In the afternoon, Huang Chatou, Chief Liu, and Li Chatou, these three Chief Constables, all came to greet him, which counted as a reintroduction. The sudden promotion of Chen Ping'an still left them somewhat surprised and uncertain. However, with what had happened in the morning, they were all quite polite to him.
Speaking of which, the group of Yamen Runners Chen Ping'an was originally in was under Li Chatou.
However, their positions had now shifted. With the identity of a Provisional Chief Constable, he and Li Chatou were now considered equals.
After simple communication and the endorsement of Squad Leader Shen Shikang, Qin Tou, Monkey Head, and Da Shan were smoothly transferred under Chen Ping'an's command.
Of course, the procedures would still take some time.
At Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, there were five Chief Constables. Aside from Zheng Chatou, with whom he had already fallen out, and Stern, who was good friends with Zheng Chatou, Chen Ping'an had established relatively good initial relationships with the others.
This day was the most comfortable day Chen Ping'an had experienced since he joined the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
When he left the Chief Constable's office after work, many Yamen Runners still greeted him.
This feeling was truly somewhat mysterious.
Upon returning home, Chen Ping'an eagerly told Chen Er'ya the good news of his promotion to Provisional Chief Constable.
After being promoted to Provisional Chief Constable, his monthly salary also increased from one tael and two qian for a formal Yamen Runner to one tael and eight qian.
Upon hearing this news, Xiao Yatou was initially stunned. When she finally reacted, she was filled with continuous pleasant surprises.
Amidst joyful laughter, the siblings finished their dinner.
Even on the day he was promoted to Provisional Chief Constable, Chen Ping'an did not stop his martial arts practice.
Although power was good, he deeply understood that in such a world, only strength was fundamental!
After practicing Gongmen Thirteen Blades, Chen Ping'an had accumulated enough Cultivation experience. As his mind concentrated, the speckles of starlight stirred by the experience merged into his glabella.
It was as if he had undergone years of arduous cultivation, an accumulation of practice, and a bit of enlightenment arose in his heart.
Gongmen Thirteen Blades, Major Achievement!
With the Major Achievement of the blade technique, the Qi and blood within Chen Ping'an's body began to surge, greatly advancing his martial arts Realm. However, he still had not reached the standard of Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level Perfection; to be precise, there was still a considerable distance to go.
If quantified with data, the current Chen Ping'an was at the mid-stage of the Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level.
"Gongmen Thirteen Blades has reached Major Achievement!"
With his martial arts Realm taking another small step forward, Chen Ping'an was in a good mood.
"I can start practicing Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training!"
Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training, described as a Cultivation Technique, can actually be divided into thirteen aspects: Iron Broom, Iron Arm Skill, Iron Head Skill, Iron Throat Skill, Iron Stake Skill, Iron Elbow Skill, Iron Fist Skill, Iron Palm Skill, Iron Finger Skill, Iron Knee Skill, Iron Leg Skill, Iron Shoulder Skill, and Iron Back Skill.
Each of these thirteen types has its own specialized training method.
In terms of actual power, Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training is actually close to a high-grade Cultivation Technique, but it is too dispersed, which greatly increases the difficulty for Cultivators. Moreover, because it is a hard Cultivation Technique, it is even more prone to leaving hidden injuries and problems.
With a determined mind, Chen Ping'an began to practice Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training according to the methods recorded in the Cultivation Technique.
He could practice according to different Moves.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent into a high horse stance, fists transformed into palms placed at both waist sides, palms facing upwards, eyes looking straight ahead.
Inhale through the nose, mentally guide the Dantian Qi upwards to the Baihui acupoint. When unable to inhale further, shout "Ha" loudly with the mouth, simultaneously raising the right hand to pat the head, then exhale and relax, switching to the left hand.
This was the practice method for Iron Head Skill.
Just like that, Chen Ping'an tried bit by bit. It took him a full half-hour to complete the basic movement practice for all the Cultivation Techniques of Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training.
+1.
Extremely familiar Cultivation experience flashed by.
Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Major Achievement (48/100), Gongmen Thirteen Blades Major Achievement (0/100), Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Not Yet Initiated (1/10)
......
"It's done!"
Chen Ping'an's heart filled with joy.
"This Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training truly lives up to its reputation as a medium-grade Cultivation Technique; it's really difficult to practice! At this rate, I can only practice it once at most tonight. The time for morning practice isn't enough! Unless I can use all the time for practicing Flying Locust Stone and Gongmen Thirteen Blades to practice Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training!"
"Although the power of Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training is not bad, in its early stages, it might not be as useful as the perfected Gongmen Thirteen Blades and Flying Locust Stone. First, I'll Cultivate these two Cultivation Techniques to Perfection, then I'll fully focus on practicing Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training!"
"According to the current Cultivation progress, in about ten days, I'll be able to practice both Cultivation Techniques to Perfection!"
"Hmm... Now that I've been promoted to Provisional Chief Constable, I have more free time during the day. I wonder if there's time to practice Cultivation Techniques! If so, my Cultivation progress will be even faster. Tomorrow, I'll give it a try!"
"......."
......
Early the next morning, Chen Ping'an arrived at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office. Unlike usual, today he stood on the highest platform at the very front, admired by all the Yamen Runners.
Speaking of which, the entire Nanquan Lane Garrison Office currently had only one Provisional Chief Constable, him. Although called a Provisional Chief Constable, most of the benefits were not much different from a Chief Constable.
Zheng Chatou did not attend the pre-shift meeting; he was still at home, meditating and reflecting.
During the pre-shift meeting, it was announced that Chen Ping'an would take charge of the three groups of Yamen Runners, which caused exclamations among the many Yamen Runners. Zheng Shiyong stood in the crowd, head bowed, hands clenched into fists.
Chen Ping'an stood on the high platform, scanning the Yamen Runners below. His gaze swept over them bit by bit, landing on Zheng Shiyong, and then on Tan Huacong.
"I'll find an opportunity to settle scores with you two as well!"
Chen Ping'an sneered inwardly.
After the pre-shift meeting ended, a round of greetings was naturally unavoidable. The current Chen Ping'an could be considered half a celebrity at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
"Hmph." Stern gave Chen Ping'an a cold look and turned to leave.
His relationship with Zheng Chatou was the best, and he did not give Chen Ping'an any respect.
Chen Ping'an glanced at him but said nothing.
"He's just like that, haha." Li Chatou laughed. The other two Chief Constables stood aside, smiling without speaking.
"It seems the relationships between Chief Constables are also very complicated!"
Chen Ping'an's mind was clear, discerning something out of the ordinary.
However, these matters had little to do with him. For him, the most crucial thing was martial arts Cultivation.
Descending from the high platform, Chen Ping'an walked towards Monkey Head and the others. Besides them, there were other Yamen Runners standing there. His taking charge of the three groups had already been confirmed. These people were his subordinates from now on.
"Chief Constable Chen."
More than ten Yamen Runners respectfully bowed and greeted Chen Ping'an.
Having been colleagues for so long, these Yamen Runners all knew Chen Ping'an. However, the situation had now changed, and Chen Ping'an was already a Provisional Chief Constable. When under someone's roof, one naturally has to bow one's head.
Especially since the lessons learned by Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Old Fan were still fresh in their minds.
Under such circumstances, how could these Yamen Runners dare to be disrespectful to Chen Ping'an? Some even felt uneasy, fearing that they might have inadvertently offended Chen Ping'an due to some oversight in the past.
"You may rise."
Chen Ping'an slightly raised his hand and spoke casually.
"I've just been promoted to Provisional Chief Constable. Many things still need familiarizing, so for now, you all will proceed according to previous customs."
"Old Qin, your group stays; the others may disperse first."
"Yes."
The three groups of Yamen Runners all responded.
The other Yamen Runners dispersed, leaving only four people standing: Qin Tou, Monkey Head, Da Shan, and Zeng Jihe.
The four of them looked at Chen Ping'an, no longer having their usual relaxed demeanor, feeling slightly constrained, unsure how to face Chen Ping'an after his promotion to Provisional Chief Constable.
......
PS: The pace really needs to pick up. The plot later is increasingly anticipated; quickly, I need to write it out quickly.