“Nannan, I’m home.”
As Chen Ping'an pushed open the door, the aroma of cooking filled the air.
“Brother is back!”
Chen Er'ya poked her head out from the kitchen window. Xiao Yatou was cooking.
“Yes, I’m back. Nannan, your brother brought you a gift!” Chen Ping'an said with a smile as he walked into the courtyard.
“Ah! A gift!” Xiao Yatou immediately perked up. If she wasn't cooking, she would have run out immediately to see what the gift was.
“Hehe, Nannan will know in a bit.” Chen Ping'an kept her in suspense.
This made Xiao Yatou so anxious that she forced herself to finish cooking, then she darted out in a flash.
“Brother, what’s the gift?”
Xiao Yatou looked on eagerly.
Under Chen Er'ya’s expectant gaze, Chen Ping'an pulled out a few books from his embrace.
“It’s books!” Xiao Yatou’s eyes lit up.
Watching Chen Er'ya excitedly take the books, Chen Ping'an said with a smile, “Today, when I was on duty, I happened to pass by a bookstore. I remembered Nannan said before that she wanted to read and write. So your brother brought a few books back. Normally, Nannan can read them at home too, just to pass the time!”
“En, en.” Xiao Yatou nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking rice, her attention completely focused on the books in her hands.
Seeing Chen Er'ya’s excited expression, Chen Ping'an was also very happy. These basic books were suitable for children’s enlightenment, and Chen Er'ya had a foundation in literacy, so she shouldn't find them difficult to read.
It was also hard on Xiao Yatou; when he wasn't home, he didn't know how she spent her days!
One must know that in today’s world, there weren't as many small amusements to pass the time.
Perhaps children from wealthy families could, but for ordinary commoners, there was probably only playing among peers.
However, Chen Er'ya was more mature than her peers and didn't play well with the children from the neighboring households.
Chen Er'ya flipped through the books as if she had found a treasure, not stopping for a long while.
“Nannan, alright, alright, let’s eat first! You can read after dinner!” Chen Ping'an said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Chen Er'ya carefully put away the books, then quietly walked into the house to put them away.
“Brother, thank you! I really like this gift.” Stars glittered in Chen Er'ya’s eyes.
“Glad you like it! Tell your brother when you finish them, and I’ll buy you new ones!”
Looking at Xiao Yatou, Chen Ping'an felt very content. It was his fault; he should have thought of buying books for Xiao Yatou sooner.
With his current monthly salary as a formal Yamen Runner, covering the cost of books was not difficult.
“Wow! Brother is too good!” Xiao Yatou immediately threw herself into Chen Ping'an’s embrace.
Chen Ping'an stroked Xiao Yatou’s head, his heart filled with contentment.
Nannan, give your brother a little more time. Then your brother will invite a famous teacher to teach you to read!
Chen Ping'an thought to himself.
......
The morning sunlight gradually spread across the land, illuminating every corner of Lihua Lane. All things welcomed a new day under the gentle glow.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
In the small courtyard, Chen Ping'an, bare-chested, wielded the broadsword issued by the Zhenfu Division, practicing the Gongmen Thirteen Blades. Sweat streamed down his skin. His physique looked a bit thin, but each sword strike was full of power.
The blade work was sharp, and strong winds rose!
+1!
An experience symbol floated past Chen Ping'an’s vision.
“It’s done!”
Chen Ping'an’s face lit up with joy as he sheathed his blade and stood still.
Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Qi Blood Third Stage Perfection
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Major Achievement (11/100), Gongmen Thirteen Blades Entry (15/15)
......
“Breakthrough!”
Chen Ping'an closed his eyes, his spirit concentrated, and he tapped on the faintly visible plus sign next to Gongmen Thirteen Blades.
Whoosh~
Specks of starlight entered his glabella, and a large amount of complex information surged into his mind. It was about the application of the Gongmen Thirteen Blades, horizontal and vertical slashes, up, down, left, and right. The seamless connection and variations of blade techniques in real combat scenarios, and the marvelous uses of various Moves.
Time and again, scene after scene, it was as if Chen Ping'an had personally experienced them.
The Gongmen Thirteen Blades, which ordinary Yamen Runners would take several years or even more than ten years to achieve Minor Achievement, Chen Ping'an easily achieved Minor Achievement in blade techniques at this moment.
With the Minor Achievement in blade techniques, under the effect of the Golden Finger panel, Qi and blood were generated from within Chen Ping'an's body. The Qi and blood surged, flowing through his major tendons, and began to press towards his bones.
After a long while, Chen Ping'an slowly opened his eyes.
Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level, Bone Forging Realm, accomplished!
From this moment on, Chen Ping'an’s bones were like iron, and his arm span was like a blade. Chen Ping'an only felt that his whole body was filled with power. He had a faint feeling that if he punched out, the courtyard wall in front of him would probably be punched with a large hole.
Is this the power of a Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level?
Chen Ping'an quietly sensed it.
Stepping into the Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level meant that his Martial Dao Realm was no longer inferior to Zheng Chatou. Looking at the entire Nanquan Lane, he was one of the top figures!
Even Tiger Head Gang’s leader, Master Hu, was only at the Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level Martial Dao Realm. Moreover, the other party was old and frail, so if they really fought, he would not be Chen Ping'an's opponent.
After all, Chen Ping'an’s martial arts accumulation came from diligent practice and numerous real combat experiences!
His current Martial Dao Realm in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, only Squad Leader Shen Shikang and Master Tian Fuliang could steadily suppress him. Outside the Zhenfu Division, gangs like the Iron Bull Gang, Wild Wolf Gang, or Feisha Gang, no one would be his opponent in a one-on-one fight!
It can be said without hesitation that Chen Ping'an, possessing the Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level Martial Dao Realm, truly stepped into the upper echelon in the entire Nanquan Lane!
Of course, that was only in Nanquan Lane!
If he left Nanquan Lane and went outside, Chen Ping'an’s Martial Dao Realm would still be somewhat lacking.
Nancheng District has more than a dozen alleys under its jurisdiction. Plus the Southern City Alley where Nancheng District itself is located, Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level Martial Dao masters, though not common, are certainly not rare!
This is only Nancheng District; if it were in the outer city of Weishui County, it would be even less impressive!
“Do not be careless! Everything must be done cautiously and carefully!”
“Conceal half of your sharpness, reveal half. And within the revealed half, there still needs to be some reservation. This is the stable Dao!”
“......”
Thinking back to when he encountered several Ten Thousand Demons Sect masters during his night patrol and comparing himself to them, Chen Ping'an’s heart gradually calmed down.
He was still far from being a true Martial Dao master!
However...
Bone Forging! Organ Refining! Blood Exchange!...
He would overcome these gaps step by step, and sooner or later, he would completely surpass them!
“Continue!”
Chen Ping'an’s mind was calm. He picked up his broadsword and began to continue practicing.
Having just broken through to the Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level, he felt an endless supply of energy throughout his body.