Chapter 40: Second Perfection

Early in the morning, after practicing his Iron Cloth Shirt, Chen Ping’an ate breakfast and headed to the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office for duty.

At today’s pre-duty assembly, all five Head Constables were present, for Vice Inspector Tian Fuliang himself was participating in the meeting.

Tian Fuliang, speaking from the high platform, looked to be in a very good mood.

Not long after the South Town Garrison Command had issued the Wanted Poster, the Nanquan Lane branch had already killed Hairy Fish, a remnant of the Cyan Fish Gang. Reporting this to the South Town Garrison Command was a huge feather in their cap.

Tian Fuliang recalled how, during yesterday’s report, the faces of the Inspector and Vice Inspector from Cyan Willow Lane had gone green with envy.

"Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong joined forces to kill the Cyan Fish Gang remnant, Hairy Fish. Zheng Shiyong delivered the final blow and is awarded a medium-class merit and a reward of ten silver. Tan Huacong provided meritorious assistance and is awarded two minor merits and a reward of five silver. Chen Ping’an provided the clue and is awarded one minor merit and a reward of five silver."

Tian Fuliang announced the commendations for the bounty.

"Zheng Shiyong, Tan Huacong, Chen Ping’an—you are the elite of my Nanquan Lane! I am very pleased," Tian Fuliang lavished praise on the three men. "Especially you, Zheng Shiyong. You only just joined our Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, yet you’ve already performed such a great service! The matter of your official registration has been reported to the South Town Garrison Command. I have high hopes for you! Your future potential is limitless!"

Tian Fuliang’s words sent a look of ecstasy across Zheng Shiyong’s face.

To be praised by Tian Fuliang in front of so many constables was an incredible honor. With Tian Fuliang taking the lead, the surrounding constables didn’t hold back their own compliments. The chorus of praise made Zheng Shiyong feel utterly giddy.

"It is all thanks to the excellent guidance of Lord Chief, Lord Tian, and all the Constables that I was able to achieve this today."

Zheng Shiyong’s face was flushed, his voice ringing with pride.

"Good, very good." Tian Fuliang was quite satisfied with Zheng Shiyong’s reply. ’This young man knows how to handle himself. He’s worth cultivating!’

Zheng Zhenwu stood behind Tian Fuliang, also in a fine mood. Zheng Shiyong’s accomplishment brought him honor as well.

Tan Huacong stood among the crowd of constables, his face wreathed in smiles.

With Zheng Shiyong at the forefront, all he had to do was spin a simple lie to get two minor merits for free. It was now clear there was absolutely no risk in what they’d done.

’Clearly, that Chen Ping’an kid came to his senses!’

With this in mind, Tan Huacong glanced toward the corner where Chen Ping’an stood. The young man’s expression was placid, his eyes deep and unreadable, his thoughts a mystery.

The commendation ceremony at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office concluded smoothly. As it wrapped up, Tian Fuliang called Zheng Shiyong over for a private word.

"Ping’an, you got the five silver reward! Quick, you have to treat us!"

Monkey Head exclaimed excitedly, as if he were the one who had just received five silver.

"Alright, my treat," Chen Ping’an said with a smile.

"Five silver! That’s several months’ allowance! We have to take you for all you’re worth. Hmm, let me think..." Monkey Head pretended to be deep in thought, lowering his head.

"Da Shan, what about you? What do you want to eat?" Chen Ping’an asked.

"I’m good with anything," Da Shan said with a simple smile.

The atmosphere was light as the group left the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.

All morning, Monkey Head clamored about how he was going to make Chen Ping’an pay for a feast. But when noon actually arrived, they just had a bowl of noodles.

Chen Ping’an had wanted to treat them to something nice, but when they passed a noodle stall, Monkey Head insisted that the stall was calling to him and they had to eat there. Da Shan chimed in to agree, so in the end, Chen Ping’an had no choice but to go along with them.

Even while eating, Monkey Head was still loudly proclaiming his intent to eat Chen Ping’an into bankruptcy. When ordering, he heroically told the owner to add a large pork chop to his noodles.

...

A few days after the assembly, the South Town Garrison Command officially approved Zheng Shiyong’s registration.

Zheng Shiyong, temporary constable of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, had his name entered into the official registry. He was formally promoted to official constable of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.

He was granted a saber that he no longer had to turn in after his shift, giving him the right to carry it at all times. He was also granted a Waist Token to prove his status as an official constable. In addition, he was bestowed the Public Door Thirteen Sabers technique.

The black clothing of his temporary constable status was replaced with the official Constable Uniform: a cyan, cross-collared, narrow-sleeved long robe, tied at the waist with a red woven sash. Standing among the other constables, he cut an imposing figure.

Many of the temporary constables were green with envy, flocking to Zheng Shiyong’s side. Even veteran official constables showed an interest in currying favor with him.

In terms of status, Zheng Shiyong was already their equal. What’s more, he not only had his connection to Constable Zheng but had now also earned the favor of Vice Inspector Tian Fuliang. ’His future is boundless!’

’Given time, he might even become a powerful Head Constable in the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.’

None of this, however, had anything to do with Chen Ping’an.

’An official constable...’

Chen Ping’an’s mood remained completely unaffected. He continued to patrol the streets with Monkey Head and Da Shan, and he continued to practice his Iron Cloth Shirt.

The next few days were exceedingly productive for Chen Ping’an. He even had a day off, during which he accumulated a few more points of Cultivation Experience for his Iron Cloth Shirt than usual.

That evening, Chen Ping’an was in his small courtyard, practicing the Iron Cloth Shirt.

A familiar symbol for experience materialized before his eyes.

"Success!"

A look of joy flashed across Chen Ping’an’s face as he gazed at the faint plus sign that had appeared on his panel.

Without the slightest hesitation, he focused his mind and pressed the plus sign.

WHOOSH~

The Experience Points churned, and specks of starlight surged toward the spot between his eyebrows.

The familiar sensation washed over him once more as a torrent of incredibly complex information flooded his mind.

It was as if all these insights into the Iron Cloth Shirt were his own, gained through endless days and nights of arduous training, epiphanies in real combat, and deep personal reflection.

’It all felt completely natural!’

Name: Chen Ping’an

Realm: Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection

Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt Perfection

...

The changes to Chen Ping’an’s body weren’t limited to his insights into the Iron Cloth Shirt; his Qi Blood and skin had also transformed. His Qi Blood was now abundant and his strength had increased yet again. His skin, once as tough as cowhide, had become even more resilient—as if two incredibly thick layers of hide had been stacked one on top of the other.

’Iron Cloth Shirt Perfection! Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection!’

Young Master Xiao Hu of the Tiger Head Gang was only at the Martial Arts Realm of Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection.

In less than a month, Chen Ping’an had gone from an ordinary person with no knowledge of the Martial Dao to matching Young Master Xiao Hu’s realm.

Among the many constables in Nanquan Lane, Chen Ping’an’s power had reached the very top, representing the peak for an official constable. The only ones stronger were at the level of the Head Constables.

"I’ve put this off for a few days. Now that I’ve reached Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection, it’s time to visit the Black Market."

Chen Ping’an wiped himself down and put on a set of clothes he had prepared earlier.

Now that his Iron Cloth Shirt had reached Perfection, his Martial Dao Cultivation would stagnate without a new Martial Arts Technique. Anticipating this, Chen Ping’an had already made preparations.

Five nights ago, he had taken a trip to the Black Market. After some careful searching, he found a suitable contact. Within his limited budget, he had arranged to purchase a handwritten copy of a Lower-Grade Martial Arts technique.

In truth, if he weren’t so short on cash, Chen Ping’an would have definitely chosen to buy a Martial Arts Technique from the Treasure Pavilion in the city.

That way, he could have practiced his martial arts openly and legitimately.

’Such a shame!’

’He just didn’t have the money!’

Compared to the prices in the Treasure Pavilion, where techniques easily cost ten, twenty, or even more silver, the Black Market was far more cost-effective!

The time for the transaction was set for tonight.

...

P.S. Don’t worry, don’t worry, the protagonist is going to have an awesome time later on. He’ll slaughter his way through everything and suppress anyone who dares to defy him! I am the law, I am the tide of this world! Who dares to stand against me? I will kill them without mercy!

It just needs a little time. The detailed outline is already planned out past Chapter three hundred, and I’m really looking forward to the story to come.