“This feeling of power…” Chen Ping'an savored it for a while in the courtyard before slowly opening his eyes.
“It feels great!”
He walked directly into the kitchen, looked at the water vat holding more than half a vat of water, placed both hands on it, and lifted it with a sudden force.
Suddenly, the water vat was lifted by him.
Although their family's water vat wasn't particularly large, when filled with more than half a vat of water, its weight would definitely not be less than three hundred catties.
“Brother! How did your strength…” Chen Er'ya, who had watched the entire scene, covered her mouth and exclaimed in surprise.
She was shocked.
When did Brother's strength become so great!
“There’s still strength to spare!” After feeling it out, Chen Ping'an put down the water vat. He turned his head, looked at Chen Er'ya, and smiled.
“It’s from practicing martial arts!”
“Practicing martial arts, huh…” Chen Er'ya’s face still showed shock.
How many days has Brother been practicing martial arts? How could he…
Perhaps sensing Chen Er'ya’s confusion, Chen Ping'an added, “Your brother, I, am a martial arts initiation Genius in a million!”
Yes, in less than ten days, he transformed from an ordinary person into a martial arts practitioner at Qi Blood Level One Perfection. At such a speed, if he isn't a Genius, what is he?
“Qi Blood Level One Perfection, increased strength!”
“Now, let’s test the changes after Iron Cloth reaches Minor Achievement!”
Chen Ping'an, bare-chested and with surging Qi Blood, struck his own chest with a palm.
He was unsure about the first strike, so he only used a small portion of his strength.
Thump!
A muffled sound, like hitting ox hide, echoed.
Chen Ping'an only felt a slight tremor in his chest and not much else.
“Again!”
This time, Chen Ping'an increased his strength and struck again with his palm.
Thump! It was still an incredibly muffled sound. This time, Chen Ping'an felt a tingling sensation.
“Qi Blood Level One Perfection, successful skin refining, like thin ox hide!”
After repeated attempts, Chen Ping'an finally confirmed his current condition.
Now, his resistance to strikes had greatly increased. Perhaps due to the Golden Finger, his skin looked no different from that of a normal person, but in reality, its defense and resistance to strikes were like thin ox hide.
If a delicate young lady, even holding a knife, were to try and cut his skin, she probably wouldn't be able to break it immediately.
This feeling was akin to using an ordinary knife to cut the thickest meat on a pig; with normal force, it wouldn't break the skin.
At this moment, Chen Ping'an had a similar effect.
Chen Ping'an’s gains were not limited to these; his most valuable asset was the combat experience of Iron Cloth, as if he had painstakingly cultivated it himself.
Even though Chen Ping'an hadn't fought a single battle yet, he was well-versed in the various combat applications and subtleties of Iron Cloth.
“This Golden Finger is truly miraculous.”
Iron Cloth at Minor Achievement and Qi Blood Level One Perfection meant that Chen Ping'an was definitely no less capable than any official Yamen Runner in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
In fact, in terms of overall strength, he could rank in the upper-middle among the official Yamen Runners.
After all, some of the official Yamen Runners in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office had already begun to enter the Qi Blood decline phase.
“Qi Blood Level One Perfection, it’s time to go to the black market.”
Going to the black market!
This was something Chen Ping'an had planned from the very beginning.
He owed Young Master Hu of the Tiger Head Gang ten taels of silver. If it were a normal one-year loan period, it wouldn't be difficult to repay the principal and interest with his monthly salary, under frugal circumstances.
However, Young Master Hu's terms had changed; in ten days, he needed to repay a total of fourteen taels of silver, including principal and interest.
Currently, Chen Ping'an didn't have the strength to overturn the situation, so he could only obediently repay the silver.
To gather this silver in ten days, the fastest way was to go to the black market and sell the martial arts Cultivation Technique, Iron Cloth!
Yes, the martial arts Cultivation Technique, Iron Cloth!
Although he hadn't brought out the book recording Iron Cloth, the Cultivation Technique content had been recorded by the Golden Finger.
A few days ago, he had bought paper and a pen and had already finished writing the Cultivation Technique. He even used thin string to simply bind it, making it into a rudimentary booklet.
No matter how common Iron Cloth was, it was still a martial arts Cultivation Technique that could lead to martial arts initiation. Even a handwritten copy could easily sell for a few taels of silver.
However, if it were a normal version, he could sell it at the Treasure Pavilion in the county town. But for this handwritten copy, to circulate it, the only option was the black market.
Nanquan Lane had many Gangs, as well as ruffians and scoundrels, people who made ill-gotten gains and engaged in illicit trades.
To circulate and trade items of dubious origin, dark channels were naturally needed. The black market came into being under such circumstances.
The Nanquan Lane Garrison Office also turned a blind eye to the existence of the black market. As long as things weren't taken too far, its existence was permitted.
However, since it was a black market, it meant risk.
This was why Chen Ping'an had delayed going to the black market until today.
Now that his Iron Cloth had reached Minor Achievement and he was at Qi Blood Level One Perfection, his self-preservation ability had greatly improved.
Even facing two or three strong men armed with broadswords, as long as they hadn't entered martial arts practice, he could easily contend with them, and even kill them.
Going to the black market to sell the handwritten copy of Iron Cloth was the final step in his plan, and it was his confidence that he could repay the silver tomorrow.
This trip was imperative!
Because he was going to the black market, he needed to ensure his condition was perfect, so Chen Ping'an did not exploit the BUG to continue practicing Iron Cloth.
“Nannan, Brother has something to go out for.” Chen Ping'an said to Chen Er'ya, who was beside him.
The Xiao Yatou still hadn't recovered from the shock of him moving the water vat earlier.
“Ah, it’s so late, where is Brother going?”
“The black market.”
Upon hearing this, the Xiao Yatou frowned. Although she was young, she knew what kind of place the black market was.
“It’s very chaotic there, and it’s so late at night…” the Xiao Yatou said worriedly.
Chen Ping'an walked forward and vigorously ruffled the Xiao Yatou’s hair, making it messy, before stopping.
“It’s fine, you just saw it, Brother’s strength now is no joke, I’m very safe.”
“Hmm, it seems so… but…” The Xiao Yatou hesitated.
“Nannan, don’t worry. Brother will be back in two hours at most.” Chen Ping'an comforted her.
“Okay, then. Brother, be careful.” The Xiao Yatou pouted and reluctantly agreed.
Actually, she also knew that Brother was going out to do something important. It was just out of worry that she tried to stop him.
After comforting Chen Er'ya, Chen Ping'an changed into a dark, tight-fitting outfit and brought a black cloth to cover his face later.
Just as he was about to leave, he thought about it and, feeling uneasy, also brought a wood-chopping knife. Then, with the handwritten copy of Iron Cloth tucked into his Arms, he walked out of the courtyard gate.
“Nannan, remember to put the wooden bar across the door, and wait for Brother to come back.”