Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Qi Blood First Realm
Martial Art: Iron Cloth Introductory (14/15)
...
Chen Ping'an looked at the panel information displayed before him, his heart filled with excitement.
Finally!
After seven consecutive days of uninterrupted practice, the experience value for Iron Cloth had accumulated to 14.
He only needed to wait until evening, practice Iron Cloth one more time, and he could push Iron Cloth directly into the Minor Achievement Realm.
What kind of changes would Iron Cloth in the Minor Achievement Realm bring?! Would it directly push his martial Dao Realm to Qi Blood Level One Perfection!
Today was already the ninth day.
There was only one day left until the tenth day that Little Tiger Lord had given him to repay the money.
Tomorrow afternoon, or perhaps tomorrow morning, Little Tiger Lord would personally come to collect the silver.
Coincidentally, tomorrow was his one day of rest within the ten days.
"Just waiting for tonight!"
Amidst Chen Er'ya's farewell, Chen Ping'an left his home full of confidence.
These past few days, he had bought paper and pen; all preparations were in place, and everything was just waiting for tonight.
When Chen Ping'an arrived at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, some Yamen Runners had already gathered in groups of three to five.
He noticed that a small group of Yamen Runners had already gathered around Zheng Shiyong, subtly centering around him, indicating that a circle had officially formed.
"That was fast!"
Chen Ping'an sighed.
The Nanquan Lane Garrison Office had over a hundred Yamen Runners, naturally forming various circles.
Generally, only official Yamen Runners could become the mainstream of a circle, while ordinary temporary Yamen Runners merely served as embellishments and atmosphere creators.
It wasn't that everyone liked this, but sometimes, being in the situation, one couldn't help oneself.
Even Chen Ping'an and Monkey Head Da Shan had their own circle.
The core of their circle was Qin Tou.
However, Qin Tou truly didn't appear often!
Only one Chief Constable came today, and it was Li Chatou.
Li Chatou was usually quiet and not fond of speaking.
Therefore, today's pre-patrol meeting was simple.
It ended quickly.
"Hu Pao Alley!?"
Chen Ping'an was somewhat surprised as he listened to Monkey Head talk about the streets they were to patrol today.
Hu Pao Alley was where the Tiger Head Gang was stationed.
It was only two streets away from Lihua Lane.
In Hu Pao Alley, lending was prevalent, and gambling houses thrived.
From small bets of a few coppers to large wagers of several taels, there were various stalls of different sizes and grades.
Gambling houses have always been places where Dragons and fish were mixed.
Pockmarked Liu and Gang thugs frequently appeared.
Such a place would not be easy to patrol.
Today, there likely wouldn't be much time for slacking off.
Indeed, Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head, and Da Shan had only patrolled for a short while when they encountered a fight.
In a corner of the alley, several Pockmarked Liu were punching and kicking a person.
That person was holding his head, squatting in the corner, occasionally letting out a miserable scream.
"Sirs, stop hitting, stop hitting.
I'll definitely pay!
Definitely pay!"
"Damn it, you owe the Tiger Head Gang silver and then lose it all in the gambling house.
When we ask for it, you make excuses.
As the saying goes, it's only right to repay debts.
It's perfectly normal for us to beat him up to vent our anger, so I hope you sirs understand!"
The Pockmarked Liu leading them shouted ferociously, kicking the person heavily as he yelled.
"Sixth Master, I was wrong.
I won't dare next time!"
"Next time!? There'll be a next time!
You wish!"
The actions of the Pockmarked Liu were violent and erratic.
"Stop!"
Seeing this scene, Monkey Head, as a Yamen Runner of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, naturally spoke to stop them.
"Where did this ignorant boy come from, daring to stop the Tiger Head Gang from doing business!"
The leading Pockmarked Liu had a cold smile on his Face, turning his head to see who dared to speak up.
As he turned, he saw three Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners dressed in black uniforms, their hands on their sabers, looking at them with serious expressions, as if ready to draw their sabers if there was any disagreement.
"Oh, it's a few Lords from the Zhenfu Division!"
Upon realizing they were Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners, the cold smile on the leading Pockmarked Liu's Face receded slightly, but there was no sense of awe in his words.
In just a few breaths, he had already figured out that there were no official Yamen Runners present; they were just a few temporary Yamen Runners.
"Tiger Head Gang members!"
Recognizing the Tiger Head Gang insignia on their bodies, Monkey Head's expression changed slightly.
Their status as Yamen Runners might have a considerable deterrent effect on ordinary Pockmarked Liu and ruffians.
But for Gang thugs of the Tiger Head Gang's scale, the deterrent power was probably limited.
However, since they had already intervened, they could only see it through.
"Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners are patrolling the street, stop at once!"
Monkey Head shouted loudly.
Chen Ping'an and Da Shan on the side also cooperatively took a step forward.
They had cooperated several times in such scenarios, and their coordination was skillful.
However, Monkey Head's shouting had no effect.
The Pockmarked Liu continued to punch and kick.
"The Zhenfu Division Lord has spoken, stop at once."
The leading Pockmarked Liu said with a cold smile to the other Pockmarked Liu.
Upon hearing this, the Pockmarked Liu finally stopped.
"Sirs, this person borrowed three taels of silver from my Tiger Head Gang and then lost it all in the gambling house.
When we asked him to repay, he kept making excuses.
As the saying goes, it's only right to repay debts.
It's perfectly normal for us to beat him up to vent our anger; we hope you sirs understand."
The leading Pockmarked Liu perfunctorily cupped his hands.
As he spoke, he seemed to have just recognized Chen Ping'an.
"Isn't this the Chen Family Boy! What a coincidence! To meet him here."
The leading Pockmarked Liu was Liu'er, who had been with Little Tiger Lord that day.
He was also the one who had slammed his palm heavily on the wooden table, causing the bone broth to splash and the pork belly to be shaken out of the bowl.
Clang!
Monkey Head pulled his saber out of its sheath, pointing it directly at the people in front of him, and shouted loudly with full Qi.
"What Chen Family Boy! Call him Lord Chen!"
Monkey Head's reaction startled Da Shan beside him; this big fellow was tall and strong, but his courage was average.
He didn't expect Monkey Head to have such a big reaction suddenly.
Chen Ping'an also looked slightly to the side, observing.
He didn't expect Monkey Head, who looked lean and thin, to have such an astonishingly loud voice when he shouted.
Seeing Monkey Head draw his saber, Pockmarked Liu'er's eyelids twitched slightly.
"My fault, this is my fault, I spoke too quickly."
Liu'er looked into Monkey Head's eyes, smiling without humor.
Then, he turned to the middle-aged man squatting on the ground, holding his head, and said.
"Tomorrow! If you still haven't paid off the money by tomorrow, our brothers will personally come to collect it.
I heard your chubby son is quite fair-skinned, which is rare."
"Brothers, give the Zhenfu Division Lords some Face; let's leave it at that for today.
Let's go."
Pockmarked Liu'er then led the other Pockmarked Liu away.
"Lords, please make way."
Monkey Head held his saber, his Face stern, and stepped aside.
"Lord Chen, Little Tiger Lord is merciful and gave you ten days.
If I'm not mistaken, tomorrow should be the last day.
What? Have you prepared those fourteen taels of silver?
If not, your sister..."
Pockmarked Liu'er walked past Chen Ping'an, paused slightly, and left this sentence.
Chen Ping'an suddenly looked up and saw a pair of eyes that seemed to smile but not smile.
"No need to worry!"
"Then..."
Pockmarked Liu'er observed Chen Ping'an's expression.
He found that he didn't see the expression he wanted to see, only a pair of incredibly deep eyes.
"See you tomorrow, Lord Chen."