After taking care of Uncle Zhang’s family matter, Chen Ping’an’s life returned to its usual rhythm.

On duty, off duty, home for his meals.

After becoming a Constable, his family’s standard of living rose significantly. Chen Ping’an also bought many books for Chen Erya, letting the little girl study at her own pace. The little girl was very interested, and Chen Ping’an planned to send her to a proper school next spring.

A school!

For the people of Nanquan Lane, that was a rare place indeed. Learning to read and write was not something an ordinary family in this era could afford.

Ever since achieving Perfection in the Public Door Thirteen Blades, Chen Ping’an had dedicated all his martial arts practice to the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training. He would practice once before going on duty, sneak in two more sessions when he had free time, and practice twice more after returning home in the evening.

He was basically accumulating 5 Cultivation Experience points a day, and they were constantly adding up.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The power vacuum left by the Tiger Head Gang’s demise was gradually filled by a new gang called the Red Bear Gang. The faction that propped up the Red Bear Gang was the very same one that had once supported the Tiger Head Gang.

For the common folk, it seemed as if nothing had changed.

But for the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, the difference was enormous. With every division of profits, the Town Patrol Office’s share went from being the smaller portion to the larger one.

Chen Ping’an’s contribution to this matter was indispensable.

Held in high regard by Lord Chief Shen Shikang of the Inspectorate and with merits to his name, Chen Ping’an’s status and position became increasingly solid.

Inside the Chen Family Courtyard, Chen Ping’an let out a long breath.

’I have enough Experience Points!’

After many days of arduous cultivation, he had finally accumulated the 80 experience points needed for the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training.

’Breakthrough!’

As Chen Ping’an’s mind focused, he pressed the faint, shimmering plus sign.

WHOOSH~

The experience churned, and starlight shifted.

A massive influx of cultivation insights and combat experience related to the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training flooded Chen Ping’an’s mind. Along with these insights came a powerful surge of Qi Blood through his body.

Qi Blood Fifth Layer Perfection!

’I did it!’

Name: Chen Ping’an

Realm: Qi Blood Fifth Layer Perfection

Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Perfection, Public Door Thirteen Blades Perfection, Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training Great Success (0/200)

...

’Refining Organ Perfection!’

Returning to his senses from the flood of insights, Chen Ping’an’s eyes were filled with excitement.

’Even Lord Chief Shen Shikang is only at this level! In terms of actual combat and overall strength, he might not even be my match! With my current power, I can truly say I have nothing to fear in Nanquan Lane! Even in the entire South District, I would be considered an extremely skilled Martial Dao expert. However...’

Chen Ping’an wiped the sweat from his body and walked into the house.

’It’s far from enough! I must become even stronger!’

Refining Organ Perfection!

Perfect Marrow Cleansing!?

No!

’None of it is enough!’

For Chen Ping’an, only by breaking through the Qi Blood Realm and stepping into the realm above it could he truly possess the confidence to stand firm and secure.

He had not forgotten the combat prowess displayed by Wu Haihua, the Grand Steward of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, under the moonlight that night!

Short spikes flew through the air, power bursting forth. Even without a weapon in hand, he possessed extraordinary destructive force.

For someone in the Qi Blood Realm, that was a fighting style on a completely different level!

The Inner Qi Realm!

’That is the true romance of a Martial Artist.’

...

"Chief, you were looking for me?"

Monkey Head walked into the Constable’s office with a wide grin.

Chen Ping’an was sitting in the large chair. A slight smile appeared on his face as he watched Monkey Head enter.

"Come, Monkey Head, have a seat first."

As he spoke, Chen Ping’an picked up the teapot and poured two cups of tea, one for each of them.

"Yes, Chief."

Monkey Head didn’t stand on ceremony with Chen Ping’an and promptly sat down.

"How have things been recently? Is the work going smoothly?"

Chen Ping’an placed the cup of tea in front of Monkey Head.

Just a few days ago, Chen Ping’an had promoted Monkey Head to the position of acting Squad Leader. A Squad Leader was a role like the one Mr. Qin used to have, a position usually held only by official constables.

However, now that he was in charge of five squads of constables, he naturally had to prioritize his own people when making appointments. For an old connection like Monkey Head, it was only natural to arrange something for him.

"Chief, it’s going quite smoothly! I haven’t run into any trouble. Everyone knows I’m your man, so no one dares to give me a hard time."

Monkey Head was in extremely high spirits.

He never would have thought that he, Monkey Head, would have such good fortune! The feeling of being a Squad Leader was completely different from being a mere junior constable. Leading a squad of men through the streets and alleys—you couldn’t imagine how imposing it felt.

"As long as it’s going smoothly!"

Chen Ping’an was in a good mood.

Although Monkey Head could seem unreliable at times, he was respectful and knew his place, had courage when it mattered, and was one of his own. Naturally, Chen Ping’an intended to cultivate him as a key subordinate.

After that, Chen Ping’an and Monkey Head chatted for a good while. The atmosphere gradually warmed, and they even started reminiscing about their time on patrol together.

However, the reminiscing was brief. It was Monkey Head who proactively cut it short.

"Chief, back when I was on patrol with you, I never imagined this day would come. The life I have now is all thanks to you, Chief. I, Monkey Head, will never forget that."

In the Garrison Commandant’s Office, there was a strict hierarchy between superiors and subordinates, and Monkey Head was very aware of his place.

"You earned it yourself! I just gave you a little push. But let me make one thing clear: if I hear you’re not doing a good job, I’ll be the first one to strip you of your position!"

Chen Ping’an said, half-joking and half-serious.

"Yes, I, Monkey Head, will definitely not disappoint you, Chief," Monkey Head said with a solemn expression.

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, get back to your duties," Chen Ping’an said with a smile.

"Yessir, Chief."

Monkey Head took his leave and headed out. Just as he was about to step through the door, Chen Ping’an spoke.

"Oh, and tell Da Shan not to worry. I’ll arrange something for him when an opportunity comes up. I haven’t forgotten our old friendship."

Hearing this, a wave of emotion swelled in Monkey Head’s heart, and his nose tingled. He fought back his excitement, loudly acknowledged the order with a "Yes!", and then left.

’That Monkey Head...’

Chen Ping’an chuckled.

’Once Monkey Head has served as acting Squad Leader for a while longer, I’ll find a way to make his position official. And it’s not just Monkey Head; the same goes for Da Shan!’

’Xiaozeng could be considered too, but his priority is lower than the other two.’

’It’s still a bit troublesome, though!’

Thinking about the merits required to be officially registered, Chen Ping’an felt a small headache coming on.

’This Constable status is still a bit lacking. If I could just take one more step up! It would be much easier to get a few of my own men officially registered!’

Just as Chen Ping’an was pondering how to advance further, an attendant of Lord Chief Shen Shikang knocked on his door.

"Chen Constable, the Lord Chief is looking for you."

It was one of Shen Shikang’s personal attendants, the constable Tao Lei.

"The Lord Chief is looking for me?"

Chen Ping’an looked up, stunned upon hearing this.