guards were veteran, entry-level martial artists serving as temporary constables.

Although Zheng Shiyong had entered the martial path, his seniority was shallow; no matter how the rotations went, it shouldn't have been his turn. If there wasn't a shadow of Head Constable Zheng behind this final assignment, no one would believe it.

However, others were others, and whatever happened to them had nothing to do with Chen Pingan.

Lately, he had been eating meat every day to nourish his body. He practiced the Iron Cloth Technique without interruption every day, tempering his body, forging his blood and qi, and accumulating cultivation experience.

It was not until this morning that he finally accumulated enough 40 points of cultivation experience.

"Come!"

With a smile on his face, Chen Pingan focused his spirit and tapped the faint plus sign appearing behind the Iron Cloth Technique.

*Swish—*

On the panel, the 40 points of experience instantly churned, transforming into specks of starlight that surged toward his brow.

As the starlight entered his brow, it was the same familiar sensation.

Vast and complex information regarding the practice, comprehension, combat application, and contemplation of the Iron Cloth Technique flooded into Chen Pingan's mind.

This information was not merely rote memorization; it was delivered through a profound method that allowed Chen Pingan to continuously understand and digest it himself. The moment the starlight entered his body, these things were no longer external information, but his own hard-earned experience, accumulated bit by bit through tireless daily effort.

Iron Cloth Technique (Great Success)! His skin was like oxhide, capable of withstanding ordinary blades and swords.

Although he would still be injured after a clash, he could minimize the extent of the injuries.

A martial artist of medium-high talent would need to spend over a decade of hard work and tireless daily practice to reach such a realm!

Not only was the Iron Cloth Technique at Great Success, but Chen Pingan's entire body of blood and qi, guided by a mysterious force, also stepped up to a new level.

Blood Qi Second Layer, the Realm of Flesh Refining!

The first layer of blood qi was for skin refining; the second layer was for flesh refining.

With the second layer of blood qi combined with the Great Success level of the Iron Cloth Technique, it meant that Chen Pingan, relying solely on himself, could deal with five or six grown men armed with blades.

If he were more aggressive and adopted a "trading injury for life" fighting style, he could even fight seven or eight armed men.

Of course, if he fought that way, his own end would not be very good!

After all, although the Iron Cloth Technique was an external hard technique, it was merely a low-grade manual; it could not truly render one immune to blades and swords.

Now, if Chen Pingan revealed his true strength, he would be a prominent figure among the many gangs in Nanquan Lane. Even within the Nanquan Lane Zhenfu Division, among the official constables, his strength could rank in the top ten.

He was young and vigorous, with robust blood and qi, far beyond what the aging and declining senior constables could compare to.

Chen Pingan's eyes flickered as he looked at the panel that had appeared before him.

Name: Chen Pingan Realm: Blood Qi Second Layer Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Technique (Great Success) (0/100)

"Blood Qi Second Layer!"

Chen Pingan felt a surge of excitement. This meant he had stepped onto another new platform.

"After Great Success comes Consummation. To practice the Iron Cloth Technique to Consummation, do I need 100 experience points?"

Chen Pingan wondered.

However, since he had to report for duty soon, he didn't spend too much time thinking about it. Right now, having just broken through his realm and being in peak condition, he could continue practicing the Iron Cloth Technique two more times.

He had known early on that he would accumulate enough experience today, so he had woken up earlier than usual. Therefore, he had plenty of time.

He rolled back into the gravel and began practicing the Iron Cloth Technique again.

With the technique at Great Success, the stimulation of the gravel on his skin had weakened.

"It seems I'll need to switch to stones," Chen Pingan thought during his practice.

In his field of vision, "+1" experience symbols appeared twice in a row. But Chen Pingan found that he could actually continue practicing.

"Should I keep going!?"

Chen Pingan hesitated.

He had woken up early, so he did have plenty of time. But if he continued practicing, his schedule would become a bit tight.

"Continue!"

After a moment of hesitation, Chen Pingan finally made his decision.

"Time waits for no one; not a single bit can be wasted. Again!"

When the "+1" experience symbol appeared once more, Chen Pingan briefly wiped his body and hurriedly threw on his clothes. After giving a quick greeting to Chen Erya, he ran straight out of the courtyard gate.

His practice this morning had lasted a bit too long; looking at the time, it was almost time to report for duty, so he had no choice but to run.

Though he was running late, Chen Pingan was in an excellent mood.

With the Iron Cloth Technique at Great Success, he could easily gain 3 experience points at a time. Even if he couldn't hit 4 points at night, he could still accumulate 6 points a day.

At this rate, reaching Consummation of the Iron Cloth Technique was just around the corner!

And so, Chen Pingan ran excitedly toward the entrance of the Zhenfu Division. Looking at the time, he wasn't late yet.

Chen Pingan breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as he was about to step through the gates of the Zhenfu Division, a heavy, booming voice rang out from behind him.

"So impetuous and rushed—what kind of manner is that?"

Hearing this, Chen Pingan's expression froze.

(End of Chapter)