Chen Ping’an’s expression was cold, his eyes profound. His words carried a weight that compelled belief.

Young Master Xiao Hu narrowed his eyes, studying Chen Ping’an as if seeing him for the very first time.

For a moment there, he’d seen a faint shadow of Old Chen in the Chen Family’s kid.

Old Chen could rest easy, knowing he’d left behind a descendant with both courage and cunning.

But...

To the bitter end!?

Ridiculous!

’Does he really think he can scare me, Young Master Xiao Hu?’

Young Master Xiao Hu lifted his foot, ready to advance, when a sharp cry echoed from the other end of the alley.

"Town Patrol Office night patrol! What’s going on up there!"

Young Master Xiao Hu turned to see two constables in the distance, each wearing a saber. One held a lantern and the other a gong as they approached.

At first, the two constables approached with imposing strides. But the closer they got, the more their confidence seemed to wane. By the time they could make out Young Master Xiao Hu’s broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted frame, they were like completely different men.

"Oh, it’s you, Young Master Xiao Hu!"

Naturally, the constables of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office recognized high-ranking members of the Tiger Head Gang like Young Master Xiao Hu. Not only did they have to know who he was, they couldn’t afford to offend him unless it was absolutely necessary.

Realizing only now that Young Master Xiao Hu was here, the two constables inwardly cursed their luck.

Their scalps prickled, especially when faced with the malicious stares of the seven or eight thugs.

’Young Master Xiao Hu is here, and it’s obvious he’s up to no good! If we’d known, we would have just pretended we didn’t see anything and walked on by. We wouldn’t be in this mess!’

’Now that we’re here, we can’t stop him, but we can’t just ignore it either. This puts us in a terrible spot. We’re caught between a rock and a hard place!’

’Even if we were determined to stop him, we’re just temporary constables. To think we could stop a Protector of the Tiger Head Gang like Young Master Xiao Hu with our status... it’s a pipe dream.’

As these thoughts raced through their minds, they suddenly spotted Chen Ping’an sitting in the courtyard.

"Chen Ping’an?"

As fellow temporary constables at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, of course they knew each other.

Young Master Xiao Hu glanced at Chen Ping’an in the courtyard, then back at the two constables. He had a sudden change of heart and decided to abandon his original plan.

Truth be told, he hadn’t taken Chen Ping’an’s "to the bitter end" threat seriously. However, teaching the kid a lesson right in front of two constables from the Town Patrol Office would be a bit improper. He wasn’t afraid, but he didn’t want to invite trouble over something so trivial.

’After all, the situation in the gang is sensitive right now. A lot of people have their eyes on me. I can’t afford any complications. Getting that Qi Blood Pill is the top priority!’

"Chen Family’s kid, you’re pretty lucky!"

Young Master Xiao Hu said to Chen Ping’an with a hollow laugh.

"Let’s hope your luck stays this good! But..."

Young Master Xiao Hu had no qualms about threatening Chen Ping’an right in front of the two constables.

And why would he? As long as a high-ranking gang leader like him didn’t offend someone truly powerful, and no orders came down from on high to deal with him, he really had nothing to fear from ordinary constables.

A sinister smile spread across Young Master Xiao Hu’s face. He stared at Chen Ping’an for a long moment before finally giving a signal and leading his men away.

Before leaving, each of the thugs shot Chen Ping’an a venomous glare.

"Kid, just you wait!"

Feizi gave him a thumbs-down and mouthed the words silently.

’Lucky? You’re the lucky ones,’ 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Chen Ping’an sneered inwardly.

Only then did the two constables snap out of it. They couldn’t quite figure out why Young Master Xiao Hu had left the moment they arrived.

’Do we really have that much clout?’

Chen Ping’an gave the two a slight nod in greeting.

"Care to come in for a bit?"

he invited.

The two constables were named Zhao Hu and Cheng Yuan. They had about the same seniority as him, but because they were better at sucking up to the right people, they were doing a bit better for themselves.

"No, no."

The two refused, waving their hands.

’Are you kidding?!’

’Young Master Xiao Hu’s intentions were perfectly clear. Chen Ping’an offended him, and he won’t forget it.’

’If we go into Chen Ping’an’s house, it’ll look like we’re taking his side.’

’This involves a big shot from the Tiger Head Gang, Young Master Xiao Hu. We want no part of it.’

’A colleague? What’s that worth? Can you eat it?’

’Chen Ping’an is just some destitute loser. Helping him would mean nothing but trouble, and for what? There’s nothing in it for us.’

’Only an idiot would do that!’

Seeing their refusal, Chen Ping’an didn’t press the issue. He could more or less guess what was going through their minds.

Still, it was only human nature. He understood.

And even though it hadn’t been their intention, their arrival had helped him out.

After watching Zhao Hu and Cheng Yuan leave, Chen Ping’an got up and closed the courtyard gate.

’Great.’

’The crossbar is broken again!’

’I’ll have to find another piece of firewood to use as a temporary latch.’

"Nannan, you weren’t scared just now, were you?"

That scene just now, with Young Master Xiao Hu and his seven or eight men, must have been quite terrifying.

"With you here, Brother, I’m not afraid," Chen Erya replied, a sweet smile on her face.

"Good. It’s good you’re not afraid," Chen Ping’an replied with a smile.

After all the commotion, night had long since fallen.

’I can’t keep practicing the Flying Locust Stone against the courtyard wall.’

With his increasing practice and his Flying Locust Stone skill at Minor Achievement, the stones he threw now packed a considerable punch. If he kept this up, it wouldn’t be long before he put a huge dent in the wall.

Since he couldn’t use the wall, Chen Ping’an’s gaze fell upon a pile of rocks in a corner of the yard, left over from when he was practicing his Iron Cloth Shirt.

’I’ll just practice on the rock pile!’

Chen Ping’an backed away as far as he could, picked up a suitably sized Flying Locust Stone, and began his practice.

Whether it was due to reaching Minor Achievement in Flying Locust Stone or the emotional impact of the day’s events, Chen Ping’an unexpectedly gained 4 points of Cultivation Experience from his cultivation that night.

Name: Chen Ping’an

Realm: Qi Blood Third Layer

Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt Perfection, Minor Achievement in Flying Locust Stone (6/40)

...

Looking at the data on the panel, Chen Ping’an was quite satisfied. He could now gain 6 experience points from a day’s cultivation. At this rate, he could achieve Great Success in Flying Locust Stone in just six days!

Once his Flying Locust Stone reached Great Success, his overall strength would rise to another level. He would have more confidence to face the unknown.

He refused to believe that Young Master Xiao Hu would let things slide after today’s incident.

There was definitely more trouble to come.

But it didn’t matter. He had already prepared for the worst when he’d yelled at them to get out.

’Since I have set foot on the Martial Dao, I must advance with unwavering resolve!’

’If Young Master Xiao Hu causes any more trouble, I’ll find a night and kill him!’

The night passed quickly.

Early the next morning, Chen Ping’an arrived at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office and bantered for a bit with Monkey Head and Da Shan. After the pre-shift briefing, he headed straight home.

’It’s my turn for the night patrol again.’

According to the assignments from the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, he was scheduled for night patrol with Mr. Qin tonight.

However, Mr. Qin usually only ever showed up for roll call; the rest of the time, he was nowhere to be found.

So, being assigned to a shift with Mr. Qin most likely meant Chen Ping’an would be patrolling alone.

Tonight’s patrol was in Jiming Lane.