Chapter 61: Iron Armor

"Ah Cheng, about this assessment competition, are you confident you can win?" Liu Yunfeng asked, his expression quite solemn as he gestured for Chen Cheng to sit down.

Seeing how seriously Liu Yunfeng had asked, Chen Cheng replied in a matching tone, "I’m familiar with Li Sheng’s and He Zhiling’s strength. Defeating them shouldn’t be a problem.

However, Zhou Fang is from a prominent family, so his Martial Arts Power must be formidable. On top of that, he practices Swordsmanship, which I’m not familiar with, so I can’t guarantee a win."

This was the truth. Although Chen Cheng had seen a few Jianghu Martial Artists fight with swords before, their Swordsmanship had not reached the Great Success level, so he couldn’t discern much from their performance.

As for actually crossing swords with such a Martial Artist, he had never done so.

"It’s good that you’re thinking this way." Liu Yunfeng nodded in approval before adding, "I hadn’t paid much attention to Zhou Fang before, but after observing him carefully just now, I noticed his breathing is steady and deep, and his qi and blood are powerful. He’s very likely a Great Success Martial Artist in the Skin Grinding Realm."

"Great Success in the Skin Grinding Realm?" Chen Cheng had considered that Zhou Fang might be in the Skin Grinding Realm, but he had never imagined he would be a Great Success Martial Artist.

Liu Yunfeng explained, "For Martial Artists who cultivate ordinary Skin Grinding Techniques, the signs of Body Tempering are quite pronounced. Once they enter the Skin Grinding Realm, it’s easy to gauge their strength from the condition of their skin.

But for those who cultivate top-tier Skin Grinding Techniques, their skin recovers so well that it’s difficult to tell from their appearance. One can only judge by their aura and the power of their qi and blood.

Let’s hope I’m mistaken."

’If Zhou Fang really is a Great Success Martial Artist in the Skin Grinding Realm, and also has his Swordsmanship at the Great Success level, I’m afraid I don’t have the confidence to defeat him.’

’The Black Lotus Sect member I killed before was also a Great Success Martial Artist in the Skin Grinding Realm—and perhaps even a bit stronger. But he had been careless and underestimated his enemy, not to mention he was blinded by lime powder. He probably only managed to display forty to fifty percent of his full strength.’

’In a fair, head-on fight, I might not have been able to kill him.’

’Zhou Fang obviously won’t give me an opportunity for a sneak attack. Even the speed of my Body Technique, my greatest pride, probably won’t give me much of an advantage against a swordsman like him.’

’In such chaotic times, any prominent family that manages to thrive wouldn’t have simpletons among its younger generation.’

’Since Zhou Xu placed Zhou Fang in the Ruyi Square Sub-Department, he couldn’t have deluded himself into thinking he could secure the official constable position simply through the Zhou Family’s influence. He definitely had a backup plan.’

’After all, the Shen Family is more powerful than the Zhou Family, and Shen Qingshuang is the one with direct authority over the Ruyi District. Even an idiot could easily neutralize any of the Zhou Family’s power plays.’

’Hiding Zhou Fang’s true Martial Arts Power was likely the Zhou Family’s real ace in the hole.’

"Ah Cheng, have you reached the Skin Grinding Realm?" Liu Yunfeng had sensed something different about Chen Cheng today. Now, observing him up close, he noticed his skin was taut and tough, and his qi and blood seemed no weaker than Zhou Fang’s. He couldn’t help but ask in delighted surprise.

Chen Cheng nodded. "Yes. I cultivated the Bear Skin Grinding Technique to the Beginner Level not long ago."

Liu Yunfeng was overjoyed. "That’s excellent! Before you even entered the Skin Grinding Realm, you were able to defeat He Zhiling, who was at the Beginner Level. You might just have a chance in this assessment.

Zhou Fang’s qi and blood aren’t much stronger than yours. Even if he is a Great Success Martial Artist in the Skin Grinding Realm, I’d wager he only advanced recently.

Go home and rest for three days. Focus on your Cultivation and prepare for the competition."

"Three days of leave is against the rules. Will Lord Shen approve?" Chen Cheng asked impassively.

Liu Yunfeng’s eyes widened. "You brat. Are you asking if Lord Shen is the ’big shot’ backing me?"

Chen Cheng grinned. "So, is it Lord Shen?"

Liu Yunfeng gave a noncommittal reply. "When the time is right, that person will approach you. Until then, just play dumb."

’That answer was practically a confession.’

Since Liu Yunfeng had generously granted him three days of leave, Chen Cheng readily accepted. After a word of thanks, he left the City Guard Department, stopped by a blacksmith’s shop to buy twenty catties of Refined Iron Plates, and then headed home.

When he got home, the maid, Xi’Er, opened the courtyard gate for him.

In the courtyard, Mu Xiaowan had set up a small wooden table. She was sitting on a low stool, busy sewing a liner for some clothing.

"Brother Cheng, how are you back so early today?"

"The assessment for official constable is in three days. Mr. Liu told me to take three days of leave to prepare."

Chen Cheng smiled, then took out the bundle of Refined Iron Plates and handed it to Xi’Er. "Xi’Er, give these a good polish."

"Yes, Young Master." Xi’Er happily took the bundle with both hands, ran over to sit by Mu Xiaowan, and took out the Refined Iron Plates. She placed them with the other plates on the table and began to carefully polish them with a cotton cloth.

Since coming to the Chen Family, doing chores with Mu Xiaowan, eating well, and dressing warmly, the little girl had gradually become more lively.

She was very quick and deft with her hands. Most of the Refined Iron Plates on the table were already polished until they gleamed, without a single trace of rust.

"You’re doing a great job, Xi’Er!" Chen Cheng couldn’t help but praise her.

Xi’Er tilted her little face up, revealing a sweet smile. "Young Master, Miss is as good to me as my own father and mother were," she replied obediently. "It’s the least I can do."

The little girl felt a great sense of pride in being able to do something for her Young Master and Miss.

A faint smile touched Chen Cheng’s lips. ’It feels good to be home,’ he thought. ’No conflicts, no schemes... just warmth and tranquility.’

"Xiaowan, this liner you’re sewing seems very different from the last one."

Mu Xiaowan was exceptionally skilled with her hands. Chen Cheng had only been gone for a couple of hours, but she had already finished most of the liner.

The stitching on this liner was as tight and meticulous as ever, but the way the Refined Iron Plates were arranged inside was different. They were layered and overlapping, like scale armor.

Mu Xiaowan smiled. "That’s all thanks to Xi’Er. She taught me to sew it this way. She called it... oh, right, Armor Stacking. It has a lot of benefits.

Xi’Er, go ahead and tell Brother Cheng all about it."

"Okay." Xi’Er agreed, then began to explain with considerable pride.

"This is Armor Stacking. My father taught me how to make it. The hunters in our mountains often run into fierce beasts like wild boars. They have sharp tusks and claws that can easily wound or kill a person.

That’s why we hunters always wear stacked armor when we go into the mountains. My father’s was made of bamboo strips, and several times, he was attacked by a wild boar whose sharp tusks couldn’t pierce it.

Since Young Master’s liner uses Refined Iron Plates, I taught Miss how to make stacked armor with them. When Young Master wears it, it can protect him from sword and saber attacks."

Chen Cheng’s eyes lit up. He immediately took some of the Refined Iron Plates from the table and had Xi’Er arrange them in the stacked armor pattern, then tested it with his Long Saber.

Whether he was thrusting, flicking, cleaving, or chopping... he couldn’t break through the stacked armor’s defense. It was incredibly effective.

On the morning of the fourth day, Chen Cheng enjoyed a rare chance to sleep in, feeling fully rested.

After breakfast, he put on the Iron Armor stacked liner, which weighed a hefty seventy catties, and stood in the courtyard to summon his status panel.

[Name: Chen Cheng

Realm: Skin Grinding (Small Success)

Skills: Iron Armor Skill (Small Success 888/1000), Wind Chasing Saber Technique (Great Success 582/10000), Bear Skin Grinding Technique (Beginner Level 63/100)]