Chapter 46: Muscle and Tendon Transformation

“Lord Liu, how can we just let this go!?”

Two hooligan lackeys followed by Hooligan Liu'er asked in confusion.

“Let it go!? Bah!”

Hooligan Liu'er spat directly onto the ground, his face contorted with a ferocious light.

“I knew it! How could Lord Liu, who was just insulted, possibly let this slide!”

“That kid is, after all, a temporary bailiff of the Zhenfu Division. If we cause a conflict in his own courtyard, things might escalate, and we could end up being the ones losing out! Rather than that, it's better to settle the score tonight!”

“Is Lord Liu planning to...” One lackey leaned in cautiously, making a specific gesture with his hands.

Hooligan Liu'er looked back at the Chen family's courtyard and let out a harsh, cold sneer.

*Just wait until tonight, you'll see!*

That kid from the Chen family had the protection of being a temporary bailiff of the Zhenfu Division. If a conflict broke out during the day, they might not be able to get the upper hand. But at night...

Who would know who did what in the middle of the night!? Even if they did, where would the evidence be?

***

“Nannann, if something like this happens again, you must protect yourself. If he wants money, just give it to him.”

Chen Pingan carefully helped Chen Erya up, his face filled with heartache.

“That was money Brother worked hard to earn! It’s for future use, we can't give it to him!” Chen Erya, who had been trying so hard to act brave just moments ago, could no longer hold back her grievances now that the immediate danger had passed. “There was more than two strings of cash in the bag, and he took it all!”

“It’s alright, it’s alright, Nannann,” Chen Pingan said soothingly, pulling her into his arms.

“Brother~” The little girl couldn't help but burst into tears.

No matter how brave she tried to be, or how much she acted like a little adult, she was still just a nine-year-old child. A scene like the one they had just experienced might be easy to describe, but experiencing it in reality would leave even a timid adult reeling, let alone Chen Erya.

“It’s just a small matter, it will all pass,” Chen Pingan said, gently patting her back.

Holding her, he looked at the overturned food on the ground and the mess scattered throughout the courtyard, a cold glint appearing in his eyes.

He comforted his sister, telling her that if there were a next time, she should just give him the money. But in his heart, there would be no next time.

He would not allow Chen Erya to ever experience a scene like that again.

If practicing martial arts could not protect his family, then what was the point of practicing martial arts?

After soothing Chen Erya for a long while, the little girl's emotions finally began to stabilize. Looking at the mess and the food scattered everywhere, she said with some heartache, “All this food is wasted.”

“It’s okay, Nannann,” Chen Pingan said with a smile. “Let it be wasted.”

“But... the groceries we bought during the day are mostly ruined. Now there are only a few eggs left in the house,” Chen Erya said, feeling a bit dejected.

“We'll just have a simple meal tonight. We'll have a feast tomorrow!” Chen Pingan said to lighten the mood. “Nannann, go ahead and start cooking. I'll clean up here.”

“Okay,” the little girl nodded.

For dinner tonight, the siblings ate very simply: two bowls of rice and a large plate of scrambled eggs.

After eating, Chen Pingan began practicing his Flying Locust Stones. The little girl watched from the side, though she often drifted off, appearing to be lost in thought.

*Thud!*

*Thud!*

*Thud!*

The rhythmic sounds of throwing echoed one after another. The white spots on the courtyard wall had almost merged into a single white blur.

As time passed, experience symbols began to appear one after another in his field of vision.

+1!

+1!

+1!

Name: Chen Pingan

Realm: Blood Qi Second Layer (Consummate)

Martial Arts: Iron Cloth (Consummate), Flying Locust Stones (Entry Level) (15/15)

“I have enough experience!”

Looking at the faintly visible plus signs, Chen Pingan focused his mind and clicked on them without hesitation.

*Whoosh—*

Specks of starlight poured into Chen Pingan's brow once again. Simultaneously, a massive amount of experience regarding the Flying Locust Stones—techniques, applications, and insights into dexterity and adaptability—surged into his mind.

Flying Locust Stones: Minor Accomplishment!

In addition to the improvement in technique and form, the blood Qi in Chen Pingan's body began to boil. The blood Qi circulated through his entire body, connecting all the major tendons.

At this moment, his body was undergoing a miraculous transformation.

After about a dozen breaths, the boiling blood Qi in his body finally began to settle.

“Blood Qi Third Layer, the Tendon-Changing Realm... I've achieved it!”

Feeling the power that now unified his entire being, an infinite confidence rose in Chen Pingan's heart. It felt as though even if a mountain stood before him, he could shatter it with a single punch.

As his body tensed slightly, a series of cracking sounds rang out—the simultaneous resonance of his tendons, signifying that he had entered the Tendon-Changing Realm.

In the Tendon-Changing Realm, one's strength reaches a thousand catties!

“A gentleman's revenge is never too late! But for me, waiting ten years is too long. It's better to settle it tonight!”

Chen Pingan glanced at the preoccupied Chen Erya and made his decision.

***

In Hupao Alley, at a post for the Tiger Head Gang. To be precise, it wasn't so much a "post" as it was Hooligan Liu'er's home.

For a minor leader of the Tiger Head Gang like him, his own home served as a gang outpost.

Hooligan Liu'er was a man who held grudges. After leaving the Chen family's house, he collected monthly protection money from several other households, bought plenty of food, and sat down to a feast with his two lackeys. Once they were full and drunk, they sat in the room chatting.

“Lord Liu, that kid from the Chen family was too disrespectful. How are you planning to deal with him later!?” a buzz-cut hooligan asked, his face flushed from the alcohol.

“How else? He disrespected Lord Liu so much, we should just kill him!” another hooligan added.

“He is, after all, a man of the Zhenfu Division. Killing him would bring too much trouble. Let's just leave a little 'souvenir' on his face to teach him a lesson!” Hooligan Liu'er took a large bowl and drained it in one gulp. “Oh, and that sister of his—she's a bit young, but that won't stop us from having a little fun.”

“Lord Liu is mighty!” the two lackeys cheered in unison.

The three of them continued to eat snacks, drink wine, burp, and boast, waiting for the early hours of the morning to arrive.

“A bunch of scum. They deserve to die!”

In the courtyard outside, listening to the conversation within, a fierce expression flashed across Chen Pingan's face.

Wearing a mask, he stood there silently.

Having entered the Blood Qi Third Layer Tendon-Changing Realm, he possessed not only greatly increased strength but also significantly improved control over his body. He could easily infiltrate the place without making a sound.

After observing for a while and confirming there were only three people inside, Chen Pingan no longer hesitated. He kicked out with a powerful strike, smashing through the door.

“Who is it!?”

Although Hooligan Liu'er had been drinking, he was still a practitioner of martial arts. Hearing the noise, he jolted awake and stood up.

In that same instant, Chen Pingan's fist slammed heavily into the hooligan closest to the door.

With a sickening sound of breaking bones, the man's chest collapsed inward, crushing his internal organs.

Blood sprayed everywhere, instantly soaking his clothes.

“Ugh... ugh...” Collapsed on the ground, his survival instinct made him struggle desperately, but it was futile.

At the same time, the other buzz-cut hooligan was swept off his feet by one of Chen Pingan's kicks.

The staggering force left the man unable to resist. The immense power caused his leg bone to snap instantly.

In less than a breath, both Tiger Head Gang hooligans had lost all ability to fight back.

Having reached the Blood Qi Third Layer martial realm, Chen Pingan had already created a massive gap between himself and ordinary people.