Chapter 118 - 89: A Frank and Honest Conversation

「The next day.」

Chen Cheng arrived at the Ruyi Square Sub-Department early in the morning. After roll call, he settled into his office, brewed a pot of tea, and began sipping it leisurely.

As a Preparatory Chief Constable, he didn’t actually lead a squad and had nothing to do most days. For the most part, Chen Cheng was simply idling his time away.

But he couldn’t be too obvious about his idling. That would make him seem superfluous. He still had to keep up appearances when it mattered. This was especially true during the morning and evening roll calls. All the other squads would be bustling about, compiling reports and assigning tasks. He had to at least show his face, so people knew where to find him and that he was, in fact, on duty.

Sitting in his office, drinking tea, reading various books, and waiting for orders—this became Chen Cheng’s daily routine.

While drinking tea, he studied the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill Secret Manual.

His one-eyed senior brother, Min Wei, had taught him the moves and techniques in meticulous detail, and Chen Cheng had already committed them to heart, so he didn’t need to study them any further. He was looking at the diagram for the Dragon Eagle Iron Claw included in the Secret Manual.

The creation of the Dragon Eagle Iron Claw was quite complex, and the materials used were varied. The most common were Refined Iron and threads made from Demon Beast Wild Bull Tendons.

A Dragon Eagle Iron Claw forged from these materials would be sturdy enough to withstand strikes from ordinary Fine Steel Blades, which was already very practical.

Additionally, the Secret Manual listed several more advanced forging materials, such as Mithril, Hundred-Forged Refined Steel, Profound Iron, Ink Flood Dragon Tendons, and others. A Dragon Eagle Iron Claw forged from these materials could even stand against ordinary Treasure Weapons and Sharp Blades.

’Advanced forging materials are often ridiculously expensive. I wonder if my savings are enough. I’ll ask Qian Bin later.

’If that doesn’t work out, I’ll just forge an ordinary pair of Dragon Eagle Iron Claws to make do for now. It’s not like I’ll need to use the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill against an enemy anytime soon. As long as they have enough weight, it’ll be fine.’

Estimating that enough time had passed, Chen Cheng drained the tea in his cup, stood up, and walked out the door. Just then, he saw Xiaoxing emerging from Shen Qingshuang’s courtyard, walking toward him with a smile.

"Miss Xiaoqing," Chen Cheng greeted with a smile.

"Chief Chen, the young miss has something to discuss with you," Xiaoxing replied with a peaceful smile.

Xiaoxing was Shen Qingshuang’s attendant and deeply influenced by her. She was typically aloof with everyone, the type to wear her heart on her sleeve, unable to hide her true feelings.

’Seeing her like this, it must be good news from Shen Qingshuang.’ With that thought, Chen Cheng acknowledged her and followed her into the courtyard, heading straight for the main hall.

"Junior Brother Chen, sit." Shen Qingshuang sat in the main seat. Seeing the two enter, she pointed to the mahogany chair beside her.

When he had become a disciple yesterday, Mr. Zheng had seemed to think highly of him, but had only given him the Cultivation Technique Manual. The words from Min Wei had likely been delivered on the old master’s behalf as well.

Shen Qingshuang, on the other hand, had made no gesture at all, not even a simple greeting.

For her to address him as "Junior Brother" the moment she saw him today left Chen Cheng momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond.

Shen Qingshuang smiled and said, "Since you have already entered under Master Zheng’s tutelage, you are my junior brother. From now on, when no one is around, you don’t need to use official titles. Just call me Senior Sister."

"As Senior Sister commands, I will naturally obey." Chen Cheng’s mind raced. He smiled, cupped his hands in a salute, and then took his seat.

Shen Qingshuang gestured with her hand, and Xiaoxing quickly poured tea for Chen Cheng.

"Junior Brother Chen, have some tea," Shen Qingshuang said with a smile.

Chen Cheng had already drunk his fill of tea; how could he possibly drink more?

’I should have drunk less just now,’ Chen Cheng thought. He nodded, picked up the teacup with a hint of reservation, took a small sip, and promptly set it back down on the table, waiting for her to speak.

But Shen Qingshuang was in no hurry to speak, only staring at Chen Cheng with her beautiful eyes, sizing him up carefully.

’The Eldest Miss of the Shen Family must be trying to recruit me on behalf of her family.’ Chen Cheng had been well aware of this possibility for some time.

’But I can’t bring myself to shamelessly suck up to her like Yan Jian did. Besides, getting too close to the Shen Family probably isn’t a good thing. I’d hate to end up like Yan Jian someday.’

Chen Cheng had always, consciously or not, kept his distance from Shen Qingshuang. His principle was simple: if the Shen Family offered a peach, he would return a plum.

’But to slave away for the Shen Family like an ox or a horse, to be ordered around at will? That is absolutely out of the question.’

"Junior Brother Chen, you don’t need to be so reserved in front of your Senior Sister," Shen Qingshuang finally said softly after a long pause.

"Yes," Chen Cheng replied.

Shen Qingshuang’s expression suddenly turned serious. She said with a hint of playful reproach, "Junior Brother Chen, you really are a deep one. I pride myself on my keen judgment, yet you still managed to pull the wool over my eyes."

’Don’t tell me Shen Qingshuang has seen through to my true strength? That’s impossible!’ Chen Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression earnest. "Senior Sister, I’ve always been an open book. What could I possibly hide from you?"

Shen Qingshuang said in a low voice, "Master said that although you only have a Top-Grade Root Bone, your bones are far tougher than those of an ordinary Martial Artist. You must have trained for a long time, and your strength is no less than that of a Perfect Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm.

"To possess such strength at eighteen, you must have started cultivating the Martial Dao at fourteen or fifteen. And you still claim you haven’t hidden anything?"

’So that was the conclusion Mr. Zheng reached from examining my bones.’ Chen Cheng decided to play along. "Senior Sister, it’s true. I started lifting stone weights at fourteen to build up my body. That must be why I’m a bit stronger than others. I believe I’ve mentioned this before."

"Oh, that’s right. The first time we met, I think you mentioned you had practiced your family’s Martial Arts," Shen Qingshuang mused. She then waved her hand dismissively. "Well, never mind. In any case, with your level of strength, you’re not inferior to Yan Jian.

"I’ve told you before, the Shen Family has always cherished talent. And now that you’re my junior brother, it’s only natural that I look out for you."