Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training
Mu Wanjun quietly watched Chen Ping’an, waiting for his choice.
The three items in the wooden box held an irresistible temptation for any ordinary constable. She was curious to see what choice the young man before her would make.
Chen Ping’an didn’t keep her waiting. He took one item from the wooden box and said respectfully, "Thank you, milady. I choose this one."
Mu Wanjun’s gaze fell upon the item in Chen Ping’an’s hand. It was the sheet of white paper.
"Very well! Which item listed do you wish to claim?"
She was a little surprised by Chen Ping’an’s choice, but not completely shocked. After all, none of the items written on the paper were ordinary. In the Merit Treasure Vault of the South Town Garrison Command, they were all considered high-grade treasures.
"Milady, the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training!"
Chen Ping’an named one of the Martial Arts Skills listed on the paper.
Upon hearing Chen Ping’an’s choice, Mu Wanjun’s gaze sharpened. She looked at him, not saying a word for a moment.
Of the more than twenty items on the paper, Chen Ping’an’s choice had taken her by surprise. In her mind, the most valuable prize should have been the personal favor recorded there.
A favor from her, the Chief of the Patrol Office of the South Town Garrison Command!
The next most valuable was the Hundred Pattern Saber, painstakingly forged from Hundred-Forged Steel to the Sharp Blade Level.
After that came the Martial Arts Skills, one of which was a Sword Skill she had personally selected for Chen Ping’an. Given the talent he had displayed with blades, he should have been able to achieve great things by practicing this Sword Skill.
But to her surprise, Chen Ping’an had chosen none of the top three, opting instead for the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training.
The Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training fell into the category of Hard Qigong. It was an advanced version of the widespread Common Iron Cloth Shirt. In terms of technique grade, it was a Mid-level Technique. Cultivated to its peak, one could easily make their body as hard as metal, becoming Invulnerable.
While the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training was good, it undoubtedly paled in comparison to the other three options.
Choosing this Martial Arts Skill was a clear waste of his innate talent for the Sword Dao. ’What on earth is Chen Ping’an thinking!?’
’However, Chen Ping’an had made the decision himself. Though she felt it was a poor one, she wouldn’t interfere.’
’The path ahead is his to walk. In the future, he alone must bear the consequences, right or wrong! I am nothing to him; there’s no need to say more.’
"Xiaodie, go get the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training," Mu Wanjun said, giving Chen Ping’an a deep look.
"Thank you for making this possible, milady." Chen Ping’an rejoiced internally as he cupped his fist in a salute.
He was currently practicing the Flying Locust Stone and the Public Door Thirteen Sabers. At his current rate of progress, it would take him ten days at most to cultivate both techniques to the Perfection Level.
Therefore, a new Martial Arts Skill was extremely important to him.
Given his current circumstances, getting his hands on some Lower Grade Techniques wouldn’t be too difficult. Obtaining a Mid-level Technique, however, would be incredibly hard.
Mu Wanjun’s gift was a timely blessing, solving a massive problem for him.
Best of all, the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training was the direct successor to the Iron Cloth Shirt. Since his Iron Cloth Shirt was already at the Perfection Level, cultivating its successor would be twice as effective. Furthermore, bolstered by his Perfection Level Iron Cloth Shirt, the power he could achieve would be significantly stronger than normal.
Thus, this was naturally Chen Ping’an’s best choice.
’As for that other Sword Skill, it’s good, but... these are treacherous times. Who knows when some master will suddenly appear to challenge me, or when I might unintentionally offend some powerful faction.’
’By cultivating Outer Sect Hard Skills, my ability to protect myself will increase dramatically.’
’Unlike other people, I have my Golden Finger Panel. As long as I have enough time, I will surely rise to the top.’
’So, survival comes first. As long as I’m alive, there’s always hope.’
’Of course I noticed the Sharp Blade Hundred Pattern Saber on the list. But for me, it’s the least necessary item. As long as I have power, what good things won’t I be able to get in the future? It’s not just the saber; the same logic applies to the Constable Token. Once I’m powerful enough, becoming a Constable is only a matter of time. There’s no need to be impatient.’
’Delayed gratification. It’s called delayed gratification!’
’As for the Chief of the Patrol Office’s favor...’
Heh.
’Given enough time, a favor from the Chief of the Patrol Office will be as substantial as a passing cloud.’
’In time, I won’t just not need her—I’ll surpass her. Perhaps one day, she’ll be the one who feels proud to have a favor owed by me.’
Chen Ping’an didn’t have to wait long before the woman named Xiaodie returned with a booklet.
"This booklet contains the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training."
Mu Wanjun said coolly, looking at Chen Ping’an.
"Thank you, milady," Chen Ping’an said solemnly, accepting the booklet from Xiaodie’s hands.
With the matter concluded, Mu Wanjun lost interest.
"You may go back for now. Train hard in Nanquan Lane. When the time is right, I will have you transferred to the South Town Garrison Command."
"Yes," Chen Ping’an replied, cupping his fist in a salute.
Led by Xiaodie, Chen Ping’an left the room.
Watching Chen Ping’an’s retreating figure, Mu Wanjun’s expression was tinged with regret.
"If only I had discovered him a few years earlier! With his talent for the Martial Dao, especially his gift for the Sword Dao, he might even have had a chance to step into the Inner Qi Realm! What a pity..."
Mu Wanjun sighed and fell silent.
’For ordinary factions, families, or gangs, producing a martial expert at the fifth or sixth layer of Qi Blood is a cause for celebration. But for the family behind me, anyone who fails to enter the Inner Qi Realm can never become a pillar of the clan. At best, they’re just a high-level enforcer.’
’Just now, I used my Inner Qi to sense Chen Ping’an’s condition. He’s barely at the Qi Blood Second Layer. In his current state, without the guidance of a good master or the nourishment of Major Medicines, his progress might be fast initially, but once he reaches the Qi Blood Third and Fourth Layers—especially the Bone Forging of the Fourth Layer—he will hit a bottleneck that’s nearly impossible to overcome.’
’Some hurdles can be easily overcome when you’re young and your body is still developing. But as one gets older, that is not always the case!’
’But, it’s useless to dwell on it. It’s simply too late! What happens from here on out will depend on his own destiny!’
’What a shame. A Martial Dao genius, only a sliver less talented than herself, wasted because of his age!’
...
"Brother Chang, I’ll be taking my leave now!"
Chen Ping’an said to Chang Zheng with a smile.
After leaving Mu Wanjun, he found that Chang Zheng had been waiting for him outside the entire time. Chang Zheng cheerfully walked him to the entrance of the South Town Garrison Command before finally stopping.
"It was no trouble, Brother Chen. Keep in touch."
"Naturally."
Chen Ping’an smiled, cupped his hands in farewell, and left the South Town Garrison Command. Tucked away in his robes was the booklet for the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training.
As beautiful as the setting sun is, it can never outshine the brilliance of the dawn!
