Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Yijin
"Sixth Master, how can we just let it go like that!?"
The two ruffian lackeys asked, confused, as they followed beside Popei Liu’Er.
"Let it go!? Ptui!"
Popei Liu’Er spat a glob of phlegm directly onto the ground, a vicious glint in his eyes.
"I knew it! How could Sixth Master possibly let it slide after being humiliated like that!"
"No matter what, that kid is a temporary constable of the Garrison Commandant’s Office. If we start a fight in his courtyard and things get out of hand, we’ll be the ones to suffer! Instead of that, it’s better to wait until tonight to settle the score!"
"Sixth Master, are you thinking..." One of the lackeys leaned in cautiously, making a special gesture with his hand.
Popei Liu’Er glanced back at the Chen Family’s courtyard and let out a cold, vicious sneer.
’Just wait until tonight. You’ll get what’s coming to you!’
’That kid from the Chen Family has the cover of being a temporary constable for the Garrison Commandant’s Office. If a conflict breaks out during the day and blows up, we might not come out on top. But at night...’
’If something happens at night, who’s to say who did it!? And even if they know, where’s the proof?’
...
"Nannan, if something like this ever happens again, you have to protect yourself. If he wants money, just give it to him."
Chen Ping’an said, his face filled with heartache as he carefully helped Chen Erya to her feet.
"But that’s the money you worked so hard to earn, Brother! We’ll need it later, we can’t just give it to him!" Chen Erya, who had been trying so hard to be strong just moments ago, couldn’t help but feel wronged now that it was over. "There were over two pieces of silver in the pouch, and he took it all!"
"It’s okay, it’s okay, Nannan," Chen Ping’an said soothingly, pulling Chen Erya into his arms with a pang of heartache.
"Brother~" The little girl couldn’t help but cry out.
No matter how strong she acted, no matter how much she tried to be a little adult, she was still just a nine-year-old child. A scene like the one that had just happened was easy to talk about, but to actually experience it... even a timid adult would be shaken and need time to recover, let alone Chen Erya.
"It’s all a small matter. This will pass," Chen Ping’an said, gently patting the little girl’s back.
As he held Chen Erya, he looked at the overturned food on the ground and the complete mess in the courtyard, a cold light flickering in his eyes.
He had comforted his sister by telling her to just give them the money if there was a next time. But in his heart, he knew there would be no next time.
He would not allow Chen Erya to experience a scene like that ever again.
’If cultivating the Martial Dao can’t even protect my family, then what’s the point of my cultivation?’
After comforting Chen Erya for a long while, the little girl’s emotions finally stabilized. She looked at the mess on the ground and the food scattered everywhere, saying with a pained expression, "All this food has gone to waste."
"It’s alright, Nannan," Chen Ping’an said with a smile. "If it’s wasted, it’s wasted."
"But... we cooked almost all the vegetables we bought today. Now all we have left at home are a few eggs," Chen Erya said, a little dejected.
"We’ll just make do with something simple for tonight. We can have a big feast tomorrow!" Chen Ping’an said, trying to liven up the atmosphere. "Nannan, you go and cook first. I’ll clean this up."
"Mhm," the little girl nodded.
That night’s dinner was very simple for the siblings: two bowls of rice and a large plate of scrambled eggs.
After dinner, Chen Ping’an began practicing with his Flying Locust Stones. The little girl watched from the side, though she often seemed lost in thought, as if pondering something.
THWACK!
THWACK!
THWACK!
The sound of rhythmic throws echoed as the white dot on the courtyard wall had almost become a solid white patch.
As time passed, experience prompts continually appeared in his vision.
+1!
+1!
+1!
Name: Chen Ping’an
Realm: Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Introduction (15/15)
...
"The Experience Points are maxed out!"
Seeing the faint plus sign that had appeared, Chen Ping’an focused his mind and, without hesitation, mentally tapped it.
WHOOSH~
A stream of starlight once again surged into the space between Chen Ping’an’s eyebrows. At the same time, a vast amount of Cultivation Experience regarding the Flying Locust Stone—its application, techniques, and insights into its nimble and versatile use—flooded his mind.
Minor Achievement in Flying Locust Stone!
Besides the improvement in his skills and techniques, the Qi Blood in Chen Ping’an’s body began to boil. The Qi Blood circulated throughout his body, flowing through and connecting all the major tendons.
At that moment, his body was undergoing a wondrous transformation.
After about a dozen breaths, the boiling Qi Blood in Chen Ping’an’s body gradually calmed down.
"I’ve reached the Qi Blood Third Layer: the Muscle Strengthening Realm!"
Feeling the power that now connected his entire body as one, an infinite confidence surged within Chen Ping’an. It felt as if he could shatter even a massive boulder in his path with a single punch.
He tensed his body slightly, and a series of crackling sounds rang out. This was the chorus of his major tendons, signifying that he had stepped into the Muscle Strengthening Realm.
The Muscle Strengthening Realm—strength that can reach a thousand jin!
’A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years! For me, ten years is too long. Revenge is best served tonight!’
Chen Ping’an glanced at the worried-looking Chen Erya and made a decision in his heart.
...
「Tiger Run Lane, a Tiger Head Gang outpost.」 In truth, it was less of an outpost and more of Popei Liu’Er’s home.
For a minor leader in the Tiger Head Gang like him, his own home was considered a gang outpost.
Popei Liu’Er had the matter on his mind. After leaving Chen Ping’an’s house, he collected the monthly protection money from a few more families. Then he bought a lot of food and drink and had a feast at his home with his two ruffian lackeys. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the men sat around in the house chatting.
"Sixth Master, that kid from the Chen family was way too disrespectful. How are you planning to deal with him later!?"
A ruffian with a buzz cut, his face slightly red from drinking, said drunkenly.
"How else? He disrespected Sixth Master so badly, we should just kill him!" the other ruffian said.
"He’s with the Garrison Commandant’s Office, after all. Killing him would be too much trouble. We’ll just leave a little souvenir on his face, teach him a lesson he won’t forget!" Popei Liu’Er drained a large bowl of wine in one gulp. "Oh, and there’s his sister. She’s a bit young, but that won’t stop us from having some fun."
"Sixth Master is mighty!" the two lackeys cheered in unison.
The three of them ate side dishes, drank wine, burped, and boasted while they waited for the early morning hours to arrive.
’A bunch of scum. They deserve to die a thousand times over!’
In the courtyard outside, listening to the conversation within, a grim look flashed across Chen Ping’an’s face.
He stood silently, a hood covering his head.
Having entered the Qi Blood Third Layer, the Muscle Strengthening Realm, not only had his strength massively increased, but his control over his body had also greatly improved. He was able to sneak in here completely undetected.
After observing for a while and confirming that there were only three people inside, Chen Ping’an no longer hesitated. He kicked out, smashing the door open and bursting in.
"Who!?"
Although Popei Liu’Er had been drinking, he had, after all, achieved Entry Level in the Martial Dao. Hearing the noise, he jolted and shot to his feet.
But by then, Chen Ping’an’s fist had already viciously smashed into the ruffian closest to the door.
With a crack of breaking bone, the ruffian’s chest caved in, his internal organs rupturing along with it.
Blood splattered everywhere, instantly soaking his clothes.
"Ugh... ugh..." Lying on the ground, his survival instinct made him struggle desperately, but it was useless.
At the same time, Chen Ping’an took down the other ruffian—the one with the buzz cut—with a leg sweep.
His astonishing strength was impossible for the man to block. The immense force snapped his leg bone instantly.
In the span of a single breath, the two Tiger Head Gang ruffians had lost their ability to resist.
Chen Ping’an, having stepped into the Qi Blood Third Layer of the Martial Arts Realm, was now worlds apart from an ordinary person.
